La salida de Trump 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 63, No. 4 Jan. 28, 2021 $1 Biden appoints warmongers By Sara Flounders new demands and contin- is, quite literally, the road to the ued sanctions on Iran. He Situation Room.” The Senate confirmation hearings supports continued efforts WestExec partners are former for Biden’s cabinet appointees—​which to overthrow the elected government officials, military offi- began the week of Jan. 18—​should serve government of Venezuela. cers and diplomats. By defining as a sharp warning of the continuation of (Blinken’s full testimony is themselves as “strategic consul- dangerous U.S. war policies. available at tinyurl.com/ tants,” they can avoid becoming The corporate media has focused on yyr7k58w.) registered lobbyists or foreign Biden’s promise to overturn many of Blinken also testi- agents and can thus (re)enter former President Trump’s policies. But fied: “Our commitment government service without the Biden pledged throughout his campaign to Israel’s security is one-year wait required of paid to make “no substantial change”—​and sacrosanct, and this is lobbyists. The clients who consult his foreign policy appointments show he something that the pres- with WestExec are kept secret. meant that. Despite the media talk of jus- ident-elect feels very Recently confirmed Biden cabi- tice, new policy and diversity, behind the strongly.” He repeat- net nominee General Lloyd Austin scenes the same old U.S. militarist poli- edly praised Trump has been affiliated with WestExec cies are being reinforced through Biden’s policy on normalizing Advisors, as well as sitting on cabinet choices and their direct ties to relations between apart- the board of one of the largest industry funded think tanks and military heid Israel and the United U.S. weapons manufacturers, contractors. Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Raytheon. Austin formerly served Biden’s cabinet nominations follow the Morocco and Sudan, as commander of U.S. forces in failed imperialist policies of the Trump, emphasizing: “There are Iraq and special forces in Syria. Obama, Bush Jr., Clinton and Bush Sr. a number of things from His appointment required a spe- administrations of the past three decades. where I sat that the Trump cial waiver, since by U.S. law the These choices are ominous for working administration did beyond secretary of defense must have people in the U.S. and for people around our borders that I would been a civilian for the last seven the world suffocating under the knee of applaud.” Right-wing rac- years. U.S. imperialism. ist South Carolina Senator Avril Haines, recently con- The appointment and testimony of war Lindsey Graham called firmed as Director of National hawk Anthony Blinken, nominated to Blinken an “outstand- Intelligence, has also been affili- serve as secretary of state, is one of many ing choice.” (Washington Jan. 25, 2020, Philadelphia. WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE ated with WestExec. As the for- searing examples of Biden’s militarist Post, Jan. 19) mer deputy director of the CIA, stance. such as Bank of America and Blackstone. Haines headed its drone program and Blinken, in his Jan. 19 confirmation Military-industrial insiders WestExec has actually been called a helped create the legal justification for testimony, was clear that he supports shadow “government-in-waiting” for for- targeted killings as a normalized action Blinken, a former deputy secretary of expanding imperialist war in Syria, say- mer Obama administration officials tied to within U.S. foreign policy. Along with state under Obama, is well-known for ing: “The U.S. is not doing enough.” He U.S. military policy. (politico.com, Nov. 23, assassination by drone strikes, she sup- trading on his past government positions is for “unrelenting pressure on North 2020) It boasts on its website that its name ported U.S. economic sanctions that to get lucrative consulting jobs with mil- Korea [the Democratic People’s Republic “is derived from ‘West Executive Avenue,’ attack the nutrition and health of civilian itary contractors. Blinken co-founded of Korea]” to “cut off all resources.” He is the closed street that runs between the populations of entire countries. WestExec Advisors, a secretive consult- for expanded deployment of missiles to West Wing of the White House and the According to Politico News, WestExec ing firm for military industries like Boeing surround and pressure China. He is for Eisenhower Executive Office Building. It and for major banks and investment firms, Continued on page 6

30-year U.S. war on Iraq 3 Webinar vs. racism 7 Workers on the move 5 Women’s clinic attacked 8 No waiting to confront Biden 6 Anti-imperialist feminism 8

Hank Aaron, civil rights icon 9 Rubin Kanowitz, ¡presente! 10

Crushing ICE Year of the Political Prisoner Editorial Support hunger strikers 4 Socialism vs. capitalism 10

Vietnam 11 Tunisia 11 Page 2 Jan. 28, 2021 workers.org The United States has no real sense of itself By Susan Abulhawa the CIA had engineered a coup that ultimately brought Saddam this week The author of this essay is a Hussein to power. Palestinian writer, whose lat- Even under her tyrants, ◆ In the U.S. est novel is “Against the Loveless Baghdad remained an oasis of World,” Atria, 2020. intellectual exchange, high liter- Biden appoints warmongers ...... 1 acy, towering libraries and social- Direct action against ICE ...... 4 Memes abounded on the inter- ist ideals that met the people’s 2021 is the Year of the Political Prisoner . . . . 4 net in response to President-elect basic needs. It was only after the Demonstrators support ICE hunger strikers . . .4 Biden’s remark during the Jan. 6 U.S. decimated and looted Iraq attempted right-wing coup. “This that Baghdad became what it is Alabama Amazon workers struggle for a union . 5 is not who we are,” he had said. in the American imagination. In On the picket line ...... 5 One of the most salient of reality, the American image of Defiant protesters challenge Biden ...... 6 memes was a graphic of six panels, Baghdad is simply Baghdad à la Workers rally vs. racism and fascism ...... 6 one for each word in that sentence, U.S. invasion. each depicting an era in U.S. his- Likewise, Libya. Once one of Fighting fascism with political education . . . .7 tory: from slavery, lynchings and A popular phrase repeated the most prosperous African and Why the bourgeoisie needs fascism ...... 7 burning crosses to Jim Crow, ad nauseam was that Arab nations, with high literacy, Anti-abortion extremists attack clinic . . . . . 8 police murders, mass incarcera- free health care, no homelessness, Toward an anti-imperialist feminism . . . . . 8 tion and separation of immigrant the Capitol ‘looked like free education, free electricity and Hank Aaron’s legacy ...... 9 families. Baghdad.’ In fact, the zero national debt—a U.S. inva- Biden’s sentiments were echoed sion made Libya one of the most A question about the stock market ...... 10 across a nation looking on in hor- Baghdad before the U.S. dangerous places in the world, Rubin Kanowitz ¡presente! ...... 10 ror at its Capitol building. It is wars was a vibrant and where slavery, illiteracy, abuse Around the world difficult to know if Americans are beautiful tapestry of a and chaos have taken hold with ◆ ignorant of our history and real- no reprieve in sight. The United States has no real sense of itself . . .2 ity or simply unwilling to have a high-functioning ancient The U.S. has sowed chaos, U.S. Empire wages 30-year war against Iraq . . .3 hard look in the mirror. But it is society with deep cultural fear, food and water insecurity, clear that this country has no real crime and terror throughout the Tunisia: Arab Spring 10 years old ...... 11 sense of itself, clinging instead traditions, acclaimed literary Global South. Those of us who Vietnamese Communist Party's Congress . . . 11 to notions of exceptionalism and and artistic outputs, self- know and understand this his- tory, and present, do not see the ◆ Editorial eternal goodness. sufficiency and strength. Rather than engage in much Jan. 6 coup attempt as an aberra- It’s capitalism vs. socialism ...... 10 needed national self-reflection, tion. It is most certainly not “like lawmakers and journalists doubled down, suggesting Baghdad” or like Libya or Sudan, or any other nation of ◆ Noticias en Español that the scenes in Washington were something foreign Black and Brown societies unfortunate enough to have and un-American. Another popular phrase repeated ad natural resources the U.S. wanted for itself. La salida de Trump ...... 12 nauseam was that the Capitol “looked like Baghdad.” To be clear, what happened in Washington, D.C., was In fact, the Baghdad of my youth was a vibrant and wholly American. It looked like the United States that all beautiful tapestry of a high-functioning ancient soci- of the Global South knows good and well. It was, and is, ety with deep cultural traditions, acclaimed literary and indeed who we are. ☐ artistic outputs, self-sufficiency and strength—even after

