Crisis deepens for Salvadoran gov't . .. 3 THE Socialists· fight gov't use of spy tiles 11 Drop charges against Los Angeles 8! 14

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 51/NO. 17 MAY 8, 1987 75 CENTS

200,000 protest Contras in Nicaragua contra war, 01urder U.S. engineer

apartheid BY HARVEY McARTHUR MANAGUA, Nicaragua - At 8:00 BY NORTON SANDLER a.m. the morning of April28, Ben Linder, WASHINGTON, D.C. - "Today's a 27-year-old U.S. engineer, was survey­ march is a great victory. Union members ing a site for a hydroelectric plant in the are disgusted with the policy on the contras northern mountains of Nicaragua. Mo­ and South Africa." ments later, Linder and two Nicaraguan Armando Velez summed up the senti­ workers were dead; victims of a sudden ment of some 125,000 people who demon­ terrorist attack by U.S. -organized contra strated here April 25 in the cold and rain. mercenaries. Velez, a New York hospital worker, and Cecilio Rosales, a worker who survived his family marched in one of the many the attack, said that the contras first fired union contingents that led the demonstra­ tion. As the cheering, banner-waving hospital INSIDE: U.S. protests against workers strode by, they had an impact on murder of Linder, page 7; other marchers. "Look at all the unionists!" editorial, page 14. said one man. With labor contingents making up about 20 percent of the march, it was the largest five grenades, killing Linder and another mobilization ever of union members pro­ worker as they sat on the ground taking testing U.S. policy in Central America. notes for the project. The mercenaries then The march and rally demanded an end to opened fire with automatic rifles and killed Washington's intervention in Central another worker and wounded one more. America and to U.S. backing for apartheid Linder is the first U.S. citizen killed by in South Africa. Organized by the Mobili­ the contra mercenaries. As a mechanical April29 protest outside Washington, D.C., offices ofU.S.-financed contras. March• zation for Justice and Peace in Central engineer, he was working as a volunteer ers condemned contra murder of Ben Linder, who was building hydroelectric plants. America and Southern Africa, the action designing small electric power plants and in Nicaragua. included 19 union presidents among its drinking-water systems for rural towns in sponsors. the north-central mountains of Jinotega Some estimates of the size of the crowd Province. promoted by the U.S. administration," victims, among them 1,996 children, 166 ranged as high as 150,000. The same day, The Nicaraguan Committee in Solidarity Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Miguel D'Es­ teachers, and 52 doctors." 75,000 turned out for an antiwar, anti­ with the Peoples reported that there have coto said in an April 28 protest letter to On April 29, more than 300 U.S. citi­ apartheid protest in San Francisco. (see been an average of 500 U.S. volunteers U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz. zens joined a protest in front of the U.S. story on page 9.) working on different projects here each "The attacks of these mercenary forces embassy in Managua to condemn the mur­ By early morning, demonstrators were year. Many European volunteers also work have usually been directed at destroying ci­ der of Linder and demand an end to the already gathering on the soggy lawn of the here, and nine, including Spanish and vilian and economic targets, including contra war. Ellipse behind the White House. For the French doctors, a Swiss agronomist, and a - many houses, health centers, schools, A delegation from the Committee of next several hours, thousands more poured Belgian civil engineer; have been killed by means of transportation, bridges, electric U.S. Citizens Living in Nicaragua met into the assembly area. Hundreds of cities the mercenaries. power lines, and peasant cooperatives," with U.S. Ambassador Harold Bergold. were represented. Several buses came from Linder's murder demonstrates "the ter­ D'Escoto continued. But he said only that he had "little informa­ Canada. rorist and criminal nature of the actions "Such attacks have caused thousands of tion and no comment" on Linder's murder. Many came in groups organized by their unions. Tens of thousands were high school and college students. Lots of cp!-lrch groups were visible in the South African troops attack Zambia crowd. Many protesters identified themselves as belonging to campus or community Central BY ERNEST HARSCH flees and refugee facilities in Zambia, ac­ the raid's aims was to warn the Zambian America solidarity or anti-apartheid groups. The April 25 South African commando knowledged that some of the buildings had government to stop backing the ANC. For many, it was the first time they had raid into Zambia was a "naked act of ag­ until recently been occupied by ANC mem­ Coming just a few days after the police demonstrated against the U.S. -run war in gression and terror" against that country, bers. It denied; however, that they were murder of six striking railway workers, Nicaragua or against apartheid in South Af­ the outlawed African National Congress military facilities. It also denied Pretoria's Pretoria's attack on Zambia prompted fur­ rica. (ANC) of South Africa declared. claims that a group of ANC guerrillas were ther popular protests at home. The apartheid regime had claimed that on their way to South Africa to disrupt the Hundreds of students at the predomi­ Union partici~tion its attack was directed against ANC "ter­ May 6 white parliamentary elections. nantly white University of Cape Town held Black and Latino workers made up a rorists." In fact, the four people who were The apartheid regime commonly makes a protest meeting on campus April 27. substantial portion of the union contin­ killed were all Zambian citizens. They such accusations in an effort to justify its They were attacked by police wielding gents. As many as half the unionists were were, the ANC said, "murdered by Pre­ unprovoked attacks against neighboring whips and firing tear gas and birdshot, women. toria's crazed killer squads." states that give support and refuge to the wounding several students. The next day Thousands of union members proudly The Zambian government likewise con­ ANC. South African Defense Minister thousands rallied at the university to con­ carried a sign put. out by march organizers demned "this dastardly and unprovoked at­ Gen. Magnus Malan admitted that one of demn the police repression. that read, "Union members say: we work tack." hard for our money, not one penny for the contras." · The assault came early in the morning. Union signs and banners condemning ' South African helicopters, apparently fly~ Indians and Blacks celebrate apartheid were especially prominent. ing from a base in South African-occupied Members of the American Federation of Namibia, dropped the· commandos near State, County and Municipal Employees Livingstone, a town of 80,000 in southern Nicaragua's autononty plan (AFSCME) from cities throughout the East Zambia. They then attacked three build­ ings in different parts of town. made up the largest labor delegation. In BY HARVEY McARTHUR culture, and traditions. New York alone, 70 AFSCME buses had Two unarmed Zambian security guards PUERTO CABEZAS, Nicaragua There are Miskito Indians, who speak been chartered. were shot to death when they blocked the Thousands of Nicaraguans ·- Indians, the Miskito language; Sumo Indians, who Several thousand workers joined the commandos from entering a seven-story Blacks, and Spanish-speaking mestizos - speak Sumo; Rama Indians, who speak well-organized delegation from the Na­ office building. packed the town square here April 24 to English; Creoles, who are descendants of . tional Union of Hospital and Health Care The attackers also poured gunfire into a celebrate the final drafting of an autonomy African slaves, and speak English; Employees Local 1199. Some chanted, residential house. "There was no ANC in law for Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast. Garffonos, English-speaking descendants "Jail Reagan, free Mandela," a reference to that house, just a woman and her daugh­ The law was adopted b5' a Multiethnic of slaves and Carib Indians; and mestizos, imprisoned African National Congress ter," a neighbor later told reporters. Fortu­ · Assembly held·her e in the capital of North­ (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela. descendants of Spanish-speaking peasants nately, the occupants managed to flee. em Zelaya Province April 22-24. The leg­ from Nicaragua's ·Pacific and central re­ About ·the same time, the raiders at­ islation now goes to Nicaragua's National Cudahy strikers gions. tacked a housing compound, killing two Assembly, or parliament, for final ap­ Marching with red "P-40" caps were Zambian brothers in their sleeping quar­ proval and enactment. Prior to the Sandinista revolution of more than 30 members of United Food and ters. A young woman, the niece of the Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast comprises 1979, the Atlantic Coast was dominated by Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local P-40 Zambian defense minister, was also seri­ the provinces of Northern and Southern U.S. corporations, who together with Nic­ who have been on strike at the Patrick ously wounded. . Zelaya and is the home of six different ra­ araguan dictator Anastasio Somoza, · sub- Continued OD Page 7 The ANC, which maintains political of- cial groupS, each with their own history, Coatiaued 011 Page 4 Denial of visa to Allende ruled 'inipro:Per'

BY SELVA NEBBIA freedom of speech was violated. Mandel, a Belgian socialist and a leader of speech. the Fourth International. An important victory for democratic The defendants in the lawsuit were Sec­ In March 1987 the court ruled that the The government's explanation for deny­ rights was won March 31, when a U.S. retary of State George Shultz, Attorney declassified Eagleburger affidavit did not ing a visa to Allende centered around an af­ District court in Massachusetts ruled the General William French Smith, and Immi­ provide sufficient proof for her exclusion fidavit by the Under Secretary of State 1983 denial of a visa to Hortensia Bussi de gration and Naturalization Service (INS) from the United States. The judge also Allende to be "improper." This decision ·Commissioner Alan Nelson. Lawrence Eagleburger. The government had originally requested to be allowed to ruled the government failed to provide was in response to a lawsuit filed by the In April 1985 the court rejected a gov­ legitimate reason for refusing to grant National Emergency Civil Liberties Com­ ernment motion to have the case dismissed, present this affidavit in camera, that is, to be seen by the judge only and not by the Allende a waiver that would have allowed mittee (NECLC). citing the 1972 case of Kleindienst v. Man­ her to visit the United States. · "This litigation is of historic signifi­ del to support its decision. plaintiffs and the lawyers, since it was clas­ cance, because this. is the first time that a sified information. Judge Andrew Caffrey This ruling is an important breakthrough court has decided that the denial of a visa In Kleindienst v. Mandel, the NECLC denied the government this request. in getting rid of the barriers that govern­ on ideological grounds is unlawful," Ed­ had established that even though a visa ap­ The affidavit was then partially declas­ ment officials use in barring people whose ward Copeland, an attorney for the plicant from another· country has no con­ sified and presented as evidence to justify views it disagrees with. "This whole area NECLC, told the Militant. stitutional right to contest the denial of a Allende's exclusion from the country. But of law and the real ability to challenge this Hortensia Allende is a member of the visa, U.S. citizens whose First Amend­ all it amounted to was citing Allende's at­ started with the Mandel case back in Women's International Democratic Feder­ ment rights are harmed by the visa denial tendance at three international conferences 1972," Copeland stated. "And while there ation (WIDF), an honorary president of the do have such a right. where she spoke on "women's issues and have been many challenges since then, World Peace Council (WPC), and a mem­ Despite this advance, the U.S. Supreme the need for nuclear disarmament" and none has managed to get a court to say that ber of the United Nations Committee Court upheld the denial of a visa to Ernest where she "assailed the U.S." in her the denial of a visa was unlawful." Against Apartheid. She is the widow of Salvador Allende, the president of Chile assassinated in 1973 during the military coup that brought Gen. Augusto Pinochet FarlTJ •co-op militias repel contras to power.

Visa denied BY HARVEY McARTHUR destroyed the ·truck and tractor. The peas­ by the Nicaraguan army, peasants from In March 1983; Hortensia Allende was SAN JUAN DEL RIO COCO, Nicara­ ants fought back, however, and forced the dry, unproductive land were encouraged to invited to speak in the United States by gua - Peasant militias at the Che Guevara contras to retreat after 45 minutes of sharp move there. The government gave them several universities and individuals. farm cooperative 10 miles from here suc­ fighting. Baez said there could have been land, initial supplies, and credit. Allende, then living in exile in Mexico, cessfUlly fought off an attack by a large as many as 200 mercenaries in the attack. applied to the U.S. embassy in Mexico Natividad L6pez said they started the force of contra mercenaries April 9. This cooperative is located in rich coffee_ City for a visitor's visa. The consulate de­ The contras killed four cooperative Che Guevara cooperative last fall, just in nied the visa under a section of the 1952 growing land in the mountains about 40 time to harvest the coffee crop. members, including a school teacher; miles northeast of the city of Estell. Much Immigration and Nationality Act (also burned a truck and tractor; and robbed the Although they were just beginning, of this area was abandoned in 1983 and known as the McCarran-Walter Act), cash from the rural supply store, but were L6pez said proudly, the cooperative al­ which prohibits the issuance of visas to 1984 because of heavy contra attacks. San ready had a functioning school and child­ driven away before doing more damage. Juan del Rio Coco itself was attacked in "aliens who are members of or are af­ care center. When reporters arrived a day and a half 1984, though local nlilitias kept the contras filiated with . . . the Communist or any "While we're producing, the children after the attack, we could hear grenades ex­ from entering the town. other totalitarian party . . . of any foreign ploding and bursts of machine-gun fire in are studying," he said, hefting his rifle to · state." the valley below the cooperative. Soldiers Now, with the Nicaraguan army driving return to a lookout post. "The contras don't The government claimed that the WIDF were operating a radio communication post back the mercenary forces, the land is want us to have schools or the help that we and the WPC are affiliated to the Com­ from the roof of one building, and armed being resettled and put back into produc­ now get from the government. But we munist Party of the Soviet Union. peasants stood guard throughout the settle­ tion. peasants are going to continue moving for­ The State Department, which could have ment. As the area around San Juan was secured ward despite them." granted Allende a waiver, refused on the Despite the fighting nearby, the soldiers basis of another section of the McCarran­ and peasants we talked to were confident W alter Act. That section prohibits entry and cheerful. The army had cornered a into the United States to persons believed contra force, probably the one that had at­ Veterans' leader to speak on to seek admission "solely, prinCipally, or tacked the cooperative, a radio operator incidentally to engage in activities which told me. It was just a matter of time until would be prejudicial to the public interest, the mercenaries surrendered or were wiped Vietnant at N~Y. nteeting or endanger the welfare, safety, or security out, he said. of the United States." We met Francisco Baez, the 40-year-old BY STEVE CLARK distributed on New York buses to the April production secretary of the cooperative, as NEW YORK - An eyewitness report 25 march on Washington, D.C. Curb on freedom of speech he stood guard in a foxhole with a machine from Vietnam by veterans' leader Barry The meeting will demand an end to the Iri December 1983 the NECLC filed a gun. Behind him lay the burned-out hulk of Romo will be presented at a speakout here U.S. trade embargo of Vietnam and the es­ lawsuit on behalf of citizens who had in­ the cooperative's new truck, destroyed in May 17 on "Contragate- Vietnam: What's tablishment of normal diplomatic relations vited Allende to the United States to speak the April 9 attack. the Connection?" with its government. The cooperative has 100 members, both Romo will have just returned from Viet­ and exchange views on the issues of human Bui Xuan Nhat, VieQJ.am's ambassador rights, the situation in Chile, and U.S. in­ men and women, Baez said. These peas­ nam, where he is currently leading a ants work their land together and have or­ month-long tour by a delegation of U.S. to the United Nations, will also speak atthe volvement in Latin American affairs. meeting. EdCalifornia Ecumenical Council were also immediately killed him with a shot to the leaflet says, Washington hopes to undercut Casa de las Americas, 104 W. 14th Street, plaintiffs. head. mounting public opposition to its merce­ at 2:00p.m. There is a $5 donation ($3 for They argued that by not being allowed to The mercenaries then launched a mortar nary contra war against Nicaragua today. limited income). For more information, hear Allende their constitutional right to and grenade attack and set the bombs that Thousands of leaflets for the event were call (718) 643-0201. The Militant tells the truth Subscribe today! The Militant The Militant is written in the Closing news date: April 29, 1987 interests of workers and farm­ Coeditors: MARGARET JAYKO and DOUG JENNESS ers. Every week it tells the truth Circulation Director: MALIK MIAH about the war Washington and Nicaragua Bureau Director: CINDY JAQUITH Business Manager: JIM WHITE the employers are waging Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein, Fred· Feldman, Ernest against working people athome Harsch, Arthur Hughes, Sam Manuel, Harvey McArthUr and abroad. We provide first­ (Nicaragua), Roberto Kopec (Nicaragua), Harry Ring, hand coverage of events in Norton Sandler. Published weekly except one week in August and the last other countries, such as Cuba, week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 Burkina Faso, and the Philip­ West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Of­ pines. In addition, regular on­ fice, (212) 243-6392; Telex,· 497-4278; Business Office, the-scene reports come from (212) 929-3486. our Nicaragua Bureau. Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes of address should be addressed to The Militant Business Subscribe today. Office, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Enclosed is If you already have a sub­ D $3.00 for 12 weeks, new readers Second-class postage -paid at New York, N.Y. POST­ I scription, by renewing now for MASTER: Send address changes to The Militant, 410 West D $6.00 for 12 weeks, renewals six months or a year you'll re­ St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Subscriptions: U.S., Canada, ., 0 $12.00 for six months ceive a free issue of New Inter­ Latin America: for one-year subscription send $24, draWii 0 $24.00 for one year on a U.S. bank, to above address. By frrst-class (airmail), Nmne ______national (cover price $5.00), a send $60. 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2 Tile Militant··- Mily 1J' ..1987 Crisis deepens for ·Salvadoran·gov't Despite massive U.S. aid, regime unable to crush popular struggles

