Upcoming BAP, UNAC, and IWP webinars, VUSE boycott rally in Durham, ongoing vigil against UNC's coal powerplant, etc.

There were many actions in solidarity with Palestine last weekend, including a few in NC; some upcoming actions are listed here:

www.answercoalition.org/palestinians_resist_brutal_u_s_backed_israeli_repression  

samidoun.net/2021/05/global-calendar-of-resistance-join-these-events-to-defend-palestine/  (lists actions in many countries)

Some statements:

ICMLPO condemns the war against the Palestinian people  

For more than ten days, the Palestinian people have been exposed to one of the deadliest attacks. To mark the 54th anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem, wild hordes of Zionists, supported by the occupation army, have attacked Palestinians residing in the city in a last attempt to expel them from their homes and land .. The last stronghold of resistance, Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, adjacent to the city's Islamic and Christian holy places, is the goal of these attacks. This is a new ethnic cleansing campaign aimed at the judaization of the city and its final Annexation to the Zionist State. At the same time, other parts of East Jerusalem and the entire West Bank are experiencing an unprecedented expansion of settlements under the complicit eyes of imperialist countries and United Nations institutions.

As soon as the fascist gangs of Zionist settlers initiated these killer attacks, they were transmitted by the Zionist state war machinery that, as usual, aim without distinction at the civilian population: the elderly, children, men, women, perpetrating a true genocide and causing mass destruction in all the occupied territories. The Zionist goal is to force these populations to leave their land to join the ranks of the six million Palestinians, refugees in neighboring countries and dispersed in the diaspora.

These are true crimes against humanity being committed against the Palestinian people and should appeal to the entire progressive community of the world as well as to all peace and justice-loving men and women to express their support for this people who, alone, face the Zionist war machinery and imperialist plans, including the US administration's ′′ Agreement of the Century ′′ aimed at maintaining imperialist dominance over the region and its wealth.

The ICMLPO, while strongly condemning the war on the Palestinian people, is addressing the world’s working class, its parties and mass organizations, all peoples of the world to rise up against Zionist barbarism and demand an immediate end of this war and express your support for their just cause.

The Coordinating Committee of the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations

May 2021

[ www.cipoml.net/ ]

Free Palestine!

Stop the Bombing!

The forced removal of Palestinian residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem and the escalation of attacks by colonial settlers and Israeli forces is nothing short of ethnic cleansing.  It is reminiscent of the Nakba [the Catastrophe, 1948, commemorated May 15th] when Zionists took half of Palestine for a Jewish state.  At that time, they ravaged Palestinian towns, massacred, terrorized and forced much of the Palestinian population to flee into neighboring counties.  Today, the Israeli government is telling the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah that they must leave their generational homes so that Jewish settlers can take them.

At the same time, they have attacked Muslim worshipers right inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest places in all of Islam, on one of it’s holiest days.  Israel has also increased bombing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, which has been called the “world’s largest open-air prison” because Israel prevents people from leaving or coming to Gaza.  This means the people cannot escape bombs, drones and rockets from Israel.  This is nothing short of a war crime.

Much of the world is condemning these attacks.  These condemnations are coming even from countries and people who have been reluctant to condemn Israel in the past.  But where is the condemnation from the United States?   US news media and politicians all use the same lying words.  They say the Israeli attacks are in “retaliation” for Palestinian attacks.  This is not true.  There is a conscious policy by the Israeli government to take Palestinian land, homes, destroy their culture and religion.  This is a genocidal policy that the US supports and encourages  In recent years, in violation of international protocol, the US has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved its embassy to Occupied East Jerusalem.  They have given Israel the green light to further annex Palestinian land and continue to send military and economic aid to Israel.  Although some of this was done under the Trump administration, the Biden administration has not reversed any of it.  Israel is the greatest supporter of US imperialism’s agenda in the region and has bombed and attack Iran, Syria and other countries in the furtherance of that agenda.  Therefore, we in the United States have a special obligation to defend the Palestinian people against these attacks.

As these words are being written, Gaza is being bombed (see video below [nepajac.org/horrorbombing.mp4]).

We must be out in the streets in support of the Palestinian people. Demonstrations are being organized throughout the US and the rest of the world.  Join them or organize one in your area.

#freepalestine

No US aid to Israel!

Stop to the annexation of Palestinian land!

Stop stealing Palestinian homes!

Stop the bombing!

[United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) May 11th email; nepajac.org/palstatement51121.htm ]

UNAC:  Solidarity with Palestine

We will discus how we can increase our solidarity with the people of Palestine and how we can increase our pressure on the Biden administration to end its support to Israel.

[May 23rd at 1pm Eastern Time; registration here.]

Black Alliance for Peace:

African Liberation in the Americas: A Webinar on Haiti, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela

In anticipation of the global events marking African Liberation Day [May 25th, commemorating the Organisation of African Unity's founding in 1963], The Black Alliance for Peace is hosting African Liberation Day in the Americas, a webinar exploring the parallel struggles and inter-connected histories of people of African descent throughout the Americas. Drawing on the collective knowledge of Black activists and academics from Haiti, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States, the webinar will examine how forms of anti-Black repression extend across the geographic, national, and linguistic divisions of the hemisphere – only to be resisted by a shared culture and tradition of African revolt and autonomy.

Given the recent wave of state terrorism directed against Black people throughout the region, African Liberation Day in the Americas takes on a particular urgency. Please join the Black Alliance for Peace on Saturday, May 22nd at 11am (EST), to learn more about African liberation in the Americas.

Featuring
Jesús Chucho García, Center for Afro-American Studies in Venezuela

Charo Mina-Rojas, Afro-Colombian Human Rights Defender

Ana Barreto, AfroResistance Program Director from Brazil

Professor Gerald Horne, University of Houston

Moderated by Jemima Pierre, Black Alliance for Peace, Haiti/Americas Coordinator

Independent Workers' Party:

Invitation – Press Release  

On Sunday, May 23, at 3 PM ET the Independent Workers Party (www.IndependentWorkersParty.org) will present a webinar on the struggles of the Haitian people and other peoples of the Caribbean. The link will follow, and will be posted on our website.  

