BY VALERHE JOHNSON
NEW YORK - A large banner reading, "THE MILITANT: THE SOCIALIST NEWSPAPER THAT WORKING PEOPLE AND FIGHTERS NEED," surrounded by blown-up covers of past issues of the Militant, created a real campaign atmosphere to kick off the Militant Fund drive at a public meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, February 21. Some $575 was collected at the meeting itself, and participants pledged $5,200 toward the local goal of $6,000.

Their efforts are part of a nine-week international campaign to raise $110,000 for the Militant and its Spanish- language sister publication Perspectiva Mundial. Supporters of the socialist publications in 32 cities in six countries have already taken goals totaling more than $113,000. Money is starting to come in, but not from every city yet, as the accompanying chart shows. Regular collection of pledges and reaching out for new contributors will be key to making the goal on time and in full, by April 26.

Fund organizers in Minnesota sent out a mailing to 200 Militant subscribers, participants in the Militant Labor Forums series, and members of the Pathfinder Readers Club, explaining the importance of the fund drive and including a coupon for returning donations. So far a $100 donation has come in as a result, from a long-time subscriber who is a retired rail worker in Hendrum, North Dakota.

Socialists who are union members are taking steps to raise contributions from their co-workers. One Militant supporter in Washington, D.C., a member of the International Association of Machinists at Northwest Airlines, received a $5 donation from another airline worker who renewed his subscription. The Militant's essential coverage on the challenges and struggles labor faces means there are real opportunities for raising funds from fighters in the unions.

Many workers were angry at Clinton's decision to invoke the Railway Labor Act against the pilots at American Airlines, who had called a strike as part of their fight for a contract. They welcomed the Militant's stance of speaking out against this strike-breaking act by the government.

The Militant Fund is also getting a big boost from partisans of the Militant who are active supporters of the Socialist Workers Party. Dick Geyer from Pittsburgh reports that after learning about the campaign, an active supporter volunteered to work on the committee organizing fund raising in that city.

In New York, SWP active supporters have already solicited $4,000 in pledges through phone calling toward their goal of $4,500. This is part of the citywide goal of $12,000. Additionally, they will be hosting a fund-raising dinner the evening of the public fund meeting New York planned for March 22.

Upcoming public meetings to raise funds for the Militant include events in Newark on March 16, and in Los Angeles and Philadelphia on March 22. In Philadelphia the platform will include Perspectiva Mundial editor Martín Koppel, as well as a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees at a local garment shop.

Contributions from readers can be sent to the Militant (see address on page 2). To be recorded on the chart, money should be received at the Militant business office every Tuesday at noon.  
 
 
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