BY ESTELLE DEBATES
Over the last month, supporters of the Socialist Workers
Washington State 1998 campaign have gathered more than 5,000
signatures on petitions to get socialist candidates on the
ballot. The slate is headed by Nan Bailey for U.S. Senate.
Bailey is an aerospace worker and a member of the
International Association of Machinists (IAM). Jeff Powers, a
railworker and member of the United Transportation Union, is
running for U.S. Congress; and Scott Breen, an IAM member at
Boeing, is campaigning in the 37th District for State
Congress.
Bailey has participated in a counter-demonstration march against the Aryan Nations July 18 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
The campaign also issued a statement denouncing the actions of Seattle police June 18-19, who prevent youth, many of whom are Black, from attending a festival in the downtown area. "Just who the Seattle Police Department `serve and protect' was clearly demonstrated over the weekend - the property and the interest of the rich" read the Socialist Workers campaign statement. "In the process, they run roughshod over the rights of the working class." The statement called on "all working people and defenders of democratic rights" to "condemn the actions of the Seattle cops."
Petitions for the Socialist Workers candidate in Washington state will be presented to election officials on July 30.