Speakers will be:

David Oxygene, Moleghaf (Movement for Freedom and Equality of Haitians), Haiti

Camille Charlmers, Professor of Economics, Papda (Political Party of the People’s Side), Haiti

Dahoud Andre, Komokoda (Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti), New York

Robert Sae, CNCP (National Council of Popular Committees), Martinique

Aquiles Castro, Frente Popular (Broad Front), Dominican Republic

Andres, Communist Workers and Students for Social Change, Puerto Rico

Yves Engler, author of The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy, Montreal, Canada

 

After three centuries of barbarism, of genocide by white European settlers; after three centuries of non-stop struggle, the blacks who found themselves enslaved in Haiti succeeded in freeing themselves by routing Napoleon's large army, through the only anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist revolution of the 19th century, which in addition put an end to the system of slavery which created the wealth of the European powers. The Haitians, after having achieved this feat of 1804, that is they proclaimed the general freedom of slaves, in fact were able to create a land of freedom, a land of welcome, a land of refuge for all those who fled the atrocity of this system of iniquity which dehumanized human beings throughout the Americas, especially the non-whites who were considered beasts of burden.

The internationalist aspect of the Haitian revolution was something concrete; Sebastian Francisco de Miranda and Simon Bolivar traveled to Haiti where they were given arms, ammunition, and men, with a view to freeing much of Latin America from the yoke of Spanish colonialism. The capitalists whose system rested on the exploitation of human beings have never forgiven Haiti for having disrupted the world order.

France, which never accepted defeat at the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803, organized attempts to reconquer the territory of Saint-Domingue, all of which failed. Nevertheless it succeeded in imposing on Haiti an indemnity of 90 million gold francs, a sum that the old metropolis claimed from the revolutionaries for the loss of the slaves who were their movable property.

The United States, the first country in the Americas to gain independence by a revolution 8 years before Haiti's revolution, participated in the plot to isolate the new nation, and did not recognize its independence until 1862.

A significant historical fact in this work of destruction of the Haitian revolution which perhaps was a racist act was the campaign led by the United States among the Latin American beneficiaries not to invite Haiti their liberator to the Congress of Panama in 1826 during which Pan-Americanism was to be discussed.

These same North Americans, becoming a hegemonic power, invaded Haiti in 1915 and occupied it for 19 years until 1934. The country has experienced more than thirty coups, of which the United States was always their authors. Even in the attempts at democratic election for the stabilization of the country, the United States found a way to make them fraudulent in order to allow their lackeys to gain power with the sole aim of punishing Haiti for achieving independence in 1804. The proof is the behavior of the Clintons in Haiti. They squandered nearly $14 billion collected in the name of Haiti after the earthquake of 2010. But they also imposed the ruling PHTK regime on the Haitian people. This is a fascist power which for 10 years has been trying to force Haitians to relive the 29 years of dictatorship of the Duvaliers who were the watchdogs of the United States against the communists during the East-West cold war.

Despite everything, the Haitian people have always resisted the maneuvers of the imperialist countries to push them back into slavery.

Today, it is said that Haiti is the poorest country in the hemisphere because Haitians cannot manage themselves? This is to be ignorant of the history of the inhabitants of the first black republic in the world. At the same time how can one explain this state of affairs when the only revolution in the 19th century to have triumphed without the help of any other country was that of Haiti?

To discuss all this and above all with the aim of supporting the people's struggle to uproot the fascist, tyrannical power of the PHTK regime, the IWP invites you to attend and participate in this webinar on Sunday May 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. We will have guests from 5 different countries.

Workers, peasants, proletarians, activists, of all countries, unite! Another world is possible!

UNAC:  Nicaragua Against Empire - International premiere and discussion

Nicaragua Against Empire - International premiere and discussion of recent "Yes to Sovereignty! No to Sanctions" Delegation to Nicaragua [resceduled from May 15th due to the events in Palestine].

Nicaragua Against Empire highlights resistance by the people and revolutionary government of Nicaragua against Western imperialism, including sanctions and regime change efforts.

It is dedicated to uplifting the voices of Nicaraguan people rarely heard in mainstream media, including workers, peasants, women and Afro-Indigenous communities.

The footage from this documentary was collected during the “Yes to Sovereignty! No to Sanctions!” Delegation (March 2021), coordinated by the Friends of the ATC and Sanctions Kill Coalition. Following the screening, there will be panel discussion about the documentary and delegation.

You can join the premiere live via zoom webinar or on the YouTube and Facebook channels of Friends of the ATC (@friendsatc,) and Sanctions Kill Coalition (@sanctionskill). The event will be bi-lingual in English and Spanish.

VUSE boycott rally in Durham May 27th:

The Triangle Friends of Farmworkers (see TFF's group on Facebook) is organizing a rally at the 3301 Guess Road Circle K (near the intersection with Carver Street,  north of the Northgate Mall area) Thursday, May 27th 5 - 5:40pm.  The Ragin' Grannies will be in attendance.  Feel free to bring a sign and signs and handouts will be available, as well as TFF's VUSE Puppet.  As usual, a delegation will present a letter to the person in charge at the Circle K.  This protest campaign, temporarily on hiatus due to the pandemic, seeks to pressure British American Tobacco (replacing Reynolds American, Inc), the producer of VUSE e-cigarettes, to negotiate with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, representing tobacco workers in North Carolina and elsewhere.  

TFF is also involved in the campaign against the REDA amendment to the 2021 NC Farm Act and other activities.  The group meets once a month in Durham.   

Weekly vigil against UNC's Coal-fired Co-generation Facility

8 - 10am every Friday there is a vigil against UNC's co-generation facility, which burns coal to produce steam and electricity for the University, while releasing toxins over a residential area and contributing to climate change.  There was student and community activism against the plant about a decade ago and promises were made, but the plant is still in operation and the administration wants to keep operating it for years more (see:  www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/31/putting-values-into-action/ ).  The plant is at the corner of Cameron Avenue and Merritt Mill Road west of the University; parking might be limited, but there is a free municipal parking lot near Roberson Street in Carrboro a short distance down a paved greenway paralleling the railroad that supplies the plant with coal.

May 17th with short notice the Town of Chapel Hill held a virtual information meeting about ongoing efforts to deal with an old coal ash dump at the Chapel Hill Police Station that had become exposed and was releasing arsenic and other toxins along Bolin Creek and a public trail.  I'm not aware of the source of the coal ash.

