The Socialist Workers Party 2024 campaigns are being launched across the country and are getting attention.
A Jan. 15 press release announcing the party was running Joanne Kuniansky for U.S. Senate from New Jersey and Lea Sherman for U.S. Congress from the state’s 8th District was picked up by InsiderNJ and New Jersey Globe.
The announcement describes what Globe reporter Joey Fox called, “an unusual combination of foreign policy priorities, including support for Israel’s war against Hamas, defending Ukraine from Russia’s invasion and ending the United States’ ‘economic’ war against socialist Cuba.”
Fox quotes from the SWP candidates’ statement, “Working people need to break from the capitalist parties — Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Libertarians — and build a party of our own that can lead the working class to overturn capitalist rule and use workers power to rebuild society from top to bottom and join the fight for a socialist world.”
The SWP candidates are discussing the party’s working-class program and course with workers far and wide, on their doorsteps, at strike picket lines and at labor and political actions.
Lisa Potash, SWP candidate for U.S. Congress in Georgia’s 5th District, campaigned at events in Atlanta commemorating Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 15.
This included a rally near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and a march of several thousand that included union contingents from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Communications Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Amalgamated Transit Union and others.
Zoey Johnson, who had graduated from Alabama State University in Montgomery, was interested in hearing the SWP candidate’s explanation about the need to defend Israel’s right to exist as a refuge for Jews and to defeat Hamas. And for workers, unions and young people to combat rising Jew-hatred worldwide.
“In one class our professor showed us videos about the Palestinians,” she told Potash.
“The Palestinian people are paying the price for Hamas’ actions,” Potash replied. “Hamas doesn’t represent Palestinian working people in any way.” They suffer for the murderous attacks Hamas unleashes against Israel.
Johnson got a copy of the Militant and took a SWP campaign statement.
“I know I have to educate myself about what’s happening with Israel,” Jasmine Atkins told Potash. She got the book The Jewish Question: A Marxist Interpretation by Abram Leon at the table set up by SWP campaigners at the action.
Many people took copies of Potash’s campaign flyer, eight bought copies of the Militant and five books by SWP leaders and other revolutionaries were sold.
Workers need own party
In Montreal, Communist League campaigners Félix Vincent Ardea and Katy LeRougetel discussed the CL’s program with Mary Brady on her doorstep. She is an urban planner who is recuperating from surgery.
Vincent Ardea described the recent strike by Quebec education and health care workers for better wages and conditions. “Workers need our own political voice,” he said.
“When I was in the hospital I heard nurses talk about working 70 hours a week!” Brady said. “We do need our own voice.”
Vincent Ardea invited her to attend a celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution in Montreal. “This is what we need to do here,” he said. “Workers and farmers took political power and began building a society that puts human needs first.”
“I’m originally from Haiti,” Brady said, praising the work of Cuban volunteer doctors who provide desperately needed health care there. “The Cuban doctors work like machines, one operation after another.” She got a copy of the Militant and kicked in a contribution to the work of the CL.
To join SWP or CL members campaigning, contact the party headquarters nearest you.
