DidTheMilitantandtheU.S.SWPpublishantiOWSscreeds?

Alookatthedocumentaryrecord
PreparedbyJayRothermel
04/03/2012

InhisarticleNoOneKnowsWhere!OWSandtheRoleofCommunistsCalebW.Maupinstatesthat

theapproachtoOWScurrentlybeingutilizedbymyselfandWorkersWorldParty,andcriticized
soharshlybyJayRothermelsMarxistUpdate,TheMilitant,Worker'sVanguard,andother
Marxistpublications,iscorrect.

Healsohasthistosay:

Theseendlessscreeds,mostofthemharshlyattackingOWS,andcriticizingitinanextremely
condescendingmanner,havenoimpactontheOWSers.Theygoinoneearandouttheother,
withspeedtoequaltotheLimbaughfanswhoscream"getajob!"fromtheirtaxicabwindows.

Theyallreadthesame,nomatterwhethertheSpartacistLeague,InternationalBolshevik
Tendency,SocialistWorkersParty,orwhoeverprintedthem.

InanefforttoverifytheexistenceofSWPorTheMilitantcomposedantiOWSscreedsaspartof
preparingalargerresponsetoCalebT.Maupinsarticle,IreviewedtheonlinearchivesofTheMilitant
newspaper.

NoscreedsexistthereagainstOWS.

Ihave,compiledalistofallmentionsofOWSandvariousOccupygroupsandeventsthatwere
mentionedinTheMilitantsinceOWSbegan.Ihavealsoprovidedlinkstoallthearticles,dateof
publication,andpertinentexcerpts.Inseveralcases,Ihaveprovidedtheentirearticleoreditorial.

IcannotcommentabouttheattitudeorapproachofanyothergrouporMarxistnewspaperrelatedto
OWS,andhavenodesiretodefendtheirdubioushonoragainstCalebT.Maupin.

JayRothermel
3April2012

1
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7537/753706.html

10/17/2011

....Aswegotopressthousandsofyoungpeople,workers,andunionistsaremarchingthroughLower
ManhattansfinancialdistricttargetingWallStreetandprotestingagainsttheimpactofthecapitalist
economiccrisis,governmentdemandsonpublicworkersforcontractconcessions,antiimmigrantlaws,
andothersocialproblems.Similaractionswerecalledinanumberofotherscitiesacrossthecountry.
ThislatestprotestcomesinthethirdweekofongoingactionsunderthebannerofOccupyWallStreet.
NewYorkcopsarrestedmorethan700protesterswhowereattemptingtocrosstheBrooklynBridge
October1.Thepoliceactionfailedtodampenspiritsofdemonstratorsandattractedwiderpublic
support.Sofarfoursubscriptionsand93copiesoftheMilitanthavebeensoldattheaction.

2
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7538/753803.html

10/24/11

....AtarallyinFargo,N.D.,organizedbymembersofthesugarworkersunionandagroupofyoung
peopleputtingtogetheranOccupyWallStreetmovementinthearea,socialistworkerssolda
subscriptiontoayoungunemployedworkerwhotoldthem,Ionlyhave$500inthebankandifIdontget
ajobsoon,Illbeevictedfrommyapartment.ButIwouldratherstarvethantakeajobasastrikebreaker
atCrystal.

....YoungpeopleandworkersatOccupyWallStreetactionsinNewYorkandsimilardemonstrations
acrossthecountryaresnatchinguptheMilitantalongwithbooksonrevolutionaryworkingclasspolitics.
Ourliteraturetablewasbusyfromthemomentwesetuptowellaftertheeventwasover,saidWillie
CottonaboutonesucheventonthelawnoftheIowastatecapitolinDesMoinesOctober9.Manywere
lookingforanswerstothecapitalistcrisisand14subscriptionsweresoldthatdayandatsimilarevents
inneighboringtownsovertheweekend.

InNewYorkCity,38subscriptionsand223singlecopieshavesofarbeensoldatOccupyWallStreet
eventsnearZucottiParkinLowerManhattan,alongwithanumberofPathfinderbooks.

....sevenparticipantsinaChicagodemonstrationagainstWashingtonswarinAfghanistanbought
subscriptions.Morethan1,000peoplejoinedtheaction,includingalargecontingentofyouthand
workersfromtheongoingOccupyChicagoprotestattheFederalReserveBankofChicago.

3
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7538/753850.html

10/24/2011

OccupyWallSt.actionsspreadtocitiesacrossUS
Drawthousandsaffectedbycapitalistcrisis
(featurearticle)

BYSETHGALINSKY
ANDRUTHROBINETT
NEWYORKThousandsofyoungpeople,students,middleclasslayers,andworkersbothemployed
andjoblesshavejoinedOccupyWallStreetprotestshereoverthelastseveralweeks.ZuccottiPark,a
fewblocksfromtheWallStreetfinancialdistrict,hasbecomeamagnetforthosewhoarebeingbattered
bythecapitalisteconomiccrisisandarelookingtodosomethingaboutit.
Somecomejustforafewhours,othershavebeencampedoutinthesquarefordaysorweeks.One
universitystudentfromVirginiaskippedclassesandhitchhikedtoNewYorktotakepart.Fortystudents
fromtheUniversityofKentuckyraisedthousandsofdollarstojointheactionforafewdays.