BY MARTiN KOPPEL . been a counterinsurgency program called The devastating attack by Salvadoran "United to Rebuild." Because of wide­ liberation fighters on a key government spread outrage at the terror unleashed by military base at El Paraiso on March 31 the Salvadoran armed forces, this · cam­ was a stunning blow to the U.S.-backed re­ paign was proclaimed as a "humanitarian" gime there. It put a spotlight on the deepen­ nonmilitary effort by the government. ing political and economic crisis facing the In fact, however, the campaign is based government of El Salvador. on the "pacification" program used by In spite of massive infusions of U.S. Washington in its war against the Vietnam­ dollars and weapons, President Jose Napo­ ese people. It is funded by the U.S. le6n Duarte's regime has been unable to Agency for International Development and quell the growing opposition by Salvado­ oesigned by U.S .. military advisers. The ran workers and farmers to its policies of plan consists of the forcible relocation of war, repression, and austerity. thousands of rural families, military And it has been unable to crush the "clean-up" operations against the guerrillas popular guerrilla forces of the Farabundo and their supporters, and intimidation of Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), villagers into forming paramilitary "civil which controls a significant portion of El defense" patrols, along with some meager Salvador's countryside. economic aid to those communities that Since the civil war began in 1979, cooperate with the regime. Washington has poured huge resources In the Guazapa volcano region, which into El Salvador to prop up the regime and has been an FMLN stronghold, the army to try to crush the FMLN and destroy its carried out this plan in early 1986 by mas­ base of support among workers, peasants, sively bombing the area, destroying farms and youth. and houses, pushing out most of the FMLN The $2.5 billion in U.S. aid has built up forces, and forcibly relocating more than a Nov. 22, 1986, demonstration in San Salvador. The National. Union of Salvadoran the Salvadoran army to 56,000 soldiers, in thousand peasants. Workers (UNTS) is leading fight against regime's antUabor policies. addition to a paramilitary force of between Over the past months, however, the lib­ 18,000 and 22,000 "civil defense" troops. eration fighters have been returning in Honduras, and elsewhere. up a rival labor organization called Na­ The air force has been bolstered with small groups to this strategic area, which is nearly -80 U.S.-supplied helicopters, 11 30 miles north of San Salvador, the capital. After the earthquake, the FMLN-FDR tional Union of Workers and Peasants issued a platform of demands on the gov­ (UNOC). But even this group has started to, bombers, and 12 gunships .. In the relocation camps, the army occu- The FMLN estimates that there are some . pation and the harsh conditions have gener­ ernment. These included: abolishing the criticize the Duarte regime's austerity austerity measures, a freeze on prices, a 300 U.S. military advisers in the country, ated widespread discontent. The key ele­ measures. Last year, more than 150 strikes and helping direct the government's war. This ment of the counterinsurgency program - moratorium on farm debts, a massive pro­ includes the 55 officially recognized advis­ the "civil defense" patrols - has failed, gram of housing construction for earth­ many protests were held by sugar workers, quake victims, improvements, in health farm workers, hospital workers, govern­ ers. since most villagers have refused to join them. care, freedom for all political prisoners, an ment employees, garment workers, and 62,000 Salvadorans killed end to forced army recruitment, and a others. Impact of Sandinista victories The government's seven-year war on the dialogue to reach a negotiated political so­ Peasants have also taken part in protests. Salvadoran people has already left 62,000 In addition to the problems faced by the lution to the civil war. In spite of aU. S. -sponsored "land reform," dead in this country of 5 million inhabi­ Duarte regime, the failure of the U.S.-or­ Instead of providing relief, the Duarte land remains firmly in the hands of a few tants. Most of them have been victims of ganized contra war in Nicaragua is a deci­ government has imposed sharp economic wealthy landlords. army repression and right-wing death sive factor in the crisis facing Washington austerity measures on Salvadoran working Last year, the UNTS organized a march people. of 60,000 people on February 21 and a squads. in El Salvador. Although Washington claims the human 'fhis was pointed to in a joint statement demonstration of 50,000 on May 1 in San rights situation has improved in El Sal­ by the FMLN and Revolutionary Demo­ Labor upsurge Salvador. This January 17, it held a march of 35,000, defying the massive army and vador, gove~nt terror still prevails. The cratic Front (FDR), a coalition of political This crisis has sparked a wave of pro­ death squads, ·which the regime had reined organizations allied with the FMLN. ·The tests by workers and small farmers in El police presence. in to bolster this image, began to step up statement, released in January, pointed Salvador. The trade union movement took In the face of these protests, the Duarte their activity again last year. Air force out, "The inability of the Nicaraguan con­ a big step forward in February 1986 with regime has no solution or plan that can re­ bombings of civilians continue. tras to achieve their aims, the resounding the founding of a broad labor federation, solve its crisis, which continues to deepen. According to a report by the New York­ defeats inflicted by the Nicaraguan people the National Union of Salvadoran Workers "The .United States embassy also ap­ based Lawyers' Committee for Human on these bands of mercenaries, and the lack (UNTS), to fight the regime's antilabor of­ pears to be out of fresh ideas," a report in Rights, torture "continues to be standard of a favorable outcome to the counterin­ fensive. Significantly, it includes the the February 16 New York Times stated. operating procedure for the Salvadoran se­ surgency plans in El Salvador will continue Popular Democratic Union, a uni'm federa­ "As des.cribed by several officials, Ameri­ curity forces." to bog down the Reagan administration's tion whose leadership had previously been can policy seems to boil down to hanging There are more than 1,000 political pris­ policies in Central America." pro-Duarte. on until the presidential elections in 1989 oners, most of them held without trial. On These victories of the Nicaraguan revo­ The UNTS has demanded not only better and pressing the war at all costs." the other hand,·not a single military officer lution, as well as the wider government wages and working conditions, but the Hugo Carrillo, a right-wing Salvadoran responsible for torture and murder has ever crisis in Washington, have meant "the freeing of all political prisoners, an end to politician, had an even less confident view. been prosecuted. weakening of the main pillar of support all U.S. aid to the Duarte regime, and the He told reporters, "We want Duarte to that has allowed [the Duarte regime] tore­ resumption of talks between the govern­ reach the finish line of his term, even if we The military also terrorizes youths by main in power," the FMLN-FDR statement ment and the FMLN-FDR. have to carry him there on a ·Red Cross sweeping through working-class com­ added. In response to this, the government set stretcher." munities and rural areas and forcibly re­ cruiting young workers and peasants into Duarte more isolated the army. As the Duarte regime becomes more and ...---- Socialist education conferences --­ The latest tactic in the regime's war has more discredited, there are deepening rifts among El Salvador's wealthy rulers. The . ~ocialist Workers Party and Right-wing businessmen organized a Young Socialist Alliance invite you to business strike on January 22 to protest two educational weekends ... new war taxes passed by Duarte's Christian Democratic Party. Rightist opposition parties also staged a boycott of the National Northw-est Socialist Conference Assembly to protest an electoral law that Seattle May 9-10 favors the Christian Democrats. Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m. 7:30p.m. The Duarte administration has further U.S. Labor at the CrossrQilds The Future of the Soviet Union: antagonized other political forces by using Hear Craig Gannon, member Lenin's Unfinished Fight U.S. money - including earthquake relief SWP Trade Union Bureau Hear Doug Jenness, funds - to build a political machine that 5517 Rainer Ave. South editor of the 'Militant' hands out jobs and lines the pockets of Christian Democratic supporters. at Camp 72218th Ave. at Cherry St. The vast majority of the Salvadoran Sunday May 10, 10 a.m. people, on the other hand, are feeling the Next Steps in Building a Party of Communist Workers crushing burden of the economic crisis. Hear John Gaige, member SWP Organization Bureau Half the work force is unemployed. The 5517 Rainier Ave. South inflation rate is 40 percent. For more information contact Seattle or Portland SWP and YSA listed in Almost half of El Salvador's budget directory on page 12. goes for war spending. Meanwhile, the government spends 42 percent of export Northern California earnings on debt payments to U.S. and other international banks. Capital flight has Socialist Conference reached an estimated $1 billion, as the rich stash away their millions in Miami bank San Francisco -· May 2-3 accounts. Conference topics and speakers will be the same as Northwest conference. On top of this came last October's dev­ U.S: I:abor ~t ~he Cro?sroads, Sat., May 2, 2 p.m.; The Future of the Soviet Union : astating earthquake, which caused at least Lemf! s Unfimshed F1ght, Sat., 7:30p.m.; Next Steps in Building a Party of Com­ $1 billion in damages and left 200,000 mumst Workers, Sun., May 3, noon. ILWU Local34 hall, 4 Berry St. (at Em­ people homeless. There are already a half barcadero). For more information contact San Francisco, Oakland, or San Salvadoran President Jose Napole6n million Salvadoran refugees in the United Jose SWP and YSA listed in directory on page 12. Duarte. States and another half million in Mexico, Nicaraguans .celebrate autonomy plan·

Continued from front page gion. jected the Indians and Blacks of the region The final wording of the autonomy law to special forms of racial discrimination. states that the coast inhabitants "shall re­ . The coast as a whole was kept isolated ceive a fair proportion of the benefits" from from the rest of the country, in a state of HONDURAS the use of their resources, with details to be extreme economic backwardness. Illiter­ worked out "in agreements between the re­ acy and disease were rampant. gional and national government." The new autonomy .law codifies rights The statutes also affirm the duty of cos­ that the coastal peoples or costenos, have tefios to participate in the Nicaraguan army already won in practice through the strug­ to defend the nation. Autonomy commis­ gle that opened up with the July 1979 rev7 Northern Zelaya sion members told reporters that the mili­ olution that overthrew Somoza. The law tary draft would be extended to all of the guarantees the right of costefios to use and Atlantic Coast and that Indian militias develop their own languages and cultures, being organized for defense against U.S.­ to elect and run their own regional govern­ run contra attacks would operate· under ments, and to exercise decision-making in army control. a broad range of economic and social poli­ The statutes also state that the police cies in the region. force will be part of the nationwide San­ Sandinista leader Tomas Borge, presi­ dinista Police. The delegates rejected a dent of Nicaragua's National Autonomy proposal to create a separate police force Commission, told the thousands at the undM the regional governments. April 24 rally that they were giving the The assembly voted that all the racial world "a lesson in democracy." groups in each autonomous region had to ''The [autonomy] law takes up the histor­ be represented in the regional councils and ical legitimacy of the rights of the Atlantic their boards of directors, though they did Coast," he said. "The law reiterates that the have us killing one another on the coast. groups that had taken up arms against the not specify how this would be done. revolution is the source that made it possi­ Sumo and Rama delegates expressed [However], we have succeeded in looking government, but were now participating in ble to liberate the suppressed energies and concern at being overwhelmed by larger each other in the eye and reaching out our peace and autonomy discussions. The Rev. recognize the multiethnic character of our groups, pointing out that they had histori­ hands in friendship. Hedley Wilson, bishop of the Moravian people. cally suffered discrimination and persecu­ "If this is not democracy, what is?" he "This has been a defeat for the U.S. pol­ . Church, gave a blessing to the assembly. icy and a triumph for the Nicaraguan tion by the Miskitos and others. There are asked. some 5,000 Sumos, 1,500 Garffonos, and people." Official statistics on the delegates were At a press conference after the rally, 900 Ramas on the Atlantic Coast, com­ Borge explained that the Sandinista Na­ Borge warned that oJ>ponents of the rev­ not immediately available, but Miskitos appeared to be the single biggest group, pared to 25,000 Creoles, 80,000 Miskitos, tional Liberation Front (FSLN) had made olution would "conspire against autonomy and 180,000 mestizos. ·· with the same hatred with which they con­ followed closely by Creoles and mestizos, serious .mistakes in its relations· with the A few delegates argued that each group coastal peoples in the early days of the rev­ spire against all the achievements of the with a SJilaller number of Sumos and a few revolution." But he stressed that "nothing Garffonos and Ramas. About 20 percent of should have an equal number of representa­ olution. He cited the example of attempting tives, regardless of their size. Others ar­ and no one will halt the execution of the the delegates were women, and some of to impose organizational forms that had gued for election of delegates based on [autonomy) law or the leadership and the them, especially Miskito women, were arisen during the anti-Somoza struggles in geographical districts, saying that this way massive and enthusiastic advance of the among the most active participants. the Pacific coast, but were foreign to cos­ the representatives would know the prob­ coastal peoples in the irreversible march of The plenary session lasted 16 hours and teiios. lems and needs of the people of the district autonomy." was conducted in Spanish, with some Early actions of the FSLN that did .not they came from. take into account the specific needs and as­ He also emphasized that the new law translation into Miskito, Sumo, and Eng­ pirations ofthe coastal peoples led to sharp was only the beginning of solving the prob­ lish. lems on the Atlantic Coast. "It is a guide conflicts between costefios and the revolu­ Role of the autonomous governments tionary government. The U.S. government and instrument for action. It must be im­ took advantage of these errors to encourage proved upon, grow, and discover new as­ The autonomy law guarantees the right armed uprisings against the revolutionary pects. Today we must study, explain, un­ of the coastal peoples to develop their own government, Borge said. Nicaragua's first derstand fully, defend, and, what is most cultures and to be educated in their own response, which emphasized military ac­ important, carry out this law." languages, reflecting their history and trad­ tions without recognizing the legitimate This includ~s "fighting those who pro, itio%, Spanish is recognized as Nicara­ grievances of the costefios, only made mote racial discrimination and eradicating gua's official language, but the Indian lan­ things worse. the remnants of prejudices," Borge told the guages and English will have official status The FSLN came to realize its errors, crowd. "[We must] persuade, argue pa­ in the autonomous regions. Borge said, and shifted to promoting a po­ tiently, deepen our theoretical knowledge The statute establishes two autonomous litical solution. This led to the autonomy of family relations, culture, and the charac­ regions, in Northern and Southern Zelaya, discussions, and to convincing many of the teristics of the ethnic groups, and at the where costefios will elect local govern­ Indians who had taken up arms against the same time, find practical solutions to the ments with wide authority over economic, Sandinista government to return to their problems that surely will arise in applying social, and cultural questions. 'f\le regional communities and join the discussions. the law." governments on the coast are now, as As Borge explained to the April 24 rally, The Mult~ethnic Assembly here culmi­ throughout Nicaragua, appointed by the the revolution's experience on the Atlantic nated a two-and-a-half year process of dis­ country's president. · Coast "has demonstrated in practice that it cussion and community consultations on The autonomous governments will have is not scientifically correct to reduce social the autonomy statutes. Hazel Lau, a leader direct control over many economic and so­ reality exclusively to class determinations. of the National Autonomy Commission, cial pro%rams, including some financed by "While there can be no doubt about the reported that every village and community the natiOnal government. They will also class struggle, which is the decisive factor on the coast had elected and sent delegates, work with national government ministries to oversee programs in education, health, in social transformations and which is al­ 2,000 in all. Mirna Cunningham is head of govern­ For many, this meant a long trip on foot, culture, and internal commerce. ways present explicitly or beneath the sur­ meJ)t in Northern Zelaya and member of by boat, or by truck over rough, forest In the case of big development projects face, it is obvious that in contemporary so­ autonomy commission. ciety socio-cultural structures continue to roads. Most of the 280 delegates from directed by the national government, such exist that form the basis of specific ethnic Southern Zelaya came by fishing boat in a as mining, fishing, and forestry operations, identities. Therefore, we recognize that so­ 25-hour trip from the city of Bluefields. the regional autonomous governments will In the end, the assembly decided that cial and ethnic differences are among the The 2·,000 delegates chose a smaller participate in their planning, evaluation, · each regional council would have 30 to 50 motor forces of the revolution." group of 240 who met in workshops and a and administration. members, elected by geographical dis­ "We are demonstrating to the world that plenary session to discuss and adopt the Communal property traditions upheld tricts, and include representatives of all ra­ we have been capable of overcoming and final statutes. These delegates included cial groups. The details were left to the au­ learning from our errors," Borge told the farmers, fishermen, miners, ministers, and The delegates adopted an article affirm­ tonomy commission and the National Elec­ rally. The U.S. government wanted "to professionals. Some were leaders oflndian ing the right of indigenous communities to tion Commission to work out. communal use of lands, waters, and woods The delegates did vote to increase the that had traditionally belonged to them. All size of the board of directors in each re­ members of the community will have the gional council from five to seven members, right to use a plot of the communal lands, and specified that each racial group should which cannot be sold, seized, taxed, or be represented on the board. During this Fidel Castro! s Political Strategy given away. The assembly voted down a discussion, one delegate said he thought proposal from several pastors to allow do­ that the Miskito, Sumo, Rama, and From Moncada to Victory nations of communal land to churches. Garifono peoples were still too backward One hotly debated question was how to to have leaders capable of fulfilling the re­ guarantee that costeiios would benefit from How did Fidel Castro forge a revolutionary strategy to sponsibilities of a board member. He was the use of the rich natural resources of the sharply answered by Mirna Cunningham, bring down the U.S.~backed Batista dictatorship in coast. The mineral, timber, and fishing 1959? This new book tells the story, using letters, head of the government in Northern Zelaya wealth of the region had long been and a member of the autonomy commis­ documents, and speeches of Fidel Castro and other exploited by U.S., Canadian, and other leaders of the July 26th Movement. sion, who pointed out that this was just the corporations, but they abandoned the re­ sort of prejudice that still had to be over­ gion in the 1970s, leav~ng behind empty come. a new book by warehouses and ancient, rusting machin­ In the course of the plenary session, the ery. The few remaining operations were delegates added several new points to the Marta Harnecker nationalized after the 1979 revolution. statutes. These included a provision for the Author of Cuba: Dictatorship or Democracy and The Some delegates wanted to spell out what regional councils to "promote the integra­ Great Challenge: An Interview with Jaime Wheelock percentage of the profits of such operations tion and development of women in all as­ 160 pp., $7.95 would go to the regional governments. pects of the political and social life of the Others said that this was meaningless now, region," and another that established "pro­ Available June 1 from Pathfinder, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014 (include $.75 for post­ since industry and agriculture on the coast moting unity, fraternity, and solidanty be­ age) or from your local Pathfinder bookstore (see directory on p.12). Write for a catalog. are so underdeveloped that the national tween the peoples of the Atlantic Coast" as government has to heavily subsidize the re- a principle of autonomy. Wash. fann ·workers -launch,vineyar~ boycott·

