Victoria magisterio de Detroit PHILIPPINES Racismo de Yale y Reparación 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 58, No. 19 May 19, 2016 $1

MAY DAY AROUND THE WORLD 9 To stop police killings #Frisco500 occupy City Hall

By Dave Welsh ‘em, need ‘em.” Also, “How do you spell murder? SFPD” San Francisco and “SFPD-KKK.” While the hunger strikers were upstairs in their Inspired by the stamina of the “Frisco Five” hunger wheelchairs, challenging the Board of Supervisors to strikers, hundreds of chanting supporters occupied the take police murders seriously, people outside held a rotunda and grand staircase inside City Hall for seven speakout. One said, “This has a long history. When the hours on May 6. Their demand, “We won’t leave City Black Panther Party was formed in Oakland, what were Hall until the mayor fires Greg Suhr,” refers to the top they doing? Trying to stop racist policing in the Bay cop complicit in a string of police murders of Black and Area.” One person gave a possible reason for Democrat- Brown people in the city. ic Mayor Ed Lee’s inaction on the police: that he’s under Dubbed the #Frisco500, the protesters held their consideration to be ambassador to China if Hillary Clin- ground after the 8 p.m. closing time. Then, in a two- ton wins the election. hour struggle, baton-wielding sheriff’s deputies finally Art Sato, longtime jazz programmer at KPFA radio succeeded in shoving, hitting, poking, pepper-spraying and father of one of the hunger strikers, said: “As a Jap- and dragging them all from City Hall by 10:30. There anese American born in a U.S. concentration camp, I were 33 arrests and many injuries. want to say to my son, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of Protesters cited Chief Suhr’s long record of justifying Asians for Black Lives.” San Francisco-born, Filipi- the police killing spree, even in circumstances — as in the no-American poet Tony Robles read a poem for the cases of Luis Gongora, Mario Woods, Alex Nieto, Ken- Frisco Five: “It took a hunger strike to make me feel neth Harding and Amilcar Perez-Lopez — where there alive in a city that feels dead. I’m proud to see the Frisco was absolutely no justification for the use of lethal force. that I knew, once again.” Meanwhile, the Frisco Five — Cristina Gutierrez, her The movement to fire Chief Suhr, stubbornly resist- son Ilyich Sato, Ike Pinkston, Sellassie Blackwell and Continued on page 3 Sit-in at San Francisco City Hall. Edwin Lindo — were hospitalized after two weeks with PHOTO: GINA MADRID no solid food. A day after the battle at City Hall, they decided to end their 17-day hunger strike, at the urging of their supporters, with a call to step up the struggle to Cross-country solidarity with Verizon workers end police impunity. “It started with five of us fasting outside the Mission Police Station. Now it’s the #Fris- co500,” they said. “Up next is the #Frisco5000.” Four days earlier, 300 marched from Mission Sta- Philadelphia community support for strikers. tion, led by the Frisco Five in wheelchairs pushed by See page 6 medical students in white coats who’d been monitoring the fasters’ condition. The marchers briefly took over the major intersection at Market and Van Ness, where a young Black singer gave a slow, moving interpretation of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” By the time they reached City Hall, the crowd had swelled to nearly a thousand. A huge banner stretched across City Hall steps: “No Consequence, No Confidence. Stop Police Impunity.” People chanted: “Back up, back up, we want our freedom, freedom. Racist-ass cops we don’t need

Tribute to Afeni Shakur 2 Baltimore vs police violence 3 Philadelphia jails children for life 4

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City / State / Zip ______Workers World 212.627.2994 8 8 10 11 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl, NY, NY 10011 St. Denis London Greece South Africa Page 2 May 19, 2016 workers.org Panther 21 hero Afeni Shakur, presente! By Lamont Lilly conducted her own legal research, her own interviews, as well as in-court cross exam-  In the U.S. Afeni Shakur died at the age of 69 on inations — fully realizing that “she would be To stop police killing #Frisco500 occupy City Hall . . . . . 1 May 2. the one serving, not the lawyers.” She was the Panther 21 hero Afeni Shakur, presente! ...... 2 On April 2, 1969, 21 members of the only Panther who served as her own counsel. Detroiters to bank: Housing is a right! ...... 3 Harlem Chapter of the Black Panther Par- Here was a small-framed, impoverished ty were formally indicted and charged with Black woman from the backwoods of Lum- Baltimore resistance to racist police attacks grows . . . .3 156 counts of “conspiracy” to blow up sub- berton, N.C., staring down a full team of New Hundreds of youth serving life sentences ...... 4 way and police stations, five local depart- York state prosecutors — and outwitting a full Justice for Jovan! ...... 4 ment stores, six railroads and the Bronx- cast of establishment-owned media outlets. Afeni Shakur Workers Memorial Day fights for job safety ...... 5 based New York Botanical Garden. Here was a single mother with no formal de- By the early morning hours of April 2, mass sweeps gree going legally toe to toe with COINTELPRO. Palestinians speak of ‘the Catastrophe’ ...... 5 were conducted citywide by combat squads of armed po- Despite the odds, after all the surveillance, warrantless No RE/MAX sales of Palestinian land! ...... 5 lice. Law enforcement agencies, ranging from the CIA, wiretapping, infiltration and frame-ups, not one shred of Wide support for Verizon workers ...... 6 FBI and U.S. Marshals to the New York State Police, state’s evidence stood up in court. In their undying ef- On the picket line ...... 6 worked simultaneously to coordinate assaults on Panther forts to “discredit,” it was revealed during the trial that homes and community-based offices. After the raids, the FBI had actually planted undercover infiltrators who, Jobs, globalization and election promises ...... 7 10 Panther men and two Panther women were formally under oath, admitted their role as provocateurs. Gulf Coast faces spread of Zika ...... 10 arrested, processed and quickly jailed. To anyone who Though the case of the Panther 21 was the longest trial Detroit youth resist U.S. role in Syria ...... 11 supported radical politics in the late 1960s, there was no in New York state history, on her own guts and wit, Afeni doubt that the indictment of the Panther New York 21 was Shakur successfully secured her freedom. No money. No  Around the world a political and racist frame-up to not only “disrupt, dis- attorney. No privilege. Pregnant with her second child, Saint-Denis celebrates 10th anniversary of Rue Mumia . .8 credit and destroy,” but utterly dismantle the Black Pan- Tupac Amaru Shakur. What Afeni was able to do in that Sadiq Khan elected mayor of London ...... 8 ther Party from the inside out. courtroom was nothing short of miraculous. Magical. The absurd and excessive nature of such charges was Mind blowing. Millions celebrate International Workers Day ...... 9 clearly intended as a federal effort to pit chapters and re- On May 12, 1971, after two years of legal proceedings, France: Workers battle anti-labor ‘reforms’ on May Day . . 9 gions against each other in a manner that would totally all 21 Panthers were acquitted of the charges. The jury Greek Parliament votes for new austerity ...... 10 paralyze Panther party leadership. What these charges needed a mere 45 minutes to see the truth. Behind internal struggle in South Africa ...... 11 represented was a form of unprecedented legal repres- Sister soldier, woman warrior sion, created as a structural alternative to break the par-  Editorial ty’s stronghold, reputation and community base. For the Afeni Shakur may have hailed from the Black Panther Solidarity with People’s Korea ...... 10 Panthers who fortunately weren’t murdered or assassi- Party’s esteemed Harlem Chapter, but her roots were in nated, exiled or imprisoned, the courts became the ruling the Black Belt South. Viciously poor, but still mobile, her  Noticias en Español class’s convenient and effective form of legal lynching, a family moved to the Bronx when she was 11 years old. straightjacket beyond the walls — a robbery of valuable Her inquisitive affection for the Black Nationalist scene Victoria magisterio de Detroit ...... 12 time and resources. fit right in there. Racismo de Yale y Reparación ...... 12 Each member of the 21 was held on $100,000 bail, to- Afeni first learned of the Black Panther Party at the cor- taling over $2.1 million. It was not until January 1970 that ner of 125th Street and 7th Avenue while listening to BPP the first Panther was able to post bail. That was 22-year- co-founder Bobby Seale deliver a speech. A dedicated sol- old Alice Faye Williams, better known as Afeni Shakur. dier from the very beginning, Afeni always placed principle over profit, the people above her own individual desires. Self-appointed, Black anointed Black Panther Party member and New York 21 co-defen- Workers World In a grueling and tedious trial, Afeni Shakur (facing dant Dhoruba Bin Wahad very warmly remembers Afeni 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. 300 years of prison time) daringly chose to be her own as “the type of person that worked hard, who would stay New York, N.Y. 10011 attorney in court, partly because financial resources up all night to get leaflets done.” Phone: 212.627.2994 were already razor-thin. Afeni, however, meticulously Continued on the next page E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Vol. 58, No. 19 • May 19, 2016 Closing date: May 10, 2016 Editor: Deirdre Griswold Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead; Web Editor Gary Wilson Who we are & what we’re fighting for Production & Design Editors: Coordinator Lal Roohk; Hate capitalism? Workers World Party fights for a ­degrading people because of their nationality, sexual or Andy Katz, Cheryl LaBash ­socialist society — where the wealth is socially owned gender identity or disabilities — all are tools the rul- Copyediting and Proofreading: Sue Davis, Keith Fine, and production is planned to satisfy human need. This ing class uses to keep us apart. They ruthlessly super-­ Bob McCubbin exploit some in order to better exploit us all. WWP outmoded capitalist system is dragging down workers’ Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, living standards while throwing millions out of their builds unity among all workers while supporting the Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, Fred Goldstein, jobs. If you’re young, you know they’re stealing your right of self-determination. Fighting oppression is a Martha Grevatt, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, future. And capitalism is threatening the entire planet working-class issue, which is confirmed by the many Berta Joubert-Ceci, Terri Kay, Cheryl LaBash, with its unplanned, profit-driven stranglehold over the labor struggles led today by people of color, immigrants Milt Neidenberg, John Parker, Bryan G. Pfeifer, means of production. and women. Betsey Piette, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Gloria Rubac Workers built it all — it belongs to society, not to a WWP has a long history of militant opposition to im- Mundo Obero: Redactora Berta Joubert-Ceci; handful of billionaires! But we need a revolution to perialist wars. The billionaire rulers are bent on turning Ramiro Fúnez, Teresa Gutierrez, Donna Lazarus, make that change. That’s why for 58 years WWP has back the clock to the bad old days before socialist revolu- Carlos Vargas been building a revolutionary party of the working tions and national liberation struggles liberated territory Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis class inside the belly of the beast. from their grip. We’ve been in the streets to oppose every Copyright © 2016 Workers World. Verbatim copying We fight every kind of oppression. Racism, sexism, one of imperialism’s wars and aggressions. and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp without royalty provided this notice is preserved. 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In her youth, Detroit resident Barbara Demonstrators held signs attacking Campbell was an associate of Dr. Martin Flagstar’s claim to be a “community Luther King Jr. Today, as a senior, she has bank.” Flagstar is owned by a Wall Street become an anti-foreclosure activist. In a company that even Forbes magazine has city that has become the country’s fore- labeled a “vulture investor.” In 2014, the closure capital, Campbell is refusing to bank was charged by the Consumer Fi- become a statistic. nancial Protection Bureau with “illegal- Flagstar Bank has gone to court to ly blocking borrowers’ attempts to save have Campbell evicted from the home their homes.” Flagstar paid penalties of she purchased in 2006. After being di- $37 million and agreed to stop denying agnosed with cancer, she applied for a qualified homeowners a mortgage mod- hardship-based mortgage modification. ification. This was a paper promise, as Campbell, who has had heart surgery, now shown by their callous attempts to put has kidney failure and uses a wheelchair. a senior citizen with major health prob- sure crisis, with tens of thousands in De- the housing rights movement shows no She had been told to hold off on making lems out on the street. troit facing tax foreclosure and the banks signs of going away either. payments while her application was being There is no end in sight to the foreclo- continuing to steal people’s homes. But — Report and photo by Martha Grevatt reviewed. Then the loan servicer, Nation- star, did an about-face, foreclosing on her home for failure to make payments. Since then, her home has been sold more than Resistance to racist police attacks grows once, changing hands between Nation- star, Flagstar and Fannie Mae, which is owned by the federal government. Baltimore has become a national focus of protests against Campbell is fighting the eviction and is BALTIMORE racist police murders and attacks. Here, Baltimore activists represented by the heroic people’s lawyer, describe three recent events in which the Black community and its supporters mobi- Vanessa Fluker. lized in the fight to bring the police to justice. On May 7, dozens of supporters picket- ed a branch of the bank, making it clear On anniversary of rebellion, cops shoot 13-year-old to Flagstar that Barbara Campbell is not People gathered in East Baltimore on Chants of “Tell the truth and stop the lies! alone. They chanted, “Housing is a right! April 30 to demand justice for Dedric Our Black children don’t have to die!” and Fight, fight, fight!” and “Dumpsters are Colvin, a 13-year-old boy who had been “What do we want? Justice! When do we for leaves, not the banker thieves!” — re- shot two days earlier by plainclothes po- want it? Now!” rang out from the crowd. ferring to the fact that, in Detroit, dump- lice officers. Colvin, who survived, was Many passing motorists honked and sters are used to collect yard waste — as shot in the leg and shoulder during an leaned out of windows to express their well as personal belongings during an encounter with police, who say he was solidarity with the group. eviction. The action was called by De- carrying a basketball and a toy BB gun. This shooting occurred on April 28, the troit Eviction Defense. Members of the When his mother tried to assist her one-year anniversary of the Baltimore Moratorium Now! Coalition to Stop Fore- son, who was lying on the ground badly Uprising, which came in response to the closures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs wounded, police responded by handcuff- police killing of Freddie Gray. One year and several United Auto Workers locals ing her. They held her in the city jail be- later, many residents are left wondering joined the picket line. Campbell, who fore she was finally allowed to see her son what happened to the promises made to came to the protest with her son Garrett, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. the community by police officials and lo- thanked her community supporters. Protesters at the site of the shooting cal government. Protesters have said they spoke out against police actions, oppos- are more committed than ever to fighting Continued from page 2 ing a “shoot first and ask questions later” police brutality in Baltimore. spray. The ordeal ultimately killed him. — Cody Webb Afeni was the kind of comrade who policy when it comes to Black people in In a typical cover-up, the medical ex- garnered respect from both the women Baltimore. They contrasted what hap- aminer’s report stated that West died and the men. As former Black Panther Ja- pened to Colvin with cases where police New medical report supports from a heart attack due to summer heat mal Joseph stated, “Afeni taught me more attempt to “talk down” white suspects. Tyrone West family’s charge and a “pre-existing heart condition” — not about being a man, more than any other They also made it clear that police “were from excessive force by several police of- Nearly three years ago, police in man or woman.” (nbcnews.com, May 3) shooting to kill” in this case. ficers who beat him. The police who mur- northeast Baltimore killed a 44-year-old As the only high school member of the On the day after the shooting, Police dered him were then cleared of any wrong- ­African-American man. While the details Panther 21, Joseph very often looked to Commissioner Kevin Davis blamed the doing and never charged with any crime. surrounding the death of Tyrone West on Afeni for guidance and leadership. 13-year-old and his mother for the police There was one problem with this nar- July 18, 2013, are for the most part un- The name Afeni was given to her by a assault, questioning the boy’s motives for rative: West’s family says he was in good known, the story is all too familiar in the community elder from South Carolina, a walking in his own neighborhood with a health and had no heart condition. United States. descendant of the Yoruba tradition who basketball and a toy gun. Davis said the A recent independent review of the ex- Police in an unmarked vehicle made chose the name Afeni meaning “lover of officers had “little choice.” aminer’s report by Dr. William Manion West pull his car over merely for “suspi- the people.” And love the people is exact- After an hour of speeches about po- of Memorial Hospital in Salem County, cious activity.” At some point, a struggle ly what Afeni did. A dedicated commu- lice brutality in Baltimore, activists led a N.J., says the evidence points not to a broke out in which the police attacked nity organizer, fearless warrior, activist, march from the site of the shooting down “bad heart” having killed West, but in- West with their batons, fists and pepper scholar, teacher and real-life revolution- Fayette Street to police headquarters. stead to “positional asphyxiation.” He ary, Afeni Shakur gave her life to the was suffocated. The family is calling for people — to the full embodiment of Black the body to be exhumed so another au- Power, people power and, as the sisters #Frisco500 occupy City Hall topsy can be performed, this time inde- say today, Black Girl Magic! pendently of the police. As we commemorate the mother of Continiued from page 1 Community members raked them over This new review of the case is the latest hip-hop’s “Black Jesus,” let us not forget the coals for being “fake investigators” action in a long struggle by West’s family the Black woman general who indubita- ed by the city’s political establishment, whose purpose was to whitewash the for justice. Tawanda Jones, West’s sister, bly blazed her own legacy, who literally is nevertheless gaining momentum. The police murders and cool out the commu- has been a particularly active and visi- offered her life as a gift to the people and California Federation of Teachers execu- nity. Minister Chris Muhammad, of the ble fighter for her brother. For 146 weeks who taught her son, Tupac Amaru, to do tive council has called for his firing and Nation of Islam, sharply questioned the — on every Wednesday since West was the same. Farewell to the Black woman for the indictment of the police who killed DOJ emissaries, forcing them to admit murdered by the police — she has held a general who just joined Malcolm, Harriet, Mario Woods. San Francisco Jobs With they had no investigatory powers and protest somewhere in Baltimore as part Ida. All power to the people! Black Power! Justice has called for “new leadership” in were only in San Francisco to “do an as- of a series of “West Wednesdays.” North Carolina-based activist Lamont the police department. There is also out- sessment” of the situation. The murder of Tyrone West, as well as Lilly is the 2016 Workers World Party rage over revelations of a second barrage The community is not placing much the complicity of the medical examiner Vice Presidential candidate. He recently of racist and homophobic text messages faith in paper investigations. Their focus and the ultimate lack of police account- served as a party organizer in Baltimore, by city police. is now on direct action to force change. ability, is emblematic, on the one hand, of Ferguson, Oakland, Boston and Philadel- Mayor Lee has been touting alleged As Alyssa, champion tweet journalist the war being waged by the police forces phia. In 2015, he was a U.S. delegate at the “investigations” of police behavior, which from the days of Occupy Oakland, tweet- of the capitalist U.S. government against International Forum for Justice in Pales- have been ongoing for years without pro- ed from inside City Hall during the May 6 all nationally oppressed peoples. On the tine in Beirut, Lebanon. He is currently ducing any visible reduction in police occupation: “I’ve been to a lot of protests other hand, the tenacity and defiance working on a forthcoming debut publi- killings. Recently a three-person Justice … but never seen people hold so strong as shown by his family and other groups cation, “Honor in the Ghetto” (Fall 2016). Department delegation went to a meeting tonight, nonviolent but strong and serious. who have time and again taken to the Follow him on Twitter @LamontLilly. of the Justice 4 Mario Woods Coalition. So much respect for the #Frisco500.” Continued on page 4 Page 4 May 19, 2016 workers.org

