Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Photo: KKE
The big message that the working class the capitalist economic crisis has re- French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Vice
should take away from the latest Europe- duced the tax base of the governments, President Joseph Biden met with Spanish
an bailout and the stock markets’ ups and the banks still want their pound of flesh, Prime Minister José Zapatero. Treasury
downs is that capitalism is failing as an
economic system and the time for work-
even if it takes cutbacks in services, wag-
es of government workers, pensions and
Secretary Timothy Geithner lobbied the
finance ministers, while the Federal Re-
GREEK WORKERS
ers to open a struggle is now.
European capitalist governments and
benefits. Southern Europe is experienc-
ing budget crises and cutbacks similar to
serve Board promised to supply dollars
to various European central banks in cur-
RESiSt cutS 11
the International Monetary Fund just had those taking place in California, Michi- rency swaps so they could make payments
to pledge to put up $980 billion to keep gan, Rhode Island, Illinois and many in dollars, if needed.
the governments of Greece, Portugal and other states in the U.S. The urgency behind Washington’s in-
WW_Phtoto:_dEirdrE_GriSWoLd
Spain financially afloat. Fears of immi- The credit agencies have downgraded tervention flowed from the fact that U.S.
nent government default in Greece and Greek government bonds to “junk bond” banks have $3.6 trillion in exposure to
threats of future default by Portugal and status, and the credit ratings of Portugal European banks, including $1 trillion to
Spain prompted the emergency meeting and Spain are falling. That means the France and Germany and $200 billion to
of European finance ministers and strong bankers and other financial loan sharks Spain, according to the Bank for Interna-
intervention by Washington.
Sixteen countries use the euro, which
of the capitalist world either will no lon-
ger lend money to these governments or
tional Settlements. A string of defaults set
off by the default of Greece and other gov-
ARIZONA:
is controlled by the European Central
Bank, as a common currency. That bank
will charge such high interest rates that
the governments can no longer afford to
ernments would jeopardize U.S. banks
and bring a renewed financial crisis on ImmIgrant rIghts
agreed to make or guarantee $575 billion
in loans. The larger 27-nation European
borrow.
But the governments have to borrow
Wall Street.
Furthermore, an economic collapse in
t Los Suns 5
Union pledged an additional $80 billion, in order to pay off debts to the banks that Europe could hit U.S. corporations that
Boycott grows 5
and the IMF agreed to put up $325 bil- were incurred from previous borrowing. export to those countries. More than a
lion. This is supposed to cover govern- So they are caught in a debt trap that quarter of the profits of the Standard &
ment deficits of the three southern Eu-
ropean countries and other endangered
could lead to defaulting on their loans.
That is why what is happening in Europe
Poor’s 500 top corporations come from
exports — much of them to Europe. So the
RiGHt tO A HOME 3
government debt for the next three years. is, at bottom, a bank bailout. Obama administration’s pressure for this
SLAVERY &
Gov’t bailout is a bank bailout bailout was not to save Europe but to save
High stakes for Wall St. and Washington Wall Street and the big U.S. industrialists.
REPARATIONS
The real aim is to make sure that these
Wall Street and Washington also have a At the end of this financial chain are
governments can pay their debts to the
big stake in this affair. The administration the workers. The banks have been bleed-
banks. So the government bailouts are
also bank bailouts, aimed at preventing
put on a full-court press to put together ing the governments of southern Europe. Ongoing debate 4
the trillion-dollar bailout. President This means bleeding the workers who
a global financial collapse of the type that
Barack Obama was on the phone with create the wealth and value that goes into
almost took place when Lehman Brothers
failed in the U.S. in September 2008.
German Prime Minister Angela Merkel,
pressuring her to give up opposition to
government treasuries and ends up being
paid out in interest. The capitalist gov- LeSSonofTimeSSquare
European banks and insurers are hold-
ing $193 billion in debt due from the
the bailout. German capital will have to Contiued on page 11 End U.S. wars abroad! 10
Greek government. But they also have
‘JOBS N O W !
$240 billion in government debt from
Portugal and $832 billion from Spain. Big
European banks also have investments in
Greek banks that are in danger.
_WW_Photo:_moNiCA_moorEhEAd
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WW_Photo:_BryAN_G._PfEifEr
the People Movement; Fight Imperialism, through various means and attempting
Stand Together members from Cleveland; to procure legal aid assistance, Sadler’s
and a rank-and-file United Auto Workers home was sold to the bank at a sheriff’s
member. They demanded the immediate sale in January 2010. Sadler was there-
release of the “Stony Ridge Seven,” that all after served with a notice of eviction for
seven be fed their vegan diet, that an im- midnight, May 2.
mediate moratorium on foreclosures and Instead of submitting quietly, Sadler coverage on his website. Supporters from came to nothing. We are taking a stand.
evictions be declared throughout the U.S., and other members of the Toledo Fore- across the U.S. and beyond have been and We are drawing a line in the sand and say-
and that the bankers and other Wall Street closure Defense League barricaded them- are sending solidarity messages through ing, ‘Enough is enough!’ We’re standing
speculators who caused the foreclosure and selves in the house until the SWAT team Twitter. During the home defense, mes- up and we hope others will too. We want
eviction crisis be arrested, not the people. dragged them out. They believe that if sages were posted on the UStream live an indefinite moratorium on all foreclo-
The Seven were released on their own the big banks can get a bailout, so can the feed and watched by people around the sures. Having people’s homes stolen right
recognizance after being charged with people. They want an indefinite morato- globe. This was critical in spreading the out from under them by the banks is not
“trespass” and “obstruction of justice.” rium on all foreclosures, evictions and word of the home defense and for garner- acceptable. We must fight back.”
