PAKISTAN, May 1 — “Workers of the world, unite!” was a slogan chanted with energy, enthusiasm, excitement and confidence all over Pakistan on May Day. The working class in Pakistan is still facing the same problems as the working class did in 1848. On this year’s May Day, comrades, friends and sympathizers of the international revolutionary communist Progressive Labor Party were very active bringing the working class into the streets all over Pakistan!
Nationwide, huge rallies, protest demonstrations and seminars were organized under different trade unions, student organizations, employees and women’s organizations which were attended by hundreds of thousands of workers all over Pakistan. Workers were demanding minimum wage increases to 40,000 rupees ($392 per month from the current $197), empowerment of labor courts, social security benefits to informal sector workers, an end to forced labor, the contractual system and privatization. Workers also demanded an end to poor living and working conditions, and mass unemployment.
PLP in Pakistan Marches and Fights!
At two large rallies of workers and students in different places, PLP women comrades explained that only five percent of all workers are organized under trade unions in Pakistan, but only one percent of women are. They emphasized that any worker’s struggle cannot achieve success without the participation and leadership of women. Comrades also asked their coworkers in their trade unions to rise above their personal interests and help the working class to unite into a single movement for equality and justice. CHALLENGE was distributed to the workers and students in the audience.
In a rally, a PLP member explained to the crowd that the government is planning to privatize big industries like Pakistan Steel and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). But meanwhile the phony leadership of PIA’s union is organizing a strike just so they can win themselves free plane tickets! He explained that workers need PLP, a true working-class and revolutionary party to fight not only against privatization, but all capitalist exploitation. He expressed great concern over the economic and social sufferings of the working class, which enables the rich to become richer and the poor to be poorer. The bosses here have stashed $200 billion into Swiss banks. Meanwhile, the U.S. imperialists are pushing the Pakistani bosses into the clutches of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
A comrade addressing another major trade union said that the children of workers had no access to education, but even if they did manage to get an education, they cannot get jobs because of blatant corruption and the preference given to rich people. He explained that without communist revolution under the leadership from the international working class, our children will also become exploited workers. Therefore we must strive to eliminate bosses and establish a classless society.
Hundreds of poor brick-kiln workers — a sector PLP has been organizing in the suburbs — also held a rally on May Day. A friend of PLP complained of being paid only 400 rupees ($3.90) per 1,000 bricks, against the government stipulated minimum of 742 rupees ($7.29) per 1,000 bricks. A woman brick-kiln worker and friend of PLP explained that sexual harassment is rampant, and owners of kilns threatened them with torture and death when they expressed concerns at the condition of the bonded laborers employed in brick-kilns. Another brick-kiln worker complained that the bosses had stopped them from traveling to the city for the May Day rallies.
Women healthcare workers also participated in citywide May Day rallies. Their union representatives blasted their industry’s lack of regulation of existing laws. Health care workers are paid far below the minimum wage of 12,000 rupees ($117.82), despite orders from the Supreme Court. They also condemned the bosses for not supporting the families of women health workers who were killed by terrorists during the polio campaign in the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi.
Comrades and friends of PLP in industial unions demanded that the government immediately honor existing labor laws, restore labor inspection in all the industrial units, provide all workers the right to organize trade unions, and increase wages according to increasing inflation. They called on the workers to organize and build a fighting Progressive Labor Party on their jobs, and that only joining the fight for communist revolution can ultimately end the nightmare these workers suffer in Pakistan.
Only Security Is Communist Revolution
A PL’er in another area recalled the sacrifices of Chicago workers in 1886, which led to the first May Day in 1890, and said that the working class in Pakistan is also facing similar exploitation. He called on forging unity among workers to force the ruling class to fulfill their demands. He criticized the government for imposing a ban on trade unions in 98 per cent of private sector factories, where the workers are being forced to work for 12 hours on just 4,000 to 6,000 Pakistani rupees ($39 to $59 monthly). He said that the workers also lack social security, medical facilities, free education. Labor laws were openly violated with no check by the authorities. The only true social security for workers in Peshawar is communist revolution!
many areas also organized separate May Day functions, with PLP members involved in each. Workers demanded a mechanism to save the precious lives of workers at workplaces, provide social security to all workers, stop privatization and to smash the sexist harassment of women workers.
A Party comrade in a very remote and relatively backward city of Pakistan succeeded in bringing cart-drivers and rickshaw drivers onto the roads together with only red flags, and no other flag or banner! Another comrade who is organizing among taxi drivers convinced his friends and coworkers to raise red flags over their taxis on May Day as well.
