Fight against ban on Washington prisoners getting used books wins

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019

SEATTLE — After a public outcry, the Washington state Department of Corrections reversed severe restrictions they had adopted that blocked prisoners from receiving almost all used books. The ban, quietly posted on the department’s website, said that effective March 25…


Cuban Revolution ‘put workers in the best position to take on racism’

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019

CHICAGO — The advances made by the Cuban Revolution in combating racial discrimination inherited from a legacy of slavery, colonialism and capitalism there; and the continuing challenges to meet and overcome remaining racial prejudice and inequality were discussed and debated…


Today’s fighters can learn from Algeria’s 1962-65 revolution

Lessons on Jewish question; convergence of Malcolm X, SWP discussed at NY Militant Labor Forum
Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019
Algerian revolutionary leader Ahmed Ben Bella, left, meets with Che Guevara, center, and Fidel Castro during his visit to Cuba in 1962. Workers and farmers government led by Ben Bella did not follow course of Cuban Revolution to lead working people to overthrow capitalism. His government was overthrown by counterrevolutionary coup in 1965.

NEW YORK — For weeks mass protests have shaken Algeria, forcing the resignation of longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika April 2. Tens of thousands have continued to take to the streets rejecting the new interim president and other figures associated with…


Quebec protests hit gov’t ban on wearing religious symbols on job

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019
Sign reads, “Muslims, Jews, atheists or Christians. All citizens!” Thousands protest in Montreal April 7 against bill banning public sector workers from wearing religious symbols at work.

MONTREAL — Chanting, “One, two, three, cancel this law,” several thousand people marched here April 7 to protest Bill 21 in an action organized by the Canadian Collective Against Islamophobia. The bill, introduced in the Quebec National Assembly March 28…


‘Why do workers face so many problems today?’

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019

PITTSBURGH — “Thanks for coming to my door,” Rebecca Krawczak, right, a full-time student who also works full time at a donut shop told Malcolm Jarrett, left, Socialist Workers Party candidate for City Council here, and campaign supporter Arrin Hawkins…


Quebec taxi, Uber drivers need union to fight boss, gov’t attacks

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019
Montreal taxi drivers protest government deregulation bill April 5. Placard says, “22,000 families in bankruptcy.” Uber, taxi drivers need union to fight moves to pit them against each other.

MONTREAL — For weeks now, taxi drivers throughout the province have mounted protests in their thousands against the push by the Quebec government to deregulate the taxi industry. This would abolish the permit system, which restricts the number of cabs…


66-year South Korean ban on abortion ruled unconstitutional

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019
Rally in Seoul April 11 celebrates South Korea’s high court ruling that country’s ban on abortion is unconstitutional. Signs say, “Abortion law should be abolished” and “is unconstitutional.”

Cheers erupted from hundreds of demonstrators chanting “New world! Right now!” outside South Korea’s Constitutional Court in Seoul April 11 when the justices ruled 7-2 that a 66-year-old law banning abortion was unconstitutional. The court majority said the anti-abortion law…


Defend a woman’s right to abortion!

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019

The following statement was released April 17 by Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Dallas.  Supporters of women’s rights must condemn the attempt by Texas legislators to use the failed Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act to…


25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 83/No. 17 - April 29, 2019

May 2, 1994 DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 100 farmers and their supporters protested at the capital building here April 11 as the legislature discussed contract hog farming. This issue has come to the fore as an increasing number…