A potluck and meeting in Bowling utility shutoffs — now! ing support. Sadler’s spokesperson, Lance Crandall,
Green, Ohio, took place May 7. This had During his home defense, Sadler and Though Sadler’s home’s electric power asks that people continue to call the bank
originally been planned as a potluck and his supporters received a groundswell of was cut May 5 — many suspect by police and the sheriff to demand that all charges
speakout rally at Sadler’s home. Ongoing support from individuals and organiza- officials — supporters quickly helped re- be dropped. For more information about
plans to continue the struggle, discussed tions such as Take Back the Land, Mora- store power to his home. They also helped ongoing activities, call: 419-309-7040.
at the meeting, will be announced soon. torium NOW!, the Bail Out the People provide alternative sources of energy and Local bank branch: 419-874-2090
For now supporters are encouraged to Movement, UAW and other union mem- continually dropped off food and other Bank HQ: 419-783-8950
pack the Perrysburg Municipal Court at bers and from the community. needed supplies. Wood County sheriff’s office: 419-354-
300 Walnut Street, Perrysburg, Ohio, on Supporters held a protest at the State Sadler told supporters during his home 9001; sheriff’s direct line: 419-354-9008;
May 17 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial hearing Bank and Trust on May 5. Michael Moore defense: “I basically did everything with- sheriff’s personal e-mail: wasyl@wcnet.
for the Stony Ridge Seven. posted the UStream live feed and media in the system to save my house and it all org.
Lucasvilleuprisingprisonerfightsback
Africa. In the 21st century, it is the African
people on the continent and in Western
Europe as well as the Americas who are
still suffering from national oppression,
By Sharon Danann cops creating their own rules. Everyone neo-colonialism and imperialism.
Youngstown, Ohio FRee feared them. I didn’t and they knew it.” Every effort on the part of any op-
Greg Curry The immediate danger is further retali- pressed African nation-state to exert its
On March 3 Lucasville uprising prison- ation from the guards, which means the independence and sovereignty has been
er Greg Curry took a stand against relent- possibility of a danger to Curry’s life. challenged by the imperialist countries
less harassment by guards at Ohio State The Lucasville Uprising Freedom Net- led principally by the U.S. capitalist class.
Penitentiary. The convictions of many work is mobilizing a campaign of letters, Consequently, it is necessary to empha-
Lucasville uprising prisoners are based on phone calls, faxes and e-mails to Warden size not only the role of world capitalism
falsehoods. Nevertheless, guards in Ohio David Bobby, holding him responsible as the system that derived its strength
and nationwide are vindictive against for the protection and security of Greg and power from the slave trade and colo-
these prisoners based on a guard’s death Curry. We are calling for the termination nialism but that it is necessary to replace
during the uprising. of guards who think they have permis- this system of exploitation with a society
Curry explains, “If I am sentenced to sion to torment prisoners at will, destroy- where the labor of the workers and farm-
LIFE and gotta get on my knees, then Life protection. His punishment: two weeks ing their property, violating their rights ers are not extracted for profit but for its
is already over. I get this, in fact having in “the hole” (isolation) and an increase and raining down all manner of harass- equal distribution to all.
‘Life’ gives me more room to express my- of security level that placed him back in ment on their heads. The demand for reparations places em-
self or ‘LIVE.’” solitary confinement for at least five years. Betty Springer, member of the Lu- phasis on how the most profitable banks
Weeks before March 3, much of Curry’s Curry had been recommended for a re- casville Uprising Freedom Network, has and corporations gained their wealth
property had been confiscated without duction of security level to Level 3, which these words for the warden of OSP. “War- through the exploitation of African labor.
cause. When he went through channels to would have made him eligible for trans- den Bobby, if you are allowing these vi- Institutions such as JPMorgan Chase & Co.
get it returned, he was informed that his fer to a medium security prison. OSP’s cious, inhumane activities to continue on Aetna Insurance Company and many other
possessions were missing from the prop- warden, David Bobby, disregarded this your watch, you are personally respon- corporations have been forced to admit in
erty room vault, apparently destroyed. recommendation, but Curry was optimis- sible for the results. Toss out the rotten recent years their role in the slave system
During outside recreation, two guards tic about his appeal. Either the stepped- apples, Warden, or we will see that some- in the United States and internationally.
