September 27, 1999
Working people around the world should oppose the imperialist intervention under way in East Timor. Its aim is to advance imperialist domination in the region and has nothing to do with helping the people of East Timor to free themselves. The workers, peasants and youth of East Timor are not helpless victims who need a UN protectorate for “three or four years” or a few months.
They fought for independence from Portugal in the 1970s to bring to power a pro-independence government. They waged a struggle against Indonesian military occupation for the past 24 years. The mass sentiment for national self-determination was registered in the landslide vote for independence in the Aug. 30 referendum.
This struggle has new potential allies among the workers and peasants inside Indonesia who have begun to take action in their own interests.
September 27, 1974
All supporters of democratic rights and all who struggle for social change welcome the dismissal of charges against Dennis Banks and Russell Means.
The Wounded Knee prosecution was aimed at intimidating others who might stand up for their rights. The government’s attempt to destroy the American Indian Movement reckoned without the courage and determination of the defendants and their attorneys. The government also reckoned without the widespread support for the defendants and distrust of the FBI and other prosecution witnesses.
Despite the government’s repeated violation of its own laws, the charges against Banks and Means would never have been dropped without the publicity generated by the defense campaign. The victory will give an impetus to the whole Indian movement and to the fight to free all political prisoners in the U.S.
September 26, 1949
Once again the country’s 480,000 coal miners have taken the lead in defense of the standard of living and rights of American labor. With the slogan, “No Welfare, No Work!” the miners on Sept. 19 shut down the pits.
The determined fighting action of the United Mine Workers comes at a most crucial moment for America’s industrial workers. With the example of the miners before them, the workers in steel, auto, rubber and other basic industries are bound to take heart in their own struggles to win some form of security during illness and old age.
The battle of the UMW to maintain their company-financed pensions at retirement age of 62 and to increase the amount of company contributions, stands in sharp contrast to the failure of their CIO leaders to win any basic social gains for their members by the methods of conciliation and compromise.