Some sales

The lilylike higanbana (Lycoris radiata) in UNC's Coker Arboretum are being divided and extra bulbs are being sold (10 for $40) every Friday at the NC Botanical Garden until they run out.   The sale started May 14th and maybe it would be better not to publicize it.  I'm familiar with the flowers, but I don't think I've ever seen them blooming at Coker.  These beautiful Asian flowers are apparently often associated with death; the Japanese name above refers to the far shore of Sanzu, the Japanese equivalent of the River Styx.  Some regular plant sales have been going ahead this year and NCSU's JC Raulston Arboretum has reopened after about a year of pandemic closure.   

Booksales are still in hiatus due to the coronavirus, but the Friends of the Chapel Hill Public Library and now the Friends of the Durham Library have online sales.  Ordinarily Wake County's massive annual booksale would have been this month and there would have been others around April and June.   Some public libraries have partially reopened.  

Towards ML Unity volume 2, number 6 published and ICMLPO solidarity with Colombia protests

A new issue of Towards Marxist-Leninist Unity has been published and an electronic version will be posted at redstarpublishers.org/TMLU.htm.  There is also an unrelated statement from the ICMLPO in solidarity with the demonstrations in Colombia.  There are articles about the events in Colombia in the May 9th issue of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist)'s newspaper TML Monthly and elsewhere:  cpcml.ca/Tmlm2021/M51005.HTM#19

Contents:

The Ruling Class Sacrifices One Racist Cop to Preserve Their System of Police Repression

Some Preliminary Thoughts on the Transition from Socialism to Communism

Book Review: Black Liberation and Socialism, by Frank Chapman

The situation of migrant refugees, particularly children, under President Biden

The Loss in the Vote for a Union at Amazon in Bessemer

What the strike in Amazon [Italy] brought to light

Charge Andrew Cuomo for Murder for the Deaths of Nursing Home Patients from Covid

Shorts

Courageous women of the Paris Commune

Let us follow in the footsteps of the Communards

May 1: a day of rebellion, not of rest

May First, 2021: Day of Resistance and Struggle of the Working Class

Sección en español  

Pongamos nuestros pasos en los de los Comuneros

1 de Mayo: un día de rebelión no de descanso

Primero de Mayo de 2021: Día de resistencia y lucha de la  clase trabajadora

SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRUGGLE OF THE COLOMBIAN PEOPLE

A new social outburst against the anti-popular policies of the bourgeoisie has taken place, this time in Colombia.

Millions of workers, peasants, youth, women, unemployed, artists, retirees, neighborhood residents have paralyzed the country with a combative protest that began last April 28, and is still continuing despite the dozens of fighters murdered by the forces of law and order, the hundreds wounded, tortured, beaten, and even sexually assaulted. The Army and the Police have responded with their usual warlike policy, to confront those they consider the internal enemy.

The forcefulness of the protest, which has even exceeded the forecasts of the organizations that called the strike on March 28, forced the right-wing government of Iván Duque to withdraw the tax reform bill, which, cynically, was called "Sustainable Solidarity". This was intended to increase and raise taxes on salaries and consumption, which mainly affect the popular and middle sectors of the population, while the Government has taken measures to lower taxes on the income of large companies.

The tax reform did not pass, the popular mobilization forced the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Alberto Carrasquilla -the gray brain of the project- and Duque has called for a "national dialogue" to overcome the crisis, but the struggle continues. The Colombian people are not giving truce, they are challenging an authoritarian State, openly repressive, in which it is public that the heads of the military, police and the entire security apparatus share fascist ideas, work under the tutelage of the US intelligence apparatus, are promoters of paramilitary groups and have links with drug trafficking. This struggle is a clear example that when the popular majorities unite and fight, they push back the fiercest enemy.

The massiveness, breadth and combativeness of the protest express the degree of dissatisfaction and frustration of the people with their living conditions: close to 10% open unemployment, 50% of people working in informality; one of the countries with the highest rate of internally displaced people due to poverty, violence and insecurity generated by the State; a population hard hit by the pandemic and a government unable to articulate an adequate vaccination plan; the country with the second highest military budget in Latin America; a country in which in the first quarter of this year there were 23 massacres and during 2020 more than 250 peasants, population, union and community leaders were assassinated. In November 2019, the Colombian people already gave a clarion call with a massive and combative social protest; in general the claims, the mobilizations of different popular sectors are constant.

We express our solidarity with this struggle and call to continue to raise in

different countries actions of solidarity with the people and condemn the

government of Ivan for the criminal repression unleashed against the people.

We join the demand for the resignation of President Ivan Duque.

We join the comrades and leaders of the Communist Party of Colombia

(Marxist-Leninist) who are in the front line of the struggle.

We denounce that the most reactionary sectors of the Colombian State: Uribe, Duque, the heads of the military and police forces look at social protest and its actors as war actions, as events that seek to "destabilize power and put an end to democracy", under that logic they have responded with viciousness and hatred to the demands of the people. The forces of law and order are in a state of war against the people, which we repudiate and call for its condemnation throughout the world.

Coordinating Committee

International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations

CIPOML [posted at www.cipoml.net/ May 8th]

Solidaridad con la lucha del pueblo colombiano

Un nuevo estallido social en contra de las políticas antipopulares de la burguesía se ha producido, esta vez en Colombia.

Millones de trabajadores, campesinos, jóvenes, mujeres, desempleados, artistas, jubilados, vecinos de los barrios han paralizado el país con una combativa protesta que inició el pasado 28 de abril, y aún continúa a pesar de las decenas de luchadores y luchadoras asesinados por las fuerzas del orden, los cientos de heridos, torturados, golpeados, e inclusive agredidos sexualmente. El Ejército y la Policía han respondido con su habitual política guerrerista, para enfrentar a quienes consideran como el enemigo interno.

La contundencia de la protesta, que inclusive ha rebasado las previsiones de las organizaciones convocantes del Paro del 28A, obligó al derechista gobierno de Iván Duque a retirar la propuesta de ley de reforma fiscal que, de manera cínica, la puso por nombre de «Solidaridad Sostenible». Con esta se pretendía incrementar y elevar impuestos sobre los salarios y el consumo, que afectan principalmente a los sectores populares y medios de la población, al tiempo que el Gobierno ha tomado medidas para rebajar los impuestos sobre la renta de las grandes empresas.

