Youth throng Manila book fair for literature, culture, politics

Vol. 83/No. 38 - October 21, 2019
Interested youth discuss, buy literature in Pathfinder booth at Manila book fair Sept. 14, following meeting presenting Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? Class, Privilege, and Learning Under Capitalism, and Women in Cuba: The Making of a Revolution Within the Revolution.

MANILA, Philippines — Over 150,000 people flocked to the 40th Manila International Book Fair held in the huge Mall of Asia shopping complex Sept. 11–15. This was larger than last year. Over 100 publishers and distributors, mainly from the Philippines,…


Montreal rally: End ban on wearing religious symbols

Vol. 83/No. 38 - October 21, 2019

MONTREAL — Some 300 protesters rallied here Sept. 28 despite a steady rain to demand that reactionary Law 21 be repealed. The Quebec law prohibits school teachers and many other public servants who toil in so-called positions of “authority” from…


Over 150,000 attend Manila book fair in Philippines

Vol. 83/No. 35 - September 30, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Over 150,000 people took part in the 40th Manila International Book Fair here Sept. 11-15. Above, fairgoers line up outside the exhibition hall on opening day. Many were high school and university students, and other youth. Because…


Protests in Kashmir oppose Indian rulers’ crackdown

Vol. 83/ No. 32 - September 2, 2019

After announcing it would ease curfew rules and some other restrictions it had imposed in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the Indian government reversed its stance Aug. 16, in response to continuing protests there. Working people have joined actions to oppose New Delhi’s…


Thousands defend Maori land in New Zealand

Vol. 83/ No. 32 - September 2, 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Some 100 cops turned up in Ihumatao early on July 23 to evict a handful of protesters occupying historic Maori land that Fletcher Building, one of New Zealand’s largest companies, was set to turn into a…


Fight to end US embargo of Cuba discussed at Nepal forum

Vol. 83/No. 31 - August 26, 2019
Delegates to Asia-Pacific conference of soldarity with Cuba, held July 26-27 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — “We are thankful to the Cuban government for sending a medical team to Nepal and assisting us during the devastating earthquake in 2015. The support from Cuba was prompt, spontaneous, and genuine,” said Pushpa Kamal Dahal, former…


Cuba gov’t refutes US slanders of internationalist volunteers

Vol. 83/No. 30 - August 19, 2019
Forty volunteer health care workers from Cuba’s Henry Reeve brigade, who spent two months in Mozambique earlier this year, performed as many as 11 surgeries a day.

Hoping to stain the image of the Cuban Revolution, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slandered Cuba’s international medical assistance program, saying it engages in “exploitative and coercive labor practices” towards its volunteer doctors. Pompeo announced July 26 that the State…



Fight to keep family planning clinics open that offer abortion

Vol. 83/ No. 28 - August 5, 2019
Crowd greets May 31 restraining order against closing of Missouri’s only family planning clinic providing abortion. In foreground, Missouri Planned Parenthood officer M’Evie Mead.

In St. Louis, abortion rights supporters are fighting to keep open Missouri’s one remaining Planned Parenthood clinic, which provides family planning help, including abortion. Across the Mississippi River, Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Illinois, reports that 50% of…


Divisions wrack Democrats as race-baiting charges fly

Vol. 83/No. 27 - July 29, 2019
During Democrat candidates’ debate, Kamala Harris attacked rival Joe Biden over stance on federally mandated busing to desegregate public schools in 1970s. In fact, neither candidate nor their party supported the policy. Above, Boston protesters defend busing, December 1974.

Divisions within the Democratic Party blew up after its leadership led the party to vote for a House bill backed by President Donald Trump to fund immigration and border cops that didn’t restrict how the funds could be used. Only…