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May 1-15, 2011
Volume 19 - Number 9
$1
Prolétaires
de tous les pays, unissez-vous!
Otatoskewak ota kitaskinahk mamawestotan!
Workers of all lands, unite
CONTENTS
1) MAY DAY 2011: TAKE THE ROAD OF CLASS STRUGGLE
2) THE CAMPAIGN IN QUEBEC - A WORKING CLASS PERSPECTIVE
3) CAPITALIST MELTDOWN STILL AFFECTS MILLIONS
4) "PEOPLE'S COALITION" COULD BLOCK ONTARIO
TORY BULLDOZER
5) GLOBAL HUNGER OFF THE RADAR? - Editorial
6) A SALUTE TO SOCIALIST CUBA - Editorial
7) NDP AND COMMUNISTS: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
8) CUPE-BC OPPOSES GAZA BLOCKADE
9) THE CUBAN NATION'S COMMUNIST PARTY CONGRESS AND
DEMOCRACY
10) CANADA STEPS UP FREE-TRADE NEGOTIATIONS IN HONDURAS
11) CPC CANDIDATE CONDEMNS MARTY BURKE'S RACIST
COMMENTS
12) ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY: LITTLE PROGRESS IN
AUSTRALIA
13) MUSIC NOTES, By Wally Brooker
14) "AGAINST CAPITAL AND IMPERIALISM"
15) TO LIBYA WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
16) WHAT’S LEFT
17)
CLARTÉ (en français)
18)
THE SPARK! (Theoretical and Discussion Bulletin of the Communist Party of
190) INTRODUCING MARX
PEOPLE'S VOICE MAY
1-15, 2011 (pdf)
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The Spark!
The Spark! The latest issue of The Spark! theoretical
journal, is now on sale for $5 at Communist Party offices (see p. 8) or People’s
Co-op Books, Articles include
plus reviews, editorials, and more.
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Theoretical
and Discussion Bulletin of the Communist Party of |
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People's Voice deadlines: May 16-31 June 1-15 Send submissions to PV Editorial Office,
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REDS
ON THE WEB |
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People's Voice finds many "Global Class Struggle" reports at the "Labour Start" website, http://www.labourstart.org/. We urge our readers to check it out! |
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(The following articles are from the
May 1-15, 2011, issue of People's
1) MAY DAY
2011: TAKE THE ROAD OF CLASS STRUGGLE
May Day
2011 statement, from the Central Executive Committee, Communist Party of Canada
This year's May Day celebrations across
Today we are in a period of aggressive imperialist wars, a time when global
capitalism is mired in a deep and multifaceted systemic crisis, expressed in
economic stagnation and decline, environmental degradation, increasing assaults
on the labour and democratic rights of the people, and every other aspect of
modern life. It is more evident than ever that capitalism is incapable of
solving the problems of the world. So‑called "reforms" which
put more burdens on the backs of working people will only create more misery
and deepen the next round of economic crises. Fundamentally different solutions
must be found, based on meeting the interests of the people and the
environment, and defeating the corporate drive for maximum profits.
Here in
But whatever the balance of forces in the next Parliament, the fight to defend
the interests of the working class must be intensified. Even if the big
business drive for a Tory majority is blocked at the polls, it will take a huge
mobilization by the working class and its allies to compel the next Parliament
to reverse the neoliberal policies imposed by both Liberal and Tory governments
in recent decades.
After May 2, the main focus of the class struggle in
On this May Day, it is crucial to strengthen the working class fightback which
is gaining momentum. The heroic resistance of the
These and other examples show that workers in
The past year witnessed the biggest upsurge of huge general strikes in the past
century. Sparked initially by the general strike actions called by the All‑Workers
Militant Front of Greece (PAME) against the dictates of the European Union and
the IMF, workers in country after country of Europe and Asia have walked out by
the millions to protest the imposition of vicious policies designed to enrich
the corporations while destroying social gains achieved through decades of
progressive struggles.
Inspired by these class battles, other sections of the international working
class are moving into action. The workers of
This militant strategy must be the path for Canadian workers to follow. May Day
2011 must be a day to step up our efforts to make the organized working class a
more powerful, unifying force in the struggle to roll back neoliberal
governments and the corporate agenda. It is also a day to press the leadership
of the trade union movement to move into wider action.
Whatever the outcome of the federal election, the Canadian Labour Congress in
particular must assume its responsibility to advance the interests of workers
across the country, to project strong leadership in the streets and workplaces.
"Business as usual" tactics - simply issuing speeches and news releases,
or calling for only the most timid measures to ameliorate the fall in living
and working conditions in Canada - are woefully insufficient to build the
fightback workers need today.
The CLC and CSN conventions will be an important measure of the top trade union
leadership and the rank and file. Unity of the labour movements in
On May First, the Communist Party of
2) THE CAMPAIGN IN
By Johan
Boyden,
As the federal election campaign wraps up in the area of the country that most
effectively denied the Conservatives a majority in 2008, much discussion has
been around class and social issues.
At the French‑language leaders debate, Madame Muguette Paille, a middle‑aged,
working‑class woman, living in a de‑industrialized Québec town
asked: "Myself, together with many people in my community, are unemployed.
