Struggle against cop brutality advances in Des Moines, Iowa

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INSIDE
Workers rally to back
THE Caterpillar strike
PAGE 10
A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 56/NO 6 FEBRUARY 14. 1992
Struggle against cop brutality
advances in Des Moines, Iowa
Rally calls for Judge finds
prosecution officers guilty
of police who of beating
struck Milton Mark Curtis
BY MAURICE WILLIAMS BY BRIAN WILLIAMS
AND JOHN STUDER A significant victory in the fight against
DES MOINES, Iowa-Some 75 people police brutality was scored January 31 when
turned out for a march and rally here Febru U.S. District Court judge Charles Wolle ruled
ary I to demand an end to police brutality in favor of imprisoned union and political
and the prosecution of the cops who beat activist Mark Curtis in his lawsuit against the
Larry Milton. cops in Des Moines, Iowa. Curtis was
The protesters began with a spirited picket awarded $11,000 in damages to be paid by
line in front of the State Capitol building, Charles Wolf and Daniel Dusenbery - the
followed by a march to Nollen Plaza in two police officers who brutally beat Curtis
downtown Des Moines. on the night of March 4, 1988.
"The court concludes that plaintiff [Curtis]
Demonstrators chanted: "No Excuse! Jail
proved by a preponderance of the evidence
the guilty cops," "Stop police brutality," and
that he is entitled to damages. .. against the
"Beating is a crime. Make them do their
Peiia Militant/Brian Williams
time!"
February 1 protest against December cop beating of Larry Milton. Mark Curtis (right}
Speakers at the rally included Sonja was beaten by Des Moines cops March 4, 1988. Text ofr uling-pages 8-9
Palmer, president of Mothers and Wives
Editorial-page 14
against Police Brutality, the group that United Farm Workers union, also spoke at to death by the San Francisco cops in 1988
sponsored the protest. She told the crowd the rally. Huerta was in town attending a rural while participating in a demonstration. The
that there was, "no excuse for police bru women's conference but explained that she cops broke seven of her ribs and ruptured her individual defendant officers," writes Judge
tality and we're going to keep marching wanted to come and extend her solidarity in spleen. She almost bled to death. Huerta Wolle.
until it ends." the fight against police brutality. She told of urged the demonstrators to "keep on doing The ruling goes on to state, "Plaintiff sus
Dolores Huerta, vice-president of the her own experience of being nearly beaten Continued on Page 5 tained immediate severe pain and suffering
from the blows to his face and groin, and
U.S. Supreme Court approves denial when be regained consciousness he sustained
further pain and emotional distress from the
bleeding wounds on his face, vividly pictured
in photographs."
of power to elected Black officials
"This is a big victory, not just for me, but
for all victims of police brutality," stated
Mark Curtis in a phone interview from the
state prison in Fort Madison, Iowa.
BY ARGIRIS MALAPA NIS vise and control county road maintenance, said Gosha. "You are voted down on almost
Curtis, a former meat-packer at the Swift
The Supreme Court voted January 27 to repair, and construction. In the past, each everything you try to do if it concerns Black
processing plant, was framed up by the Des
limit the scope of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. commissioner had full authority to determine representation."
Moines police on false charges of rape and
1be ruling gives officials in states and coun how to spend funds allocated to his or her The Voting Rights Act prohibits most
burglary. Just prior to his March 1988 arrest
ties where legal racial segregation existed in own road district. southern states and some parts of northern
Continued on Page 9
the past more latitude to juggle power be Mack and Gosha found out the commis states from adopting any new "practice or
tween government agencies and officehold sion had abolished individual road districts procedure with respect to voting" without
ers without having to seek federal approval and transferred responsibility for allocation first getting approval from the Attorney Gen Rally to celebrate
of the changes. of the funds to a county engineer, a commis eral or a federal judge.
The Voting Rights Act was a central con sion appointee. A similar pattern developed The U.S. Justice Department argued along victory by
quest of the civil rights movement, which in Etowah county. with the Black elected officials that the Mark Curtis
overthrew the system of legal segregation in "You have influence, but power? None," Continued on Page 10
in civil suit against
the South known as Jim Crow. The passage
of the act enabled the federal government to 'Every one should attend' Des Moines pollee
intervene to prevent gerrymandering and
.Sat., Feb. 8
other practices that made it difficult or im
possible for Blacks to vote, get on the ballot, April 5 abortion rights march 6:30 p.m. reception
or win election to public office. 7:30 p.m. rally
The 6-3 decision came in a case based on
Willkie House, 900 17th St.
lawsuits filed by Black elected officials in Des Moines, Iowa
two Alabama counties. The commission BY ESTELLE DeBATES large a delegation as possible for the march
ers had won election to previously all-white The National Organization for Women and rally. Sponsor: Mark Curtis Defense
county boards only to find that budgetary (NOW) hopes to make the April 5 national "Poor women and young women have Committee. Tel: [phone].
Translation to Spanish.
authority over road and other repairs exer March for Women's Lives in Washington. suffered the greatest attack" in the offensive
cised by their predecessors had been elimi D.C., the "largest march in the history of the against abortion rights says the Jetter. "Con
nated. feminist movement." The organization says sequently. this march and mass rally will
The shifting of authority, which effectively it wants "women and men from all walks of focus not only on maintaining the rights
diminished the power of the newly elected life and every part of the country to be there." we've already won, but will demand that the
officials, was engineered and backed by the The march is demanding protection of the rights of all women be protected and in many Stockholm, Sweden
white incumbents. right to safe, legal, and accessible birth con cases restored." The deepening world
Ed Mack and Nathaniel Gosha were the trol and abortion, and full reproductive free Phyllis Dermo is working on signing up economic crisis, political
first Blacks elected to the County Board of dom for all women. cosponsors out of the NOW national office polarization, and class
Commissioners in Russell County, Alabama, On April 9, 1989, 600,000 people demon in Washington. D.C. Dermo reports that the tensions in North America
in 1986. Of the five commissioners who are strated when NOW sponsored a similar initial list of organizations endorsing the Jack Barnes, National Secretary,
white, four had been on the board for 16 march. April 5 action includes: the American Asso U.S. Socialist Workers Party
years. Blacks account for 38 percent of Rus NOW recently sent a letter seeking co ciation of University Women; American Friday, February 14,6:30 p.m.
sell County's population of 47,000. The sponsorship to hundreds of other national Civil Liberties Union; Congress of National Pathfinder Bookstore: Vikingagatan 10.
commission's principal function is to super- organizations, asking them to organize as Continued on Page 12 For more information call: (08) 31 69 33
Washington starts forced return of Haitian refugees - page 5
Plan for bookstore at mural gains support
BY MERYL LYNN FARBER from aroWld the world the opportunity to class news and analysis; flyers ad.vertising The bookstore will be dedicated to Dumile
NEW YORK - Plans to open a Path purchase the full range of Pathfinder titles the Militant Labor Forum series; and infor Feni, the internationally renowned South
finder Mural Bookstore located adjacent to featuring the writings and speeches of anum mation on other important political events in African artist and antiapartheid fighter who
the Pathfmder mural represent a major step ber of the revolutionary leaders depicted on the New York/New Jersey area. died in New York on Oct 16, 1991. Feni
forward in the work of promoting the mural. the mural. They will also be able to get copies The bookstore will feature attractive dis painted the Pathfinder Mural portrait of Nel
1lle project has attracted worldwide interest of the Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, and plays highlighting the three-year effort to son Mandela and a scene portraying the
and support. L' internationaliste - periodicals in English, create the mural, and original artwork of Soweto uprising of 1976.
The new bookstore wiJJ provide visitors Spanish, and French which contain working- Pathfinder Mural artists. A fund appeal letter signed by prominent
artists and political activists will be in the
mail in the next few days. Signers include
Pathfinder Mural artists Carole Byard and
Chris Spotted Eagle; Hollywood ftlm direc
tor Nick Castle; constitutional attorney Wu
liam Kunstler; mural historian and documen
tor James Prigoff; singer/composer Pete See
ger; South African artist Sholto Ainslie; and
Fieke Ainslie of the Johannesburg, South
Africa, Art Foundation.
Fundraising booksale
More than $800 was raised in New York
for the bookstore fund at a sale of a portion
of the library of George Novack and Evelyn
Reed.
Reed, who died in 1979, was a leader of
the Socialist Workers Party and a leading
Marxist anthropologist. Pathfinder publishes
a number of Reed's books including
Women's Evolution and Cosmetics, Fash
ions, and the Exploitation ofW omen. A por
trait of Evelyn Reed appears in the Pathfind
er Mural.
George Novack, a longtime leading
member of the Socialist Workers Party
whose many works on Marxism. philoso
phy, and history are published by Path
finder, requested that the proceeds from
the sale go to the Pathfinder Mural Book
store fund.
To date, several thousand dollars have
been raised toward the effort to build the
bookstore. Tens of thousands ofd ollars more
are needed. Supporters of the mural around
the world are stepping up efforts now to raise
the needed funds by early April.
Volunteers in New York spearheading the
New color poster, pictured above, is among the fundraising projects for Pathfinder Mural Bookstore and maintenance of mural.
fund drive explained that progress on the
fund-raising drive will determine when the
Newark forum discusses situation in Haiti grand opening for the Pathfinder Mural
Bookstore can be set.
Friends of the Pathfinder Mural has pro
duced a 20-by-30-inch color poster featuring
BY DUANE STILWELL Letemps, because they know that many de Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Work.ers the full Pathfmder Mural. Proceeds from the
NEWARK, New Jersey-"The army in pend on the money they can save and send Union, also attended the demonstration. sales of this high quality color reproduction
Haiti is an army of oppression. We don't need back home. But since Aristide was over Pettit highlighted the hypocrisy and injus will go to the international fund for the
it." thrown, many workers have risked their jobs tice oft he U.S. government. pointing to a story Pathfinder Mural Bookstore. Individual con
This is how Ema Letemps, a member of to make their voices heard. ''Some workers in the papers that day about a Cuban helicopter tributors to the fund who donate $100 or
the Haitian Students Association ofMontclair were faced with firings when they took a day pilot and 33 of his family members who stole more will receive a complimentary poster.