Workers World 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. Join us in the fight New York, NY 10011 Phone: 212.627.2994 for socialism! E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist and trans people are gunned down by cops and bigots on Vol. 63, No. 4 • Jan. 28, 2021 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a mul- a regular basis. Closing date: Jan. 27, 2021 tinational, multigenerational and multigendered organiza- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out tion that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to build a decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Editors: John Catalinotto, Martha Grevatt, Deirdre socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Griswold, Monica Moorehead, Betsey Piette, Minnie Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on Bruce Pratt world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational Web Editors: ABear, Harvey Markowitz, Janet Mayes ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—​and chal- Prisoners Page Editors: Mirinda Crissman, Ted Kelly Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the​ capitalist system. sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ2S+ WWP fights for socialism because the working class Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Mirinda oppression and mistreatment of people with disabili- produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Crissman, Sasha Mazumder, Scott Williams ties. It means joblessness, increasing homelessness and remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, impoverishment and lack of hope for the future. No social talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially S. Hedgecoke problems can be solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- Contributing Editors: LeiLani Dowell, G. Dunkel, The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. K. Durkin, Sara Flounders, Teresa Gutierrez, Joshua has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Hanks, Makasi Motema, Gloria Rubac education or anything else—​unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Mundo Obero: Teresa Gutierrez, Carlos Vargas seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP Copyright © 2021 Workers World. Verbatim copying make it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth branch near you. ☐ and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published If you are interested in joining Workers World Party contact: 212.627.2994 monthly by WW Publishers, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: 212.627.2994. Subscrip- National Office Bay Area Central Gulf Coast Philadelphia 147 W. 24th St., 2nd floor P.O. Box 22947 (Alabama, Florida, Mississippi) P.O. Box 34249 tions: One year: $36; institutions: $50. Letters to the New York, NY 10011 Oakland, CA 94609 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 19101 editor may be condensed and edited. 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Box 3454 [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14222 Houston, TX 77253-3454 Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. 716.883.2534 West Virginia 713.503.2633 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org Jan. 28, 2021 Page 3 U.S. Empire wages 30-year war against Iraq By Ted Kelly This massive From the perspective of the world’s youth, U.S. imperialism has been waging mobilization and war on Iraq their entire lives. Iraqi chil- dren born the same year as the start of devastating bombing the Gulf War, who should be approach- ing their 31st birthdays, were killed by campaign of 1991 carved U.S.-imposed sanctions or bombs. This 30-year war shaped the political con- out a new foothold for sciousness of an entire generation. U.S.-Iraqi relations since 1990 are the U.S., placing bases not those of two neighboring states dis- puting a border. It is an ongoing atroc- in Saudi Arabia, and, in ity an empire is committing against an oppressed nation. It’s Washington’s proj- the words of President ect to dominate West Asia. George H.W. Bush, ‘the ‘New World Order,’ same old colonialism Gulf crisis will go down As the Soviet Union collapsed, so did the counterweight deterring imperialist in history as the crucible encroachment against its neighbors. U.S. strategists seized on this opportunity to of the new world order.’ U.S. destroys Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. reconquer former imperialist colonies. Their primary goal in Iraq was to control oil resources and establish permanent established a three-square-mile “Green effort on the part of Iraqis, Iranians, General Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi bases, from which to launch military Zone” in the capital and prepared for per- Hezbollah and the Syrian Army finally militia leader on Iraqi soil. Soleimani was campaigns across the region. manent occupation. beat the I.S. a decisive figure in the defeat of the I.S. Washington first laid the groundwork The military occupation established a Although there are many fewer occu- Millions of Iraqis and Iranians marched by instigating chaos and weakening local puppet regime that privatized the insti- pation troops than at the peak, the U.S. in protest and took to the streets to com- sovereign powers. To prolong the bitter tutions of the Iraqi state, including health still has a force of about 2,500 active memorate Soleimani’s funeral. Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988, which care and education. They disbanded the duty combat soldiers in Iraq and 4,000 Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs claimed over a million lives, the U.S. sent Iraqi Republican Guard. They eliminated staff at the U.S. embassy fortress. The for the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in an weapons and cash to both sides. the institutions that kept Iraqis employed Department of Defense employs over interview (posted on Facebook) that the Two years after that conflict ended during the twelve years of sanctions. 6,000 “security contractors” in addition criminal assassination of such a respected in stalemate, the U.S. sent contradic- Overnight, thousands of workers lost to the combat soldiers. These contractors figure marked a permanent turning point tory messages through its diplomats to their only form of income. A policy known are notorious for committing war crimes for the U.S. military presence there: “The Kuwait and Iraq, ratcheting up tensions as “De-Ba’athification” imprisoned Ba’ath against the people of Iraq and as merce- United States has to wake up to the fact while encouraging the Iraqi government party members or purged them from the naries are paid handsomely for it—as that the people of this region are enraged, to invade its neighbor to the south. remaining state institutions—even those much as $22,500 a month. that the people of this region want the As soon as Iraqi troops crossed the bor- with nonpolitical jobs that required party United States out.” der, “the trap was sprung,” wrote military membership, like teachers. U.S. influence faces new challenges People’s China is another important analyst Manilo Dinucci in Workers World Various resistance forces attempted to At the height of its strength in the mid- ally of the Iraqi people through its Belt on Jan. 21. “The United States—which seize control of the country’s resources 20th century, the Iraqi Communist Party and Road Initiative. Since the COVID‑19 had been preparing the war for some and hold onto some semblance of a sov- was the largest in the region. But despite pandemic, the price of oil crashed, and time, observing with military satellites ereign state. U.S. occupation troops being the longest continuously existing Iraq’s economy contracted by 12%. Iraq’s the deployment of Iraqi forces and iden- crushed them with brute force, impris- political party in the country, the party state oil company struck a $2 billion deal tifying the targets to be hit—formed an oned thousands of Iraqi workers and was severely repressed by the Saddam this month to supply the Chinese oil com- international coalition that sent a large inflamed divisions among workers along Hussein Ba’athist regime. pany ZenHua with crude petroleum for army of 750,000 troops to the Gulf ethnic and religious lines. In the aftermath of the 2003 U.S. occu- five years at a premium price and allows under the command of U.S.-armed death pation, the ICP drew significant criticism the Iraqi state to determine the logistics the U.S. General Norman squads roamed in areas for participating in the U.S.-backed client and timeline for the exchange. Schwarzkopf.” that resisted the occu- regime. In recent years, there are signs of International solidarity This massive mobi- pation. U.S. soldiers and a new opposition as Iraqi communists lization and devastat- mercenaries committed have formed a coalition—with support- One day, the Iraqi people’s revolu- ing bombing campaign untold numbers of atroc- ers of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and tionary struggle for national self-deter- carved out a new foothold ities. Occupation forces the Youth Movement for Change Party, mination will drive every last occupying for the U.S., placing bases used so much radioac- among others—which won more seats soldier out of Iraq. The U.S. working class in Saudi Arabia, and, in tive depleted-uranium than any other grouping in the parlia- has a role to play in this fight by waging the words of President ammunition, especially in mentary elections of 2018. our own revolutionary struggle to make George H.W. Bush, “the the Basra area, that chil- On Dec. 31, 2019, Iraqi protesters it impossible for the capitalists to keep Gulf crisis will go down dren are still being born stormed the U.S. Embassy fortress in up this colonial project and to disarm in history as the crucible with deadly birth defects response to air strikes that destroyed the bourgeoisie and dismantle their war of the new world order.” to this day. weapons depots belonging to militia machine. For the next decade, Another million Iraqis groups in Iraq. Protesters’ successful Simply put, the U.S. working class and U.S. sanctions and bomb- died in the years after the breach of the embassy was a tremendous the Iraqi people have a common enemy ings killed 1.5 million International Action Center 2003 invasion. Western show of coordination and popular force in the U.S. imperialist regime. The same Iraqis, including 500,000 published this book on the capitalists controlled and was a symbolic victory demonstrat- system whose police murder Black chil- children. When ques- crime of the U.S. sanctions on Iraq’s oil fields. Hundreds ing a new spirit of resistance against the dren in the streets of Philadelphia sent Iraq. tioned about this geno- of thousands of foreign occupation. its troops to murder Iraqi children in cidal policy, Secretary of soldiers patrolled the new Days later, the Trump gang ordered Fallujah, Basra, Mosul and Baghdad. ☐ State Madeleine Albright colony. a drone attack, killing popular Iranian said, “We think the price is worth it.” The U.S. shifted colonial headquarters The George W. Bush administration from the “Green Zone” to a newly con- concocted the pretext for the next phase structed embassy complex, the largest in of reconquest and launched a full-scale human history. The U.S. occupation had invasion. Washington falsely claimed succeeded in erecting a massive military Saddam Hussein had coordinated with fortress bigger than the Vatican, right in the planners of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks the heart of West Asia. By 2009, 16,000 on the World Trade Center and the soldiers and diplomatic staff worked at Pentagon and was additionally stockpil- the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ing chemical weapons—so-called weap- Amid this chaos, the so-called Islamic ons of mass destruction. Both claims State (I.S.) emerged. The administra- were false. tion of President Barack Obama used The U.S. began bombing Baghdad the I.S. as a pretext to resume regular air on March 19, 2003, targeting the area strikes, while tacitly directing I.S. fighters around the Presidential Palace. Over towards Syria in an attempt to exacerbate 200,000 U.S. and British soldiers swept the civil war it had instigated there. But through the country, seized the Palace, after years of bloodshed, a collaborative Highway of Death. U.S. bombs retreating Iraqi soldiers in Kuwait, 1991. Page 4 Jan. 28, 2021 workers.org Direct action against ICE By Mirinda Crissman “We act fiercely for ourselves and our introduction on the continent was bound loved ones. In the unfolding chaos, there to precipitate some sort of proactive On Jan. 18, 30 anti-racist activists is real opportunity. The fragility of the rather than reactive response. attacked an Immigration and Customs State is on full display. We’ll continue to On Jan. 20, 200 protesters moved Enforcement office in San Francisco. attack both the liberal and fascist wings of against the ICE office in Portland, Ore., deportations in the name of “border secu- They cited their solidarity with “those the State proactively and relentlessly, as calling for the abolition of the govern- rity,” securing borders in the pursuit of locked within the modern plantation sys- they are mutual participants in the main- ment agency. These protesters were met profits with a murderous disregard for tem.” This band of militant anti-racists tenance of exploitation and repression. with tear gas, and six were arrested on migrants the empire itself has caused to painted the walls, smashed windows and In the final analysis, they are functionally federal charges. (KGW8 News, Jan. 20) leave their homelands. breached the inside of the building. the same.” (Indybay.org, Jan. 19) ICE was only created in March 2003. Who needs ICE? They explained in their statement that Given the ongoing brutality inherent Humans have existed without it for most they plan to carry out a series of attacks in detention centers, jails and prisons Despite President Joe Biden imme- of history, and ICE has only caused real in response to the ongoing brutality of (which has only been compounded by diately signing executive orders that harm since its inception—​in service of the prison-industrial complex. “We car- COVID‑19), it should come as no sur- extend protections to DACA recipients empire. We have before and can again ried out this attack to show everyone prise that oppressed peoples are moving and implement a 100-day moratorium live in a world where ICE does not exist—​ where abolitionists and anarchists stand. in mutual solidarity across the apparatus on deportations for some noncitizens, if we work toward it en masse. On the eve of the inauguration and the meant to isolate members of our class the newly inaugurated executive branch Abolitionists raise the call to free them so-called transfer of power, street-level from one another. The brutality inher- has a vested interest in continuing in all! Solidarity with migrants! Tear down white supremacists and the state fight one ent within these institutions over the the same direction as President Obama. the walls! ☐ another for control over all of our lives. past several hundred years since their This means mass imprisonment and 2021 is the Year of the Political Prisoner By Ted Kelly as a political prisoner is to say that the include Red Fawn Fallis and Michael Community Affairs. It called upon the state went to extraordinary lengths and “Rattler” Markus, Oglala Lakota Water movement to make 2021 the “Year to Free The U.S. “justice” system, like every expended special resources to concoct a Protectors who faced off against fed- All Captured U.S. Political Prisoners.” institution of a capitalist state, is a weapon reason to lock them away from their com- eral troops at Standing Rock to fight for “Contrary to the racist statements by designed and wielded by the billionaires rades and community. Political prisoners the environment and their sovereignty today’s fascist police unions,” the state- to beat workers into submission. Special are prisoners of conscience who fight for in 2016; Anthony Smith, a Philadelphia ment read, “our elders are absolutely no bodies of armed troops, deputized by the the liberation of their nation, their people organizer who was targeted by the feds threat to carry out physical participa- ruling class, round up workers by the mil- or the working class as a whole. for his community leadership during the tion in the resuming of any war between lions and contrive laws to justify locking The FBI and other police forces in the Black Lives Matter uprisings; and Chelsea the old police forces, who not only also them in dangerously toxic conditions. U.S. fought viciously to kill the revolu- Manning, who was convicted of espionage took part in the conflict but who still This is how capitalists can extract profit tionary character of the social upheaval after she publicly exposed proof of U.S. have never been charged, convicted or from the unpaid labor of workers, while of the 1960s and ’70s. war crimes in Iraq. imprisoned for their own armed police simultaneously keeping them under lock Dozens of political And outside North actions, murders and illegal wars on our and key to prevent them from organizing prisoners who were America, the U.S. Black, Brown [and] Oppressed commu- to fight back. The defining feature of all ensnared in this fas- and its proxies lock nities during the Anti-Vietnam War, Pro- U.S. instruments of class warfare is white cist assault are still in up those leaders who African Liberation, Civil Rights, Human supremacy, so the violence inflicted on prison to this day. endanger its most Rights, Black Liberation, Ecological, the working class is disproportionately Mumia Abu-Jamal, important imperi- Educational, Cultural [and] The U.S. New and predominantly aimed at Black, journalist, scholar and alist projects, most Afrikan/Puerto Rican/Native American Brown and Indigenous workers. former Black Panther, notably in Palestine—​ Independence Movements.” Under these conditions, the incarcera- still in prison after 39 where Zionist occupa- The statement, signed by veteran Black tion of every worker is political in nature. years, is perhaps the tion forces currently Panther-Zulu King Sadiki “Bro. Shep” The system that cages them is politi- most internationally have Ahmad Sa’adat, Ojore Olugbala, includes a list of 23 cal—the​ result of carefully designed pol- recognized political prisoner in the U.S. Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, Tareq Matar, elder political prisoners who were born icies ratified by the state. The poor and The slogan “Free Mumia!” is an indict- Khalida Jarrar, Khitam Saafin and Mays before 1955 and who must be released oppressed people who fill U.S. concen- ment of white supremacy as a whole. Abu Ghosh in custody. immediately, especially as the COVID‑19 tration camps, whether they are called Black Liberation Army member Assata pandemic rages through the prisons. ‘Let’s get it done in ’21’ “migrant detention facilities” or “cor- Shakur is one political prisoner who The virus has already killed 2,133 U.S. rectional facilities,” are there because escaped execution by incarceration. The Since mass incarceration is a form of prisoners. of the politics of capitalism and white people of Cuba warmly welcomed her as class warfare, another way to character- The crisis is only getting worse. supremacy. an exile. ize political prisoners is as prisoners of According to the Marshall Project, over But the term “political prisoner” has Ana Belén Montes has been in a federal war. This is one way elder revolutionaries 200 prisoners have died so far this special resonance, because it is used to prison since 2001 for providing classified were characterized in a recent statement month, making January 2021 the deadli- refer to those revolutionary soldiers who information to the government of Cuba, issued jointly from the Safiya Bukhari- est single month so far of the coronavirus were specifically targeted for threatening which helped protect that socialist project Albert Nuh Washington Foundation, pandemic for prisoners. the existence of this rotten, unjust sys- from U.S. interference. the Guillermo Morales/Assata Shakur Demand their immediate release! tem. Many of them are members of rev- The administrations of Barack Obama Community & Student Center, the olutionary organizations that the state and Donald J. Trump have created a whole Coalition to Free Russell Maroon Shoatz Workers World Party demands the sought to destroy through subterfuge, new generation of political prisoners. Some “NOW,” the New York City Community immediate release of all political prison- assassinations and frame-ups. avoided imprisonment or were released, Survival Program and the Universal ers, an urgent need for those for whom the To identify an incarcerated worker but are still in the state’s,crosshairs. They Zulu Nation—​World Department of COVID‑19 virus poses a heightened risk. ☐ Demonstrators support ICE hunger strikers