Hundreds of youth serving life sentences Protest calls for ending ‘death by incarceration’ By Joe Piette spoke via phone to the rally. Imprisoned nia, people serving JLWOP are still wait- were forced to plead for fairness in a court Philadelphia since the age of 16 after he was convicted ing for relief from these unconstitutional system in which racial disparities plague of first-degree murder for stabbing an- sentences. the imposition of JLWOP sentences. A rally on May 6 called on Pennsylva- other teenage runaway, he described how According to a March 24 report by The Among the 10 largest U.S. cities, Phila- nia to end the legal sentence “juvenile life he has matured, taking advantage of ev- Sentencing Project, “Juvenile Life With- delphia has the highest deep poverty rate without parole” (JLWOP), also known ery educational opportunity available to out Parole: An Overview,” the court em- — 12.3 percent. Sixty thousand children as “death by incarceration.” The gather- him in prison and mentoring other pris- phasized several points in reaching its live in deep poverty. Philadelphia public ing took place in Philadelphia, which has oners. “Some of us never stop looking for decisions. “Research on adolescent brain schools, where the vast majority are stu- sentenced more children to die in prison ways to express how deeply ashamed and development confirms the commonsense dents of color, have been underfunded than anywhere else in the world. sorry we are,” Songster said. “What we understanding that children are differ- for decades, leaving massive class sizes The Mother’s Day Rally to Restore bring to the table will never measure up ent from adults in ways that are critical and little to no funding for books, paper, Families & Communities and Bring Our to what we took from the table.” to identifying age appropriate criminal school libraries, nurses, guidance coun- Loved Ones Home drew close to 100 peo- Melchiondo added, “I recently spent sentences. This understanding — Justice selors, art supplies and musical instru- ple in the Arch Street Methodist Church, the day at Muncy [Women’s Prison] at an Kennedy called it what ‘any parent knows’ ments. who had been forced inside because of event to honor the women serving juvenile — was central to four recent Supreme Without a doubt, long-term poverty rain. Speakers included mothers of peo- life without parole, and I can tell you not Court decisions excluding juveniles from and lack of educational opportunities ple serving JLWOP sentences, mothers one of them is irreparably corrupted. In the harshest sentencing practices.” have not been adequately considered in who have lost children to violence in Phil- fact, I don’t believe it is humanly possible Another major issue leading to the sentencing so many Philadelphia youth adelphia, prerecorded audio and written to predict that. Perhaps it is the city and court’s decision was that “The life experi- to life in prison without parole. statements from people currently serving the state that are irreparably corrupted.” ences of the approximately 2,500 people “More than 100 of the Philadelphians JLWOP, and other members of the Coa- serving juvenile life sentences vary, but serving JLWOP have been in prison for lition to Abolish Death by Incarceration. School-to-prison pipeline they are often marked by very difficult over 30 years,” said Hakim Ali, of the Co- Patricia Vickers, Anita Colon, Ellen The United States is the only country upbringings with frequent exposure to alition to Abolish Death By Incarceration. Melchiondo and Lorraine Haw exposed that sentences people to life without pa- violence; they were often victims of abuse “It’s past time for our elected officials to raw emotions as they described the pain role for crimes committed before turning themselves.” The report noted that a implement the Supreme Court’s decision.” of having their loved ones held in prison 18. Some 500 people sentenced to life in mandatory sentencing structure does not CADBI is demanding that District At- for decades until their eventual death. prison when they were juveniles are be- take into account “the family and home torney Anthony Williams support resen- Kimberly King spoke as a mother doubly ing held in Pennsylvania’s prison system environment.” tencing those currently serving JLWOP affected. Her eldest brother was given a — more than in any other state. Philadel- In 2012, The Sentencing Project survey under the third-degree murder statute, mandatory life sentence without chance phia accounts for over 300 JLWOP sen- of people sentenced to life in prison as which now carries a penalty of 10 to 20 of parole 24 years ago. Her younger broth- tences — more than from any other city. juveniles revealed that 79 percent regu- years in prison. It is asking Pennsylvania er was later killed at 22. “I have forgiven, The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that larly witnessed violence in their homes, courts to facilitate fair and timely resen- because in truth, no matter what happens mandatory JLWOP sentences are uncon- 32 percent grew up in public housing, tencing. CADBI requests that the mayor to that young man who took my brother’s stitutional. The court’s 2012 decision in 40 percent had been enrolled in special and City Council ensure that everyone life, it does not make the pain easier. It Miller v. Alabama found that mandatory education classes, fewer than half were eligible for resentencing gets adequate does not bring him back. And how can I life sentences for children violate the 8th attending school at the time of their of- legal representation. It is also calling on very well condemn this brother when I Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and fense, 47 percent were physically abused, the governor and the state legislature to ask for forgiveness for my brother?” unusual punishment. In January, the Su- and up to 80 percent of girls reported abolish life without parole as a mandato- Kempis Songster, a 44-year-old serv- preme Court clarified that the decision histories of physical or sexual abuse. In ry sentence for all people, regardless of ing a life sentence at Graterford Prison, applies retroactively. Yet in Pennsylva- addition to their backgrounds, the youth their age. Justice for Jovan!

