Langley Park, MD, Septermber 13–Obreros, unidos, jamas seren vencidos” rang out from the voices of 25 residents of Bedford Station, antiracist organizers, and members of the Progressive Labor Party (PLP). “The workers united will never be defeated.”
The rally was against the racist development and rezoning plan for the new Purple Line transit rail. The rezoning plans will allow construction of exorbitant, high density buildings that will displace longtime residents, thousands of whom are immigrant workers from Central America. The liberal politicians here prove again that they are no friends of the working class.
The mainly-Latin residents (84 percent) have waged a yearlong rent strike and sued the landlords who are letting their homes deteriorate as they wait on a big payoff with new buildings. PLP members have joined them to present a petition to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) in Washington DC. We have helped individuals apply for emergency rent assistance, and have brought supporters along with art supplies, CHALLENGEs, and revolutionary enthusiasm to the rallies. Despite the bold sustained struggle by these workers, settling for reforms is a never-ending treadmill. Joining the revolutionary communist movement, the PLP, is a needed next step in the fight.
Drive for profit
The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. The private company that is building it has already sucked $3 million more than originally planned from the state budget. Negotiations with the state of Maryland have delayed construction but now the work is proceeding in earnest and developers are salivating to convince the County government to create new zoning regulations.
The draft regulations do not guarantee any affordable housing. The rent hikes will displace residents. Three residents who have been in these apartments for as long as 30 years explained how the zoning will affect them and their families. Nearby shopping areas and transportation will be dramatically changed for affluent new residents.
No safe place under capitalism
The wretched, racist conditions in Langley Park apartments were only worsened by the still-raging Covid-19 pandemic. Tenants had been complaining about old and decaying ceilings for years. One building was declared uninhabitable by the fire department. “When Covid-19 struck, many residents lost their jobs and couldn't make rent. At least 14 households [at one building] have received eviction notices” (NPR Station WAMU 88.5, 4/1). This is all under the Democratic Party leadership of county executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, a Black woman prosecutor. The liberal racists posture as the lesser evil when they function as the greater danger for working-class victory.
According to this local nonprofit, Langley Park has one of the highest concentrations of undocumented workers in the county. These workers tried to escape imperialist-induced horrors  in Central America only to be met with more racist disregard by the same bosses. The U.S.’s list of horrors includes dominating the economies to create more profits off of the super exploitation of workers, funding coups to oust governments that threaten their interest, maintaining sweatshop labor, and more. These racist conditions demonstrate there is no safe place under capitalism.
Limits of legislation
This nonprofit also organized to overturn Governor Hogan’s veto of new legislation that would have marginally helped community members. PL’ers discussed how the bosses’ legislative games keep people locked away from the need to build a revolutionary communist movement to eliminate capitalism and its pro-profit rules. As we increase our distribution of CHALLENGEs to residents, we bring our message to more and more workers.