Democrats divert Wisconsin workers into recall campaign

MADISON—On Nov. 19, over 25,000 people rallied at the Wisconsin State Capitol to kick off the electoral drive to recall Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefish. Petitioners began collecting signatures on Nov. 15 for a special election in the spring of 2012. To hold the election, 540,000 valid signatures of “electors” (those not … Continue reading Democrats divert Wisconsin workers into recall campaign →

UAW members approve concession-filled contracts

In late October, members of the United Auto Workers at the Big Three voted to approve concession-filled contracts under heavy pressure from the Administrative Caucus that rules the UAW. All three contracts maintain the devastating two-tier status of new and recent hires, and contain no wage increases for “traditional” tier autoworkers, no cost-of-living increases, and … Continue reading UAW members approve concession-filled contracts →

Wall St. criminals attack OWS; workers, students fight back!

NEW YORK—On Nov. 15, Wall Street’s front man, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, launched an early-morning blitzkrieg-style police raid on Zuccotti Park, the site of the two-month old Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. New York’s “thugs in blue” evicted and arrested some 250 non-violent protestors at 1 a.m. and seized their possessions. The growing OWS “people’s library” … Continue reading Wall St. criminals attack OWS; workers, students fight back! →

Occupy Oakland shuts down port and calls for blockade

OAKLAND, Calif.—The Occupy Oakland movement reached a new height on Nov. 2 when a “General Strike” drew more than 10,000 working people, students, and trade unionists—the 99%—to downtown. The mobilization grew to upwards of 20,000 as a diverse sea of people marched to the port of Oakland, where the ILWU workers honored their picket line, … Continue reading Occupy Oakland shuts down port and calls for blockade →

European Debt Crisis Latest Threat to Global System

The foremost symptom in the last month of the deepening global economic crisis has been the sovereign debt panic in Europe, a panic steadily increasing the odds of an explosion of the European Union and the death of the euro. The spillover would engulf the world, sinking to new depths a stagnant U.S. economy, as … Continue reading European Debt Crisis Latest Threat to Global System →

Occupations point the way for mass labor fightback

Socialist Action welcomes the Occupy movement as a hopeful sign that the working-class fightback against the economic crisis, which is decades overdue, may finally be taking off. We salute the bravery and persistence of the Occupations in the face of police repression, media lies, and politician slanders and attempts at cooptation.As with similar mass encampments … Continue reading Occupations point the way for mass labor fightback →

Occupy movement goals: Socialist revolution or capitalist reforms?

At last count 900 U.S. cities have joined the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. Five hundred other cities and towns on every continent have joined the mushrooming mobilizations in solidarity. With each repressive blow, the movement comes back stronger—more inclusive, more confident, and more clearly focused. “The Americans are fighting back at last,” cried one … Continue reading Occupy movement goals: Socialist revolution or capitalist reforms? →

A fury of activity at Occupy Wall Street

NEW YORK—Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to shut down Zuccotti Park early on Oct. 14 but found that the movement’s anti-corporate message had struck too deep a nerve with New Yorkers. Under pretext of cleaning the park, located a few short blocks from Wall Street, the mayor planned to have cops remove protesters and destroy … Continue reading A fury of activity at Occupy Wall Street →

Occupy the Hood

The “Occupy the Hood” movement in New York City has spread to the oppressed communities of Brooklyn and the Bronx, although, as yet, there are no actual occupations. One Boston Occupy the Hood activist, Ife Johan Uhuru, put it this way, “I see Occupy Wall Street as putting forth demands, and a lot of times … Continue reading Occupy the Hood →

Building the NATO /G8 protests

The Oct. 15 demonstrations and forums called by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) to mark the 10th anniversary of the occupation of Afghanistan wonderfully coincided with an internationally called Global Day of Action against austerity and were able, in many cities, to link up with the Occupy Movement. In New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, … Continue reading Building the NATO /G8 protests →

Occupy comes to Taiwan!

