At the press conference Dutrow spoke out against the attacks on workers' rights, such as arrests and indefinite detention by federal officials of immigrants, and the wave of anti-Arab and Muslim violence across the country, including attacks on businesses run by immigrants in Houston and a killing in Dallas of a person originally from Pakistan.

El Dia, Houston's Spanish language daily, reported the press conference in its September 25 issue. Under the title "A meat packer with aspirations for mayor," El Dia reported Dutrow demanded, "Washington keep its hands off Afghanistan and immediately withdraw all its warships, planes, and troops from the Mideast and South Asia."

"My campaign calls on all democratic-minded individuals to oppose government trampling on rights, such as arbitrary searches and seizures, and to defend the right to the presumption of innocence and due process," the article quoted Dutrow as saying. It describes the socialist candidate's experiences defending rights of workers, participating in actions against police brutality, discrimination against gays, and the death penalty, and backing the struggle for a woman's right to choose abortion. It also features the Socialist Workers campaign's defense of immigrant rights.

"'My campaign is part of the struggle to forge a leadership in this country that can lead working people in a revolutionary struggle to replace the government of the superwealthy minority in Washington with one of workers and farmers,' affirmed Dutrow."

Socialist Workers campaign supporters gathered signatures in working-class neighborhoods and on college campuses. More than one-third of the 3,000 signatures were collected since September 11. Thousands of workers and students discussed Washing-ton's war drive with campaign supporters and signed up to get Dutrow on the ballot. A number of the 200 participants at a September 19 teach-in at the University of Houston on "peace in the Middle East" signed up after hearing Dutrow speak. Campaign supporters also participated in a September 14 protest against the U.S. government's drive toward war against Afghanistan at the federal building, and campaigned in the neighborhood where a 22-year-old Black man was killed by Houston cops.

"The response to a working class, socialist alternative to the Democratic and Republican party politicians has been gratifying," Dutrow told reporters. "Now, more than ever, workers, toiling farmers, youth, and others need a working-class voice in opposition to imperialist war and the increasing attacks on workers' rights."

Jacquie Henderson is a sewing machine operator in Houston.  
 
 
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