By Arjae Red the hunger strikers and transferred some unclean environment and overcrowding. Batavia ICE facility—​spoke out about the Batavia, N.Y. to other prisons. In upstate New York, two protests were injustices of the U.S. government against Rather than stopping the hunger strike, held by Justice for Migrant Families, immigrants and refugees: “We came here In November 2020, immigrants impris- these transfers caused it to spread to the Rochester Rapid Response Network and thinking that we were gonna have a chance oned at Bergen County Jail in New Jersey Essex County and Hudson County, N.J., Abolish ICE NY-NJ and were attended at the ‘American Dream.’ … There ain’t no began a hunger strike to protest the filthy and Batavia, N.Y., ICE facilities. Hunger by members of Workers World Party- such thing as the ‘American Dream!’ We and inhumane conditions they were being strikers transferred to Batavia were forced Buffalo. On Jan. 14, demonstrators gath- came here, and we are in the same oppres- housed in. Prisoners were experiencing into solitary confinement. Although some ered outside the Buffalo ICE field office, sive environment. They are making money a denial of access to water, medical care, prisoners have decided to end the strike, raised the demands of the strikers and off of us!” ☐ heat and cleaning supplies. The facility had many still persist as support for the pris- played the voices of the imprisoned over a rodent infestation that prisoners were oners grows and reaches across multiple a loudspeaker. forced to live with. And staff at the facility states. On Jan. 19, another demonstration was had blocked windows, limiting fresh air The transfer of prisoners to break up held at the ICE facility in Batavia, N.Y. flow. The Bergen County Jail is used by the strike not only damages the mental Protesters from Buffalo, Rochester and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and social health of the prisoners, but surrounding areas gathered to demand the (ICE) to incarcerate arrested immigrants. also facilitates the spread of COVID‑19 release of the hunger strikers, abolition of Support for the hunger strike grew in from prison to prison and into the sur- ICE and a closure of the immigrant camps. and around Bergen County, with a call for rounding communities. The virus hits Kawiye Jumale, local immigrant activist WW PHOTO: ARJAE RED the release of prisoners. In retaliation for prisoners particularly brutally, because and member of the Somali Bantu commu- Demonstrators gather outside barbed wire this solidarity, prison authorities split up of the lack of sanitary equipment, the nity—whose​ own brother was locked in the fence of Batavia, N.Y. ICE detention, Jan. 19 workers.org Jan. 28, 2021 Page 5 Alabama Amazon workers accelerate struggle for a union By Minnie Bruce Pratt Council based in Birmingham. Alan Grant, an RWDSU organizer, said in a Facebook At an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., 5,800 message that response to the organizing drive has been workers have won the right to vote for union represen- “incredible.” He described the union authorization card tation. The National Labor Relations Board has autho- as being about “dignity, respect and fair treatment.” The rized a mail-in election starting Feb. 8, with ballots due NLRB stipulates at least 30% of workers in a unioniza- by March 29. tion drive must sign cards for the Board to authorize an If a majority of workers vote yes, their victory will election. be a historic moment in the struggle of U.S. low-paid, Some two dozen unionized workers from nearby ware- Union organizers talk to workers at 4:30 a.m. outside the part-time and gig workers against sharpening capitalist houses and poultry plants have strengthened organizing gates of the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala. exploitation. The campaign by Bessemer workers in their efforts at the warehouse. Michael Foster, a poultry plant “right-to-work-for-less” state is comparable in its poten- worker, says: “I am telling them they are part of a move- tial to the epic union organizing of General Motors—then ment that is worldwide.” By late December, more than The company has fired multiple workers during protests the world’s largest corporation—in the 1930s. 2,000 workers had signed cards indicating they wanted and organizing attempts. (Workers World, “Interview: A win in this “right-to-work-for-less” Taft-Hartley Act an election, the union said. (NY Times, Jan. 25) Amazon worker battles billionaire Bezos,” April 7, 2020) state would establish the first-ever U.S. union within But Alabama has a militant tradition of worker the world’s largest online retail company owned by the Why Amazon workers want a union organizing, especially by Black workers. From 1928 to world’s richest centi-billionaire. Jeff Bezos. As of January BAmazon Union’s key goal is to gain bargaining 1951, the Communist Party USA organized throughout 2021, Bezos’ net worth is $190 billion, according to the power, especially in “safety standards, training, breaks, Alabama—from the Sharecroppers Union to the Metal Bloomberg Billionaires Index. pay, benefits.” The workload and pace of work in Amazon Workers Industrial League. (Workers World, “Lessons of Amazon is seeking to delay and obstruct the vote. The warehouses is physically and mentally grueling. ‘The Hammer and the Hoe,’” Dec. 21, 2017) company appealed NLRB authorization of a mail-in elec- The website emphasizes: “We face outrageous work On Jan. 25, the National Football League Players tion and is demanding workers vote in person—​despite quotas that have left many with illnesses and lifetime inju- Association, the union that represents more than 2,000 a COVID‑19 positive test rate exceeding 20% in sur- ries. With a union contract, we can form a worker safety NFL players in the U.S., endorsed the BAmazon Union rounding Jefferson County. committee and negotiate the highest safety standards and drive. Bessemer—located next to Birmingham—is an protocols for our workplace.” (bamazonunion.org) BAmazon Union’s Facebook page shows that its orga- impoverished former steel-producing town, where Amazon is especially vulnerable to organized labor action nizing energy is spreading to other Amazon workplaces one-quarter of the people live in poverty. It is a major- during the current pandemic. Increased online shopping in the South. One post read: “I shared your latest video ity Black city, with a 75% African American population. makes warehouse workers more essential than ever—​ with some local Amazon workers I know who are pro- (worldpopulationreview.com) and gives workers more leverage and incentive to union here in Kentucky. This country needs strong The BAmazon Union, as local organizers dubbed it, organize against the bosses. Amazon can’t stockpile unions. Now more than ever!” seeks recognition as a local of the Retail, Wholesale packages, since a strike or job protest would spell disas- It is critical to show solidarity with Alabama’s Amazon and Department Store Union. RWDSU has a significant ter for its “instant shipping” promise. warehouse workers—and with Amazon workers orga- Southern membership, with 6,000 in the Mid-South Amazon’s anti-worker campaign will surely continue. nizing globally! ☐

poison that has been with us since the beginning of our (including Workers World) showed solidarity. country, and the confederate flag is its symbol, meant As shipments of potatoes and onions for McDonald’s when we to subjugate and terrorize Black, Brown, Asian and sat unloaded, the Hunts Point Market management con- fight Pacific Islander, and Indigenous people.” (tinyurl.com/ ceded on Jan. 23, offering workers a 70-cents-an-hour On the we win! y4tjax5y) The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store raise in the first year, with a $1.85 bump by the third Union (RWDSU), National Nurses United (NNU), year. Additionally, workers need make no additional con- Service Employees Union (SEIU) and Electrical Workers tribution for their family health care benefits. picket line (UE) all characterized the Capitol mob as white suprem- One striking worker held up a copy of “The Teamster By Marie Kelly acist. (Portside.org, Jan. 7) Rebellion” by Farrell Dobbs, about how that union leader and revolutionary socialist organized truckers in Minneapolis. He said he’s reading the book because “it Union members vs. NYC Teamsters strike, win wage teaches you about how the union started. I wanna learn more. I wanna have more power. I want more people white-supremacist Capitol mob increase at Hunts Point Market to have a union. Because without a union, we’re going UNITE HERE Local 25 called on hotels in the D.C. The essential frontline workers in the Bronx, N.Y., to lose power in this country. So the more knowledge I metro area to close or permit staff to opt out of reporting stood up to their bosses and won. Hunts Point Market get, the better I become.” Inspirational words indeed! to work on Inauguration Day. Black Lives Matter activ- is the largest wholesale food distributor in the world, Congratulations to Teamster Local #202 members. ists stood in solidarity with the hotel workers union out the major distributor for New York, New Jersey and (Leftvoice.org, Jan. 22) of concern for the safety of workers, especially Black and Connecticut and serves 49 states. As food shortages Brown workers. became a concern during the COVID‑19 crisis, Hunts Despite videos showing drunken, unmasked rioters in Point’s workers kept food moving during freezing win- CWA battles Lumen Tech hotel lobbies on Jan. 6, several hotels owned by larger ter cold and summer heat. corporations, like Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn and These workers prevented a major blow to the country’s Jeff Storey, multimillionaire CEO of Lumen the Hyatt, opted to remain open Jan. 20. These chains’ supply chain. Their labor prevented severe chronic hun- Technologies, provides another example of corporate management worried about losing revenue, rather than ger in cities facing high rates of critically ill COVID‑19 U.S. giving lip service to the Black Lives Matter move- guarding against harassment or dangers to their workers. patients. Several Hunts Point workers have died from ment. During the uprising against police terror and rac- The Association of Flight Attendants—​CWA COVID, and over 300 battled the disease. These workers ism last year, Storey said that “we must be against racism (AFA-CWA) won a victory when the Federal Aviation never received hazard pay. and violence against Black People” and “value our differ- Administration (FAA) announced that unruly passen- The workers, all members of Teamsters Local #202, ences as strengths for unification.” Empty words consid- gers will face fines and possible jail time. (tinyurl.com/ demanded a $1 an hour raise and better health care bene- ering that Lumen Tech designated Martin Luther King y3a8hs8q) AFA-CWA International President Sara fits. The multimillionaire bosses first countered by offer- Jr. Day as a paid holiday for non-union employees only Nelson stated that anyone who participated in the “mob ing a measly 32-cent wage increase. These same bosses Union workers at Lumen (formerly known as mentality” of the Jan. 6 riot should be placed on no-fly received $15 million in federal Paycheck Protection CenturyLink) are represented by CWA Local 7777 in lists. (tinyurl.com/y3z86dvl) Program forgivable loans at the start of the pandemic Denver, Colo. A delegation of African American workers Major unions unanimously condemned the Jan. 6 crisis. from the Communications Workers petitioned Storey, attack on the Capitol. A few denounced it as a white-su- The workers, some with 20 years seniority, refused asking that he designate the federal MLK Day as a paid premacist riot. Actors’ Equity proclaimed: “As a union to put up with this inequality. Refusing to back down, holiday for all Lumen workers. The letter was signed and a democratic organization, we are appalled by this the 1,400 Teamster warehouse workers and drivers hit by 1,500 Lumen employees and community support- attack on the values we hold most sacred. The disgrace- the picket line Jan. 16, staying there 24/7, denying truck ers. The union requests that Storey and Lumen man- ful scenes coming out of the nation’s capital have under- after truck an off-loading. On Jan. 18, NYC Mayor Bill agement meet with them regarding racism at Lumen. mined America’s institutions and its standing in the DeBlasio sent in the NYPD, some in riot gear, to break (tinyurl.com/y6l979xg) world. Displays of the Confederate flag and other sym- the picket line. This action reflects the upsurge in tech-industry labor bols of white supremacy and hate were meant to subju- Cops outnumbered strikers and protesters 2-to-1 and organizing over the past year. The pandemic crisis has gate and terrorize people of color and those of certain arrested six strikers for blocking the roadway. Since sharpened the focus on who is an essential worker—​ faiths. This poison attacks the diverse membership of our these essential workers are heroes, the people cried out and the tech industry is included. As tech giants’ profits union and the labor movement.”(tinyurl.com/yys4yemu) immediately against the police action. Respect and sup- explode, like Lumen, Amazon and Google’s, workers are Communication Workers (CWA) President Chris port for the strikers grew, and hundreds of supporters demanding more rights and a larger share of the pie. ☐ Shelton issued a statement calling white supremacy “a joined the picket line, as other unions and organizations Page 6 Jan. 28, 2021 workers.org