La reforma fiscal no pasó, la movilización popular forzó la renuncia del ministro de Hacienda, Alberto Carrasquilla —cerebro gris del proyecto— y Duque ha convocado a un «diálogo nacional» para superar la crisis, pero la lucha sigue. El pueblo colombiano no da tregua, está desafiando a un Estado autoritario, abiertamente represivo, en el que es público que los jefes militares, policiales y de todo el aparato de seguridad comulgan ideas fascistas, trabajan bajo el tutelaje de los aparatos de inteligencia estadounidense, son promotores de los grupos paramilitares y tienen nexos con el narcotráfico. Esta lucha es un claro ejemplo de que, cuando las mayorías populares se unen y combaten, hacen retroceder al más fiero enemigo.

La masividad, amplitud y combatividad de la protesta expresan el grado de insatisfacción y frustración existente en el pueblo por sus condiciones de vida: cerca de un 10% de desempleo abierto, un 50% de personas que trabajan en la informalidad; uno de los países con la más alta tasa de desplazados internos por pobreza, violencia e inseguridad generada por el Estado; una población duramente golpeada por la pandemia y un gobierno incapaz de articular un adecuado plan de vacunación; el país con el segundo presupuesto militar más alto en América Latina; un país en el que en el primer trimestre de este año hubo 23 masacres y durante el año 2020 se asesinaron a más de 250 campesinos, dirigentes poblacionales, sindicales, comunales. En noviembre de 2019, el pueblo colombiano dio ya una clarinada con una masiva y combativa protesta social; en general los reclamos, las movilizaciones de distintos sectores populares son constantes.

Expresamos nuestra solidaridad esta lucha y llamamos continuar levantando en los distintos países acciones de solidaridad con el pueblo y de condena al gobierno de Iván por la criminal represión desatada contra el pueblo. Nos unimos a la demanda de renuncia del presidente Iván Duque.

Nos unimos a los camaradas y dirigentes del Partido Comunista de Colombia (Marxista Leninista) que se hallan en la primera fila del combate.

Denunciamos que los sectores más reaccionarios del Estado colombiano: Uribe, Duque, los jefes de las fuerzas militares y policiales miran a la protesta social y sus actores como acciones de guerra, como eventos que buscan «desestabilizar el poder y poner fin a la democracia», bajo esa lógica han respondido con saña y odio los reclamos del pueblo. Las fuerzas del orden están en estado de guerra contra el pueblo, lo cual lo repudiamos y llamamos condenarlo en todo el mundo.

Comité Coordinador

Conferencia Internacional de Partidos y Organizaciones Marxista – Leninistas

CIPOML

UNAC open letter on Syria and statement on Ukraine and Russia; ICMPLO May Day statement; Planning Social Pinpoint survey

The United National Antiwar Coalition's Letter Supporting the Syrian People, condemning US and allied aggression against Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and other countries is below and is open to individual and organizational signatures at:   unac.notowar.net/statement-of-solidarity-with-the-syrian-people/  It is in response to another open letter, "Erasing People Through Disinformation:  Syria and the 'anti-imperialism' of Fools," with signatories including 2020 Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins, Noam Chomsky, George Monbiot, Michael Albert, Ben Manski, Bill Weinberg, Stephen Zunes, Duke professor Ariel Dorfman, and several people claiming membership in Trotskyist groups and the Democratic Socialists of America.  The letter and signatories can be read here.  While acknowledging US government violence abroad it condemns "the imperialist interventionism of Russia, Iran, and China" and says "America is not central to what has happened in Syria," and excommunicates opponents of US Syria and Iran policy from the Left and the anti-imperialist or anti-war movement.  It isn't very controversial or unheard of on the Marxist left to speak of US and Russian imperialism and even Chinese imperialism or social-imperialism, but it could be asked whether Iran can be called an imperialist country, regardless of whether its role in Syria is positive or negative.  And what level of violence the signatories seek from the US and its allies against Syria, Iran, and Russia.  As the UNAC letter says, the US military is already occupying part of Syria, bombing the country (as is Israel), and attacking the Syrian economy, while the internationally recognized government of Syria invited Russian and Iranian military involvement.  There was probably reduced opposition to the Libya War and the coups in Honduras and Ukraine because Democrats held the White House then as they do today, and portrayed US foreign policy as progressive (and now there is talk of "middle class" foreign policy in the Biden Administration).  Russia and China, for whatever reason, also refrained from using their power in the UN Security Council to prevent the USA and its allies from overthrowing the Libyan government.  The Obama-Biden administration was also trying to topple the Syrian government and Hillary Clinton seemed to want to escalate to direct warfare and also have a military confrontation with Russia in Syria.  Imposing a no-fly zone would have required bombing Syria's air defense system and potentially confronting the Russian air force or hitting Russian military personnel or equipment on the ground, or Russia could have downed US aircraft.  

Letter Supporting the Syrian People

As the Biden Administration took office in the U.S., one of their first actions was to increase US troop levels in the north eastern region of Syria currently occupied by the United States and its proxies. Shortly thereafter, the United States bombed a Syrian town on the eastern border killing as many as 30 Syrians, purportedly to target hostile “Iraqi militiamen” or to “send a message” to Iran.  US proxies are selling Syrian grain in Turkey and a Hayt al Tahrir, a terrorist organization, now operates a refinery in the Syrian territory occupied by US troops and proxies.

Last year, congress passed the Caesar Sanctions as an amendment to the massive Defense Appropriations Bill. These sanctions cause the Syrian people to go without the basic necessities such as food, energy and medicine. They have destroyed the Syrian currency and are literally causing starvation.  At this time, it is impossible, even for the United Nations, to bring aid into Syria.

Moreover, these sanctions block reconstruction and the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees from impoverished camps in surrounding states. Syrians can’t return if there is no potable water, food or housing for their families. Meanwhile, the only Syrians who can receive international aid are those in U.S. occupied territories and those in areas controlled by the US ally, Al Nusra/Al Qaeda.