We will soon run out of employment insurance. What will you do?"
By the end of the debate Michael Ignatieff had said her name eleven times.
Soon, facebook groups in this previously unknown woman's name sprang up with
thousands of members.
One wonders how Madame Paille would respond to the Communist Party's proposal
to set EI benefits at 90% of previous earnings for the duration of
unemployment.
The Communist Party is also putting up messages for peace which have proved
distinctive and popular. In the four Montreal ridings with Communist
candidates, over six hundred signs have gone up, calling for voting for people
before profits, ending support of Apartheid Israel, and immediate withdrawal of
the troops from Afghanistan.
Talking
down to workers
The Liberals too have signs - giant billboards showing a silhouette of a
fighter‑jet to one side, a family on the other, each with a check box.
The message is clear. Voters face a question of priorities. And almost everyone
understands it ‑ even though the fighter jets will be built here.
Of course, the Liberals are trying to re‑write history. They got
But with decades of inflation, high unemployment (higher than many other parts
of
Nor has the Canadian military ever been very popular here.
Between these sentiments of the people and the solutions offered by the major
parties is a wide class gulf. As elsewhere in
Cheap
Québec‑bashing
What is different from the rest of the country is the unrecognized and
constitutionally denied sovereignty and self‑determination of the Québec
nation within
The English‑language corporate media portrays the Bloc as malicious
nation‑wreckers. An Angus Reid‑Toronto Star poll after the TV
debates claimed to reveal high levels of antipathy toward Bloc Leader Gilles
Duceppe. "Virtually every utterance from Duceppe prompted viewers to press
buttons registering their annoyance,'" the Star reported.
The irrational fear‑mongering reaches a high‑point with the Harper
Conservatives' endless rant about the `coalition with the separatists.'
Conservative incumbent for Fort McMurray‑Athabasca, Brian Jean, even
announced Ignatieff would put Duceppe in charge of defense.
The Communist Party's candidates have exposed this cheap Tory fear‑mongering
as big‑nation chauvinism.
"Parlons
Québec"
In fact, the Bloc Québécois campaign ‑ "Parlons Québec", based
on the idea that they are the only true voice for the nation - is more about
jobs.
Accepting GM and the auto industry's departure, the Bloc platform calls federal
attention to this industry an example of
This is the Bloc's vision of Québec as a "market" and they also say
the other parties "refuse to fight for Québec's financial sector so as not
to offend
Like the New Democrats, the Bloc voted for the bombing of
A different
direction
The BQ will never form a government. Its identity is as a protest vote. This
allows it to put forward some progressive policies, even drawing trade union
leaders into its ranks as MPs. Yet after some twenty years of protest votes,
perhaps the limitations of this tactic are becoming clearer to Québécois.
The "surge" of the New Democrats in the polls in Québec is also
"fluffing" NDP support in the rest of
Mulcair has given his party new visibility. And at least some of the rise in
interest in the New Democrats is also likely connected with growing support for
Québec Solidaire, the left‑wing party represented by National Assembly
member Amir Khadir.
But the NDP's policy history on the national question includes opposition to
Québec's right of self‑determination (ie. supporting the Clarity Act). In
this election they are calling for extension of the language law, Bill 101, to
federal workers in Québec. The constitutional implications, however, are
unclear. Some opinions suggest it may actually be illegal. Will the NDPs rise
in popularity will translate into votes in
Of all the Parties on the ballot, the Communists alone are calling for a new,
democratic constitution based on an equal and voluntary partnership of the
Aboriginal peoples, Québec, and English‑speaking Canada up to and
including the right of separation.
While the national question has not been the burning issue this campaign, it
would be naive to suggest the long‑standing grievance of the unequal
union of
3) CAPITALIST MELTDOWN STILL AFFECTS MILLIONS
PV
Vancouver Bureau
Corporate profits have rebounded since the depths of the 2008-10 economic meltdown,
but the seeds of another crisis are being sown in the form of widespread
poverty. Reading between the lines, that's the message of the latest report
from the Organization for Economic Co‑operation, which urges Canada, the
According to the OECD report, unemployment remains a scourge on the global
economy in the wake of the brutal recession and financial crisis.
"A main concern in countries most severely hit is that persistently high
levels of unemployment - and a rising share of unemployed workers facing long
spells without a job - will eventually result in widespread deterioration of
human capital, discouragement and labour market withdrawal," the OECD
said. "The risk is strongest for youth and less skilled workers who have
been disproportionately affected by the rise in unemployment."
Noting that the duration of unemployment benefits has been extended somewhat in
the
Not surprisingly for a leading capitalist organization, the OECD report argues
that extended jobless payouts will ultimately reduce social costs, by blocking
the unemployed from accessing more permanent benefit systems, such as
disability pensions. The report also urges that jobless benefits be made
conditional on recipients satisfying job‑search requirements, a measure
which helps maintain a large "reserve army of the unemployed."