State College, described the situation in Haiti off of work to go to Washington to demon a Cuban helicopter and flew to Miami. They This is the first full color poster reproduction
today. She was addressing the Militant Labor strate," she noted. were received as heroes, granted political of the entire Pathfinder Mural to have been
Forum in Newark, New Jersey,January4. The She was referring to the Dec. 13, 1991, asylum, and released to their relatives. produced since the completion of the six
title of the forum was "Asylum for Haitian march on Washington where5,000demanded Dr. Bernier Lauredan represented the Car story landmark work on Nov. 19, 1989.
refugees, open the borders!" the reinstatement of Aristide. Panelist Martha ibbean African Alliance-Irvington at the The new mural poster will be a fund-rais
Haitians stay in the United States, said Pettit, a garment worker and member of the forum. His father was killed by the Tonton ing tool and will also provide interested
Macoutes under the Duvalier dictatorship. people with an outstanding reproduction of
Lauredan explained that Aristide was seen the mural. The photo for the poster was taken
by the people of Haiti as one of their own. by architectural photographer Andrea Brizzi
Subscribe
He was born a poor peasant and grew up with and the poster design is by Toni Gorton.
no shoes to wear. Aristide, he said. "had good Individual posters sell for $20 each. Sup
ideas but no means to implement them. In porters and bookstores can also place bulk
to the "H"K"fltm Bush's Japan trip shows the first four months of his presidency he orders. Ten or more posters are $15 each and
~'J'::!~'::f; US. capitalism's decline
onJy had $14 million to operate. 30 or more are $12 each. Shipping and han
n~~~-~ii:l¥iijt-~~:;.~:·· "The bourgeoisie controls the army and dling is $5 for bulk orders and each interna
Militant
they use it when they need to," Lauredan tional order, and single poster shipping and
~~Media: US. rulers won Socill._liJt explained. handling in the U.S. is $2.50.
·.:.-,·..- 'h II . ' . I
For unequalled coverage on: ~~z·. 0 OW VIctOry IR raq Cdt4l1fO1dUi4ifo«ttS Garry Jeanty, president of the United Hai Pre-paid orders should be mailed to
•anti·gattg' tian Association, also addressed the gathering. Friends of the Pathfinder Mural at 191 Sev
• The struggle for a new He described Aristide as "the first freely enth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Or call
South Africa elected president in the history of our coun [phone]. Checks should be made out
•the challenge posed by try." to Friends of the Pathfmder Mural.
Super&..1
ultrarightists like Buchanan proftsl hit~
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2 The Militant February 14, 1992
Palestinian leader speaks to U.S. women
'National struggle is intimately connected with fight for women's rights'
BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS in 1967, even if they were married to Pales
"Politics has long been the domain of men. tinians with ID cards," she continued. .
As we say in Palestine it's the last bastion of Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza
male supremacy and domination. And we in 1967. Hundreds of women and their chil
have stormed it and we are going to continue dren have been deported "because they don't
storming it until we get our equal rights," have what Israel calls Israeli ID cards to live
said Hanan Ashrawi in her opening remarks in the occupied territories. Their husbands,
to the convention of the National Organiza many of them, cannot leave to see them and
tion for Women (NOW). visit their children, and these women cannot
Ash.rawi was in Washington, D.C., as the come back to be in their own homeland,"
spokesperson of a delegation of Palestinians said Ashrawi.
from the West Bank and Gaza. They took "This is the invisible deportation, and this
part, along with delegations from other Arab is what we call the silent transfer," explained
countries, in peace negotiations with repre Ash.rawi. As a result of these policies, en
sentatives of the Israeli government. rollment of women students at Bir Zeit Uni
versity, where Ash.rawi works, has dropped
Ashrawi addressed 1,000 participants at
from a peak of 45 percent to 25 percent in
the NOW convention January 10. The meet
ing celebrating the 25th anniversary of NOW the last four years. The university has been
closed by the Israeli army since the begin
coincided with 25 years of Israeli occupation
of the West Bank and Gaza. ning of the Palestinian revolt known as the
intifada in 1987.
Thanking NOW for the invitation, Ash.ra
"You cannot separate the practices of Is
wi noted, "Palestinian history has been full
raeli occupation from the direct infringement
of sad memories. We do not have joyful
on women's rights," Ashrawi said "I know
occasions to celebrate. Very few. We have
here we talk about women's right to choose,
the 15th of November, which is the com
to be able to have abortions when they want
memoration of the declaration of [Palestin
We are calling for women's right to choose
ian] independence .... Every 15th of No
Militant/Arigiris Malapanis to keep their own fetuses in spite of Israeli
vember, the Israelis impose curfews on us.
Hanan Ashrawi, spokesperson of Palestinian delegation to Mideast peace talks. tear gas." Ashrawi explained that many Pal
We are not even allowed to go out on our
estinian women have suffered induced abor
balconies," she said. "We are not allowed to
tions because of tear gas, beatings, and pro
dance, to wear the colors of the flag, or to for its own ends politically the Palestinian she said ''The army went from house to
longed c.urfews. Many have had to give birth
express any kind of joy." public opinion at home," she said. house arresting people, ... searching, violat
while in prison.
The Palestinian leader referred to the Some women in the audience, part of the ing the very integrity, the very privacy of
The struggle for national self-determina
often-commemorated massacres of Palestin Jewish feminist caucus of NOW, raised c» your own house. This violation is tantamount
tion is intimately connected with the fight for
ians that occurred in the 1948 war when the jections to Ash.rawi 's condemnation oflsraeli to collective rape."
women's rights, the Palestinian leader said.
state of Israel was established, the 1967 oc occupation. "Talk about women" some At the start of the new year, 12 Palestinians
"We had to work hard as Palestinian
cupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the shouted, while many others applauded the from the West Bank and Gaza were ordered
women because, understandably, we did
1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. "I feel the Palestinian leader's remarks. deported by the Israeli authorities without
have for a long time in a male-dominated
time has come for Palestinians to celebrate, "I know the truth may be painful to some any criminal charges, trial, or even evidence
society, the prevalence of the national issues
enjoy, and not to commemorate sadness and of you," Ashrawi responded, but "you have presented against them.
over gender issues," she said. The fight for
pain," she said. the responsibility to listen to the truth." "Deportation is a very cruel form of col
women's rights had been considered of sec
Referring to the recent negotiations with Under the insistence of members of the lective punishment because you are separat
ondary importance, something that could be
Israel, Ashrawi said, "The quest for peace is Jewish feminist caucus, the NOW leadership ing families," said Ashrawi. "You are uproot
postponed in order to advance the struggle
one of the most arduous tasks that the Pales invited Alice Shalvi, head of the Israeli ing individuals and families and communi for national rights.
tinians have ever embarked on, because it is Women's Network, to give a different point ties from their own ancestral homeland, and
a battle that we have to wage daily." of view from the Palestinian leader at a later you are throwing them out and telling them Women's movement
"Now, unfortunately we, as a captive Pal point in the conference. that you cannot go back, you cannot set foot Palestinian women have worked hard to
estinian population under occupation, are on your own soil." transform the women's movement, born in
Families under curfew
being made deliberately to pay the price for Women are particularly affected by depor Palestine in the 1920s among the urban mid
a peace process. Israel is exploiting its role Ash.rawi said that she returned to the West tations. "Regardless of the fact that they may dle classes, into serious grass roots activity
as occupier with absolute power over Pales Bank for Christmas in between negotiations have been born in occupied Palestine, [and] involving working people.
tinian human lives, rights, and lands in order to find her hometown, Ramallah, under cur may have lived there all their lives ... women "With the intifada it became imperative
to deliberately and willfully victimize this few. "My family was under curfew for two are not allowed to stay in the occupied terri that the women's movement come into its
captive population and in order to manipulate weeks, not able to set foot outside the house," tories if they happen not to have been there own," said Ashrawi. As a result of the Pal
estinian popular uprising against Israeli oc
New support for framed-up Black Panther cupation, women in villages, refugee camps,
and remote areas began to be involved in the
fight for women's rights and many became
more self-<:onfident. The intifada has been
BY ANNE MORROW and Kathleen Cleaver, John Seale, and Harvey ter Intelligence Program), with the aim of "a popular collective act of will for the
OAKLAND, California- Several for McClendon - all of whom were members "discrediting and neutralizing" them, and of empowerment of the Palestinian people."
mer leaders of the Black Panther Party held oft he Panthers' Central Committee. They told "disrupting" the Panthers. The FBI success "I did not emerge from a vacuum," As
a news conference here January 3 to testify reporters that Pratt was attending Party meet fully used fake leaflets and poison pen letters h.rawi continued. "I'm part of the Palestinian
to the innocence of Geronimo Pratt and de ings with them at the time of the 1968 murder to encourage a violently hostile split in the political scene. I'm part of the peace process
mand that he receive a new trial. of which he was unjustly convicted. leadership of the party, in the course of which not because of an accident of history and not
Pratt was arrested in December, 1970, and Their affidavits are an important part of Pratt was expelled. as a result of tokenism or symbolic women's
charged with the murder of Caroline Olsen Pratt's appeal for a new trial. He has served Pratt was charged with the murder after presence, but rather as part of the cumulative
in Santa Monica, California. He was con 21 years of a Life sentence, eight years of it in his expulsion. The former party leaders ex achievements of Palestinian women who
victed in 1972, and sentenced to life impris solitary confinement. Parole was denied again plained at the press conference that Huey have struggled for so long to make them
onment Pratt said he was at a Panther meet December 4th at his tenth parole hearing. Newton, a central leader of the Panthers, had selves heard."
ing in Oakland 400 miles away at the time According to information revealed some ordered that no Panther members could assist Efforts were made to link up with strug
of the murder. years after his trial under the Freedom of Pratt in his trial. Only Cleaver testified at his gles for women's rights internationally.
Present at the news conference were David Information Act, Pratt was one of several trial to his presence at their meeting at the 'That is why we reached out to Israeli
Hilliard, the party's former chief of staff; Black Panther and other Black rights leaders time of the murder. women in particular. As we said in our
Emory Douglas, former minister of culture; targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO (Coun- speech in Madrid, for too long we have
Following Newton's death in 1989 and in
light of the revelations about the FBI's role shared mutual pain and rejection, and now
we have to share mutual recognition and
Iowa's juvenile 'justice' system in disrupting the Panthers, these crucial
reciprocity," Ashrawi said She was referring
witnesses decided to break their previous
to the November Mideast peace conference
silence.
that took place in Madrid, Spain.
BY BILL KALMAN has been commuted in Iowa in the last decade. There is other new evidence that confi.rms Ash.rawi said she was gratified on return
DES MOINES, Iowa-The authorities As Judge William Joy sentenced Querrey Pratt's innocence and supports his request for ing from Madrid to meet a number of women
in this state are on a big campaign against to life with no hope of parole, he said, "Eric, a new trial. The principal witness against him from the Israeli Women's Network and other
so-called juvenile crime. In his annual con you have wasted one life here. It's up to you was Julius Butler, who had himself been groups. These activists said they considered
dition of the state message, Governor Terry if you have a second one." Asked about expelled from the Panthers by Pratt. the Palestinian delegation's work at the con
Branstad called for legislation requiring all Querrey 's chances for rehabilitation, an Iowa Butler testified that Pratt had once con ference as a victory for both Israeli and
17-year-old defendants to be tried automati state corrections spokesman said, "ln the last fessed the murder to him. At the trial Butler Palestinian women.
cally as adults. "This is part of the solution few years we've moved from a rehabilitation denied being an FBI informer. But recently In her closing remarks Ash.rawi urged con
to some of our juvenile crime problems," said model to a punishment and incapacitation revealed government documents show that vention participants to step up solidarity with
Richard Vohs, a Branstad aide. model.'' he had been an informer for at least 22 months the Palestinian struggle. "I would caU upon
Currently, someone as young as 14 can be Meanwhile, the infirmary of the Polk before the trial, and that for his cooperation American women to pick up the cry to stop
charged as an adult if the crime is deemed County Jail in Des Moines, which has never the FBl agreed not to prosecute him for funding the Israeli occupation," she stated.