BY MATT HERRESHOFF union activists drove three hours to picket YAKIMA, Wash. -Farm workers in Ste. Michelle's corporate headquarters in the Yakima Valley have launched a boycott Woodinville, Washington, on April 18. against the Ste. Michelle vineyards, the The union plans to continue weekly pick­ largest winery in the state. The workers are ets, UFWWS President Thomas Villa­ demanding that Ste. Michelle recognize nueva told the Militant. and negotiate with theif union, the United Picketing is also continuing at Pyramid Farm Workers of Washington State Orchards. Farm workers there went on (UFWWS). strike when Pyramid cut wages for pruners In February, Ste. Michelle fired 13 from $2.50 to $1.75 a tree. Many workers workers at its vineyard in Paterson, Wash­ couldn't make the minimum wage at that ington, for engaging in union activity. The rate. workers began to organize when Ste. Michelle cut wages for pruners from $6 an Recently, Pyramid completed pruning at hour to $5.25 an hour and lower. its 117 -acre ranch near Wapato. The union The mostly Mexican workers are de­ has responded by setting up picket lines at manding an end to racist harassment by Pyramid's 300-acre ranch near Yakima. foremen and supervisors. They are fighting The Pyramid strike has won support for better working conditions in the fields, from thousands of farm workers through­ such as the availability of toilets and drink­ out the Yakima Valley, who view it as their ing water. And they are demanding job se- own fight and an important test of union -curity. power. These are key issues for all 225,000 Growers, fearing that other workers will • farm workers and their families who will emulate the Pyramid strikers, have raised labor in orchards, fields, and vineyards wages and improved conditions in farms ' throughout the state this year. throughout the area. Strikers picket outside Pyramid Orchards In recent weeks, Ste. Michelle has The farm workers' struggle has begun to reinstated the fired workers, raised wages, win support from other unions in the state. and improved conditions. But they have re­ Representatives of the Washington AFL­ fused to recognize or negotiate ·with the CIO, the striking Inland Boatmen's Union, union. . and International Longshoremen's and Calif. aerospace unionists In response, at an AprilS UFWWS con­ Warehousemen's Union Local37 attended vention, 268 fann workers voted to launch the UFWWS convention April 5. a boycott against Ste. Michelle. On April Contributions and messages of solidarity unite to resist takebacks 11, farm workers picketed at Ste. can be sent to: UFWWS, Box 899, Michelle's Paterson vineyard. And 25 Granger, Wash. 98932. BY DEAN DENNO to be hired if the contracts are to be ful­ AND SUE SKINNER filled. Clearly the company does not want a LONG BEACH, Calif. - Three strike now. thousand members of the International As­ The very fact that the UA Wand the lAM Canadian. unionists fight sociation of Machinists and United Auto are united puts the workers in a stronger Workers from three McDonnell Douglas position than before. Given these facts, plants turned out here for an April 5 meet­ many workers felt we should build on the new B. C. antilabor laws ing. It was the first tinie ever that members slowdown, but also set a strike deadline. of the two unions had held a joint meeting. Douglas has stepped up firings, threats, BY MATT HERRESHOFF they must eliminate trade unions and other UAW Lpcal 148 represents 10,000 and other disciplinary action. This in­ VANCOUVER, British Columbia, democratic organizations." workers at the Douglas plant in Long creased harassment is intended to pick off Canada - Four thousand trade unionists The British Columbia Feder.ation of Beach. Machinist's District 720 has 5,000 individual workers and spread fear in the rallied here April14 to protest a vicious an­ Labour (BCFL) is calling on unions tore­ members in plants in nearby Torrance and plants. tiunion law being rammed through the pro­ fuse to obey Bill 19 if it becomes law. Ral­ Huntington Beach. Unionists at these The entire work force must be organized vincial legislature. lies against the legislation are being or­ Douglas plants and from plarits in Ok­ to fight against the harassment and to fight The ·law, knQwn as Bill 19, was intro­ ganized across the province. lahoma and Arkansas have been working for a decent contract. We will need more duced.c.;by,· l\~ Columbia Premier Bill . "We .dido 't -start this fight, but as sur~ as without union contracts since . October discussion among Douglas workers and Vander Zalm in early April. It sets up a I'm standing here tonight before you, we 1986. more union meetings to respond ade­ government commission with sweeping will finish it," BCFL President Ken The joint meeting was called to encour­ quately to the company's attacks. In this powers to break strikes and bust unions. Georgetti told the crowd. age workers to continue work slowdowns way we can continue to build on the Under Bill 19, strikers can be ordered Numerous unions were represented.· A in both plants and to demonstrate to Doug­ strength and unity we have already back to work any time a commissioner de­ Chinese garment worker affirmed, "We las management the unity that has been es­ achieved. cides it is in "the public interest." The com­ need to fight.:· Another unionist com­ tablished between the unions. missioner would have the right to force mented, "There's been nothing like this in Representatives from the unions at the Dean Denno is a member of UAW Local workers to arbitration at any time, appoint the history of the province." Douglas plants in St. Louis; Tulsa, Ok­ 148 at Douglas's Long Beach plant. Sue an arbitrator, and then overturn the arbi­ "I'd like to see 50,000 people demon­ lahoma; and Monrovia, California, also at­ Skinner is a member ofJAM District 720 at trator's decision if it doesn't suit him. strating outside," a veteran member of the tended. the Torrance plant. During contract negotiations or a strike, International Woodworkers of America Douglas has unilaterally implemented its the bill would give employers the power to (IWA) told me. That union won a militant "final offer," though workers have rejected compel workers to vote on their last con­ strike against timber bosses in British Col­ it twice. Four Douglas plants have already tract offer at any time. Scabs hired by the umbia last year. "Under this law, we'd voted to authorize strike action. Workers in Ohio farm workers company during a strike would also be never have won our strike," he said. St. Louis and Monrovia are scheduled to eligible to vote on the offer. Many workers were actively discussing vote soon. win contract The bill also outlaws secondary how to fight the attack. "Maybe we'll have The final offer has substantial take­ boycotts. backs, including weekly deductions for BY ROBBIE SCHERR to fill the jails," said one. "Maybe we'll all TOLEDO - The Farin Labor Organiz­ A second proposed antilabor law, Bill just stay home in bed," saiq another. medical coverage, hundreds of new job combinations, and expansion of the two­ ing Committee (FLOC) has scored another· 20, specifically targets the British Colum­ "We need to get everybody out in the victory in its efforts to unionize tomato and bia Teachers Federation. The union is plan­ streets to demonstrate. We need big dem­ tier wage system. Mike Smith, president of lAM District cucumber pickers in the Midwest. At a ning a one-day strike followed by work-to­ . onstrations - 100,000 to 200,000. This packed news conference April 9, a three­ rule job actions to protest this attack. affects everyone," a young woodworker 720, pointed out that benefits fought for in the past will be lost if the takebacks are not year contract was announced between A leaflet distributed at the April 14 rally told me. · FLOC and 27 cucumber growers who con­ by the Vancouver and District Labour Several union officials spoke at the challenged. Bob Berghoff, president of UAW Local tract to sell their produce to Heinz USA. Council said, "At the centre of this assault event. It1was also addressed by officials of The contract comes about a year after the_ are the multinationals that want to turn the New Democratic Party, Canada's labor 148, emphasized the importance of the two unions participating in joint negotiations. union's victory in a long and bitter.battle B.C. into another South Korea. To do this, . party. LocaU48 waged an unsuccessful17-week with Campbell Soup Co. over the unioniza­ strike in 1983-1984 to try to turn back con­ tion of tomato pickers. After years of cessions. The local was hampered by the strikes, organizing, and a national boycott fact that all other large aerospace locals in of Campbell products, FLOC forced Newly reprinted the country had accepted concession con­ Campbell to join in the first three-way con­ tracts without a strike that year. tract between growers, farm workers, and AN NTRODLK:TON by Pathfinder Berghoff presented proposals on what the corporations that buy the fruits and veg­ TO THE steps to take next. He referred to a book etables. SANDINISTA REVOLUTION This popular introduction to the distributed by the AFL-CIO entitled, The John Dunlop from Harvard University, Nicaraguan revolu~on was origi­ Inside Game: Winning with Workplace who acted as mediator, announced that nally published during the early Strategies. Berghoff said many companies FLOC won 72 percent of the vote. years of the revolution, while the today forae workers to go on strike as a As a result of the election, FLOC now author, Arnold W~issberg, was a way of defeating their struggles. He said an represents 500 more workers in addition to correspondent for the Nicaragua "in-plant strategy" based on job actions the 800 on farms that contract with Bureau of the Militant ar.d Perspec­ would help avoid another defeat as in the Campbell. tiva Mundial. Now reprinted, with a last strike. The new contract increases bonus pay­ new preface. -No discussion was organized during the ments to cucumber pickers and sets up a meeting. But many workers talked to each commission to investigate health and other afterward. The sentiment to continue safety and housing matters. In addition, a $2 (include 75 cents for postage and the fight was clearly in evidence. Some three-step grievance procedure is estab­ handling). Order from Pathfinder supported the slowdown. Others said we lished. Press, 410 West Street, New York, need a strike. FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez N.Y. 10014. Or, for the Pathfinder The company has billions of dollars in hailed the victory but cautioned, "Some of Bookstore closest to you, see the di­ new commercial and military contracts. the dramatic changes won '.t come until we rectory on page 12. Thousands of workers have been hired in represent the whole industry, but this is an the past two years, and still more will have important step."

May·s;1987 The ~Militant 5 Eastern Iowa sales team visitS 15 plant gates

BY ED MARTIN throughout the region. Workers at the Conagia-Ar­ in Davenport, FDL in Dubuque, into work, he stopped to discuss DES MOINES, Iowa- The We got the best response at mour plant in Mason City recently and Farmstead in Cedar Rapids · with another Militant supporter sales team traveling through east­ meat-packing plants. At three, won bargaining rights for the were not as high as those of previ­ what could be done to halt the ern Iowa visited 15 plant gates, in­ sales topped 20 copies. UFCW and are now trying to win a ous teams. But sales were still bosses' attacks. He ended up buy­ cluding eight meat-packing plants. The team went to two Iowa contract. The impact of the drive good. The team's top plant-gate ing a subscription. In addition to good sales - 134 Beef Processors plants- in Joslin was shown by the way that work­ sale was 25 Militants, at FDL. The team was also able to get to ers readily stopped their cars at the a number of plants in the other gate to talk to Militant sales­ These experiences point to the major industry · in the tegion - people. One of the 21 papers sold ongoing impact of the battle be-, farm implements. In the wake of SELLING OUR PRESS was to a passing driver who called tween the employers and workers the farm crisis, workers at these out his support and stopped to buy in meat-packing. Workers at the plants have been hit by big layoffs AT THE PLANT GATE a prounion paper. FDL plant· in particular liked the and shutdowns. Even though the coverage of the Cudahy struggle in work force in some of these fac­ Another side of the meat-pack­ Wisconsin. ing story was seen at the Farmland tories has been decimated, the re­ Militants, three Perspectiva Mun­ and Columbus Junction, Illinois. plant in Iowa Falls, which is Those buying subscriptions saw sponse to the Militant was the Militant as a paper that reports dials, and four subscriptions to the Some 18 Militants and two PMs . scheduled to close on June 5. The friendly. We sold seven Militants Militant - the team was able to were sold at the Columbus Junc­ team happened across a union on the experiences of meat-pack­ to workers at White Farm Imple­ learn about some of the develop­ tion plant. Despite missing the meeting for"dislocated workers." ers. At the Farmstead plant, a ment in Charles City and another ments in union struggles, espe­ bulk of the workers at the Joslin meat-packer bought a copy from 27 papers to John Deere workers cially among meat-packers, plant, five Militants were sold. Sales at the Oscar Mayer plant one salesperson. Then, oil. his way in Waterloo and Dubuque. Good sales on trains, buses to D.C.· demonstration BY MALIK MIAH an exciting story to tell. They had been WASHINGTON, D.C.- The April25 selling at the Breezewood, Pennsylvania, "Peace and Justice" train from Boston ar­ bus stop since 3:00a.m. Most buses going rived here with more than 1,300 opponents to Washington pull over at this stop. of the U.S. government's policies in Cen­ "It was fantastic," Julie said. "We sold t:oilArnerica and southern Africa. Among 48 Militants and eight subscriptions." the riders were supporters of the Militant A highly successful open house spon­ and the Spanish-language monthly Per­ sored by the YSA and SWP culminate