UnitedinoppositiontoWallStreetasasymbolofcapitalistgreed,participantsrepresentawide
spectrumofpoliticalviews.Handmadesignsabound,oftencolorfullyreflectingitswielderspersonal
experience:Collegedegree=Unemployment.ThanksWallStreet,Iamasocialworkerstudentwho
owes$60,000inloans.Iamthe99%,andF***yourunpaidinternship.Asmatteringofconspiracy
theoristsandafringeofrightistsarealsopresentpromotingtheirnostrums.

Inspiredbytheprotest,similaractionshavespreadtocitiesandtownsthroughouttheUnitedStates,
tappingintoagrowingsentimentthatsomethingiswrongandneedstochange.UndertheOccupyWall
Streetbanner,manyhavejoinedinlaborprotests:fromdemonstrationsinsupportoflaidoffschool
aides,postalworkers,andbuildingworkersinNewYorktoralliesbackinglockedoutsugarworkersin
theUpperMidwest.

Iusedtothinkthegovernmenthadmybestinterestsinmind,butnowIknowthatsnottrue,Fashion
InstituteofTechnologystudentStevenRobinsontoldtheMilitant.

Weneedmorejobs,cheapertuitionforcollege,higherwages,saidMarcioMartinez,arecenthigh
schoolgraduate.

StaceyTaylorandherhusbandaretruckdriverswhocamefromsouthernIndianatojointheprotests.
Wepayourshareoftaxesandthetop1percentdoesnt,shesaid.

OccupyWallStreetbeganSeptember17asanopenendedprotestinresponsetoacallbyAdbusters,
ananarchistcollectiveinCanada.Adbustersstatesitisaglobalnetworkofartists,activists,writers,
pranksters,students,educatorsandentrepreneurswhoseaimistotoppleexistingpowerstructuresand
forgeamajorshiftinthewaywelive.

Thefirstdayofprotestattractedabout2,000people.WhenNewYorkpolicewouldntallowthe
demonstratorstoprotestonWallStreet,theysetupcampinsteadafewblocksawayatZuccottiPark,
wherehundredssleptovernight.

Theprotestgainedmomentumaftercopsarrested80demonstratorsduringaSeptember24marchand
werevideotapedattackingseveralwomenwithpepperspray.
4

Thearrestsandpolicebrutality,insteadofintimidatingtheprotesters,gavethemaboostandwonbroad
sympathy.Morestartedstreaminginfromalloverthecountry.

Inthelargestactionsofar,some10,000peoplejoinedanOctober5marchorganizedbyunionsin
solidaritywithOccupyWallStreet.Amongothers,theprotestwasactivelybuiltbygroupsformingpartof
theDemocraticPartysleftwing,includingtheWorkingFamiliesPartyandMoveOn.org.

ThesecondissueofTheOccupiedWallStreetJournal,afourcolorbroadsheet,respondedtocriticism
thattheorganizershadraisedwhattheyareagainst,butnotanycleardemandsofwhattheyarefor.No
listofdemandswastheheadlineoftheeditorialnote.Arguingthattheoccupationitselfisthegoal,the
papersaid,Wearespeakingtoeachother,andlistening.Thisoccupationisfirstaboutparticipation.

MillionairesMarch
OnOctober11,OccupyWallStreetorganizedaMillionairesMarchup5thandParkavenuesoutside
thehomesoftheownersandCEOsofseveralbanksandlargecorporations.

Referringtoa2percentNewYorktaxonmillionairesthatwillexpireinDecember,OccupyWallStreet
organizerDougForandtoldthepress,Thisisfiscally,economically,andmorallywrong.

TheAmericanpeopleunderstandthatnoteverybodyhasbeenfollowingtherulesthatWallStreetisan
exampleofthat,PresidentBarackObamasaidoftheprotests.ObamaandotherDemocraticParty
figureshavebeendemagogicallyarguingthattheproblemisRepublicanoppositiontosharingthe
burdensoftheeconomiccrisis.

SofartheWallStreetOccupiershavehelpedtheDemocraticParty,saidRobertReich,formerlabor
secretaryintheWilliamClintonadministration.Theirinchoatedemandthattherichpaytheirfairshareis
tailormadefortheDemocratsnewplanfora5.6percenttaxonmillionaires.TogettheDemocratsto
fightfortheplanpressurefromtheleftiscriticallyimportant,hesaid.

Someconservativepoliticiansandpapershaveattackedtheprotests,othershavetakenamorecareful,
mutedstance.

AccordingtotheWallStreetJournal,RepublicanpresidentialcandidatesRonPaulandRickSantorum
empathizewiththeprotestersfrustrationbuttheydontagreewithalloftheirgoals.ButnotRepublican
candidateHermanCain.Ifyoudonthaveajobandyourenotrich,blameyourself,hesaid.

ManyofthoseparticipatinginOccupyWallStreetactionsaroundthecountryareopentoworkingclass
politicsandareattractedtounfoldingstrugglesbyworkers.

SocialistWorkersPartymembershavesolddozensofsubscriptionstotheMilitant,hundredsofsingle
copiesofthepaper,aswellasliteraturefromPathfinderPress,atralliesandencampmentsinNewYork
andaroundthecountry.

Theseactivitieshavebecomefertilegroundfordiscussingtheneedforworkingpeopletoresistthe
mountingattacksbythebossesandtheirgovernment,andtoorganizeamovementthatcanwrest
politicalpowerfromtheexploitersandreconstructsocietyonfoundationsofhumansolidarity,notprofit
forafew.

6
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7539/753903.html

10/31/11

"SeveralworkerswantedtotalkabouttheOccupyWallStreetprotests.Wesold27singlecopiesofthe
paperand8subscriptionseverypaperwehadandkickourselvesfornotbringingmore.