"serious." This is what happened in the town been used for sick prisoners because of"staff possession of a machine gun. "Stopmanufacturingtheteargas! ... Stop
of Clifton last week as 15-year-old Eric shortages," will be converted to house six paying for the deportation ofo ur own people!
Pratt was under intense surveillance by the
Querrey was sentenced to life in prison with juvenile cells at a cost of $61 ,560, most of In many cases these weapons are made in the
FBI at the time of the murder. But the FBI
out parole for the shooting death of a 16- which is for electronic monitoring devices. USA and, in many cases, weapons research
claimed that their records of this surveillance
year-old. The prosecution admitted they "Des Moines police say that if they could in Israel is funded by the USA. Your tax
the week of the murder do not exist.
could find no motive. arrest 90 teenagers that they've already iden money should go to preserve life, not to
Querrey will spend the next three years in tified and put them behind bars," wrote Des In addition, it is now known that in the destroy life," said Ashrawi to loud applause.
a reform school in Eldora to get his high Moines Register columnist James Flans period leading up to his trial, the FBI planted
school diploma-. then enter the Iowa state burg, "the Des Moines crime rate would be three spies in his defense team who passed Margrethe Siem in Washington, D.C., con
prison system at age 18. Only one life sentence cut in half." strategy information to the prosecution. tributed to this article.
February 14, 1992 The Militant 3
Canadian rulers slash health funding
• • •
BY CLIFF MACK One of these "sacrifices" is government
TORONTO-Canada's public health funded health care. NDP treasurer Aoyd
care system is coming under increasing at Laughren said that the 1991 reserve shortfall
tack. Against a backdrop of record business of $670 million would mean cuts to health
bankruptcies, plant closures, and massive care.
unemployment, the federal Conservative Michael Hurley, president of the On
government of Brian Mulroney cut tax fund tario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU)
transfers to Canada's 10 provinces, leaving representing 19,000 hospital workers, ex
a shortfall for social insurance, education, plained that "in the last two years, 5,000
and health care. jobs have been eliminated and 4,000 beds
The economic disaster has hit hard in have been closed." Dennis Timbrell, pres
Ontario, Canada's most industrialized prov ident of the Ontario Hospital Association
ince. One million people, I 0 percent of (OHA), says an additional 3,292 beds will
Ontario's population, are collecting welfare be closed and 4,328 jobs lost by the end
checks. of March 1992.
In Toronto there are 160,000 people re The OHA says it needs an 8.6 percent
ceiving unemployment benefits; 300,000 funding hike and that, for every percentage
people on welfare; 50,000 homeless; and point it doesn't get, hospitals will lay off
150,000 relying on food banks. 1,7 00 people and close 500 beds.
The December 7 Toronto Star reported The Ontario NDP government partly
that, of the 183,000 manufacturing jobs lost blames the budget deficit on "unnecessary
in Canada in the month of November alone, procedures" and abuse of the health-care
33,000 were in Ontario. system. Many union officials echo this, add
Canada's unemployment rate remained at ing that hospital funds are mismanaged by
10.3 percent, however, because "people are hospital boards that meet behind closed Emergency scene. Recent cuts have eliminated thousands of hospital beds in Canada.
being so frustrated in looking for jobs that doors.
they stopped looking," as Earl Sweet, assis Ontario's NDP health minister, Francis
to hospital workers having the second highest to receive a coronary bypass operation
tant chief economist at the Royal Bank of Lankin, claims 25-30 percent of procedures
injury rate among workers in Ontario." "based on their life expectancy."
Canada, explained. done in the health-care system are of "no
At the recent convention of the Ontario proven value." Patients are faced with "lower quality Steve Eadie, vice president of the
food, longer waits for procedures while in OCHU, said that proposals for commu
Federation of Labour (OFL), Ontario New The present cuts in the system, however,
the hospital," and, in general, "less human nity-based care by health ministry bureau
Democratic Party (NDP) premier Robert Rae are going a lot further than eliminating waste.
contact with hospital staff." crats "would be more backwards for
pleaded with the 1,400 delegates to under
stand that "we are facing the toughest eco High injury for hospital workers Hurley noted that "waits for services Like health care. ... For example, ten years ago
psychiatric patients were moved out of
nomic situation since the depression" and Hurley said in an interview that "greater cancer treatment are longer," and that pa
that "we have to make sacrifices together." workloads for smaller hospital staff have led tients over the age of 70 will find it difficult institutions onto the street. But there were
no community-based programs in place to
help these people. We are afraid that the
... as working people bear the brunt
'home care' proposals are going to go the
same way."
Eadie's union, the Canadian Union of
of the growing economic depression Public Employees (CUPE), is presently cam
paigning in Ontario to prevent further cuts
in health-care services and to win public
control over hospitals by calling for the elec
tion of all hospital boards.
BY BEVERLY BERNARDO in the last two years. succeeded in negotiating a settlement with
TORONTO - In an unprecedented paid Each day brings news of more plant clo the leadership of the 68,000-member Ontario ln November, 200 hospital workers pick
pre-budget television address, Ontario New sures and layoffs. The day before Rae's an Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) eted the health ministry headquarters in To
Democratic Party (NDP) premier Robert Rae nouncement, General Motors announced it holding wage increases to I percent this year ronto chanting, "No more cuts." There have
announced January 21 that he was limit was laying off 750 indefinitely in St. Cath and 2 percent next year. also been smaller actions and informational
ing spending increases to hospitals, munici erines. Metro Toronto's tourist industry has ln addition Metro Toronto Chairman Alan picketing by health-care workers outside the
palities, schools, universities, and colleges to been hit hard; spending has dropped by $700 Tonks has been trying to get 15,000 city legislature.
just 1 percent this year and 2 percent in each million since 1989. Jean-Guy Belanger, pres employees to accept wage cuts despite their The overall position of the OFL leader
of the next two years. ident of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees collective agreements supposedly guarantee ship, however, is to collaborate with the NDP
Rae called for a partnership between the International Union says about 7,000 of the ing a 4.75 percent wage increase this year. government to "manage" the cuts.
business community, the labor movement, union's 12,000 members have been laid off So far civic unions have rejected the proposal The OFL convention called for a Royal
and his government to "give the economy a since November. but have left open the idea of members taking Commission to study the health-care system
boost" Many trade unions across Canada are Earlier in the month, using the threat of unpaid leaves in order to avoid threatened and urged greater government "consulta
affiliated to the NDP which is a social dem massive layoffs, the NDP government had layoffs. tion" with the unions.
ocratic party.
"It's not just a recession. Our economic
world has changed, and it's not going to Black History Month Special Offer
be business as usual ever again," Rae said.
He said that the provincial government
would be left with an operating deficit that
is too high if it did not put controls on 25% discount through end of February to all members of Pathfinder Readers Club
spending. Rae hinted at tax increases to
bring down the $14.3 billion deficit pro
COINTELPRO: The Blacks in America's Fighting Racism in
jected for 1992-93.
FBI's Secret War on Wars. The Shift in World War 0 by
Rae blamed the higher deficit on the re
Political Freedom by Attitudes from the C.L.R. James, George
cession. Government revenue has fallen with
Nelson Blackstock. An Revolutionary War Breitman, Edgar
177,000 jobs lost in Ontario in 1991 and a
record number of company bankruptcies, in-depth look at the to Vietnam by Robert Keemer, and others.
while the demand for spending on social illegal FBI W. Mullen. $7.95 The story of the fight
services has increased. counterintelligence (discount price $5.9 5). against racist Jim Crow
In 1991 pretax profits were 53 percent program directed practices inside and
lower than in 1988. In Ontario welfare against socialists and outside the military.
spending has gone up by nearly $3 billion Black and antiwar $19.95 (discount price
activists. $14.95 $14.95).
(discount price $11.20).
Maurice lbe last Year of Malcolm X. The America's
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price $10.45).
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Grenada edited by George
lbe Assassination of Malcolm X.
Revolution Novack. Topics
Articles by George Breitman, Herman
and Its include: genocide
Porter, and Baxter Smith. $13.95 (dis
Overthrow, against the
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price $13.45). $20.95 (discount price $15.70).
Ontario New Democratic Party premier For a full selection of titles on discount during Black History Month or a copy of the Pathfinder catalogue, or to order the above titles. visit any Pathfinder
Robert Rae calls for partnership be bookstores listed on page 12 or write to Pathfinder, 410 West Street, New York, NY 10014.lf ordering by mall, include $3 for shipping and $.50 for each
tween employers and labor movement. additional item.
4 The Militant February 14, 1992
Rally demands 'Jail cops who beat Milton'
Continued from front page artended the January 6 council meeting as a
what you're doing today." "mob."
Cleve Andrew Pulley, a member of United Pulley, representing the Socialist Workers
Food and Commercial Workers Local 1149, Party, said, "The cops are guilty of assault
spoke on behalf of the Socialist Workers and battery, almost beating a man to death,
Party. He noted that "we've scored some obstructing justice, and violating civil rights.
important victories during this past week. On They should be put on the defe.nsive in open
Monday, we turned out and we were able to hearings. Let the truth come·o ut."
force the city council to vote to hold public Pulley urged the council to "pass a motion
hearings on police brutality. using its moral authority to recommend that
"We also scored a big blow for justice the cops who beat Milton be prosecuted, bold
yesterday with the victory of Mark Curtis in open hearings, and support a civilian review
his lawsuit against the cops who beat him." board"
He went on to say, "We need to keep our "I don't think the cops protect us, they
eyes on the prize, which is the prosecution terrorize us. But we can differ on this while
and jailing of the cops who beat Larry Mil we unite in action to demand justice."
ton." To applause from half the audience, Pulley
Keith Ellison from the coalition for Police. concluded, "We need to march, to demon
Accountability in Minneapolis gave greet strate, until we get justice."
ings to the rally and invited people to attend Sonja Palmer told the crowd. "'There is no
a conference on police misconduct and bru excuse! No excuse for what they did to Larry
tality being held in Minneapolis on February Milton. They should be prosecuted."