Buffalo, N.Y. Defiant protesters challenge the Biden administration By Arjae Red and abolishing ICE and the police, immediate COVID Buffalo, N.Y. relief for workers, Medicare for All, paid sick leave, can- cellation of rent and student loan debt, the end of all Jan. 21—On​ Biden’s first full day as president of the fracking and oil pipeline construction, and free unre- U.S. empire, activists and community members here stricted access to abortion. wasted no time in putting pressure on his administra- The exciting lineup of speakers from many organiza- tion. At a demonstration called by Workers World Party- tions and causes included India Walton, local activist Buffalo, people gathered at the corner of Niagara Street and a mayoral candidate; labor organizer Mary Lister and Porter Avenue to voice their demands. from Queen City Workers center; activist and mental Activist David Louis spoke of the need for protesters health care advocate Shaima Aakil; anti-police violence to stop asking Biden for change and instead organize for activist Myles Carter; immigrant activist Kawiye Jumale; the change we want ourselves—​highlighting the fact LGBTQ+ activist Ezra Echo from Workers World Party; that many basic demands for equality have been raised Marie Schuster and Chuck Culhane from the Western WW PHOTO: ELLIE DORRITIE for hundreds of years, and neither major political party New York Peace Center and more. has acted on these changes. Based on Biden’s 40 year record, it’s clear the Biden gains desired by workers and oppressed peoples will Demands raised today included ending all wars and administration will not proactively fight for measures need to be fought for as hard as they were fought for sanctions, ending the blockade on Cuba, closing prisons that would benefit the working class. Any substantial under Trump—if​ not harder. ☐ Workers rally vs. racism and fascism By Judy Greenspan San Francisco City Hall. Organized by working class, the poor, the oppressed, the ground for the people who are trying San Francisco the United Front Committee for a Labor the people who have experienced geno- to eke out a living. … We know that it takes Party, Freedom Socialist Party and cide, the Indigenous people.” Garcia people like us, workers, to continue orga- On Inauguration Day, workers ral- Workers World Party, the rally became expressed solidarity with the Black Lives nizing in the streets, in the halls—not​ just lied against racism and fascism outside a speak-out for a wide variety of working Matter Movement and the struggle for asking for change, but demanding it.” ☐ and oppressed people from the U.S. im/migrant rights. and around the world. Many speakers Speakers included gig work- blasted the Jan. 6 ers, health care workers, prisoners’ attempted racist rights activists, former prisoners, coup, while also Indigenous defenders and those expressing skepti- fighting U.S.-funded fascism in coun- cism that the new tries like the Philippines. Biden administra- Fátima Garcia, Secretary of the tion will act in the Sacramento Labor Council for Latin interests of work- American Advancement (AFL-CIO) ing people. Rhonda and Change to Win chapter, paid Ramiro, Chairperson tribute to women and Indigenous of BAYAN, USA, workers. “I want to acknowledge the stated: “We know women in the labor movement, who that a change of do not get recognized ever in history.” president doesn’t WW PHOTO: JUDY GREENSPAN Garcia added, “It has always been the equate to change on WW PHOTO: JUDY GREENSPAN Biden appoints warmongers Continued from page 1 the former deputy assistant secretary of state for East into Syria from Iraq, according to the SANA, the Syrian Asian and Pacific affairs, was considered the architect state news agency. The convoy of 40 trucks, loaded with is loaded with other former top Democratic national of Obama’s “Pivot to Asia.” This was a provocative pol- weapons and logistical materials, reinforced illegal bases security and foreign policy officials who raised money icy of repositioning missile batteries, troops and aircraft in the area. Tons of U.S. heavy equipment were observed for the Biden campaign, have joined his transition team carriers to encircle China and threaten the DPRK. His travelling toward U.S. positions at the Conoco oil and gas or have served as unofficial advisers. Many other con- new role as Biden’s “Asia Czar” is to integrate anti-China field. This aggression continues the direct imperialist theft sultants are expected to receive Biden appointments. strategy and strengthen U.S. alliances in the region. of Syria’s oil resources and is intended to disrupt Syria’s (tinyurl.com/y2hydkdm) The naming of Victoria Nuland as under secretary of efforts to rebuild and provide for its war-torn population. state is especially revealing of Biden’s militarist policy. (tinyurl.com/y3tor8fq) Think-tank war hawks Nuland has served as the CEO of CNAS (Center for New This convoy movement showed the Biden admin- There are a variety of other think-tank and strategic American Security), another well-funded military think istration’s rush to affirm its absolute commitment to consulting firms that provide extremely well-funded tank. She has also been with the Albright Stonebridge ruthlessly enforce U.S. imperialist interests, within a positions for government officials—​both Republicans Group, a think tank set up by former Secretary of “two-party system” unified in serving U.S. capitalism. and Democrats—​between government appointments. State Madeleine Albright. Nuland served in both the U.S. wars provided guaranteed profits and lucrative The role of these think tanks is to develop a well-vetted Bush-Cheney administration and the Obama-Biden military contracts stretching back through decades to and experienced staff who are on-call to serve corporate administration. banks and military industries. The trillions for endless power both inside government and out. Under the latter administration, as assistant secretary of war leaves working people in the U.S. holding empty A 2020 report from the Center for International state for European and Eurasian affairs, Nuland bragged promises, while they struggle and die in the surge of the Policy found that defense contractors, as well as U.S. that she helped engineer the 2014 fascist coup that over- COVID‑19 virus, in the grip of racist police and under the government national security and defense agencies, threw the elected government of Ukraine, using $5 billion collapsing infrastructure of an economy in crisis. contributed more than $1 billion to 50 of the most in funding from National Endowment for Democracy. The trillions spent on war for profit could easily alle- influential U.S. think tanks over the last five years. All these appointees promoted U.S. wars in Afghanistan, viate all these crises and give health, housing and hope (tinyurl.com/y45jkd52) Iraq, Syria, Libya; starvation sanctions on Venezuela, to the millions of U.S. working and oppressed people. ☐ Other recent think-tank appointees by Biden include North Korea and Iran; and U.S. plans to Kathleen Hicks as deputy secretary of defense. She reinforce NATO against Russia, surround served as senior vice president of CSIS (Center for the DPRK and especially threaten China WAR WITHOUT VICTORY Strategic and International Studies), the most hawkish militarily and economically. by Sara Flounders think tank in Washington. CSIS is funded by and acts These appointments contradict those as an “influence center” for giant military industries liberal and social democratic forces who “By revealing the underbelly of the empire, Flounders such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Northrop argued that Biden could be pushed into sheds insight on how to stand up to the imperialist war machine and, in so doing, save ourselves and humanity.” Grumman. Hicks opposes the drawdown of U.S. troops progressive policies by left pressure. from South Korea, Afghanistan and Syria. – Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, Kurt Campbell—​chairman of The Asia Group, a Wars abroad—and​ wars at home President, U.N. General Assembly, 2008-2009; “strategy and capital advisory” think tank—​has been Within 24 hours of Biden’s inaugura- Foreign Minister, Nicaragua’s Sandinista government. appointed to the newly created position of National tion, a large convoy of U.S. military sup- Available at www.workers.org/books Security Council Indo-Pacific coordinator. Campbell, as ported by helicopter gunships headed and major online booksellers. workers.org Jan. 28, 2021 Page 7

