Sankara’s revolutionary legacy discussed at New York forum

Example of 1983-87 Burkina Faso Revolution
Vol. 83/No. 20 - May 20, 2019
Panel on revolutionary political legacy of Thomas Sankara at People’s Forum May 5 in New York. At podium, Manolo de los Santos, executive director of People’s Forum, welcomed everyone. From left, Arouna Saniwidi, leader of Burkinabe organization Le Balai Citoyen; Peter Thierjung, Socialist Workers Party; and Asha Samad-Matias, professor at City College of New York.

NEW YORK — “No matter where we live, Europe, Africa, even here in the United States, we have the same common enemy — the imperialist system,” said Arouna Saniwidi, who chaired a panel sponsored by and held at the People’s…


Thousands demand licenses, amnesty at May Day rallies

Vol. 83/No. 20 - May 20, 2019
“Immigrant workers need driver’s licenses, like everyone else,” Santos Ramos told Militant at May Day protest of 4,000 in Madison, Wisconsin. Demand is in interest of entire working class.

Tens of thousands of workers in small towns, large cities and rural areas across the U.S. took to the streets for International Workers Day May 1 as the capitalist bosses and their government bear down on workers’ living and working…



The ‘Militant’ has always been financed by its readers

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019

A great response by readers this week brought in over $20,000 to the Militant Fighting Fund, putting the total collected at $43,834, with a further $2,321 in the mail. This bodes well for the financing of the Militant, a big…


May 1 actions demand driver’s licenses, amnesty for immigrants

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019
Marchers in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, chanted “Licenses yes, promises no” on May Day. Handmade signs were everywhere. For many it was their first time joining a protest action.

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — More than 250 people from across the state — including construction, restaurant and factory workers and small-business people — marched here May 1 to demand driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Sponsored by Cosecha, it was one…


Albert Woodfox tours against solitary, prison officials’ abuse

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019

After his release from the notorious Angola, Louisiana, prison after nearly 44 years in solitary confinement, Albert Woodfox has kept doing the same thing he had been doing behind bars — standing up for what he believes in. Woodfox is…


Join the fight to overturn Florida prison censorship of the ‘Militant’

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019

After months of noninterference, Florida prison authorities have banned three issues of the Militant since April 12, violating the constitutional rights of both the socialist newsweekly and its readers behind bars. The jailers falsely charged that each of the issues…


As Beijing and Washington talk trade deal, rivalry deepens

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019

For over a year, punishing tariffs by Washington, and Beijing’s tit-for-tat levies on U.S. products have roiled world trade. Now talks between the two governments point to a possible accommodation reflecting the relationship of forces between the two powers, at…


Kurdistan union leader: Workers faced years of tyranny, war

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019
Participants in April 4 meeting in Erbil of Kurdistan United Workers’ Union and leaders of Socialist Workers Party of U.S. and Communist Leagues of U.K. and Canada. Standing from left: Hangaw Abdullah Khan, KUWU president; Steve Clark, SWP; Steve Penner, CL, Canada; Maghdeed Ahmed, Erbil branch, KUWU; Osborne Hart, Alyson Kennedy, SWP 2016 candidates for vice president and president; Nazem Qoda, Iraqi Communist Party; Saber Othman, KUWU executive board; Ögmundur Jónsson, CL, U.K.; Omar Ismaail, Erbil branch, KUWU. Front row from left: Houree Toufeq and Abed Al Qader Ahmed, KUWU executive board.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region, Iraq — “Workers here have faced decades of tyranny, war and terrorism,” Hangaw Abdullah Khan, president of the Kurdistan United Workers’ Union (KUWU), said at an April 4 meeting with a delegation of leaders of the Socialist…


Philadelphia rally demands new trial for Abu-Jamal

Vol. 83/No. 19 - May 13, 2019
Philadelphia rally demands new trial for Abu-Jamal

PHILADELPHIA — Dozens marched in Germantown here April 27 demanding freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal. A former Black Panther and journalist, Abu-Jamal has been incarcerated for 37 years, much of it on death row. He has been fighting for a new…