“We've got some momentum now,” said Norton Sandler, director of the Militant Fighting Fund. “If we reach out to other union locals, discuss the case with everyone interested in the struggle for safety in the mines and other fights working people are involved in today, and talk to everyone buying the Militant about endorsing, we can go well over that goal.”

Among the union locals and prominent individuals who recently endorsed the Militant’s defense campaign against the Co-Op coal mine bosses’ harassment lawsuit are International Longshoremen’s Association Local 21 in Beaumont, Texas; six shop stewards from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 in Brooks, Alberta, Canada; five officers of United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 1332 from the McKinley coal mine in Window Rock, Arizona; and Sobukwe Shukura, southeastern region co-chair of the National Network on Cuba.

In all, seven union locals voted in February to endorse the Militant Fighting Fund. United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2188 at the Delphi plant in Fitzgerald, Georgia, sent a check for $300 with its endorsement. Workers at Delphi are expecting a fight over the company’s attempt to tear up their union contract. Several workers who appreciate the Militant’s coverage of labor battles and the struggles of Black farmers helped win the endorsement of the local. UAW Local 270 in Des Moines, Iowa, also endorsed and sent a check for $50.

The coal boss lawsuit against the Militant, the UMWA, and 16 miners who fought to bring the union into the Co-Op mine is being contested in a federal court in Salt Lake City. The defendants have all filed motions to dismiss the case, which centers on charges by the coal company owners that they have been defamed and injured by the actions of the miners and their supporters. Coming out of a February 17 hearing, where two Salt Lake City dailies were released from the lawsuit, Federal Judge Dee Benson said he plans to issue a written decision on the motions to dismiss the case filed by the remaining defendants.

The Militant Fighting Fund is helping to defend the Militant and publicize the fight of all defendants against this retributive lawsuit. In addition to endorsements received since February 1, new supporters have donated $3,600 to help meet mounting legal and publicity expenses.

More help is needed. Please send endorsements and contributions to the Militant Fighting Fund, P.O. Box 520994, Salt Lake City, Utah 84152. Fax: (801) 924-5910; E-mail: MilitantFightingFund@yahoo.com
 
 
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