By Andrea Bañuelos its history. Metro Enforcement officers and Tommy Cavanaugh chased Blake off the property that they Rockford, Ill. are hired to patrol, making the legality of Dozens of family and community mem- their pursuit extremely questionable. bers marched in downtown Rockford on While speaking outside the Rockford May 3 chanting “Justice for Jovan!” to police station and county courthouse, El- protest the murder of Valentia Fresco, len M., a family friend who saw the scene who went by the name Jovan Blake. The after Blake was killed, said about the father of five children, Blake had a girl- Metro Enforcement officers: “You tased friend with whom he had planned on him, handcuffed him and shot him sev- building his life. Blake was gunned down en times. You need to be locked up!” Af- by two Metro Enforcement officers on ter the protest she said to WW reporters: April 16 across from Auburn Manor while “It was cold-blooded murder. ... If they go he was celebrating his 34th birthday. free, that sends the message that they can According to witnesses, Jovan was shoot and kill and nothing will be done.” tased, handcuffed and shot seven times. Police officials and news reports have His last heard words were, “But I didn’t claimed Blake was armed with a gun,

WW PHOTO: TOMMY CAVANAUGH even do nothing.” some even claiming he was armed with Rent-a-cops killed Jovan Blake, shooting him seven times. Metro Enforcement is an armed private multiple guns. Yet no guns have been security agency that patrols local hous- produced by the police nor any evidence ing projects and has earned the disdain shown to support claims that he was a Baltimore resistance of many Rockford residents throughout threat. The coroner’s office has confirmed that the cause of Blake’s death was gun- Continued from page 3 unjust workings of a white supremacist officers before being seen by a doctor, giv- shot wounds, but has not said how many streets inspire confidence that the people society only interested in living Black en just enough time for surgery and then times he was shot or where on his body. will eventually win justice for the victims bodies when they are mute and exploit- thrown in jail without pain medication. The names of the Metro officers have of police brutality and overthrow this able for profit. Winston was charged with two counts of not been released, and they have not racist capitalist system. When a Black person survives an at- second-degree assault, two counts of re- been charged in the killing. Family mem- — David Card tack by a racist white police officer, it is sisting arrest, failure to obey, obstructing bers are demanding charges be brought defiance. Aaron Winston defied. and hindering, and disorderly conduct. against them and plan to continue to hold Justice for Aaron Winston! On Feb. 20 at the Power Plant Live! Winston has since been released, and demonstrations until justice has been de- “This is just wrong. I want justice for nightclub, Winston was asking a Balti- is undergoing therapy. The Baltimore livered. Another protest has been called my son,” said Renee Winston, moth- more police officer with whom he was People’s Power Assembly held a small for 4 p.m. on May 13 at 618 E. State St. er of Aaron Winston, after his first trial friends why his companion was being picket line outside his first hearing on Jovan Blake was another person of col- hearing on May 3. Her call echoes the removed from the club. A white police of- May 3. Winston was granted a jury trial, or whose life has been tragically cut short pain and resiliency of those Black folks ficer came from behind and forced Win- scheduled for June 9. Supporters of Win- by racist police and vigilante terrorism resisting police forces that creatively ston to the ground in what is known as a ston will not be moved and are demand- that is characteristic of this rotten system mask feelings of anti-Blackness behind “take down.” The attack left him with an ing that the officers who brutalized him of U.S. imperialism. Workers World Par- employment of Black officers, diverting arm broken in three places, held together be charged with assault, jailed and fired ty expressed its condolences to Blake’s attention from police impunity to “Black- only by screws. and that all charges against Winston be family and stands in solidarity with their on-Black crime” and blaming unarmed, After begging to be taken to the hos- dropped immediately. fight against this criminal system. innocent people. Her call illuminates the pital, Winston was verbally harassed by — Kira-Lynae Pindell Justice for Jovan! workers.org May 19, 2016 Page 5 Workers Memorial Day fights for job safety

Minnie Bruce Pratt sobering facts about workplace in- benefits and back wages. He says he is Syracuse, N.Y. juries and deaths: Though headlines committed to fighting because “We come dramatize fatalities among police, here to make a living, not to lose our life.” April 28, Workers Memorial Day, com- sanitation workers, like Tilghman, Crispin Hernandez and Saul Pinto, memorates workers killed, injured or die at twice the rate as cops and al- also of the WCCNY, exposed unsafe made ill at their jobs. That day, Antonio most seven times the rate of firefight- working conditions in Lowville at Marks Salinas chalked the outline of a fallen ers. The top 20 low-wage U.S. jobs Farm, which employed them as dairy person on the pavement in downtown — mostly held by women — have 77 workers. Their boss fired them for report- Syracuse. Salinas, a dairy farm work- percent of reported job-linked inju- ing him to OSHA. On Workers Memorial er from Mexico, was seriously hurt on a ries and illness. Over half of serious Day they received the “Health and Safety forklift last October at the Central New work injuries are not even reported. Heroism at Work” award from the CNY York business where he worked and lived. Health and safety are where boss- Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, for No longer able to do his job, he was evict- es often cut corners first. Estimates their courage. Speaking at a WC-CNY ed by the farm owner who denied the in- on injury numbers run low because only PHOTO: ROSA MEJIAS May Day celebration, Hernandez said: “I Workers Center of Central New York demon- jury was related to his work. immediate “lost time” injuries are count- was trying to better conditions for myself strates in Syracuse, April 28. Salinas, along with others from the ed, but not others like repetitive-stress in- and my co-workers. Unity makes power.” Workers Center of Central New York juries to factory workers or illnesses like ers was $7,000. (tinyurl.com/hn36bkd) (workerscentercny.org/blog-2) (WCCNY), marked the day by leafleting cancer caused by workplace toxins. Latino/a workers are 9 percent more On April 28, as workers across the other workers and making street art. There are many hidden work-related in- likely to be killed or injured on the job, U.S. remembered their fallen and in- Some bore signs: “We mourn the dead, juries. Workers with the lowest wages, dis- given higher rates of high-risk manual jured comrades, striking Verizon workers we fight for the living/ Honremos a los proportionately Black and Latino/a work- work. The AFL-CIO “Death on the Job” walked the picket line in front of a Syra- muertos, luchemos por los vivos.” (ti- ers, also have the highest hypertension says 64 percent of Latino/a workplace cuse-area tech-support call center where nyurl.com/jpxodnl) rates. The growing “gig economy” means deaths in 2014 were immigrant workers. almost 300 people are usually at work. In Central New York in 2015, 42 work- more bad health for workers, as “temps” (tinyurl.com/axw6cgf) They are members of the Communication ers died on the job, including Sean Tilgh­ are 50 percent more likely to be hurt at Organizer Nikeeta Slade at the Workers and International Brotherhood man, a sanitation worker who was hit by work than “regular” employees. (syr.com) WCCNY is particularly concerned about of Electrical Workers. Some do very dan- a speeding car and died instantly on the Mexican, Guatemalan and Honduran mi- gerous jobs, including aerial and trans- street. He was one of the 4,600 work- Migrant workers fight grant workers, who are often reluctant to former installation. Call center workers’ ers killed each year on their jobs in the for workplace safety report safety violations for fear they will and telephone operators’ jobs are ranked United States, according to Occupational Under capitalism, worker deaths and be forced to leave the country. the third most stressful in the workplace. Safety and Health Administration data. injuries are calculated by the bosses as But WCCNY member Antonio Salinas (tinyurl.com/gnxxp4p) That doesn’t count the estimated 50,000 part of the cost of “doing business.” Em- is part of a growing movement of migrant On the line, workers emphasized others who die from illnesses caused by ployers don’t risk much by endanger- and immigrant workers fighting for work- they’re fighting for both a fair contract their jobs. (tinyurl.com/zb7vaoo) ing employees. Under OSHA penalties, place safety. After his injury and loss of and safe working conditions. They told Dorothy Wigmore, with the Occupa- the recent average employer cost for an work, Salinas filed a medical appeal with this reporter: “We are not striking just tional Health Clinical Centers of SUNY injured worker was $2,148. For a dead workers’ compensation. After months in a for ourselves. We are doing this for every- Upstate Medical Center, has highlighted worker? The median penalty to employ- legal labyrinth he won the right to ­medical one.” Palestinians speak of ‘the Catastrophe’

By Dolores Cox possess the original keys to their homes. worst. As many as 100,000 people live in In refugee camps, reconstruction materi- New York The historic city of Hebron has become one of these camps. Israeli checkpoints als and supplies have been restricted for a ghost town, with nearly 10,000 homes are everywhere and military forces con- the past 68 years. Two Palestinians, 86-year-old Mariam demolished. Privileged Zionist settlers tinue to kill people. El-Ashkar added that “the world has Fathalla and 23-year-old Amena El-Ash- routinely invade and burn Palestinian Israel’s invasion of Lebanon result- forgotten our oppression. We need the kar, speaking at an event at New York Uni- homes at night, causing forced displace- ed in the deaths of women and children international community to care about versity’s School of Law on May 2, described ments. They also steal Palestinian crops, refugees. Undocumented Palestinians in Israel’s ethnic cleansing and genocidal what the establishment of the apartheid cut down their olive trees, kill their Lebanon have no right to legal residence agenda. Palestinians living in the diaspo- state of Israel has meant for Palestinians livestock and shoot holes in their water or to marry. Refugees are not allowed to ra, along with their allies, must unite and over the last 68 years. A third guest speak- tanks. They receive immunity from the attend public schools. If they are able to give support. Resistance by any means is er, Umm Akram, was unable to attend due Israeli government. find employment, they are paid less than necessary. Palestinians see the only solu- to imposed travel restrictions. Palestinian social life and visits to their other workers. Registered Palestinian tion as being the right of return.” Palestinians call the 1948 establish- friends are restricted by “military zones” refugees, like herself, have ID cards but May 15 will mark the 68th anniversary ment of Israel “the Nakba” — the Ca- that are closed to Palestinians. Palestin- experience difficulties in leaving Leba- of the mass expulsion of the Palestinian tastrophe! It marked the beginning of a ian mothers also lose children to killings non due to legal and institutional barriers people from their homeland. They and nightmare that continues to this day. by police and soldiers. imposed by the Lebanese government. their supporters will march to demand the Fathalla recalled what happened to Amena El-Ashkar is the granddaughter Palestinian refugees are stateless and fall right of return and celebrate resistance to her family in their Palestinian town of and great-granddaughter of Nakba survi- under a “special category” of foreigners. colonialism. End the occupation! Al-Zeeb. On May 14, 1948, when she was vors. Born in a Lebanese refugee camp, 18 years old, they were forced out of their she has known no other home. She is home and into the neighboring country among 6 million Palestinians not allowed of Lebanon. By the end of that year, their to live in Palestine who are citizens of no No RE/MAX sales of Palestinian land! 4,000-year-old village had been leveled country. Presently, 150,000 refugees in to the ground and half the people killed exile are forced to live in Lebanese camps, Speakers from two groups con- or expelled. Her father, who witnessed she said. Palestinian refugees are also in cerned with the rights of Pales- the murders, died at the scene of a heart Jordan, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank. tinians spoke to the international attack. Some survivors later went insane. Visibly traumatized, El-Ashkar de- shareholders’ meeting of the RE/ Fathalla and other survivors of Al- scribed what life is like in a refugee camp. MAX company in Denver on May Zeeb have spent their lives since then in Some live in shared tents with no privacy, 5, asking them to set up a com- Lebanese refugee camps. electricity, adequate cooking facilities or mittee to investigate the practice Palestinians have suffered mass ex- toilets. Others are in dilapidated build- by the company’s Israeli division pulsions from their homeland, repeated ings on dilapidated streets. There is a of selling land, houses and buildings sto- The demonstrators outside held signs bombings, massacres, discrimination, high incidence of child mortality. A friend len from the Palestinian people. saying, “No open house on stolen land,” home demolitions, land confiscation, im- of hers recently committed suicide. As 50 of their supporters marched out- “Colorado for a just RE/MAX,” “Demol- prisonments and daily harassment and The Israeli government’s continuing side the enormous international head- ishing Palestinian homes perpetuates vio- violence at the hands of the U.S.-sup- recruitment of Jews to Israel and the ex- quarters of the real estate firm, speakers lence” and “Profits from pain is in­ humane.” ported government of Israel. Israel con- pansion of illegal settlements in occupied from Code Pink and Heartland described Police threatened to arrest protesters tinues to raze Palestinian villages and Palestinian territory has added to the on- how the company was building and sell- if they went onto the massive RE/MAX forcefully remove the residents from going misery of Palestinians. Settlers re- ing homes on Palestinian land that is now property, but allowed them at the en- their ancestral lands. peatedly commit acts of harassment and restricted only to Jews, essentially build- trance, where they were visible to pass- Fathalla said she has a moral obligation violence upon the Palestinians and their ing Jewish-only communities. RE/MAX ersby on the busy street. According to to speak out, so that Palestinian history homes. Israeli police and soldiers offer no sells properties within illegal Israeli set- spokesperson Saadia Behar from Jewish will not be forgotten or erased. She end- protection from the settlers, instead ar- tlements in the occupied West Bank. Voice for Peace, organizations responsi- ed her story with a wish to return to her resting and jailing the victims, including RE/MAX International has condoned ble for the action also included Colora- native Palestine and live in peace. For de- children. this practice and continues to profit from dans for Justice in Palestine, Friends of cades, Palestinians have sought the right El-Ashkar showed videos of refugee the sales of these Palestinian homes to Sabeel, Code Pink and Heartland. of return to their homeland. Some still camps in Jordan, which she said are the Jewish-only buyers. — Report and photo by Vivian Weinstein Page 6 May 19, 2016 workers.org FIGHT VERSUS VERIZON Wide support for striking workers

