BY MAGGIE TROWE
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Pathfinder Bookstore, a center for
political books and discussion in Des Moines, was vandalized
for the second time in less than two weeks. Around 10:45 p.m.
March 24, eggs were thrown at Pathfinder's storefront
windows. A similar attack took place March 13. The windows
that were pelted with eggs feature a prominent display of a
new title from Pathfinder Press, Capitalism's World Disorder:
Working-class Politics at the Millennium, by Jack Barnes.
Weekly public programs sponsored by the Militant Labor Forum take place at Pathfinder Bookstore. The store also provides office space to the Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialists. Recently, the store has become an organizing center for protests against the U.S. bombing of Yugoslavia; for actions in defense of the rights of all immigrant workers; and for building support for labor struggles like the United Steelworkers strike against Titan Tire.
Bookstore manager Ray Parsons said, "We are finding a greater interest among workers, farmers, and youth in the political lessons contained in the books we offer, and events organized by the Militant Labor Forum are drawing a larger attendance. At the same time, we have attracted the `attention' of right-wing forces who want to intimidate us and our supporters with this cowardly attack."
Parsons added, "We are not going to be intimidated. Working people and youth value the political space we have to discuss and debate solutions to the growing social and economic crisis in the world today. We urge all supporters of democratic rights to join with us in condemning this cowardly vandalism against Pathfinder Bookstore."