28 and 29. Sara Lohman, another packinghouse
Other speakers included Pam Williams, unionist and chair of the Des Moines Young
President of the Corrununity Support Force; Socialist Alliance, echoed the demand for
Kalonji Saadiq, general manager of radio prosecution of the cops who beat Milton.
station KUCB; and Ardy Blandford from the She also urged the council to vote to convene
Mark Curtis Defense Committee. public hearings. "'Ibis is about justice. That
is why we are demanding the hearings-to
'I'm here for justice'
get out the truth," she said.
Participants in this demonstration saw it A pre-law student spoke, saying, "I was
as an important step in building the type of brought up to believe in the police, but I must
movement capable of winning justice for
come out and speak when I see this. You
Lany Milton and other victims of cop beat
can't bide behind a badge."
ings. Charles, a young Black dairy worker
Militant/Chris Remple Others who spoke in favor of public hear
told the Militant, "I'm here for justice. I'm January 27 picket against cop brutality outside Des Moines City Council meeting ings on police brutality included Rev. Leon
probably like a lot of people, I don't like to
Herndon, bead of the Black Ministerial Al
rock the boat But after you see so much
liance, and Kalonji Saadiq. Saadiq also told
injustice, you have to get involved. This is Gonzalez, who testified in the frame-up trial deadlocked 3-to-3, with one member absent.
the council that be planned to continue the
not anything you can just push under the rug against union activist Mark Curtis, and Dan putting the bearings in doubt.
fight for a citizens committee to review
anymore." iel Dusenbery, one of the cops who brutally For the ftrst hour and a half on Jan. 17
police action. "I'm here to serve notice that
Myra, a student at the local community beat Curtis in the city jail. speaker after speaker blasted the police beat
it doesn't end here tonight Whether you like
college, told why she had decided to attend. ing of Milton.
it or not, Des Moines will have a citizen
"I don't have any children right now. But Council will bold bearings Ron Carr told the meeting, "We need the
review board."
when I do I want to know that they can go The main point on the council agenda was police, but we can't have an annosphere A picket line of up to 20 people demand
out without being afraid that some cop will whether the council would set public hear where people and minorities can get beat. ing justice for Larry Milton and an end to
beat them." ings on police brutality. On January 6, under Something must be done before something police brutality was maintained in front of
Michael, another young worker, said, the pressme of 500 opponents of cop vio else happens." City Hall throughout the council meeting.
''This is what we need to do. We're not going lence, the council voted to hold bearings. Carr echoed the sentiment of many when
to back down until we get some justice." 1\vo weeks later, faced with more than 200 be protested Assistant Chief of Police Kayne Maurice Williams is a member of United
Many demonstrators saw local news cov cops, their relatives and backers, the council Robinson's slander of the 500 people who Food and Commercial Workers Local #SON.
erage of Mark Curtis's victory in his lawsuit
against the cops who beat him. Constance, U.S. begins forced repatriation of Haitians
whose two sons have been the victims of
police brutality, told the Militant, "Mark is
just the beginning. There will be more justice
for more people because of this victory." BY BRIAN WILLIAMS "If I go back to Haiti they [will] k:ill me. bells in protest.
Another demonstrator summed up bow I was a student; they were killing the students. U.S. defense secretary Richard Oleney
The U.S. government has begun to forc
many of the people present viewed the fed Kill me now," be screamed. insisted on a Cable News Network program
ibly repatriate thousands of Haitian refugees
eral court decision in favor of Curtis: "Mark "Americans know they are killing people that "there's no evidence" Haitians will be
Curtis's case has shown that there is a long being held at the U.S. Naval base at Guan in Haiti, but still you send us back," shouted killed when they are retwned. Cheney also
tanamo Bay, Cuba. This move comes after
and documented history of police brutality
another refugee on the base. suggested that the refugees could flee across
the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-to-3 vote
in this city and we have to stand up and fight January 31 lifted a federal court injunction Since October 29, U.S. Coast Guard cut Haiti's border to the Dominican Republic
it" barring the forced return of Haitians. ters have intercepted in international waters instead of coming to the United States.
Earlier in the week, 250 people squeezed more than 15,000 Haitians fleeing political On January 25, Haitian police dressed in
into the Des Moines City Council chambers "They [Haitian soldiers] killed my wife, repression in their homeland and seeking civilian clothes attacked a political meeting
January 17, about equally divided between my mother, and one sister," shouted 20-year
asylum in the United States. organized by Rene 'I'Modore who, two weeks
opponents of police brutality and cops and old George Lucier to reporters passing by the
During the past several weeks the number earlier, bad been chosen as a compromise
their supporters. Dozens of cops attended in barbed-wire encampment at Guantanamo of Haitians taking to the seas has escalated. candidate for prime minister by Aristide and
uniform. Among those present were Joseph Bay.
In January alone 6,653 Haitians were inter members of the Haitian legislature. The Hai
dicted by Coast Guard ships. Prior to the tian cops burst into this meeting and began
Pathfinder celebrates Black History Month start of the forced repatriations, more than beating Theodore and other political leaders
10,000 Haitians were being held in prison who were present. They shot and killed Theo
like conditions at the U.S. Guantanamo base. dore's bodyguard, Yves Jean-Pierre.
BY BRIAN WILLIAMS As an important contribution to Black: The mass exodus is in response to the Claiming the need to rediscuss its policy
Pathfinder and its bookstores throughout History Month, more than 20 Pathfmder ti political repression and reign of terror im toward Haiti, Washington recalled its ambas
the world are celebrating Black History tles relating to this topic are available at a 25 posed on the Haitian people since a Septem sador Alvin Adams.
Month in February. The publisher's 35 book percent discount throughout the month of ber 30 military coup overthrew President On January 30, the U.S. government an
store outlets from the United States to New February to all members of the Pathfinder Jean-Bertrand Aristide. nounced what was described as a shift in
Zealand and Sweden are setting up Black Readers Club. (See ad on page 4 for a partial Amnesty International in a January report policy toward Haitian exiles. Under this new
History Month displays, expanding store listing.) states that Haitians are living in "a climate plan, Haitians for the flrst time would be able
hours, and organizing to take Pathfinder One of Pathfmder's best-selling titles is of fear and repression. •· to apply for refugee status at the U.S. Em
books out to important Black history events Malcolm X Talks to Young People, which "Hundreds of people have been extrajudi bassy in Port-r;u-Prince. Qualified applicants
happening in their area. contains speeches given to university and cially executed or detained without warrant would be permitted to resettle in the United
An attractive 19-by-26 inch color poster high school students in the United States, and tortmed," said the report "Many others States. Only 300 Haitians, at most, will be
advertising the many books that Pathfinder Britain. and Africa. More than 20,000 copies have been brutally beaten in the streets." initially accepted under this program.
has available on the fight for Black rights in have been sold so far and a second printing The true intent of the administration's pol
the United States and on Africa has been of 15,000 has just come off the press. People are suffering icy toward Haitian refugees was made crystal
mailed out to more than 3,000 bookstores In response to its recent mailing, Patb In Port-au-Prince, the response to the clear only two days later when the Supreme
around the world. The National Association fmder's Black History Month posters are forced repatriations was bitter. "I never Court cleared the way for Washington to begin
of College Stores has also enclosed the poster being prominently displayed in hundreds of thought the United States would do that. It
in a mailing to 1,500 of its retail outlets. bookstores throughout the country, including is not fair," stated Abel Pierre, an unem
"Pathfinder books such as Malcolm X on Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, and campus book ployed father of three. "People here already 'Militant' Prisoner
Afro-American History, The Struggle is My shops, as well as in high school and public are suffering. There aren't any jobs. People
Life by Nelson Mandela, and How Far We libraries. are getting arrested." Subscription Fund
Slaves Have Come! by Nelson Mandela and Anyone wanting to join the Pathfmder Among the organizations appealing di
The Militant special prisoner fund
Fidel Castro, are an irreplaceable contribution Readers Club or renew their membership can rectly to President Bush and the U.S. Con
makes it possible to send
to these Black History Month events," com do so for just $10 for one year at any Path gress to immediately halt the repatriations
reduced-rate subscriptions to
mented Rich Stuart, oft he Pathfmder business finder Bookstore listed on page 12, or by are the National Association for the Advance
and promotions office in New York City. writing directly to Pathfmder Press at 410 ment of Colored People (NAACP), the prisoners who can't pay for them.
Pathfinder is the foremost publisher of West St., New York, N.Y. A newly updated United States Catholic Conference, and the To help this important cause, send
writings and speeches of outstanding revo 1992 Pathfinder catalogue, providing a com American Jewish Committee. your contribution to Militant
lutionary leaders such as Malcolm X, Nelson plete listing of all books available from Path Former presidential candidate Jesse Jack PrisonerS ubscription Fund, 410
Mandela, Maurice Bishop, Thomas Sankara, finder, can also be purchased for an additional son termed the U.S. action "an immoral act West St., New York, NY 10014.
and Fidel Castro. 25 cents. of genocide," and urged churches to ring their
s
February 14, 1992 The Militant
Books on Iran-contra affair
WORLD
NEWS
:~-+-+~
show crisis of U.S. imperialism
BRIEFS
US. Coast Guard arrests
BY BRIAN Wll.LIAMS character of the contras is presented in an ular war moves abroad. What has been
Haitians fleeing military rule
UIUkr Fire: An American Story by Ol other recently published book, entitled Com termed the Vietnam syndrome was a big
iver North with William Novak. Har mandos. The CIA and Nicaragua's Contra factor preventing Washington from unleash
After a lull of several weeks thousands of
perCollins, 1991, 446 pages. Rebels. The author, Sam Dillon, covered ing its massive military ftrepower against the
Haitians have begun fleeing again as political.
Commandos: The CIA and Nicaragua's Nicaragua for the Miami Herald and was workers and peasants in Nicaragua. Gates
and economic conditions deteriorate in Haiti. ConJra Rebels by Sam Dillon. Henry Holt certainly no friend of the Sandinistas. Dillon had to admit as much later in his memoran
The U.S. Coast Guard picked up more than and Company, 1991, 393 pages. deals with the same topic as North but has dum when he bluntly describes his proposals
3,500 Haitians on the high seas from January
gotten much less publicity for his book. Dil as "politically out of the question."
