Global crisis evokes national actions

As the capitalist economic crisis continues to ravage the living standards of poor and working people across the globe, important U.S. mass actions are being organized in the coming months to fight back against austerity, war and occupation. Workers World Party supports all of these activities and plans to have a visible presence at them, including distributions of WW newspaper. Of special significance are the ongoing mass actions in Madison, Wis., supporting public workers’ right to unions.

On March 19 there will be a Stop These Wars rally and civil disobedience in Washington, D.C., initiated by activists of Iraq Veterans Against the War, March Forward!, Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace. They will be gathering at the White House to demand an end to wars. These veterans will be supported by activist organizations such as the Answer Coalition, CodePink, United for Peace and Justice and others. The United National Antiwar Committee has endorsed this action along with locally coordinated actions.

The next day, March 20, the same groups have called a march and rally at the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia to demand the release of PFC Bradley Manning. Manning, who is being held in detention on the Quantico base, has been accused of exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan through WikiLeaks. See the article on page 3 for more information.

In New York City on the weekend of March 18-20, the Left Forum will hold plenary sessions along with hundreds of panels on global issues at Pace University near City Hall. Many progressive activists from around the country are expected. WWP members and allies will be participating on a number of panels during the forum. These panels include “Breaking the Siege on Gaza — How Solidarity is Overcoming State Terror” (Sat., 10 a.m., W607); “Jobless Recovery, the Intractability of the Capitalist Crisis and Prospects for Fightback” (Sun. 12 noon, E320); “Sisterhood Across the Globe: The Anti-Imperialist Women’s Movement” (Sat. 3 p.m., W623); and “Building a Left Movement for 21st Century Higher Education” (Sun. 10 a.m., W608). Go to www.leftforum.org.

On March 24, there will be a Day of Rage protest in New York City against the budget cuts, starting with a rally at City Hall at 5 p.m. and followed by a 6 p.m. march to Wall Street. This protest is being organized by a student/labor/community coalition which is demanding “Jobs, Not Layoffs! Affordable Housing Now! No Cuts to Social Services! No Union-Busting or Privatization! Stop the School Closings! End Mayoral Control! Fire Cathleen Black! Extend the Millionaire’s Tax! Close Corporate Tax Loopholes! Bring Back the Stock Transfer Tax!” Go to march24ny.wordpress.com.

In Harlem, N.Y., the International Working Women’s Day Committee will be holding a march and rally on March 26 to demand an end to the economic war on women at home and abroad. The gathering and rally will be at the Harriet Tubman Memorial Statue. The march will include stops at various places in Harlem that have been hard hit by the crisis. A discussion on how to unite women’s issues will be held at the Harlem Interagency Council following the march. Go to iacenter.org for more information.

On April 9 and 10, the United National Antiwar Committee is organizing bicoastal anti-war demonstrations in New York City and San Francisco respectively, demanding that the trillions of dollars being wasted on war and occupation be spent instead to meet human needs. The UNAC statement reads in part: “Who are the war makers? THEY are the government, corporate and financial powers that wage war, ravage the environment and the economy, and trample on our democratic rights and liberties. Who are the peacemakers? WE are the vast majority of humanity who want peace, a healthy planet and a society that prioritizes human needs, democracy and civil liberties for all.” Solidarity demonstrations are planned for Canada, Pakistan, and in Kabul, Afghanistan. (nationalpeaceconference.org)

A united May Day 2011 has been called by the May 1 Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights for Union Square in New York City. May Day is known as International Workers’ Day worldwide. The Union Square protest statement demands: “Jobs, education, housing, union rights and living wages for all! Legalize the undocumented! Stop the deportations!” It goes on to say that people are fighting back against injustice around the world, including in Egypt, Wisconsin, Latin America and New York City. Go to www.may1.info for more information.