BY DEBORAH LIATOS
NEW YORK - Stepping up the weekly collection and sending in of contributions to the Militant Fund by supporters resulted in the largest weekly collection yet - $12,938 - bringing the total collected to 29 percent of the $110,000 goal. We should be at 44 percent, so more work is needed.

Ellie Garcia, who heads the committee to organize the Militant Fund in New York, explained how supporters there have been able to stay on target every week of the drive. "Really we did nothing special," she said. "We started early. We got pledges from over 60 people before the drive began. We call people who have made pledges each week to remind them to pay regularly on their pledges. I've noticed when we do calling we get an increase of money coming in. We tell people it would be best to make weekly contributions towards their pledges even if they are small."

A note sent in by Garcia states, "The Militant Fund rally here in New York brought in $2,227. In addition, three new pledges were made, totaling $220, and three people raised their pledges. We have also raised $45.10 so far from collection cans on propaganda tables."

After the Militant Fund Rally in Philadelphia, local supporters sent in $2,735 in contributions collected at the meeting and before. In addition to regular weekly attention to the Militant Fund campaign, rallies in a number of areas have helped boost collections and draw broader layers of partisans of the communist press to help on the fund. The response to the fund reflects the many people who value the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial, its sister magazine in Spanish, which present a working-class viewpoint of the news.

Fermín Morales, a 30-year-old electrician who supports Puerto Rican independence and is active in the defense of the Cuban revolution, spoke at the Militant Fund rally in Philadelphia. "You won't get the Militant's viewpoint from Channel 6 or the Philadelphia Inquirer," he said. "For example, they claim things are getting better in Haiti. Well, I worked with a Haitian electrician, who described how conditions for working people are worse. The Militant is the only one that gives us the real picture."

Gordon Rawlings, who was one of the bus drivers who struck at Greyhound several years ago, sent a written message to the fund rally. He now works for Conrail and is a member of the United Transportation Union Local 419. "I was introduced to the Militant when I was on the picket line and I really appreciate the strike coverage that they gave. It's a great paper to keep you informed on labor issues worldwide and also on rebel uprisings of minority groups that feel that they are being oppressed by the government," said Rawlings.

Linda McComus, an Irish-American activist, also sent a written message to the Philadelphia event.

The Militant Fund rally in Pittsburgh heard a statement from Nicholas Brand, an anti-Klan fighter from Cambria County, Pennsylvania, which is headquarters of District 2 of the UMWA.

Part of Brand's letter reads, "This is why I read the Militant. It carefully analyzes what is happening to the working class here, the assault on the social wage by the bosses, and also offers the best, and I repeat best, international coverage and analysis of the world capitalist crisis from Belgrade, to Albania, to Ireland, to Israel, etc.

"Also the Militant teaches us how to build a movement independent of the bosses' parties that can truly challenge the capitalist class war on workers and poor and also, challenge the fascist elements," continued Brand. "Also, I have found that the Militant, in contrast to the other left- wing papers, welcomes questions, disagreements, and will patiently answer a reader's letter. Everyone interested in changing this world should have a sub to the Militant," Brand concluded.

Dick Geyer sent in a note from Pittsburgh saying that a member of the International Association of Machinists gave $5 for the fund to Militant supporters at the worksite. Also supporters of the socialist press got a $25 donation to the Fund at a table set up at the airport.  
 
 
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