6 The Militant May 8, 1987 1,500 in Portland ·· protest murder of Ben Linder_ BY LISA HICKLER to respond by becoming involved in pro­ PORTLAND ~ In the largest antiwar tests against U.S. aid to the contras. protest here in recent years, I ,500 people Linder also urged people to replace his held a vigil April 29 to express outrage at brother a thousandfold by going down .to the murder of Ben Linder by U.S.-trained Nicaragua themselves. contras in Nicaragua. Ben Linder had worked in Nicaragua for The 27-year-old Linder, who grew up the last four years and was living in the here, was working as an engineerbuilding peasant village of El Cmi at the tim~ of his hydroelectric plants in northern Nicaragua. death. He traveled here to Portland occa­ The vigil was called by the Portland sionally to speak out in support of the Nic­ Central America Solidarity Committee and araguan revolution and to raise fund_s for the Portland-Corinto Sister Cities Associa­ the group he was working with, the Nicara­ tion, which organizes solidarity with the gua Appropriate Technology Project. ·Nicaraguan city of Corinto. Members Qf that group told the Orego­ At a news conference here earlier in the nian newspaper that they had recently been day, David Linder, Ben's father and a the target of FBI harassment. Roger Lit­ board member of the Portland-Corinto Sis­ man was quoted as saying that project ac­ ter Cities Association, spoke. He told re­ tivists had been threatened · with loss of Sandinistas bring coffin of Ben Linder, U.S. engineer killed by contras, to city of porters his son would be buried in Nicara­ their jobs and that federal agents had visit­ Matagalpa April29. ' gua. ed group members in early April. Ben Linder "had a commitment to the The Oregonian also printed a letter Ben revolution there," said his father. "By the Linder recently sent to his family, reflect­ revolution he meant giving people schools, ing his optimism about the future .~n Nica­ Solidarity group is sending giving them medical care, giving them ragua. ~'This is probably the final offensive land. He was trying to give them a little · of the contras," he said. electricity." - "Losing soldiers daily as they desert, the ~nore · volunteers to Nicaragua John Linder, Ben's brother, told repor­ contras are desperate. Like any desperate ters, "My brother's death was not an acci­ animal backed. into a comer, they are fight­ BY IKE NAHEM . manded a congressional investigation of dent. His death was policy," the policy of ing with all they have. WASHINGTON, D.C. - ''This ter­ Linder's death. Also speaking were Sam the U.S.-funded contras to kill workers "The .people ·of El Cua know 1987 will rorist murder will not deter us from con­ Hope, from Witness for Peace; Roger Lit­ bringing needed social services to remote be a very hard year. But they also know tinuing our work of sending U.S. volun­ man, from the Nicaraguan Appropriate parts of Nicaragua. they are winning the war. Next week, for teers to Nicaragua to work in a variety of Technology Project that Linder belonged "The U.S. government killed my the first time, high school classes will be development projects," said Debra to; and Dr. Anne Lifflander, who worked brother," Linder declared. He urged people taught in El Cua." · Reuben, leader of tQe Nicaragua Network, in Nicaragua and knew Linder. at a news conference here April 29. Protest statements were also released by The news conference was called to pro­ Sen. Mark Hatfield and Rep. Les AuCoin, test the murder of Ben Linder, a U.S. en­ both from Oregon, where Linder grew up. 200,000 march against gineer working in Nicaragua, by contras Several hours after the news conference, armed and trained by the U.S. government. 150 people demonstrated outside the of­ fices here of the contra group UNO, chant­ contra ·war, apartheid "We U.S. citizens living and working in ing "USA, CIA, out of Nicaragua" and .Nicaragua and in the United States refuse "Contra terrorists out of D.C." to be intimidated," declared Reuben. "We A.partlwj£1. , ."'¥e are.·fo,r , freeinr>. the pepl)}e will not allow the Reagan administration to Leaflets were distributed for a demo.n­ ~:~~q~~~~ifg·rr:I!!f'!iir · · ·Mii;a~kee of so[thlrri~·a: We :are·again~ · s1avery ~~~ a use its murder of Ben Linder as a justifica­ stration May 16 at Camp Lejeune, North since January. woman shouted as she passed by. tion for restricting the right of Americans Carolina, to protest huge U.S. military ma­ P-40 Vice-president Leon Butler said to travel freely to Nicaragua and to work in neuvers in Central America. The action Electronic workers they had come to Washington "because we solidarity with the Nicaraguan people. will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m., and are against apartheid and against America Jaime Martinez, an International repre­ is sponsored by the Pledge of Resistance, being in Nicaragua. We're also marching sentative of the International Union of "On the contrary, we will redouble our Nicaragua Network, War Resisters to help workers in America. The same Electronic Workers (IUE), marched with efforts in support of peace and develop­ League, National Mobilization for Survi­ people doing it to workers [in Nicaragua 100 IUE members fromTexas. Many were ment in Central America." val, Witness for Peace, Madre, Veterans and South Africa] are doing it to us. We're Chicanos. Martinez said they had come to Participants in the news conference de- Peac~ Action Team, and others. also against racism." "protest against racism, the new immigra­ P-40 striker Eleanor Clayborne said Mil­ tion law, the outrageous amount of money waukee-area unions had funded their trip to going to the contras. That money should be the march. "We're not just fighting for our­ used for hospitals here instead of the mili­ Gov't changes argu01ents in selves but for all unionists," she said. tary." "People are oppressed all around the Thirty IUE members came from the Los Angeles deportation case world, but people in the U.S. are oppre~sed Rotarex plant in Frederick, Maryland. This too." She said if unionists don't support the was the first time that local had participated struggles of working people in other coun­ in a national protest march since the AFL­ BY NELSON BLACKSTOCK . were changed. LOS ANGELES - Overruling govern­ Initially, the INS charged that the PFLP tries, "how can we expect them to support CIO organized the Solidarity Day demon~ us?" stration in September 1981. ment objections, U.S. Immigration Service promoted the '~octrine of world com­ Ten meat-packers and their supporters Judge Ingrid Hrycenko ruled April 28 that munism" and therefore the activists' sup­ from Austin, Minnesota, marched behind a Somewhat smaller than the IUE contin­ she will hear arguments on whether Pales­ port for the group made them liable to be banner that said "Hormel out of South· Af­ gent was the International Asslfciation of tinian immigrants are being unconstitution­ deported. The governrpent qas now ·rica." Machinists (lAM) contingent, whose ally targeted for deportation because of dropped this charge. · members carried anti-apartheid signs. lAM The new accusation , is that the PFLP Auto workers came from several cities. their. political views and nationality. President William Winpisinger marched in "advocates or teaches . . . the uruawful Dede Grey from the General Motors plant the contingent. The hearing occurred in the case of damage, injury or destruction of property," in Parma, Ohio, said she had come because seven Palestinians and one Kenyan who and that is why the two should be deported. she was angry about apartheid. "I want to Signs and banners also identified delega- were arrested in Los Angeles on January 28 march against this killing of children," she . tions from the American Federation of by the Immigration and Naturalization Ser­ The next hearing has been set for May 8. said. Government Employees; Communications vice (INS). The INS began deportation Meanwhile, in a separate proceeding in Paul Cipollone ·explained that the GM Workers of America; National Education proceedings against them on the· grounds federal district court, Judge Stephen Wil­ p1ant in Norwood, Ohio, where he has Association; American Postal Workers that they promote the views of the Popular son said he would schedule arguments on worked for 21 years, will be closed in a few Union; Oil, Chemical and Atomic Work­ Front for the Liberation of Palestine whether legal residents who are not citizens months. He was in Washington to protest ers; Farm Labor Organizing Committee; (PFLP), an affiliate of the Palestine Liber­ have the same constitutionally protected both the loss of his job and the contra war. and Hofel and Restaurant Workers. Many ation Organization. rights as U.S. citizens, a key issue in the One of the most vocal groups consisted other unionists also joined the march. case. - Some 300 suppOrters of the defendants t· of members of the Amalgamated Clothing According to the judge, "No court has Students picketed outside the court building at the and Textile Workers Union (ACfWU). At INS hearing. Simultaneous protests oc­ ever decided this. In the history of our least 50 ACfWU members, most of them Though people of all ages were notice­ curred in several other cities. country, this issue hasn't been taken head Portuguese-speaking women, were there able in the crowd, the youthfulness of the The hearing involved six of the eight on." ' .. from Fall River and New Bedford, Mas­ demonstration was striking. who had been arrested. It was reported at thefederal court hear­ sachusetts. Like many other demonstra­ Eddie Kirtz, 17, who rode the bus from ing that government attorneys said_charges tors, they sported red caps declaring "No Boston, said, "Age should not be an excuse On April 23, the government dropped· against Harnide and· Shehadeh would be pasaran!" - a Nicaraguan slogan mean­ for not getting involved. We're the next "subversion" charges against the six. In­ changed. They would now be charged with ing W ashirigton' s contras "shall not pass." generation that will h:ave to fight the wars." stead, the government is now demanding belonging to an organizaiton that advocates Several hundred unionists marched be­ The impact of the government contra­ their deportation .for supposed technical the overthrow of the U.S. government. hind the ACfWU Mid-Atlantic region gate crisis was very much iri evidence at violations of their visas, while still openly admitting the six have been singled out for Under . the McCarthy-era . McCarran­ banner. "Stop contra aid," "Stop U.S. war the demonstration, especially expressions Walter Act, advocacy ·of such ideas by in Central America," and "No more Viet­ of anger over being lied to by Washington deportation because of their political views. ·noncitizens is grounds for deJ>ortation. nams," were ainong the signs they carried. about what the White House is really doing Judge Wilson saw the McCarran statute as Others wearing ACfWU caps marched in Nicaragua. At the same time, charges against the . overly broad and chilling in its effect on behind the banners of the New York and Chris Holt, one of three high school stu­ two other defendants, Khader Musa free speech. He set a further hearing for Philadelphia Labor Committees Against Continued on Page 8 Hamide and Michel Ibrahim Shehadeh, May 15. ·

7 Big outpouring in Washington protests contras, apartheid Unron Mmenbe'tS Sa}': Continued from Page 7 Workers World Party. Africa," said Nicholas. We. Wrui

8 The Militant May 8, 1987 75,000 join antiwar.march in San Francisco

BY GEORGES SAYAD liance contingent, with its distinctive AND MATILDE ZIMMERMANN T-shirts and banners. SAN FRANCISCO - Seventy-five One of the scheduled rally speakers, rep­ thousand people marched· here April 25 resenting Nicaragua's Mothers Tour for against U.S. intervention in Central Amer­ Peace, and members of her delegation, ica and against apartheid. It was the biggest were denied visas by Washington. But a antiwar demonstration in this city in more spirited contingent of Central American than a decade. and North American mothers carrying Twenty-two buses arrived from Los placards from the Mothers Tour for Peace Angeles, including one chartered by the helped lead the march. UnitedAuto Workers and another by the Guillermo Rojas, president of the Social United Electrical Workers, the latter carry­ Security Workers Union of El Salvador, ing many Salvadoran UE members. Buses spoke for the National Union of Salvadoran carne from as far as Portland and Seattle, Workers. and busloads of students arrived from One of several union officials addressing Santa Barbara,.San Diego, and many other the rally was Curtis McLain, international cities. secretary-treasurer of the International A 10 car train brought marchers from . Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Sail Jose, stopping to pick up International . Union. Association ·of Machinists contingents "In the name of peace,'' he said, "we got from the Lockheed and Westinghouse years of shadow war against Nicaragua. In plants in Sunnyvale, and airport workers in the name of prosperity, they launched an Burlingame. · · attack on American working people and A large group boarded in Palo Alto, in­ challenged the right to organize. But today cluding 40 stUdents from one high·school. the tide has turned." Watsonville cannery workers march Make South Africa the weakest link A contingent of Watsonville cannery Neo Mnurnzana, chief UN delegate of workers and their community supporters the African National Congress of South Af­ also took the train. United Transportation rica, called on the crowd to "work together Union and Amalgamated Transit Union to break up the unholy alliance" between Supporters of Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador in San members in San Jose had gone before the the Reagan administration, Israel, and Francisco. More people from Central America and other Latinos took part than in Watsonville city council demanding that South Africa and promised the ANC "will any previous such demonstration. city buses be made available to take the work toward making South Africa the victorious former strikers to meet the train. weakest link." City buses had previously been used to · Hinyangerwa P. Asheeke, the South National Organization for Women, spoke cal Workers, and others. transport scabs during the strike. West African People's Organisation UN at a kickoff rally at the assembly site. There was a contingent of workers from There was a sizable contingent from the delegate, also addressed the gathering, An important feature of the demonstra­ Livingston, a big San Francisco depart­ United Farm Workers of America. Yakima James Zogby, executive director of the tion was the union contingents. ment store chain, who are faced with losing Valley farm workers, members of the Arab-American Institute, said, "While we their jobs when the stores go out of busi­ United Farm Workers of Washington are speaking today, Palestinians in Los The largest was the Service Employees ness. State, were also there. Angeles live in fear of being deported be­ International Union. There were also con­ Robin Wilson, a Teamster who carne up The overwhelming majority of the cause they dare to think and to organize." tingents from the Machinists; the on the auto workers bus from Los Angeles, young crowd were high school and college Other speakers included Dolores Huerta, Longshoremen's union; Oil, Chemical and captured the feelings of many when she students, many attending their first demon­ vice~president of the United Farm Work­ Atomic Workers; Amalgamated Clothing said she was "furious about the foreign pol­ stration. ers, Nomonde Ngubo of the United Mine and Textile Workers; American Federation icy of this government. One of their favorite chants was "What Workers of America, Merle Hansen of the of State, County and Municipal Employ­ "I want to wake up and read the paper the hell are we doing there? U.S. out of North American Farm Alliance, and vet­ ees; International Botherhood of Electrical and have it say peace was declared," she everywhere!" eran civil rights fighter, Ben Chavis. Workers; Musicians; American Federation told the Militant. "And I'd also like them to There were many more people from Patricia Ireland, national treasurer of the of Government Employees; United Electri- free Nelson Mandela." Central America and other Latinos at the march than at any previous demonstration of its kind. There were other contingents and ban­ SOCialist ojjeiJ house a big hit in S.F. ners representing Salvadoran refugees and Central American groups in Los Angeles and other California cities. BY NELSON BLACKSTOCK the rally. Thousands received printed invi­ current legal battle with the Justice Depart­ SAN FRANCISCO- Some 350 people tations distributed by socialists selling the ment over the government's ability to use Veterans, youth packed an open house. sponsored by the Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, and the illegally gotten spy files. Others learned A contingent of a hundred veterans car­ Socialist Workers Party and the Young Young Socialist. about the suit and got subscriptions on rying a banner that said "Wage peace" got Socialist Alliance after the April 25 dem­ Demonstrators bought 190 subscriptions buses to and from San Francisco. The PRDF gained 15 new supporters on ont< enthusiastic applause along the march. onstration. It was held in a meeting hall to the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial at United Auto Workers-sponsored bus as it Two of the youth contingents drew a lot near the Civic Center Mall where the rally small tables that dotted the assembly and returned to Los Angeles. of attention as among the noisiest and most took place. As many as a third had never rally areas and from individual salespeople colorful. One was the Young Koreans con­ attended a socialist event. who circulated among the crowd. A prominent Pathfinder display helped sell more than $750 in books and pam­ tingent of several hundred, something new A big banner caught the eye of many Many people signed to sponsor the Polit­ phlets, many in Spanish. for demonstrations in this area. demonstrators as they poured into the mall, ical Rights Defense Fund (PROF) which The other was the Young Socialist AI- inviting them to visit the open house after organizes support for the SWP and YSA's At the open house, Greg Rosenberg of the YSA National Executive Committee urged young people to join the YSA. YSA members staffed big tables at the rally site Come to the and assembly area. In a constant flurry of activity, hundreds bought popular YSA T -shirts, copies of the Young Socialist, and subscriptions and added their names to lists Young Socialist Alliance Convention of those interested in the upcoming YSA convention. (See ad on this page.) Chicago, Illinois Leading militant chants, a spirited YSA contingent carried two banners - one May 23-25, 1987 about Nicaragua, the other South Africa­ that side by side spanned the width of the march route. Meet members of a revolutionary organization of stu­ Also at the open house, SWP leader Fred To make a Revolution ... dents, workers, and farmers from more than 80 cities - Halstead compared the current antiwar people who joined brigades to Nicaragua, unionists who movement to the early stage of the move­ have organized support for striking meat-packers, and ment against the war in Vietnam. "Just as antiracist fighters who have marched in Forsyth County the U.S. rulers couldn't win because of and Howard Beach. people here and in Vietnam, they can't win now because of opposition they face at home and in Nicaragua.~· Halstead said. 0 Send me more information on the YSA convention. Los Angeles YSA organizer Greg Jack­ 0 I would like to join the YSA. Contact me. 0 Enclosed is $3 .00 for six issues of the Young Socialist. son urged support for the Political Rights Defense Fund. Nrune __~------Describing the work of the Militant and PM bureau in Managua, Nicaragua, Ruth Address ------'------Nebbia, Phoenix YSA organizer, invited City ___ State ------Zip ------everyone to subscribe to the two periodi- cals. · Union/School/Organization ------Bill Nicasio, second vice-president of

Phone ______~ the United Farm Wor!cers of Washington State, carne to the open house to talk about Mail to:YSA, 64 Watts St., N.Y., N'.Y. 10013 the current farm workers' strike, then in its 75th day, in the Yakima Valley. Striking The three Nicaraguan soldiers who shot down and captured CIA merce­ farm workers led the labor contingent in It takes Revolutionaries. nary Eugene Hasenfus. the march. Nicasio called for support of the boycott of Ste. Michelle Wines.