In at least 10 countries, including
Meanwhile, a new study by Toronto‑Dominion Bank has found that almost one‑third
of Canadians do not have enough money to live on day‑to‑day, and
almost 55 per cent say it's tough to save money. A separate survey by Royal
Bank of
Analysing the reports, the Globe and
Mail concludes that "many Canadians are still smarting from the
effects of the recession, while record debt levels are pinching many families'
budgets."
Despite the "recovery," more than 1.4 million Canadians are still
officially counted as unemployed, a figure which leaves out hundreds of
thousands who have given up looking for non-existent jobs.
"Working to pay off debt and cover basic living expenses, more than half
[or 54 per cent] of Canadians find it a real struggle or impossible to
save," the TD report said, noting that Canadians struggle to save because
many use disposable income to service debts, do not have enough money to cover
living expenses and "shop beyond their means."
The proportion of retirees going back into the work force because they need the
income hit 41% this year compared with 32% in 2010, the RBC poll found. The
proportion of Canadians who are retiring debt‑free fell to 56%, down from
61% in 2010.
Four in ten respondents who have already retired said their retirement date was
unplanned, most often due to employer "requests", health reasons or
reaching mandatory retirement age.
However, the Royal Bank places the blame for this situation on retirees, not
the capitalist system. "Even Canadians who think they are well‑prepared
for their retirement years have not taken the unexpected into
consideration," according to Lee Anne Davies, head of retirement
strategies for the Royal Bank. "When their job disappears suddenly, they
struggle with financing the added years in retirement that they hadn't counted
on."
But such advisors never explain how working people who are already deep in debt
or living "day-to-day" are supposed to save money for retirement, or
how to foresee the next round of layoffs. Workers in their 50s and early 60s
are particularly vulnerable, and in fact are still paying for the latest
crisis.
Confirming this reality, the managing director of the International Monetary
Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, warned on April 14 that "we are still in the
crisis." The IMF director highlighted the danger of
"complacency" among governments as one of the key risks to a
sustainable recovery.
Strauss-Kahn pointed to the danger of a "recovery without enough
jobs". He also noted that economic problems have contributed to political
instability in places such as the Middle East and
Unemployment among the young, Strauss-Kahn added, could lead to a global
"lost generation", for example in
But again, it appears that such pious phrases issued by global capitalist think
tanks are simply ignored by the wealthy corporations. Transnational
corporations keep pushing politicians to slash taxes on their record profits,
leaving governments with less revenue to pay for social programs or public
education. This "short-term gain" profit agenda brings pain for
working people, but if the IMF director is correct, the long-term consequence
may well be an explosion of anger by unemployed youth against governments which
have ignored their needs.
4) "PEOPLE'S COALITION" COULD BLOCK
In our previous issue,
Ontario's far‑right Tories have caught some wind in their sails,
according to recent polls. In part this is because of voter anger at the HST
introduced by the Liberals last year, as well as continuing job losses, falling
incomes and living standards, and growing social insecurity. It's fueled by
ferocious attacks on the trade union movement and public sector workers,
xenophobic scapegoating against immigrants and racialized communities,
poor-bashing, and the gross manipulation of statistics that show the crime
rates in Ontario and across Canada have actually been falling for years.
The Tories are counting on "Ford Nation" ‑ those mainly working
class voters who supported Mayor Rob Ford and his very right‑wing slate
in last fall's municipal election - to deliver their votes to Tory candidates
in Toronto. The provincial Tories are also counting on the election of a
federal Tory majority on May 2nd.
With two back to back majorities behind them, the
What's needed, of course, is a broad political coalition aimed to stop the
Tories and block the Liberals from forming a majority in Queen's Park. The
election of a minority government in Ontario, with a strong progressive block
including Communists on which the government was reliant, would change the
direction of politics in Canada's largest province.
In 1988 the NDP-Liberal Accord enabled working people in
A People's Coalition, built around a People's Agenda, can stop the Tory bulldozer,
and block the right too. Such an agenda would aim to put Ontario back to work,
to build and expand a strong network of universal, accessible and affordable
social programs including healthcare, childcare, and public and post‑secondary
education; lower tuition fees; a massive social housing construction program, a
new financial deal for cities; reindustrialization of the province based on
sustainable development and value added manufacturing and secondary industry;
public ownership of natural and energy resources; phasing out of nuclear and
coal‑burning power; redirection of military to civilian spending;
progressive tax reform based on ability to pay; and raising wages and incomes
beginning with substantial increases to the minimum wage, ODSP and social
assistance, public pensions, and the introduction of a guaranteed annual
income.
This could stop the Tory bulldozer in
5) GLOBAL HUNGER OFF THE RADAR?
People's
Voice Editorial
The world
beyond our borders was almost totally ignored by the major parties and the
corporate media during the May 2 federal election. In the months ahead, this
campaign may seem a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Most Canadians would agree that climate change remains an urgent issue, swept
under the rug by the Tory lie that steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions would
cost jobs. In reality, such measures would generate employment, but perhaps at
the expense of oil industry profits. The major parties also avoided any serious
debate around
Then there's the crisis of global hunger. A new report by the World Bank says
that over 935 million people do not have enough to eat, and that food prices
have soared 36% over the past year, reaching record peaks. Everywhere in the
global south, hungry people are responding with angry protests, in some cases
helping to topple right-wing governments.