decided to pat Curry down to deliver the up campaign of harassment by certain one else does.” Yet this admission is inadequate with-
message that if he told on one of them guards was specifically aimed at under- Contact Warden David Bobby by phone out efforts to correct the historical dam-
again, the consequences would be more se- mining Curry’s appeal, or it was a remark- at 330-743-0700, by fax at 330-743- age done to the people who have still
vere. Upon his return to his cell, he found it able coincidence. 0841, by e-mail at david.bobby@odrc. not reclaimed their rightful place within
torn apart, like “Hurricane Katrina.” Curry asserts, “I believe I was right. state.oh.us or by mail at Ohio State Peni- modern society. Only with the overthrow
At lunch, a violent struggle ensued. So often all these ‘tough’ prisoners let the tentiary, 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road, of capitalism and imperialism and the sei-
Curry received a severe beating, including police do anything. I always say, ‘Because Youngstown, OH 44505. Please refer to zure of the wealth stolen by the capitalists
head wounds requiring stitches, but he be- y’all won’t deal with it properly, it always Greg Curry’s prisoner #213-159. Free Greg can true reparations be granted to the Af-
lieves that his dreadlocks provided some falls on the next prisoner.’ These were BAD Curry and all political prisoners! rican people.
workers.org_ may 20, 2010 Page 5
In front of millions
amare Stoudemire, below
nursesonthemoveinD.C.
Nurses United of the National Capital Area, which rep-
resents 1,600 registered nurses at Washington Hospital
Center, plan to picket the hospital May 11 to protest its
with immigrant community
demands to reduce earnings and change staffing levels By Monica Moorehead state Capitol. Sharpton says that he personally
and work rules that would negatively impact both patients and Latino/a represen- “opposes the bill,” progres-
and nurses. The current contract at the District of Co- As the Boycott Arizona movement tatives were wearing sive sports columnist Dave
lumbia's largest civilian hospital, which expired April 24, continues to resonate throughout Los Suns jerseys as they Zirin exposed in his May
was extended through May 10. "Under the Washington the U.S. in response to the racist, an- linked arms. 10 “Edge of Sports” article
Hospital Center's new management team, there seems to ti-immigrant Senate Bill 1070, sports TNT, which was air- that Kendrick is organiz-
be a short sightedness and a disturbing tendency to focus world figures are taking a unique and ing the Suns-Spurs game ing a fundraising party in
on market trends instead of excellence in patient care," progressive stand. On May 5 — rec- live, cut away from the his private box at the Dia-
Dottie Hararas, president of the nurses' organization, told ognized as Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican game briefly to an aerial shot of the mondbacks’ stadium on May 20 for
the May 6 Union City!, the online daily newsletter of the holiday — the National Basketball march, which was both a welcome State Senator Jonathan Paton. Paton
Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO. "But for nurses, Association team the Phoenix Suns surprise and unprecedented during is a well-known supporter of SB 1070,
the patient is always the center of everything we do." Will decided to show their opposition to a major U.S. sports event viewed by who has said, “We need to secure the
WHC management learn from the recent four-week strike the racist bill by wearing jerseys em- millions of people. border, and we need to secure it now.
by nurses at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia blazoned with “Los Suns.” Prior to the May 5 game, three That’s why I voted for SB 1070, and
that successfully defeated similar demands? Stay tuned. The players wore the jerseys dur- retired African-American basket- that’s why I urge the governor to sign
ing a semifinal Western Conference ball players expressed support for it.” (thenation.com/blog)
fLoCdemandsrights playoff game with the San Antonio
Spurs in Phoenix. Some fans held
the Suns’ actions and the march
on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” show.
This anti-immigrant bill will have
the heaviest impact on MLB, since
fortobaccoworkers up signs saying “Viva Los Suns” and Kenny Smith stated, “I think it’s nearly 30 percent of professional
The Farm Labor Organizing Committee held a protest “Los Fans.” great that the team understands, the baseball players are from Latin
both outside and inside the May 7 shareholders meet- This act gained national and in- management understands, and now America and the Caribbean. This
ing of Reynolds American in Winston-Salem, N.C. FLOC ternational attention, with high- the people of Phoenix are all rallying means that if the bill goes into ef-
is demanding the tobacco giant use its clout to make profile Suns’ players like Amare together at the same time.” fect in August these players can be
growers provide better wages and living conditions for Stoudemire and Steve Nash making Charles Barkley, a former Suns stopped at any time by the police,
the state's 30,000 mostly immigrant tobacco workers. public statements about why this act player, said, “The Hispanic com- detained and fined if they don’t have
Though Reynolds' spokespeople denied responsibil- of solidarity was so important. munity — they’re like the fabric of “proper” identification or papers.
ity for the workers, FLOC leader Baldemar Velásquez Stoudemire, who is African Amer- the cloth. They’re part of our com- The MLB Players Association is
described the confrontation as "a modest breakthrough" ican, stated, “It’s going to be great to munity.” putting pressure on Baseball Com-
because Reynolds acknowledged that there was "a guest wear Los Suns to let the Latin com- Chris Webber chimed in: “Public missioner Bud Selig to have the 2011
worker problem." He vowed that FLOC will persevere in munity know we’re behind them Enemy said it a long time ago — ‘By All-Star game moved from Phoenix
the struggle for tobacco workers' rights. (Winston-Salem 100 percent.” (thenation.com/blog, the Time I Get to Arizona.’ I’m not to another locale if the bill is not re-
Journal, May 8) May 5) During postgame comments surprised. They didn’t even want pealed.
following the Suns’ victory over the there to be a Martin Luther King Day Arizona Governor Jan Brewer,
CiWcontinuefight Spurs, Nash, who is white and was when John McCain was in office. who speaks on behalf of big business
raised in Canada, stated that it was So if you follow history you know interests, wrote a defensive, racist
‘Boycott Arizona!’
when food service giant Aramark agreed to pay 1.5 cents
more per pound of tomatoes and to abide by a supplier
code of conduct. It's estimated the raise will boost work-
ers' pay by 40 percent to 70 percent.
