BY BRIAN WILLIAMS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a successful four-week petitioning effort, supporters of the Socialist Workers campaign of Mary Martin for D.C. City Council turned in 4,047 signatures on petitions - more than 1,000 over the legal requirement - on September 23. She will be listed on the ballot in the December 2 special election.

Martin, an airline worker and member of International Association of Machinists Local 1759, was the SWP candidate for chairperson of the D.C. City Council in an election contest held earlier this year on July 22. In that race she won 1,425 votes - 8 percent of those cast - in a two-way race that pitted her against Democrat City Council incumbent Linda Cropp.

In a statement issued the day the petitions were turned in to the Board of Elections, Martin said, "Actions like the Teamsters' strike against UPS, protests against police brutality, the upcoming October 12 march for immigrant rights, and the recent strikes and demonstrations in Argentina against austerity policies and antilabor legislation are examples of how working people can effectively fight against the worldwide crisis of capitalism.

"The granting of vast political power to the financial control board in Washington, D.C.," continued Martin, "means a stepped up austerity drive against the rights and living standards of working people. Handing control of the public school system to an appointed emergency board of trustees with a retired army general as the chief executive officer will mean a worse education for the city's students.

"I call for a halt to the closing of public schools and to the slashing of funds for public education," the socialist candidate stated, "I condemn the proposal to institute a school voucher program. Rather than funding more cops and prisons, I say expand funding for UDC and the public school system. I am also opposed to moves to privatize parts of the metro bus system."

Martin called for "a workers and farmers government to replace the political rule of the bankers and billionaires. Such a government could lead the struggle to overturn capitalist property relations and open the road toward construction of a socialist society that will put human needs before profits."

Martin spoke September 23 before an impromptu rally attended by some 75 people held in front of the metro bus headquarters in Washington, D.C. "I think it's an indictment of the capitalist government we live under that tens of millions can be appropriated for new prisons in the area but there is not a dime to expand the bus routes, fix up the schools that opened three weeks late due to delayed repairs, or give a raise to the nurses at D.C. General hospital who haven't had one in five years," stated Martin.

After a warm response from the bus drivers in attendance, Martin was invited to address a meeting of the D.C. Independent Coalition held later that night.

Two days earlier she spoke with some of the young activists participating in the annual AIDS walkathon in D.C. She has also received invitations to address a candidates forum sponsored by ACT-UP and the Statehood Party. The Green Party also invited Martin to speak at their monthly meeting.

Brian Williams is a member of United Steelworkers of America Local 2609.  
 
 
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