And yet the situation is becoming worse, not better. The rush to invest in
"biofuels" has sent the prices of corn, cassava, canola and sugar
through the roof. In 2008, leaders of the G20 countries pledged $22 billion over
three years to help poor countries increase food production. Yet the fund set
up to administer this money has received only $400 million so far.
Clearly, the resources to feed the hungry do exist. During the financial
meltdown, the
People's
Voice Editorial
On the
occasion of May Day 2011, we salute the Communist Party of
After the destruction of socialism in Europe, tiny
The historic 6th Congress of the Communist Party of
We particularly pledge to continue our struggle to build friendship and
solidarity among Canadians with the people of
Long live the Cuban Revolution! Long live the Communist Party of
7) NDP AND COMMUNISTS: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
By Kimball
Cariou
During the election campaign which was wrapping up as this issue of People's
Voice went to press, voters often asked about the differences between the
Communist Party and the New Democrats. Given
One way to answer is to compare the platforms of the NDP and the Communist
Party. While there are similarities (both parties favour increased spending on
social programs, for example) on other critical issues there are major
differences.
Some policies are not even on the NDP's radar, such as the Communist proposal
for public ownership of natural resources, the energy industry, and the big
banks. On a wider scale, the Communist Party calls for a socialist economy,
while the NDP limits itself to measures to improve the lives of the
"middle class" - a term which avoids reference to the working class,
which includes the large majority of the population.
But perhaps the most revealing "line of demarcation" at this
dangerous moment in history concerns foreign policy.
The Communist Party platform explicitly calls for immediate withdrawal of the
Canadian military mission in Afghanistan, no to the war against Libya,
cancellation of the F-35 fighter jet purchase, a 75% cut in military spending,
and opposition to the Israeli state's apartheid policies imposed on the
Palestinian people.
Looking at the NDP platform, and its recent statements, one sees a very
different picture. NDP leader Jack Layton pledged to maintain
Why? According to the NDP platform, to "give... the best equipment to do
the job..." and "ensure the Canadian Forces are properly...
equipped."
From this perspective, the NDP advocates some shifts in the timing of military
procurements. In particular, they call to move up spending on new warships,
while pledging to "review" (not cancel) the multi-billion dollar F‑35
jet purchase. Nothing in the NDP platform suggests reconsidering the basic
premise of Canadian military policy, which since the 1990s has focused on
transforming the Canadian Armed Forces into a combat-ready element of the
US-led NATO alliance. Considering this context of global militarism, the NDP
platform's phrases about committing the military to "peace-building and
peacekeeping" ring hollow. Since
Nobody should be surprised at this development. After all, under the
"New" Labour government of Tony Blair,
It is true that the NDP has taken a somewhat different approach at times, such
as on the
In recent years, Jack Layton has repeatedly praised the Canadian troops in
One explanation for the NDP's shift is their attempt to hold seats in regions
where the Canadian Armed Forces have a strong presence, such as the
This retreat has weakened the anti-war movement in
Electing even one Communist would radically change this picture. Sooner or
later, Communist MPs will return to Parliament, and opposition to war and
militarism will be heard loud and clear in the halls of power. A vote for a
Communist candidate is not wasted; it's a vote to bring that day nearer.
8) CUPE-BC OPPOSES
The following resolution was passed overwhelmingly at the Canadian
Union of Public Employees‑British
CUPE BC
WILL:
Through CUPE
National demand that the Federal Government pressure the Israeli and Egyptian
Governments to end the illegal blockade of
Condemn the
Israeli attack on the
Support the
Free
BECAUSE:
‑
Gaza's million and a half residents are imprisoned in a tiny territory, less
than the size of Surrey, BC; and
‑
‑ A
peaceful flotilla of boats, sponsored by the Free Gaza Movement (FGM) an organization
of Palestinians, Israeli and international human rights activists, was attacked
in international waters by the IDF on May 31, 2010; and
‑
Since that time, according to Amnesty International and Oxfam, Israel and Egypt
continue the illegal siege of Gaza preventing the movement of people in and out
of Gaza, even for medical emergencies; and
‑ The
Free
9) THE CUBAN NATION'S COMMUNIST PARTY CONGRESS AND
DEMOCRACY
By
Article 5 of the Cuban Constitution stipulates that the Communist Party of
The symbiotic relationship between the Party and the nation has been
demonstrated many times over the decades since the establishment of the Party
in 1965. This unique heritage takes its roots going back to the revolutionary
party established by José Marti in 1892; it was so successful in its political
orientation, military strategy and organisation that the Revolutionary Party of
Cuba actually led the nation to defeat the Spanish colonialists in 1898; this
victory was robbed at the last instant by the United States.
In the Sierra Maestra from December 1956 until the January 1, 1959 the victory
which escaped the Cuban people in the previous century was finally achieved.
This took place, among other factors, thanks to the unbreakable ties between
the leading forces at the time, on the one hand the July 26 Movement and its
Rebel Army led by Fidel Castro, and on the other hand the most humble sections
of the Cuban people.