Highschoolstuden
something is terribly, fundamen-
tally wrong with the appalling
state of affairs in this country and
the realization that something
must be done. By Dianne Mathiowetz
Malik Nance, Frank Neisser and Shyrese Brown. WW_Photo:_SEAN_SChAfroN
Build People’s
Assemblies
migrant worker camps livable.” Other cities represented included Bos-
Protesters at the Department of Labor ton; Cleveland; Jersey City and Newark,
told about the many effects of unemploy- N.J.; Norfolk and Richmond, Va.; Pitts-
ment on their lives and the lives of their burgh; and Rochester, N.Y.
families and friends. They urged that, After the rally, the group marched
with a national unemployment rate be- through the streets of Washington to the
tween 18 percent and 20 percent, it was offices of the Communication Workers
high time the federal government begin union, where they held a strategy summit
undertaking a jobs program of similar to build the movement for a jobs program.
size and scope to the WPA. They also de- Meeting chair Abayomi Azikiwe, a lead-
nounced the heavily armed police block- er of the Moratorium NOW! Coalition to
ing the entrance to the Department of La- Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Util-
WW_Photo:_BrENdA_ryAN
By LeiLani Dowell bor — which is, in theory, supposed to be ity Shutoffs in Michigan, described the
nts‘swarm’bigots Washington, D.C. concerned with the plight of workers. abysmal situation in Detroit, which has
Larry Holmes of BOPM in New York an unofficial unemployment rate of 44.5
i
n a powerful, energetic and inspiring opened the protest by stating that, as op- percent and a youth unemployment rate
day of action, activists, unemployed posed to the phony “war on terror” cham- of 80 to 90 percent. Vidya Sankar of the
aTLanTa people, students and youth, and com-
munity organizers from across the East
pioned by the government and media,
“real terror is when you don’t have a job,
North Carolina chapter of FIST discussed
the formation of a People’s Empower-
Coast and Midwest converged on the De- when you don’t have health care.” ment Movement in response to massive
partment of Labor on May 8 to honor the Sharon Black, a BOPM leader who trav- layoffs and furloughs in Raleigh, N.C.
75th anniversary of the Works Projects eled to Washington, D.C., with a busload In addition to the push for People’s As-
Administration — by demanding a con- of people from Baltimore, stated that semblies, a lively discussion ensued, with
crete jobs program, now. They then held those present were picking up the struggle various points contributing toward the
a meeting to strategize around their de- that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other formation of a political program. In ad-
mands and plan future events. leaders had advanced before King was as- dition to a massive, federally funded jobs
Proposed actions resulting from the sassinated — the right to a job for all. program, some of the overarching themes
meeting include the creation of People’s Larry Hales, a leader of Fight Imperial- included full legalization for all immi-
Assemblies to be held in various cities to ism, Stand Together youth group, spoke grants, an end to the school-to-prison
help link struggles and movements to- on the importance of the participation of pipeline, self-determination for all op-
gether; national days of outrage and local youth, including high school and college pressed peoples, defense of public educa-
speak-outs against unemployment; com- students, in the fight for jobs and educa- tion, and an end to all U.S. wars.
munity-labor action committees inside tion, not jails. Folks from Baltimore and Washington,
local unions to support the fight for jobs; Three New York City high school stu- D.C., described their struggles to avoid
Photo:_ProJECt_q_AtLANtA
and connecting with student and youth dents were among many youth who being evicted from their homes. Youth
ish institutions and public venues. But this calls for an Oct. 7 day of action in support shared their experiences. Debanjan from raised the idea of forming collectives to
time the rainbow of youths at this midtown of public education. the borough of Queens said it was “dis- create their own jobs. Many expressed the
school responded in a highly organized According to a press release from the gusting that it’s impossible for me to get need to fight now to preserve the future
fashion, declaring that their message of ac- day’s organizers, the Bail Out the People a job so I can go to college — but they al- for the youth. Activists explained how the
ceptance and love would triumph. Movement: “Seventy-five years ago … ways have jails available.” Roseena, who capitalist system works to ensure a re-
At one point, the crowd swarmed across on May 6, 1935, President Franklin D. lives in the Bronx, described being in serve army of labor, the unemployed, to
the street. The Westboro reactionaries Roosevelt signed the executive order es- a lottery for summer jobs after the New keep wages low and sow divisions among
hastily left their corner and headed for their tablishing the Work Projects Adminis- York state and city government cut fund- workers. Workers discussed challenging
vehicle. The protesters stayed right behind tration, the biggest public jobs program ing to the Summer Youth Employment the Tea Party’s racist, reactionary pro-
them. Despite police efforts to get the stu- in the history of the country. Between Program. Primavera, also from the Bronx, gram with a real people’s program.
dents to disperse, the young people kept up 1935 and 1941, more than 8 million WPA said youth are beginning to say, “Hell no! To get involved with the growing move-
their demonstration on a nearby busy street workers did every job imaginable — from It’s my right to work!” Other youth from ment against unemployment and for a
for several hours as motorists in passing building bridges, schools and hospitals, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Providence, R.I., jobs program, visit www.bailoutpeople.
cars honked and waved in support. to teaching school and helping to make and New York spoke at the rally. org.
