On May 1 workers of the world can join in a celebration of a victory that is truly worthy of a parade - the survival and strengthening of the Cuban revolution. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans will march that day, a proud, living example that in spite of unrelenting attacks the working class can hold and wield power, and run a country to guarantee the basic needs of the population while joining in the worldwide battle to advance humanity along the same road.

Cuba's working class can celebrate the initial recovery in their economy, badly battered by the end in preferential trade relations with the Soviet Union since 1989 and by the economic war of the U.S. government against them. This recovery is made possible by workers and farmers acting to take more and more control over the basic decisions in the factories and fields. Cuba's sugar production, for example, after hitting a low of 3.3 million tons in 1995, is on target to make the projected 4.5 million tons this year. The trade unions mobilized hundreds of thousands of workers to help make this victory possible. As representatives of Cuba's unions meet in a national congress, they will be discussing how to further strengthen the hold of the working class on the reins of society.

This is possible only because of the Cubans' refusal to get down on their knees and give in to the demands of the imperialist rulers in Washington, who offer promises of easing their squeeze in exchange for giving up control of the country. Cuba's workers and youth have stood firm and fought to defend the gains of their revolution, keeping state power in their hands and setting the terms for any necessary retreats or compromises as Cuba was forced to reinsert itself in the dog-eat-dog world capitalist economy.

What has this meant? That in Cuba providing food and medical care for all remains a priority, that education is free and available for every child whether in remote mountain towns or in the cities, that the land is in the hands of those who work it, that social security remains a right, and that the independence and sovereignty of the nation has never been surrendered. It means that millions see it as their responsibility not only to defend their revolution on the island of Cuba but to stand in solidarity with others around the world who are fighting against the ravages of capitalism and imperialist exploitation.

In Mexico, France, Poland, or Senegal workers who are facing growing unemployment and social devastation can see in the Cuban revolution an example of the fact that there is another road that can be taken - an example that becomes more powerful each day as the imperialist governments impose harsher conditions on workers at home and abroad.

From the start, Washington viewed people taking control of their country and resources, ousting the capitalist landlords, bankers, and businessmen, as a dangerous example. That's why 35 years ago on April 17 the Yankee rulers organized an attempt to invade the island and declare a new government - one beholden to U.S. imperialism. In preparation for the battle Cuba's leaders declared that those who fought to defend the island would be fighting to defend socialism. The island's people rallied to the call and dealt a decisive defeat to the U.S.-organized invasion at Playa Girón (the Bay of Pigs) within 72 hours. Today, Cuba remains a dangerous example, and the recovery of the economy has prompted Washington to step up its attacks on the Cuban people.

Working people worldwide should protest every probe against Cuba by the U.S. rulers. Tell co-workers, friends, and others the truth about the Cuban revolution, such as organizing reportbacks for unionists who are attending the congress of the Central Organization of Cuban Workers. Urge people to see Cuba for themselves - one opportunity is the July U.S.-Cuba Youth Exchange delegation organized by the National Network on Cuba. That's the best way to celebrate May Day together with the front-line battalion of the working class that Cuba represents.  
 
 
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