However, to describe this relationship in terms of simple ties and links is to
really underestimate the fact that the leadership and the people were really
one. How else could such a relatively small leading force defeat such a
powerful enemy as the
The Sixth Party Congress is the latest of many examples of this tradition.
Cuba, at a critical juncture in its history began discussion at the grassroots
level in 2007 following the now famous Raul Castro July 26 Camaguey speech of
that year; he exhorted his compatriots to openly present their preoccupations
and suggestions in order to deal with the many profound problems facing the
nation.
They did so, and after a serious and methodical process the leadership drafted
the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines for the Party and the Revolution. As
soon as they were released, the de facto Party Congress was initiated with
debates and discussions in the labour and educational centers as well as in the
neighbourhoods.
Raul Castro announced in his Report to the Congress on April 16 that from
December 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011 close to nine million people participated
in more than 163,000 meetings in which over three million contributed with
their opinions and suggestions. Raul described this consultation as a
"popular referendum"; this is not an exaggeration at all. The
Introduction to the discussions, changes, proposals, modifications, additions
and suppressions constitutes an irrefutable testimony in itself to the
effective debate which took place at all levels of the Cuban society.
The document was elaborated and modified as a result of this process. It was
this version which the elected delegates to the Congress received. They were handed
the revised document even before the deliberations so as to be in a position to
further work out their thinking based on the opinions of the basic
organisations from which they were elected. The Congress deliberations in
Commissions proved to be an impressive and lively scene of debates, discussions
and proposed changes. This process resulted in a series of reports, findings
and opinions (dictamenes) to be taken into account in order to work out what
will probably be a new and final version whose goal is to strengthen socialism
and the Revolution.
The theme of close indestructible ties between the leadership and the people,
the Communist Party vanguard and the nation, took on a sort of personal and
emotional turn with the three Reflections by Fidel during the four‑day
period of the Congress. The first one dealt with the April 16 military parade
and demonstration by the Habaneros and Habaneras in support of the Revolution
and socialism.
Secondly, he offered his thoughts on the Congress debates, and thirdly on the
composition of the Central Committee and his absence on this important body.
In the unique style which is characteristic of this iconic revolutionary
leader, his ideas addressed what was on the mind of the vast majority of the
Cuban people (and many of us foreign observers as well). It was in this manner
that he dealt with the peasant allies in 1957‑58; in a similar fashion he
addressed people from all walks of life in the First and Second
The title of this article includes the term "democracy."
However, nowhere is it used in the article itself up until now. There is no
universal definition of democracy; universalism is used by the big powers,
based mainly in the
For those of us who pay close attention to this very controversial issue of
democracy as exemplified in the Congress, its preparation and actual
proceedings, the valuable lessons seemed to be coming to an end. However, the
President of the National Assembly of People's Power, Ricardo Alarcon, took the
podium. He dealt with an entirely different institution which is not the
Communist Party, but rather the State, Government and Elections to these
instances. He presented the "Resolution on Perfecting the Organs of
People's Power, the Electoral System and the Political/Administrative
Division" of the country. Its essence is to further perfect People's Power
and the electoral system striving to make it them even more democratic and
participatory. Once the suggestions are worked out and proposed to the National
Assembly, those elected by all the citizens will deal with the suggested
changes.
For those of us anywhere in the world who have a sincere interest in Cuban
democracy, here are the most recent events: the experience of the Congress and
the call to perfect and improve even further People's Power. What better
arguments to oppose any ideological and political pressure against
10)
From
Socialist Voice (
In February this year Canadian trade negotiators travelled to
Canadian corporations, supported by the Canadian state, have been expanding
their influence throughout Latin America over the last couple of decades,
becoming the third‑largest foreign investor in Lain
Three years
ago
They are negotiating with a so‑called president with no democratic
mandate, as, according to international observers, there was no possibility of
that election being free and fair.
Already Canadian corporations are falling over themselves in preparation for
setting up in
The free‑trade agreement will further open up
The free‑trade agreement will further increase this investment, and
further increase the exploitation of Honduras' natural resources, further
increase environmental damage and human rights violations, as well as leading
to further conflict between long‑suffering communities and the
transnational corporations and their allies in the Honduran state and police.
The
negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of continuing serious human
rights abuses. According to a leading human rights organisation, Comité de
Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras (Committee of Families of
Disappeared Prisoners in Honduras) there have been 1,071 documented violations
of human rights in the first four months alone of the Lobo regime. These have
included arbitrary detention, threats of physical harm, torture, and
assassination.
There have been sixty‑four assassinations of activists of the Frente
Nacional de Resistencia Popular (National Front of Popular Resistance). In the
Aguan region twenty campesinos have been murdered by gunmen, including police
and soldiers, working for Miguel Facusse,
Trade
agreements, as history shows, very much favour the foreign investor. They are
created to give wide‑ranging powers to foreign governments and their
transnational corporations, indeed powers that often supersede those of
national governments. These agreements create even greater profits for foreign
capitalists, while pushing the indigenous people into greater poverty.