Fighting fascism ‘Political education is crucial for people’ Excerpts from the Jan. 14 Workers I think [the attack on the Capitol is] That’s why it’s so important for workers World Party webinar,“Workers Can an act of desperation by the ruling class, to really mobilize now. You can see that Defeat Fascism and Racism,” moderated because you see how capitalism is in there’s an attack on our class, and the by Ted Kelly. Tania Siddiqi spoke from decline, and right now they’re doing what- fascists will go to any means in order to the WWP Houston branch. To view the ever they can to maintain their power. maintain their position. entire panel discussion, go to youtu.be/ In India, you have a lot of sectarian Ted: Fascism is the sledgehammer the d9_NDIKT0vw. violence—​Muslims being targeted, pri- capitalist wields to smash up the working marily by [Prime Minister] Modi’s admin- class. To fight fascism is to fight the per- Ted Kelly: Comrades, I wanted to talk istration. (tinyurl.com/y6g4x76t) And son wielding the sledgehammer. about why the bourgeoisie needs fascism, that was present at the Capitol. You saw Tania: It’s really important for us to and what that means. I do want to ask Indian flags there! construct what fighting fascism means. comrades about this white, fascist move- And there was a lot of discourse I saw With our education system in the U.S., ment that attacked the Capitol Jan. 6. saying [of those flags], “Well, who does we don’t learn history as it truly is. One Tania Siddiqi: It’s this person sup- thing to talk about whenever raising class really important for If you feel this way, and port?” But it’s clear, consciousness is that political education is people to note certain because of Trump huge. It is important for people to under- conversations that are there are questions and Modi’s relation- stand that joining an organization will taking place within their that you have — not ship, and how closely provide those materials, right? In order to networks or outside of the U.S. is now work- understand the U.S. position as an impe- Tania Siddiqi their networks. And just your political ing with India, build- rialist nation—​what does that mean? it’s really important for education, but maybe ing up its energy Look at that from a historical perspective public schools there. Not once in any of my people to pay attention sector—​or at least and draw lines connecting that to what we classes did I learn about Mumia Abu-Jamal to their own response you want to help looking like they’re see today. or the bombing of the MOVE organization. to what happened at organize workers in building up their Ted: That’s such a crucial point. I’ve Tania: In the midst of a global pan- the Capitol. I think it’s energy sector. learned more in my time in the WWP—​ demic, people can feel very isolated, something that all the your community or at All this is to main- from comrades, through our newspa- because we aren’t organizing like we panelists saw coming; your job, wherever you tain a level of power. per, through the books that we put out, would without COVID‑19. But I’m hoping I was very surprised at You can see vio- through struggle in the streets—​than I that people who may not be WWP mem- the level of white-su- are — then reach out, lence across the bor- learned through years of schooling. bers—​or maybe you are someone who premacist violence that because there will be der in Pakistan. I Tania: School never taught me about hasn’t worked with the party—​you can was overt. And then the recently wrote about the MOVE bombing [by the Philadelphia build where you are. response being “Okay, someone, a group of the Hazara peo- police]. Once I joined the party, that’s And listen to what you’re feeling, well, we’re just gonna people from our party, ple in Balochistan when I started learning. Even the Free because you should not be working ’til resume doing whatever in Pakistan—​ Mumia movement, I did not know about death. Literally, if you think about how it is that we were doing.” who will help you build. how they’re tar- that before talking to comrades. So polit- Amazon workers are treated, this is not I’m in law school—​ geted and the ical education is crucial for people. For something that is human! and a lot of lawyers are the gatekeepers ongoing genocide on their community. instance, whenever we’re talking about If you feel this way, and there are ques- of the oppressor’s power. When I saw this (tinyurl.com/y37orwgn) That’s a form of police abolition, it’s important to under- tions that you have—not​ just your politi- on the news, I wondered how this would sectarian violence. stand how police only serve a ruling class. cal education, but maybe you want to help empower people, not just to say things in The Hazara people belong to the Shia And what are they protecting? Only private organize workers in your community or at class, but the sort of work they would do community. Pakistan is a predominantly property! To contextualize that, it’s import- your job, wherever you are—​then reach outside of class. There’s an organization Sunni country. If you’re following where ant to look at the formation of the police out, because there will be someone, a at my school called the Federalist Society. the resources are and where the money from patrols [enforcing] chattel slavery and group of people from our party, who will I now see discourse arising, validating goes—​coal, granite and different minerals then talk about modern-day policing, the help you build. white-supremacist violence. There was that are very precious are extracted from modern-day enslavement of human beings It’s really crucial that you join a party actually a question in class about whether Balochistan and then transported to the in the carceral state in this country. and build the organization that you join—​ a white supremacist should be allowed to more wealthy portions of the country. But Ted: It is never off topic to discuss the hopefully Workers World Party—because​ practice law. And someone was making the Hazara people never see any of that police when we’re talking about fascism! what is happening in this time is some- the argument, “Yes, absolutely.” wealth. It’s very easy to disappear workers. And I grew up in Philadelphia; I went to thing to be taken seriously. ☐ Why the bourgeoisie needs fascism Excerpts taken from the Jan. 14 webi- to go in and just let all that shit happen. Tom: Biden obviously can’t be relied people. It’s anarchists; it’s people who nar,“Workers Can Defeat Fascism and That surprised me. I would have expected upon for anything, nor the Democratic are liberal—​and any of the working class Racism,” sponsored by Workers World five people to die on the streets, but not National Committee. Whatever resources inconveniently in the way of the fascists. Party, moderated by Ted Kelly. Tom inside this building that is supposed to they are promising to use to limit the The super-exploitation inflicted upon Answeeney spoke from the WWP Buffalo represent the U.S. across the world. threat of fascism, they will use, in fact, some sectors of the working class makes branch. To view the entire panel discus- The attack reminded me of the Beer against the left. the entire class weaker. sion, go to youtu.be/d9_NDIKT0vw. Hall putsch [a 1923 failed coup by Nazi We’ve seen mini- The bourgeoisie don’t We need to organize Party leader Adolf Hitler and others in mal arrests from those against racism! Ted Kelly: Comrades, we want to talk Munich, Germany, during the Weimar involved in the storm- have anything to We need to be pre- about why the bourgeoisie needs fascism. Republic]. In that sense, maybe it ing of the Capitol—​ gain from defeating pared to defend people shouldn’t have surprised me, as some- even fewer than I acting outside the law. one who’s read some history, but see- would have expected, fascism. They may And understand that ing it happen now, in my lifetime, is considering how the be able to gain from the law itself is there to uncomfortable. bourgeoisie’s own stop us. Ted: Why is it that the working class democratic norms reining it in, from When fascists came is the class best suited to defeat fascism? have been torn apart. keeping it corralled, to Buffalo and orga- Tom: The reason why only the work- The dominant nar- nized and demon- ing class can defeat fascism is that the rative coming from from keeping it in their strated in Cazenovia material basis on which fascism exists is DNC leadership is one pocket until they need Park, some people beat opposition to the working class, which is of unity and biparti- the crap out of fascists. Tom Answeeney the primary antagonist to fascism. sanship. They stand it to be a little bit more But I certainly wasn’t The bourgeoisie don’t have anything to for nothing, and they out there and a little going to let the cops Tom Answeeney: We’ve seen the gain from defeating fascism. They may be certainly won’t stand hurt those people. I steady escalation of fascist violence over able to gain from reining it in, from keep- up for us. So we need bit scarier. But they wasn’t going to do any- the past four years [during the Trump ing it corralled, from keeping it in their to defend ourselves. never want to get rid thing to uphold a legal- presidency]. So in some ways, the attack pocket until they need it to be a little bit We need to orga- ist stance in fighting in Washington on Jan. 6 was predictable. more out there and a little bit scarier. But nize; we need to study; of it entirely. They’d be fascism, unlike liberals These forces were willing to break with they never want to get rid of it entirely. we need to make disarming themselves. who were present. capitalist “democratic” norms—​if we can They’d be disarming themselves. friends and allies and That’s what we do even call them democratic! Really just Ted: We have been talking about what coalitions, because it’s not just the com- as communists. And we understand that those of a liberal representative democ- working people need to do. Should we munists whose neck is on the line. It’s the bourgeois law does not protect us and is racy under capitalism. They were willing wait for Biden to save us? whole working class, and it’s oppressed primarily used against us. ☐ Page 8 Jan. 28, 2021 workers.org On Roe v Wade anniversary Anti-abortion extremists attack clinic By Kathy Durkin glass doors were marred, and bullets hit the reception area. Reacting with courage and determination to the This article is in memory of Sue Davis, a decades- attempts to intimidate them, clinic staff planned to long reproductive justice activist who every year in this reopen the health center on Jan. 25, after closing it over newspaper commemorated the Supreme Court’s Roe v. the Jan. 23-24 weekend. They know the services they Wade decision legalizing abortion. provide are essential. Significantly, this facility provides services for women In the early morning hours of Jan. 22, shots were fired and people of all gender identities. Medication abortions at the reproductive health clinic in Knoxville, Tenn., via pills, now under fierce attack by reactionary forces in operated by Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and and out of government, are among the services available North Mississippi. The date is significant, because on there. Washington, D.C. that day in 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States Ashley Coffield, president and CEO of this Planned issued its decision in Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion. Parenthood affiliate, explained: “We believe it is no coin- founder of We Testify, an organization dedicated to the In essence, it said women have the fundamental right cidence that this act occurred on the Roe v. Wade anni- leadership and representation of people who have had to make their own decisions about whether or not to versary. Planned Parenthood, along with our allies and abortions. She emphasized: “What frustrates me is that terminate unintended pregnancies, free of governmen- other health care providers, have long known the violent if you had been paying attention to the white suprema- tal interference. However, this date is often targeted by consequences of inflammatory, hateful rhetoric. Just as cists and how they were attacking abortion clinics and anti-abortion forces as a time to attack reproductive hateful rhetoric incited this month’s attack against our treating people who spoke out in support of abortion, health providers. democratic processes, we have seen how hateful rhetoric none of this would be a surprise to you.” Since SCOTUS handed down its ruling in Roe, reac- inspires violence against reproductive health care pro- At least 15 anti-abortion extremists were identified tionaries have tried through legal means—​in the legis- viders.” (wkrn.com, Jan. 22) as being in the Capitol siege, says the Abortion Access latures, courts and by government edicts—​to weaken Coffield was right to link the Jan. 6 racist, right-wing Front, which fights for safe, dignified and affordable and ultimately overturn the court’s decision and pro- siege of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to the violence reproductive health care and rights for women and peo- hibit abortions. When legal means haven’t succeeded—​ against abortion providers. ple of all gender identities. Advocates for reproductive or haven’t occurred quickly enough—these​ right-wing health, rights and justice “were not surprised” to see extremists have resorted to vandalism against reproduc- Anti-abortion extremists join white supremacists anti-abortion agitators invade the Capitol to support tive health facilities, stalking and harassing staff mem- Erin Matson, executive director of Reproaction, a the white supremacist in chief, former President Donald bers and hounding clients to scare them away. reproductive justice direct action group, stated in an Trump. (Prism, Jan. 22) Thousands of violent acts have been committed article entitled “Anti-Abortion Activists Were All Over Several progressive and even some corporate media against abortion providers since 1977, including 42 the Capitol Riots” that “Anti-abortion agitators have reported that known anti-abortion agitators were in the bombings and 189 acts of arson. And they are escalat- been calling and supporting [Trump’s] call to storm Capitol on Jan. 6. But, says Prism, this isn’t just about the ing. Anti-abortion extremists have attacked and beaten Washington for some time.” As more photos are ana- appearance of individuals in the attempted coup: “Many medical personnel. In the worst-case scenarios, they lyzed, she said, “we’ll see more and more overlap reproductive justice advocates have argued that the murdered 11 people—​doctors and other clinic staff, between the anti-abortion movement and the white anti-abortion movement is a white-supremacist move- volunteers and escorts. (National Abortion Federation) supremacists” who invaded the Capitol building. (Vice ment, but … in recent years [its] many iterations have Fortunately, no one was injured in this latest attack, News, Jan. 12) made inroads with extreme right-wing groups—​includ- the first to target the Knoxville facility. But the front Renee Bracey Sherman is the African American ing militia movements and white supremacist groups.” ☐ Toward an anti-imperialist feminism By Devin Cole to justify war in Afghanistan! Women’s liberation cannot be achieved at the expense All of this has been done in the name of U.S. patrio- of lives lost in war or through the plundering of other This lightly edited speech was delivered at the zoom tism—a​ camouflage for U.S. imperialism. nations by imperialism and colonialism. Patriotism is not rally of the Pensacola Women’s March on Jan. 23. what will propel women’s liberation. In fact, “patriotism” The trap of ‘feminist’ patriotism drags liberation back—toward​ right-wing reaction. Over the last four years, capitalism has gone further Over these last four years, we have seen the rise of into a tailspin from which it will not recover. Capitalism a U.S. liberal-feminist movement which opposed the Women’s liberation and anti-imperialism has been in free fall since the end of World War II—​ fascistic policies and actions of the now-ousted Trump Women everywhere must be liberated not just from and some would argue since before then. But the last administration. But tangled up with this “resistance” was patriarchy, but from other oppressive and intertwined 75 years have proven the most disastrous, coming out of also a the unabashed declaration of U.S. patriotism—​ systems: racism, white supremacy, capitalism, colo- the Great Depression and then setting up the Cold War, with many progressives believing that they were true nialism and imperialism. Struggling against these which lasted until the 1990s. patriots, while the Trump administration was traitorous issues simultaneously must be at the core of a true Linked arm-in-arm with capitalism is imperialism, or to the U.S. Women’s Liberation Movement. For the violent systematic control and exploitation of poor This position shouldn’t women to serve an imperialist empire economies by finance capital, colonialist plundering and come as a surprise. Liberal Women’s liberation in the name of “patriotism” ultimately oftentimes war, initiated by wealthy capitalist countries. feminism, which is typically cannot be achieved harms millions of colonized women, In these instances, there is great resistance from the peo- guided by middle-class white working-class women and oppressed ple of the countries being invaded and exploited, and women, is often paternalis- at the expense of lives women, including transgender women these campaigns of resistance, which can last decades, tic, patronizing and—​more and disabled women. are often led by women. than they realize—​actually lost in war or through The Women’s Liberation Movement Imperialist attacks bring heightened amounts of vio- hostile towards colonized and the plundering of must ultimately be led by colonized and lence against women in the countries being exploited oppressed women, particu- oppressed women and must contain and invaded, be it physical, economic, sexual or any larly Black women. Some lib- other nations by an anti-imperialist line as its nucleus. other form of abuse. For the abuse by U.S. soldiers, we eral feminists relate to these Women’s liberation must link the anti- can look at this country’s invasion of Vietnam and the women as “lesser” women to imperialism and war movement and its own organizing to extreme sexual violence against women there, all the way be saved, rather than as lead- colonialism. Patriotism demand an end to endless bloody wars—​ to the U.S. invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and ers in the struggle to advance and an end to all sanctions and blockades Iraq. the abolition of patriarchy. is not what will propel on other countries that also harm mil- Just weeks ago, in one of the more horrific moments So liberal feminists’ tying lions of women. The trillions of dollars of Trump’s final days in office—​he pardoned four together of feminism and patri- women’s liberation. invested into the U.S. war machine must Blackwater mercenaries who had killed 17 Iraqi citizens, otism, rooted in imperialism In fact, “patriotism” instead be given to the people. many of them women, in the 2007 Nisour Square massa- and white supremacy, should This is the struggle that will truly cre. In the 2005 Haditha massacre, a group of Marines come as no surprise. That does drags liberation liberate women from oppression. killed 24 Iraqi citizens—​again, many of them women, not make it any less alarming Everyone must say: Stop U.S./NATO! some with infants. and harmful. back — toward No sanctions, no wars! Shut down the Women across the world are exploited in countries During the second Gulf right‑wing reaction. Pentagon and all military bases abroad! victimized by imperialism—but​ especially by U.S. impe- War—​which began with the Say no to imperialist feminism! rialism. Despite this, there is continued resistance. In 2003 U.S. attack of Iraq—​fem- 2001, the RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the inist scholars like Naomi Wolf praised the presence of Devin Cole is a transgender Marxist organizer and Women of Afghanistan) opposed the U.S./NATO inva- women in the U.S. military, viewing this as propelling writer. They are the president of Strive (Socialist Trans sion of their country with numerous marches and rallies. women’s rights forward. What is omitted in this view is Initiative), a transgender advocacy organization in At one point, they threatened to sue the U.S. govern- the estimated nearly quarter of a million Iraqi people killed northwest Florida, and a member of the Workers World ment for unauthorized use of photos of women from in the ground war alone—​and the millions killed in the Party—​Central Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida and their website that the U.S. shamelessly used to attempt destabilized region since then. Mississippi) branch.” workers.org Jan. 28, 2021 Page 9 More than just baseball Hank Aaron’s legacy By Monica Moorehead really led up to turning me off on base- ball. It really made me see for the first Henry “Hank” Aaron may not have time a clear picture of what this country played the same historical role as the great is about. My kids had to live like they were Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line in prison because of kidnap threats, and I in Major League Baseball in 1947, but had to live like a pig in a slaughter camp. “Hammerin’ Hank” achieved remarkable I had to duck. records that continue to stand the test of “I had to go out the back door of the ball- time. Plus his legacy has transcended the parks. I had to have a police escort with sport he played for 25 years in total. me all the time. I was getting threatening When he died of natural causes on letters every single day. All of these things Jan. 22 at the age of 86, Aaron still held have put a bad taste in my mouth, and it the number two spot for most home runs won’t go away. They carved a piece of my at 755 behind Barry Bonds. He remains heart away.” (New York Times, April 1994) number one in total bases (6,856) and But Aaron never feared political con- Hank Aaron runs batted in (2,297); number two in troversy. According to CubaNews, “Aaron at-bats (12,364), behind Pete Rose; and visited Cuba in 1996 and witnessed a game even more struggle to achieve similar con- refused to play in playoff games to pro- number two in hits (3,771), behind Rose between Pinar del Rio and Industriales of cessions from Aaron’s Atlanta team and the test racist police brutality following the and Ty Cobb. the Selective Series that year, at the Capitán Kansas City “Chiefs” football team. shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., Aaron played in the all-Black Negro San Luis stadium, and fraternized with the The women and men players from the which left him paralyzed. Leagues until he joined MLB’s then-Mil- players of both teams.” (Jan. 22) National Basketball Association led the These kinds of bold actions will help waukee “Braves” that won the 1957 World way in fighting racism this summer. They keep Aaron’s legacy alive. ☐ Series and eventually moved to Atlanta. How best to honor Aaron’s legacy? That same year, Aaron was named the Aaron was not a political activist like his league’s most valuable player. He was a contemporary, Muhammad Ali, or today’s 25-time All-Star before he retired in 1976. Colin Kaepernick, but he was an important Incarcerated subscribers In 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball symbol for civil rights with his endurance Home of Fame with the second highest and determination. He not only wanted receive WW free percentage of votes ever, after Cobb. to see more African American baseball But even with all these great accom- players, he wanted to see more African Please donate on Patreon plishments, this incredible ballplayer American general managers, team execu- faced tremendous racist backlash, espe- tives and even team owners. This is an update on the status of incarcerated subscribers! cially as he approached breaking the 714 As of 2020, less than 8% of MLB players Workers World newspaper. Our print Our ability to break through the home-run record of the legendary New are African American compared to 57.5% edition has been temporarily suspended walls of isolation imposed by capital- York Yankee, Babe Ruth. Aaron, who white and 32% Latinx. In 1978, there were during the COVID‑19 crisis for health ists holding the keys to these cages is experienced racism firsthand growing up 27% Black players. There have only been and safety reasons. However, we are made possible by your generous sup- in Mobile, Ala., received 3,000 letters a 15 Black general managers in MLB his- thrilled to announce we have resumed port. Workers World Party is dedicated day for almost a year, dripping with hor- tory. One explanation given for this huge print once a month, for the time being. to providing subscriptions to incarcer- rendous racist venom including death discrepancy was in a tweet from ESPN’s We have received reports from our ated members of our class for free. If threats against him and his family. Howard Bryant: “Every Black manager incarcerated siblings, like Bryant Arroyo you’re interested in supporting this mis- These white supremacists could not ever hired in MLB history has been an at S.C.I. Frackville in Pennsylvania sion of providing revolutionary socialist stomach the fact that a Black ballplayer ex-player, which means every successful and Michael “Spider” Gonzales at the and abolitionist news and analysis to was about to rupture the most storied Black candidate has first needed to have Polunsky Unit in Texas, that there all our family behind bars, please go to record in baseball, held for almost 40 been one of the 750 best players in the was audible joy when our most recent patreon.com/wwp to donate today! ☐ years by arguably the greatest MLB home world.” (Jan. 7) print issue was delivered inside to our run hitter of all time—​who happens The numbers are even worse when it to be white. When Aaron broke Ruth’s comes to the National Football League, record on April 8, 1974, the white MLB where at least 75% of the players are Commissioner Bowie Kuhn was not pres- African American. Yet out of 30 teams, ent in the stands—​an insult—​for this there are only two Black head coaches—​ historic feat. the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin and As Aaron was running the bases after the Miami Dolphins’ Brian Flores. There breaking the record, two young white is one Latinx coach, the Washington men ran on the field. Luckily it was to Football Team’s Ron Rivera, and the New pat Aaron on the back and congratulate York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is of him. They could have easily been two Lebanese descent. racists who might have caused him great Sports under capitalism mirrors the physical harm or worse. Why was there rest of society, which is riddled with all not security organized for him, given the forms of inequality, especially racism. And duress he was enduring for months? just as it took mass struggle to change the Twenty years after his home run feat, team names and eliminate racist mas- Aaron admitted to a Black sports colum- cots that degraded Indigenous peoples nist, William C. Rhoden, “April 8, 1974, in Washington and Cleveland, it will take Marxism, Reparations & the Black Freedom Struggle An anthology of writings from Workers World newspaper. Edited by Monica Moorehead. Racism, National Oppression & Self-Determination ◆ Black Labor from Chattel Slavery to Wage Slavery ◆ Black Youth: Repression & Resistance ◆ The Struggle for Socialism Is Key ◆ Domestic Workers United Demand Passage of a Bill of Rights ◆ Black & Brown Unity: A Pillar of Struggle for Human Rights & Global Justice! ◆ Harriet Tubman, Woman Warrior ◆ Racism & Poverty in the Delta ◆ Haiti Needs Reparations, Not Sanctions ◆ Alabama’s Black Belt: Legacy of Slavery, Sharecropping & Segregation ◆ Are Conditions Ripe Again Today? Anniversary of the 1965 Watts Rebellion

