Many workers and youth find the fact that Goodwill fired a garment worker who had won ballot status as a candidate for mayor of Miami for statements he made at a televised candidates debate an affront to free speech. It stands as a threat to any working person who decides to challenge the two parties of the bosses and speak out against government policy.

The Goodwill bosses' firing of Italie goes hand in hand with other assaults on the Bill of Rights, from the detentions of noncitizens and moves to jail them indefinitely, to the ongoing FBI interrogations of thousands of men of mostly Middle Eastern descent, to the preparations for putting alleged terrorist suspects on trial in military tribunals where they have no constitutional rights. The establishment of a domestic military command and the deployment of National Guardsmen at U.S. airports across the country portend the rulers' war at home as they carry out their war abroad.

Despite the pressure from Washington's brutal war in Afghanistan, protests by workers from the Mideast against harassment and unfair treatment are mounting. A growing number of young people, workers, and others victimized by the employer and government attacks are speaking out. And many more don't buy into rationalizations by President Bush and the attorney general for the drive against workers' rights.

The Militant encourages our readers to help broaden support for this fight by signing up co-workers, union members, students, and prominent defenders of democratic rights to endorse the Committee for Free Speech and the Bill of Rights. Statements of support from around the country to the mayor of Miami and Goodwill Industries will help bring added pressure on government authorities to act in defense of the First Amendment.

Such an effort can lead to speaking engagements and other meetings for Italie as part of a nationwide tour. Given the opposition to the government moves, meetings on college campuses over the coming weeks on the case can become a unique opportunity to discuss the character of the government assault and how to fight it. Others who have been targeted by the employers or local, state, and federal police agencies may be interested in joining such a platform. The panel at the December 8 event in Miami is a good example of the kind of meeting that can be organized today.

The defense committee in Miami is encouraging people interested in supporting this fight to write for material on the case, including petitions and endorser cards. Funds are also needed to help broaden the effort, get the national tour underway, and pay for legal expenses. Readers of the Militant can make a real difference in making this fight an effective one across the country. In Florida, readers can join in the December 8 meeting. Write the defense committee, whose address is on page 8, and start making plans to invite Michael Italie to your city soon.
 
 
Related articles:
Garment worker begins tour in free speech fight
'We need to defend free speech,' say new supporters of Michael Italie fight in Georgia
Georgia protest opposes firing of rights fighter
 
 
 
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