BP disaster
Bechtel Corporation. The facilitator of the April 21 panel was the Struggle for Socialism is Key monica_moorehead
All over the world, water scarcity is Jim Shultz of the Democracy Center in Co- Black & Brown unity: A Pillar of Struggle for Human Rights
swiftly becoming a crisis situation. The chabamba, which played an instrumental and Global Justice! Saladin_muhammad
world’s fresh water supply is dwindling, Alabama’s Black Belt: Legacy of Slavery, Sharecropping
support role in the Water Wars. The pan-
and Segregation Consuela_Lee_
as demand for it increases, tripling be- elists included Bolivian Water War activist Harriet tubman, Woman Warrior mumia_Abu-Jamal
tween 1950 and 1990. This situation cre- Marcela Olivera, an organizer from Ama- Are conditions Ripe Again today? 40th Anniversary
ates an incredibly lucrative industry for zon Watch in Ecuador and an activist from of the 1965 Watts Rebellion John_Parker
corporations looking to invest in water. Camp for Climate Action in Britain. Racism and Poverty in the Delta Larry_hales
The World Bank, which already has The panel’s goal was to take advantage Haiti Needs Reparations, Not Sanctions Pat_Chin Available at Leftbooks.com
workers.org_ may 20, 2010 Page 9
PUERTO RICO
Student stike stops brutal cuts at UPR
By Berta Joubert-Ceci
WORKERS WORLD
editorial imperialisthostility
Stop terror: continuesafterSudan’svote
Get U.S. out of Asia By Abayomi Azikiwe
Editor, Pan-African News Wire
At the same time Carter acknowledged
“the generally peaceful nature of the vot-
ing process,” and noted that the more than
W
e never trust what the state au- New York prisons. They will attempt to National election results in Sudan re- 60 percent turnout far exceeded the nor-
thorities say regarding someone legitimize the increasing militarization turned President Omar Hassan al-Bashir mal participation of most U.S. national
held completely in their power. of the country — cops with submachine to power in Africa’s largest geographic na- elections.
Nor do we trust what the corporate guns on the subway platforms; increased tion-state. The ruling National Congress Other Western-based institutions and
media spreads about the prisoner, his screenings at the airports. Party won an overwhelming majority, regional organizations reiterated calls
or her history or alleged motives. Even During the worst economic crisis since with Bashir gaining 68 percent of the vote for the overturning of the Sudanese gov-
less would we trust what they say about the Great Depression — in the days fol- and the first vice-president and president ernment. Human Rights Watch said that
someone charged with “terrorism.” lowing a massive, national upsurge of of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, taking 93 per- Bashir should not be immune from ICC
We do know, however, that the story workers on May Day — they will attempt cent in the southern region. arrest and prosecution.
spread against the person accused of to divide with their continuing racist, These were the first multi-party elec- The European Union declared that it
trying to explode a car in New York City’s anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant campaign. tions held in Sudan since 1986, when the welcomed “the largely peaceful conduct
Times Square on May 1 has a political Whatever the truth behind the Times results failed to resolve Sudan’s internal of the recent election” but “expressed con-
context. We knew immediately that the Square incident, it is U.S. imperialist political crisis and prompted a military cerns about the deficiencies in relation to
U.S. government and corporate media aggression in that region that has created coup that brought Bashir to power in 1989. international standards.” The organiza-
would spin the story to justify U.S. war a political context for such an act. Any Since the early 1990s, relations between tion of 27 member states called on Sudan
policy toward Pakistan, Afghanistan and attack aimed at civilians is grotesque, but the Sudanese government and Western “to cooperate fully with the ICC in accor-
the entire West and Central Asian region, this one would be minuscule compared to imperialist countries have deteriorated. dance with its obligation under interna-
and that the police authorities at home the deaths, injuries, destruction and utter In 2008, the International Criminal Court tional law.” (Sudan Tribune, April 26)
would use it to try to diminish Constitu- chaos that U.S. imperialism has brought in The Hague issued indictments against Sudan has refused to accept the legiti-
tional guarantees for freedom. to Iraq and Afghanistan and has begun to Bashir and other leading government macy of the ICC and maintains that the
In the days since the incident, Sec- inflict on the 170 million Pakistanis. members, accusing them of war crimes in indictments against Bashir are designed
retary of State Hillary Clinton on CBS Over the last 20 years U.S. sanctions, their efforts to battle the rebel movements to undermine the country’s sovereignty.
threatened the elected government of war and occupation have killed 2 million in Sudan’s western Darfur region. Sudan is one of the emerging oil-produc-
Pakistan — which is a U.S. ally and a Iraqis, made 5 million refugees and di- Western imperialist states and their ing states in Africa; the government cites
virtual client state of U.S. imperialism vided Iraq in three parts in order to rule observers claimed that widespread ir- this as a major factor in Western efforts to
— with “severe consequences” if the inci- it. Its 30 years of subversion, invasion regularities occurred in the elections replace the leadership.
