The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.60/No.41           November 18, 1996 
 
 
25 And 50 Years Ago  

November 19, 1971
PARIS - Twenty thousand people participated today in the anti-Vietnam war demonstration in Paris called by the Indochinese Solidarity Front. Called in response to the international appeal issued by the National Peace Action Coalition (NPAC) for actions in solidarity with the November 6 demonstration in the U.S., the Paris action was marked by spirited songs and chants and an overwhelmingly youthful composition.

Among the slogans were "Long live the U.S. antiwar movement"; "Thieu is a puppet - the Saigon elections are a `fake'"; "Nixon, murderer - Pompidou accomplice," and "Washington, Paris - everyone into the streets with the Indochinese Front."

A brief rally following the march heard one of Francés most famous actors, Michel Piccoli, hail the Indochinese people. Piccoli went on to say that "Only the masses of people can put an end to this war and bring peace to Indochina and the world. We call upon the people to take to the streets and oppose this war."

It is clear that if the French Communist Party (PCF) were to participate in real united front against the war in Indochina, this question would rapidly become a major issue in French politics.

However, up to now the PCF has remained adamant in its refusal to join in united actions with groups to its left. November 16, 1946
For the past six years since 1940, almost 15,000 objectors to war on religious, moral, or political grounds have been the victims of savage political persecution by U.S. imperialism. Wall Street thus carried out its determination to terrorize and subjugate all who, for any reason whatever, oppose its plans for war and world domination. The war ended over a year ago, yet today there are still 1,000 conscientious objectors (CO) locked behind prison bars.

Among the CO's are many active trade unionists. Some of them were organizers for the CIO. During the war, these forced labor camps were cited in the Senate as ample precedent for a labor draft of all workers. Hundreds of COs were sent to prison because they refused the alternative of working in Civilian Public Service camps.

They [COs] protested against being treated as criminals, against regimentation, against conscription, against Truman's threat to draft workers as strikebreakers. Hundreds walked out of the camps and were sent to prison where they continued their struggle, not only against participation in the war, but in defense of labor's rights.  
 
 
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