Workers join protests, strike against rigged vote in Belarus

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Thousands of demonstrators demand resignation of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko Aug. 25 in Minsk. Workers at over 145 plants have gone on strike since Aug. 9 rigged election.

Despite firings, large-scale arrests and beatings by police, working people continue to join daily protests and take strike action across Belarus. They are fighting to bring down the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko, who fraudulently proclaimed himself the winner in…


Bath workers settle, celebrate end of 63-day strike

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020

BATH, Maine — Shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works voted by 87% to approve a three-year contract and returned to work Aug. 24 following a hard-fought 63-day strike after rejecting the bosses “last, best and final” anti-union contract offer. The workers…


Prosecute cops who shot Jacob Blake Jr., in back in Kenosha!

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Julia Jackson, mother of Jacob Blake Jr. who was shot in back by cops in Kenosha, Wisconsin, addresses press Aug. 25. She said she supports continuing protests, but called out those responsible for arson and destruction, saying they don’t reflect the values “of my son or my family.”

KENOSHA, Wis. — Protests broke out here after city cops pumped at least seven shots into the back of 29-year-old Jacob Blake Jr., at close range as he attempted to get into his SUV Aug. 23. A video made by…


Program celebrates political legacy of Fidel Castro

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Fidel Castro with independence fighters in Quang Tri, during 1973 visit to liberated areas in U.S.-occupied south Vietnam. “We will never forget Fidel’s declaration that for Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood,” said Vietnam U.N. Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, inset.

The political legacy of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro was celebrated in an online program Aug. 13 organized by supporters of the U.S. National Network on Cuba, Canadian Network on Cuba, and Table de Concertation de Solidarité Québec-Cuba. The co-chairs…



‘Fidel led working people to be changers of the world, not victims’

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Launching of the “Rectification” process in 1986, at Fidel Castro’s initiative, was a turning point in the Cuban Revolution. Working people answered the call to join volunteer brigades, like above, to build homes, clinics, schools and child care centers. The historic effort “remobilized and remoralized” working people, Mary-Alice Waters said.

The following talk by Mary-Alice Waters was given in response to an invitation to take part in an online Celebration of the Life of Fidel Castro Aug. 13. Waters is a member of the Socialist Workers Party National Committee and president of Pathfinder…


How Cuban Revolution beat the ‘fifth column’ in Escambray

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Militia members in the Escambray learning to read and write in 1961. Land reform and literacy campaign benefited peasants, helping the volunteer fighters defeat counterrevolutionary bandits, and deepened support to Cuba’s socialist revolution and its leaders.

From the Escambray to the Congo: In the Whirlwind of the Cuban Revolution by Víctor Dreke is one of Pathfinder’s Books of the Month for September. Dreke joined Cuba’s revolutionary movement as a high school student and became a Rebel…


25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020

September 11, 1995 Some 60 combat aircraft, 48 of them from the United States, launched widespread bombing raids against positions held by Serb troops loyal to Belgrade around Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia August 29. The NATO air strikes, spearheaded…


Newfoundland grocery workers strike for full-time jobs, wages

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020

MONTREAL — Some 1,400 unionized grocery workers at 11 Dominion stores across the Canadian province of Newfoundland went on strike Aug. 22. The members of Unifor Local 597 set up pickets at stores from St. John’s to Stephenville. They’ve been…


Louisville: DSI Tunneling workers strike for first union contract

Vol. 84/No. 35 - September 7, 2020
Teamsters Local 89 members on strike against DSI Tunneling in Louisville, Kentucky, picket Aug. 21 for their first contract. Workers won bitter fight for union representation last November.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Driving down East Chestnut Street Aug. 21, we could hear a steady stream of honking cars, expressing solidarity with members of Teamsters Local 89 on strike at DSI Tunneling for a contract. The unionists walked out Aug.…