Comrades and friends of PLP in another region who are landless agricultural workers report that they are organizing our Party among masses of landless farm workers in that region to unite against big feudal lords and to get rid of their barbaric actions and exploitation.We explained that without an international revolutionary communist struggle, we cannot truly get rid of exploitation and poverty! We will fight for the lands controlled by the big landlords. On May Day the landless workers demanded the government implement labor laws to protect farm workers, and erect decent housing for poor workers in Pakistan.
For the first time in two cities, young PLP comrades working in a student federation brought workers affiliated with different trade unions and students’ federations under one red flag to celebrate May Day. It was great to see their chanting anti-nationalist and revolutionary slogans like, “One world, one fight, workers of the world unite!” In their May Day speeches, comrades explained before the gathering of poor workers that nationalism is a tool of bosses to divide one working class into different nationalities, ethnicities, sects and races so that workers cannot fight a united struggle against exploitation, poverty, illiteracy and injustices. They concluded that we must unite under one red flag, of the Progressive Labor Party, for an international communist revolution to establish a classless society.
Our Party in Pakistan marches on!
CHICAGO
Chicago, April 25 — “After all this time of being around and not seeing things getting better, I finally understand the need for a party to end capitalism,” said a long-time supporter of PLP here who has now joined the Party at this year’s May Day celebration. The decision for her to join was a reflection of years of friendship, exposing her to class struggle, Party culture, and a class analysis of the successes and failures of our work in mass organizations. She, and another new comrade who joined after the dinner, represent rays of light climbing out of the capitalist oppression our class is in now.
May Day, the International Workers’ Holiday, has its’ roots in Chicago and is the observance of the Haymarket Massacre of May 4, 1886. Workers on a citywide strike marched in protest against police attacks and for the right to an eight-hour workday. After a police agent threw a bomb from the crowd, the cops attacked and started a full-scale riot. In the end, seven labor leaders were tried and convicted of conspiracy, resulting in the public hanging of four comrades on November 11, 1887. May 1 was chosen as the international day of remembrance for those killed in the massacre.
The theme for this year’s dinner was “Celebrating 50 Years of Class Struggle.” With comrades we hadn’t seen for a while, new members, and our base, we enjoyed delicious food and heard reports of our local work in the city and surrounding areas, national activities, and a report from comrades involved in international struggles. There were performances of spoken word and poems by high school and college members, and a rousing call to action for the Summer Project and the PLP Convention. We took time to give a fond send-off to a very dedicated comrade who was moving away after decades in the fight for communism in the area.
The highlight was the report from our friends from Ferguson and St. Louis, Missouri, on the status of their work and the impact of PLP’s support. The Party took up a collection for the group, as they announced they were making their way to Baltimore to support the struggles there against the murderous police and a racist system of injustice. Mike Brown (Ferguson), Rekia Boyd (Chicago), and Freddie Gray (Baltimore) are just three of the thousands of people slaughtered by a capitalist system that sacrifices our class for their profits. In every city, we see the carnage left behind by killer cops and fascist politicians in their efforts to terrorize and exploit working class people, and super-exploit Black, Latin, Asian, and migrant workers.
Criticism of our dinner included the modest attendance. Also, we agreed to re-commit ourselves to expand our distribution networks , and write for, CHALLENGE, the only newspaper for the international working class. We will continue to struggle with each other to deepen our commitment .
As one of our new comrades expressed, the need for a mass Party to end the suffering of working-class people is ever-growing. During May Day, we celebrate the struggles we have come through and the resolve to continue fighting in this dark night of imperialist oppression. We must work harder to turn the quality of people we win to our fight into the quantity of workers needed to win the war against capitalism. Power, power, power to the Workers!
MEXICO
Mexico City, May 1 — Today, members and friends of the Progressive Labor Party, marched with flags and banners while we chanted communist slogans. Our group represented a beacon in the midst of the dark night of capitalism in crisis and on the brink of wider imperialist wars. Amidst the passivity and opportunism that the reformist, electoral, and phony “communist” organizations pushed amongst the working class, our slogans calling workers to fight for communism and the dictatorship of the proletariat had an impact on thousands of workers. Workers in the march listened carefully to our communist slogans and chants, and many took pictures of our banners and of the children who marched with us carrying red flags.
We distributed more than 6,000 flyers to groups of teachers, electricians, miners, telephone workers, students and other groups that participated in the International Workers’ Day celebration. On the eve of the elections on June 7, our principal slogan is to reject the electoral process and denounce the bosses’ democracy as a bosses’ dictatorship.