....Inthelastweek21subscriptionsweresoldatOccupyWallStreetprotestsinNewYork.Nineteen
signedupforsubscriptionsatsimilaractionsinIowa,16inLondon,and5inSydney,Australia,duringthe
courseoftheweek.

7
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7539/753932.html

10/31/2011

....BuildingcleanersrallyinNYCaheadofcontractexpirations

NEWYORKAbout400officecleanersorganizedbyServiceEmployeesInternationalUnionLocal
32BJandsupportersralliedintheFinancialDistricthereOctober12tosupporttensofthousandsof
buildingcleanersincontractnegotiationsintheregion.

ContractsforthousandsofcleanersintheWashington,D.C.,areaandPhiladelphiaexpiredOctober16.
D.C.areaworkersarevotingonatentativepact.InNewYork,NewJersey,ConnecticutandMiami
contractsexpireDecember31.

SpeakersincludedHectorFigueroa,secretarytreasurerofLocal32BJLucienClarke,alockedout
buildingworkeratFlatbushGardensapartmentsinBrooklynTeamsterorganizedauctionworkers
lockedoutbySothebysayoungwomanrepresentingOccupyWallStreetandamemberof
CommunicationsWorkersofAmericaLocal1109,representingVerizonworkersrecentlyonstrikewho
arestillnegotiatinganewcontract.

Theywanttotakeawaysomeofoursickdaysandmakeuspayhundredsofdollarstoaccessthe
emergencyroom,RosaDelgado,acleanerfor11years,toldtheMilitant.WhereamIgoingtogetthe
money?

Followingtherally,demonstratorsmarchedagaintojoinOccupyWallStreetprotestersinZuccottiPark
wheretheygotawarmwelcome.

8
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7542/754254.html

November21,2011

....theTwinCitiestheyhadaboutfivecontributionsfrommeetingpeoplesellingdoortodoorandatthe
OccupyWallStreetactionsinMinneapolis.Thesepeople,whoforonereasonoranotherdidntgeta
subscriptiontotheMilitant,askediftheycoulddonatemoneytoourworkbecausetheylikewhatweare
doing,Morrisonsaid.

9
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7543/754305.html

11/28/2011

IntheearlymorningofNovember14,hundredsofcopsinriotgeardescendedontheOccupyOakland
campers,destroyingtheirtentsandremovingthemfromtheparkinfrontofCityHallwheremanyhave
beenforoveramonth.UnlikeanearlierraidonOctober25,noinjurieswerereported.

CopshavemovedtoshutdownOccupyencampmentsinanumberofcities,includingNewYork
Portland,Ore.SaltLakeCityandDenver.Similarmovesarebeingpursuedinmorethanadozenother
cities,includingLondon.

Inalloftheseplaces,cityofficialshaveusedissueslikecrime,cleanlinessandsafetyasapretextforthe
removals.InLosAngeles,policespokespeoplewarnedtheywillshutdownthecamponCityHall
groundsbecausetheyvedestroyedthelawnandarebecomingdetrimentaltothetrees.

Overthepastfewweeks,mayorsandotherofficialsfromdozensofcitieshaveconferredonhowtomove
againstOccupyencampmentsinnationalconferencecallsorganizedbytheU.S.ConferenceofMayors
andthePoliceExecutiveResearchForum.

ThreedaysbeforetheOaklandraid,thecitysPoliceOfficersAssociationissuedanopenletterto
participantsinOccupyOakland,urgingthemtoleavethecampfortheirownhealthandsafety,citinga
fatalshootingnearthecampthattheoccupiershaveexplainedtheyhadnothingtodowith.

AfterthepredawnraidonthecampOctober25,whenprotestersattemptedtoreoccupythearea,police
firedteargas,beanbagroundsandflashbanggrenades,criticallywoundingScottOlsen,aMarine
veteranoftheIraqwarandmemberofIraqVeteransAgainsttheWar.Outragespreadwhenvideo
footagewasreleasedshowingthecopstossingaprojectiledirectlyatthosewhocametotheaidof
Olsen.

Underpressureofthewidespreadoppositiontotheattack,OaklandMayorJeanQuanwithdrewthe
heavypolicepresencefromtheimmediateareaofthecampandthetentswereallowedtoreturn.

ThenonNovember9copsattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeleycampusattackedstudentswithclubs
astheytriedtodefendthetentstheyhadsetupaspartofOccupyCal.

Videosshowingthecopsadvancingonapeacefullineofstudentswitharmslinkedledtocondemnation
ofthecops,includingbythestudentgovernment.

Alotofthestudentshadneverseenanythinglikethatbefore,JessicaVott,aLatinAmericanstudies
majorwhowitnessedthebeatings,toldtheMilitant.Theysawwhatcanhappenifyouquestionsociety.

Thecopattackcamethesamedayasademonstrationofhundredsoncampusprotestingathreatened
increaseintuition.AStrikeandDayofActionhasbeencalledforcollegeanduniversitystudentson
November15tocontinuethefightagainsttherisingcostofeducationandcutbacks,aswellastoprotest
policebrutality.

InOakland,inresponsetotheOctober25attack,manythousandsturnedoutforadayofprotest
November2.Dubbedageneralstrikebytheorganizers,theprotestattractedyouth,workersand
middleclasspeoplehardhitbytheeconomiccrisisfromthroughouttheBayAreaandbeyond.
10

Rallieswereorganizedthroughouttheday,aswellasmarchesondowntownbanks.Morethan10,000
marchedatnightfallonthePortofOakland,shuttingitdown.

