These issues—the rights of undocumented workers to speak out about conditions at work, for a union, and for political demands like amnesty—are at the heart of the Militant Fighting Fund defense campaign.

The fund was established to help the Militant newspaper defend itself, including by raising funds for legal and other expenses, in a harassment lawsuit by C.W. Mining. The company owns the Co-Op mine in Utah where workers fought for two years to win representation by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). The fund also helps publicize the defense campaigns of the UMWA and its officers and 16 former Co-Op miners. Defendants face various charges, including defaming the bosses, conspiracy to defraud the company, and violating federal racketeering and labor laws. The UMWA is represented by its general counsel, and the individual miners are represented by lawyers provided by the union.

A number of protesters at the immigrant rights rallies endorsed the Militant Fighting Fund. In Philadelphia, Jonathan Blumenfeld, a member of the musicians union, signed on and donated $20.

These supporters join many others who have signed on recently. At its April 7-9 meeting in Washington, the National Network on Cuba (NNOC) endorsed the Militant Fighting Fund, along with a number of those in attendance, including Chuck Kaufman, national coordinator of the Nicaragua Network. The NNOC is a national coalition of dozens of U.S. groups that work together to broaden opposition to Washington’s economic war on Cuba.

Two union locals also added their names. “Amalgamated Transit Union—Local 308 joins you in solidarity,” wrote Rick Harris, president and business agent of the Chicago local.

“After reading some of the brochures, articles, and letters about the fight for labour rights in Utah and the U.S., led by miners at Co-Op, the United Mine Workers of America, and Militant newspaper, our local members agreed to support your Labor Defense campaign,” wrote Richard De Gaetano, recording secretary of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1777 in Toronto, on behalf of the union.

Many of the new endorsers are also donating funds. David Worthington and D.K. Kennedy, two unionists who mailed in their endorsements from Keizer, Oregon, sent in $75 to help out. A member of the Transport Workers Union from Cortlandt Manor, New York, sent $100. Another $125 came in from a retired member of the International Association of Machinists in Seattle.

The fund now has a new address. Endorsements and contributions should be sent to the Militant Fighting Fund at P.O. Box 42896, Philadelphia, PA 19101. The new fax number is 215-243-7986. The e-mail address is militantfightingfund@yahoo.com.  
 
 
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