There has been a recent swell of anti-Syria propaganda, supported by prominent activists on the “left.”  This has included attacks on the majority of the US antiwar movement, which has focused on opposing US and outside aggression against Syria, and which supports the right of Syria to defend its national sovereignty against this outside aggression.   The clear fact is that the US government, along with its allies in NATO, Israel and other reactionary Middle Eastern states, is the primary cause of the current devastation of the Syrian people. The US and its allies have facilitated the entry into Syria of tens of thousands of foreign fighters to support their regime change agenda.

As with the lies about Weapons of Mass destruction that led to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, the U.S. and its allies have put forth accusations about Syria using chemical weapons and terror against its own people, which have now been totally discredited and disproven.

Therefore:

• We condemn the illegal occupation of Syrian territory by US forces and their proxies, and their illegal and unprovoked military attacks on Syrian soil and Syrian people.
• We condemn the ongoing theft of Syrian oil and Syrian grain by US proxies, resources desperately needed by the Syrian people.
• We condemn the so-called Caesar Sanctions as illegal, immoral unilateral coercive measures.
• We condemn the U.S. war on the Syrian Republic and the callous violation of Syrian Sovereignty.
• We demand the withdrawal of ALL U.S. troops and U.S. funding of foreign mercenary forces, U.S. funding of armed internal opposition forces from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and a lifting of the U.S. Naval blockade of Yemen.
• We demand an end to illegal U.S. Sanctions on Syria.

UNAC Statement on Ukraine and Russia [April 21st]

The United States, NATO and the Ukrainian government are escalating their provocation of Russia, risking war with a nuclear power. It is urgent that the anti-war movement  oppose this.

In recent days, Russia has recalled its ambassador to the US after Biden broke with diplomatic protocol and called Putin a “killer.”  This from the leader of the US that has forces in 172 countries around the world and has killed millions in recent years through its military adventures. 

 

In 2020, the US provocatively moved Navy ships into the Black Sea 7 times.  The Black Sea is an inland sea with shores on both Ukraine and Russia.  Britain, the US’s junior imperial partner has now announced that it will send Navy ships into the Black Sea in May.

The US has pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia (which required parties to eliminate nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles) and is using this dangerous situation to further its anti-Russian campaign.  It has been sending weapons to Ukraine, and hundreds of millions of dollars to fund the Ukrainian military.  In March, a group of senators from both parties called for an increase of $300 million to the Ukrainian military and other top military officials have called for providing Ukraine with jet fighters, smart munitions, and cruise missiles.

 

Fighting has been escalating in the Donbass region of Ukraine as the Kiev government has moved forces into the area and started shelling.  Donbass is an area the includes the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, which are autonomous governments that rejected the 2014 US engineered coup that overthrew the elected government of Ukraine and installed a pro-western government that includes extreme right-wing, neo-Nazi parties and organizations. 

 

Recently, Ukraine and NATO announced joint military exercises and the Ukrainian president Zelensky has called upon NATO to admit Ukraine into the alliance.  NATO forces and bases have been surrounding Russia in past years and NATO has conducted military exercises on Russian borders.

 

Ukraine has a longer border with Russia than any other European country and is seen by the US and NATO as an import factor in their military encirclement of the country.  Last month the Ukrainian government proclaimed a military strategy aimed at Russia and to reclaim the autonomous regions in Donbass and to “recover Crimea.”  Crimea has historically been part of Russia.  It became part of Ukraine in 1954 when both Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union.  The people of Crimea also rejected the US supported right-wing coup in 2014 and voted overwhelmingly to return to Russia.

 

In response to the aggressive moves on the part of the Ukrainian government along with the US and NATO, Russia has been amassing forces along its border with Ukraine.  Russian troops are on Russian soil, yet US and NATO claim this is Russian “aggression”.

 

These dangerous provocations must be opposed by the antiwar movement.

 

UNAC demand:

 

Hands off Donbass!

Hands off Crimea!

Hands off Russia!

No military aid to Ukraine!

Keep Ukraine out of NATO!

 

Below are 2 reports from UNAC members who went to Ukraine in 2019 to express solidarity with a memorial of people killed by right-wing forces in Odessa for opposing the coup.

[Kiev:  unac.notowar.net/2019/05/04/odessa-reports-1/ ]

[Odessa:  unac.notowar.net/2019/05/04/odessa-report-2-mayday-and-the-may-2nd-remembrance-in-odessa/ ]

Let's raise our struggle across the world on May Day for secure jobs, bread and freedom!

This International Workers' Day / May Day / May 1st statement by the Coordination Committee of the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations ( cipoml.net/en/?p=269 ) was translated (not by this blogger) from an article in the PCMLE's newspaper ( pcmle.org/EM/spip.php?article11148 ):

 

From En Marcha #1951, April 28 to May 4, 2021

Central Organ of the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Ecuador

On May Day, let us raise up our fight for secure employment, bread and freedom around the world!  

Comrade workers and laborers,  

All the workers of the world are preparing to celebrate the Day of Unity, Struggle and International Solidarity of the working class at a time of special historical conditions.

In almost all countries the international bourgeoisie, imperialism, the capitalist states and bourgeois governments have intensified the capitalist exploitation and oppression of workers, relying on the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Part-time work, unpaid leaves of absence, salary deductions, furloughs and other casual work practices have been applied de facto, and layoffs have become widespread under the pretext of the pandemic. In the last year, tens of millions of people have lost their jobs and been deprived of a regular income. Most of those who have lost their jobs are women. They have felt capitalist exploitation and double oppression to their bones. Violence against women and femicides have increased, particularly domestic violence.

In response to the adverse effects of the pandemic that is intertwined with the capitalist crisis, the "economic packets" announced by the bourgeois governments under the pretext of social measures have been and continue to be an instrument to transfer resources to the capitalist monopolies. At a time when the workers and exploited sectors of the people have been pushed into the arms of unemployment, misery and hunger, the capitalist monopolies have multiplied their profits.

The capitalist attack on "democratic rights" and political freedoms is no less than the attacks on the social and economic front. Any small attempt by the workers and laborers, the poor people of the countryside and city, the youth and women who seek their rights have been the object of restrictions that still continue. Popular protests and demonstrations face police violence, detentions and arrests. Capitalist states and governments, especially Germany, France and the United Kingdom, have already taken steps to empower the police and gendarmerie and to ensure that “police measures” are permanent. Even in countries known as the cradle of "bourgeois democracy," political reaction is on the rise and reactionary and fascist practices are more widely applied against the working class and popular social opposition.