AmongthelargelyyoungcrowdthatmarchedtotheportwasJacobDavis,24,aveteranoftheIraqwar.
HetoldtheMilitantheopposedthewarandwasmarchingbecauseofwhathappenedtoScottOlsen.

Manylongshoreworkersdidnotshowupforwork.Othersleftwhentheysawthemarchers.TheMilitant
spokewithportdriverswhosetrucksweresurroundedbythedemonstration.Mostofthedrivers
supportedtheaction.

AfternightfallonNovember2,asmallgroupingofindividualsbuiltfiresinthestreet,brokewindowsand
spraypaintedstoresinthedowntownareaneartheOccupyOaklandcamp.Thenextdayparticipantsin
OccupyOaklanddecidedtodissociatetheirmovementfromthevandalism,withsomepitchingintohelp
inthecleanup.Duringoneoftheprotests,demonstratorsphysicallyforcedothermarcherstostop
trashingaWholeFoodsstore.

AndrinaHuxey,whowaspresentOctober25whenthecopsattacked,toldtheMilitantthatbeforeseeing
thepolicebrutalityshehadbeenthinkingofusinghereightyearsintheNavyasexperiencetohelpher
getajobasacop.NowIknowIdontwanttobepartofthat,shesaid.

SocialistWorkersPartymembersandsupportersjoinedthediscussionsduringthedayofprotest,
stressingtheneedforworkingpeopletoorganizeindependentlyofthetwopartiesthatrepresentthe
propertiedrulers,whosegovernmentisorganizingassaultsonworkingpeopletomakethempayforthe
crisisofthecapitalistsystem.

ArticlesintheMilitantsparkeddiscussionofhowthecopsareusedbythebossesagainstworkersin
unionstruggles,ashasbeenthecasewithlongshoreworkersfightingunionbustingintheportof
Longview,Washington.

Annie,anunemployedconstructionworkerwhodidnotwanttogiveherlastname,wasoneofthosewho
turnedoutNovember13,thenightbeforetheraid,toshowsupportforthecamp.Whenlearningthatthe
Militantbuildssolidaritywithunionstruggles,sheboughtacopyandsaid,Unionbustinghastostop!
Thatsaquotetoputinthepaper.

TheNovember15movebyNewYorkpolicetoclearourZuccottiPark,thesiteofOccupyWallStreet,
wasdescribedbytheNewYorkTimesasaminutelyplanned,almostmilitarystyleoperation.Practice
runswereconducted,basedondisordertrainingandcounterterrorismplans,andhonedoverweeks.

Theraidbeganat1a.m.,whenthefewestpeoplewerepresent.Arrestsweremadewithaminimumof
violence,unlikeearlierassaultsonprotestswithpeppersprayandphysicalattacks,showingcop
violencecanbeturnedonandoffwhenneeded.

Complaintsofabusecamefromreporters,whoweresystematicallybarredfromthepark.Impress,
RosieGray,awriterfortheVillageVoice,toldacopwhoblockedherfromcoveringtheoperation.He
responded,nottonight,shesaid.

Adbusters,theCanadiananarchistmagazinethatoriginallyproposedtheencampments,saidNovember
14thatprotestersshoulddeclarevictoryandheadindoors.Otherssaidtheywereconsidering
supportinglikemindedpoliticalcandidates.EricSimpsoncontributedtothisarticle.
11

12
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7543/754320.html

11/28/2011

Thedictatorshipofcapital
(editorial)

Thisweek,cityofficialsandtheircopsindozensofcitiesacrossthecountrymovedtoevictcampersat
OccupyWallStreetactions.

TheMilitant,likemillionsofworkingpeople,defendstherightsoftheseprotesters,demandsfreedomof
speechandassembly,andcondemnspolicebrutality.

Thepropertiedcapitalistsrulersownersofthefactories,mines,mills,allmeansofproduction,aswell
asmastersoffinancecapital,oneandthesameholdthereinsoftheU.S.imperialiststate.The
DemocraticandRepublicanpartiesaretheirparties,atwopartysystemofcapitalistrule.

TheownersofAmericanCrystalSugar,whohavelockedout1,300workersintheUpperMidwest,know
theycancountonsupportfrompoliticiansofbothparties.InNorthDakotatheyadoptedcompanybacked
lawstodenyunemploymentcompensationtoworkers,acoldbloodedmovetostarvetheminto
submissionand,theyhope,fosterdivisionsamongthosewhodontreceivebenefitsandthosewhoget
theminMinnesota.Andthebossesareassuredofcontinuedbackingfromthecopsandcourts,for
injunctionsandstrictenforcementtolimitpicketing,allowingscabstowork.

Thedictatorshipofcapitalandtheworldwideunsolvablecrisisofthatsystemiswhatworkingpeople
confront.Thisisthesourceofunfoldingsocialcrises,risingunemployment,attacksonunionsandwages,
lockoutsfromtheUpperMidwesttoNewZealand,austeritymeasuresandlayoffsfromAlabamas
JeffersonCountytoGreece,copbrutality,intensifyinginterstateconflictsandspreadingwar.

Theproblemisnotgreedybankersorfatcats.Itcannotbetouchedbyraisingtaxesonthewealthy,
revenueextractedfromthecapitalistssurplustobeusedbytheirgovernmenttobalancetheirbudgets,
paythebondholdersincludingthemselvesfighttheirwars,andwhateverelsetheydecide.

