By MICHAEL SCHREIBER Several hundred thousand people marched across the United States on Oct. 26, demanding "No War on Iraq!" The largest demonstration took place in Washington, D.C., where organizers stated that close to 200,000 rallied and then marched around the White House. At the same time, 80,000 to 100,000 marched through downtown San Francisco. … Continue reading Biggest Antiwar Marches Since the Gulf War
Month: November 2002
Bush Presses for Iraq War Despite Public Outcry
By GERRY FOLEY In the face of mass opposition to war with Iraq throughout the world and even broader fears among both U.S. politicians and the public, the Bush administration is continuing to flaunt its preparations for a devastating assault on the Middle East's second largest oil producer. Whatever the outcome of the UN Security … Continue reading Bush Presses for Iraq War Despite Public Outcry
Movement for Gay Liberation Began Well Before Stonewall
By ADAM RITSCHER Many tend to think that the gay liberation movement did not begin in earnest until the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York-the now infamous event when patrons of the gay and lesbian bar stood up and fought back against an attack by police. As important an event as Stonewall proved to be, … Continue reading Movement for Gay Liberation Began Well Before Stonewall
Two Comic Artists Speak for the Oppressed
By GAETANA CALDWELL-SMITH Dario Fo, clown, prolific writer, and playwright, has been denounced by the Vatican. He has been to court in Italy for "contributing to criminal acts" with his satirical jabs at the Pope's stance on abortion. In the 1970s and 80s, he was barred from the United States under the McCarren Act. Invited … Continue reading Two Comic Artists Speak for the Oppressed
Youth in Action!
A Young Worker's Introduction to the Labor Movement Below is a brief interview with Lauren Stusak, a young worker in Duluth, Minn., who is active with the campaign to unionize hotel workers there. Socialist Action: Where do you work and what is your job there? Lauren Stusak: I'm a room attendant and inspector at the Inn … Continue reading Youth in Action!
What Battle Plan for Dockers?
By CHARLES WALKER On July 3, 1989, the Margaret Thatcher government privatized Britain's 60 seaports, ending five decades of nationalization. In quick order, the new owners, private shipping firms, took on the dockworkers' unions. After two years of court and picket line battles, all ports but Liverpool, were no longer unionized. On Sept. 28, 1995, … Continue reading What Battle Plan for Dockers?
Partial Victory for Boston Janitors
By JOE AUCIELLO BOSTON-Better pay. Health insurance. Respect. Nearly 2000 janitors in Boston, represented by the Service Employees International Union, organized, marched, and won a nearly four-week-old strike against the largest cleaning service companies in the region. The five-year contract offered by the Maintenance Contractors of New England extends benefits that have never been granted … Continue reading Partial Victory for Boston Janitors
NY Transit Workers in Historic Contract Battle
By LEO SCHWARTZ NEW YORK-Transit workers here are gearing up for a contract battle that will pit 35,000 subway and bus workers of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 against the financial elite of the world. The contract deadline is Dec. 15, 2002. It's either fight to win or be dealt a terrible … Continue reading NY Transit Workers in Historic Contract Battle
Workers’ Leader Lula Wins Brazil Presidency; US Warns Him Against Radical Changes
By GERRY FOLEY The second round of the Brazilian elections on Oct. 27 brought no more surprises than the first round on Oct. 6. The Workers Party candidate, Luiz Ignacio da Silva (Lula), won handily with about 61 percent of the vote to about 31 percent for the outgoing government's candidate, Jose Serra. As in … Continue reading Workers’ Leader Lula Wins Brazil Presidency; US Warns Him Against Radical Changes
Strategy and Tactics in the New Antiwar Movement
By JEFF MACKLER One year after the carefully orchestrated post-Sept. 11 bi-partisan "war on terrorism," the murderous war against the people of Afghanistan and the associated crackdown on democratic rights and civil liberties, a burgeoning mass movement in opposition to U.S. war and intervention had forced its way onto the stage of real politics. Every … Continue reading Strategy and Tactics in the New Antiwar Movement
Christian, Islamic and Jewish Fundamentalism & the Question of Palestine
By PAUL SIEGEL Christian, Islamic, and Jewish fundamentalism all play important roles in the struggle for Palestine and in the conflict of interests in the Middle East. Each believes in a literal reading and strict application of its holy books (the Old Testament for Jews, the Old plus the New Testament for Christians, both testaments … Continue reading Christian, Islamic and Jewish Fundamentalism & the Question of Palestine
AFL-CIO’s Sweeney Faces Growing Antiwar Opposition
By CHARLES WALKER At long last, the AFL-CIO has spoken out about the looming U.S. war against Iraq. In an Oct. 7 letter to U.S. Senators and Representatives, AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney concludes that "we" must assure the sons and daughters of America's working families that "war is the last option, not the first, … Continue reading AFL-CIO’s Sweeney Faces Growing Antiwar Opposition
Britain Sees Mass Antiwar Protests
LONDON-There are few events in British history that can be mentioned as turning points in the political life of this country but the massive demonstration in central London on Sept. 28 must surely be considered as one. Over 400,000 people came out to march against the proposed attack on Iraq and to demand freedom for … Continue reading Britain Sees Mass Antiwar Protests
From Cold War to Oil War
By BOB MATTINGLY "Oil has meant mastery throughout the 20th century." -Daniel Yergin, Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Washington, D.C. Columbian troops guarding Occidental's oil pipelines against rebels "wear patches featuring an oil drilling rig," reported The New York Times (Oct. 4). American troops storming Iraq wellheads won't be so blatantly marked but that doesn't mean … Continue reading From Cold War to Oil War
Putin Pledges Escalation War in Chechnya
By XAVIER ROUSSELIN PARIS-"We have proved that it is impossible to bring Russia to its knees," Putin declared after the assault on the Chechen hostage takers on Oct. 26. The "collateral damage" was 119 hostages killed, all by the gas pumped into the building or by the guns of the special forces. It was topped … Continue reading Putin Pledges Escalation War in Chechnya
Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: No War for Oil
This recorded message was broadcasted to the mass rallies in Washington and San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2002. By MUMIA ABU-JAMAL On a Move! Long live John Africa! I thank you for gathering in Washington and in San Francisco, against the gathering forces of war. The one thing I would like to stress is this: … Continue reading Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: No War for Oil
Costs of War Against Palestinians Throws Israeli Regime into Crisis
By GERRY FOLEY In-fighting among the Zionist parties has now forced the Israeli premier, Ariel Sharon, to call new elections for February. Sharon pointed out that elections are risky for the Zionist state in the current situation. In fact, the economic costs of the war against the Palestinians and the world economic crisis are creating … Continue reading Costs of War Against Palestinians Throws Israeli Regime into Crisis