By Minnie Bruce Pratt Management called cops in to remove the activists, May 9 — Workers on strike but they did not budge By Sue Davis against communications gi- until they were ready to ant Verizon are stay ing strong. move on to their next ac- Calif. farm labor board rules On May 5, a militant National tion. (from Tony Murphy) Day of Strike Action was held, In Philadelphia, mem- in favor of Farm Workers with the multinational work- bers of CWA, Philadel- The full California Agricultural Labor ing class across the U.S. an- Fifteen striking workers arrested phia Jobs with Justice Relations Board issued a unanimous deci- swering the unions’ call with at Verizon shareholders’ meeting, and other activists came sion April 15 decisively affirming the 2015 a groundswell of support and Albuquerque, N.M. out on May 5 to picket the opinion by an ALRB administrative law solidarity. Verizon store near Jef- judge who found the giant Fresno-based The 36,000 members of the PHOTO: CWA ferson Station on Market tree fruit grower Gerawan Farming guilty Communication Workers (CWA) and In- ists fighting for justice on many issues. East, letting Verizon and passersby know of committing numerous violations of ternational Electrical Workers (IBEW) its workers deserve fair pay and benefits. California labor laws. The ruling set aside unions are entering the strike’s fourth CROSS-COUNTRY SOLIDARITY (from Joe Piette) the 2013 election aimed at decertifying the week in nine Eastern and Atlantic Coast In Albuquerque, N.M., union lead- Workers came together in Hunting- Farm Workers from representing the fruit states. The workers perform demanding ers organized a militant protest outside ton, W.V., to picket Verizon Wireless in pickers and dismissed the decertification “wire-line operations” — installation, re- a Verizon shareholders meeting. Four solidarity with CWA and IBEW workers. petition. Among labor law violations, the pairs and technical support for landlines, days after Verizon canceled all striking Members of the Service Employees, Steel- judge ruled that Gerawan became a prin- high-speed Internet and television ser- workers’ health insurance, the company’s workers and Letter Carriers unions took cipal party to the decertification, though vices. Their nonstop call center work, ev- shareholders voted not to limit “golden to the street. The Appalachian Workers employees filed it. Gerawan permitted ery second monitored by Verizon, is rated parachute” severance payouts for man- Alliance took part as well. anti-union signature gathering during work the third most stressful job in the coun- agement, even if triple the executive’s while prohibiting comparable pro-union try. (tinyurl.com/zwtu5nk) base salary. In response, union members Scabs receive Southern hospitality — activity; and Gerawan granted a wage Workers hoisted signs reading “Verizon and community supporters dropped a NOT increase during the campaign, a blatantly is Veri-Greedy,” blasting the corporation’s 70-foot banner that read, “Verizon: Good Picket lines, sponsored by CWA locals unfair labor practice, and unlawfully solic- attempts to exploit them. CWA District Jobs, No Greed,” across the busy Rio 2204 and 2201, are up in Roanoke, Leb- ited grievances against the union. Gerawan 2-13 analyzed the company’s proposed Grande Boulevard and lay down on the anon and all over the rest of Virginia at vows to contest the ruling. Stay tuned. (Los contract in detail. A 7.5 percent pay raise banner, blocking traffic. Fifteen people Verizon call centers and tech sites. De- Angeles Times, April 19) would be eaten up by rising out-of-pocket were arrested as 250 supporters contin- spite injunctions and other challenges, health care costs. Pensions, paid leave and ued to protest outside the meeting. both active and retired members are in Help Gerawan fruit workers disability benefits would be reduced. Call At a raucous May 2 unity rally in Dewitt,­ good spirits, keeping the pickets strong. centers would be closed, jobs outsourced N.Y., a suburb of Syracuse, striking work- When it was learned scabs were staying protest pesticide spraying overseas and job security gutted by “flex- ers taunted a giant blow-up rat with a sign at a Holiday Inn in Lebanon, Va., site of a After more than 15,000 supporters of ibility” language allowing management proclaiming Verizon CEO Lowell McAd- call center and picket line, they didn’t stay Gerawan Farming tree fruit workers signed to manipulate workers’ hours and job as- am “the biggest rat of all.” McAdam had there long, after receiving a hearty south- a petition urging California’s Fresno Coun- signments. (district2-13.cwa-union.org) shown up in person at the call center west Virginia welcome! Many strikers are ty agricultural commissioner to quickly Verizon demands that workers accept picket line, attempting to intimidate the women, many of them African American. investigate a pesticide spraying incident on “forced relocation” assignments, losing workers, which is a violation of National Union jobs at Verizon are some of the only Feb. 22, the agency replied that the investi- their jobs unless they take any assign- Labor Relations Board rules. Support at jobs left with decent wages, benefits and gation could take two years! But the agency ment within 80 miles of their current job. the rally included CWA and IBEW locals safety conditions. And being union, these is supposed to protect the workers. Only This would have workers commuting to from Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Syr- workers have anchored communities days after the spraying of three pesticides their jobs two to four hours a day, with acuse and Utica, as well as members of across Virginia for decades. (from Bryan by a neighboring farm did the workers additional transportation costs, as well the Teamsters, teachers, postal workers G. Pfeifer) learn that people should get medical help as having to leave home before dawn and and office workers unions. United Auto Striking Verizon workers from CWA right away. But Gerawan sent the workers getting home too late to do more than say Workers Local 624 retirees showed up — Local 2204 drove more than three hours immediately back to the fields and only “good night” to their loved ones. local legends because, even as the compa- on May 2 from southwest Virginia to a later that day, after they developed head- On May 1, International Workers’ Day, ny closed their plant around them, they rally in Durham, N.C. Joining them in aches, burning eyes and upset stomachs, Verizon cut off all health benefits to strik- steadfastly refused a “last, best and final” solidarity were members of Electrical were they seen by a doctor. The workers, ers. CWA issued a statement that “no offer because it lowered their wages to Workers Local 150, the North Carolina who have been struggling since 1992 to striking member or family member will $15 an hour. Striking workers at the ral- Public Service Workers Union; “Raise Up be represented by the Farm Workers, ask go without medically necessary health ly answered the insulting Verizon “last, for 15” low-wage workers; “Black Lives supporters to sign their petition, action. care during the strike” and pledged to pay best” offer they’d just received by flinging Matter for Deriante Miller” (Miller was a ufw.org/2years, telling the agricultural the costs. CWA noted Verizon made a $4 the letters down as trash in front of the Black youth killed by an North Carolina commissioner to stop delaying and protect billion profit off the workers’ labor in the Verizon building. state trooper); and campaigners against a Gerawan workers. (ufw.org, April 13) first quarter of 2016 alone and said the The New York City People’s Power new jail and for a People’s Budget respect- company’s “heartless move” proved the Assembly observed the National Strike ing the labor of city workers. (from Dante strike’s necessity. (tinyurl.com/zl9cmjo) Day of Action in Union Square in front Strobino) Thousands of workers rallied May 5 at of the Verizon Wireless store, handing In Charlotte, N.C., a solidarity picket over 400 protests supporting the strik- out leaflets, picketing and shouting pro- was organized at a Verizon store following ers, who are holding the line for workers’ union chants for two hours. Some shop- a leaders’ training session of members of rights. A wide spectrum of people partic- pers turned back from going inside. At “Fight for 15” from throughout the South. ipated, including those in states where one point the PPA picketers entered the Many attending are part of the on-going Verizon workers aren’t striking, workers store, making clear to the workers inside Southern Workers School, busy devel- in other unions, workers not yet repre- that the protest supported their right to oping workers’ organizations in “right- sented by unions and community activ- unionize as well as “wire-line” workers. to-work-for-less” states. Folks from the Strikers in Huntingdon Verizon Wireless workers at some stores Charlotte CWA and IBEW locals helped continue West Virginia have elected union representation, but organize and attended the rally. Picketers tradition of Verizon refuses to acknowledge them. Coninued on page 11 militant unionism.

WW PHOTO: DANTE STROBINO

Verizon workers ‘Don’t cross in DeWitt, N.Y., that picket line,’ condemn company’s People’s Power Assembly in New York at say workers ‘Rat’ CEO. National Day of Strike Action, May 5. in Oakland, Calif.

WW PHOTO: MINNIE BRUCE PRATT PHOTO: PEOPLES POWER ASSEMBLY NYC WW PHOTO: TERRI KAY workers.org May 19, 2016 Page 7 Jobs, globalization and election promises

By Deirdre Griswold from 24 percent. It still has a ways to go. With the new technologies available, the “The shrinking of manufacturing em- biggest capitalist monopolies that have Uber drivers win settlement, The question of what has happened to ployment is global. In other words, strat- the means to introduce labor-saving de- jobs in the United States is of course of egies to restore manufacturing jobs in one vices on a massive scale — robots, com- but not employee status the utmost concern to millions of work- country will amount to destroying them in puter-driven assembly lines, GPS track- ers here. It has been proven in study after another, in a worldwide zero-sum game. ing devices, etc. — can undercut their Even though two class action lawsuits, de- study that the percentage of decent-pay- “The loss of such jobs has created plen- competitors by shedding labor. cided April 21, awarded up to $100 million ing jobs has been steadily declining for a ty of problems in the United States. For In Marxist terms, this means a great- to about 385,000 Uber drivers in California long time. And when — not if — the finan- the countless workers living in less devel- er investment in constant capital, i.e., and Massachusetts, the workers will still cial markets go through another crisis, oped reaches of the world, though, it adds plants, equipment, raw products — and be erroneously classified as “independent the pressure on jobs and wages is sure to up to a potential disaster.” a smaller investment in variable capital, contractors.” That means Uber, a private grow even more acute. i.e., wages. Wages are “variable” depend- company valued at $62.5 billion in Decem- This fact is so broadly acknowledged Don’t dare mention the ‘C’ word! ing on the class struggle, or how much the ber, which connects passengers to freelance that high-profile candidates in this year’s The elephant in the room that none of bosses can squeeze out of the workers. But drivers, does not have to pay the workers presidential election have focused on it, the establishment political parties ad- wages cannot fall below the actual cost of health benefits, Social Security, unemploy- knowing what they have to say will appeal dress is that capitalism has entered a reproducing the workers themselves — or ment or workers’ compensation if injured; to many voters. The Trump and Sanders stage when technology has become so ad- the workers will either die or rebel. And, paid sick or vacation leave; or other safe- campaigns are of course very different in vanced that human labor is being reduced as Marxism shows, it is from human labor ty-net benefits. While the settlement will their approach to this question — Trump to a minimum in many areas of the econ- that the capitalists extract their profits. give drivers several thousand dollars each, stirring up chauvinism and hatred of “for- omy, from agriculture to mining to the that’s peanuts compared to what the owners eigners” whom he blames for the loss of manufacture and assembly of millions of More dead capital, less living capital are raking in. So Uber is contributing to the jobs, Sanders calling for making it harder different commodities — and even to pro- The rise of modern capitalism has seen labor trend of low pay, irregular hours and for corporations to move their manufac- viding services. a huge shift in the composition of capital, job insecurity — the same terms Verizon is turing and assembly operations offshore. Just a few decades ago, the changes in that is, the percentage of constant or dead demanding in its latest contract offer. Both, however, ignore the real reason the economy were hailed by bourgeois capital (equipment, materials, plants, etc.) behind the decline in jobs. A recent re- pundits as supposedly ushering in a new versus variable, or living, capital (wages). Two states increase paid port verifies that manufacturing jobs are prosperity, in which blue-collar workers More than a century ago, the amount of family leave not just being moved to lower-wage coun- would be retrained to provide service capital needed to set up a factory or oth- tries, they are actually “disappearing.” jobs that machines couldn’t handle. The er business was not so great in relation to California and New York recently in- And it’s not only in the developed imperi- promise was that everyone would become the amount spent on workers’ wages. In creased paid family leave. Since 2004, alist countries. “middle class” — that is, relatively pros- other words, it didn’t take a lot of capital California workers have received up to 55 In an April 26 New York Times article perous and able to find work in less dan- to go into business, and once the company percent of wages for six weeks of leave to titled “The Mirage of a Return to Man- gerous, dirty and tedious jobs. was up and running it earned more than care for a new child or a seriously ill relative. ufacturing Greatness,” Eduardo Porter How quickly things change! Today, enough to pay wages. But the state found that low-paid workers writes that mechanization of agriculture the lament is that this supposed “middle Today, however, it takes a hell of a lot of couldn’t afford to live on half their income. has eliminated millions of farm workers’ class” — in reality, the workers who earn money to start up most businesses. Let’s Starting in 2018, a new law raises the rate jobs here. He adds, “In America’s facto- a wage adequate to raise a family — is dis- look at one such business for a minute, for to 70 percent for the lowest paid workers ries, jobs are inevitably disappearing, appearing. it tells us a lot about how capitalism func- who make one-third of the state’s average too. But despite the political rhetoric, What has changed is not at all difficult tions today. weekly wage of $1,121. For other workers, the the problem is not mainly globalization. to understand if we apply Marxism to the Just a decade ago, a teenage undocu- rate rises to 60 percent, up to the maximum Manufacturing jobs are on the decline in task. In fact, a number of books have been mented immigrant from Mexico named weekly benefit of about $1,200. factories around the world. written on the subject, beginning back in Jordi Muñoz made it to San Diego, Calif. In New York, which passed its first paid “‘The observation is uncontroversial,’ 1986 with the publication of “High Tech, Muñoz is a computer genius, a self-styled family leave law in April, workers can said Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel-winning Low Pay” by Workers World founding nerd who was able, practically on his own receive up to eight weeks’ leave starting in economist at Columbia University. ‘Glob- chairperson Sam Marcy and continuing with very little formal schooling, to invent 2018. The replacement rate is capped at al employment in manufacturing is go- with “Low-Wage Capitalism” in 2008 and a workable drone. He picked up much of 50 percent of the statewide weekly wage of ing down because productivity increases “Capitalism at a Dead End” in 2012, both his knowledge by going online and dis- nearly $1,300. In 2021, workers can take 12 are exceeding increases in demand for by WW contributing editor Fred Gold- cussing with the “open source” communi- weeks of leave capped at 67 percent of the manufactured products by a significant stein. All three books apply a Marxist, ty how to program various things. statewide weekly average wage. But low- amount.’ … class-struggle approach to understanding Muñoz didn’t have any money, but his paid workers probably won’t be able to take “No matter how high the tariffs Mr. what is happening and how to fight in the technical expertise was so impressive that the leave at 50 percent nor for the full 12 Trump wants to raise to encircle the interests of the working class. (See work- he got financial backing to start producing weeks at 67 percent. “A higher replacement American economy, he will not be able to ers.org.) drones and set up a company called 3D rate for a shorter time could … help more produce a manufacturing renaissance at Robotics. Eventually, rich people invested workers than a flat rate for a longer period,” home. Neither would changing tax rules ‘High tech, low pay’ more than $100 million in his company, noted the April 20 New York Times. to limit corporate flight from the United Written at a time when the eupho- and today it is manufacturing nonmilitary In contrast, 185 other countries offer fully States, as Mrs. Clinton proposes. … ria and promises of a better life for all drones in the U.S. and Mexico. Muñoz, of paid family leave: from two years in coun- “Over the course of the 20th century, through computer-driven technological course, must feel very happy that his in- tries like Finland and Poland, to a year in farm employment in the United States change still permeated bourgeois eco- credible talent has helped produce jobs for Canada and Germany, to 18 weeks in Cuba dropped to 2 percent of the work force nomics, Marcy’s book showed that the op- his fellow Mexicans. and 12 weeks in Mexico. It’ll take the over- from 41 percent, even as output soared. posite was happening in the United States But here’s the kicker to this “success throw of capitalism to bring the U.S. into the Since 1950, manufacturing’s share has — that the introduction of high technolo- story.” This company, now valued at more 21st century for paid family leave! shrunk to 8.5 percent of nonfarm jobs, gy in many industries was already, even than $3 billion, has created jobs for about in the 1980s, pulling down wages and 60 people in Mexico and 90 in the U.S. de-skilling much of the workforce. Sixty Mexican jobs! Compare that to Goldstein’s books deal with what is the many millions of Mexicans in farm now so apparent — the globalization of families who have been uprooted because the production and distribution of com- they couldn’t compete with low-cost, modities. That has brought hundreds of mechanized U.S. agriculture, which has millions of workers into competition in a flooded their country since the NAFTA worldwide labor market just as the num- trade agreement went into effect in 1994. ber of available jobs is shrinking. Next: Why exploiting fewer workers What drives this new stage of capital- leads to a declining rate of profit. There’s ism is what has always driven capitalist only one way out, but it’s not popular on innovation: the competition for profits. Wall Street.