20 to 27. Oliver North's book Under Fire-An lon writes extensively about the atrocities One of the big problems with the contras,
The U.S. government, refusing to give American Story, which has been near the top committed by the contras and the everyday according to North, was that there was no
asylum to the Haitians, has detained at least of the best-sellers chart for the past two brutality and repression that existed in these reputable contra leader able to take charge
12,600 since the military coup on September months, offers a rightist view of U.S. foreign contra camps. and win popular support. North states, 'The
30 that overthrew the government of Jean policy and in its own way exposes the deep Dillon details how from its very begin public relations effort on behalf of the resis
Bertrand Aristide. The Coast Guard now crisis facing U.S. imperialism today. ning, the contras were a creation of the CIA, tance could have been far more successful
claims space is running out at the U.S. mil Published shortly after North's dismissal totally dependent upon Washington for funds if the contras had produced a charismatic
itary base in Guantanamo, Cuba, where most on a legal technicality of all criminal charges and arms. leader who could have effectively symbol
Haitian refugees are being kept in concen against him for his role in the lran-<X>Otra Life inside these camps and within the ized the struggle as an anti-Communist Ho
tration camp-like conditions. affair, Under Fire attempts to justify and contra army was a far cry from North's Chi Minh, or Fidel, or Che." North points to
defend the increased concentration of polit description of it. Dillon describes what was a contra commando named Mike Lima as
Mounting protests against price
ical power in the executive branch at the happening in the contra camps as "a largely someone he had hoped could play this role.
rises in Russia, Uzbekistan expense of Congress. silent, secret campaign of torture and murder. If ex-National Guardsman Mike Lima
North was convicted in May 1989 on three Hundreds died in and around the rebels' typifies the best the contras had to offer, then
Demonstrators angered by the soaring border camps, along Honduran roadsides, you can understand why this entire operation
prices of food, clothing, and otherb asic items and in the back streets of Tegucigalpa. It was was doomed to failure. In his book, Dillon
IN REVIEW
held protest rallies in Russia and Uzbekistan a dirty war waged largely by the ex-National describes Lima's career as a contra in some
January 19. About 3,000 university students Guardsmen commanding the contra army." detail. Lima was one of the most brutal contra
marched in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, Some of these guardsmen commanded commanders. "He's a man with compulsion
protesting the shootings of students during felony charges of destroying secret govern death squads directed not only against to kill and to rape," stated one officer who
January 17 demonstrations against the price ment documents, obstructing Congress, and Sandinista leaders but at many innocent peas worked closely with Lima.
increases. A similar-sized march took place accepting gifts. This stemmed from his role ants forced into these camps. Torture, sexual To North keeping the contras alive meant
in St. Petersburg. in the mid-1980s in organizing through the abuse, and executions were all too frequent upgrading the public relations campaign on
Coal miners in Siberia have threatened to National Security Council to secretly sell occurrences. A witchhunt atmosphere ex their behalf. But this was not always so easy.
strike if working conditions do not improve. arms to Iran, in order to fund and arm the isted where anyone charged with being a In late 1984, Frank Wohl, a right-wing psy
Ruslan Khasbulatov, the speaker of the Rus mercenary contra army attempting to over Sandinista infiltrator was likely to be impris chology student from Northwestern Univer
sian parliament, called Boris Yeltsin 's eco throw the Nicaraguan revolution. oned, tortured and in many cases murdered. sity in illinois, decided to spend several
nomic measures anarchic and demanded North asserts that he committed no crimes Despite backing and funding by Washing months living with the contras as a gesture
Yeltsin 's resignation. because "Congress has no right to limit the ton, the contras failed to achieve significant of support. While there Wohl happened to
President's authority to carry out foreign
Hyundai workers end occupation policy." According to North, the 1984 Bo
of auto plant in South Korea land amendment in which U.S. government
funding of the contras was cut off by Con
Some 3,000 to 4,000 workers at Hyundai gress did not apply "to the President. or to
ended a week-long occupation of South his staff at the National Security Council."
Korea's largest auto plant in the southeastern While defending the power of the execu
city of Ulsan January 21. tive branch of government, North rails
against what be terms "an imperial Con
The workers took over the plant after the
gress." He goes on to criticize Ronald Reagan
company closed it following a union strike
for not being "forceful enough when it came
vote. They demanded better working condi
to fighting for the constitutional prerogatives
tions, reinstatement of workers ftred for
of the Executive Branch. He could have
union activity, and the dropping of legal
opposed the appointment of a special prose
charges against union leaders.
cutor, and he could have challenged the War
Some 12,00) riot police surrounded the
Powers Resolution," states North.
factory compound and threatened to storm it
In December 1986, Lawrence Walsh was
with helicopters and armored vehicles. Prior
selected by a panel of three federal judges as
to ending the occupation, workers reinforced
a special prosecutor with wide powers to
barricades and pounded the ground with steel
investigate support given to the Nicaraguan
pipes, keeping time with prolabor songs
contras by anyone in or out of government
blasting out across the compound.
since 1984. The War Powers resolution
passed by Congress became Jaw Nov. 7,
US., Russia bloc.k Palestinians
1973. It required the president to report to
from Moscow Mideast talks
Congress within 48 hours after committing
forces to a military confljct abroad. It limited
U.S. and Russian cosponsors of Mideast the president's use of troops to 60 days unless
peace talks in Moscow blocked the Palestin
Congress authorized its continuation.
ian delegation from taking part in the nego
tiations January 27. They said the delegation 'That cannot be publicly disclosed'
included Palestinians who were unacceptable
The Iran-contra revelations in which North
to the Israeli government because it included was the central figure is simply one of the Militant/Michael Baumann
Palestinians from EastJerusalem and in exile. most well-known examples of how Wash North's book tries to cover over deep-going character of Nicaraguan revolution and
In previous rounds of talks Palestinian nego ington feels compelled today to carry out fact that contras never won a political base inside the country. Above, an armed rally
tiators came from the West Bank and Gaza. more and more of its real foreign policy of ISO, 000 supporters of revolution in 1983, held in capital city of Managua.
The Palestinians point out that, especially
through covert acts. "Secrecy is essential in
since the Moscow conference is discussing
foreign policy," states North in his book.
regional matters, they should not be repre military victories. Lacking popular support photograph in gruesome detail the torture
"'The problem isn't secrecy; it's bow to pro
sented only by Palestinians approved by Is among the workers and peasants inside Nic and execution ofa n old man accused of being
tect actions that cannot be publicly dis
rael from the occupied territories. aragua, the contras were unable to seize and a Sandinista spy. In April 1985, Wohl's pic
closed."
hold Nicaraguan territory for any period of tures were published in Newsweek. This led
In Israel an army panel canceled an order The U.S. spy establishment, which in
time, nor set up a government in exile. to a huge public outcry and coincided with
to expel a Palestinian January 23, revoking cludes the CIA and various other government
This situation led the U.S. rulers to seri a Congressional discussion about funding
one of the 12 expulsions ordered by the agencies, swallows a gigantic budget - in
ously consider plans aimed at increasing U.S. the contras that was subsequently voted
government this month. It was the flTSt can the range of $30 billion a year. Its role is to
military intervention against Nicaragua. down.
cellation order by the military since 1979. carry out policies that cannot be openly pro
North describes one such plan he was push North helped lead the charge against
claimed in the halls ofC ongress nor defended
Rightists gain in French elections ing that would have created a direct U.S. Wohl. Speaking at a conservative fundrais
in front of U.S. working people.
military confrontation with Nicaragua. His ing event, he claimed Wohl had faked the
as Socialist Party loses ground North's book attempts to project in the best
proposal, which was not adopted, involved picture in order to drum up sympathy for the
light Washington's bipartisan policy of at
intercepting the Nicaraguan ship Monimbo Sandinistas.
The rightist National Front increased its tempting to crush the gains made by workers
support in six parliamentary and municipal and peasants through the Nicaraguan revo in international waters and confiscating its North's contra supply operation was cer
cargo. North even raised the idea of giving tainly well-hidden from the U.S. public, but
by-elections in France January 26. The gov lution. To do this, North must cover up the
arms seized from the ship to the contras. growing number of those in Congress knew
erning Socialist Party came in third behind truth about the real record of the Nicarctguan
the Union of French Democracy - the other contras. "I rarely met a contra I didn't like," The recently confmned CLA director Rob about it. In fact this was one of North's main
major capitalist party - and the National states North, echoing Reagan's description ert Gates proposed even more drastic steps. complaints- too many people knew about
Front in two of the by-elections. It also lost oft he contras as freedom fighters in the finest In a December 1984 memorandum, Gates his covert activities.
two other municipal seats to conservative American tradition. calls for the U.S. government to "take all North mentions briefings he provided to
parties. "I visited the camps on several occasions necessary measures" to openly bring down dozens of members of Congress. Many of
The rightists campaigned on a platform to learn for myself what was going on there," the Sandinista regime. This included U.S. them had visited the contra camps and the
calling for the deportation of unemployed says North. "You couldn't help but be moved bombing raids, stiff economic sanctions, and Dopango Air Force base in El Salvador from
immigrant workers and for giving job pri by the plight of these people, who had left recognizing a Nicaraguan government in where contra supply planes operated.
ority to French citizens. The anti-immi their homes, their modest farms, and the land exile. Both the Democrats and Republicans in
grant calls have gained a hearing amid a they were born on to make the long trek Plans such as these were not implemented Congress were for crushing the Nicaraguan
stagnant economy with unemployment ris north to Honduras." because of the U.S. rulers' inability to con revolution. They simply differed about what
ing above 9 percent. A more accurate picture of the mercenary vince working people to support such unpop- Continued on Page 13
6 The Militant February 14, 1992
ANC Youth League
congress discusses
antiapartheid plans
BY DEREK BRACEY while organizing consistent mass actions
KWAMHLANGA, South Africa throughout the country.
Nearly 1,300 delegates attended the 17th As these sustained mobilizations began to
Congress of the African National Congress cripple the racist regime's ability to maintain
Youth League, Dec. 9-12, 1991. They dis stability and order, a leadership began to step
cussed the current situation in South Africa forward to coordinate the struggle on a wider
and set plans to draw greater numbers of and wider scale. It was among this layer of
youth into the antiapartheid struggle. youth that the decision was made to launch
The congress occurred less than two weeks SAYCO. which was founded in 1987.
before the Convention for a Democratic In his report to the Youth League congress,
South Africa (Codesa), where 19 political Mokaba explained that for several months
Militant// Derek Bracey
parties including the ANC and representa after their legalization the organizations re Nearly 1,300 delegates attended relaunching of ANC Youth League
tives of the South African government met mained separate though they began coordi
to discuss dismantling the apartheid regime nating their activities. More Youth Section
and moving toward a society based on equal members began working out of the SAY CO areas. We plan to step up this activity in the ings in the evenings, but will prevent girls
rights for aU citizens. national office.lt wasn't until later in the year next year. from going. In some rural areas there is
"We have accomplished a lot," said Febe that the decision was made to begin the "We also are acting to establish links with strong conservatism. Women are not allowed
Potgieter in an interview just as the congress process of relaunching the Youth League. white youth organizations," she said, "in to speak in meetings.
ended. "Our structures are now in place. We Delegates at the congress passed resolu particular Afrikaner youth cultural organiza "It was suggested that this should be ad
have more than 500,000 members in 512 tions on several campaigns for the league. tions. This is taking the form of discussion dressed through an affirmative action pro
branches. There was a good basis to organize One campaign is around the Codesa meet and debates on the new constitution, sym gram. The exact mechanism still needs to be
the Youth League's work." ing and the fight to lead toward a constituent bols, and flag of South Africa, as well as worked out. for special training, etc.
