‘Fidel led working people to be changers of the world, not victims’

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Launching of the “Rectification” process in 1986, at Fidel Castro’s initiative, was a turning point in the Cuban Revolution. Working people answered the call to join volunteer brigades, like above, to build homes, clinics, schools and child care centers. The historic effort “remobilized and remoralized” working people, Mary-Alice Waters said.

The following talk by Mary-Alice Waters was given in response to an invitation to take part in an online Celebration of the Life of Fidel Castro Aug. 13. Waters is a member of the Socialist Workers Party National Committee and president of Pathfinder…


How Cuban Revolution beat the ‘fifth column’ in Escambray

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Militia members in the Escambray learning to read and write in 1961. Land reform and literacy campaign benefited peasants, helping the volunteer fighters defeat counterrevolutionary bandits, and deepened support to Cuba’s socialist revolution and its leaders.

From the Escambray to the Congo: In the Whirlwind of the Cuban Revolution by Víctor Dreke is one of Pathfinder’s Books of the Month for September. Dreke joined Cuba’s revolutionary movement as a high school student and became a Rebel…


25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020

September 11, 1995 Some 60 combat aircraft, 48 of them from the United States, launched widespread bombing raids against positions held by Serb troops loyal to Belgrade around Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia August 29. The NATO air strikes, spearheaded…


Newfoundland grocery workers strike for full-time jobs, wages

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020

MONTREAL — Some 1,400 unionized grocery workers at 11 Dominion stores across the Canadian province of Newfoundland went on strike Aug. 22. The members of Unifor Local 597 set up pickets at stores from St. John’s to Stephenville. They’ve been…


Louisville: DSI Tunneling workers strike for first union contract

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Teamsters Local 89 members on strike against DSI Tunneling in Louisville, Kentucky, picket Aug. 21 for their first contract. Workers won bitter fight for union representation last November.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Driving down East Chestnut Street Aug. 21, we could hear a steady stream of honking cars, expressing solidarity with members of Teamsters Local 89 on strike at DSI Tunneling for a contract. The unionists walked out Aug.…


Israel-UAE pact is a step forward in Middle East

Pact opens road to broader political space for toilers
Vol. 84/No. 34 - August 31, 2020
Left, Jewish, Arab bus drivers demand better work conditions, safety outside Israeli parliament in Jerusalem in July. Right, Ramallah, West Bank, protest against Palestinian Authority attack on Social Security, pensions in 2018. Workers across the region have common interests.

The establishment of full diplomatic relations between the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Israel — the first time an Arab government has normalized relations with Israel in nearly 26 years — opens the door to other Arab governments…


Nurses protest across UK demanding higher wages

Vol. 84/No. 34 - August 31, 2020
Nurses protest across UK demanding higher wages

LONDON — “We’ve been quiet for too long,” Lana Bonas, a nurse at St. Thomas’ Hospital here, told the Militant  as she joined hundreds of other health workers marching to Downing Street to demand a pay raise. The action was…


For recognition of Israel and of a Palestinian state!

Vol. 84/No. 34 - August 31, 2020

Alyson Kennedy, the Socialist Workers Party candidate for president, issued the following statement Aug. 19. The accord signed establishing diplomatic relations between the governments of Israel and the United Arab Emirates can lead to further steps toward the Israeli and…


Sedalia, Missouri: ‘Prosecute cop who killed Hannah Fizer’

Vol. 84/No. 34 - August 31, 2020
Jessica Fizer, left, leads protest July 25 demanding the cop who killed her cousin, Hannah Fizer, be prosecuted. Inset, Amy Fizer, Hannah’s mother, confronts Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond June 18, insists on release of name of cop who killed Hannah.

The widely publicized monthslong fight to force Kentucky authorities to charge the cops who killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville has inspired others to stand up against cop brutality and killings in cities, towns and rural areas across the country. One…