Download it from workers.org/books. COVER GRAPHIC: SAHU BARRON SAHU GRAPHIC: COVER Page 10 Jan. 28, 2021 workers.org editorial A question Not ‘individualism’ vs. ‘authoritarianism’ about the It’s capitalism vs. socialism stock market A reader recently asked us why the The U.S. continues to lead the world Hence the ideological offensive to cre- all charm for the workman. He becomes stock market is still going up when the in COVID fatalities with over 400,000 ate an alternative explanation for U.S. an appendage of the machine, and it is economy is being battered by the COVID deaths. capitalism’s failings compared to China’s only the most simple, most monotonous, pandemic. The mass vaccination effort has got- success. According to the commercial and most easily acquired knack, that is Good question! Of course, by the time ten off to a disastrous start. Every state media, it is not because of fundamental required. … The more openly this despo- you read this, the market may be falling. has its own protocols, and in some differences between the two economic tism proclaims gain to be its end and aim, It’s all a gamble. states every county has a different pro- systems. Instead, it’s all about two dif- the more petty, the more hateful and the While all kinds of “experts” try to fig- cess. Appointments must often be made ferent cultures—one​ “authoritarian” and more embittering it is.” Of course, direct ure out how to make money on the stock online, which shuts out many seniors and the other “individualistic.” capitalist exploitation extends to workers market, no one has come up with a reli- others lacking internet access or skills. A number of commentaries in the New of all genders and all gender identities. able formula that can predict how long a Vaccination sites are running out of York Times, an authoritative mouthpiece Capitalism’s much-heralded “individu- boom will last before there’s a bust. That’s vaccines, while millions of doses sit in of the ruling class, replay this theme like alism” is really just the “right” of individ- because the market does not directly storage. a broken record. “China’s authoritarian ual capitalists to score billions in profits reflect how the economy is doing. What Ex-President Trump deserves some government has the ability to act in a way at the expense of workers—​individually it does reflect is how much confidence of the blame. But even President Biden’s that democracies that must be account- and collectively. investors have in the market, which is a announced plan for 150 million vaccina- able to the public cannot.” (Oct. 30, Working-class and oppressed people—​ different thing altogether. tions in 100 days would still leave much 2020) “China’s authoritarian system, the overwhelming majority—​are sub- A lot of the time stock prices rise just of the country’s population unprotected proponents say, is not just different from ject to the authoritarian despotism of the because more money is being poured into by May 1. the West’s democracies, it is also prov- owning class. Finding time and energy the stock market, regardless of how well The numbers are a damning indict- ing itself superior.” (Dec. 14, 2020) And for individual self-expression is difficult the economy itself is doing. In fact, if peo- ment of for-profit health care and the again: “Does the deepening of cracks in after spending most of our waking hours ple with money for various reasons don’t whole profit system. America’s political system actually boost at grueling jobs, such as driving for Uber invest it directly into businesses, they may Meanwhile, “China has largely brought the legitimacy of China and other author- or working in Amazon’s warehouses. move that money into the stock market, the virus under control, even as the rest itarian regimes?” (Jan. 15) And these days, “individual freedom” thus driving up stock prices. of the world struggles with mounting They won’t dare acknowledge that means choosing between going to work That could be part of the reason stocks deaths and overburdened hospitals.” socialist countries, where health care for and becoming infected with COVID, or are rising right now, even as much eco- (France 24, Jan. 20) Closer to home, profit is prohibited—​and human needs not going to work and being fired. nomic activity is on hold because of the “Cuba is creating capacity to produce come before the corporate bottom line—​ Capitalist politicians—​Republican pandemic. 100 million doses of the Soberana 02 are succeeding because their economic and Democrat—​have even blocked the Capitalism is full of contradictions that injectable vaccine against COVID‑19.” system is superior. creation of a national single-payer health can spell disaster for the working class. (Granma, Jan. 22) This is a service to the care system, popularly characterized as That’s why we’re fighting for a socialist Marx on ‘individual freedom’ rest of the world. Cuba’s population is “Medicare for All.” This and the lack of future, where the means of production are just over 11.3 million people. In the “Communist Manifesto” of centralized planning have led to disas- owned collectively by the working people, Why has the world’s richest imperial- 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels trous and deadly results. and the economy is planned to satisfy ist power failed to contain the pandemic, wrote: “Owing to the extensive use of No, this isn’t a culture problem. human need, not billionaires’ greed. while socialist China, Cuba and Vietnam machinery, and to the division of labor, Capitalism has failed, and socialism is are succeeding? U.S. capitalists have a lot the work of the proletarians has lost all the only solution. ☐ — Deirdre Griswold of explaining to do. individual character, and, consequently,