Potgieter was elected to the National Ex assembly. "We don't have a history of par social and cultural interaction and other fo 'The congress adopted a resolution to
ecutive Committee at the congress. which ticipating in democratic elections. We need rums where black and white youth can meet. have gender forums on a regular basis at
was the final step in the relaunching of the to organize to explain to people the process, "A national youth summit will occur in local, regional, and national levels," Potgie
Youth League. The Youth League, along with as well as the positions of the ANC," said April 1992 where we plan to launch the Youth ter continued. "The purpose of the forums
many other antiapartheid organizations, was Potgieter. Front. There have been discussions with most would be to sensitize Youth League members
banned for 30 years-from 1960 until Feb major youth organizations. There is generally on the problems of women and educate on
ruary 1990. Support for National Peace Accord agreement about such a summit." the principles of nonsexism.
'The congress was important politicaJ1y, "Another resolution was on the question 'The Youth League also discussed the
occurring just before Codes a," she continued. of violence," she continued. 'The Youth Relationship to ANC need to take up the problems facing young
"The Youth League is one of the major struc League has been on the receiving end of A major discussion at the congress was on women, teenage pregnancies, rape, and other
tures responsible for mobilizing people to violence in the past few months. Congress the character of the Youth League and its issues affecting them.
ensure Codesa 's success." adopted a resolution supporting the National relationship with the ANC. It was decided "The program hasn't been implemented
The congress opened with addresses from Peace Accord. The Youth League will play that the Youth League was organizationally yet and this is reflected in the number of
ANC chairman Oliver Tambo and ANC dep an active role in ending the violence. separate from the ANC, with its own cam women representatives at the congress, the
uty president Walter Sisulu. Tambo is the "We also passed resolutions on the social paigns and activities. The congress decided ratio of the delegates. It is also seen in the
honorary lifetime president of the Youth issues facing young people like education the Youth League relied entirely on the ANC composition of the NEC as well [one woman
League. Their arrival on the stage was met and unemployment. We came up with a pro for leadership and perspective. Its political elected out of 15 slots]. The next two years
with thunderous applause and cheering that gram of action aimed at mobilizing youth program was exactly that of the ANC. This will be an indication of whether we've been
lasted more than 20 minutes. around these issues." decision was met with sustained applause. succeeding."
Peter Mokaba, who was elected president There was a discussion at the congress on The congress also discussed fmancial per International guests attended the congress
at the congress, gave a report as the president the formation of a Youth Front of many spectives. Now 99 percent of the Youth from Angola, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mozam
of the Provisional National Youth Commit organizations. The purpose is to mobilize League's activities are financed by the ANC. bique, Sweden, France, Zambia, Zaire, Italy,
tee. This leadership body was created at the broader sections of youth in the struggle to The delegates decided to organize to take on Denmark, Sudan, and the United States.
beginning of the process to relaunch the dismantle apartheid and to break down the more of the expenses through the Youth The Youth League is discussing its work
Youth League in October 1990. Mokaba ex social barriers between South African youth, League, with the goal of self-sufficiency in with international youth groups. Potgieter
plained the developments that led to the a legacy of life under apartheid. The Youth the future. pointed to some of the projects on which the
congress. League began discussions with other groups A major discussion at the congress took Youth League is seeking international col
about this last April. place on the role of women in the organiza laboration. 'The question of libraries, espe
From within and outside South Africa
'There is almost no contact between black tion and in society. "Just before congress, cially in rural areas, is on the agenda. Inter
At the unbanning of antiapartheid organi and white youth in this country," Potgieter workshops discussed the questions facing national groups can definitely play a role in
zations in February 1990, there were two explained. "One of our programs in the past young women," said Potgieter. "One prob helping us supply books for them. We plan
youth groups leading the fight for a demo year has been to organize joint ventures be lem of young women is the conservatism of to set up an international department to do
cratic South Africa. One was the ANC Youth tween our branches and youth from white their parents. They will let boys go to meet- this in a more structured way."
Section, made up of young ANC members
in exile. These youth played a major role in
30,000 antiracist protesters demand:
organizing international solidarity with the
antiapartheid struggle. Central to the work of
this campaign was the mobilization of mil
lions of youth and others to pressure govern 'Dissolve South African Parliament'
ments around the world to sever or restrict
ties with South Africa.
The second organization, the South Afri
can Youth Congress (SAYCO), carne from
BY SETH GALINSKY government within six months and that a game in order to prevent an ANC government
the massive upheaval that has racked South
Thirty thousand demonstrators marched to constituent assembly be elected before the coming to power."
Africa since 1984. Responding to then ANC
president Tambo 's caJ1 to make South Africa the South African Parliament in Cape Town end oft he year to draw up a new constitution. ANC demands have been strengthened by
ungovernable in 1985, young people Jed in January 24 to demand its dissolution. "The The Convention for a Democratic South the latest revelations of government complic
stepping up activities to disrupt apartheid's Parliament is undemocratic," was prominent Africa (Codesa) held December 20-21 ini ity in violent attacks against ANC supporters
control over the townships and Bantustans, among the protest signs. tiated full-scale negotiations on a transition and other Blacks and antiapartheid activists.
"We demand an interim government of to ending apartheid and instituting a new For some time the ANC has charged that
national unity now!" and "Away with pater constitution. It was attended by 17 political the apartheid security apparatus was the
nalism, forward to people's power,"said organizations, including the ANC, and the .. third force" behind political violence in
other placards. South African government. Black townships. More and more informa
While the protesters surged through down tion is coming out underscoring the truth of
De Klerk opposes setting timetable
town Cape Town, South African president these aJ1egations.
F.W. de KJerk was addressing the Parliament, But de Klerk in his speech to Parliament
Several Blacks who worked with the In
which excludes Blacks. called for giving the country's white minority
katha movement have come forward to tes
The demonstration was called by the Af veto power over any constitutional changes.
tify how they were trained by the South
rican National Congress (AN C) as part of a The South African president objected to
African Defense Force (SADf).
"People's Parliament." The ANC distributed ANC demands for moving rapidly to disman
Sipho Madlala told an inquest he was with
500,000 leaflets in English, Afrikaans, and tle the apartheid government. He told the
an SADF hit squad that killed Mhlabunzima
Xhosa to publicize the event. Wider promo Parliament he is opposed to a "so-caJ1ed
Maphumulo, a traditional chief who had been
tion was blocked by the South African Broad interim government" and that it is "unwise"
denounced by lnkatha leader Mangosuthu
casting Corporation's refusal to carry ANC to adopt a timetable for change. As window
Buthelezi as pro-AN C. The British Guardian
advertisements for the action. dressing for his plan, de KJerk said the Black
reports that Arna-Afrika, a group that vio
"The existing Parliament is nondemocratic population should have "the opportunity of
lently attacked antiapartheid groups in the
because it was not elected by the vast major expressing itself'' in a referendum on a new
late 1980s, was funded by the South African
ity," said YusufSaloojee, ANC administrative constitution.
military.
secretary for international affairs, in a phone "Whatever form the racist Parliament has
interview. "It has no legitimacy. As far as we taken, the central aim has been to keep power While funding these bloody actions, the
are concerned it is breathing its last breath." in minority hands," Walter Sisulu, ANC dep Pretoria regime was cynically claiming that
The People's Parliament was a "big suc uty president, told the crowd in Cape Town. "Black-on-Black" violence showed that the
cess," he added. "It shows the people's thirst "They know that if there were to be free majority of South Africa was not ready for
Militani/Derek Bracey for democracy." and fair elections, then the ANC would win democracy.
Febe Potgieter, ANC Youtb League Na The ANC is demanding that the present by an overwhelming majority," be said. 'That The latest testimony shows these govern
tional Executive Committee member. apartheid regime be replaced by an interim is why they want to change the rules of the ment-sponsored assaults continue.
February 14, 1992 The Militant 7
Court ruling in favor of Mark Curtis
Cops they were using excessive force when they beat' jailed unionist
'~ew
The following is the text oft he January 31 did lose income from work during the period
ruling IJy federal judge Charles Wolle in between the time he was released on bond
favor of Mark. Curtis's lawsuit against the and the time he was convicted of the sexual
police in Des Moines, Iowa. assault charge that has resulted in his present
imprisonment:
* * *
United States District Court CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Southern District of Iowa I. This court has jurisdiction of the parties
Central Division and subject matter of this action pursuant to
42 United States Code section 1983.
MARK STANfON Cl)RTIS, Plaintiff 2. Officers Wolf and Dusenberry did not
vs. violate plaintiff's rights under the First
CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA; Amendment of the Constitution of the
DANIEL DUSENBERRY; CHARLES United States. There is no credible evidence
R. WOlF, Defendant. in this record that the officers used physical
force on plaintiff because of any expression
Jury '\erdict. This action came before the of his political views or because of the po
Court for a trial by jury. The issues have been litical causes he had supported. They did not
tried and the jury has rendered its verdict. on March 4, 1988, know ofhis past political
Dedsion by tbe Court. This action came activities. Plaintiff has not proved that Wolf
to consideration before the Court. The issues or Dusenberry spoke any racial epithet or
have been considered and a decision has been racial remark of any kind. Plaintiff, a polit
rendered. ical activist, may have thought or imagined
IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that that someone made statements like that, but
judgment is entered in favor of the plaintiff he did not prove any such statements were
MarkS. Curtis in the swn of $11 ,000.00, plus made on March 4, 1988, by any Des Moines
legal interest from May 11, 1989, and for police officers or other City employees.
reasonable attorney fees and expenses, and 3. O~cers Wolf and Dusenberry did not
against the defendants Daniel Dusenberry violate plaintiff's rights under the Eighth
and Charles Wolf. Amendment of the Constitution of the
January 31, 1992 United States. Plaintiff was a pretrial de
tainee, and his right to be free from unrea
FINDINGS OF FACT,
sonable use of force against his person arises
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND
from the Fourth and Fourteenth Amend
JUDGMENT FOR PLAINTIFF
ments of the Constitution, not the Eighth
r
Plaintiff, an inmate at the Iowa State Pen Amendment prohibition against cruel and
itentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa, brought this .Jj unusual punishment. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441
action for damages against the City of Des U.S. 520, 536 n.l6 (1979); Ingraham v.
