The Militant - May 7, 2001 -- Houston socialists report break-in

Vol.65/No.18 May 7, 2001

Houston socialists report break-in

BY JACQUIE HENDERSON
HOUSTON--The offices of the Socialist Workers Party branch in Houston were broken into during the night of April 22. The front door of the Pathfinder Bookstore, which rents space to the party, was pried open and a window was broken, causing extensive damage to the storefront. An air conditioner was apparently the only item stolen.

The bookstore and party office is well-known in the Houston working-class neighborhood where it is located. Socialist workers have been campaigning in the neighborhood over the past year, selling the Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, and Pathfinder books. The bookstore and SWP office were recently featured in a half-page article in the Houston Chronicle.

Lea Sherman, Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Senate in 2000, said that, "Break-ins, burglaries, and other apparently 'common petty crimes' have been used by rightist forces and police agencies to disrupt our movement. We will make the public aware of any and all such actions to better defend our democratic rights and those of all working people."

The Militant Labor Forum on April 28 will feature a report on the fight by coal miners for health and safety. Supporters have already offered to help with the repairs and to make donations, including an air conditioner, in order to hold the forum as scheduled.

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