"I'm real proud to be here today with fighters from the ILA, the IUE [International Union of Electronic Workers], and other fighters from South Carolina," he said in brief remarks to the gathering. The fight by dockworkers to defend their union rights in Charleston "is of national and international significance."

He expressed solidarity with five ILA members who are under indictment for "inciting to riot" when police attacked a labor demonstration last January. "When we fight they say it's a riot," Harris pointed out.

The event drew other workers involved in struggles, including members of the IUE at a battery plant in Sumter, South Carolina. Three of these workers told Harris about their fight for safer conditions and against racist discrimination.

Richmond Truesdale, chairperson of the United Container Movers Association of Charleston, described the efforts of port truck drivers to unionize in face of antilabor laws. "We're doing work we're not paid for. The Constitution says that's slavery," Truesdale said. He asked Harris, "What are you trying to do?" with the election campaign.

"We're talking to working people about what we need to do to make change," the SWP candidate replied. "Real struggles are the motor force of change. We're socialists--we believe we need a workers and farmers government. We need to get politically aware and act independently, not look to the Democrats and Republicans."

Truesdale commented that he ran for the state legislature in the Democratic Party in a previous election. The Democrats "do nothing for us," he said.

"It's worse--they work against us," Harris remarked. "We need a working-class party. And I don't say just a 'third party,'" he added, pointing to the incipient fascist figure of Patrick Buchanan, who is running for president as the Reform Party candidate.

Supporters of the Socialist Workers campaign set up a table outside the rally site. Six people bought TheWorkingClassandtheTransformationofLearning:TheFraudofEducationReformUnderCapitalism, two of them with a subscription to the Militant.

One worker who spoke with Harris at the table said, "Your philosophy sounds all right." But when politicians get to Washington "it's a different thing."

"You notice I haven't promised to do anything," Harris replied. It's the fights of working people that change things. "Real politics is made in the streets."

"Thanks Mr. Harris. I'll think about what you've said," the worker replied.  
 
Capitalism ruins environment
The next day Harris spoke at the University of North Carolina here in Charlotte. The Progressive Student Association sponsored the event. About 25 people attended, the big majority students.

In the discussion period a student asked about Harris's position on the environment and "sustainable development."

The way capitalism operates is deeply damaging to the environment, the socialist candidate responded. "Those who have a genuine interest in sustainability are those who are not driven by profit." Likewise, he said, the bosses don't care about the safety of what they produce, pointing to the faulty tires produced and sold by Bridgestone-Firestone and Ford Motor Co.

When the capitalists and their political backers pretend to defend the environment, Harris said, "they individualize the problem. They say you're the problem, not the system."

Individual actions do matter, he added, but they can only have an impact within a system that is capable of putting the needs of human beings and the environment ahead of profits.

Three students came the following day for an informal class with Harris on the death penalty. Many members of the Progressive Student Association have been part of the campaign for a moratorium on executions in North Carolina.