Workers, brothers and sisters, reality cannot be hidden forever!  

The pandemic has shown the workers, laborers and oppressed the true face of capitalist imperialism, the bourgeois governments and the front of capital. Capitalist exploitation and imperialist plunder and the fact that the capitalist system is the enemy of humanity and the environment cannot be hidden for long. Especially in current conditions, when unemployment, poverty along with the use of force against the people have skyrocketed and when polarization has deepened, no demagoguery, crude or dirty propaganda can hide this truth. Indeed, more and more sectors of the workers and laborers are becoming aware of the reality and social opposition is growing. The fact that the fight against the consequences of unemployment and poverty is increasing in many countries does not mean that the working class and the exploited masses are embracing capitalism and do not want change by rejecting the rule of monopolies. On the contrary, as their awareness of social reality and their own power grows, the number of those who are demanding a change in the system of capitalist rule is increasing.

At the opposite poles of capitalism today are the working class, increasingly poor and alienated from its work while producing social wealth, and at the other extreme, intensified capitalist accumulation, based on the wage slavery of the working class and the plunder of the dependent countries, as well as a handful of increasingly parasitic and decadent monopoly capitalists.

According to Oxfam's 2020 report, in 2019, the wealth of the 2,153 richest people exceeded the total wealth of 4.5 billion people. The wealth of the richest 1% was more than double the wealth of 6.9 billion people combined. The wealth of the 10 richest men, including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, increased by a net total of $540 billion between March and December 2020. China, with its 626 billionaires, led by Zhong Shanshan and Ma Huateng, is the second country – after the United States – with its abundance of billionaires. The report notes that the increase in the wealth of the ten wealthiest people, during nine months of the time of the pandemic, was enough for everyone to get vaccinated several times.

On the other side of the coin, we see hunger zones in different parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Around the world, nearly 25,000 people die of hunger every day. In 2019, the number of people living with hunger increased by 10 million and reached 690 million people. In Africa, children die because they cannot buy antibiotics at a cost of $1. However, the money spent in the global cosmetic industry exceeds $200,000 million.

Between the years 2011 and 2017 there was almost no increase in real wages. In addition, during the pandemic these have decreased and problems have increased, with access to the vaccine being the first and most important.

Let us show the strength of the working class!  

The working class and laborers around the world, from Cambodia to the US, from France to India, from Italy to Ecuador, from Greece to Chile, from Turkey to Brazil, from Egypt to China and Bolivia have tried to respond to this capitalist barbarism with strikes and resistance, where they have been able to overcome the barriers established by the bourgeois governments and the union bureaucracy. Rising prices of basic consumer goods, rising taxes, job losses, low wages and rising poverty, along with deteriorating working and living conditions, and the lack of future security in many countries, have paved the way for increased struggles of the workers and the popular masses. Demands for work, bread and freedom have been raised around the world.

We are approaching May 1, 2021, in a period in which the contradictions between labor and capital, imperialism and the oppressed peoples, and among the imperialists themselves, are intensifying. The probability that these "conflicts" will move from diplomacy to the battlefield is increasing. A combative May 1 with mass participation will show the power of the working class. A strong May 1 will give the working class and oppressed peoples the morale they need to take steps to engage in more advanced struggles, and will help the struggle move forward.

For the working class, May 1 means a day when it tests its strength against the capitalist front. For this reason, the working class must unite on May Day in the most organized way. Whenever possible, workers should form “May 1 Committees,” elected through the broadest possible participation in factories, workplaces and in all areas, in order to avoid the emptying of May 1 by the union bureaucracy. By organizing May 1 according to its meaning, the working class will find not only millions of workers thrown into the arms of unemployment, but also poor peasants unable to produce, small merchants facing ruin, the poor from the countryside and the city, the youth and women who are fighting against capitalism and reaction. To a certain degree, May Day can play the role of lever in the struggle of the working class and peoples.

Today, the workers face two tasks against capitalist monopolies that do not recognize limits on exploitation and looting and that are now intensifying force and violence by taking action against the discontent and reactions that arise: to strengthen the ranks of the working class, reinforcing its unity in each country and on an international scale; and to develop their unity and alliance with the oppressed working peoples.

Therefore, let us move forward to celebrate May Day in a manner worthy of its historical significance!

Long live May Day!  

Long live the unity, struggle and international solidarity of the working class!  

We demand secure jobs, bread and freedom!  

Long live May Day, long live proletarian internationalism!  

Coordination Committee of the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations – ICMLPO

Durham Planning Department engagement survey

The Planning Department has a new Land Use Engagement Initiative website ( durham.mysocialpinpoint.com/land-use ) with information and links about the planning process, revising the Durham Comprehensive Plan, zoning and annexation proposals (including two of the rezoning applications mentioned in an earlier post), and a survey about community involvement in the planning process.  I am late in mentioning the survey, which closes either today or tomorrow, May 1st.  This new website might be similar to the way Cary puts rezoning applications and community meeting information online, while it has been more limited in Durham.  

UNAC statement on US aggression towards China + Asia and Haiti days of action this weekend - #StopAsianHate

Today is the Asian American National Virtual Day of Action and Healing and Saturday, the 27th, is a national day of action against anti-Asian violence and China-bashing, with events planned in Asheville, Sylva, Columbia, Greenville (SC), Atlanta, DC, and further away:  www.codepink.org/03272021 and www.answercoalition.org/stop_anti_asian_racism_now_end_white_supremacy_misogyny_and_militarism

There will also be actions this weekend against US role in Haiti:  popularresistance.org/national-weekend-of-action-us-out-of-haiti/  Events are planned in Charlotte, DC, Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago, and elsewhere.  