Rubin Kanowitz What Road to Socialism? A new Workers World anthology, con- fronting the burning questions and key

contradictions during this deadly pan-What Road to Socialism? ¡presente! a workers world anthology demic andConfronts global the burningcapitalist questions meltdown. what and key contradictions during this deadly pandemic and global capitalist meltdown. Workers can road to Topics include:win socialism through collective struggle. Long time and new activists • COVID‑discuss19 andwinning thestrategies deepening in crisis of capitalismorganizing against capitalism. socialism? a workers world • Reform or revolution? anthology • Covid-19 and the Deepening Crisis of Capitalism Larry Holmes et. al.Larry • Reform or Revolution? larry holmes • The state and building for revolution makasi motema • The State and Building for Revolution teresa gutierrez • The Centrality of Fighting Racism • The centrality of fighting racism monica moorehead • The working Class Will Make History sara flounders • The working• Fighting Allclass Forms ofwill Oppression: make history deirdre griswold Gender, Sexuality, Disability & Age scott williams • Fighting• Socialist all Countries forms Lead theof Way oppression: to the Future and others gender,• Whatsexuality, is Socialism? disability, and age

• SocialismWorld or View death: Forum socialist countries WVF lead theworkers.org/books way to the future? • What is socialism

Download free ebook or PDF formats. Also available in paperback. Visit workers.org/books to get your copy.

Rubin Kanowitz at April 21, 2012 protest of mass incarceration WW PHOTO: BRENDA RYAN at Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y. High Tech, Low Pay We are sad to have to announce that to court battles to hosting socials, which Rubin Kanowitz, a member of Workers he did with his spouse, Joyce Kanowitz. A Marxist Analysis of the Changing World Party who had been continuously He was especially known for his warmth Character of the Working Class active since 1965, died at home on Jan. 20 and generosity toward his comrades, his from complications of COVID‑19. Rubin enchantment with their children and his By Sam Marcy and his friends grew up hanging around anger against the ruling class. A more with an updated introduction by Fred candy stores in East New York in the complete obituary and memory of his Goldstein, author of Low Wage Capitalism. 1930s and 1940s. He was active in the outstanding contributions to the class Civil Rights Movement in Brooklyn even struggle will appear in WW in the near Read it at before joining the Party. He participated future. ☐ workers.org/marcy/cd/samtech/index.htm in all Party activities, from street protests workers.org Jan. 28, 2021 Page 11

Tunisia Arab Spring 10 years old, people take the streets

By G. Dunkel showcase by the current al-Sisi government. But in Ten years ago the Arab Spring—a vast mass move- Tunisia, where a function- ment that swept through the Arab world, shaking up all ing parliamentary system sorts of governments in Arab countries—began Dec. 18, has taken root, it is still 2010, after Mohamed Bouazizi, who sold fruit on the commemorated. street, set himself on fire to protest his disrespectful This past December treatment from Tunisian police. there were big demon- His comrades on the street recorded the incident on strations in the smaller their phones and posted on social media in Sidi Bouzid, a cities of southern and cen- small city in the center of Tunisia. The video quickly went tral Tunisia, according to viral, and soon tens of thousands of Tunisians—men, video reports from Agence women, youth—were in the streets, night after night, France Presse, putting for- chanting for “liberty, dignity, jobs.” ward the 2011 slogans “lib- Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, then the very corrupt presi- erty, dignity, jobs.” This is dent of Tunisia, fled to Saudi Arabia Jan. 14, 2011. That the area of Tunisia where is the date the Tunisian government celebrates as the the Arab-Berber, Bedouin, beginning of the Arab Spring, but the people of Tunisia Tunisians are concentrated. regard the martyrdom of Bouazizi as its start. Southern Tunisia histori- Tunisians say the 2011 revolution continues. In much of the Arab world, the Arab Spring has faded cally was a major terminus into memories of past struggles. Tahrir Square in Cairo, for trans-Saharan caravans. Spring. The people certainly appreciated and used the where hundreds of thousands of Egyptians gathered in The sister of Mohamed Bouazizi gave an interview to “liberty” that was won during the Arab Spring. But wages protests for months, has been turned into a pharaonic AFP explaining that people wanted more from the Arab are going down, and prices are up. It’s difficult to find a job even with a good degree. Life is becoming harder than it was under Ben Ali.

Mass unemployment fuels new protests Vietnam According to the International Monetary Fund, around 30% of Tunisians between the ages of 24 and 39 Communist Party to hold 13th National Congress are unemployed, and Tunisia’s GDP declined by 11.5% in 2020. The demonstrations during December brought By Paddy Colligan out whole families, some waving loaves of bread. Tourism has been a big part of Tunisia’s economy. Jan. 25—The​ Communist Party of Vietnam is holding its 13th National Party Congress this week—​a culmi- Tunisia has a long and colorful history from Classical nation of hundreds of meetings and discussions that have taken place throughout the country and at all levels times—when Rome was contesting Carthage over con- of the party. It will evaluate the socioeconomic development strategies of the previous congress in 2016 and trol of the western Mediterranean Sea—to the Ottoman will set concrete targets and tasks for the future. The overall goal is to move Vietnam to the level of a “social- occupation to present-day resistance. The ruins of ist-oriented developed country” by the middle of this century. Carthage are a short train ride from Tunis. The beauti- Development plans in Vietnam include managing the natural resources and the environment while adapting ful beaches, gorgeous scenery and excellent cuisine were the country to climate change. Over the last five years, Vietnam’s annual average GDP growth was 6%, and the a tourist draw. poverty rate in the country was reduced to less than 3%. These achievements have been reached despite the But then COVID‑19 hit. need to fight the COVID‑19 pandemic, which the Vietnamese people have succeeded in doing with remarkable Tunisia’s public health system was and is not prepared success. To date, in a population of almost 98 million people, there have been 35 deaths. (Worldometer, Jan. 25) for the influx of cases. The government imposed a lock- Workers World sent the following solidarity message to the congress: down and arrested 400 people in March for violating rules, which many felt were arbitrary. COVID‑19 is still January 14, 2021 a major problem. To the Communist Party of Vietnam on the occasion of your 13th National Congress: When the government’s Arab Spring commemora- tions started in the middle of January, nocturnal pro- We are so glad to send our congratulations and highest regards to the Communist Party of Vietnam tests broke out in almost every city and in some of the as you evaluate your past experiences and plan the future. poor suburbs of Tunis, where people are piled together The review of the resolutions set at the 12th National Congress that have been guiding your policies and COVID is rampant. Predominantly young people these last five years will undoubtedly be seen against the inspiring backdrop of your stunning success took to the streets, responding to the cops’ tear gas with in combating the ravages of the worldwide COVID‑19 pandemic. That alone is accomplishment enough, fireworks. but there were others as well, especially before the pandemic became the primary problem confronting The army was called out to control some of the cit- every country of the world. ies—like Gafsa, where mining is a big part of the local Much of the world remains ensnared in a seemingly intractable contest with SARS-CoV-2. Your success economy. in combating this problem has shown the world that a socialist system deeply rooted in the people, such Anywhere from 600 to 4,000 people—mainly as that of Vietnam, is capable of vanquishing this 21st century enemy, just as it was able to vanquish the youth—have been arrested, depending on accounts. military and political enemies of the 20th century. One video clip from AFP shows a daylight confrontation We are in solidarity with the 13th Congress as you study and evaluate your achievements and what between a protester and a cop. The cop pushes the pro- remains to be done, as well as set goals to guide your future path. With the involvement of such a large tester, who pushes back, and then lets another protester part of the population, this is a very important period. We look forward to learning of your deliberations defuse the situation. and future plans. The cops and the army have arrested many people We convey our warmest solidarity and appreciation for your decades of struggle that have inspired who were merely participating in a demonstration. generations of progressive people in the U.S. The Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (Tunisian General Labour Union), which is the largest trade union Larry Holmes, First Secretary of Workers World Party confederation in Tunisia, has called for their release. ☐ Deirdre Griswold, Editor of Workers World newspaper

Es hora que los trabajadores derroten al racismo y al fascismo — salida de Trump Continuación de la página 12 centro del imperialismo mundial. Estados Unidos sigue contra el fascismo, independientemente del aparato perdiendo prestigio y poder en todo el mundo. estatal. Animamos a todos los grupos a dar los pasos movilización fascista masiva. Sin embargo, el movi- Apoyarse en las fuerzas represivas del Estado para necesarios. miento fascista aún puede reclutar y actuar lejos de las detener un brote fascista en una crisis creciente es des- El movimiento debe encontrar formas de apelar direc- concentraciones militares. armar a la clase obrera -que incluye a todos los sectores tamente a las tropas de base de la Guardia Nacional y La crisis de la sociedad capitalista que alimenta el de personas que dependen de la venta de su fuerza de del Ejército para fomentar el antifascismo y su negativa crecimiento de las ideologías fascistas y otras ideologías trabajo para sobrevivir- dejándola vulnerable. a dirigir sus armas contra los movimientos populares. irracionales entre las masas no muestra signos de dismi- Asumiendo una transición sin problemas al gobierno Cuanto más fuerte sea el movimiento popular y más nuir. El COVID‑19, la crisis capitalista cíclica después de de Biden/Harris, la clase obrera y las organizaciones de decididamente actúe, mejor podrá ganarse a los “inde- que la pandemia se haya calmado -si es que eso ocurre- y derechos populares de todas las nacionalidades y géne- cisos” y neutralizar a los que estén tentados de unirse a la crisis climática amenazan la estabilidad política en el ros deben luchar por cómo organizar la autodefensa los fascistas. ☐ Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