HIGH TECH, LOW PAY A Marxist analysis of the changing character of the working class by Sam Marcy This prophetic book, written in 1986, shows why high technology under Virginia CWA workers forging unity in Durham, N.C., capitalism is NOT a path to the “middle class.” Instead, what could benefit everyone leads to lower wages and layoffs for the workers. Marcy, a long- ‘Don’t cross with UE150, NC Public Service Workers Union, time organizer, discusses various forms of fightback. that picket line,’ Raise Up for 15 leaders, Black Lives Matter say workers and campaigners for a People’s Budget. CAPITALISM AT A DEAD END Job destruction, in Oakland, Calif. overproduction and crisis in the high-tech era by Fred Goldstein WW PHOTO: BEN CARROLL Lowwagecapitalism.com Available at online major booksellers Page 8 May 19, 2016 workers.org Saint-Denis celebrates 10th anniversary of Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal

By Betsey Piette ate firing after pressure exerted by the Saint-Denis, France FOP; Betsey Piette with the anti-police brutality group, the Philadelphia Racial, Back on April 30, 2006, the Paris sub- Economic, and Legal Justice Coalition urb of Saint-Denis took a courageous and and Workers World Party; Johnnie Ste- principled stand in naming a newly con- vens, with the International Action Cen- structed street after U.S. political prison- ter (NYC), a community organizer and er Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was on death videographer; Alma Pendleton with the row in Pennsylvania at that time. That Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC); defiant act sparked a frenzy of efforts to Nyle Fort, minister, organizer and schol- remove the sign, led by the Philadelphia ar based in Newark, N.J., and a student in U.S. delegation Fraternal Order of Police with backing Religion and African-American Studies visits street from U.S. corporate media and politi- at Princeton University; and delegation named after cians. Their reactionary campaign con- coordinator Suzanne Ross, representing Mumia. tinues to this day. the International Concerned Family and However, this April 30 Saint-Denis Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal. new labor law that would eliminate the ble for education facilities while the state Mayor Dedier Paillard, along with other A majority of the 100,000 people living 35-hour work week and other benefits. pays for teachers’ salaries — severely un- city officials and residents, marked the in Saint-Denis are immigrants and people Protests in most major French cities in- derfunding those in Saint-Denis. tenth anniversary of their historic act of re- of color. One can hear languages from 130 cluded a one-day general strike that shut The tenth anniversary embodies the in- sistance to racist state pressure, gathering different nations. At a welcoming recep- down thousands of worksites, schools and ternational solidarity that time and again in front of the slightly battered but clearly tion for the U.S. delegation on April 29, universities. The day after the Saint-De- has proved critical to winning victories in visible marker for Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal the mayor said: “We hear here the echoes nis ceremony, an estimated 84,000 to the struggle, including Abu-Jamal’s re- that has defied all efforts to tear it down. of all struggles, including Palestine. The 100,000 workers and students flooded the lease from death row in December 2011. It They were joined by representatives from naming of this street is not just an act of streets of Paris and other French cities on contributes today to the fight to demand other cities in France that had named resistance, it is an act of struggle.” May Day — International Workers’ Day. that the Pennsylvania Department of Abu-Jamal an honorary citizen. Nine Saint-Denis has a long history of nam- The French Parliament is slated to official- Corrections provide Abu-Jamal and other members of a delegation from the U.S. also ing its streets after individuals who have ly begin discussing the new law on May 3. Pennsylvania prisoners with desperately participated in the ceremonies. contributed to the global fight against co- The law would have a particularly egre- needed medicine to cure hepatitis C. Following the street commemoration, lonialism, racism and imperialism. The gious effect on workers in Saint-Denis. French supporters of Abu-Jamal have a lunch and artistic performance were city has a Rue Amílcar Cabral and a Rue Many are under 30, and most make half sent over 3,000 petition signatures to held at a nearby school, where the U.S. Nelson Mandela. However, said Paillard: the average wage found in other areas in support the demand that Abu-Jamal get delegation presented Saint-Denis with a “It is very rare for the city to name a street France. With growing gentrification over the medicine he needs. Petitions are still commemorative plaque. after someone who is still alive. Having the last 15 years, more than a quarter being collected and can be signed online Participants in the delegation included this street for Mumia helps our city take of Saint-Denis’ population can’t afford through www.iacenter.org/mumiahepc- Abu-Jamal’s brother, Keith Cook, also an a stance in the struggle for liberation of housing in Paris. In response to this cri- sign. Signed petitions will be delivered to activist with the NAACP in North Car- all people.” sis, Saint-Denis has created “social hous- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in Harris- olina; the Rev. Renee McKenzie of the Paillard noted that the last 10 years ing” for 80 percent of its residents so they burg, Pa., at a date to be determined. Church of the Advocate, a historic Black have been marked by extreme political can remain in the city. The example set by the people of church in Philadelphia strongly engaged changes in France, including cuts in ed- “We can’t stop the ‘free’ market but we Saint-Denis is one that speaks to the with the struggles of Black people; Estela ucation and recent attacks on workers’ can keep control of space and grounds global power of oppressed peoples to Vazquez, first executive vice president of longstanding rights. The street-naming to prevent market speculation,” Paillard struggle against all odds, knowing that Local 1199-SEIU, the major U.S. hospital ceremony came just days after hundreds told the delegation. In the last 12 years, without struggle there can be no victo- workers’ union; Marylin Zuñiga, a young of thousands of French workers, students Saint-Denis has also added six more ry. It is with this understanding that the teacher whose third-grade class sent and youth took to the streets on April 28, schools, including the one where the fight must continue until Mumia Abu-Ja- Mumia get well cards when he was near for the fourth time in two months, to de- commemorative lunch was held. Under mal, an innocent man, ultimately wins death in 2015, resulting in her immedi- mand that the government withdraw a French law the municipality is responsi- his freedom from prison. Voters reject Islamophobia and racism as Sadiq Khan elected mayor of London

By Carl Lewis lims. Some 816 Is- ical of Western interven- leaflets and intended to foster inter-reli- lamophobic incidents tion in Syria. gious tension between Muslims and Hin- Sadiq Khan, a center-left member of were reported to have dus — that Khan would target the Hindu Britain’s Labor Party and a first-genera- been committed by Conservative attempt to Indian community with a host of taxes on tion son of immigrants from Pakistan, has white males in Lon- defeat Khan backfires their businesses. been elected mayor of London, becoming don between July of On April 30, Khan With the imperialist powers oppress- the first Muslim mayor of a major Western 2014 and July of 2015. soundly defeated Gold- ing, superexploiting and creating misery capital. Khan comes from a working-class The “vast and over- smith and his racism, in most of the former colonies, migra- family; his father was a bus driver for 25 whelming majority” were attacks against winning over 1.3 million votes to Gold- tions of millions of people to the imperi- years and his mother was a seamstress. women and children between the ages of smith’s 1.0 million. No sooner had Gold- alist centers are inevitable. It is often the The 45-year-old politician is among 14 and 45, who were singled out for wear- smith lost, shattering the eight-year reign only way for them to survive. the 2.7 million British residents classified ing traditional Muslim clothing, includ- of Tory control over London, than the As the crisis of world capitalism deep- as “nonwhite British.” Soon after receiv- ing the hijab worn by Muslim women. Conservative Party was scrambling for ens, as it has sharply since 2008, the rul- ing his law degree he worked with pro- (AFP, May 7) damage control. The Tories started blam- ing classes in the imperialist countries gressive legal groups as a human rights In reality, Khan is a moderate left-of- ing Goldsmith as an individual for their often incite racism with anti-immigrant attorney. Most of his cases challenged center social democrat in the Labor Par- election debacle in a campaign that was legislation proposals. They promote vile, discrimination, police repression, and ty. It’s true he supported Jeremy Corbyn, drowning in fear-mongering, racism and anti-foreign propaganda aimed at getting brutality against people of East Indian who has real credentials for left positions Islamophobia. the working class to blame immigrants and West Indian origin. against imperialist wars and against the This is similar to what the establish- for the crisis. Sadiq Khan ran against Zac Gold- occupation of Palestine, in Corbyn’s suc- ment Republican Party in the U.S. does. Their goal is to create an anti-foreign smith of the British Conservative Party cessful bid to become leader of the Labor It heaps hypocritical scorn and ridicule frenzy that will keep the working class (Tories), who is a son of the billionaire Party last September. Khan has since dis- on Donald Trump’s racist and anti-im- divided and confused. Revolutionary financial tycoon James Goldsmith. Zac tanced himself from Corbyn. migrant extremism, even though the parties must fight against racism and Goldsmith inherited $350 million from Khan’s 80-page “Manifesto for All Lon- Republicans have peddled the same reac- anti-immigrant discrimination which is his father’s estate. Goldsmith and the doners” calls for a freeze on transportation tionary ideas for decades. most often directed against people of col- Conservative Party implemented and fares, which earned him the support of the Conservatives couldn’t wait to do mea or, who are the most exploited. ran a racist and anti-Islamic campaign transport union (TSSA). He also prom- culpa on the British communication net- The election of Sadiq Khan has much against Khan, attempting to link him to ises to build 50,000 more rental units in works. According to the May 7 edition broader implications than simply a pos- radical Muslim extremists. an overcrowded and high-priced housing of Politico, Conservative Deputy Mayor itive judgment on his personality or on These attacks encouraged the fascist market. On the flip side, he has not been Roger Evans said that “attempts to link the election itself. It is a strong sign that British National Party, as well as the supportive of the oppressed Palestinian Khan to extremists had been foolish and the most vile racism and xenophobia has “Britain First Movement,” to whip up people or the campaign for boycott, di- would need quite a lot of work to repair.” been rejected by a majority in the British more racism as well as outright intimi- vestment and sanctions against the racist Goldsmith himself even came up with capital. Let it be a step toward building dation and physical attacks against Mus- apartheid state of Israel, nor is he very crit- the charge — spread by his campaign working-class unity. workers.org May 19, 2016 Page 9 Millions celebrate International Workers Day

Dhaka, Bangladesh. Labor unions in Seoul, south Korea. Left, Venezuela. Above, Cuba.