dent was traced to Pakistan. Though U.S. and outright occupation have prevented and that the overall outcome left much In the United States, anti-Sudan forces
spokespeople have tried to soften this, progressive development in Afghanistan. to be desired. The European Union de- have criticized the Obama administra-
such a threat is not easily forgotten. Now it is sending more troops. Only the clared that despite the internationally tion for not having a clear foreign policy
In reality this threat is part of the U.S. Pentagon’s iron control of the media supervised elections, the political officials toward the Bashir government. Last year
pressure on the Pakistan regime to wage prevents more frequent revelations of should still be arrested and brought to President Barack Obama appointed a spe-
a more aggressive war against “insur- U.S. atrocities against civilians, commit- trial in the Netherlands. cial envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, who
gents” in the border zones — meaning ted both by troops flying U.S. and NATO Some opposition parties echoed the has attempted to open up dialogue be-
the use of more military force against flags and by the U.S. mercenaries “con- West’s complaints and even said the tween Khartoum and Washington.
their own people. When the Pakistan tracted” as substitute hired killers. outcome of the vote was illegitimate. Congressional Rep. Frank Wolf recent-
army goes in, it may kill some fighters There is a courageous civilian op- Nonetheless, the African Union, which ly stated in a letter to Obama that Gration
but it unquestionably kills many civil- position in Pakistan to the attacks by represents 53 member states, hailed the has not enacted the right policy toward
ians, provoking what can turn into a hor- the army and the drones. It has dem- elections. The AU has opposed the ICC Sudan. Others, such as New York Times
rible civil war in this vast country. onstrated that it can mobilize hundreds indictments, maintaining that the court columnist Nicholas Kristof, have called
The Pentagon in the meantime has of thousands and has mass support. Of is jeopardizing the peace process and the for the bombing of the Sudan Air Force.
stepped up its high-tech war on the peo- course, U.S. policy is aimed at stopping country’s overall political stability. (The East African, May 10)
ple of Pakistan from the safety of high- this movement. AU Commissioner Jean Ping said that A statement by the so-called Save Dar-
tech bases in the United States. Remotely Those in the U.S. who want an end to he commended “the people of the Sudan fur Coalition, which campaigns for U.S.
piloted planes fire rockets on houses in the violence should remember how this and Sudanese political parties for peace- military intervention in Sudan, said that
Pakistan. They hit extended families at was achieved during an earlier war — the fully conducting the just-concluded multi- “President Obama must lead world lead-
wedding parties. They hit farmers. The war on Vietnam. A massive opposition party general elections. These elections ers to not recognize President Omar al-
Pentagon claims they hit “Pakistani Tal- here to that war helped end it and stay constitute a fundamental milestone to- Bashir as a legitimately elected leader
iban.” On one day — May 11 — they fired the hands of the war profiteers. wards realizing democratic transforma- and to press for meaningful steps towards
18 rockets from four of these drones into More than ever, we need a mass tion … as espoused by the 2005 Compre- political freedom in Sudan in the run-up
a border village. movement of people in the United States hensive Peace Agreement.” (April 17) The to next year’s referendum to determine
demanding the troops be pulled out of CPA was the result of negotiations after a independence for South Sudan.” (Inter
Anti-Muslim repression here Iraq and Afghanistan, and demanding no ceasefire between the Sudan People’s Lib- Press Service, April 20)
We also know that the local and attacks on Pakistan. We want the hun- eration Movement and the central govern- In response to the Sudan elections, the
federal government, with the help of dreds of billions of dollars wasted on war ment at the conclusion of a 20-year civil Obama administration said: “The United
the corporate media, will attempt to use to be spent on jobs, homes and health war from 1983-2003. Both parties to the States notes the initial assessment of inde-
this incident to further increase repres- care here. CPA accepted the election results. pendent electoral observers that Sudan’s
sion in the U.S. They will use it to justify Let’s build solidarity, not hatred, Bashir said that the country would go elections did not meet international stan-
their attacks on the Pakistani immigrant between the working class of the U.S. ahead with a referendum on the future of dards. Political rights and freedoms were
community — at a time when at least two and the farmers, workers and progressive the southern region in 2011. (Al-Rayaam, circumscribed throughout the electoral
Pakistani political prisoners, Dr. Aafia people of Pakistan, as well as with the April 25) process, there were reports of intimidation
Siddiqui and Fahad Hashmi, languish in Pakistani community here. The Sudan Tribune noted, “Observers and threats of violence in South Sudan,
say that the agreement between the two ongoing conflict in Darfur did not permit
respective ruling parties in the North and an environment conductive to acceptable
“Low-Wage capitalism by Fred Goldstein is a most timely work, South, committing themselves to accep- elections, and inadequacies in technical
as the working class prepares for a fightback during the greatest crisis tance of the results before they are official- preparations for the vote resulted in seri-
of capitalism since the Great Depression.” ly released, signifies a giant step towards ous irregularities.” (IPS, April 20)
clarence thomas, ILWU Local 10 and Co-chair, Million Worker March Movement maintaining the status quo.” (April 21) The White House indicated that Wash-
ington “remains committed to working
Attacks against Sudan continue with the international community to sup-
The United States observers, including port the implementation of outstanding
the Carter Center, expressed their reser- elements of the CPA and ensure that the
Low-Wage Capitalism vations about the election process and its referendum happens on time and that its
results are respected.”
outcome.