Nueva York, 22 de enero. Protestan la policía y los racistas ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 63 Núm. 4 28 de enero 2021 $1 ilegales. WW PHOTO: TONY MURPHY Es hora que los trabajadores derroten al racismo

En sentido figurado, las fuerzas y al fascismo—salida de Trump de la clase dirigente tuvieron Por John Catalinotto En la Zona Verde de Bagdad, las tro- que la animosidad racista exacerbada una visión de un líder de QAnon pas estadounidenses establecieron cru- destruya la cohesion de sus fuerzas. con cuernos (o incluso alguien 18 de enero. Se espera que una cantidad ces de automóviles, utilizaron barreras En sentido figurado, las fuerzas de la con el pelo anaranjado) sin precedentes de 25.000 efectivos de de cemento para evitar los ataques con clase dirigente tuvieron una visión de dirigiendo sus fortunas. La la Guardia Nacional de 50 estados, más camiones bomba a los edificios, llevaron un líder de QAnon con cuernos (o inc- miles de policías locales y del Capitolio, a cabo una vigilancia continua y se pre- luso alguien con el pelo anaranjado) diri- mayoría estuvo de acuerdo ocupen la capital de Estados Unidos el 20 pararon para la batalla en un intento de giendo sus fortunas. La mayoría estuvo de en que era una mala idea. de enero. El objetivo anunciado de esta evitar los ataques de la resistencia iraquí. acuerdo en que era una mala idea. fuerza armada: evitar un ataque violento La Zona Verde formaba parte de una zona en la toma de posesión del 46º presidente de guerra; era parte de la ocupación de Las fuerzas fascistas e interrogara el 31 de diciembre, no hicie- y permitir una transición a la administra- Irak por el imperialismo estadounidense. Una gran mayoría de la policía local de ron gran cosa. Sin su habitual poderío ción de Joe Biden/Kamala Harris. Salida La fuerza más grande en Washington, todo el país ha apoyado a Trump. Algunos abrumador para gestionar esta protesta, de Trump. D.C., es la Guardia Nacional. Según policías individuales participaron en el algunos policías confraternizaron con los Las tropas de la Guardia Nacional y la amplios informes de los medios de asalto al Congreso, y muchas personas fascistas. Otros “hicieron su trabajo” pro- policía estatal custodiaron muchos edifi- comunicación, el FBI, el Servicio Secreto con ideología fascista buscan o son reclu- tegiendo al Congreso. cios del capitolio estatal el 17 de enero en y las fuerzas policiales del Capitolio y tadas por la policía. Aunque los agentes El resultado: los fascistas mataron a previsión de las manifestaciones ultrade- de la zona metropolitana desempeñan de policía forman parte del aparato esta- un policía, los policías mataron a un ata- rechistas. Pocos manifestantes fascistas un papel complementario. Las agencias tal legal, son susceptibles a la ideología cante, otros tres murieron, incluyendo un se presentaron, lo que indica su actual policiales federales y locales han estado fascista y especialmente racista. atacante que los propios fascistas piso- estado de ánimo cauteloso. investigando y deteniendo a personas El 6 de enero, las principales fuerzas fas- tearon. El jefe de la policía del Capitolio, A pesar de su desorganización y derrota identificadas como participantes en el cistas incluían a los Proud Boys, los Oath Steven Sund, y otros bajo su mando, han después de tres horas, el asalto pro-fas- asalto al Capitolio. Keepers, Boogaloo Bois (cuyo objetivo dimitido desde entonces. cista del 6 de enero al Capitolio sembró Si bien el Congreso logró certificar la declarado es desencadenar una guerra civil Los que incitaron el asalto, como el terror en el Congreso y conmocionó al elección alrededor de las 3:45 a.m. del racial), diversas milicias y algunos KKK y Trump y Rudy Giuliani, lo hicieron público. Su objetivo era detener la certifi- 7 de enero -después de volver a reunirse nazis, una repetición de Charlottesville, sabiendo que una multitud que irrum- cación de las elecciones presidenciales y tras el asalto-, sin embargo 147 republi- Virginia, en agosto de 2017. piera en el Capitolio podría herir o matar mantener a Trump en el cargo. El ataque canos votaron en contra de la certifica- Llevan armas a las protestas, invocando a sus oponentes políticos. Por no hablar contó con su bendición, lo que le dio el ción. El hecho de que tantos republicanos la Segunda Enmienda. La ideología de la de que una turba frenética de suprema- marchamo de intento de golpe de Estado. se mantuvieran en la Gran Mentira de mayoría de los grupos es una mezcla de cistas blancos y misóginos podría linchar La falta de castigo en el acto, la apa- Trump sobre los resultados de las elec- misoginia, xenofobia, antisemitismo y a cualquier persona de color a la que le rente colaboración de elementos del apa- ciones indicaba que aún contaba con un anticomunismo/antisocialismo, pero el pusieran las manos encima, por ejemplo, rato estatal con los fascistas y la amplia importante apoyo de la clase dirigente, tema principal que los une es la supre- a las jóvenes progresistas y francas repre- publicidad que atrajo el asalto, todo a pesar de la repugnancia expresada macía blanca. sentantes de color de “la Escuadra”, como ello avivó los temores creíbles de que en la mayoría de los medios de la clase Desde 2017 la secta QAnon, que se Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, que temían se pudiera lanzar un ataque aún mayor dirigente. unió a los fascistas en el Capitolio el 6 de con razón esa amenaza. durante la toma de posesión. Sin embargo, en la semana siguiente, enero, se ha convertido en un fenómeno Este tipo de pogromos ya han ocurrido Ahora, en vísperas del 20 de enero, se muchas instituciones de la clase dirigente de masas. Apunta a políticos y líderes antes en la historia de Estados Unidos, enfrentan dos fuerzas. Ambas fuerzas son abandonaron a Trump, incluso aquellas empresariales, en su mayoría demócratas cuando turbas dirigidas por el KKK represivas, y ambas sirven a los intereses que lo habían apoyado anteriormente. de la institución, acusándolos sin prue- depusieron gobiernos locales en los que de la clase dominante imperialista propie- El Wall Street Journal, la Asociación bas de ese tipo de crímenes inconfesables los negros ocupaban cargos, como en taria. Sin embargo, hay que distinguirlas. Nacional de Fabricantes, el Deutsche que despiertan la repulsión de las masas. Wilmington, Carolina del Norte, en 1898. Una de ellas es el poder “legal” del apa- Bank (una fuente de préstamos para las QAnon ve a Trump como su campeón, y (tinyurl.com/y48n8pma) rato del Estado: el ejército, la policía, los empresas de Trump) lo abandonaron, y les agradece su apoyo. A diferencia de un golpe militar para tribunales, las prisiones. El otro es la algunos políticos republicanos abandona- El 6 de enero, el presidente y sus com- poner una junta en el poder o elegir un fuerza armada paramilitar “extralegal” de ron el barco. pinches de pacotilla desataron esta turba nuevo ejecutivo, el asalto del 6 de enero docenas de milicias y organizaciones fas- Los monopolios de las redes sociales, impulsada por el odio contra sus riva- sólo necesitaba detener la certificación cistas, reunidas bajo la bandera de Trump como Facebook y Twitter, han impedido a les -incluida la presidenta de la Cámara de la pérdida de Trump. Fue similar a los y unidas por su ideología extremista de Trump atraer directamente a su base. Las de Representantes, Nancy Pelosi, otros golpes de Estado respaldados por Estados supremacía blanca. empresas y fundaciones que han apoyado demócratas e incluso el vicepresidente Unidos en Yugoslavia en octubre de 2000 Al margen de este enfrentamiento financieramente a los candidatos repu- Mike Pence, al que consideran un trai- para deponer a Slobodan Milosevic y en interno hay una tercera fuerza: el movi- blicanos prometieron cortar los fondos dor-. La cábala de Trump hizo esto con el Ucrania en febrero de 2014 para desalo- miento de la clase trabajadora, incluyendo de aquellos que votaran en contra de la apoyo tácito de la mayoría de los miem- jar a Víctor Yanukovich, ambos basados Black Lives Matter, los migrantes, los certificación. bros republicanos del Congreso, que se en reclamaciones no probadas de fraude sindicatos, las mujeres, los LGBTQ2S+, El 12 de enero, los ocho generales que alinearon para oponerse a la certificación electoral, ambos ocurriendo con un los ecologistas, los discapacitados, los componen el Estado Mayor Conjunto del de Biden. demócrata en la Casa Blanca. jóvenes y todos los demás movimientos Pentágono firmaron y enviaron una carta Asaltos fascistas similares que intimi- populares. pública a los 1,3 millones de miembros del El papel de Trump incitando al caos dan a los políticos en Georgia, Pensilvania Este movimiento popular puede ser ejército estadounidense. El comunicado La insistencia del presidente saliente y Arizona podrían haber anulado los votos valiente y audaz y ganar un enorme condenaba los “violentos disturbios en jugó un papel clave. Los fascistas duros de ciudades con muchos votantes afroa- apoyo, como hizo BLM el verano pasado. Washington, D.C., el 6 de enero de 2021”, pueden estar dispuestos a correr riesgos; mericanos y latinos, revertir las victorias En este momento estos sectores están en pedía a todas las tropas que evitaran el están diez veces más dispuestos si un pre- de Biden y reelegir a Trump. En una lla- su mayoría desarmados. Se han unido en extremismo y dejaba clara la posición del sidente de Estados Unidos se lo ordena. mada telefónica, el presidente saliente su oposición mutua al trumpismo. Pentágono: “El 20 de enero de 2021, de Es una promesa tácita de impunidad. Y había intentado antes presionar al secre- Veamos más de cerca las fuerzas de acuerdo con la Constitución, confirmado para los miles de personas allí presentes tario de Estado republicana de Georgia clase que se enfrentan. por los estados y los tribunales, y certifi- que no eran tan duros, el empuje presi- para que “encontrara los votos” que nece- cado por el Congreso, el presidente electo dencial fue suficiente para llevarlos a apo- sitaría para borrar su derrota allí. La creación del aparato estatal Biden será investido y se convertirá en yar a los que estaban dispuestos a arrasar. Parece que Trump tendrá que mar- Los informes de Washington describen nuestro 46º comandante en jefe”. Lo que hizo que Trump se viera perju- charse el 20 de enero, y podría enfren- los preparativos de la Guardia Nacional El envío del mensaje a todas las tropas dicado fue que prometió que se uniría a la tarse a otro juicio político en el nuevo y la policía para establecer una “Zona indica que la cúpula militar se toma en marcha, pero no lo hizo. El los considera a Senado. Verde”. Las fuerzas de ocupación esta- serio el hecho de que los veteranos y un los alborotadores “basura de clase baja”. Respuesta de la clase trabajadora dounidenses en Bagdad utilizaron el puñado de tropas en servicio activo par- Lo que formó una tormenta perfecta mismo nombre para la zona de la capital ticiparon en el ataque al Congreso del 6 fue la colaboración de la Policía del El 20 de enero es probable que iraquí que contiene la gigantesca emba- de enero. Dado que el Ejército cuenta con Capitolio, cuyos dirigentes se negaron a la presencia masiva de tropas de la jada de Estados Unidos y otros edificios un 40% de personas de color y la Guardia preparar su defensa. Incluso después de Guardia Nacional desaliente cualquier oficiales. Nacional con un 25%, los generales temen que la diputada Maxine Waters les instara Continúa en la página 11