Pointingblameatgreedybankswithdemagogicappealstotaxtherichservestoobfuscatethereal
problemandtheclassenemy.ItisadvancedtodaybysupportersoftheDemocraticParty,aimedat
bringingintoofficetheverysamepoliticianswhoareadvancinganassaultonworkingpeopleonascale
notseenformanydecades.

WeareonlyattheopeningstagesofthecrisisthatincomingdecadeswilllookmuchmoreliketheGreat
Depressionofthe1930swhenshacksbuiltinparksandotherlocationsbecameshelterforhundredsof
thousandsofdesperateworkersforcedontothestreets.Thesemakeshiftcommunities,called
Hoovervilles,werebrutallyattackedbycopsandtheU.S.military.

Theonlyforcethatcanstaythiscatastrophewillgrowoutofworkingclassresistance.Combatantsin
thesestrugglescometoseemoreclearlythatwhattheyfaceisnotjustoneruthlessboss,somebad
applecops,afewcorruptpoliticians,buttheruleofaconscioussocialclass,intentonusingallits
resourcestohangontoitsprofitsandpower.

Aboveall,thisiswhattheSocialistWorkersPartyexplainsasitparticipatesinthesefights.Thisiswhat
isdecisiveforworkerstobeabletosizeuptherelationshipofclassforcesandcharttheroadforward.
13

14
http://www.themilitant.com/2011/7544/754456.html

12/5/11

....FromLincoln,Neb.,JoeSwansonwritesthatduringacommunityfestivalandpotluckdinnerorganized
byOccupyLincolnactivistsonNovember20,hewasapproachedbyateacherattheUniversityof
NebraskawhohadrecentlyrenewedhisMilitantsubscription.Swansonsays,hetoldmehenoticed
LincolnwasonthePartyBuildingFundscoreboardintheMilitantandhandedmeacheckfor$50and
saidtoKeepupthegoodwork.Ithoughtthiswasanotableexampleofhowmanysubscribersregularly
readthepaperfromcovertocover.

FromNewYork,NancyBoyaskowritesthat$60wasreceivedincontributionstothePartyBuildingFund
attheNovember17demonstrationorganizedbylaborunionsandOccupyWallStreetandanother$80at
thepartystablesattheOccupycampatZuccottiPark,aswellas$21fromotherstreettables.A
coworkeratanelectronicsfactorywherepartymembersworkalsomadeacontribution,accordingto
Boyasko.

15
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7601/760156.html

01/02/2012

....Inthecontextoftheunionsfightagainstthebosses,backedupbytheircourts,cops,and
governmentalllookingforapretexttotightenthescrewsanddealblowstotheunionILWU
internationalpresidentRobertMcEllrathwrotealetterfromtheunionsCoastCommitteedissociatingthe
unionfromportshutdownactionsorganizedbyOccupyprotestgroups.
ThecallforDec.12portshutdownswasvotedonbytheOccupyOaklandgeneralassemblyonNov.18in
responsetocopattacksonoccupyencampmentsandinsupportoftheLongviewILWUfightandtheright
ofporttruckerstoorganize.

ANewYorkTimesarticlequotesBootsRiley,rapmusicianandspokespersonforOccupyOakland,
arrogantlydismissinganyvalueinhavingofficialILWUsupport.Theorganizersofthismovementarethe
workingclass,andtheseareissuesthatbelongtotheworkingclass.Noonehasacopyrighton
workingclassstruggles.

Thecharacteroftheprotestsalongthecoastvaried.

InOakland,severalthousand,includingmanyyoungpeople,participatedinpicketsthatclosedtheport
duringtwoshifts.

ADec.15pressreleasebyOccupyOaklandhailedtheprotestasasuccessdespiteconcertedefforts.
..byMayorJeanQuan,theILWUInternationalleadership(whichmountedaninternationalmedia
campaign)andthePortitself.

OccupyLongvieworganizedaportpicketlineofsome125.IfEGTsucceedsinbustinguptheILWU,
whoisnextandwheredoesitstop?OccupyLongviewpressspokespersonPaulNippertoldtheMilitant.
Weabsolutelyconsideredandorganizedouractionssoasnottomakelegalproblemsforour
neighbors.Althoughnoonewasblockedfromenteringtheport,thePortofLongviewdecidedtoclose
forthedayandnoILWUmembersworked.

InSeattle,supportingILWUworkersinLongviewwasoneofsixissuesraisedbysome500protesters
whoblockedtheport.Amongtheleadingparticipantswereanarchistswithexplicitlyreactionary,
antiworkingclassviews.

Nowtheworkingclassexistsmostpredominatelyastheunderbellyofitsformerself,astheexcluded
class,saidonesuchstatementhandedoutattheaction.Itnolongerholdsthesamepowerasitonce
didtoshutdowntheeconomyfromtheworkplace.Someofourpotentialcomradesstillworkintheold
worldofproduction:longshoremen,porttruckdrivers,andothers.Therestofusexistoutsidethatworld..
..Whenweblockadetheportsandstaunchtheflowofcapital,wedoitfromtheoutside,asdisplaced
people,nolongerasworkers.

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http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7602/760201.html

01/16/2012

....OccupyLongviewhasputoutanationalcallforotherOccupygroupstojointheprotestinsolidarity.On
Dec.12OccupyLongvieworganizedaprotestattheportofLongviewinsupportoftheunionsstruggle.

Atthesametime,anarchists,manyofwhomaremotivatedbyinterestscountertothoseoftheunion
battleandtheworkingclassingeneral,areplanningtobeattheportprotest.Ananonymouspostto
Anarchistnews.org,forexample,calledonanarchiststobringblackflagsandstormthegates,adding
thattheydidnotneedtobeweigheddownbyOccupysmoralstancesontactics.