Moines, Iowa (City), and against two Des £' Wright, 430 U.S. 651 671-72 n.40 (1977).
Moines police department officers who had Militant/Stu Singer
4. Officers Wolf and Dusenberry did vio
him in their custody following an arrest made Mark Curtis at home, after being beaten by Des Moines police on March 4, 1988.
late plaintiff's rights under the Fourth and
·by other officers on March 4, 1988. Plaintiff
Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution;
contends that the defendant officers inflicted
States Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa. transported to a hospital, where he re they did so while acting under color of State
personal injury on him in the ASAP room
Thereafter the court will enter an order con ceived fifteen stitches beneath his left eye. law, in that they were holding plaintiff in
<!djacent to the booking desk at the City of
cerning plaintiff's claim for attorney fees, He suffered pain, severe bruising of the their custody by reason of their employment
Des Moines police station and jail. Plaintiff
resolving any remaining discovery disputes, abdomen and face, facial lacerations, and as police officers oft he defendant city. Those
bases his federal claims on 42 United States
ruling on the City's motion for swnmary a blow-out type fracture of the orbital floor Amendments guarantee citizens the right "to
Code section 1983, alleging violation of his
judgment on the federal section 1983 claim, of the left eye. be secure in their persons ... against unrea
rights under the First, Fourth, Eighth, and
and scheduling trial on the plaintiff's section 10. Plaintiff sustained immediate severe sonable ... seizures" of the person. To de
Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
1983 claim against the City if summary judg pain and suffering from the blows to his face termine whether the force used is "reason
Constitution. Plaintiff also asserts pendent
ment is denied. and groin, and when he regained conscious able," the court must balance the individual's
State claims against all the defendants, alleg
ness he sustained further pain and emotional Fourth Amendment interests against the
ing the defendant officers were negligent and FINDINGS OF FACf distress from the bleeding wounds on his countervailing governmental interests at
committed assault and battery against him
1. On the evening of March 4, 1988, Des face, vividly pictured in photographs. He stake. See Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386,
on March 4, 1988, and the City is liable as
Moines police officers Gonzalez and Glade required medical attention and hospital care. 396 ( 1989). Physical force is reasonable only
their employer. The defendants in their an
arrested plaintiff at the home of a fifteen He sustained loss of some bodily functions to the extent necessary to keep the
swers denied all of the claims asserted by the
year-old victim of a sexual assault. for about three weeks. The pain, emotional individual's custody secure, to overcome re
plaintiff.
2. Officers Wolf and Dusenberry took distress, and disability caused by his injuries sistance, or to protect the officers or others
The court held a hearing on November 5,
plaintiff by police wagon from the arrest lasted until the wounds finally healed several from the detainee. The court must not engage
1991, and on November 6 entered an order
scene to the Des Moines police station. months after the incident. Plaintiff's injuries in hindsight but rather step into the shoes of
separating the case into two parts, deciding 3. Plaintiff was booked at the station. He did not result in pennanent disability, but he a reasonable officer. What would two rea-
that discovery disputes could be resolved
phoned Jackie Floyd, one of his neighbors.
most efficiently by trying first all claims
He was calm and cooperative.
other than the plaintiff's section 1983 claim
against the City. In accordance with that 4. Wolf and Dusenberry escorted plaintiff
to the ASAP room at the station; there they
bifurcation order, the court held a bench trial
instructed him to remove his clothes and put
on November 25 and 26, 1991, on the
on clothes provided by the jail The officers
plaintiff's claims against the individual de
fendants under State and federal law and needed to collect and preserve evidence re
lating to the sexual assault that resulted in
pendent State law claims against the City.
plaintiff's arrest.
Bifurcation of the case enabled the court to
postpone ruling on the City's resisted motion 5. Plaintiff willingly removed all but his
for partial summary judgment on the section pants and underpants. He then lunged toward
1983 claim and postponed the need for the Dusenberry and pushed him into the door
City to provide substantial information that frame.
it contended was confidential, privileged, and 6. Officer Wolf seized plaintiff and forced
unnecessary for resolution of other issues in him to his knees, using a choke hold. 1\vo
the case. other officers heard the conunotion and en
From the evidence presented during the tered the room. One of the officers hand
trial, the briefs on the. law, and the summa cuffed plaintiff, with his hands behind his
tions of counsel, the court concludes that back. The officers rolled plaintiff onto his
plaintiff proved by a preponderance of the back. At that point, the plaintiff was hand
evidence that he is entitled to damages on cuffed securely, and the officers bad plaintiff
his federal section 1983 claim and State entirely under their control.
battery claim against the individual defen 7. Four police officers remained in the
dant officers. The plaintiff has not proved his room, hovering around plaintiff. Officer
State law claims against the defendant city. Dusenberry immediately lifted plaintiff's
Consequently, the clerk of court shall enter legs from the floor to remove plaintiff's pants
judgment against the defendants Daniel and underpants. Plaintiff weakly struggled
Dusenberry and Charles R. Wolf, jointly and against removal of his pants. Wolf then force
severally, in the swn of$11,000.00, together fully brought his knee down on plaintiff's
with the costs of the action. The clerk of court face. With all his weight behind each blow,
will enter judgment against the plaintiff and he kneed plaintiff in the left eye three times
in favor of the City of Des Moines on the in succession. At the same time Dusenberry
State law claims. The court schedules a fur twice kicked plaintiff in the groin.
ther hearing on the plaintiff's claim for an 8. Plaintiff was rendered semi-conscious.
award of attorney fees and on remaining A large wound opened beneath his left eye
discovery issues commencing at 1:00 p.m. bled profusely. Militant/Stu Singer
on Tuesday, February 11, 1992, at the United 9. A paramedic was called; plaintiff was Mark Curtis at Anamosa prison in March 1989
8 The Militant February 14, 1992
sonable officers, having the knowledge and
in the situation ofDusenbeny and Wolf, have
thought necessary under the circumstances?
See Foster v. Metropolitan Airports
Comm'n., 914 F. 2d 1076, 1082-83 (8th Cir.
1990).
5. Wolf and Dusenbeny used excessive
force against the plaintiff after plaintiff had
been entirely subdued. Wolf did not act im
properly in using a choke hold to force plain
tiff to the floor after plaintiff had lunged
against Dusenbeny. But once plaintiff was on
the floor. surrounded by police officers and
unable to harm anyone, it was unreasonable
for Dusenbeny to proceed immediately to
attempt forcibly to remove plaintiff's pants.
Tile court finds much of the plaintiff's version
oft he incident exaggerated. But the court also
finds not credible the officers' testimony that
plaintiff was uying to bite and kick them and
kicked Wolf in the head while barefoot and
lying handcuffed on his back. Plaintiff's legs
Militant photos by Eric Simpson
came up toward Wolf because Dusenbeny
Susan Mnumzana (right), of the African National Congress, addressing 1988 Des Moines rally (left) for justice for Mark Curtis.
was tugging on his pant legs, not because
plaintiff was uying to strike an officer with
his legs. Plaintiff did not strike the officers
after he was handcuffed. Reasonable officers that the act may be carried out immediately. but have not proved that the actions they took and violation ofc onstitutional rights inflicted
confronting the situation Wolf and When they sttuck plaintiff, their conduct were privileged. taken in self-defense, or upon him is the sum of $11,000.00.
Dusenbeny faced would not have believed constituted a battery, not an assault. State v. entitled to qualified immunity. They did not 11. Plaintiff is not entitled to exemplary
that it was necessary to strike plaintiff in the Straub, 190 Iowa 800, 180 N.W. 869 (1921). act in self-defense after plaintiff had been or punitive damages. He did not prove by a
face and groin-and pummel him bloody - 7. Officers Wolf and Dusenbeny commit handcuffed, rolled onto his back, and sub preponderance of clear, convincing, and sat
in order to remove his pants and underpants. ted the common-law tort of battery on plain dued. "[W)hether an official protected by isfactory evidence that either defendant
Wolf and Dusenberny both knew they were tiff. A battery is committed when a person qualified immunity may be held personally Dusenbeny or Wolf acted in such a way as
using excessive force when they kneed plain intentionally does an act resulting in bodily liable for an allegedly unlawful official action to show a wiJJful and wanton disregard for
tiff in the eye and groin while he was lying contact causing physical pain or injury, or generally turns on the 'objective legal his rights. The officers acted properly in
on the floor on his back, unable tofleeorcause insulting or offensive bodily contact. Restate reasonableness' oftheaction,Har/ow v. Fitz using force to subdue plaintiff after he lunged
them harm. 1lle beating was the proximate ment of Torts (Second). sections 13 and 18. gerald, 457 U.S. 800, 819 (1982), assessed at Dusenbeny. They simply used far more
cause of almost all of the pain and injury Wolf and Dusenbeny sttuck plaintiff with in light of the legal rules that were 'clearly force than was reasonably necessary once
plaintiff sustained that evening in the ASAP the intent to subdue him but also to cause established' at the time it was taken, id., at plaintiff was completely subdued.
room; the initial force Wolf and Dusenberny him physical pain or injury. The beating was 818." Anderson v. Creighton, 483 U.S. 635,
lawfully applied to bring plaintiff to his knees, the proximate cause of the pain, injury, and 639 (1987). A reasonable person would have JUDGMENT
handcuff him, and roll him onto his back did damages plaintiff sustained. known that the Fourth and Fourteenth The clerk ofc ourt shall enter judgment for
not cause him serious or lasting injury. Amendments to the Constitution prohibit the plaintiff and against defendants Daniel
8. The defendant City is not liable under
6. Officers Wolf and Dusenbeny did not beating they gave plaintiff. Dusenbeny and Charles Wolf in the sum of
a theory of respondeat superior for the bat
assault plaintiff but they did commit the $11,000.00 plus legal interest from the date
common-law tort of battery. An assault is tery. The beating was not necessary to ac 10. Plaintiff is entitled to damages for the complaint was filed, and for reasonable
committed when a person does an act in complish the purpose of the defendant redress for the violation of his constitutional attorney fees and expenses. The court cannot
tended to put another in fear of physical pain officers' employment. See Sandman v. rights and for the personal injuries he sus separate the personal injuries inflicted upon
or injury or physical contact which a reason Hagan, 261 Iowa 560, 154 N.W. . 2d 113, tained. The sum of money that fairly and plaintiff by each of the two individual defen
able person would deem insulting or offen 117-18 (1967). justly compensates plaintiff for his actual dants; they acted jointly, inflicted an insepa
sive and when the victim reasonably believes 9. Officers Wolf and Dusenbeny contend damages by reason of the personal injuries rable personal injury, and therefore are jointly
and severally liable for the judgment entered. .