What the new globalized high-tech imperial- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
ism means for the class struggle in the u.S. said in a statement, “It is obvious that the
Fred Goldstein’s book provides an easy-to- elections will fall short of international
read analysis of the roots of the current global standards that are expected of advanced
economic crisis, its implications for workers and you can subscribe at workers.org.
democracies.” Carter expressed a lack of
oppressed peoples, and the strategy needed faith in the ability of the Sudanese peo- Follow Workers World on Twitter http://
for future struggle. ple to conduct their own internal affairs twitter.com/workersworld.
Paperback,_336_pages._includes_graphs,_charts,_ by emphasizing the role of international
bibliography,_endnotes_and_index. Facebook http://bit.ly/c4ndyg.
observers. According to Carter, Western
monitors were essential to ensure a quali- Or write to Workers World Newspaper
Available at www.Leftbooks.com and bookstores around the country fied outcome. (Final Call, April 25) 55 W. 17th St, #5C, New york, Ny 10033
workers.org_ may 20, 2010 Page 11
Rechazo en masa a la
ley de Arizona y al ICE
Por Fred Goldstein los capitalistas necesitaban la mano
de obra barata de cerca de 400.000
Hace cuatro años, en el Primero de trabajadores/as inmigrantes. Pero la
Mayo, millones de inmigrantes y sus ley solamente permitía entrar a este
partidarios/as obligaron al gobierno país legalmente a 5.000 trabajadores/
capitalista a rechazar el vicioso proyec- as por año. Éste era un seguro de
to de ley anti-inmigrante de Sensen- que hubiera una reserva enorme de
brenner. trabajadores/as indocumentados/
Este Primero de Mayo más de 1 mil- as para competir por los empleos de
lón de inmigrantes y simpatizantes se bajo sueldo. También se aseguraba
manifestaron en más de 100 ciudades que durante una depresión hubiera
enviando un poderoso mensaje a las una población no documentada para
fuerzas racistas anti-inmigrantes en ser el chivo expiatorio por la crisis de
Arizona para que deroguen la ley estilo desempleo.
apartheid que legaliza los perfiles racia-
les. tLcAN, industria agrícola
Unidas a las protestas contra la ley de e inmigración
Arizona estaban las exigencias para que Esto es precisamente lo que pasó
se terminen las redadas, las deportacio- en Arizona. Oficialmente la tasa de
nes y la separación de las familias por desempleo ha subido de más de 4
la Agencia de Inmigración y Aduanas por ciento al 9,6 por ciento en los dos
(ICE por las siglas en inglés). Las mani- años de la crisis. Antes había 150.000
festaciones pedían la legalización, el fin desempleados/as en Arizona y esta
de la criminalización de todos/as los in- muNdo_oBrEro_foto:_JohN_CAtALiNotto cifra ya ha subido a más de 300.000.
migrantes indocumentados/as y justicia e Primero de Mayo: un reflejo del verdadero potencial de la relación entre los/as trabajadores/ Y ésta es una cifra modesta debido a que
igualdad para todos/as. as y las masas oprimidas por un lado, y la ultra-derecha por el otro. decenas de miles de trabajadores/as in-
La presencia masiva de inmigrantes documentados/as ya no están contados/
militantes empequeñeció las protestas Además, la propuesta de una tarjeta de política inmigratoria. as como parte de la fuerza laboral. Si el-
anteriores de las bandas racistas del Par- identidad biométrica es una amenaza po- Esta vacilación de Washington no sólo los/as solicitan beneficies por desempleo,
tido del Té, que han sido pintadas por los tencial para todos/as los/as trabajadores/ envalentona al sector anti-inmigrante y los/as trabajadores/as del estado están
grandes medios de comunicación capital- as. Ahora mismo hay una investigación de derechista en su represión, sino que for- obligados/as a dar sus nombres al ICE.
ista como una fuerza todopoderosa desde los antecedentes de todos los trabajadores talece las mismas fuerzas racistas que Es difícil comprender el porqué la
que organizaron “rebeliones” durante las portuarios en el país por el Departamento quieren tumbar a la administración de gente deja a sus familias y corre el riesgo
audiencias públicas sobre el proyecto de de Seguridad de la Patria. Muchos/as han Obama. Mientras que los fascistas “Min- de penuria y muerte al cruzar el desi-
ley de salud. perdido sus puestos de trabajo después de utemen” y otros tipos ultra derechistas erto para entrar en los Estados Unidos,
La manifestación del Primero de Mayo descubrirse infracciones menores. siempre han estado incitando a un ataque a menos que se sepa que el TLCAN, el
fue un reflejo más del verdadero potencial La tarjeta de identidad biométrica daría contra los/as trabajadores/as indocu- tratado que pasó en 1994, abrió México
de la relación entre los/as trabajadores/ a todos los jefes un arma en contra de to- mentados/as, la clase dominante en gen- a la industria agrícola estadounidense y
as y las masas oprimidas por un lado, y la dos/as los/as trabajadores/as. La amenaza eral y el gobierno capitalista tomaron una en efecto destruyó una gran parte de la
ultra-derecha por el otro — una vez que el es especialmente grave para trabajadores/ posición más moderada durante el auge agricultura doméstica de México resul-
pueblo se moviliza. Las rabiosas fuerzas as negros/as y latinos/as. Estos/as tienen económico. tando en la pérdida de tierras y empleos
anti-inmigrante que acudían a los mítines una incidencia desproporcionadamente para millones de personas. La invasión
de Sarah Palin en la gira del Partido del Té alta de encarcelamiento a causa de una capitalistas necesitan de trabajadores/as de corporaciones estadounidenses forzó
no estaban a la vista el Primero de Mayo elevada tasa de desempleo y porque son indocumentados/as a millones de inmigrantes a venir a los
— y por buena razón. El Primero de Mayo blanco de discriminación racial en primer Los empresarios no se quejaron cuan- Estados Unidos para alimentarse ellos/
fue realmente un gran paso hacia adelante lugar. Es bastante comprensible que, entre do los/as trabajadores/as indocumenta- as y sus familias. Era un plan corporativo
en el camino a la lucha contra la derecha. las muchas consignas gritadas en las mani- dos/as cruzaron la frontera para cultivar construido deliberadamente para que ga-
festaciones, se oye a menudo, “¡Obama, es- sus alimentos, construir casas y edificios naran las corporaciones y perdieran los/
Arizona, parte de una tendencia cucha, estamos en la lucha!” de oficinas para la expansión inmobili- as trabajadores/as.