WeneedtofightEGT.IftheybreaktheILWU,whosnext?OccupyLongviewSpokespersonPaul
NippertoldtheMilitant.Aninjurytooneisaninjurytoall.AsthehostOccupygroupweareasking
peopletocomehereandparticipateinapeacefulprotestexactlyasourDec.12protestwasheld.We
wantnoarrests,noinjuries,noconfrontationotherthanthepresenceofourbodiesandourvoices.

17
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7604/760420.html

01/30/2012

....AnarchistsandultraleftsectarianforcesassociatedwithsomeoccupygroupsontheWestCoast
havebeenplanningaprovocativeactionwhenthescabshiparrivesthat,ifcarriedout,wouldgivethe
bossesgovernmentahandletodeepenitsassaultontheILWU.Couchedinsolidaritywiththeunions
fight,theseforcesseektofurthertheirownpoliticalagendas,withoutregardfortheconsequencesforthe
longshoreworkersandtheILWU.Ifyousupportthislaborstruggle,thenfollowtheleadoftheworkers
unionleadershipanddonoharm.

PleasetakeextremecautionwhendealingwithsupportersofnonILWUsanctionedcallstoaction
relativetoEGT,RobertMcEllrath,ILWUinternationalpresidentwroteJan.3.Everythingisatstakefor
thecommunityofLongviewandourmembers.

Indeed,alotisatstake,notjustfortensofthousandsoflongshoreworkers,butforthebroaderworking
class.

Spreadthewordwidelyaboutthelongshoreworkersbattle.Discussitwithyourcoworkersandallwho
arerepelledbytheassaultsofcapitaltoday.Organizesolidarity,buildthecomingprotest,raisefinancial
contributions,gathermessagesofsolidarity.

Preparenow,onwhatislikelytobeshortnotice,tojointheILWUinLongview,tomarchalongsidethem
andtohelpmakethecomingprotestasdisciplinedandeffectiveaspossible.

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http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7603/760303.html

01/23/2012

....[Obama]reachedouttothepeoplewhovebeenoccupyingthestreetsofNewYorkandothercities,
andtheirprotestsagainstthebanksandthegreedy1percent.Theclasslesspopulistthemesthat
characterizetheOccupygroups,thefacttheyturntheirfireontherichandthebanks,notthecapitalist
classanditsgovernment,offersfertilesoilforObamaselectionstrategywithamorepopulistimage.

Obamacallsforbiggergovernment

Themoralofthisstory,accordingtoObama,istheneedfortheguidinghandofeverbiggergovernment
bythewiseandenlightened,regulatingoutofcontrolspeculatorsandbankexecutives,andexpanding
programsthatforceyoutohelpyourself,liketaxesonsodapoptoreduceobesity.Hecallsforhigher
taxesonthe1percenttofinancehisplans.
ObamapointedoutthatRooseveltbelievedthenwhatweknowistruetoday,thatthefreemarketisthe
greatestforceforeconomicprogressinhumanhistory,quotingRooseveltsspeechinOsawatomie101
yearsearliercallingforaneconomicsystemunderwhicheachmanshallbeguaranteedtheopportunity
toshowthebestthatthereisinhim.

Obamanotesthatforthe1910speechRooseveltwascalledasocialist.TheWhiteHousetranscript
saysthatthecrowdlaughed,knowingthatObamahasbeencalledaEuropeanstyleSocialDemocrat.

Rooseveltispaintedinhistorytextbooksasagreatprogressive,atrustbuster,andfriendofthelittle
man.

Roosevelttoutedprogressivepronouncements,especiallyaftertheonsetofeconomicdepressionin
1907,whilechampioningtheadvanceofU.S.imperialism,whichincludedtheseizureofthePhilippines,
Cuba,Hawaii,andPuertoRicoanddeeperinterventioninChina.Hespokeagainstbadtrusts,while
defendingandaidingtheU.S.SteelTrustofJ.P.Morgan,withwhichhewascloselyaligned.

RooseveltwasastrongpartisanofU.S.interventionintheFirstWorldWar,inordertoadvanceits
imperialistinterestsagainstallitscompetitors.

Rooseveltspopulistrhetoric

Hispopulism,includingsupportfortherightofwomentovoteandpromulgationofregulationsagainst
childlabor,servedascoverforhisadvancementofastrong,federalregime,andpowerfulmilitary,using
itsweighttodefendandadvanceimperialistinterestsagainstitscompetitorsandagainsttheworking
class.
Inhis1910speechinKansas,RooseveltusedtheoccasiontoattacktheAppealtoReason,thesocialist
paperwiththewidestcirculationinthecountryatthetime,notingthatithabituallydenouncesmeasthe
toolofWallStreet.

Infact,evenbeforeRooseveltlaunchedhisProgressivePartyrunin1912,U.S.Steelofficialsandother
WallStreetmendonated$2.5milliontohiscampaignwarchest.

Obamasspeechwaslongonpopulistrhetoricdevoidofconcreteproposalsthatcouldimprove
conditionsfortheworkingpeople.Hecallsforincreasedgovernmentinvestmentineducation,so
19
peoplecanlearnskillstoreplacedisappearingmanufacturingjobs.Heurgesmorediversity,drawing
Blacks,womenandothersintothemeritocraticfederalbureaucracy,dictatingendlessrulesand
regulations.AndhecallsforunleashingdaringentrepreneurstoadvanceU.S.capitalism.

