Vol. 71/No. 6 February 12, 2007
Militant supporters also sold 230 books and pamphlets on revolutionary working-class politics at these actions, including nearly 80 copies of the new book by Pathfinder Press, The First and Second Declarations of Havana (see ad on p. 6).
The latter, and several other titles, were offered at reduced prices along with a Militant subscription at the demonstrations.
This response to the paper complements the Militant's current campaign to expand its long-term readership.
"A student from south Korea and her mother bought the Militant after seeing the sign we had on our table saying 'U.S. troops out of Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea,'" said Militant editor Argiris Malapanis about his experiences at the Washington action. "She translated the slogan into Korean for her mother and told us that most people in Korea want all U.S. troops out of the country."
"A few people said they were glad we were calling for troops out of Afghanistan because no one else was saying that," Malapanis continued. "But one protester approached the table and said sarcastically, 'So you want to let those people cultivate their poppy seeds in peace?' We said yes."
"A group of high school students from West Virginia pooled their lunch money to get a subscription," said Maggie Trowe, a meat packer from Miami who attended the Washington march. "They said they were glad we were communists because they were looking for a group to join."
"We had signs on the table calling for an end to deportations and solidarity with Smithfield workers," Trowe explained, referring to the fight at the Tar Heel, North Carolina, slaughterhouse (see front-page article). "Many people picked up the paper because of the questions addressed in those signs. Others told us they were in favor of the deportations."
Follow-up work with those who got the Militant at the peace rallies can be combined with getting in touch with current or former subscribers about renewing. The sub renewal campaign, which lasts until February 25, is on target after the first week, with 101 renewals or new long-term subs sold.
Click here to see the 'Militant' subscription renewal drive chart