The Canadian‑Honduran agreement will lead to more campesinos being driven
from their land. There will be more repression of trade union activists and
those opposing mining as well as those opposing the coup.
11) CPC CANDIDATE CONDEMNS MARTY BURKE'S RACIST COMMENTS
"I am appalled by Marty Burke blaming Aboriginal peoples in their struggle
against forced impoverishment and
At an all‑candidates debate on April 17 at Our Lady of
"The Harper Conservatives have done nothing to alleviate poverty in
general and Aboriginal poverty specifically," Garvie said. The Communist
Party of
"The federal government must take emergency action to improve living
conditions, employment, health and housing of Aboriginal communities."
Garvie said. The government must also recognize and respect Aboriginal nations'
right to sovereignty and self‑determination."
The Communist Party of Canada demands the Canadian state and corporations
"pay the rent" for stolen lands and justice denied, including: remove
all vestiges of colonialism from federal legislation; fast and just settlement
of all land claims, including natural resource‑sharing agreements without
extinguishment of inherent Aboriginal title; immediately end the discriminatory
cap on education and health funding for treaty First Nations.
"We've come to expect this thinly veiled bigotry from Mr. Burke and the
Party he represents," Garvie said, noting that Marty Burke came under fire
for similar racist comments before being declared the Guelph Conservative
candidate. In a letter to the editor in 2005, Burke criticized the appointment
of Governor Generals Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean, by saying that
12) ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY: LITTLE PROGRESS IN
By Richard
Titelius, The Guardian (
In the northwest of Western Australia (WA) on Sept. 28, 1983, 16‑year‑old
Aboriginal youth John Pat was part of a group of people drinking outside
Roebourne's Victoria Hotel when the evening took a violent turn. A brawl
developed between Aboriginal youth and off‑duty police. A blow from one
of the off‑duty officers knocked John Pat backwards causing him to fall
and smash his head on the road.
The police involved in the death faced charges and all were acquitted. However,
the death of John Pat helped to spark sufficient outrage in Australians that on
August 10, 1987, Prime Minister Bob Hawke announced that there would be a Royal
Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
The final report was signed on April 15, 1991. It made 339 recommendations,
mainly concerned with procedures for persons in custody, liaison with Aboriginal
groups, police education and improved accessibility to information to people
about to enter into custody. It also noted that for the situation to improve,
racism had to be addressed and Aboriginal health had to improve.
Since 1991 there have been more than 269 further deaths in custody. Each of
these deaths was represented by a white cross carried from the
The march and rally was organised by Deaths in Custody Watch Committee and
Aboriginal Legal Aid and was attended by over 150 people. A number of people
addressed the rally outside Parliament House including Ted Wilkes, a researcher
at
"The Liberal government of Colin Barnett should spend money on improving
access to health services rather than building a new prison in
Tammy Solonec, the Managing Solicitor of the Law and Advocacy Unit at the WA
Aboriginal Service, also spoke of the problems being faced by Aboriginal people
in
Land rights and self‑determination were also issues which the Royal
Commission said needed to be addressed in the context of providing justice to
the Aboriginal people of
One of the last speakers was Yamitji MLA Ben Wyatt who grew up in the Laverton
area north of
13) MUSIC NOTES, By Wally Brooker
Toscanini's banned "Internationale"
The May Day
edition of this column opens with news about a celebrated broadcast of the
greatest working‑class anthem: The
Internationale. In 1944, after Allied armies liberated
BDS activists target Dylan
Activists
are calling for Bob Dylan to cancel his June 20 show in Tel Aviv and respect
the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions on
Eminem, the UAW & Chrysler
Rap
superstar Eminem's March 23 video message to 1200 UAW bargaining convention delegates
seemed exciting news at first, but on second thought was a disappointment. The
Ono nixes PM's "Imagine" cover
In February
"Sweet Mickey" ‑ selected not elected
Christine Jensen's JUNO award
Women jazz
musicians have always had to fight for recognition. Pioneers like pianist‑composer
Mary Lou Williams and trombonist‑arranger Melba Liston were exceptions to
the rule. American big‑band leader Maria Schneider is a notable
contemporary success story, but today it's only marginally easier for women to
establish themselves in jazz. In
14) "AGAINST CAPITAL AND IMPERIALISM"
By Zoltan
Zigedy, MLToday (abridged; for the full text, visit the Marxism-Leninism Today
website, http://mltoday.com)
"We shall produce an open, class oriented,
democratic congress, all together, workers, men and women, fighters from all
the branches, all of us who have voluntarily joined the rows of the class
struggle against capital and imperialism." George
Mavrikos, General‑Secretary, World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU),
opening remarks, April 6, 2011.
"Against capital and imperialism" defined the work of the five-day
WFTU Congress of 881 delegates and observers from 104 countries assembled in
Since its inception in 1945, the World Federation of Trade Unions has been the
vanguard of workers' struggles throughout the entire world. Despite efforts by
the minions of capital and class collaborationist trade union leaders to split,
marginalize and subvert it, the Federation has endured as a beacon of class
struggle, anti‑imperialism, peace and internationalism.