Before the march, we organized three dinners with our friends, where we talked about rejecting the electoral farce and imperialist wars. We discussed the importance of committing our lives to organizing a communist, revolutionary party: PLP.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, May 2 — Today PLP marched through the neighborhood where we had begun organizing against the racist murders of Ezell Ford and Omar Abrego by the LAPD. The day before, we participated in the reformist march to greet marchers with our communist politics.
Today’s march is a communist revolutionary march for May Day. One new member described it as “small but spirited.” Workers supported from the sidewalks and cars beeped their horns in support, and for the most part, we were able to march in the street without any interference from the police.
Afterwards, we met at a nearby park recreational center for our dinner. We kicked it off by singing “Bella Ciao” which was followed by inspiring speeches from four new members who spoke about why they joined the Party and called on others to join. Another young leader talked about the history of PLP’s first 50 years.
As we reflected on the year’s activities, we realized the Party here has the great potential to be a mighty force against racism and sexism. PLP participated in the upswing in the fightback surrounding the racist murders of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Ezell Ford here in Los Angeles.
We organized a BBQ prior to May Day. A family member of Ezell Ford attended, among others. We are also witnessing growth in our mass activities, including a new PL member from a local church.
Looking forward, many in the collective recognize that we must respond to these attacks swiftly and mobilize our friends in the process. We should also see May Day as an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to winning the working class to our politics. Our Party is moving forward! Happy May Day, comrades!
HAITI, May 1 — PLP organized several events around May Day here to build class-consciousness and PLP . Below is a report of one of the activities in a small town.
PLP members organized a gathering of rural and urban workers and students. They recalled the history of May 1 with a historical overview of slavery and the industrial revolution, up to the mobilizations of striking workers in Chicago in 1886. They described the current situation for the working class and debated how to destroy the misery, poverty and exploitation that capitalism creates. The participants responded with solidarity for PLP — organize our class, prepare the revolution, and march towards communism, the only answer to capitalism!
Raise Hell With Radios
On the eve of May Day, two PL’ers presented a radio show: “May Day is not a festival.” The bosses try to hide what May 1 really means by creating fairs and festivities without political content. But communists organize rallies to present the conditions and interests of the working class. The presenters read a press release heard on radio programs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, before traveling to the provinces.
Callers congratulated the speakers and asked questions about the solution to the problems posed: unemployment and slave wages. The response was to “organize our class to fight back against the ills of capitalism and build a revolutionary party that meets the aspirations of the working class around the world.” The final caller, a youth aged 14, called to say, “Don’t go, you are saying good and true things; my mom and dad are listening to you, too. I like to hear what you say and learn about what you are doing.”
On May Day, PLP organized a public event with more than 50 people. Workers and unemployed, young professionals and students participated. They condemned the system and showed that they understand the bosses’ game. They also pointed out the contradiction that May 1 is seen as Work and Agriculture Day in Haiti. How can workers celebrate Work and Agriculture Day when there is no work and no agriculture?
They also denounced the exploitation the working class suffers. They proclaimed, “Let us unite, we have nothing to lose but our chains!” A public health worker, a secretary, a high school teacher and a primary teacher agreed with a young comrade who advocated organizing into unions to defend the interests of workers. However, as communists, we went straight to the point: the working class must organize itself under the leadership of an international communist party, and go beyond the reform struggle all the way to a revolutionary communist struggle. That is the only way out of the racist capitalist world.
One participant said he liked what they were saying, so why not run for Congress? The comrades made it clear that electing the “right” people will not solve the problems workers are facing because the capitalist system is stacked against our class. Participation in the bosses’ election circus only builds individualism and trust in bourgeois politicians doing something positive for workers. That never happened and it never will happen!
After the public event, PLP and friends enjoyed a dinner together. To carry out these activities, PLP comrades from the U.S. and Haiti raised funds among our friends. A colleague of a local teacher contributed a community center and a generator; a brother provided the sound; other friends and family made coffee and prepared food. Several students did the mobilization work and cleaned up the space before and after. It was a good experience, showing how we can accomplish our tasks by relying on ourselves.
Some students of one teacher criticized her, because they feel that not enough classroom time is given to political debates. They are eager for more opportunities to discuss class struggle, communist revolution and the history of the working class, subjects that are generally hidden from them in the course of bourgeois education.
As communists, we live in harmony with the masses, who have confidence in our communist party. To the final victory!
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May Day Marchers Blast Anti-Immigrant Detention Center
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- 21 May 2015 300 hits
DILLEY, Texas — Over 500 anti-racists from all backgrounds, including PL’ers, marched to protest the horrendous conditions at the South Texas Family Residential Center here which houses immigrant women and children fleeing the dangerous conditions of drug-related violence brought to Central America by U.S. imperialism. The government ruling Honduras in collaboration with wealthy landowners has been cracking down on small farmers, murdering and disappearing those struggling for land rights.