By Kathy Durkin tervention. In Manila, activists struggled have been friendly, far-right forces fo- In Latin America, hundreds of thou- with police while trying to reach the U.S. ment anti-immigrant hostility — and sands of workers, students, teachers and May 1 was the 130th anniversary of Embassy; others danced around a burn- governments are putting up barriers. farmers marched for improved wag- International Workers Day. May Day was ing effigy of President Benigno Aquino III In Berlin and Hamburg, Germany, es, working conditions and services. In born out of the workers’ struggle in the at a rally near the Presidential Palace. thousands of people turned out to com- Mexico, thousands of union members United States for the 8-hour day in 1886. Police in Istanbul, Turkey, fired tear memorate May Day and to show soli- marched in Mexico City. Others, in the Its militant legacy has been commemo- gas, pepper spray and water cannons at darity with migrants. Unions called for city of Puebla, opposed labor reforms. rated for years around the world. activists who defied a ban and tried to all to oppose xenophobia and “far right Thousands more took to the streets in The millions of workers around the march to historic Taksim Square to show ­e x t r e m i s m . ” Peru, calling for a higher minimum wage globe who took to the streets this year their opposition to the repressive, rightist In Britain, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of of US$450 a month. showed that the class struggle is alive and government. Police arrested 52 people. As that country’s Labour Party, addressed a A rally in São Paulo, Brazil, supported well. Organized and unorganized work- thousands celebrated this workers’ day in rally of thousands in London and empha- President Dilma Rousseff, who is facing ers, immigrants, youth, retirees, social- the Istanbul neighborhood of Barkirköy, sized that his party opposes racism and an undemocratic, parliamentary “coup.” ists and other progressive forces marched police arrested members of the pro-Kurd- anti-immigrant bigotry. “We stand in sol- Speaking to tens of thousands of sup- and rallied. They protested against local ish People’s Democratic Party, who chant- idarity against the growth of the far right porters, she warned workers of coming companies and global corporations that ed, “Long live Kurdistan!” in Europe.” (Daily Mail) right-wing attacks by forces that seek to are squeezing the workers in their “race to Thousands of revolutionary socialist On the Iberian Peninsula, thousands “privatize everything.” the bottom.” youth, workers and seniors, including of workers in Madrid, Spain, called for From Indonesia to Bangladesh, and Red Army veterans, marched through higher pay and workers’ rights. Red ban- Workers cheer Venezuelan, Cuban leaders South Africa to Mexico, workers demand- central Moscow, Russia, holding up red ners flew in Lisbon,Portugal , in a march Venezuela’s working class came out en ed livable wages and improved working banners and flags. An Anti-Imperialist organized by labor unions with similar masse on the streets of Caracas to show conditions. Many workers objected to Action contingent carried flags of coun- demands. support for President Nicolás Maduro. their government’s pro-corporate policies tries struggling against U.S. imperialism. Carrying pictures of Maduro and the late and obstruction of their right to unionize. In France, workers continued their COSATU marks 30th anniversary President Hugo Chávez, participants laud- In Turkey, the Philippines and elsewhere, two-month-long protests against an- The Congress of South African Trade ed the many gains for workers achieved activists fought for the right to demon- ti-labor legislation that is before Parlia- Unions, aiming to make participation through the Bolivarian Revolution strate in the face of state repression. ment. The CGT labor union reported that easier for the lowest-income workers, Maduro confirmed the good news that However, in Venezuela and Cuba, 70,000 marched in Paris. organized 15 separate rallies, totaling the national minimum wage and pensions masses of people turned out to support more than 300,000 people, all across would be increased by 30 percent and their pro-worker governments, laud their Build solidarity with refugees! South Africa to celebrate its 30th anni- condemned U.S. intervention against this leaders and celebrate their gains. The crisis of refugees is the worst since versary. COSATU leaders said their goal sovereign nation and the extension until Capitalist globalization deepens eco- the end of World War II. Tens of thou- is to unionize the unorganized 9.7 million 2019 of U.S. sanctions imposed against nomic exploitation and inequality, im- sands of desperate people are fleeing workers. Those at the rallies affirmed that Venezuela’s leaders. Venezuela’s president poverishment and unemployment — con- wars and occupations in the Middle East they want militant struggles and collec- called on the workers to rise up if he is ditions which have forced millions of and North Africa that are led or backed tive bargaining to defend their rights, as ousted by the U.S.-backed right wing. workers to travel to wealthier countries by the U.S. They then try to reach Euro- well as alliances with community organi- In Cuba, that island nation north of to find jobs. Often these migrant workers pean countries; while most populations zations and other progressive groups. Continued on page 11 then face racism, abuse, starvation wages and terrible working conditions. Workers decry corporate greed Workers battle anti-labor ‘reforms’ on May Day Migrant workers in Taipei, Taiwan, joined thousands in labor unions on May By Betsey Piette 1 to denounce corporate greed and call Paris France for a higher minimum wage and short- er workdays. Chen Li-Jen of the Taiwan Upwards of 100,000 workers and Petroleum Workers Union explained, students took to the streets of Paris and “Hard-working laborers are being exploit- other cities across France on Interna- ed by consortiums.” (Daily Mail, May 1) tional Workers Day, just three days after Jakarta, Indonesia, was the site of a 170,000 workers held a one-day general march by tens of thousands of low-paid strike on April 28 against proposed labor workers who called for higher wages, and “reforms” that would remove protections improved working conditions. and benefits workers have won over de- In Dhaka, Bangladesh, one week after cades of struggle. commemorating the Rana Plaza disas- Two hours after the demonstrators set ter, where 1,138 garment workers died in foot off Paris’ Bastille Square, police chose 2013, thousands of workers celebrated to confront around 200 youthful protest- May Day outside the city’s Press Club. ers near the front of the march, blocking In addition to calling for safer jobs, their the way. In full riot gear, including shields main demand was for the unfettered right and clubs, cops launched tear gas and to unionize. That same day, two construc- stun grenades at the marchers. The youth tion workers died at work in Dhaka. responded with bottles and rocks. Contingent of undocumented workers in Paris march. The Korean Federation of Trade After two hours of confrontation, po- WW PHOTO: BETSEY PIETTE Unions brought out at least 30,000 work- lice withdrew, letting marchers proceed Workers along the parade route held A delegation from the U.S., in France to ers in Seoul, south Korea, despite police toward the Place de la République, where their ground against police disruptions. observe the tenth anniversary of the nam- attempts to block them, to demand bet- students and young workers have held on- Massive contingents organized by the ing of a street for political prisoner Mumia ter wages and working conditions, and going “Up All Night” (“Nuit Debout”) oc- General Confederation of Workers (CGT) Abu-Jamal, also participated with their an end to “temporary” labor and “easy cupations since March 31. France’s Presi- carried signs opposing the labor reform. banners. Across France, May Day march- layoffs.” Outside City Hall, activists and dent François Hollande’s proposed labor The Communist Workers’ Party of France es took place in 300 other cities. unionized workers chanted, “Let’s fight reforms would make it even harder for (PCOF) and the New Anti-Capitalist Par- The growing and unrelenting struggle together to end the evil bill!” referring to students and younger workers entering ty also had large contingents. against the anti-labor bill appears to be the anti-labor legislation being pushed by the workforce to secure full-time work. The working class in France showed having an impact. While the government the ruling, right-wing Saenuri Party. The labor changes, currently being its international character throughout has softened some provisions of the bill, Rallies were held throughout the Phil- debated in the National Assembly of the march. A large contingent of undocu- it reportedly still lacks enough support to ippines. Protesters called for better wag- France, would also abolish the current mented workers marched within the CGT be adopted by France’s National Assem- es and retirement benefits, lower taxes 35-hour maximum workweek, remove ranks. Further back, banners reflected the bly, where a vote is scheduled for May 19. and an end to contract labor, privatiza- protections against excessive overtime struggle of workers from Latin America Piette was part of the Mumia Abu-­ tion of social services and imperialist in- and facilitate layoffs. and Africa. Jamal delegation. Page 10 May 19, 2016 workers.org Despite massive general strike Greek Parliament votes Solidarity with for new austerity People’s Korea By John Catalinotto charges that workers must pay for pen- sion insurance were raised for the 14th Responding to a sudden new attack time since the crisis started six years “Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un, There seems to be an unwritten law of austerity programs, unions in Greece ago. Currently, a third of workers in among the colonizers and imperialists “Workers World Party sends comradely called a two-day general strike and mass Greece are unemployed. that the peoples they have attacked the greetings to the Workers’ Party of Korea on demonstrations beginning on May 6 that The Tsipras government moved the most must be insulted the most. the occasion of your party’s 7th Congress. saw hundreds of thousands of workers vote in Parliament to May 8 to try to slip U.S. history is replete with examples. “Many years have passed since the great walk out and take to the streets. Despite the austerity measures through before None is more repugnant than the uni- revolutionary struggles that liberated the the strong strike and protests, the Greek meetings with European Union finance versally offensive treatment heaped on northern half of Korea from the colonial Parliament voted to approve the hated ministers in Brussels on May 9. The EU the Democratic People’s Republic of Ko- oppressors and their puppets, and all new austerity measures on May 8. ministers may demand even harsher rea by the U.S. political establishment that time the Workers’ Party of Korea has This current class struggle is a contin- cuts. and media. remained true to its commitments. uation of the battle between the Greek Tsipras cynically defends the current Since occupying the south of Korea “Despite the strident hostility of the workers and the big European banks, measures as “social reform” in this new in 1945, the imperialists have tried imperialist ruling classes, your Party has allied with the Greek rich. betrayal. His grouping within Syriza to defeat the Korean people’s efforts organized the people of the DPRK into a Workers, especially in the public sec- succeeded in purging the party’s left to build socialism and overcome the strong, educated, sincere force for building tor, closed schools and universities and wing before last September’s election. poverty and devastation they inherit- socialism that refuses to be intimidated. kept public transportation to a mini- All remaining Syriza representatives ed from decades of Japanese colonial It has dealt firmly with those who would mum by stopping railways, trams and voted for the new package. rule. From 1950 to 1953, the Pentagon return all of Korea to the days of vassal- subways in the capital. Even by May 9, The striking unions include the launched one of the most unequal wars age to international finance capital. It has ships and ferries were still at anchor in All-Workers Militant Front — which is in history against the DPRK. But the guided the building up of the advanced the ports. close to the Communist Party of Greece Korean Revolution succeeded anyway scientific foundations of the economy and Water and electricity services as well (KKE) — and also the more social dem- in the northern part of the peninsula. defense, and thus neutralized the constant as telecommunications were handled by ocratic union confederations. Together, Showing incredible morale and brav- war threats of the imperialists. a minimal workforce, and only emergen- they represent 2.5 million workers. The ery, the newly liberated Korean people “We are sure you have much to celebrate cy health care services were maintained. unions denounced the new austerity in the DPRK under the leadership of the in this remarkable Congress of your Party. Journalists also joined the general program as “a guillotining of the pen- legendary Kim Il Sung and the Workers’ The Korean revolutionaries have shown strike, so no newspapers were published sion system.” The two different union Party fought the invaders to a standstill the world that a determined and politically over the weekend, and newscasts on ra- groups held separate marches and ral- and then rebuilt their country. conscious people can take on any chal- dio and television were limited to two lies through downtown Athens, the capi- So the imperialists, while still oc- lenges and succeed when imbued with the reports, dealing only with the strikes, at tal, and kept up protest actions through- cupying the south and holding annual spirit of unity, courage and independence.” noon and in the evening. out the weekend. “war games” that threaten the DPRK Since this was written, the news from A coalition of the Syriza and Anel KKE Secretary General Dimitris with both conventional and nuclear Pyongyang is that Kim Jong Un has been parties, which won last September’s Koutsoubas said that two worlds were weapons, have intensified their insults elected chair of the Workers’ Party of Korea elections, leads Greece’s government. clashing head on in Greece: “On the one against the leaders of north Korea. and is stressing the policy of “byungjin,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Syriza hand, the world of work of wage earners, Workers World totally rejects this which means the simultaneous buildup had first been elected in January 2015 all those who suffer and bleed for years, war propaganda offensive. It stands in of both economic and military strength, by voters who believed his party would and on the other side the world of wealth, solidarity with the DPRK, its people including nuclear weapons. As the U.S. has fight austerity. However, working with in incredible abundance, the world of and leaders, in defense of their sover- threatened the DPRK with nuclear attack the European Union, the International corruption.” The dispute “will be decid- eignty and social system. ever since the 1950 war, the development Monetary Fund, the European Central ed on the street,” continued Koutsoubas, A momentous event has just tak- of such weapons by the Koreans can only Bank and the European Stability Mech- adding that what was necessary was “a en place in Pyongyang, capital of the be seen as a necessary defensive measure. anism, these parties agreed on new cuts further uprising, a mobilization of the DPRK. Starting on May 6, the Workers’ Ever since 1953, the Koreans have asked that especially hurt the working and people, organized massive and powerful Party of Korea held its 7th Congress to for negotiations to end that war with a poor people of the country. strikes, and demonstrations across the chart the next phase of its development. peace treaty, and the U.S. has refused. For example, the new austerity pack- country.” The Secretariat of the National Com- All progressives must continue to age includes another hike in the value Quotes and strike report from a May mittee of Workers World Party sent ­demand that Washington abandon its added tax — a type of sales tax — to 7 article in the German daily news- the following solidarity message to the futile attempts to overthrow the DPRK 24 percent. It reduces the amount of paper Junge Welt by its Athens corre- First Secretary of the WPK: and sign a peace treaty NOW! income exempted from taxes, while spondent Heike Schrader. Gulf Coast faces spread of Zika