Obamasproworkingmanrhetoricconflictswiththerecordofhisadministration.Hehaspresidedover
adeepeningbipartisanassaultagainstMedicare,MedicaidandSocialSecurity.Hehasgreatly
expandedtheuseofdrones,specialforcesandtargetedassassinationstodefendU.S.imperialist
interests.Hehasblockedanysignificantpublicworksprogramtoprovidejobsforthosethrownonthe
streetbycapitalismscrisis.

Andhecontinuestopressformoregovernment,toregulate,spy,policeandimprisonthosewho
challengehisenlightenedvisionofcapitalistrule.

20
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7604/760459.html

01/30/2012

....Duringthelastweekofthestrike,dozensorganizedbytheAlamedaLaborCouncilandbyoccupy
activistsjoinedthepickets.Inresponsetodozensofsupportersblockingplantentrances,copsand
guardsmobilizedtoescorttrucksandvanswithscabsinandoutoftheplant.

21
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7604/760455.html

01/30/2012

Themillworkersalsogainedsupportfromthewidercommunity.ActivistsfromOccupyBloomington
regularlyvisitedthepicketlineandorganizedaChristmasToyBenefitinBloomingtonthatraised$1,775.
Arallyofsome140peopleinnearbyBedfordDec.17boostedthestrikersspirits.

IndianaLimestonedidntthinkwewouldgetpublicsupport,saidSpreen.ButIguessthey
underestimatedus.

22
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7607/760701.html

02/20/2012

....TheILWUalsoagreedtorequestthatalloutsidegroups,includingotherlaborunionsandforcesfrom
theOccupymovement,refrainfrompicketingatEGT.

SomeWestCoastOccupyforces,whohadbeenplanningtocaravantoLongviewtoblocktheloadingof
EGTsfirstgrainship,havesaidtheywillwaitandseeiftheagreementissatisfactorytotheLocal21
rankandfiletodecidetheirnextmove.Theunionhadopposedsuchactions,pointingouttheycould
leadtounnecessaryvictimizations.NoprotestwasheldFeb.7whenthegrainshipdocked.

23
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7607/760703.html

2/20/2012

....Ilikereadingaboutactionsbypeople,notjustideas,saidMichaelPeterson,aphilosophygraduate
fromtheUniversityofAlbertacurrentlyworkingatamusicstoreinMontreal.Heboughthisfirst
subscriptiontotheMilitantatOccupyMontrealinOctoberandrecentlyrenewed.

IlikethecoverageonlaborstrugglesandstrikesthatIdontfindanywhereelse,headded.Ialsoenjoy
thearticlesonthedifferentbookseachweek,areferencetotheBooksoftheMonthcolumnthat
featuresexcerptsfrombooksbyPathfinderPressofferedatreducedprices.

PetersonalsopurchasedacopyofTheMakingofaRevolutionWithintheRevolution.

24
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7610/761050.html

3/12/2012

....Theeconomiccrisisthatexplodedwithsuchviolencein2008hashadfarreachingconsequencesfor
theworkingclassintheUnitedStates.Aslightupturninproductionisoccurringnow,partofthenormal
cyclicalcourseofcapitalismupordown.Buttheimpactofhighlevelsoflongtermunemployment,the
millionsoffamilieswhohavelosttheirhomes,medicalcoverage,pensions,andhopesforthefutureall
thishasbeendevastating.

Formillionsofworkerswhohaveeventuallyfoundemploymentagain,itisoftenatwagesthatarea
fractionofwhattheyearnedbefore.Others,alsonumberinginthemillions,havesimplystoppedlooking
forajobandarenolongerevencountedbythegovernmentasunemployed.

Thebrutalspeedupandintensificationoflabor,alongwiththeslashingofwages,especiallyfornew
hires,havegivenemployersatasteofblood.Infactoryafterfactory,ownersaredemandingnew
concessionsonwagesandworkingconditionsandthenlockingoutworkerswhorefusetoacceptthe
newcontractterms.

ThisdoesntreflectachoicebytheU.S.capitalists.Itsthecoursealongwhichtheymustmakeprogress
iftheyaretorecoverfromthecrisistheirsystemnottheworkersproduced.Pauperization,alarge
reservearmyofunemployedworkers,brokentradeunions,largescaleincarcerationofangry
workersespeciallyamongAfricanAmericans:allthesearenecessarypreconditionsforacapitalist
recovery.

YouhaveheardalotabouttheactivitiesthathavetakenplaceunderthenameofOccupyWallStreetor
Occupywhateverelse.ButunlessyouareareaderoftheMilitant,youareprobablyunawareofthe
broadscopeoflaborbattlesintheUnitedStates.

TheCubanFiveisnottheonlythingthebourgeoispressrefusestowriteabout,andtheirsilenceisnota
conspiracy.Theydonthavetoconspire.Noonehastotellthemitisnotintheirinterestsforworkersto
beabletolearnfromtheexampleofothers.Butwhatishappeninginthecourseoftheselaborbattlesis
farmoreimportantthantheexpressionsofdiscontentregisteredbytheOccupyphenomenon.Aboveall,
itisimportantbecausevanguardworkersarelearningofeachotherandextendingthehandofsolidarity
acrossindustries,regions,andnationalborders.