El propósito de la ley de Arizona es La administración Obama ha estado aria, convertirse en techadores, yeseros, Éste es el trasfondo de la campaña de
estimular el racismo, usar a los/as inmi- distante y pasiva frente a este desafío pintores, y jardineros, trabajar en los intimidación y división emprendida con-
grantes como chivos expiatorios, para manifiestamente inconstitucional a los mataderos, limpiar las casas, cuidar los tra los/as trabajadores/as indocumen-
dividir la clase obrera y hacerle más fácil derechos de los latinos/as y a la jurisdic- niños, etc. tados/as. La única solución puede venir
a los empresarios el superar la crisis ción de la propia administración. Legis- Las empresas de construcción, los de la clase trabajadora y envuelve la soli-
económica de desempleo sin que haya ladores derechistas en Texas, Utah, Colo- desarrolladores de bienes raíces, la in- daridad, tanto dentro de los Estados Uni-
una rebelión de los/as trabajadores/as. rado y otros lugares están amenazando dustria hotelera, los empacadores de dos como entre los/as trabajadores/as
Pero la ley, aunque extrema, no es un con seguir el ejemplo de la ley de Arizona. carne y otros capitalistas ganaron miles estadounidenses y los/as trabajadores/
hecho aislado. Hasta ahora Washington ha dejado en de millones en ganancias explotando a as mexicanos/as. Los/as trabajadores/
Las redadas del ICE y la colaboración manos de las fuerzas locales el resistir por trabajadores/as indocumentados/as que as y campesinos/as en México estarán
entre el gobierno federal y cerca de 70 de- vías legales esta medida de corte fascista, tenían poca representación, y quedaban forzados/as a venir aquí para sobrevivir
partamentos de la policía de todo el país que da a la policía el derecho a pedir los completamente vulnerables. siempre que esté el imperialismo corpo-
continúan. La retórica de Washington, papeles de quien se tenga la “sospecha Pero una vez estalló la burbuja inmo- rativo estadounidense en México y en
en particular respecto al proyecto de ley razonable” de ser indocumentado/a. El al- biliaria y la crisis económica se extend- otros países oprimidos.
que está siendo elaborado por el Senador calde de Phoenix, un policía del condado iera, los empresarios ya no pudieron ob- Es demasiado pronto para saber qué
Charles Schumer de Nueva York, trata de Pima, la American Civil Liberties Union tener un beneficio fácil de los millones de van a lograr últimamente las magnífi-
de “seguridad fronteriza”, de un “cami- y otras organizaciones de servicios legales trabajadores/as indocumentados/as, así cas movilizaciones del Primero de Mayo
no” draconiano a la ciudadanía pagando están trabajando para desafiar esa ley. que la clase dominante los utilizó como 2010. Pero ya ha hecho vacilar a la clase
multas, de demostrar competencia en Mientras tanto, el ICE y los policías del chivos expiatorios. Al aumentar el de- dominante y sus planes de convertir a los/
inglés, de ir “al final de la línea,” de “pro- condado de Maricopa bajo el mando del sempleo en los EEUU de un 4 al 10 por as inmigrantes en chivos expiatorios por
gramas de trabajadores huéspedes, etc. alguacil Joe Arpaio de mentalidad fas- ciento, la actitud de la clase dominante y la crisis económica. Esto abre paso para
Estas medidas punitivas llamadas “refor- cista, siguen llevando a cabo redadas y el gobierno se hizo más dura. que crezca la solidaridad entre todos/as
mas migratorias” estigmatizarán oficial- revisiones arbitrarias, a pesar de un fallo Esto fue parte de una política del go- los/as trabajadores/as y para levantar la
mente a los/as trabajadores/as indocu- de la Agencia de Seguridad Nacional que bierno cuidadosamente calculada. Du- consigna de que no hay fronteras en la lu-
mentados/as. le quitó a Arpaio el derecho a ejecutar la rante el período de expansión económica cha obrera.