By Lyn Neeley cially Florida and Texas. Similar to Brazil abled by this devastating condition. cess to contraception at a time when the and Puerto Rico, these states have con- In Texas, 18 out of 36 abortion clin- virus is believed to spread more quickly With no national funding or coordinat- ditions ripe for the proliferation of mos- ics have been shut down since 2013 as a through sexual transmission than was ed prevention plan to stop it, the Zika vi- quitoes: warm, moist climates; crowded, result of the state’s anti-choice HB2 law. previously thought. rus is starting to sweep through the Gulf low-income neighborhoods; and stag- Researchers from the Texas Policy Eval- The United Nations has called for Coast states. nant water collecting in garbage dumps uation Project (TxPEP) found that more countries hit by the Zika virus to loosen Scientists have now confirmed that the and drainage ditches. than 25 percent of women seeking abor- anti-abortion policies and provide access virus can cause microcephaly — under- Pregnant women in these states also tions in Texas now live at least 139 miles to birth control. “But no U.S. lawmak- developed head and brain — in a fetus. have to face reactionary laws and practic- from the nearest clinic. Long distances, er — let alone health organization — has It is also linked to Guillain-Barre and es that limit abortion and contraception. loss of a work day, plus money for child- mentioned Zika’s looming threat to areas other neurological disorders, and can be The Obama administration has re- care and transportation, put women, es- lacking sufficient abortion access on their spread through sexual contact as well as quested $1.9 billion to prepare for Zika. pecially poor women, in a tough situation. own soil.” (thinkprogress.org) by mosquitoes. Republicans are stalling, indicating they The TxPEP study surveyed 400 women Zika virus and neurological syndromes Zika is usually spread by a particu- might approve only $1.1 billion. That seeking abortions and found that 32 per- lar type of mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Dr. puts the financial burden on local gov- cent “spent more than $100 on expenses Evidence for the Zika-microcephaly Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the ernments. The majority of counties in beyond the cost of an abortion. Thir- link has been accumulating since Octo- Centers for Disease Control and Preven- the South are impoverished and not pre- ty-seven percent who lived far from a clin- ber 2015, when cases in Brazil were found tion, believes that Aedes aegypti is now pared for the Zika onslaught. There is no ic did not get the abortion they wanted.” to have risen from 163 per year to nearly present in about 30 states. coordinated plan for what is now being The study also found that “between 1,000 over six months. Polynesia had a “We think there could be hundreds of called an international emergency. 100,000 and 240,000 women of repro- surge of microcephaly after its Zika out- thousands of cases of Zika virus in Puerto ductive age living in Texas tried to end break in 2013. Rico, and perhaps hundreds of affected Right-wing anti-abortionists invite disaster their pregnancy on their own.” (think- It was later shown that the Zika virus babies,” Schuchat predicted. Puerto Rico Like Brazil, where abortion is illegal, progress.org, March 30) could cross the placenta and reach the has already reported nearly 600 locally Southern states have harsh anti-choice Florida, with the most confirmed cases fetus. (Lancet, March 15) Zika was found acquired cases, including 56 pregnant laws. In Brazil, nearly 1,000 babies have of Zika, as well as Alabama and Mississip- in the amniotic fluid surrounding micro- women and five cases of ­Guillain-Barre been born with microcephaly since the pi, all have laws similar to those in Texas. cephalic babies and in the brains of still- syndrome. Zika outbreak last October. Mothers of One law even prevents state funding for born fetuses. (New England Journal of States surrounding the Gulf of Mexico these children, most living in poverty, reproductive health clinics if they offer Medicine, March 10) The virus was found are expected to be the hardest hit, espe- face a lifetime of caring for children dis- abortions. Other laws also decrease ac- Continued on the next page workers.org May 19, 2016 Page 11 Behind internal struggle in South Africa

By Abayomi Azikiwe In an April 24 interview with Al Ja- cans to defend and protect our hard-won that has driven down the prices of export Editor, Pan-African News Wire zeera, Malema told the Qatar-based sat- freedom and democracy.” (April 26) commodities and prompted a large drop ellite network that the EFF would “run In the Citizen article, Congress of South in the value of the national currency. Two opposition parties in South Africa out of patience very soon and we will re- African Trade Unions President Sdumo The views of the two main allies of — the Democratic Alliance and the Eco- move this government through the barrel Dlamini, a close ally of the ANC, described the ANC government, COSATU and the nomic Freedom Fighters — are seeking of a gun.” Malema went on to say, “We Malema’s latest remarks as reckless. CO- South African Communist Party, will be ways to not only gain votes in the upcom- will fight. We have the capability to mobi- SATU spokesperson Sizwe Pamla empha- critical leading up to August when local ing local elections but also discredit and lize our people and fight physically.” sized: “In any other situation, it would be elections are held. Both COSATU and the bring down the African National Con- ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa replied: easy to say that Malema’s statements can SACP have come out in support of the gress government. “These remarks are a call to violence, are be ignored, but given the various coali- ANC for local offices. An impeachment vote against Presi- inflammatory, treasonable and seditious tions making calls to topple the ANC gov- A May Day statement from the SACP dent Jacob Zuma on April 5 failed in the and should be treated with extreme seri- ernment, this is something that must be reads, “Let us defeat the strategic agenda Parliament, where the ANC controls 62 ousness. They also are in clear violation taken very seriously by law enforcement.” of imperialism and monopoly capital. Let percent of the seats. The Constitutional of the Electoral Code and the Charter on us consolidate and accelerate a second Court ruled unanimously on March 31 Elections Ethics signed by a number of U.S. accused of regime-change agenda radical phase of the National Democratic that Zuma should pay back some state political parties — including the EFF, last The government has accused the U.S. Revolution. ... Let us close ranks on the funds used for upgrades to his Nkandla week.” (iol.co.za, April 25) State Department of being behind a re- basis of a strategic program and active residence. The ANC government accept- Kodwa told the Citizen newspaper, “We gime-change agenda in the country. ANC organization and mobilization focused on ed the high court’s decision and agreed to have opened a case of high treason against Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said the needs and aspirations of the workers comply with its orders. Julius Malema in his personal capacity earlier in the year that the U.S. Embassy and poor of South Africa. To do that — we However, in a separate decision, a as well as the EFF, following his reckless was recruiting and coordinating oppo- must say NO to the politics of money; No South African court ruled “that the deci- comments about being prepared to re- sition forces bent on overthrowing the to the politics of factions; No to the poli- sion by prosecutors to drop a corruption move a democratically elected government government. tics of gate-keepers; and No to the politics case against President Jacob Zuma sev- using undemocratic means and force. We These events are taking place amid an of personal ambition and opportunism.” en years ago was irrational and should are doing this on behalf of all South Afri- ongoing global capitalist economic crisis (sacp.org.za) be set aside, opening the way for the 783 charges against him to be reinstated.” (Bloomberg, April 29) This latest decision has encouraged Detroit youth resist U.S. role in Syria the opposition to renew calls for Zuma’s resignation. The president says he has no By Tom Michalak intention of resigning, and it appears that Detroit the majority in ANC leadership struc- tures are supporting him. On May 6 at downtown’s Hart Plaza, Local elections scheduled for August Detroit FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand Local government elections scheduled Together) held a counterdemonstration for August will be a political test for both in defense of the sovereignty of the Syr- the ruling ANC and the opposition in ian Arab Republic. Parliament. The FIST action was an answer to glob- At present the Democratic Alliance, a al events organized by the so-called #Al- party advocating greater reliance on neo- lepoisburning campaign, which supports liberal policies, controls approximately the intervention of U.S. and NATO forc- WW PHOTO: KRIS HAMEL 22 percent of the seats in Parliament. The es and the misnamed Free Syrian Army Some of the ‘NO to U.S. intervention in Syria’ protesters, May 6. Economic Freedom Fighters, headed by in the Syrian war. The campaign falsely As the Syrian Arab Army, with assis- tempting to tear apart one of the last re- former ANC Youth League leader Julius claims people in the Syrian city of Alep- tance from forces of the Islamic Repub- maining independent, secular, pluralist Malema, has 6 percent. po are being killed by President Bashar lic of Iran and the Russian Federation, Arab republics. Malema and other former ANCYL al-Assad and the Syrian Army. among others, continues its advance in In Detroit, even when the #Allepois- leaders were expelled from the ANC in At their protest, anti-imperialist activ- liberating areas held by various armed burning demonstrators outnumbered the 2012 after being accused of indiscipline ists loudly chanted slogans denouncing groups, a globally coordinated and so- anti-imperialists at least 3 to 1, the latter and corruption. Malema and his com- U.S./NATO and their allies for fueling the called “grassroots” movement that is im- remained militant and determined to de- rades formed the EFF and ran candidates five-year conflict in Syria. They fiercely perialist backed and funded and directed fend a banner calling for a halt of U.S./ in the 2014 elections. opposed any further imperialist involve- by nongovernmental organizations, has NATO/Israeli attacks on Syria. A verbal The EFF has called for the nationaliza- ment in any capacity. sprung up virtually overnight. and potentially physical confrontation tion of South African agricultural land Not forgotten are the imperialists’ in- Claiming solidarity with people in was maintained with resolute defiance, and mines. It has demanded that Zuma re- tervention in and subsequent oblitera- Aleppo, these right-wing demonstrators even in the face of overwhelming num- sign. EFF members of Parliament voted in tion of Libya as a functioning society. It concealed the fact that the bulk of the ter- bers within arm’s reach. a bloc with the DA in the failed impeach- is clear that the U.S., NATO and states ritory held by opposition forces in the city Just a short drive from the two clash- ment resolution. On several occasions EFF subservient to them have no intention belongs to Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaida ing events in downtown Detroit is the MPs have been forcefully removed from of bringing anything but destruction to affiliate in Syria. They obscure the fact city of Dearborn, with the largest Arab Parliament due to disruptive tactics. those countries they intervene in and that the Syrian government is fighting population in the U.S. Since the be- conquer. The same holds true for Syria. Western-backed terrorists who are at- ginning of the conflict, many sizeable demonstrations in support of the Syrian government have occurred in that city, Continued from page 10 Fight versus Verizon with nothing comparable in favor of U.S. imperialist intervention. to attack developing brain cells in fetal CWA/IBEW picket line nerve tissue. (Cell Stem Cell, March 29) joined by Workers The findings are a breakthrough for Center of CNY and scientists who can now focus on develop- Palestine Solidarity ing a Zika virus vaccine and preventing Collective members, International Workers Day widespread infections. A possible vaccine Syracuse, N.Y. Continued from page 9 could be ready to test by September. PHOTO: VANI KANNAN Zika is also linked to Guillain-Barre Venezuela and across the Caribbean Sea, Continued syndrome, in which the immune system hundreds of thousands of people of all from page 6 attacks nerve cells, causing weakness ages, led by 40,000 teachers and students, and possibly paralysis. Encephalitis, my- got out leaflets to cars and street traffic were held in Berkeley and San Francisco. marched to Havana’s Plaza de la Revolu- elitis and acute disseminated encephalo- at rush hour. The rally was highly visible, (from Terri Kay) ción on May Day, under the banner of “For myelitis (ADEM) may also be Zika-relat- with a great response from passersby, in- Boston workers and activists are hold- Cuba: Unity and Commitment.” Some ed. ADEM is an autoimmune syndrome cluding some who joined the action for a ing a monster “I Stand with Verizon 2,000 international guests attended. that attacks the brain, spinal cord or cen- short time. (from Ben Carroll) Workers” lunch-hour march near down- The masses of people honored the Rev- tral nervous system, causing weakness, CWA Local 9415 and supporters from town City Hall on May 11. Striking IBEW olution’s leader, Fidel Castro, on his up- numbness, loss of balance and vision. the community picketed a Lakeshore Av- Local 2222 has been a rock of support for coming 90th birthday, and carried posters (Reuters, April 11) enue Verizon Wireless store in a crowd- community and other union struggles, bearing his picture, and photographs of Cuba, by contrast to Puerto Rico, has ed Oakland, Calif., shopping district. including the successful two-year fight President Raúl Castro and revolutionary only nine confirmed cases of Zika. Abor- Passersby were very supportive, with a against mega conglomerate Veolia/Trans- Che Guevara. They denounced the U.S. tion there is legal, free and available upon number of drivers honking in solidarity. dev carried out by the Boston School Bus blockade and its plans to destabilize pro- request. A sovereign country building so- Picketers held a banner and signs as they Drivers, Steelworkers Local 8751. gressive governments in Latin America, cialism, Cuba emphasizes public health, distributed flyers and talked to shoppers Benji Pyles also contributed to this and demanded the return of the illegally so everyone is covered. about the strike. Other Bay Area pickets report. U.S. occupied Guantánamo Naval Base. Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 58 Núm. 19 19 de Mayo 2016 $1