FromthesugarworkersalongtheCanadianborderinnorthernMinnesotaandNorthDakota,totire
workersinOhio,toworkersprotestingantiimmigrantlawsinAlabama,tolongshoremeninthestateof
WashingtonontheWestCoast,thelaborbattleshaveanintensityandsharpnessthathasnotbeenseen
intheUnitedStatesforsometime.3InaconfrontationwiththeportworkersinLongview,Washington,the
ObamaadministrationhadorderedtheCoastGuardtoescorttheincomingshipandprotectitasitwas
beingloadedbyscablabor.Atthelastminute,asettlementwaswonrestoringunionprotectionfor
longshoremenatamajorcompanyonthosedocks.

Morethan200portworkerswerearrestedinthecourseofthisstandoff,however,andchargedwith
variousfeloniesforwhichsomeofthemstillfacecostlycourtbattlesandthepossibilityoflengthyprison
sentencesifconvicted.

ThesearethekindsofbattlefrontstowhichwetakeTheCubanFive,andwheredozensofworkerswith
subscriptionstotheMilitantarereadingaboutthecaseweekafterweek.Astheygothroughtheirown
25
battles,theyrapidlylearnfromtheirownexperienceshowthecopsandcourtsarestackedagainstthose
whofight,whoresist,whorefusetoaccepttheconditionscapitalismimposesonus.Andaboveall,how
thecopsareusedagainstthosewhorefusetobreak.ThesemilitantscometoadmirethefiveCuban
combatantsandwillcometoemulatetheirdeterminationandcourage.

AtthesametimetheWestCoastlongshorebattlewasintensifying,ashowingofAntoniospaintingswas
organizedbytheteachersunionandsomestudentsatoneofthecollegesinnearbySeattle.Oneofthe
portworkers,awoman,whohadbeenarrestedduringanactionorganizedbytheunionandwasfacing
trumpedupfelonycharges,sawapostcardfortheSeattleartshowing,acardthatreproducedAntonios
paintingofhisprisonshirt.Herresponse,withatouchofpride,was,Onedaymyprisonshirttoowillbe
hangingonapeg.

IttookadecadeofbloodycivilwarandthenrevolutionarystruggleintheUnitedStatesforworking
peopletowinthe14thAmendmenttotheU.S.Constitutionaffirmingtherighttoequalprotectionunder
thelaw.ItwilltakeanotherrevolutionintheUnitedStates,ledbytheworkingclassanditsallies,tomake
thatconstitutionalrightarealityforworkingpeople.

Fromthelongshoreworkerstothesugarworkersandbeyond,thesearethemenandwomenwhoin
growingnumberswillbelongtowhatGerardohasaccuratelyreferredtoasthejuryofmillionsthatwill
liberatethem.Itisalongthisclassstruggleroad,wherebattlesareintensifyingbecauseoftheworkings
ofthecapitalistsystemitself,thattheirfreedomwillbewon.

ThatiswhatgivesthoselikeusfightinginsidetheUnitedStatessuchconfidencetoday.Andthisiswhy
thepublicationofTheCubanFive,andhowitwillbeused,isimportant.

26
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7609/760901.html

03/05/2012

....CentralprotestorganizerDavidHerrera,firedafterworkingatPacificSteelfor12years,thanked
groupsandindividualswhosupportedtheaction.ThisincludedOccupyOaklandandBerkeley
CouncilmemberJesseArregun,whocalledontheObamaadministrationtostoptheaudits.

Otherspeakersincludedprominentclergy.

Keepspeakingup,raiseyourvoices,JosSandovaloftheVoluntariosdelaComunidadinSanJose
toldtherally.

GerardoSanchezoftheSocialistWorkersPartyalsospoke,callingfortheimmediatelegalizationofall
immigrantsaspartofthefighttouniteworkingpeopletotakeonalltheattacksbythecapitalistsand
theirgovernment.

27
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7610/761051.html

3/12/2012

....Someofthosewhorenew,addsDavies,aretakingthepapertoworktopassontocoworkers.
SeveralreaderswhoboughtsubscriptionsatOccupyLondonandotherpoliticaleventslastyearhave
alsorenewed.

28
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7610/761032.html

03/12/2012

....StaffandworkersfromtheSteelworkers,UnitedFoodandCommercialWorkers,Teamsters,
LongshoreandWarehouseunion,andotherunionsparticipatedalongwithacontingentfromnearbySt.
MarysCollegeandactivistsfromOccupyOakland.

29
http://www.themilitant.com/2012/7611/761154.html

03/19/2012

....Morethan120peoplepackedtheMalcolmXandBettyShabazzMemorialandEducationalCenterto
takepartinanexchangewithfiverepresentativesoftheFederationofCubanWomen,incelebrationof
InternationalWomensDay.Theytalkedaboutthemassivegainsforwomenandothersocialadvances
madepossiblebythe1959revolutioninwhichCubasworkersandpeasantsoverthrewtheU.S.backed
tyrannyandwrestedpoliticalpowerfromthecapitalistexploiters.

AmongparticipantsintheMarch2programwerestudentsfromBrooklynCollege,BoricuaCollege,the
StateUniversityofNewYorkatNewPaltz,andColumbiaUniversity.Theprogramwassponsoredby
CasadelasAmericas,theJuly26thCoalition,andOccupyHarlem.

ShownfromleftareFederationofCubanWomenrepresentativesMaritzelGonzlez,AnaMilagros
Martnez,YaniraKuper,YamilaGonzlez,andTeresaHinojosa.ThefivewereintheU.S.totakepartin
meetingsoftheUNCommissionontheStatusofWomen.

ParticipantsboughteightcopiesofthenewbookWomeninCuba:TheMakingofaRevolutionWithinthe
RevolutionfromPathfinderPress,aswellasfivesubscriptionstotheMilitant.

30