Brazil vote reflects toilers’ anger at corruption, crime and crisis

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
June 15, 2013, protest in Brasilia, against government of Workers’ Party leader Dilma Rousseff’s plan for massive funding of World Cup, at same time health care, transportation deteriorated.

In the midst of a deepening economic, social and moral crisis, accentuated by widespread government corruption, Jair Bolsonaro of the Social Liberal Party was elected Oct. 28 in a runoff against Workers’ Party candidate Fernando Haddad. The liberal media, from…


France: ‘Yellow Vests’ protests hit gas tax, Macron government

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Over 250,000 demonstrators rallied throughout France Nov. 17 in an explosion of anger against rising gas prices. Sign says new taxes are “the drop of diesel that overflows the gas tank.”

Some 280,000 demonstrators took to the streets, especially in smaller towns and more rural areas, in France Nov. 17 to protest rising gasoline taxes that impact workers, self-employed and small farmers the most. Protesters blocked roads with their cars and…


‘Speak out against attacks by bosses, their government’

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Socialist Workers Party member Joel Britton, left, speaks with Marriott hotel striker and UNITE HERE member Carlos Zevallos at Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco Nov. 18. Zevallos got a Militant subscription. “Without the union,” he said, “I might be one of the homeless.”

“Socialist Workers Party members across the country join with, and speak out in defense of, all those who are hit by attacks from the bosses and their government — like the striking Marriott hotel workers; workers who lost everything in…


Protests in Norway defend women’s right to abortion

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Thousands marched in Oslo and around Norway Nov. 17 against threatened law to restrict women’s right to choose abortion. Middle sign says, “Abortion is not a bargaining chip.”

OSLO, Norway — Over 15,000 supporters of a woman’s right to choose abortion mobilized in 34 cities nationwide Nov. 17, marching against a proposed law that would restrict this right. “I feel it should be up to the woman,” Ine…


‘Angola experience had a big impact on consciousness in Cuba’

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Members of Cuban women’s antiaircraft artillery unit, May 1989, after return from Angola following defeat of South African invasion. “Cuban volunteers on internationalist missions,” said Zayas, “are learning about capitalism, about the exploitation of man by man.”

Below is an excerpt from Soldier of the Cuban Revolution: From the Cane Fields of Oriente to General of the Revolutionary Armed Forces by Luis Alfonso Zayas. As a teenager Zayas joined the July 26 Revolutionary Movement led by Fidel…


Uber drivers strike in India, demand fares they can live on

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Uber and Ola drivers strike and rally Nov. 19 in Mumbai, India, demanding higher fares, guaranteed minimum income. Two-day strike was suspended when government promised talks.

Thousands of drivers for Uber and Ola resumed their strike against the bosses at these app-based companies in India Nov. 17, snarling traffic. They are demanding higher fares, a guaranteed minimum base pay and more sustainable work hours. After a…




Marriott hotel workers strikes going strong, winning contracts

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018
Oct. 31 Halloween day picket by striking workers at San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

SAN FRANCISCO — “All day, all night! Local 2 is on strike!” and “Sign a contract like you should!” chants filled the smoky air here Nov. 18 as UNITE HERE members continued their seven-week strike against seven downtown Marriott hotels.…


Gaza fighting shows need to recognize Israel, Palestinian state

Vol. 82/No. 45 - December 3, 2018

The latest round of fighting between Hamas, the reactionary Islamist ruling party in Gaza, and the Israeli government showed that neither side wants a full-scale war. Despite an intense barrage of rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip on…