Vol. 78/No. 45 December 15, 2014
December 15, 1989
Millions in East Germany and Czechoslovakia continue to press the fight to rid themselves of repressive structures, restrictions and the domination of Stalinist Communist parties. They are part of the struggle for democratic rights that is sweeping Eastern Europe and that has won the admiration of working people around the world.The Communist parties, the instruments of iron rule by the privileged bureaucratic castes for more than 40 years, are shattering; and the privileged layers are attempting to find alternative means to maintain their domination in a much more unstable framework.
For the first time in decades, the door for working people to engage in political discussion, debate, activity and organization is beginning to open.
December 14, 1964
BERKELEY, Dec. 7 — Mario Savio, leader of the Free Speech Movement (FSM), was dragged from the speakers’ platform by campus police in front of 18,000 students in the Greek Theater.After a song fest led by folk singer Joan Baez, the sit-inners had occupied the administration building at noon, Dec. 2 to protest the administration’s continuing harassment of FSM leaders because of earlier demonstrations. On Thursday, Dec. 3, “liberal” Gov. Edmund Brown ordered 600 cops to smash the sit-in. The cops dragged 800 students to jails throughout Oakland and Berkeley.
The students in unprecedented strength, countered with a general strike at the university, establishing picket lines around most university buildings.
December 16, 1939
The agreement signed by the Chrysler Corporation and United Automobile Workers (CIO) ending the 54-day “lockout” represents a major development for the American labor movement. The calamity-howlers who have been predicting the death of the CIO and its proudest acquisition, the auto workers union, received a major disappointment. Confronted with a major attack by one of the “Big Three” of the auto industry, the UAW-CIO emerged from the conflict, a formidable power.The Chrysler Corporation entertained some extravagant illusions regarding the union. The auto barons believed — they hoped — that the union had been weakened and disintegrated by years of internal struggle and unemployment.
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