This March 20th UNAC statement was originally posted at:  nepajac.org/usmilitarychina.htm

United National Anti-War Coalition - Statement on U.S. Aggression Towards China

The Biden administration is intensifying aggression against China.  The Pentagon has published a Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which includes increasing the US military’s encirclement of China and using missiles that had previously been banned by the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Additionally, the Pentagon is calling for its annual Pacific budget to be doubled over last year’s budget. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in their recent visit to Japan, threatened to ‘push back” against “aggression” on the part of China, but it is the US that has been aggressive towards China and not the other way around.  The US has had its “Pivot to Asia” in effect since the Obama administration with the presence of ships and a massive military force throughout the region.  China has not reciprocated with either ships in the Gulf of Mexico or military forces around the US borders.  The US has continually imposed sanctions against China, to which China often responds, but it has not initiated such economic warfare against the US.  The US has an aggressive propaganda campaign aimed at China.  The US claims to be opposing unproven oppression of the Uyghur Muslim minority in China, but it is the US that has oppressed Muslims by imposing a Muslim ban on travel to the US and conducting its so called “War on Terror” against Muslim countries, killing millions.  The US has attacked and entrapped Muslims in the US setting them up with false charges and keeping them in harsh, mostly Muslim prisons, known as Communication Management Units (CMUs).  The US attacks China while its “friends,” such as to brutal rulers of Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Haiti, Israel and many others are spared any criticism since they support US imperial policies around the world.

Recently, the US Indo-Pacific Commander, Adm. Philip Davidson told a Senate Armed Services Committee that China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to challenge the United States.  He said, “I think the threat is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years.”  He further said, “We absolutely must be prepared to fight, and win should competition turn to conflict.”  This is a threat of nuclear war.  To make this fact clear, the US and its junior partner Britain are increasing their nuclear capability and Biden is continuing with Trump’s Space force, which threatens to start a new arms race in space.

Adm. Philip Davidson touched on the real issue when he pointed to China’s ability to challenge the US economically, diplomatically, militarily, and technologically.  This is the real threat from China to US imperialism.  China has surpassed the US economically and technologically.   It now has international relationships with countries around the world, many of which have been ravaged by US imperialism.  The US fears that [China] may threaten US imperialist power.  This is what is driving the US aggression towards China, not any support of democracy or human rights.

This past year, of the COVID-19 crisis has been used to accelerated US aggression towards China.  China was able to employ decisive measures to contain and defeat the virus in its own country and return to economic growth.  It has sent its vaccines to poorer countries along with other medical aid.  On the other hand, the US’ for-profit health care system has failed to contain the virus.  The US has witnessed more deaths and infections than any other country and its economy has not recovered.   During the pandemic, the US has increased sanctions on countries that don’t follow the dictates of Washington and Wall Street.  These have included sanctions on medicine and medical equipment. These facts have not been lost on the people of the world or the people in the US. 

Biden’s policies are escalating a new cold war with China.  Instead, we need to battle climate change, provide healthcare and end racism.

 

We demand:

End US aggression towards China!

No to a new cold war!

No militarization of space!

Ban all nuclear weapons starting with those of the US!

Money for Jobs and Healthcare, not war!

End racist anti-Asian slander and attacks!

IWP webinar 3/28 - The Collapsing US Empire: Which Way Forward for a United Working Class?

"You are invited to a webinar on:  

The Collapsing US Empire:

Which Way Forward for a United Working Class? 

 

Sunday, March 28, 4:00-6:00 PM ET  

Emcee: Hans Roy, Social Political Analyst, Introducing The Torch and the Independent Workers Party  

Guest presenter:  

Dr. Anthony Monteiro, a Du Boisian scholar, geopolitical analyst, co-founder Saturday Free School: V.I. Lenin & W.E.B. Du Bois: Toward a Future of the American Left  

Nellie Bailey, founder Harlem Coalition against the War, tenant organizer: Identity Politics, An Obstacle to a United Working Class Movement  

George Gruenthal, long-time activist in the workers’ and anti-war movement: The New Normal, Why Most Jobs Will Not Be Coming Back. 

 

Solidarity messages:  

Robert Ismael, Political Economist, introducing the topic for our next webinar: The Current Situation in Haiti.  

There will be plenty of time for Q & A.  

We hope you can participate.  

This webinar is hosted by the Independent Workers Party, www.IndependentWorkersParty.org  

To join the call, go to the link below. It will also be listed on the website of the Independent Workers Party.  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89495587538?pwd=MVVFM0V6WlZVNm9YM2dGeFd0RFA3UT09  

Meeting ID: 894 9558 7538  

Passcode: 484672  

One tap mobile  

+16465588656,,89495587538#,,,,*484672# US (New York)  

+16699009128,,89495587538#,,,,*484672# US (San Jose)  

Dial by your location  

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)  

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)  

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)  

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)  

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)  

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)  

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kclgj4GVkD  "

Towards Marxist-Leninist Unity volume 2 number 5 out + a petition against HR1 -- "For the People Act of 2021"

A new issue of Towards Marxist-Leninist Unity has been published and will be posted at redstarpublishers.org/TMLU.htm  

Contents:

The Aftermath of the Fascist Riot of January 6

Its decline socially divides and politically polarizes US imperialism

The Occupation of Wisconsin's Capitol in 2011 – A Double Standard by the Left?

Editorial Reply

Continuing Cases of Police Murders

Police Benevolent Association ad for Black History Month...

New Information on NYPD Involvement in the Assassination of Malcolm X

V.I. Lenin and W.E.B. Du Bois: Class Struggle and Civilization

Interesting Link

United Front song

Support the Unionization Drive of Amazon Workers in Bessemer, Alabama

Cuomo: Nursing Home Deaths, Emergency Powers and Accusations of Sexual Harassment

Book Review: A Life of Labor and Love, by Wally Linder

Continuing Attacks against the Homeless

Humor and Stupidity Section

On Authority

Capitalism is a System of Exploitation of Labor, Not a Conspiracy

Miscellaneous Shorts

No to the Imposition of the Criminal Anti-Covid-19 Vaccine!

Against US House Resolution 1 "For the People Act of 2021"

After the Trump administration, "conspiracy theories" about alleged interference by Russia and other designated enemies of the US state, and the "insurrection" at the supposed "sacred" temple of democracy in DC January 6th (used to justify government and corporate attacks on leftist dissent and protest) this bill was created to deal with "voter access, election security and integrity, campaign finance, and ethics for the three branches of government" but it would reportedly give wealth even more influence in elections while reducing public funding of candidates, weakening the position of third parties (for the text, sponsors, voting information, etc. search for HR1 at congress.gov, apparently the replacement for the Library of Congress' old Congressional website).  The Democratic Party and their allies and proxies in the media often talk about the anti-democratic actions carried out by Republicans, but they rarely talk about what the Democrats do to prevent anyone from challenging them on the left.  Send a letter to your House member at www.gp.org/hr1?utm_campaign=eb_21_03_02_fr_hr1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=gpus and there is a Facebook page.