El pueblo apoya a la Revolución Cubana. Maestros de Detroit exigen y logran sueldo mientras luchaban Por Abayomi Azikiwe tinuación de protestas anteriores donde millones, con porciones sustanciales debidas federales destinados a necesidades especia- las/os maestros llamaron la atención so- a los bancos y tenedores de bonos. les de las pensiones de maestras/os. En la tarde de hoy 3 de mayo, se anunció bre las condiciones deplorables dentro del Las protestas llegan cuando el gobierno Una de las demandas de las/os maestros por los medios de comunicación que las/os distrito escolar. El sistema de educación estatal en Lansing está debatiendo proyectos en huelga es una auditoría de los fondos es- maestros de Detroit se anotaron una vic- pública de Detroit ha estado bajo alguna de ley para dar “fondos” a las escuelas públi- colares para dar cuenta de cómo se produjo toria en respuesta a sus dos días de paro forma de control estatal directo o indi- cas de Detroit. El proyecto de ley aprobado la enorme deuda bajo la gestión de emer- cuando el administrador de emergencias de recto desde 1999. El distrito ha perdido por el Senado del Estado establecería dos gencias. Es absolutamente criminal que las Escuelas Públicas de Detroit, Stephen 150.000 estudiantes desde entonces. distritos, uno con $515 millones en fondos en una ciudad donde las escuelas se caen Rodas, cedió y aceptó pagar los salarios que La crisis educacional impuesta por las para ser utilizados sólo para pagar los ser- a pedazos y las necesidades para una edu- se les debía a las/os maestros durante los corporaciones se refleja en la falta de útiles vicios de la deuda y un segundo con $200 cación de calidad de las/os niños de Detroit meses de verano. La batalla continúa para escolares y el deterioro de los edificios con millones para financiar las operaciones. El son tan grandes, que más fondos escolares conseguir los fondos adecuados para una techos con goteras, moho, hongos y otras proyecto de ley eliminaría la actual Junta puedan ser utilizados para pagar el servicio educación de calidad para las/os jóvenes de condiciones inseguras. Muchas escuelas Escolar elegida de Detroit y la sustituiría por de la deuda a los bancos e instituciones fi- Detroit; para detener que los fondos públi- carecen de una ventilación adecuada, y la una junta esencialmente impotente, cuy- nancieras que educar a las/os estudiantes. cos sean desviados a pagar los servicios de temperatura en los edificios está o muy cali- os funcionarios y superintendentes serían la deuda; y para restaurar el control local de ente o muy fría. La crisis también se refleja nombrados por una comisión designada por Más ataques a Detroit las escuelas públicas de Detroit a esta ciudad en la apertura de decenas de escuelas charter el reaccionario gobernador y envenenador Los fondos federales de vivienda, su- de mayoría afroamericana. en Detroit, privando al sistema escolar de los de aguas de Flint, Rick Snyder, así como el puestamente destinadas a mantener la es- Al igual que ayer, miles de miembros fondos que desesperadamente se necesitan. alcalde de Detroit Duggan. tabilidad en los barrios ayudando a las/os de la Federación de Maestros de Detroit Por otra parte, la disminución de la Sin embargo, la reaccionaria Cámara del residentes con el pago de las hipotecas, los llamaron hoy diciendo que estaban enfer- matrícula del EPD, en parte como resultado Estado ha rechazado este proyecto de ley, sobre-evaluados impuestos a la propiedad mas/os, cerrando así el sistema escolar. El de la epidemia de desahucios y ejecuciones debatiendo en vez uno que limitaría la fi- y las infladas facturas de agua, en cambio paro fue en respuesta a un anuncio hecho hipotecarias de la última década que forzó nanciación escolar a $500 millones - ¡Solo se están utilizando para derribar casas y por el administrador de emergencias de la salida de más de 200.000 personas de la los servicios de la deuda serían pagados! - y negocios vacantes. El gobierno federal está las Escuelas Públicas de Detroit, Stephen ciudad, se ha traducido en el cierre de más con provisiones que contienen ataques pu- investigando irregularidades en los gastos Rhodes, diciendo que no habían fondos de 200 edificios escolares. Muchas de estas nitivos contra los derechos de las/os mae- para la demolición coordinados por la Au- para el EPD después del mes de junio de escuelas abandonadas han sido objeto de stros de Detroit. El proyecto de la Cámara toridad de Banco de Tierras de Detroit. este año. Rhodes es un juez federal ahora vandalismo y despojadas de cobre, hierro, elimina cualquier supervisión de las es- El Grupo de Trabajo de Remoción de De- retirado, que presidió el proceso de bancar- ladrillo, aparatos eléctricos y otros materia- cuelas charter, las cuales han proliferado terioro de Detroit, que identifica viviendas rota de la ciudad de Detroit en el 2014. Esto les, convirtiéndose en manchas en los barri- en Detroit a pesar de su fracaso en la edu- y otras estructuras para la incautación y significa que muchas/os de los maestros os, facilitando aún más el subdesarrollo y el cación de las/os estudiantes de Detroit. demolición, está presidido por el multimil- mal pagados y sobrecargados de trabajo de deterioro de comunidades de Detroit. En los últimos dos días se ha revelado que lonario Dan Gilbert, jefe de Quicken Loans. Detroit - quienes estiran sus salarios du- la deuda real para las Escuelas Públicas de El papel de Gilbert representa un claro con- rante todo el año escolar a pesar de no tra- Los servicios de la deuda tienen Detroit - deuda acumulada bajo la dirección flicto de intereses. Gilbert actualmente está bajar durante los meses de verano - están prioridad sobre la educación de varios gestores de emergencias designa- siendo demandado por el Departamento de trabajando ahora por nada. Cuando el estado de Michigan tomó el dos por el Estado - es mucho mayor de lo Justicia por el mal uso de cientos de millones Miles de maestras/os y otras/os traba- control del EPD en 1999, el distrito tenía anunciado previamente, lo que requiere al de dólares en fondos de la Administración jadores de la educación rodearon la sede del un superávit de $93 millones, con al menos menos $800 millones para cumplir con las Federal de Vivienda a través de sus opera- EPD en el área del Nuevo Centro a partir de otros $1,5 mil millones en fondos de bonos demandas inmediatas de los acreedores. ciones de financiación de bienes raíces. las 10 de la mañana en los dos días. Grita- aprobados por las/os votantes para mejorar Además, un informe salió a la luz indicando Mientras tanto, Gilbert anunció el 27 de ban consignas como ¿”Qué pasó con el din- los edificios escolares y otras obras de infrae- que los gestores de emergencias utilizaron abril que él y otros inversores capitalistas ero”? y ¡”Si no pagan, cerrarlo”! structura. En la actualidad, los informes in- ilegalmente aproximadamente $40 millones han creado un plan para construir un es- Estas acciones representan una con- dican que el EPD tiene una deuda de $3,5 mil para gastos operacionales de los fondos tadio de fútbol en el centro de Detroit. Gil- bert, que es dueño de Rock Ventures LLC, del equipo profesional de baloncesto Cleve- land Cavaliers y de otras empresas, es un Reparaciones y las raíces racistas de Yale elemento importante en la reestructuración de la ciudad de Detroit dirigida por el sec- El brutal asesinato de nueve afroamerica- por héroes como Harriet Tubman, Calhoun de esclavas/os africanos durante siglos tor bancario. Él y el ejecutivo Arn Tellem, nas/os en la histórica Iglesia Metodista Epis- creó la Ley de Esclavos Fugitivos de 1850. fue central para la acumulación de capital de los Detroit Pistons declararon sus planes copal Africana Emanuel en Charleston-Car- Esta ley permitía a los dueños de esclavos de muchos actuales bancos, compañías para el proyecto de mil millones de dólares olina del Sur en junio del año pasado por un localizar y volver a esclavizar a quienes se de seguros, empresas e instituciones elit- en el sitio de la fallida cárcel del Condado de racista que blandió símbolos confederados, habían escapado al Norte. istas como la Universidad de Yale. Esta Wayne. Los informes noticieros desde 2014, provocó un movimiento nacional para re- Desafiando a sus estudiantes, el presi- acumulación, con valor actual de bil- cuando se paralizó la construcción, decían tirar las banderas y estatuas confederadas dente de Yale Peter Salovey, anunció el 27 lones de dólares, se intensificó sobre todo que se perdieron $150 millones en el proyec- y quitar los nombres de los propietarios de de abril que la escuela se negaba a remover después de la invención de la desmotadora to de la cárcel nueva debido a excesivos cos- esclavos de lugares y edificios. el nombre del supremacista blanco del cole- de algodón por otro graduado de Yale, Eli tos y a la corrupción. Uno de estos ricos propietarios de escla- gio residencial. Whitney. Continuó a través del período de Durante 2015, Gilbert hizo conocer clara- vas/os fue John C. Calhoun, un graduado de En un momento en que incluso la Legis- la aparcería, el motor económico de Jim mente su oposición a la construcción de la Yale en 1804, a quien la Universidad de Yale latura de Carolina del Sur está de acuerdo Crow, forzado por el brutal régimen de ter- cárcel en el centro de la ciudad. En cambio, honra al haberle dado su nombre al Colegio en retirar la bandera de la Confederación ror del Klan. el banquero y arriesgado empresario imag- Calhoun. Como consecuencia de la balacera de la Cámara Legislativa, ¿por qué una Este legado racista continúa de mil mane- inaba un estadio para ligas mayores de fút- en Charleston, estudiantes de Yale comen- universidad de Nueva Inglaterra de la ‘Ivy ras hoy, con las políticas de los gobiernos y bol con 25.000 asientos y otros negocios, zaron una petición para eliminar el nombre League’ [N de T: colegios considerados los las empresas por igual sobre vivienda, edu- incluyendo restaurantes, hoteles y una torre de Calhoun y consiguieron más de 1.500 mejores del país] se niega a borrar el nom- cación, prisiones, e incluso de aguas limpias, de oficinas comerciales. firmas. La petición dice: “Al igual que el de- bre de este monstruo racista? La única diseñadas para saquear la riqueza produci- Un artículo publicado el 27 de abril en el spliegue oficial de la bandera de la Confed- razón lógica es que conceder esta parte del da por la comunidad afroamericana. Detroit Free Press declaró: “El plan de esta- eración en Carolina del Sur, el Colegio Cal- pasado de Yale abre la puerta a un nuevo Durante años ha habido un creciente dio de fútbol pide la reubicación de la actual houn representa una indiferencia a siglos de examen de la totalidad del enredo históri- movimiento de reparaciones exigiendo un cárcel del condado de Wayne, el edificio de dolor y sufrimiento de la población negra”. co de la Universidad de Yale y su enriquec- retorno de esta riqueza a las comunidades Justicia Frank Murphy y las facilidades de Para quien no sabe cuán podrido era Cal- imiento con la esclavitud. afroamericanas donde estaban y de donde Detención Juvenil del condado de Wayne a houn, a principios de 1800, fue la voz nacio- La Universidad de Yale lleva el nombre se extrajeron con tanta crueldad. La admin- Mound Road (lejos del centro). Gilbert ha nal más viciosa promoviendo la esclavoc- de Elihu Yale, un funcionario de la Com- istración de la Universidad de Yale y todos estado tratando de comprar al Condado, el racia, incluso llamando a la esclavitud un pañía de las Indias Orientales a finales de sus patrocinadores de Wall Street quieren sitio sin terminar de la cárcel; recientemente “bien positivo”. Y él era poderoso además de 1600, que hizo una fortuna con el comercio evitar cualquier cosa que podría abrir la ha ofrecido $50 millones. El Condado, que rico; fue representante y senador de Caroli- de esclavos del Océano Índico. El decano puerta a la justa reparación de la riqueza. ya ha gastado $150 millones de dólares en el na del Sur, secretario de estado y vicepres- Holloway de la universidad de Yale, señaló Workers World – Mundo Obrero apoya la detenido proyecto no aceptó la oferta”. idente bajo John Quincy Adams y también el año pasado que “En su fundación y du- justa demanda de las/os estudiantes de Yale Gilbert y sus cohortes capitalistas no Andrew Jackson. Una de sus principales rante sus primeros 150 años o más, sí, Yale, para cambiar el nombre de su colegio. Pero quieren que la cárcel esté en el centro de la “contribuciones” fue ser el autor de la doc- como tantas otras instituciones de la épo- eso es sólo el comienzo. La campaña elec- ciudad, ya que interfiere con su visión de la trina que permitía a los estados esclavistas ca, fueron cómplices en el saqueo debido a toral 2016 del Partido WW-Mundo Obrero ciudad, que está siendo diseñada como un hacer caso omiso de cualquier ley federal que sus finanzas estaban entrelazadas con incluye la demanda de ¡reparaciones ahora! parque de recreación para habitantes de que inhibiera la esclavitud. la economía global de esclavos”. (yaledaily- Esa deuda debe ser pagada por las insti- suburbios y turistas, mientras que los bar- En cara del Underground Railroad news.com 30 de marzo de 2015) tuciones ricas como la Universidad de Yale rios son destruidos por los mismos bancos (Corredor Oculto de esclavas/os), dirigido El trabajo no remunerado de millones y todos sus aliados de Wall Street. y otras fuerzas capitalistas.