. .. . , . May 8, 1987 The Militant 9 PaleStiliians.resist Israeli.occupation of West Bank BYBARRY RING had been no rock-throwing and that the sol­ ''The Israeli authorities and Jewish diers opened fire with the tear gas, rubber settlerS on the _West Blink seem-increas­ bullets, and live ammunition at the same ingly angered by the fact that no matter time. · how_niany people they arrest, no matter The student who was killed was shot in hQw" many Palestinian leaders they expel the throat, and one of the critically ari(J no matter what security measures they wounded was shot in the back. _ lldopt, the level of anti-Israeli Palestinian violepce continues to mount ... . University shut down ---•.· ~'From the hundreds of Palestinians · in -­ The Israeli-military ordered the _univer­ jilil now in the 15th day of a hunger strike sity shut down for four months. Arrests for better conditions, to high school and have been made on and off the campus college students, they are lashing out at and, in various areas, military curfews im­ every opportunity irrespective of the posed. price." -An April 14 New York Times A corresponden.t for the Miami Herald Palestinians protesting occupation of West Bank dispatch from the occupied West Bank of reported that "the crackdown was the the Jordan River. · -- toughest set of coordinated measures im­ hours a day, and the break is given to each from Jordan, the Golan Heights from In June it will be 20 years since the Is­ posed by Israel on Palestinians since 1985, room individually so that the prisoners of Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza raelis seized the West Bank from Jordan. when Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin one cell cannot see the prisoners of another Strip from Egypt. The area now includes some 800,000 Pal­ adopted a policy of deportations and arrests cell in the same section." The Sinai was later relinquished and the estinians and 60,000 Jewish colonial without trial known as the 'Iron Fist.' " The plight of the West Bank Palestinians Golan Heights annexed. The West Bank settlers-who have directed-vigilante vio­ the Bir Zeit demonstration was in sol­ began with the 1967 "June War," when the and Gaza Strip remained under military oc­ lence against the Palestinians. · - idarity with recently jailed Palestinians and U.S.-equipped Israeli army blitzed neigh­ cupation. Like the West Bank, the Gaza The territory is under the rule of the Is­ with Palestinian prisoners engaged in a boring Arab countries. Strip is ruled with the "iron fist." There, raeli army, and subjugation of the Palestin­ hunger strike over harsh, degrading prison With victory, Israel took the West Bank too, Palestinian resistance is strong. ians is harsh. As the Times dispatch indi­ conditions. cates, the repression has brought an irre- The prison action also sparked strikes by pressible opposition. - Palestinian _workers and shopkeepers. The latest wave of Israeli violence More than 4,000 West Bank Palestinians erupted April 13 when Israeli troops fired are held in 14 Israeli jails. They complain -WORLD NEWS BRIEFS-- into a student demonstration at Bir Zeit of guard brutality, lack of proper medical Masashi Daidoji and Toshiaki Masunaga University, a center of opposition to Israeli care, lack of sun and air, and other abuses. U.S. helicopters, are carried out, their's will be the first rule. A reported 1,200 joined the hunger strike, pilots in Peru raid executions iii Japan for political reasons As a thousand student protesters which began March 25. since the end of World War II. gathered, three busloads of Israeli soldiers One statement by a group of prisoners For the first time, U.S: pilots are to The two were among .several mem- - descended on the campus and quickly said, "In the recent months our living con­ take part with Peruvian paramilitary bers of the East Asian Anti-Japan Armed opened fire, killing one student and ditions have deteriorated so as to become forces in a raid against suspected drug Front who were arrested in 1975. They wounding four others. unbearable. The prison administration smugglers. were accused of involvement in a series The Israeli army claimed the troops ini­ withdrew most'ofour former rights, which The operation, code-named Condor of bombings against Japanese com­ / tially fired tear gas and rubber bullets and had become an integral part of our daily Six, was set to begin in late April in the panies profiting from the Vietnam War then, in response to student rock-throwing, lives. Alto Huallaga Valley, some 200 miles (one such bombing resulted in eight flied .live ammunition, aiming at their legs. "For example, we are prohibited from north of Lima, the capital. deaths). They were also charged with An angry d.ean of the school responded, visiting prisoners in other cells and in other The Peruvian police unit that will con­ plotting to _ assassinate Emperor ''T,hat's science fiction." He insisted there sections. We are kept in a small room for 22 du~t th~ raid is already heavily .financed Hirohito. ··., · .- ~ -~ ,i· · ~· ~ q :· .- ·;-~ ....,r . ;:¥ ·~ ·:· c~. ''\ C:.' ~ " "'· ·:• (~~ ~ :'"! -:~~ !:' r.rg ·' ' ~ W~stthlgt6Ii. ~For lfflis!paru cular of)et· -- ~~ ~onr~ing ilied~atft - ~entences, the a:tion, the U.S. government is providing Supreme Court also upheld sentences three Bell 212 helicopters, with "pri­ against two others in the case: N.Y. solidarity DJeeting for vate" U.S. pilots contracted by the State Yoshimasa Kurokawa, who . was sen­ Department. The State Department is tenced to life imprisonment, and Mariko also for the first time providing a Merlin Arai, a sympathizer of the group who victims of gov't repression radio interceptor aircraft. was given an eight-year sentence for Washington has in the past accused "moral support." Acknowledging that BY SELVA NEBBIA Rico that has been branded "terrorist" by the Peruvian government of not doing Arai has already spent 12 years in prison NEW YORK-"We the fighting people Washington. enough to suppress the narcotics trade. since her initial arrest, howeyer, the of South Africa are opposed to oppression The Los Angeles 8 are the seven Pales­ Such charges are intended, in part, to di­ court said she could be. released in from Puerto Rico to Palestine," said tinians and one Kenyan detained by agents vert attention from the U.S. govern­ November. Jeanette Mothobi, member of Sechaba, a of the Immigration and Naturalization Ser­ ment's own close ties to rightist guerrilla Supporters of democratic rights in cultural group of the Mrican National Con- vice last January 26 and threatened with forces in Afghanistan that produce and Japan have urged that protests against gress. _ _ . , deportation. export heroin and to Nicaraguan contra the death sentences be sent tti: Kaname MothObi was addressing a crowd of 200 The meeting was sponsored by the suppliers involved in the Central Ameri­ Endo, Minister of ' Justice, . 1-1 people gathered for an evening in solidarity Puerto Rican Committee Against Repres­ can cocaine trade. Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda~ku, Tokyo, with the Puerto Rican 15 and the Los sion and by the November 29 Committee By increasing direct U.S. participa­ Japan. Angeles 8~ for Palestine. tion in Peru's antidrug operations, The Puerto Rican 15 are _activists ar­ LeOnard Weinglass, lawyer for both Washington is likewise seeking to set rested by the FBI in Puerto Rico on August Kahder Musa Harnide; one of the Los further precedents for the use of U.S. Nigerian junta bans 3d, 1985, arid .on March 21, 1986. The Angeles 8 and Juan Segarra Palmer of the military forces in Latin America. Last government accuses them of conspiringjn­ Puerto Rican 15 was the main speaker. year some 160 U.S. troops took part in a outspoken magazine the 1983 robbery of a .Wells Fargo depot Weinglass described how Harnide, a res­ similar action in neighboring Bolivia. and of belonging to the Macheteros, a ident immigrant for the past 16 years, was Nigeria's military government banned group supporting independence for Puerto arrested by a SWAT team that came to his Newswatch magazine on April6 and ar­ home in the middle of the night and held Ecuador radio confirms rested its three top editors. This action him for three weeks in a steel room. comes just a little more than six months U.S. troops' presence · ·after Dele Giwa, the . weekly's first "There was no evidence of wrongdoing editor-in-chief, was killed by a letter Subscribe to on his part, no acts of violence," W einglass An April 13 broadcast over the Voz de bomb. 'Barricada stated. Yet th~ government has "investi­ los Andes radio station in Quito, Newswatch; which began publishing gated him for 13 months, had an FBI agent Ecuador, reported that Defense Minister in January' 1985, was one of N igeri~'s lnternacional' living next door to him for eight months," Medardo Salazar Navas would appear _ mos~ . ,outspoken and popular news he added·. · soon before a cominittee of that coun~ magaiines. It often published articles on Weekly of the Sandinista Na­ In the case of Segarra Palmer, Weing lass try's National Congress ·;~o report on the high-level corruption and other sensitive tional · Liberation Front. Get pointed out tttat although he has never been presence of U.S:"troops in'Ecuadoran· issues. This earned it the hqstility .of news of the latest political, mil­ arrested before and ·although he is now territory." government offici~il s · and powerful itary, economic, dip_lomatic, being accused of a nonviolent crime, The radio did not report when the b!lsinessmen, For example, just a few and cultural; developments of Segarra Palmer has been imprisoned with­ U.S. troops arrived, why they had days before Giwa's still-unsolvedassas­ out bail for the past 20 months. This is the Nicaragua and Central Ameri­ come, or how many th~~e were. The .· Sination in Octo~r , he ~as int~rrogated longest. pre-trial c~ody . iQ the history of radio did note, howev~r, tllat the U.S. by the State Security Service, which ca. Airmailed tG you every the.United State_s," Wejnglass noted. week from Managua, Nicara- troops were based in ',the province of·· · made unsubstantiated allegations that he gua. ' · / He stressed the need to build a broad, Manabi, along Ecuador's Pacifiy Co~~t. . was plotting a "socialist revolution" and -· _,._ united defense around these cases. Rafael · · ' - -· ' importing arms into the country. ' In English or Spanish_, Anglada-L6pez, also :a member of the The justifl6ation the regime us~d for Six months $12 - · Puerto Rican activists' defense team Japanese activists banning Newswatch was its "PUblication One year $24 _ ·.. - spoke, as well as Cheryl Howard ofth e Na- to be executed of an unreleased government report on . tional ConfereRce of ·Black Lawyers. the country's political future. ~ ·- Please send ch~ or money order' ._. Seababa .,performed songs. about the Japan's Supreme Court on March 24 The balming has·t>een ·condemned by to, .Barricada lntemacional, · Apar". struggle of the people of southern Africa. rejected the final appeal of two anti-im­ other newspapers . and magazines, as tado 4461, -Managua, Nicaragua. AI Waten, a Palestinian dance group, also perialist activists who have been sen­ well as the Nigeiian Union of Jour­ Specify English or -Spanish edition. performed, as well as .the Latin American tenced to death. If the_s entences against nalists. musical group Llactiunasi.

