BY MEGAN ARNEY
This column is written and edited by the Young
Socialists, an international organization of young workers,
students, and other youth fighting for socialism. For more
information about the YS or to join, write: Young
Socialists, P.O. Box 2396, New York, NY 10009, or call
(212) 475-6482.
BY MEGAN ARNEY
TWIN CITIES, Minnesota - Young Socialists here have reaffirmed their support of Mark Curtis's fight for freedom. "I first became really interested in Mark Curtis in Washington, D.C., at a protest against the U.S. embargo on Cuba," said Ingrid Ostenaa, who has been in the Twin Cities YS since it began last fall.
New members of the Twin Cities YS have sparked renewed interest in the case, drawing on their long-time involvement with other political activities. Travis Wilkerson, a filmmaker, recently made a film about the Chilean folk singer and political activist Victor Jara, whose hands were cut off after the brutal military coup in 1973 to serve as an example to those who fight for justice. Wilkerson is interested in making another film on Curtis's case.
In May, the Twin Cities YS made Mark Curtis defense one of its major campaigns for this summer, as well as building for the Cuba Lives Youth Festival in August. During the Militant sales drive, they set a goal for selling the recent pamphlet Why Is Mark Curtis Still In Prison, as well as the Militant newspaper.
On June 17, the Militant Labor Forum was held on the Mark Curtis case, as well as other political prisoners.
YS member Lisa Rottach chaired the forum and read a letter of support for Mark Curtis written by Doug Nelson and Dave Warshawsky for the Twin Cities YS.
Earlier that week, the YS had organized a showing of the documentary film, the Frame-Up of Mark Curtis at Minneapolis Community College. Additionally, at their weekly meeting, the regular educational was a discussion on Why Is Mark Curtis Still In Prison?
Members are writing to the Mark Curtis Defense Committee to help arrange for members of the local YS to visit Curtis in Iowa. A broad film series on political prisoners including Mark Curtis, death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal, Irish activist Jimmy Smyth, Victor Jara, and others is being organized for the near future.
"There are going to be more people like Mumia, Mark, and Native American activist Leonard Peltier and it will be necessary to identify elements of political frame-ups," stated YS member Ryan Kelly. "For young people who are becoming political we must have knowledge about the police and the ruling class."
Megan Arney is a member of the Twin Cities YS.