25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024

July 19, 1999 CEIBA, Puerto Rico — In a sea of Puerto Rican flags, 50,000 people marched here July 4 to demand the U.S. Navy leave the island of Vieques. At the beginning of World War II, the Navy took…


Hundreds sign in Vermont to put SWP on the ballot

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024
Fred LaBrake, left, retired IBEW worker, talks to SWP member Róger Calero in Bennington, Vermont, July 1 as he signs to put Rachele Fruit, SWP candidate for U.S. president, on ballot.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Supporters of Rachele Fruit, the Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. president, began campaigning here, introducing the party and its program to thousands of working people across Vermont. In the process, they’re collecting more than twice the…


Sharp conflicts in South China Sea pose threat of future wars

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024
Map shows controversial “nine-dash line” used by China’s rulers to claim 80% of South China Sea. Beijing is building fortified islets in area leading to sharp conflicts with rival governments of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan, many backed by Washington.

China’s Coast Guard vessels repeatedly rammed and then troops boarded Philippine naval vessels, injuring several sailors in the Spratly Islands June 17. The clash was the most violent encounter to date between Chinese and Filipino forces whose rulers both claim…


Communist League: Protest rising attacks on Jews in Canada

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024

MONTREAL — Since the deadly Oct. 7 pogrom by Hamas in Israel there has been a rise in Jew-hating violence worldwide. Here in Canada, Hamas supporters have shot bullets at schools; carried out physical attacks, threats and vandalism at synagogues;…


NTSB: Norfolk Southern’s actions ‘unprecedented and reprehensible’

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024
Plumes of smoke in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2023, after Norfolk Southern rail bosses deliberately set toxic chemicals on fire in “controlled” burn, three days after derailment.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — In its June 25 final hearing on the February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment and disaster for residents here, the National Transportation Safety Board said the rail company bears full responsibility. Board Chair Jennifer Homendy called their…



Join fight against ban on ‘Militant’ in Florida prison

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024

Two dozen letters have been sent to the Florida Department of Corrections Literature Review Committee urging it to reverse the ban prison authorities have placed on Militant issue no. 17 at Jackson Correctional Institution in Malone, Florida. More are on…


Supreme Court rulings victory for constitutional freedoms

Vol. 88/No. 26 - July 15, 2024

In a victory upholding crucial constitutional freedoms, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the use of an anti-business fraud statute to target Joseph Fischer for his part in the Jan. 6, 2021, melee at the Capitol. This was rapidly followed…


‘Back Puerto Ricans’ fight against US colonial rule!’

Vol. 88/No. 25 - July 8, 2024
Rachele Fruit, Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. president, testifies in defense of fight by Puerto Rican people to throw off U.S. colonial oppression at U.N. hearing June 20.

Decolonization panel votes to back Puerto Rico struggle UNITED NATIONS — “As we speak, thousands of Puerto Ricans remain without electrical power and potable water due to recent collapses of segments of infrastructure. The U.S. government does nothing about it,”…


Montreal warehouse workers strike over wages, respect

Vol. 88/No. 25 - July 8, 2024

MONTREAL — Some 130 Teamsters union members at the Richelieu Hardware warehouse here went on strike June 17 demanding higher wages and some respect from the bosses. Picket lines, up 12 hours a day, Monday through Friday, are greeted by…