Yale strikers draw national support
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – As picket lines went up at Yale University and its affiliated hospital Aug. 27, striking workers were electrified by the news that eight union retirees had occupied the university’s investment offices. Denied food, water and bathroom facilities for five hours by Yale police, the retirees – all in their seventies – held their ground, protesting poverty-level pensions. They were joined overnight by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees President John Wilhelm, with union members standing vigil outside.
Support the Peoples Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo
Sept. 1 is Labor Day, a holiday that is too seldom a real celebration of workers and their contributions to society. We’ve chosen Labor Day to be the kick-off of the annual Fund Drive as a way to honor the kind of people whose struggles the PWW/Mundo covers in every issue. This year’s fund drive, an essential requirement for maintaining and expanding our work, has a goal of raising $200,000 by Dec. 15 – a fraction of what it costs to produce the every year.
Tragedy strikes the Baraka family
On Aug. 13 the city of Newark, N.J., woke up to the shocking news of the death of Shani Baraka, 31. Shani is the daughter of Amiri Baraka, award-winning playwright, civil rights and political activist, and his wife, Amina Baraka, poet, political activist and writer for the People’s Weekly World.
Who is Hugo Chavez?
Film review The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, filmed and directed By Kim Bartley and Donnacha O’Briain
The 1937 Memorial Day Massacre: A community remembers
On Memorial Day 1937, hundreds of steelworkers and supporters, led by the Steel Workers Organizing Committee, attempted a peaceful picket of Republic Steel in Chicago. They were met by several hundred Chicago police who, unprovoked, charged the demonstration with billy clubs, tear gas and pistols. When the dust settled, ten picketers were dead and dozens wounded.
PWW/NM a hit at Bud Billiken parade
CHICAGO – The Bud Billiken parade, this city’s biggest parade and the largest gathering of African Americans in the country, has been held every year since 1929. It was started by the late Robert S. Abbott, founding publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, as a tribute to youth and the struggle against racism.
Celebrating the life of Nelson Brown
The work and life of Nelson Brown, Sr., who died on July 25, was celebrated at a memorial service recently at Philadelphia’s Canaan Baptist Church with family, friends, community leaders, and comrades from the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware district of the Communist Party USA. He was 77.
Woody Guthrie: This Machine Kills Fascists
I have decided long ago that my songs and ballads would not get the hugs and kisses of the capitalistic “experts.” – Woody Guthrie
Lou Diskin, Marxist educator, working-class activist
Lou Diskin, Communist and long-time working class activist, died July 28 at the age of 84. Lou was a carpenter, book publisher and seller, educator, and political leader. He was admired for his wisdom, modest character, deep concern for the well-being of all around him, and his daily humorous story. He was well-read in literature as well as politics.