10 ' Socialists seek to.bar gov't use of illegally gotten spy files

On Aug. 25, 1986, federal Judge as ill considered as they are ill timed. This mination of whether information is within · Thomas Griesa ruled that the FBI's de­ court has decided to enter an injunction or without the injunction need not occur cades-long spying and disruption operation with respect "to documents that the Gov­ until use, release, or disClosure is con­ against the Socialist Workers Party and the ernment obtained through clearly illegal templated. Young Socialist Alliance was unconstitu­ activities, and the maintenance of which While the court would clearly be jus­ tional and illegal. This decision came in re­ serves no legitimate purpose for the agency · tified in ordering the immediate complete sponse to a lawsuit the SWP and YSA filed which possesses them." expungement or complete physical segre­ against the FBI in 1973. The court's recognition and concern for gation of the covered records, we have pre­ Griesa stated that a further hearing the constitutional rights of individuals and sented a workable proposal which would would decide the .scope of an injunction associations, and recognition that these impose very little, if any, burden upon the bar-ring the government from using mate­ rights override the claims of need asserted . government until the occasion arises for rial obtained by such methods. The SWP by the government, is fully supported by reference to the files. The fact that the and YSA presented the judge with their the decisions of the Supreme Court. This is plaintiffs sought and the· court ordered less proposal, which would forbid any use of particularly so here because these claims relief than was warranted cannot justify the the files by the government. not only have no basis in the trial record but government's proposed ex parte or self-de­ The Justice Department and 11 other in key respects conflict with that record. termined "emergency" use of the illegally governmental agencies .filed affidavits ar­ The defendants claim, as well, that there obtained records. guing that barring the use of illegally ob­ are practical difficulties in implementing At stake here are not abstract principles, · tained · files on the SWP and YSA would the proposed order. While it may take but the actual use to which the information seriously hamper their work. (See March some effort to implement the injunction in obtained illegally by the FBI can be put 27, 1987, Militant.) good faith, the defendants exaggerate the today, resulting in continued real harm to On April 21, Leonard Boudin, attorney problem in an attempt to show that any the SWP and YSA, their members and sup­ Picket against Immigration and Natu­ . for the SWP and YSA, filed a memoran­ meaningful injunction would be unwork­ porters. ralization Service. INS is one of defen­ dum replying to these affidavits. The Mili­ able. The FBI is quite able to ascertain the dants in socialist suit. tant will be serializing the document over sources and methods from which informa­ lrgament the next several weeks. Below is the intro­ tion in its files comes - whether it be an I. Defendants Have No Legitimate or that it can clearly identify with plaintiffs duction and Part A of the first section. informer, a black bag job, a mail cover, or Important Interest in Using Documents and individuals it associates with them. a disruption operation. This was obvious at IDegally Obtained or Developed From We are not concerned here with vin­ * * * trial and in the eight years of pretrial pro­ IDegally Obtained Information ceedings. dicating a general principle, which by itself lalrotlaction Insofar as the other defendants claim that The defendants assert that they need to would justify the proposed injunction. Any they may not be able to ascertain the use the illegally obtained documents and continued use of the illegally obtained rec­ Plaintiffs submit this memorandum in method used by the FBI in procuring infor­ that the "principal area" for this need is in ords will eJ~,acerbate the harm already suf­ response to defendants' submissions con­ mation in their files, they need only follow "providing, receiving, or acting upon in­ fered to the rights and interests of the cerning the appropriate terms and scope of the procedure used during discovery and formation concerning the loyalty and secu­ targets of the illegal acts. The records were the injunction to be entered prohibiting the under the Freedom of Information Act, rity of government employees and govern­ not gathered for any legitimate purpose. defendants' use of the "records obtained il­ i.e., refer a document or record to the FBI ment contractors," and meeting ''the needs The methods by which the records were . legally or developed from illegally ob­ for a determination. of certain agencies having responsibilities obtained were not only illegal but were un­ tained information." Socialist Workers Defendants' remaining arguments are to provide physical protection to persons constitutional, violating both the First and Party v. Auorney General (1986). equally without merit. They assert that and, where possible, to prevent terrorism." Fourth amendments and the SWP' s rights According to the defendants, they have neither the disruption activities nor the mail Their argument to justify future use of of free speech and association. To use such important interests which require their con­ cover should be covered by the injunction. the illegally obtained records ignores this records anew would again infringe and vio­ tinued use and dissemination of the ille­ We show, to the contrary, that both fall court's decision, the record in this action, late these rights. gally obtained records and information. fairly within the court's decision, because and controlling law. Indeed, this Court has the authority and They propose to limit the injunction to the both were illegal methods used by the gov­ would be justified in ordering the complete FBI, to allow the FBI to seek ex parte ernment. Defendants also assert that only A. The documents were obtained [without notifying the plaintiffs] court ap­ expungement of the records. Plaintiffs' information obtained by informers . after illegally, in violation of the constitution proval to disclose illegally obtained rec­ suggestion that the documents be available Jan. 1, ·1960, shoUld be coveredby·tbe.in .. and in a manner outside the authority ords and information, and also to use the junction. We show that the cutoff date for pursuant to a court order or a Freedom of and discretion of the FBI Information .Act request is not an opening material in an "emergency" without prior informers should be no later than July 1, The defendants studiously avoid even for continued use l:)y the defendants. The approval. 1955, because by that date the technique acknowledging the illegality of the manner provision for access to the records by Court Defend;mts proffer two separate but re­ was illegal as applied. in which the records were obtained. The order is included only because of the possi­ lated arguments as the justification for their Finally, the defendants assert that there systematic use of informers, surreptitious bility that some other plaintiff might well . position. should be no presumption that a document entries, mail covers, and disruption activ­ need the records to vindicate his or her own First, they assert that the government is covered by the injunction. In so arguing ities .by the FBI is very different from rights in a suit against the government: needs the information because it is vital to defendants ignore the fact that the vast merely obtaining some scattered informa­ protect the national security. They rely majority of the information the government tion through questionable means. The FBI The Freedom of Information Act excep­ principally on their desire to· use the ille­ has was obtained by illegal methods or de­ systematically "exceeded any reasonable tion is included to address the possible gally obtained information in loyalty-secu­ veloped from illegally obtained informa­ definition of its mandate and had no discre­ needs of scholars and the like. The fact that rity programs operated by the various de­ tion. Without a presumption, defendants tion to do so." plaintiffs asked for a lesser remedy than ex­ fendant agencies . . could negate the intended effect of the in­ Informers were used, not to vindicate pungemeiit in no way gives the government Second, the defendants assert that ille­ junction. any legitimate interest, but rather, as. this any right to use documents which it never should have obtained and which the Court gally obtain~d information must be used to court expressly found "to obtain private in­ Misconstrue proposed·order could order destroyed.* physically protect the president, other gov., formation about political ' meetings, dem­ ernment officials, and foreign dignitaries. Many of defendants' arguments mis­ onstrations and other lawful events and Neither of the two arguments is directed construe the plaintiffs' proposed order. their participants." This was "wholly in­ *The government's suggestion that there is to the matter before this Court, which is the The government asserts that the proposed compatible with the SWP's First Amend­ some irony in the order because "Soviet intelli­ formulation of an order to prevent the use injunction would impose an extreme bur­ ment right," and "clearly constituted inva­ gence" can obtain the records must be facetious. of the illegally secured information. IIi­ den on the defendants. However, their ar­ sion of privacy." The simple fact is that it was the FBI which vio­ stead, the defendants argue a different guments are aimed at terms that the plain­ The burglaries fare no better when one lated the Constitution and state tort law and issue: whether the court has the authority to tiffs have not proposed: an immediate sort­ acted in excess of any authority to spy on Amer- considers this court's findings: "[T]hey icans in violation of their rights. · and should issue an injunction that the il­ ing and physical segregation of all docu­ were obvious violations of the Fourth legally obtained materials not be used by ments in each defendants' files covered by Amendment. The FBI knew this full well. the defendants. But that issue already has the courts' ruling. Plaintiffs' proposal calls There was no statutory or regulatory au­ been decided against the defendants. instead for a ban on use, release, or disclo­ thorization for such operations." The defendants' essential arguments are sure of the covered documents. The deter- The court further found that these "black from Pathfinder bag jobs" were invasions of privacy "of the most aggravated form." Fidel Castro The disruption operations were equally . loin llle liglll flagrant abuses by the FBI: "There can be Nothing no doubt that these disruption operations lor democralic rigllls ... were patently unconstitutional and violated Can Stop the . .. the SWP' s First Amendment rights of free Help the PoUtical Rights Defense Fand protect the BiD of Rights. Support speech and assembly. Moreover, there was Course of History the sail hroaght lly the Socialist Worken Party ad.Yoang Socialist no statutory or regulatory authority for the "Undoubtedly the longest and most AWace agaiDst government spying. FBI to disrupt the SWP' s lawful political wide-ranging interview ever con­ activities." ducted with Cuban President Fidel • Contribute to the $90,000 fund As the court stated "[t]here can hardly be Castro. In it, Castro speaks directly a more compelling case for applying the to the people of the United States .o~ • Sponsor the suit against· FBI spying prima facie tort doctrine [right to payment questions of vital importance to Citi­ & for damages] than the present one. The FBI zens of both our countries." . • Get distribute information on the suit embarked on a series of actions with the From the preface by Rep. Mervyn D Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of: express purpose of harming the SWP .. .. " M. Dymally, who with Jeffrey M. $500 __ $100 __ $10 __ other$ __. Kame Elliot conducted the interview. 276 Address D I want to be a sponaor of the PRDF. Ten million pages pages, $7.95 City D Send me - .__ copies of the federal judge's decision The amount of documents resulting from Available from Pathfmder Bookstores against FBI spying and harassment ($1 each). State Zip these activities, currently maintained and listed on page 12 or by mail from Path­ D Send me ___ copies ol an 8-poge tabloid containing Organization------currently in use by the defendants, is mas­ fmder Press, 410 West St., New York, the Justice Deportment's attack on the decision. Reprints Signature------government agencies' statements claiming ""right'" to spy. sive. The defendants compiled millions N.Y. 10014. Please include 75 cents for upon millions of pages of material: the FBI postage and handling. Send to: Pollticol Rights Ilelense Fund, P.O. Box 649, Coope~ Station, New York, N.Y . 10003 alone maintains nearly 10 million pages

May 8,1987 The Militant 11 ~THE T:-SOCIETY---:--.·. ~,... .. _~...... ,-~------~------_.;;.... · ,....;,.....;..-- - . . . f":4 .\·· GREA' ' . . ' •.. • . . ' • Our rational society - "Con­ tures pits as well: Three members that the cai skidded and swerved causing chemical banned here, Thanks pal, we Hke you too­ cern On Big Supply of Gasoline" of the Chicago Mercantile Ex­ dangerously, and I ,417 accidents against the medfly in Guatemala. "We're no longer interested in the -News headline. change have been fined for push­ were linked to this, including 400 Said an Agriculture Dept. official, family of five who flies from New ing, spitting and elbowing in the injuries and 18 fatalities. The "I will not deny that EDB is a York to Florida on. the lowest fare Standard & Poor's futures pit."­ judge shrugged all this off as poison. It will kill people as fast as once every two years."- A Delta News item. merely "anecdotal." it will kill bugs. But it is very ef­ Airlines exec explaining why fective if it is handled safely." they'll be orienting.more to busi- Don't build 'em the way they Best of both worlds - We're . ness folk. usta - In their final shredding beginning to understand how upset Harry spree, Col. North and his secretary James and Tammy Bakker are at Be cheaper to arrest the test­ Be sure to apply it quickly - . destroyed so many documents that losing their Praise the Lord posts. ers - Nye County, Nevada, offi­ For a new cosmetic advance, don't Ring the shfedding machine backed up How often do you get the opportu­ cials called for a halt to the arrest miss Adrien Arpel's Line Fill, and broke down, an investigation nity to do His work and also knock of nuke test protesters at the "worn under makeup as a 'skin source said. down $4. 8 million in salary and Nevada Test Site, noting an spackle,' to fill those character Not old-fashioned laissez fringes over a three-year period? $87,000 drain on county coffers lines we can all do without . ... faire?- "While Wall Street con­ Don't confuse him with facts last year, handling more than 600 Will not cake, peel, or dry. It tinues to reel from the insider trad­ - A federal ju9ge ruled against Besides, they're only arrests. "I don't feel these people never has to be reapplied dUring ing scandal, things are getting fining GM and recalling its 198Q Guatemalans - The Agriculture are commiting any great crime," the day." And, for .55 of an hairy in the crowded Chicago fu- X·car. There are 4,282 complaints Dept. wants to use EDB, a cancer- said one of the commissioners. ounce, only $18.50._

-CALENDAR------~--~ GEORGIA school student. Sat., May .9, 7 p.m. 4907 Mar­ WEST VIRGINIA more information call (304) 345-3040. tin Luther King Dr. YSA fundraising dinner, 6 Morgantown Atlanta p.m. Party to follow forum. Donation: $2. Charleston The West Virginia State Budget Crisis. Issues in the 'Baby M' Court Case. Speaker: Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum and Young Report Back from Nicaraguan Coffee Speaker: John Harris, Socialist Workers Party. Kate Daher, chairperson Socialist Workers Socialist Alliance. For more information call Brigade. Speaker: Ellie Beth Brady, garment Sat., May 9, 7:30p.m. 221 Pleasant St. Dona­ Party,, member Amalgamated Clothing and (314) 361-0250. worker and member Socialist Workers ijarty. Textile Workers Union Local 2365. Sat., May Sun., May 3, 7 p.m. 116McFarland St. Dona­ tion: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For 9, 7:30 p.m. 132 Cone St. NW. Donation: NEW JERSEY tion: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more information call (304) 296-0055. $2.50. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more information call (404) 577-4065. Newark The Continuing Struggle in the Philippines. MASSACHUSETTS Speakers: Ramon, Philippine Workers Support Committee; Fred Feldman, staff writer for the VISIT NICARAGUA Boston Militantnewspaper. Sat., May9, 7:30p.m.l41 Hesrts ·lmd Minds. Film documentary on the Halsey St. Translation to· Spanish. Donation: Vietnam War: Thurs., May 7, 7 p.m. 107 $2.· Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more NICA Brighton Ave., 2nd floor, Allston. Donation: information call (20~) 643-3341. $3. Sp(>nsor: YSA. For more information call (617) 787.0275. Nuevo Institute de NEW YORK Labor and the Figbt Against the U.S. War in Central America. Panel discussion and Manhattan Centro America slideshow. Sat., May 9, 7:30p.m. 107 Brigh­ Issues in the 'Baby M' Case: What position ton Ave., 2nd floor, Allston. Donation: $2. should working people take? Speaker: Mar­ Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ garet Jayko, c.oeditor of the Militant. Transla­ mation call (617) 787-0275. tion to Spanish. Fri., May 8. Dinner, 6:30p.m.; forum, 7:30 p.m. 79 Leonard St. Donation: MINNESOTA forum, $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mundial. For more information call St. Paul (212) 226-8445: NICA • Spanish Courses Where Does the Antiwar Movement Go Contragate-Vietnam: What's the Connec­ From Here? Panel discussion. Sat., May 9, tion? Speakers: Bui Xuan Nhat, ambassador to • Family Living 7:30p.m. 508 N Snelling. Donation: $2. Spon­ United Nations, Socialist Republic of Vietnam; sor: Militant Forum. For more information call Barry Romo, national coordinator, Vietnam (612) 644-6325. Veterans Against the War; Eddie Demmings,. ·• Seminars and Field Trips Clouded Land. Celebrate Minnesota Indian National Conference of Black Lawyers. Sun., month. Film by Minnesota filmmaker Randy May 17, 2 p.m. Casa de las Americas, 104 W • Community Work Croce on Indian land rights. Speaker: John 14th St. Donation: $5. Sponsor: Committee in Morin of Anishinabe Akeeng of White Earth Solidarity with Vietnam, Kampuchea and Laos. Reservation. Sat., May 16, 7:30p.m. 508 N For more information call (718) 643-0201. In EstelL Nicaragua Snelling Ave. Donation: '$2. Sponsor: Militant Forum, For more information call (612) 644- OHIO 6325. Cleveland MISSOURI The Soviet Union: Its Real Role in World NICA Scholarships are available to people.of PoHtics. Speaker: Jim Wright, political activist Kansas City who visited the Soviet Union in 1985. Sat., color, Vietnam veterans and low-income El Salvador: Eyewitness Report. Speaker: May 9, 7:30p.m. 2521 Market Ave. Donation: Kathleen Kenney, activist in Catholics for Jus­ $2. Sponsor: Militant Forum. For more infor­ workers. Other discounts available for solidarity tice. Translation to Spanish. Sun., May 3, 7 mation call (216) 861-6150. p.m. 4725 Troost. Donation: $2. Sp<>mor: Mili­ activists, senior citizens and fluent speakers. tant Labor Forum. For more information call For more info, call or write: (816) 753-0404. UTAH St. Louis Price Youth Speak Out. Panel discussion among The Unions' Stake in the Fight Against the participants in April25 demonstration in Wash­ U.S. Contra War and South African Apart­ ington, D.C. Speakers: Derek Bracey, chairper­ heid. Speakers to be announced. Sat., May 9, 7 NICA • PO Box 1409-M T • Cambridge son Young Socialist Alliance; Ted Kayser, p.m. 23 S Carbon Ave., Rm. 19. Donation: $2. MA 02238 • (617) 497-7142 member United Auto Workers Local 2250 and Sponsor: Militant Forum. For more information student at Washington University; Tanja, high call (801) 637-6294. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP------Where to nod the Socialist Workers Party' St. NW, 2nd Floor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577- Louis: SWP, YSA, 4907 Martin Luther King J»ENNSYL VANIA: Edinboro: YSA, c/o Young Socialist Alliance, and Pathfinder 4065. Dr. Zip: 63113. Tel: (314) 361-0250. Mark Mateja, Edinboro University of Pa. Zip: bookstores. ILLINOIS: Chicago: SWP, YSA, 3455 S. NEBRASKA~ Omaha: SWP, YSA, 140 S. 16412. Tel: (814) 398-2574. Philadelphia: Michigan Ave. Zip: 60616. Tel: (312) 326- 40th St. Zip: 68131. Tel: (402) 553-0245. SWP, YSA, 2744 Germantown Ave. Zip: ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, 5853 or 326-5453. · NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 141 19133. Tel: (215) 225-0213. Pittsburgh: SWP, 1306 1st Ave. N. Zip: 35203. Tel: (205) 323- IOWA: Des Moines.: SWP, YSA, 2105 For­ Halsey. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. YSA, 402 N. Highland Ave; Zip: 15206. Tel: 3079. est Ave. Zip: 50311. Tel: (515) 246-1695. NEW YORK: Barrytown: YSA, c/o Ben (412) 362-6767. ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 1809 W. KANSAS: Lawrence: YSA, c/o Rob Binns, Fiering, Barrytown Hotel. Zip: 12507. Tel: TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 Indian School Rd. Zip: 85015. Tel: (602) 279- 1039 Rhode Island. Zip: 66044. (914) 758-0408. Capital Distri~t (AJbany): Berkman Dr. Zip: 78752. Tel. (512) 452-3923. 5850. Tucson: YSA, c/o Ursula Kolb, P.O. LOUISIANA: Baton Rouge: YSA, 4264 SWP, YSA, 114E Quaii.St. Zip: 12206. Tel: Dallas: SWP, YSA, 336 W . Jefferson. Zip: Box 853. Zip: 85702. Tel: (602) 795-5810. Oxford Ave. #4, Zip: 70808. Tel: (504) 766- (518) 434-3247. New York: SWP, YSA, 79 75208. Tel: (214) 943-5195. Houston: SWP, CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, 0510. New Orleans: SWP, YSA, 3640 Maga­ Leonard St. Zip: 10013. Tel: (212) 219-3679 or YSA, 4806 Almeda. Zip: 77004. Tel: (713) 2546 W. Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380- ~ine St. Zip: 70115. Tel: (504) 895-1961. 925-1668. Pathfinder Books, 226-8445. Stony 522-8054. 9460. Oakland: SWP, YSA, 3808 E 14th St. MARYLAND:Baltimore:SWP, YSA,2913 Brook: YSA, c/o Jordy Rockowitz, Wagner UTAH: Price: SWP, YSA, 23 S. Carbon Zip: 94601. Tel: (415) 261-3014. San Diego: Greenmount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235- 120, Stony Brook College. Zip: 11794. Ave., Suite 19, P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: SWP, YSA, 2803 B St. Zip: 92102. Tel: (619) 0013. NORTH-CAROLINA: Greensboro: SWP, (801) 637-6294. Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, 234-4630. San Francisco: SWP, YSA, 3284 MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, P.O. YSA, 2219 E Market. Zip: 27401. Tel: (919) 767 S. State, 3rd floor. Zip: 84111 . Tel: (801) · 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. San Box 1383 Hampshire College. Zip: 01002. 272-5996. 355-1124. ' Jose: SWP, YSA, 46112 Race St. Zip: 95126. Boston: SWP, YSA, 107 Brighton Ave., 2nd OIDO: Athens: c/o Jake Hiles, 1891f2 W. WASIDNGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, Tel: (408) 998-4007. Seaside: YSA, P.O. Box floor, Allston. Zip: 02134. Tel: (617) 787- Washington, Apt. A. Zip:45701. Tel: (614)594- 3106 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: 1645. Zip: 93955. Tel: (408) 394-1855. Stock­ 0275. 8450. Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 4945 Paddock (202) 797-7699, 797-7021. ton: YSA, c/o Ted Barratt and Gustavo Men­ MICHIGAN: Detroit: SWP, YSA, 2l35 Rd. Zip:45237. Tel: (513)242-7161. Cleveland: WASIDNGTON: Seattle: SWP, YSA, doza, 825 N. San Jose St. Zip: 95203. Tel: Woodward Ave. Zip: 48201 . Tel: (313) 961-0395. SWP, YSA, 2521MarketAve. Zip: 44113. Tel: 5517 Rainier Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: (209) 941-8544. MINNEsoTA: Austin: SWP, YSA, 4071J2N. (216) 861-6150. Columbus: YSA, P.O. Box (206) 723-5330. COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, 25 W. Main. Zip: 55912. Tel: (507) 433-3461. North·. 02097. Zip: 43202, Toledo:. SWP, YSA, 1701 WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: SWP, 3rd Ave, Zip: 80223. Tel: (303) 698-2550. field: YSA, c/o Heiko Koester and Pat Rombero, W. Bancroft St. Zip: 43606. Tel: (419) 536- YSA, 116 McFarland St. Zip: 25301 . Tel: (304) _ FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA, 137 NE Carlton College. Zip: 55057. Tel: (507) 663- 0383. 345-3040. Morgantown: SWP, YSA, 221 54th St. Mailing address: P.O. Box 370486. 4000, ext. 4570or4563. Twin Cities: SWP, YSA, OKLAHOMA: Edmond: YSA, c/o Ricky Pleasant St. Zip: 26505 . Tel: (304) 296- Zip: 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Tallahassee: 508 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: Garcia, 1308 N. Blvd. F-46. Zip: 73033. Tel: 0055. YSA, P.O. Box 20715. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) (612) 644-6325. (405) 340-3868. WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 222-4434. MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, 4725 OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 2732 NE 4707 W. Lisbon Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 132 Cone Troost. Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 753-0404. St. Union. Zip: 97212. Tel: (503) 287-7416. 445-2076. ./ ' 12 The "Militant May 8!'1987 Film depicts lives and struggles in rural Burkina