When U.S. House Majority leader Eric Cantor derided the Occupy Wall Street activists as “a growing mob,” he could not have known that the movement’s influence would grow so strong that its impact would be felt even at the other end of the world. On Oct. 15, as part of an international weekend of protest, … Continue reading Occupy comes to Taiwan! →

Mumia on Occupy Wall Street

In Lower Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park (renamed “Liberty Square” by the demonstrators), the cast of thousands swell in rebellion against the betrayals by the banks, Wall Street’s relentless greed, the plague of joblessness and the craven servility of the political class—both Republicans and Democrats—to their moneyed masters. In short, the central focus of their protest is … Continue reading Mumia on Occupy Wall Street →

UAW ranks approve concession-filled contracts

In late October, members of the United Auto Workers at the Big Three voted to approve concession-filled contracts under heavy pressure from the Administrative Caucus that rules the UAW. All three contracts maintain the devastating two-tier status of new and recent hires, contain no wage increases for “traditional” tier autoworkers, no cost-of-living increases, and many work-rule … Continue reading UAW ranks approve concession-filled contracts →

Support the Occupy Wall Street Movement!

Socialist Action welcomes the growing Occupy movement as a hopeful sign that the decades-overdue classwide fightback against the economic crisis may finally be taking off. We salute the bravery and persistence of the occupations in the face of police repression, media lies and politician slanders and/or attempts at cooptation.Beginning, as was the case with similar … Continue reading Support the Occupy Wall Street Movement! →

Middle East revolt gains force

“Arab Spring, European Summer, American Fall!” So read the huge banner greeting marchers as they returned to New York’s Liberty Plaza, home to Occupy Wall Street, at the end of a 30,000-strong march. This is just the latest example of the constant evocation of the Arab revolution as inspiration by OWS and similar “Occupy” events … Continue reading Middle East revolt gains force →

20,000 join New York labor protest

No doubt the Oct. 15 Occupy Wall Street (OWS) rally will add a new coat of paint to many lackluster labor leaders, including national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who has also pledged to “support” OWS. That’s certainly part of the union bureaucracy’s calculations for staying in office and maintaining their salaries and perks, while continuing … Continue reading 20,000 join New York labor protest →

MASSIVE OCCUPATION TARGETS WALL STREET

Worldwide economic misery, inequality, and war have sparked an explosion of protests against Wall Street’s super crooks. The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, which began in New York City, has spread like a wildfire across the United States. Protesters, led mainly by young people, have built encampments in numerous cities, with accompanying marches and … Continue reading MASSIVE OCCUPATION TARGETS WALL STREET →

Public Workers Under Attack

This article is based on a presentation by the author to a recent Socialist Action forum in Philadelphia. Marty Goodman is a transit worker in New York City, and a longtime activist in Transport Workers Union Local 100. On May 26 a Wisconsin judge voided the infamous legislation that would have radically restricted union bargaining … Continue reading Public Workers Under Attack →

Northern Lights

No coalition with Liberals! Fight for socialist policies! Vote NDP on May 2!by Barry WeislederThe defeat in the House of Commons of the most hated federal government in a long time triggered the fourth election campaign in seven years. Voters across the Canadian state go to the polls on May 2 to choose their pill … Continue reading Northern Lights →

Worldwide Movement in Support of Gaza Surges

What Next for the Movement?[by Andy Pollack]The moment news broke on December 27th of the Israeli attack on Gaza, activists around the world began planning emergency demonstrations, and protests have occurred every day since then.In New York, for instance, as activists woke up Saturday morning to news of the aggression, furious phoning and emailing began … Continue reading Worldwide Movement in Support of Gaza Surges →

Despite U.S. Claims, Iraq Still in Turmoil

[by Gerry Foley]The end of the year was the occasion for balance sheets of the Iraq war both by the press and U.S. government officials. Generally these accounts stressed that although 2007 was the deadliest year of the war for U.S. forces and for Iraqis, both civilians and members of the security forces, there has … Continue reading Despite U.S. Claims, Iraq Still in Turmoil →