Founded as a worldwide centre for workers' organizations inspired by the broad
antifascist unity resulting from the victory in World War II, the WFTU swiftly
became the target of those most threatened by working class unity and
militancy. Stirred by anti-Communist hysteria and pressured and supported by
the agents of capital, US and
The World Federation of Trade Unions suffered a severe blow with the demise of
the
Nonetheless, the Federation persevered through the difficult period of
capitalist triumphalism and reactionary ascendancy. Moving its headquarters
from
The now consolidated WFTU took even bolder steps after the
Dynamic leadership and ideological firmness combined to grow the WFTU since
2006. Over the last six years, the Federation has added 89 new affiliate
organizations and re‑vitalized many regional and sector organizations.
Through persistent work, Trade Union Internationals - units organized around
key industrial and service sectors such as transport, construction,
metalworking, education, public sector and so forth - have been established and
energized to spur initiatives in these areas. Organizing meetings and
conferences, the WFTU has established links with nearly every national and
regional federation where class struggle is on the agenda. In addition, the
WFTU put action to words by initiating international solidarity campaigns with
struggles emerging throughout the world. The organization brought consistent,
uncompromising anti‑capitalist, anti‑imperialist understanding to
all its campaigns.
Life confirmed the resolve of the
Much credit belongs to the many trade union organizations that materially
supported the WFTU through its most difficult years. Organizations throughout
the Middle East, Asia, Africa and
In recent years, PAME, the Greek All Workers Militant Front, has made a signal
contribution in terms of both funding and key cadres. PAME, founded in 1999, is
the federation uniting workers, small business people, independent farmers,
students, youth, and women in the struggle against the capitalist policies
ravaging
A Celebration of Success and the
Resolve to Win
On April 6, the 16th Congress of the WFTU opened with a rousing demonstration
attended by over 4,000 working class citizens of
Gloria Restrepo of Fenaltrase, the National Federation of State Service
Workers, a component of the Colombian Workers Confederation, greeted those in
attendance, asking for a moment of silence for those martyred in the class
struggle since the last Congress. Restrepo was one of over 180 delegates from
Latin America, coming from almost every Spanish‑ and Portuguese‑speaking
country in the
Mavrikos rallied the assembly with a speech outlining the role, successes and
prospects of the WFTU: "The participation in the Congress has exceeded all
expectations... The great interest for our Congress was expressed through
proposals and written texts that have arrived from all corners of the globe...
In total we received 1,850 pages of suggestions and comments...
"[O]
"Faced with these anti‑labor policies, the working class in many
countries in five continents has resisted and disobeyed, it has organized big
strikes, important events and multiform activities. We deeply realize that the
capitalist mode of production has nothing else to give but barbarism...
"In the same period we took advantage of any existing possibility... as we
did for the murders of trade unionists in
"We see it [the intensity of imperialist conflicts] in a very
characteristic way these days in
"What international trade union movement [does] the global working class
movement need today? A movement that is compatible and allied with the
capitalist system to `modernize' it? Or a movement that will represent the
working class and its allies and will be in conflict with the capitalists to
overthrow the exploitation system?... A movement that seeks to unite the
working class to cooperate with the monopolies and multinationals in the line
of class collaboration? Or a movement which will follow the line of class
struggle and unite the entire working class based on its class interests?"
(On the following days of the conference) Mavrikos noted the deepening crisis
of capitalism marked by massive and growing unemployment, the enormous debt
piled up from rescuing capitalist enterprises and for military adventure, and the
escalating battle against workers through work‑place
"flexibility", destruction of social benefits, privatization, and
increased exploitation. He projected unemployment as the most important issue
and committed the WFTU to the fight for a 35 hour week/7 hour working day.
He cited the deaths of 2 million workers in the work place every year as an
example of capitalist indifference and the 22% increase in military spending
from 2007‑2008 as an example of waste and imperialist war mongering.
Mavrikos pledged to grow the Federation, preserve its militancy and further the
work advanced since the last Congress. He warned that much of the labor
movement has atrophied and that "...a trade union that does not strike is
for decoration." At the same time, he was open and candid about some of
the weaknesses of the WFTU, including financial commitments, communication, and
opportunism.
Over 120 delegates and observers spoke at the Congress, including the Vice
Chair of the All China Federation of Trade Unions and the President of the
Vietnamese General Confederation of Labor. Leaders of major organizations from
Africa (OATUU), the Arab countries (ICATU) as well as numerous unions and
federations in Central and
Of course representatives from the Cuban labor movement were present and active
in the work of the Congress. Salvador Valdes Mesa, General‑Secretary of
the Central Organization of Cuban Workers (CTC) noted: "Thanks to our
socialist system and the solidarity expressed by the peoples of the world, we
managed to maintain our social and trade‑union rights. We have also
expressed our solidarity towards the peoples of the world like in
Salutes to the Congress were received and read from Raul Castro, Hugo Chavez,
and Evo Morales, as well as the Presidents of
On the evening of April 7, delegates and observers were treated to an evening
of internationalism at Greek Communist Party (KKE)
George Mavrikos was re‑elected General‑Secretary unanimously and by
acclaim, a tribute to the leadership provided by him and his team since the
The Congress closed with the election of a new, expanded Presidential Council
representative of men and women leading the working class throughout the world.