Yam Daabo (The Choice). Written and directed by Moore .language means "the choice." ldrissa Ouedr~ogo. Produced by Burkina Faso and In rural Burkina, such a choice is not so easy to make. Films de I'Avenir (France). In Moore, with French Most villages are closely knit communities, the different subtitles. families often related to each other. Traditional religion and village ritual are tied to the land of one's ancestors. BY ERNEST HARSCH So to leave is like departing for another country. The fierce, relentless sun presses down on the villa­ But change is necessary, Ouedraogo argues. "You gers, who squat on the hard-packed earth or seek refuge know that in Burkina we have 9 million hectares of arable in the few spots of shade. Their faces are blank, worn, land," he said in an interview, "but just 3 million are ac­ apathetic. They are waiting, and waiting. tually cultivated - and the worst ones at that! I also So begins Yam Daabo, one of the finest films to come wanted to show in my film that tradition can only lead to out of Burkina Faso . misery and death: the Ian~ of the ancestors is very impor­ .The first feature-length film directed by Idrissa Oued­ tant, but one should not hesitate to leave if the lives of the raogo, it premiered in late February at the lOth Pan-Afri~ children are at stake.'' can Film Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), where Most of Yam Daabo recounts the odyssey of Salam and his family once they leave Gourga. But life is not im­ mediately easier. New difficulti~s abound. First they go to Ouagadougou, the capital, to sell their wagon and don­ FILM REVIEW key. They get very little for them. The city is also a dangerous place: Ali, the youngest son, is struck by a car this reviewer saw it. Yam Daabo was on many view­ and killed: Salam leading his family out of village of Gourga ers' lists of favorites. The festival judges tended to agree. In grief, they intend to return to Gourga. But the driver During FESPACO's closing ceremonies, Ouedraogo was of the "bush taxi" they take dumps them in the middle of repeatedly called to the stage to receive awards for the the countryside once their money runs out. the aid does not always come. film -eight of them, more than for any other film. And that is where they decide to stay. The land seems Amid the general praise for Yam Daabo, some Bur­ Yam Daabo is visually stunning. Unlike some films fertile, with a nearby stream and pond. Through ·their kinabe viewers also expressed a few criticisms. Leaving that depend on extensive dialogue to get their points own hard work they clear the land and till the soil. a drought-stricken region is not the only or best choice across, Yam Daabo relies on its powerful images. The film's tone becomes lighter, more cheerful. The available to villagers, they argue. In revolutionary Bur­ The opening is shot in Gourga, a small village in Bur­ colors move toward lush shades of green. kina Faso, where the peasants are organizing themselves kina's north, on the edge of the semidesert region known to increase production and where the government gives With the immediate struggle for survival now won, as the Sahel. It is a time of drought and famine, a recur­ priority to rural development, it is possible, even in the there is room for other interests. Bintou, Salam's daugh­ rent problem i.n that part of the country. It is a problem arid north, to challenge nature and beat baclc the threat of that Idrissa .()Qedraogo knows well, 'having spent his ter, falls in love with Issa, who had traveled with the fam- famine. childhood very near Gourga. ily southward. · The images and mood are of destitution and despair: But in doing so she defiantly challenges another trapi­ I tend to agree,. Duri~g a visit to the north; by chance I the near fruitless search for water; the absence of any tion, obedience to the elders, since her father disapproves ended up passing through Gourga. The vilhigers Isaw green vegetation, the soil dried and cracked. Most of the ofthe relationship. When Bintou becomes pregnant, the were not the ones portrayed in the film. While they may villagers themselves have become worn down. They see patriarch . Salam banishes Issa from the homestead and have been passive a few years ago, they are not today. no hope of changing their situation. The only thing they keeps his daughter tied up. Yet just as Salam was able to They are actively tilling their fields, digging wells to get look forward to is the arrival of trucks bearing interna­ break with tradition by leaving his village, he also even­ new sources of water, and organizing themselves into tional relief aid. They have become dependent on others tually becomes reconciled to his daughter's wishes fllld peasants' associations. for their survival. allows lssa to return. But this minor criticism aside, Yam Daabo remains a But one family, headed by Salam, an elder patriarch, Uprooted from their old homes, the film's protagonists fine film, combining artistic competence with a sharp · decides to break from this pattern, to stop sitting by pas­ have managed, through their own labor and ingenuity, to sense of social concern for the realities facing the strug­ sively with outstretched hands. They make a choice to build a new life without hunger and famine. · gling people of Africa today. Representative of the new leave their homes and seek a more hospitable life else­ Meanwhile, back in Gourga, the villagers who stayed generation of African cinema, it deserves to be shown where. Hence the film's title: yam daabo, which in the behind continue to sit and wait for the relief trucks. But widely, not only in Africa, but in this country as well. Sri Lanka: Tamil minority fights discrimination

Continued from back page pressed for full equality. saults, the Indian government has not New Delhi about negotiating a settlement north-eastern area of the country. Since the A full-fledged guerrilla war, however, blamed the Tamil militants. with the Sri Lankan government. late 1970s a growing number of Tamils, did not break out until 1983. After a mili­ Since 1983 the Indian government has A rebel official told the Times, however, especially· the young, have demanded tary clash between the army and gu~rrillas sought to mediate the civil war. An article that they "will not participate in the peace "Eelam"- an independent homeland. left 13 Sinhalese soldiers dead, anti-Tamil in the April 26 New York Times reports that process until the Sri Lanka government A majority of Indian Tamils, on the pogroms resulted in some 2,000 Tamil Tamil militant leaders recently held secret· abandons her policy of military terrorism other hand, continue to press for full deaths. Tens of thousands of Tamils fled talks with Indian government officials in against the Tamils.'' citizenship rights within Sri Lanka as it the country and thousands of youths signed exists today. They were stripped of these up with the militant organizations. rights soon after independence, and gener­ ally do not support the demand for Eelam. Since 1983 at least 5,500 people have -10AND25 YEARSAGO------The roots of the current civil war go died, most of them Tamils killed by the back to the post-independence period. army or "Home Guards" - the mainly During .the struggle against British colo­ Sinhala paramilitary outfits. THE MILITANT THE nial rule both Sinhalese and Tamils fought The Jaffna Peninsula is essentially a lib­ together in the independence movement. A erated zone under the control of the Tigers, May 6,1977 MILITANT · central demand of the struggle was to end who recently set up a parallel administra­ Published in the Interest. of the W Orl:iftg People May 5, 1962 . . Price 10c the privileged status of English and make tion. The eight army bases are surrounded. The Supreme Court ruled April 19 that if Sinhala and Tamil the national languages. The army's main fort in Jaffna City, for ex­ teachers or school officials hit students - ample, is only accessible by helicopter no matter how hard - they do not violate LOS ANGELES, April 27 - Cheers But soon after independence the main gunship or sea. A government blockade of the Constitution's Eighth Amendment ban and a lusty song from a 800-strong picket capitalist party, the United National Party the region over the last five months has against cruel and unusual punishment. line greeted a dozen steelworkers as they (the party currently in office), pushed been basically ineffective. emerged from the Federal Building this af7 through parliament three anti-Tamillaws. In the case before the court, two Miami While the Sri Lankan government junior high school students had been beaten ternoon at the conclusion of a four-day These denied Indian Tamils their right to claims it is for a negotiated settlement with with a two-foot-long, one-half-inch-thick witch-hunt by the House Un-American Ac­ vote, which they had had under the British, the rebels, its real policy has been state ter­ paddle. The court rufed that this kind of tivities Committee. as well as the right to citizenship. Many ronsm. Also summoned into HUAC's star­ were told to go back to India. abuse is not unconstitutional. Since 1985 the army has doubled its chamber hearings today were local leaders Sinhala chauvinists, led by the Buddhist strength from 11 ,500 to 24,000. Nearly 15 As a result, while prisoners in jail are at of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Upon clergy·, pressed for a Sinhala Sri Lanka. percent of the budget is for the military - least formally protected by the Eighth leaving the hearings, Steve Roberts, West (The country was then known as Ceylon.) 15 times the amount spent on the armed Amendment, students now are not. As Jus­ Coast representative of FPCC, declared By 1956, parliament adopted the "Sinhala­ forces 10 years ago. The government gets tice Byron White protested, "If it is uncon­ that HUAC was trying to intimidate, harass only" language law. Few Tamils speak military aid and training from such coun­ stitutionally impermissible to cut off some­ and terrorize citi.zens. Sinhala, and evel). fewer Sinhalese speak tries as Israel, Pakistan, and South Korea. one's ear for the commission of murder, it Carl Kessler, speaking for the sub­ Tamil. Special "anti-terrorist" training is also pro­ must be unconstitutional to cut off a child's poenaed steelworkers from Consolidated This chauvinist action by parliament led vided by a British security agency, Keeny ear for being late to class.'' Western, the U.S . . Steel subsidiary .in to protests and riots by Tamils and other Meeny Services. nearby Maywood, charged that the real The National Education Association supporters of democratic rights. Even Despite this fire-power, the Tamil miU­ conspiracy·was between the ultraright Bir­ sided with the students in the case. Unfor­ Tamil capitalist politicians came out for au­ tants continue to grow and gain support. chites and the U.S. Steel management. tunately, the American Federation of tonomy. This reflects the broad sympathy they have "Our plant, a steel fabricating unit, has Teachers favored legalized beatings. From that point on, Tamil parties among the Tamil population, including an one of the best union contracts of any· such "Teachers want to maintain a healthy at­ increasing number of Indian Tamils. plants in the nation," he continued. "The mosphere and they need options," an AFT But the Jayewardene government hopes 12 men brought before this committee have spokesperson explained. to use the public outrage against the latest played no small role in achieving these This publication Threatening students with violence does violence, particularly the bus station mas­ hard-won conditions.'' is available not produce "a healthy atmosphere.'' It sacre, to impose its military solution to the "HUAC plays a punitive role," Kessler in microform only produces battered students. "ethnic problem." said, "and has forced us to take recourse in from University To create "a healthy atmosphere," we The government is also pressing the In­ our constitutional rights and guarantees-in Microfilms need desegregated, quality schools. International.' dian government of Rajiv Gandhi to put the First and Fifth Amendments . .This com­ down the Tamil militants who are based in Students have already been badly mittee, which has already leaked informa­ Call toll-free 800-521-3044. In Michigan. Alaska and Hawaii calllllll!«t.313-761...C700. Or the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, brutalized by inferior, segregated educa­ tion that by their own rules is supposed to mail inquiry to: University Microl"llms Intemationel, home of 50 million Tamils. tion - and, now, by a vicious court dec'i­ be confidential, is representing U.S. Steel 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann ·Arbor. Ml46106. While condemning the murderous as- sion. here, not the American people." -EDITORIALS---.;....______Extending and ,. defending the Organize more Nicaragua brigades right to privacy The murder of Ben Linder by U.S.-run terrorists But most people in the United States don't see it that should be a signal to redouble efforts to get as many way. They oppose the contra war. And they don't blame BY DOUG JENNESS people as possible to go to Nicaragua. the victims for the criminal acts of the CIA's hired thugs The Militant is in the midst of a drive to sign up 6, 700 Why was Linder killed? in Nicaragua. new subscribers. Consequently, many of you may be Because he was involved in a rural electrification pro­ Far from intimidating those in the United States who reading this column for the first time. So it might be use­ ject in northern Nicaragua, bringing electricity to this re­ support Nicaragua's right to live in peace, Linder's mur­ ful to briefly state what it is about. mote area for the .first time ever. Like tens of thousands der has been met by protests and calls for more work As the name of this column indicates, the idea is to de­ of other U.S. residents who have gone to Nicaragua since brigades and tours to Nicaragua. scribe, in the small space available, some aspects of the 1979 revolution there, Linder supported Nicaragua's the Nicaragua Network and others are calling for socialism and explain what socialists think about various right to live in peace. more people to go .to Nicaragua and learn about the rev­ Like tens of thousands of other young people in this olution for themselves. country - and millions throughout the world - he was We need to organize more crews to build houses, inspired by the gains Nicaraguan workers and peasants child-care centers, arid clinics; more teams of medical ·LEARNING ABOUT have made against hunger, disease, landlessness, racism, workers, teachers, and technicians; more brigades to pick and the oppression of women. And he sought to contrib­ coffee. Many ofthe 200,000 people who participated in SOCIALISM ute his skills to furthering these gains. the April 25 antiwar and anti-apartheid demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, which included Washington bears full responsibility for the death of matters, including revolution, exploitation, religion, vio­ Linder, as it does for the nine other international workers thousands of trade unionists, can be drawn into this cam­ lence, the Soviet Union, democracy, farmers, etc. Read­ who have been killed by the contras, and the 20,000 Nic­ paign. At the same time, more protests like April 25, to de­ ers who have questions or suggestions on topics are urged araguans who have died in this war. to send them in. The response of the U.S, govern,ment to Linder's death mand an end to the contra war, also need to be organized. For the past few weeks, I've been focusing on the Bill is a slap in the face to the people of the United States who Workers, farmers, and students in the United States of Rights to the Constitution - how it was won, the in their great majority oppose the contra war. can help throw our weight into the battle against the con­ tras by going to Nicaragua, bringing as many people as struggle to extend it to broader layers of the population White House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater - re­ and to new activities, and its importance for working sponding to Linder's murder- said U.S. volunteers in we can with us, and coming back here and organizing the people. Nicaragua were "putting themselves in harm's way." In most massive movement possible to demand an end to The column this week on the right to privacy is the other words, you better not go to Nicaragua. Washington's dirty war. fifth in this series. Tentatively two more are planned. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution guaran­ tees, "The right of the people to be secure in their per­ sons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable Drop all charges against L.A~ 8 searches and seizures, shall not be violated." - No warrants shall be issued except "upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly When the government rounded up eight Los Angeles The growing support generated for the eight suggests describing the place to be searched, and the persons or residents for deportation (see story page 7) they were this won't strengthen the government's hand. things to be seized." aiming beyond supporters of the Palestinian liberation Among those who have demanded that the charges be The battle to make this right real has been difficult and movement. dropped are such figures as writer Kurt V onnegut and a great many abridgements of it have been in­ The purpose was to intimidate immigrant supporters of scientist Stephen Jay Gould. They are joined by many stitutionalized in police activity. The cops today, for ex­ emancipation movements around the world- from Cen­ others, including Rabbi Balfour Brickner of New York ample, rarely use warrants in making some 12 million ar­ -tral America to South Korea, from Ireland to South Af­ and rabbis in other areas of the country. rests a year, and most searches of "suspects" are con­ rica. Their statement brands the threatened deportations as ducted without warrants. In 1968, in fact, the U.S. Su­ "a strong challenge to First Amendment rights." And, of course, Washington did not intend to limit the preme Court upheld the right of cops to "stop and frisk" They correctly declare, "The Constitutional protection chilling effect to noncitizens. It was a warning to all po­ citizens on the basis of their suspicions, rather than tentially active workers, farmers, and students who dis­ of the First Amendment does not depend on United States "probable cause" of wrongdoing. citizenship. The First Amendment protects all persons sent from Washington's policies. Yet, advances have been won in establishing legal living within our borders and is meant to preserve pre­ But the protests against this outrageous violation of guidelines for police interrogation, including banning the cisely the kind of political debate and discussion which free speech from an impressive range of organizations use of confessions made becau~>e of threats or bribes. and prominent individuals forced the government to drop has been challenged by these arrests and deportation pro­ Moreover, the Supreme Court affirmed in the 1966 the political charges against six of the eight defendants ceedings." Miranda ruling that arrested persons must be informed of They demand a halt and urge repeal of the provisions who are here on vi~itors' visas. Officials now want them their constitutional right to an attorney and warned deported for alleged visa violations, not for alleged activ­ of the thought-control McCarran-Walter immigration law against saying anything that could be self-incriminating. ity in behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of under which the charges were brought. The broad implications of the deportation effort are One of the most important battlefronts to extend Palestine. Fourth Amendment rights - and where working people readily apparent. If people can be deported on grounds of have made some progress is the fight for the right of pri­ support for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Pales­ Political charges are still being directed against the two vacy. That is the right to be free from government regu­ defendants who are permanent U.S. residents. Here, the tine, why not supporters of the African National Con­ lation or meddling in activities engaged in by adults, that government is shifting ground. gress, which has also been violence-baited by Washing­ in no way interfere with the rights of others. Attempting to avoid the charge of deporting people ton politicians? ·All supporters of democratic rights should rally behind The Constitution does not explicitly mention any right solely for their ideas, they are now trying to frame up the of privacy. This is, in fact, a new terrain of struggle for two on allegations of activity supposedly aimed at over­ the demand to drop all charges against the Los Angeles the working class. And the victories that have been won throwing the U.S. government. eight. have been at great h~man cost. As a result of the civil rights struggle against Jim Crow segregation, the Supreme Court decided in 1958 to up­ hold the NAACP's right not to release its membership list to state authorities. The court ruled that there is a "vital Convict racist gunman Goetz relationship between freedom to associate and privacy in one's associations ... particularly where a group es­ "The victim!" "hero" and "crime" fighter. pouses dissident beliefs." "Easy bait," set upon by "vultures." In that atmosphere, a grand jury initially refused to in­ Individuals' right to privacy has also been advanced in "Those punks that surrounded Bernhard Goetz got dict Goetz. recent years in the victories won for women's right to what the law allows." Giving aid and comfort to the racist drive, New York's control their own bodies without government interfer­ That was the theme of the opening defense statement Mayor Edward Koch welcomed the outrageous grand ence. The most important gain came in 1973, when the in the New York trial of Bernhard Goetz. He is being jury decision. "I was sympathetic to Mr. Goetz," the Supreme Court struck down state laws prohibiting abor­ tried for attempted murder in the Dec. 22, 1984, subway mayor declared. tion at any stage ·Of pregnancy. In a 7 -to-2 decision the shooting of four Black youths. . He said he was "pleased" that the grand jury found that court majority found that the right to privacy "is broad Responding to these defense lies·, the prosecutor de­ Goetz "did not go past the right of self-defense." enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not clared the teenagers -Troy Canty, Barry Allen, James But sufficient antiracist sentiment was expressed to to terminate her pregnancy. The detriment that the State Ramseur, and Darryl Cabey- were shot by Goetz not counter the reactionary campaign beirig whipped up, and would impose upon the pregnant woman by denying this because he thought they intended to rob him, but "be­ Goetz was finally indicted. choice altogether is apparent." cause they were the kind of people he hated with a fero­ Clearly, his was not simply an individuat act of anti­ Further legal ground was broken in expanding the right cious and all-consuming passion:" Black violence. Someone like Goetz is incited by what he to privacy when federal Judge Thomas Griesa ruled in That pretty well sums it up. The facts, and Goetz's sees around him: The transit cops who beat and stomped August 1986 that the FBI had violated the constitutional own statements, make it unmistakeably clear that his was Michael Stewart to death. The city police who gunned right to privacy by bugging and burglarizing the Socialist not an act of self-defense,·but one of cold-blooded racist down the elderly Eleanor Bumpurs in her apartment. The Workers Party for 40 years. Moreover, he said that the violence. white lynch gang that beat transit worker Willie Turks to presence of government informers in a political organiza­ When the youths approached Goetz in the subway car death in Brooklyn. tion (the FBI admitted having targeted the SWP with and.one asked him for $5, he responded, "I have $5 for And the violence of a Goetz helps to fuel more: The 1,300 informers between 1960 and 1976) violated the each of you" and pulled out a gun. vigilante gang that murdered Michael Griffith in Howard right to privacy of that organization and of its members. He shot all four of them-two in the back as they fled. Beach~ The cops who gunned down Nicholas Bartlett on This was a first for a federal court. By his own admission, Goetz stopped shooting only a Harlem street comer. As .more and more workers find themselves locked in because he ran out of bullets. But today there is a strong, growing demand that such struggles to protect their unions and rights on the job, the Before he unloaded all his ammunition, Goetz walked racist violence be halted and its perpetrators prosecuted right to be free of government intrusion will become in­ over to Darryl Cabey, who had not even approached him, to the full extent of the law. creasingly important. The gains that have been won so but was in his seat when shot. The angry outcry over. police brutality in New York far, including the court victory in the SWP case, should Goetz looked at the wounded young man and said, and the outpouring of protest after Howard Beach testify. be studied and used for the powerful weapons they are. "You seem to be all right. Here's another," firing the shot to this. that severed Cabey's spinal cord, paralyzing him for life. The Goetz case also calls for the strongest protest. The In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, most of the fight to·deter racist violence demands that he be put be­ capitalist media ·tried to paint this racist vigilante as a hind bars for his crime.

