Defend free speech for all! Drop charges against Trump

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
Left, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs law expanding FBI powers in 1934, opening door for agency to become U.S. rulers’ political police. Above, July 19, 1941, Militant reports government’s indictment of Socialist Workers Party, Teamster leaders, under thought-control Smith Act, dealing serious blow to constitutional protection of free speech.

  Defending constitutionally protected free speech is at the heart of fighting the latest assault on political rights by President Joseph Biden’s Justice Department. Special counsel Jack Smith’s second indictment of former President Donald Trump would gut the First Amendment…


SWP campaign offers program working people can use to fight

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
Joanne Kuniansky, right, SWP candidate for New Jersey State Senate, joined in solidarity with striking nurses, members of USW Local 4-200, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Aug. 6. From left, picket captain Nancy Lipschutz and nurse Patrick Miller.

Socialist Workers Party candidates and campaign supporters are presenting a political program and demands that point a road forward to defend the interests of working people, and advancing the need for solidarity with unionists fighting attacks by the bosses —…


As economy slows, Chinese youth face lack of jobs, fear of the future

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
A jobs fair in China, where one-fifth of young people cannot find jobs today. Alienation spreads as China’s exports slump, construction falls, amid sharpening worldwide conflicts, competition.

“You must not aim too high or be picky about work,” Huang Zongming, president of Chongqing Metropolitan College of Science and Technology in southwestern China, told more than 9,000 graduates in June.  A record number of Chinese college graduates this…


Ukraine resists Putin’s invasion, anti-war views spread in Russia

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
Aug. 3, Russian court extended jail time for Dmitry Skurikhin after his Feb. 24 protest, “Ukraine, please forgive us.” He painted “Peace to Ukraine, freedom for Russia!” on his store near St. Petersburg, names of Ukrainian cities hit by Moscow’s invasion. Many villagers support him.

For 18 months, the Ukrainian armed forces, with decisive support from working people, have fought courageously to repel Moscow’s invasion. A Ukrainian counteroffensive begun two months ago is aimed at defeating Russian President Vladimir Putin’s drive to crush Ukraine’s independence…


Amazon workers picket warehouses in UK over long hours, low wages

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023

COVENTRY, England — Hundreds of workers picketed outside Amazon’s large BHX4 warehouse here Aug. 4. Dozens more picketed at a smaller facility in nearby Rugeley. Altogether over 1,000 workers took two days of strike action, marking the first anniversary of…


Gov’t-sponsored race-baiting led to Toronto teacher’s death

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
Longtime Toronto teacher and principal Richard Bilkszto, inset, a founding member of local Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, was falsely accused of upholding “white supremacy” and continually bullied during government-mandated diversity, equity and inclusion program for school administrators in April 2021.

MONTREAL — Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced July 25 his department will review the allegations made by longtime Toronto school principal Richard Bilkszto, who committed suicide July 13. Bilkszto had launched a lawsuit against the Toronto District School Board…


Canada port workers ratify new four-year contract

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, announced Aug. 4 that after rejecting a previous contract offer the week before, the union’s members had voted by over 74% to ratify a new…


Finding a job is even harder for former prisoners

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023

A New York Times article in July claimed the “U.S. unemployment rate is hovering near lows unseen since the 1960s” and “everyone who wants a job, has a job.” At the same time, it pointed to one problem: “Ex-Prisoners Face…


New report shows rail bosses caused East Palestine disaster

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023
Uncontrolled toxic fire instigated by Norfolk Southern bosses after derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, six months ago prioritized getting trains running as opposed to safety of area residents.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Aug. 3 marked six months to the day that 150-car Norfolk Southern train 32N derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a social disaster. The train was almost 2 miles long, weighing 18,000 tons. The derailment dumped 50…


Judge orders release of ‘Newburgh 4,’ framed by FBI

Vol. 87/No. 31 - August 21, 2023

NEW YORK — After being arrested in 2009, convicted a year later for a “conspiracy” that didn’t exist, and imprisoned for the last 14 years, three men who are part of a group known as the “Newburgh Four” were granted…