15) TO
By Saul
Landau and Nelson Valdes, Information Clearing House
"The United States ... should not try or be widely perceived as
trying to manipulate religion in pursuit of narrowly drawn interests." The
"I will never hesitate to use our military swiftly, decisively, and
unilaterally when necessary to defend our people, our homeland, our allies and
our core interests. That's why we're going after al‑Qaida wherever they
seek a foothold... God Bless you, and may God Bless the
"If the president orders assassination, it must be legal... If the
president orders torture, it must be legal." - Condoleezza Rice.
Grabbing other people's land and interfering in their affairs became as
American as apple pie before the annexation of
In 17th Century inspirational moments God sent His chosen from
According to John L O'Sullivan in 1839, God intended "the fulfilment of
our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by
See how Americans talked to God before Pat Robertson - before God punished us
with Hurricanes for allowing homosexuals to cavort. In 1898, God, doubling as
President McKinley's National Security Adviser while simultaneously suggesting
headlines for William Randolph Hearst, answered McKinley's prayers for advice.
The Big Guy "told me to take the
Secretary of War Elihu Root extolled the virtues of that war because "The American
soldier is different from all other soldiers of all other countries since the
world began. He is the advance guard of liberty and justice, of law and order,
and of peace and happiness." (Peter Maguire, Law and War: An American
Story,
Root omitted discussion of US troops' involvement in massacring suspected
Philippine resisters. Our vanguard soldiers killed some 600,000 before
President Herbert
Woodrow Wilson fought a holy war for democracy. Harry Truman to stop an atheist
Communist dictator in
Reagan invaded Grenada, but didn't recall who advised him, and Bush 1 ordered
the hit on
Making war without congressional declaration has become traditional. Some
thought the Nobel Peace Prize winner would challenge that behaviour. But, he
explained, he had to kill (he used euphemisms) bad Libyans to save good ones.
"God bless us all," he added at the end of his speech.
Was the photo of smiling Obama shaking hands with President Gaddafi taken
before or after Obama knew he was a bad Libyan? Did Obama's smile came from
constipation, or did God only recently inform him after prayer that Gaddafi was
evil? Did Divine consultation convince Obama not to save rebels' lives in
Or did God, again as national security adviser, explain the important religious
functions of
Obama couldn't let all the despots that obeyed the
Later their families might even collect compensation. We're generous in war
spending. By calling the mission "humanitarian" we distinguish it
from older missions when Belgians in 1911 massacred about 12 million Congolese.
Germans between 1903‑1906 killed 60,000 Hereros in
In 1964, the CIA provided names of some one million plus suspected atheist‑communists
in
Our
soldiers killed some four million (mostly civilians) in
The
(Saul Landau's new film Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up is available through cinemalibrestudio.com. Nelson Valdes is Professor
Emeritus at the
May Day March & Potluck, Sunday, May 1, meet in front of downtown library for march at 1 pm,
followed by potluck at Maffeo Sutton Park Pavilion.
David Rovics concert, fundraiser for Canadian Boat to Gaza, Sat. May 21, 7:30 pm, BCGEU Hall,
May Day Social, Sat., April 30, at the CSE,
May Day March, 1 pm, Sunday, May 1, from
“Champagne and
Meatballs,” launch of autobiography of Bert
Whyte, the late Canadian Tribune correspondent in Moscow and Berlin, Friday,
May 6, 7 pm, People’s Co-op Books, 1391 Commercial Drive, call
604-253-6442.
Re:Imagine Schools, Defending the Potential of Public Education, Tue., May 17, 7:30 pm, at
Fair Taxation Conference, cosponsored by BC Fed, Coalition to Build a Better BC, and other groups.
May 27-28 (Friday 7-9 pm, Sat. (9:30-4), Maritime Labour Centre,
Left Film Night, 7 pm, Sunday, May 29, Centre for Socialist Education,
Historic Bus Tour, Sunday, May 29, 10 am, visit sites linked to
May Day banquet, Sat., May 7, 7 pm, Fort Garry Hotel. Tickets $30. dinner, politics,
culture and dancing. 479-8089.
Mayworks Festival of Labour and the
Arts, throughout May, see http://www.mayworks.org for
full program, or call 947-2220.
Marxism course, register with the Communist Party at 586-7824 or cpc-mb@mts.net
International Worker’s Day
march, Sunday, May 1, 1 pm,
Status For All, day of action, Sunday, May 1, starts 1 pm at Queen St. & Jameson,
march to Dufferin Grove Park, 4 pm, organized by No One Is Illegal.
May Day 2011 Political &
Cultural Evening, Sunday, May 1, Steelworkers Hall, 25
Cecil St., doors open 6 pm. Free, sponsored by May Day Committee. For details, see ad
on page 3 of this issue.
May Day Rally, Sunday, May 1, Parc Baldwin,
corner of Marie-Anne and Fullum. Gather 12 noon, march begins 1 pm.