May,'l, 1.937 , ·- ..... - ChiCago railroad bosses try to divide uidOiiS:

BY JIM MILES craft union. ·Currently'i rail workers in the United States CHICAGO - The Chicago and . Northwestern Rail­ belong to some 14 different unions. road (CNW) is making a bid to divide and conquer the Although the proposed merger was primarily moti­ railroad unions. vated.bythe officials' concern over shrinking dues pay­ An April 2 notice posted on the company bulletin ments flowing into the union treasuries, the merger board announced that the railroad has entered into would nonetheless have been a step forward for rail workers. Now the company is dangling the possibility of a larger dues base in front of BLE officials. UNION TALK UTU members honored pickets during a brief BLE strike in 1982. Rail traffic was crippled, and it took con­ neg

BY MALIK MIAH A series of murderous attacks have brought Sri Lanka, a small island-country off the southern coast of India, to the world's attention. On April 17, 127 Sri Lankan civilians were brutally slain in the village of Alut Oya, about 120 miles north of Columbo, the country's capital, in the eastern district of Tri~comalee. Gunmen stopped several / · buses and trucks, forced the ethnic Sinhalese passengers out, and shot them to death. Three days later, in another village in the same district, 15 people, including several children, were massacred. On April 21, at least 106 people atCol­ ombo's main bus terminal died after a pow­ erful bomb ripped apart the station during the height of rush hour. Scores of people were hospitalized, many seriously injured. The government of President Junius Jayewardene immediately blamed the ethnic Tamil minority for the violence. A 24-hour curfew was imposed, which was Tamil guerrillas in training (left); Sri Lankan army on patrol in JatTna. Since 1985 army has doubled in size. Government gets lifted April 26. military aid and "anti-terrorist" training from such countri~s as Israel, Pakistan, and South Korea. The major Tamil militant organizations - the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Eelam Revolutionary Organization A British colony until1948, Sri Lanka is ethnic Muslim community - 7 percent of 19th century to pick tea. - denyresponsibility for the killings. A composed of two major ethnic groups: the country's inhabitants - who are de­ The Sri Lankan Tamils (12 percent of Tigers' spokesperson in Madras, India, Sinhalese and Tamils. The Sinhalese are 75 scendants of Arab traders. the population) are mainly concentrated in called the charges by the Sri Lankan gov­ percent of the population, with a majority The Tamils are divided between Sri Lan­ Jaffna Peninsula, the Eastern Province, ernment "unfounded and aimed at tarnish­ supporting the Buddhist religion. The kan Tamils (those who first migrated to the and Colombo. ing our image." Tamils are 18 percent of the population, island over l ,000 years ago), and Indian Since the 1950s a majority of Sri Lankan BaJa Tampoe, general secretary of the with most following the Hindu religion .. Tamils who were brought to the island as Tamils have favored autonomy for the Ceylon Mercantile Union, could not be There is also a smaller Tamil-speaking laborers by the British colonialists in the Continued on Page 13 reached by telephone at the CMU's head­ quarters in Colombo on April23. Tampoe, a Tamil, was not available because of the curfew. But a member guarding the build­ ing reported that some Tamil-owned stores Western ·coiJI miners forced on strike had been stoned. BY FRANK PAVELKO bills instead of the full coverage they have They explained that 90 percent of UMWA Government responds with terror AND MARY ZINS been receiving. members at Black Mesa and Kayenta are Beginning April 22, the Sri Lankan Air KAYENTA, Ariz. - A big sign greets To top it off, Peabody demanded a one­ Navajos. Others are Hopi Indians. Force bombed Tamil areas in northern and you on the road leading to. Peabody Coal year wage freeze followed by raises total­ Working in conjunction with the Navajo eastern provinces. The bloody retaliatory Co.'s Kayenta Mine. It reads: "L.U. 1620 ing only 2.5 percent over the next two Nation, the union has set up a community attacks led to the death and wounding of and L.U. 1924 on strike. We need full years. panel and asked Peabody to hire from the hundreds, particularly in Jaffna Peninsula, medical coverage. Better working condi­ list. But in many instances the company re­ home of 750,000 Tamils in the northern tions. Job security, Pension." Union members oppose these conces­ fuses and brings people in from other Pea­ province. Twenty or so United Mine Workers Of sions. Grass and Small Canyon said the body mines. Civilians were allegedly given a brief America (UMW A) members stand on union's biggest disagreement with Pea­ UMW A official Small Canyon de­ warning by leaflets, loudspeakers, and either side of the road. There's a wooden body is over the company's plans to open scribed a meeting he attended at which radio broadcasts to leave their homes be­ shanty with news about the strike posted nonunion mines next door to union mines. Peabody officials told him, "You have no fore ·the_bombings. Thousands fled . inside. The UMWA is demanding that Peabody business supporting the Navajo Preference Minister of National Security Lalith Some 900 UMW A miners at five Pea­ sign an agreement like the one the union re­ Act." Athulathmudali said the cabinet had de­ body western surface mines in Arizona, cently negotiated with Island Creek Coal In the March 27 letter, Peabody official cided to "pull the stops;' on the military. Colorado, and Montana were forced on Co. That agreement gives laid off UMWA Moore said, "Consider this letter and what "Up to now," he cynically explained, "we strike when their contract expired at the miners first crack at jobs at any of Island I say and act in your best interest and not in have had the power, but we did not want to end of March. Peabody is the largest U.S. Creek's mines whether or not those mines the interest of some third party who may in kill civilians. After all, they are our own coal company. are currently unionized. the future take work away from your people." On March 27, Kenneth Moore, presi­ friends and neighbors." The Kayenta and Black Mesa mines here dent of Peabody's Western Region, in a Background are the largest of the five. They are adja­ letter sent to each striker, wrote, "Such 'UMWA is us' The latest violence in Sri Lanka must be cent to each other and are located within provisions have little or no impact on our The UMWA responded with a statement seen in the context of the struggle of the the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. · western surface miners .... It [agreements that says, "UMWA is us. And we are one Tamil minority to end decades of ethnic Negotiations between the UMW A and like Island Creek] will restrict us in many solid unit, and we all recognize Navajo Na­ discrimination in jobs, education, land dis­ Peabody Coal generally set the pace for the instances from hiring persons who live near tion as a sovereign Nation and Respect its tribution, and other spheres of life. western surface coal agreements. Miners you and are your neighbors." laws." Sri Lanka is a tear-shaped island slightly had to strike for several months in 1984 to On April 2 Peabody sent letters to larger than the state of West Virginia. It win a decent contract. Dennis Grass, pres­ Navajo Nation UMWA members at the five struck mines has a population of 16 million people. Itis ident of UMWA Local 1924, and Roy The most insulting affront in the strike is inviting thein to return to work. Unionists mostly flat or rolling except for the south- . Small Canyon, chairman of the mine com­ the attempt by Peabody Coal to pit the at Kayenta and Black Mesa received an ad­ central region where mountains and th¢ mittee (grievance committee), and miners Navajo Nation against the UMWA. ditional letter encouraging them to resign large tea plantations exist. on the picket line explained to us what has Estimates on Navajo unemployment in from the union. UMW A members told us happened this time around. the area run from 35 to 50 percent. only two miners at the Black Mesa and Grass said the union offered to continue For years the UMWA at .the Black Mesa Kayenta mines have crossed the picket working under an extension of the old con­ and Kayenta mines has fought for preferen­ line. tract while negotiations continued, but the tial hiring for Navajos. The union is in full The strike has received scant media company instead demanded substantial support of a recent resolution enacted by coverage. Much of what has appeared is in­ concessions and broke off negotiations. the Navajo Nation called the "Navajo Pre­ accurate. "The corporations manipulate ference in Employment Act." The act public opinion. They issue press releases . Concessions demanded states, "All employers doing business saying the unions are greedy, and the Peabody's takeback demands included a within or near the boundaries of the Navajo newspapers print it," Small Canyon said. 90-day probation period for newly hired Nation or engaged in any contract with the Contributions and messages of support workers (there was no probation period Navajo Nation shall give preference in em­ can be sent to UMW A Locals 1620 and under the old contract) and a two-tier pay ployment" to residents of the area. 1924, P:O. Box 247, Kayenta, Arizona, scale under which new hires would receive Peabody is claiming that the union's pro­ 86033. 20 percent less than other workers doing posals stand in the way of hiring Navajos in the same job until they put in two years at the mines. Frank Pavelko is a member of UMWA the mine. Grass and Small Canyon say there is no Loca/2176 in Price, Utah. Mary Zins is a Peabody also demanded that UMW A conflict between the resolution adopted by member of United Steelworkers ofAmerica members pay 20 percent of their medical the Navajos and the UMWA's demands. Local 7315 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

16 The Militant May 8, 1987