"The Militant is our eyes, voice and ears," was the way Lawrence Oliver, vice president of United Mine Workers of America Local 1332 in Window Rock, Arizona, put it. "It gives us a heightened perception of what may yet be hurled our way and that we may be better prepared for it."
Many working people sense that what may be hurled our way will require us to put up a fight. That's what socialist workers and Young Socialist members around the country who have gotten out to introduce the working-class press have found. Workers facing attacks on their unions, Blacks and others fighting police brutality, youth rallying to defend affirmative action are interested in how to fight effectively, and in the causes of the economic depression fueling the attacks we face.
The campaign to sell subscriptions to the Militant is a key part of taking advantage of the opportunities in big cities and remote towns to reach people who are interested in discussing these issues and acting to change the conditions working people face. With a short time left to reach the goal of winning 1,950 new readers to the Militant, supporters of the paper need to mobilize all resources to turn to this effort.
The socialist press is a tool for bringing lessons of battles workers are facing to others; for telling the truth about strikes, and other struggles for justice; and for bringing the working-class point of view to people on war, racism, and the policies of capitalist governments. People who want to put up a fight are the most appreciative of the chance to read a paper that represents the interests of working people. Organizing to find them is what supporters of the paper will have to concentrate on to bring the campaign to win new readers to a successful conclusion, and meet the goals they set.
There are plenty of opportunities - a rally for Boeing strikers, a local anti-Klan action, mobilizations against police brutality, discussions on the Cuban revolution or on the war in Bosnia, community meetings, and other political events.
Keeping our sights set on what is going on in the class struggle now, from picket lines to protests against Medicare cuts; and visiting campuses, plant gates, and working-class communities every day until November 19 is the way we can find those who will be most interested in the socialist press.
By doing so, Militant readers will meet the youth and working people who want to become part of a fight to change the world of growing unemployment, racism, and ultimately fascism and war that the capitalist system has in store for us. We've already met many such new readers. Completing the international sales campaign in full and on time is the chance to meet more.