BY TIM MAILHOT

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama-Supporters of the Socialist Workers Campaign here received official notice September 16 from Alabama's Secretary of State that James Harris and Laura Garza will appear on the ballot in November.

On August 22 campaign supporters here filed more than 8,100 signatures in Montgomery to place Harris and Garza on the ballot as independent candidates for president and vice president. The number of signatures filed was significantly more than the 5,000 signatures the state requires.

"On Wednesday, September 12, we received word that we were supposedly 140 signatures short," said John Hawkins, Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Senate. "Officials in the Secretary of State's office also said that the ballot would be finalized Friday for printing. Supporters of the campaign here decided to meet the next evening and chart a course of action to put some pressure on the state to include Harris and Garza on the ballot."

A team of supporters went to the Jefferson County Courthouse Friday morning. After reviewing less than one tenth of the petitions submitted to the county for verification, they were able to point out to officials that they had not counted at least 16 valid signatures.

Meanwhile, other supporters lodged a protest with the Secretary of State and prepared to take legal action to enjoin the printing of the ballots if a favorable decision was not forthcoming.

After consulting with Jefferson County officials who agreed that 14 of the 16 were actually valid signatures, state officials agreed that this was cause to suspect that a similar number would turn up in the balance of the petitions - enough in one county alone to make up for the supposed shortfall. On that basis they indicated verbally September 13 that Harris and Garza would be on the ballot. Official notification arrived September 16.

"This is a real victory for all those who are looking for a working-class alternative in the elections, who oppose the bi- partisan attack on Social Security and Clinton's drive toward war in the Middle East," stated Hawkins. "Our campaign won a genuine hearing during the ballot drive and having Harris and Garza on the ballot will help us build on that. This victory is even more important because our candidate for Congress was denied ballot status in 1994."

From mid-May to mid-August campaign supporters here gathered signatures at shopping centers, street campaign tables, and at political events in working class communities - from Gay Pride demonstrations to meetings protesting the burnings of Black churches, as well as workplaces and picket lines.

After completing the drive successfully campaign supporters here decided to hit the streets in a big way Saturday, August 10. The day began with participation in a rally organized by the United Farm Workers in defense of 85 mushroom workers who were fired last year by Quincy Farms for fighting for better work conditions. Bruno's grocery stores, based in Birmingham is one of their biggest customers.

In the evening Louis Farrakhan spoke at a meeting organized by the Nation of Islam. Campaign supporters set up a table outside the meeting place with signs calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East, Federal troops to defend Black churches and defense of the Cuban revolution. Campaigners at these two events sold 12 Militants, 2 copies of Perspectiva Mundial, and six Pathfinder titles.

"Since that weekend of activity," Hawkins said, "campaign supporters have gone out every weekend and during the week to places where we gathered signatures and have received a good response. It's not unusual for a team of two supporters to go out for an hour and sell 10-15 Militants and get out a lot of literature. Most importantly we are running into people who want to help out with the campaign and young people who are interested in the Young Socialists. That's why the victory the campaign won in Alabama is significant."

Nancy Boyasko contributed to this article.  
 
 
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