The Militant - November 9, 2015 -- Help to make Party-Building Fund

Vol. 79/No. 40 November 9, 2015

Help to make Party-Building Fund

BY JOHN STUDER
As we enter the final stretch of the Socialist Workers Party-Building Fund drive, supporters have sent in over $63,000 toward the $100,000 goal.

Members, supporters and friends of the SWP in the Twin Cities and Omaha have set the pace, surpassing their goals by $1,388. This is what is needed to go over the top — for every area to make their target and as many as possible to exceed it.

Interest in and backing for the party and its participation in working-class battles today is winning contributions from people who have only recently met party members.

SWP supporters in Philadelphia have been joining actions by Steelworkers at ArcelorMittal mills in both Coatesville and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and building solidarity with their fight against the bosses’ concession demands.

Vonie Long, president of Steelworkers Local 1165 in Coatesville, gave $20 to the party-building fund Oct. 26. “I appreciate that the Socialist Workers Party and the Militant provide a voice for workers who are fighting like we are, so I’m glad to help out,” he told party supporter Mitchel Rosenberg after they picketed outside the mill.

Long is one of a number of Steelworkers who have written reports for the party paper on their contract fights.

A growing number of new subscribers have also chipped in to the drive, as members discussed the party with them on their doorsteps, at labor picket lines and protest actions.

The grinding depression conditions workers face today are fueling working-class resistance to attacks by the bosses and their government — from the growing fight for $15 and a union to protests against police killings and brutality. As the 2016 election campaign heats up, more workers are interested in the SWP’s program and activities.

The Party-Building Fund makes it possible for the SWP to participate in a wide range of activities — from international gatherings to build solidarity with revolutionary Cuba and the fight to end Washington’s embargo to strike rallies to introducing people to the party at meetings for capitalist candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.

All contributions will be counted that arrive before the final scoreboard is printed Nov. 11.

Help us go over the $100,000 goal. To join in, and to make as generous a contribution as you can, contact the nearest SWP branch in the directory on page 8.

John Studer is the 2015 SWP Party-Building Fund director.