Miguel Facussé, a biofuel boss and cocaine importer known by the U.S. State Department, works closely with the Honduran police and military which receive generous funding from U.S. bosses under the pretext of the “war on drugs.”
Racist Attack on Women and Youth
Most of these immigrants are women workers and youth. Roughly one million migrants have come from Honduras, one of the most dangerous places in the world outside active war zones. While they flee the sexist and racist terror of their home country, more sexism and racism awaits them here. Many stay in the facility only to be deported back to their deaths. The racist detention center is the largest in Texas and can hold up to 2,400 detainees. It is run by the profiteering Corrections Corporation of America, a private company.
We had planned to go to Dilley on May Day to bring our message of communism, anti-racism, class struggle and revolution to the other organizations that had planned the march. While there, we passed out flyers calling for communism to nearly everyone at the march and to those watching, and distributed 50 CHALLENGES. We explained that capitalist-created borders are the problem because they only serve the bosses’ need to exploit workers and keep us ideologically divided.
The protesters were mostly positive in their response. People were curious to find communist literature in a town with a racist detention center.
During the march our contingent was the most vocal. We led militant chants while flying our banner. We had passed by a prison built right next to the detention center. Pointing to both buildings we chanted, “Show us what fascism looks like, this is what fascism looks like!” Many people were on board with our chants. A whole group chanted with us, changing “Si Se Puede” (Yes we can!) and other meaningless lines. We shouted, “Las luchas obreras no tienen fronteras!” (“Workers have no borders!”) We kept the energy high the whole distance.
After the march, we returned to where we met our friends and presented a skit about racist police terror, how it affects the working class, and why we should fight back against all forms of racism. The skit portrayed police murders as efforts by the bosses’ state to keep us in fear in order to divide and weaken us. It also explained that inter-imperialist rivalries compel the bosses to intensify murders by racist cops and mass deportations domestically to discipline the working class into submission.
Near the end some comrades gave emotional testimonials about why they joined the Party, describing the horrors of capitalism in a very personal manner which moved our friends. The skit provoked many conversations about smashing capitalism. In closing we sang Bella Ciao and The Internationale.
This May Day was the most productive in a while. By reaching out to people in other cities as well as our own, we strengthened our forces and helped spread the message of multi-racial unity among the working class. By changing a dull and fruitless march to the tune of anti-racism and pro-communism we promoted a solution to capitalism’s woes. Having an overwhelmingly positive response to the presentation at our May Day celebration from our friends and an effective march has inspired us for the year ahead. From now until the next May Day we plan to work even harder in the fight for multi-racial unity, anti-racism, anti-sexism and communism.
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Colombia: Anti- Capitalist Rule, Pro-Communist Ideas!
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- 21 May 2015 549 hits
Bogota, Colombia, May 1 — We celebrated one more International Workers’ Day on May Day. Early in the morning, close to 40,000 workers from the countryside and the city prepared their banners and got ready to march.
PLP distributed more than 150 Challenges and 3,000 revolutionary flyers that explained our communist line. We carried red flags symbolizing workers’ power and chanted slogans that generated curiosity amongst participants. Our chants included: “Against capitalists’ rule, advance communists’ ideas!” and “Peace between classes only serves criminal bosses!” Many others chants were vocalized by dozens and dozens of enthusiastic comrades, friends, and supporters.
Unlike the chants of reformist groups and politicians, our slogan, “The history of the working class is not a carnival parade,” was well received by the participants. Many trade unions called for peace, social justice and economic reforms, and members of the phony left presented themselves as saviors, to which we responded that “Peace is capitalist rule, we must organize communist revolution!”
There was a strong state military repression to suppress and provoke the participants. They broke the march with tear gas and truncheon blows, and injuried 16 protesters. Many were also arrested. We responded to these attacks by chanting, “Against the fascist state, communist revolution!” We remained together as a group until we reached Bolivar Plaza, where we folded our banners and separated, given that union leaders took over the stage with nationalist and reformist speeches in response to our slogans, “Down with capitalist nationalism, long live communist internationalism!”
We met a good number of people who asked us about the racist fascism against our Black, Latin, Asian and migrants sisters and brothers in the United States and worldwide. We met a group of beer factory workers who, tired of their bosses’ abuses, organized a trade union and gave us their addresses so we could send them our literature.
Afterwards, we evaluated this great experience in order to continue forging the unity of the international working class around the line of PLP and its revolutionary program that aims to to crush the current capitalist dictatorship and build a new communist society.
