Malcolm X important today
The Militant’s May 26 reprint of excerpts, with the original photo, of the June 28, 1964, speech by Malcolm X at the first public rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) at the Audubon Ballroom was highly stimulating and newsworthy for a number of reasons. Because this particular speech, that included quotes from the Statement of Basic Aims and Objectives of the OAAU, appeared on his birthday, which occurs during the annual worldwide celebration of African Liberation day that extols him as one of the African people’s foremost freedom fighters.

But more importantly it appeared in a progressive, widely distributed publication at the height of U.S. aggression and war against the democratic rights of Muslims, poor workers, and disenfranchised people both at home and abroad. Because the U.S. war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq—that could engulf Iran, Syria and North Korea—is being waged in conjunction with a deliberate large-scale frontal attack on civil liberties in the U.S. as well.

Tactically Malcolm’s fearless revolutionary example, in addition to his numerous audio, video, and cassette tape recordings, documentaries, speeches, and books—especially Malcolm X Talks to Young People, February 1965: The Final Speeches, and By Any Means Necessary, which are regularly featured in Pathfinder’s Books of the Month club—have the intrinsic power and potential to reform and revolutionize prisoners, expand consciousness, and mobilize Black, poor, and oppressed people into an effective international fighting force for change.

That is why I support efforts to get these kinds of political consciousness-raising books into the hands of prisoners, and a petition drive to make May 19, Malcolm X’s birth date, a national holiday.

Shakir Muhammad
Alexandria, Virginia
 

Brother Calero’s victory
Thanks for your unifying efforts, and for the support of working people and those who feel and participate in our struggles.

It was a victory to learn that compañero and brother Róger Calero had received his green card and documents. This is a class victory, between Róger and the working class, and the U.S. government that has always had in its history a “racist profile” against the people from the south, carrying out persecutions in disregard of our rights. This victory is a step to legitimize our rights and our demands, and to be able to defend ourselves. Furthermore, this time they did not get away with it.

In the brutal and ignorant campaign of this administration against the rights of immigrants, they look for any “pretext” to take advantage of. For example, the case of Calero when he was a student, or the case of a 25-year-old Pakistani, Shaheed Yacoob, a Christian, who came with his parents when he was only four years old, who when he was a student took a walk-man from a classmate. She turned him in, and they began a case against him.

Last year, at the beginning of December, they revoked his residency and put him in this prison. A judge ordered his deportation to Pakistan. He does not know anybody over there. Shaheed Yacoob, #74295, is in cell #9 at the York County Jail.

In my case, because I accused them for their barbaric and inhumane practices against my rights and the rights of thousands of those detained by immigration, they took revenge. They have me in this situation, under physical and psychological torture—a psychological war against my human and legal rights.

But our duty is not to surrender. As an Arab saying goes, “Shame is behind us, but victory is ahead of us!”

I believe brother Róger and I have chosen to continue forward. Congratulations. The struggle continues until the final victory.

Farouk Abdel-Muhti,
York County Jail
York, Pennsylvania

Farouk Abdel-Muhti, an outspoken advocate of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, was jailed without charges more than a year ago.

He is facing deportation from the United States, where he has lived since the 1970s. Abdel-Muhti has been imprisoned indefinitely, first in several prisons in New Jersey, and more recently in a penitentiary in York, Pennsylvania. Abdel-Muhti is appealing for public support to press the government for his release, and to drop its deportation proceedings against him.

‘Militant’ readers are urged to send a letter of protest to David J. Venturella, Assistant Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner, Office of Detention and Removal, tel. (212) 305-2734, fax (202) 353-9435, e-mail David.j.venturella@usdoj.gov

Please also call York County Jail warden Thomas Hogan at (717) 840-7580.

To write to Abdel-Muhti, address correspondence as follows: Farouk Abdel-Muhti #75122, York County Jail, 3400 Concord Road, York, PA 17402-9580.

—Editor

The Militant receives many requests from readers behind bars. The Prisoners Fund makes it possible to send them reduced rate subscriptions. A prisoner can buy a six-month subscription for $6 and a one-year subscription for $12.

The Spanish-language monthly magazine Perspectiva Mundial offers a six-month subscription for $3 and a one-year subscription for $6. Please send a check or money order, earmarked “Prisoners Fund,” to the Militant, 152 W. 36th St., #401, New York, NY 10018.

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of interest to working people. Please keep your letters brief and indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name. Where necessary letters will be abridged.  
 
 
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