August 14, 2000
“U.S. Bases Out!” read the yellow vests worn by many protesters in a demonstration by 27,000 people on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
“The U.S. military owns our land, our sea, and our sky,” said one angry Okinawan. Thirty-nine U.S. military installations — three-quarters of the total in Japan — are located on Okinawa, occupying nearly one-fifth of it.
Fishermen, farmers, and other working people have long opposed the U.S. bases, which were built following World War II while the island remained under U.S. control. Among the demonstrators was a representative of the fishermen of Vieques, Puerto Rico, who also have been fighting to get the U.S. Navy out of their land since that war.
Washington returned Okinawa to Japan in 1972 but kept its bases. Until then, Washington, with the knowledge of Tokyo, stockpiled nuclear arms on the island.
August 8, 1975
BOSTON — The racist frenzy whipped up here by the enemies of school desegregation has once again reached the point of lynch-mob terror against Blacks. On July 27, six Black salesmen from out of town were attacked on a beach in South Boston. The six were unaware that “Southie” is the center of the racist hysteria against court-ordered school desegregation. Only two of the 100 who participated in the attack were arrested.
Norman Oliver, SWP candidate for mayor, told the Militant: “The responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the police and the Democratic city administration. Racist violence and organized harassment has been taking place over the summer and has met with inaction on the part of the ‘forces of law and order.’”
There have been previous attacks on the beach, to the point where local Black residents stay clear of it.
August 7, 1950
After two days and nights of “negotiations” and mounting mass upsurge which brought Belgium into a state of civil war, King Leopold was finally compelled to accept a compromise which removes him from the throne. Tied in with the “royal question” are the workers’ demands for improved living and working conditions.
The Belgian army, called back from occupation duty in Germany, was rushed to Liege and other centers and later ordered to prevent the masses of workers from marching to Brussels. The workers simply marched through the various roadblocks without the troops firing a shot.
The workers are the decisive force in Belgium, as in every other country in Europe. They have not gained the full victory, thanks to the treachery of their leaders; but they have dealt a mighty blow to Belgian reaction, and by this token, to reaction in Europe.