------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Aug. 26, 2004 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
LOS ANGELES
ILWU LEADER BUILDS SUPPORT FOR MILLION WORKER MARCH
By John Parker Los Angeles
On Aug. 13, the International Action Center held a Los Angeles forum on the Million Worker March. The gathering featured honored guest Clarence Thomas, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10 executive board member and former secretary-treasurer, and Alameda County Central Labor Council member.
Members of several unions, including the United Teachers of Los Angeles, Com munication Workers and Service Employ ees, attended the meeting. Repre sen ta tives also came from community organizations including Korean Immigrant Work ers Advocates, Minjok/Tongshin.com (news resource and activist organization of the Korean community), Global Women's Strike and Veterans for Peace.
Magda Madrigal of the IAC, who chaired the meeting, is playing a leading role in organizing for Oct. 15-16 immigrant-rights marches in Los Angeles. She explained the Million Worker March's importance for the progressive movement. And she congratulated Thomas for leading the effort.
Thomas framed the MWM's intentions within the historic tradition of Harry Bridges, founder of the ILWU. It was Bridges who said in the 1930s, during the tumultuous struggles for basic union rights, that "the main issue is the right of labor to organize."
Thomas is leading a battle for the right of labor to organize politically and independent of the two ruling-class parties. The MWM exposes that there is indeed a ruling-class war against workers. Thomas is bringing these class antagonisms to light by pushing demands that the candidates of the two parties of capital--John Kerry and George W. Bush-- refuse to address.
Thomas mentioned a few of these demands feared by the ruling class. He called for national health care, a living wage, guaranteed pensions, cancellation of all corporate "free trade" agreements like NAFTA, amnesty for all undocumented workers--and slashing the military budget and ending the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq now.
Thomas spoked of his recent trip to Iraq. He witnessed the devastation to civilians, hospitals and the labor movement there. Saying the war in Iraq must be opposed, he asked, "How could I return to Iraq and talk to the people there if I supported continuing the war?"
He said workers and progressives here must stand in solidarity with workers everywhere.
Johnnie Stevens, from the Inter national Action Center national office in New York and People's Video Network, spoke about the connections between the MWM and the struggle against U.S. terror and occupation in Haiti.
Juan Jose Gutierrez of Latino Move ment USA addressed the most recent attacks on immigrant workers and how the MWM's demands coincide with the struggle of the undocumented. He is one of those building for the Oct. 15-16 demonstrations, calling for justice for immigrants and an end to terrorist Immi gration and Naturalization Service raids.
Gutierrez endorsed the MWM. After he spoke, many in the audience enthusiastically suggested ways to build for the Oct. 15-17 events simultaneously, to increase participation in both demonstrations and strengthen solidarity in Los Angeles.
Maggie Vascassenno of the IAC addressed the current intensifying U.S. threats against the people of Iraq. She went over the atrocities occurring in Najaf and Kut. She urged everyone to attend the Aug. 26 Iraq War Crimes Tribunal in New York before the Republican National Conven tion to put the Bush administration and accomplices on trial for war crimes.
Million Worker March and Haiti
The MWM demands that Clarence Thomas referred to are resonating loudly amongst workers and community activists alike. He attended an Aug. 14 afternoon planning session at the IAC office, along with representatives of the Peace and Freedom Party in Southern California, United Teachers of Los Angeles, Com munication Workers, National Lawyers Guild, Latino Movement USA, Veterans for Peace and ANSWER Los Angeles.
That evening, the theme of solidarity for the MWM extended to a forum on Haiti in South Central Los Angeles. This forum was hosted by Black organizations including the Haiti Solidarity Coalition.
Johnnie Stevens spoke about the parallels between U.S. imperialism's attack on Africa and Central and Latin America, and their connections to the Haitian people's struggle for self-determination. He said that all these developments affect working and poor people here, and helped motivate people to answer the call for a Million Worker March.
Clarence Thomas commented on the need for people to become organizers and participants in the MWM to help build awareness and fight back on issues like U.S. crimes against Haiti.
On Aug. 15, Thomas held meetings with South Central church leaders including the Rev. Andrew-Gaither of Faith United Methodist Church and the Rev. Richard Byrd of KRST Unity Center for African Spirituality. At KRST Unity, Thomas addressed the packed church from the pulpit about the MWM. Church members enthusiastically endorsed his effort with applause and Byrd incorporated Thomas' message into his sermon. About one-third of those present signed up to become MWM organizers.
By 1936 the guiding slogan of the Longshore Workers was: "An injury to one is an injury to all." This principle of solidarity led the West Coast maritime unions' campaign to spread unionization to all workers. This legacy is also loud and clear as a theme for the Million Worker March.
Thus, like Harry Bridges, Clarence Thomas is building the type of unity and leadership in the labor movement that will be a precursor to historic revolutionary change in this country and around the world.
[John Parker helped to organize the Aug. 13-15 meetings on the MWM and Haiti.]
- END -
(Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php)
------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