UNAC statement on the US attack on Syria + upcoming events and a petition

UNAC will hold an open Coordinating Committee virtual meeting Sunday, February 28th at 2pm EST on building the anti-war movement, relating to the second document below, with discussion open to all participants (see nepajac.org/unac_022321.html for registration).  There will be an online presentation about the new Sanctions Kill educational toolkit Saturday the 27th at 4pm EST (see the above link to register).  There is also a petition to Biden, Harris, and Congress to end US economic sanctions in light of the global pandemic as well as international law at:  sanctionskill.org/petition/    

Statement by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) on the US attack on Syria:  [February 26th]

UNAC condemns the US bombing of Syria authorized by President Biden.  The Biden administration has been in office for only 36 days and has already launched its first military attack against Syria.  Biden’s justification is that the US was attacked in Iraq.  The US has no right to be in Iraq, Syria or any other country.  More than 1 million people were killed in Iraq due to the US invasion and occupation, and countless refugees were created.  The Iraqis and the Syrians have every right to use whatever means necessary to remove the US forces from their countries.

Trump was the most truthful about US intentions in these two countries. He said the US wants the oil and he went on to steal the oil rich area of Syria and occupy it with US forces.  Syria badly needs the revenue from its oil to rebuild the country devastated by the US sponsored war.  That war included US, Israeli and NATO bombing raids, harsh US imposed sanctions and a private mercenary force of over 100,000 – financed by the US and its allies – that entered Syria to attempt to overthrow the government.

UNAC calls for groups to protest the US aggression. We demand:

End the bombing of Syria!

End the sanctions!

Bring all troops and mercenaries home now!

Call to strengthen the anti-war movement [February 5th, nepajac.org/unacorganizingstatement.htm ]

The Biden/Harris administration made it clear during its transition and first days in office that it will continue the dangerous foreign policies of its predecessors and escalate US aggression and domination around the world. From the cabinet choices, which include torture supporters and architects of the current wars, to the open support for a failed coup leader in Venezuela and for Trump’s devastating actions against Palestinians to escalations against Syria, Iran, Russia and China, the Biden/Harris administration is a threat to global peace and well-being.

For people who live in the United States, the main imperialist power in the world, we have a responsibility to oppose the illegal actions of the United States government. We cannot allow a repeat of what happened during the Obama/Biden administration when the anti-war movement faltered allowing drone assassinations, economic warfare, the militarization of African countries, US regime change operations and attacks on countries such as Libya, Yemen and Syria.

We live in an historic moment when the US empire is fading and the world is facing an unprecedented confluence of crises: a global recession; a pandemic; and climate chaos. As many states in the global community, particularly in the Global South, move toward cooperation to solve these crises, the Biden administration is advocating for US domination.

The United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) calls for immediate actions to build and strengthen the anti-war, anti-imperialist movement in the United States. UNAC commits to the following actions:

1.            Providing regular information about the US’ policies and actions.

2.            Providing political analysis from an anti-war, anti-imperialist viewpoint.

3.            Organizing regular activist education and organizing calls.

4.            Help create and support organizers around the country.

5.            Holding coordinated days of actions.

6.            Developing and participating in campaigns on specific issues related to the war abroad and at home.

 

For more information or to join UNAC contact: UNACpeace [a t] gmail

PCOF: Withdraw French troops from Mali and the Sahel now!

This is statement from the Communist Party of the Workers of France (PCOF, Parti Communiste des Ouvriers de France), originally posted at:  www.pcof.net/retrait-des-troupes-francaises-du-mali-et-du-sahel-maintenant/  I received the translation and made a few minor edits.

Withdraw French troops from Mali and the Sahel now!  

After having maintained a certain ambiguity on a reduction in the number of French soldiers in Mali and the Sahel, Macron ruled on February 16, during the meeting of the G-5 Sahel [Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger], that there was no question of reducing the French military presence, while "at the same time," stepping up the military operations "to try to behead" the jihadist organizations.

This decision has serious consequences, first of all for the peoples of the G-5 countries, where the rejection of the French presence continues to be expressed, in the streets, in discussions, on the airwaves and the media, even if the leaders of these countries are trying to contain them. This means more military operations, resulting in civilian deaths and destruction of all kinds. Two million displaced people are already living in the greatest misery and precariousness, with the only help being the solidarity of the populations of the host regions and the support organizations.

It also means that Macron and his government are relying on the military hierarchy to declare "victories," if possible swiftly, in terms of the elimination of leaders of the armed groups. It is the passage from a "war against terrorism" which also claimed, certainly fraudulently, to have a social and political dimension, to a "dirty war". This is interested only in results, "whatever it costs," without taking into account for one moment that these armed groups are increasing their influence among the populations, because they are being neglected at all levels.

Macron will not stop the rise of criticism against this war, the military engagement and the goals set. Added to this is the authoritarianism with which decisions are made, symbolized by the "council of defense" which decides in a small committee on everything: health policy, the war in Africa, etc.

The battle for the withdrawal of French troops does not end with Macron's announcements, on the contrary. We must work for this demand to be taken up in the workers' and people’s movement, in the trade union movement, among the youth, etc.

The first unitary expression initiatives that have taken place (such as those of February 4 and 13 in Toulouse) show that they are having a response.

This demand should be brought up in all mobilizations and be displayed on the walls.  

Paris, February 18, 2021

Communist Party of the Workers of France  

www.pcof.net – pcof [a t] pcof [d o t] net – facebook.com/PartiCommunistedesOuvriersdeFrance

IWP's Torch published

 A new organization, the Independent Workers' Party, has published the first issue of its newspaper, The Torch (an abbreviated version is online at:  www.independentworkersparty.org/ ), and it is also being distributed locally here.  This is a united front endeavour and welcomes anyone who agrees with the basic principles outlined on the website.  People can contribute articles, poetry, photos, and donations (a PayPal account is in the works), and volunteer distributers are also needed.  A webinar about the second Great Depression (see the article in this issue) is being organized, tentatively to be held March 7th.