BY RAY PARSONS
DES MOINES, Iowa - For the fourth time in six weeks the
Pathfinder Bookstore, which provides office space for Socialist
Workers mayoral candidate Amanda Ulman's campaign, was
vandalized on April 24. In each incident eggs have been thrown
at bookstore windows. A news conference was held following the
third incident April 12. On April 26 supporters of the Ulman
campaign organized a second news conference and meeting to call
on Des Moines authorities to apprehend those responsible for
the attacks.
In her presentation at the meeting Ulman said, "We have received suppport from workers, farmers, college educators, and young people fighting against the the injustices of capitalism. Many have sent letters condemning these attacks and defending the right of working people and our allies to freely discuss politics....Others have volunteered to monitor the bookstore after hours."
Drake University professor Daniel Spencer said in a statement, "I am writing to denounce these [incidents of vandalism], to demand that the City of Des Moines act swiftly and effectively to apprehend the perpetrators."
Larry Ginter, a Marshall County hog farmer and activist said, "no one has the right to terrorize your political office...These acts of vandalism are attacking the First Amendment."
Paul Ford, a leader of the Grinnell [College] Coalition in Defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, declared, "Guaranteeing free speech means not only protecting the people who speak but the tools they use to spread their message."
Four youths, members of the newly formed Iowa chapter of Anti-Racist Action (ARA), and Drake University professor Jon Torgerson joined other supporters of the Socialist Workers campaign at the April 26 meeting. After Ulman's presentation a lively discussion on how to fight rightist outfits that are becoming more active in politics took place. The ARA activists expressed interest in helping to organize more protests against the deepening U.S./NATO war in Yugoslavia.
Ray Parsons is a member of the United Steelworkers of America Local 310 in Des Moines.