Judge finds officers guilty in Curtis beating At 1:00 p.m. on Thesday, February 11,
1992, the court will hold a hearing on the
claim for attorney fees against defendants
Wolf and Dusenbeny, and on the discovery
Continued from front page beating of Larry Milton. in order to frame Mark Curtis." disputes concerning the plaintiff's section
and beating, Curtis had been part of a fight "This decision will help push the cops back "The actions described by the court are 1983 claim against the City. Thereafter the
to win union support in defense of 17 immi and open more space for those fighting police not consistent with the historical conduct of court will schedule, as needed, a hearing on
grant coworkers. Tile 17 meat-packers had brutality," said John Studer, coordinator of the[se] officers," claimed Des Moines police the City's motion for summary judgment and
been seized and threatened with deportation the Mark Curtis Defense Committee. chief William Moulder. He called the timing trial on claims not resolved by this decision
by the Immigration and Naturalization Ser "It also will be a powerful advance for the of the ruling "quite unfortunate." and judgment.
vice. defense campaign," continued Studer. "What The judge set a February I l hearing on IT IS SO ORDERED.
After his arrest. Curtis was taken to the this proves is that the Des Moines cops lied Curtis's suit against the City of Des Moines Dated this 31st day of January, 1992
main police station and severely beaten after in order to cover up a brutal beating of Mark and to assess officers Dusenbery and Wolf
he refused to confess to a crime he did not Curtis. And it will open a whole new layer for attorney fees and other expenses incurred CHARLES R. WOlLE, JUDGE
commit. The cops shattered Curtis's cheek of people's eyes to the fact that they also lied in the case. UNITED STATES DISTRJCf COURT
bone, opening a wound that required 15
stitches to close. He was bruised all over his
body. As they beat Curtis, the cops called
him a "Mexican lover, just like you love those
Literature available from the
coloreds."
Curtis's lawsuit against the City of Des
Moines and the police officers who beat him Mark Curtis Defense Committee
was filed in May 1989. The trial against the
cops was held November 25 and 26last year.
Evidence accumulated during the course The Stakes in the Worldwide Political Campaign to Defend
of the pre-trial proceedings documents a con Mark Curtis by John Gaige. A pamphlet that explains the pohtical
sistent pattern of cop brutality within the Des background to Curtis's case, the frame-up, and unfair trial. 25 pp. $1.
Moines police department during the past
The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis. a VHS video produced by
decade.
Hollywood director Nick Castle. This effective 49-minute documentary
ln September 1991 the city of Des Moines
~ PIITIIf1;1/!JERThe has clips from 1V news broadcasts on Curtis's fight for justice; scenes from the
requested'that it be dismissed as a defendant
trial; and interviews with Curtis, his wife Kate Kaku, and others. This video is
from Curtis's lawsuit. The judge ruled in
Frame-up of available for the cost of reproduction and shipping. $15.
early November that this issue would be
taken up after a decision had been reached Mark Curtis State of Iowa v. Mark Stanton Curtis. Transcript of September 1988 jury
in the suit against the individual cops. trial proceedings that found Curtis guilty of rape and burglary. 446 pp. $30.
"There was no way the police could deny
that he was injured and the only people that by Margaret Jayko Brief of Mark Curtis vs City of Des Moines. 20 pp. $1.
could have done it were the police," com This pamphlet tells the story of Mark Mark Stanton Curtis v. City of Des Moines. et al. Civil lawsuit brief
mented Alfredo Alvarez, former head of the
Ontis, a unionist and fighter for submitted in U.S. District Court by Curtis claiming damages against Des Moines
Des Moines Human Rights Commission and immigrant rights, who is serving a police who beat him after his arrest. 10 pp. $1.
a longtime supporter of Curtis's fight for
25-year sentence in an b.w prison on
jeusstitnicge .t i'mTeh iass d feacri saiso no tchoemr cehsa artg ae sv ethryat ihntaevre trumpEd-up rape charges. 71 w .. $5. For these and other materials (including in Spanish) write or call the Mark Curtis Defense
come up against the Des Moines police." Order from Pathfinder, 410 West St., New Committee, P.O. Box 1048, Des Moines, Iowa 50311. Phone [phone]. Bulk
Alvarez was referring to the growing York, NY 10014. (Please irx:lude $3 for quantities are available. Payments should accompany orders and checks can be made out
outcry against cop brutality sweeping this postage a00 handlirYJ.) to Mark Curtis Defense Committee. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery.
city in response to the December 28 cop
February 14, 1992 The Militant 9
Caterpillar strikers
mobilize to resist c
O"'fo.l\y
SCABS
takeback demands
BY ANDREA GONZALEZ East Peoria to actively join the fight. These
EAST PEORIA, Illinois - "If we cave workers, who were present in large num
in to their take away proposals, we'll be bers, wore caps full of "adopt-a-striker"
talking about a busted union." This is how buttons, representing each week that they
Andy Anderson assessed the stakes in the bad contributed $35 to the strike fund.
fight to win a contract with Caterpillar at a Many of them said they feel like scabs for
January 26 rally here. Anderson was repre working during the fight. The selective
senting the director of the United Auto strike tactic is a big topic of discussion
Workers (UAW ) Agricultural Implements among Caterpillar workers.
Division. Local 974 president Jerry Brown ad
The rally, which drew 5,000 people, was dressed this, saying the selective strike is
called by UAW Local 974. The local orga "the hard way, the tough way, maybe even
nizes 8,000 workers at Caterpillar's mas the wrong way. We are asking you to do
sive production complex across the Illinois the in-plant strategy," he told those still
River in East Peoria. It was one of several working. "If you are giving $35 a week,
events organized by Caterpillar locals refusing overtime, and producing a perfect
across the country this week. product, God bless you."
Picke't line at Caterpillar production complex in East Peoria. After a selective strike of
Caterpillar, the world's largest producer Anderson called the selective strike a
400 the company locked out 6,000 of the 8,000 workers organized by the UA W there.
of earth-moving equipment, is demanding "very difficult strategy." He asked, "Is our
massive concessions, including a steep strategy working? You tell me." But he had
two-tier wage structure, restrictions on se already been answered with chants of
party." He stressed that the company has body knows that companies are trying to
niority rights, and a monthly fee for medi "Shut the whole place down!" "declared war on us." make big cuts. If they can get away with
cal benefits. Bill Stewart, director of UA W Region 4, Plant bargaining committee chairman that, then what hope is there for any of us?"
To pressure the company to negotiate, where most Caterpillar locals are located, Ted Johnson outlined the company's
the union called a selective strike of 400 reported on offers of support coming in takeback demands. Jay Roberts from the John Sarge is a member ofU A W Loca/900
workers in East Peoria and 2,000 in Deca from union locals throughout the country. York. Pennsylvania, plant and John Paul and works at the Ford Motors plant in
tur, Illinois, in early November. Three days DespitethedesireofotherUAWmembers from Aurora, Illinois, brought greetings Wayne, Michigan.
later, the company retaliated by locking out to support the fight, the top union officials from their locals.
6,000 workers at East Peoria and several have made no attempt to mobilize this sup UAW region 4 director Bill Stewart re 'What we need is more
hundred at its Aurora, Illinois, plant. port. At this meeting, for example, there ported on solidarity actions being organ
Billed as a rally, the January 26 event were only a few members of the union from ized. He said that unions in the nine-state inter-union solidarity'
took on the tone of a serious meeting. Chicago and a small delegation from St. region had already contributed $80,000.
Union members listened with close atten Louis. He added that all UAW regions had been
tion to reports on the stakes in their fight asked to launch solidarity activities. Out BY RICH GAETA
Andrea Gonzalez is a member of UA W AND JOHANNA RYAN
and the stage of the struggle. side the meeting a dozen building trades
Local 325 in St. Louis. EAST PEORIA, Illinois - On the
One sign of the seriousness of the gath unionists showed up with signs to show
picket line here, Caterpillar strikers ex
ering was the lack of Japan-bashing, which their support for the Caterpillar workers.
has been a feature of UAW events for more 1,500 in Decatur rally During the discussion from the floor pressed different opinions as to whether
the strike should be spread to all the
than a decade. The workers gathered here many workers expressed a desire to deepen
against Caterpillar company's plants. One worker said, "No,
know exactly who the enemy is-Cater the fight against Caterpillar. Some urged
the strike should not be spread because it
pillar. No speaker tried to make anyone the union officials to keep them better in
would mean they would just starve out that
else the scapegoat. BYJOHNSARGE formed and others demanded a strengthen many more of us.''
A central theme of the talks by the local DECATUR, Illinois - Some 1,500 ing of the picket lines.
The other six picketers nodded when an
officials was the daily campaign by the striking and retired members of the United Several workers questioned why all the
other striker replied, "If you hit your
company, supported by the city govern Auto Workers rallied here January 28 to locals in the Caterpillar chain were not
enemy real hard the flfSt time, then he
ment and the local big-business press, to discuss their fight against Caterpillar. called out on strike. Both local officers and
knows you mean business."
drive a wedge between the local and na Meetings like this one have been taking Anderson replied that, following this series
Another unionist said, "What we need is
tional unions. place in all locals in the Caterpillar chain. of meetings, the bargaining council would
more inter-union solidarity, like the days of
The scope of the company's campaign Alll,900membersofUnitedAuto Work rediscuss its strategy.
[former United Auto Workers president]
was summarized by Jerry Baker, local bar ers (UA W) Local 751 have been on strike Local 751 members have been looking
Walter Reuther. They would not sit here like
gaining committee chairperson. He re here since November 4 when the union for ways to strengthen their fight. On Janu
us and watch people go through these gates."
ported that "Caterpillar bas sent out over a launched a selective strike against Caterpil ary 27 the Herald and Review, Decatur's
Still another striker aaded, "The union
half-million pieces of literature and spent lar. After 2,400 workers struck two plants, daily newspaper, ran a front-page article
officials use company arguments to get
over $100,000 in ads to tum us against each thecompanyquicklylockedout5,900more. headlined, "Dissent Marks UAW Rally."
workers to accept losses. General Motors
other. The meeting opened with a standing Twelve unionists who had attended the pre
just laid off 74,000. Those workers don't
"If they succeed," he continued, "you will ovation as local president, Larry Solomon, vious day's rally in Peoria decided to
deserve that. We just build what they tell
be working under their contract not yours." introduced the union's national bargaining picket the paper for its misleading cover
us to build. If the CEO's can't make a good
When Wayne Schmidt, chairperson of committee and representatives from the age. They forced editor James Santori to
product, people are not going to buy it here
the local's public relations committee, re other six locked-out locals. talk to them and were filmed by a local
or in Japan."
viewed the concessions Caterpillar is de In discussing the company and local television news station.
One worker commented, "It's going to
manding, there were chants of "Shut the media campaign against the strike, Solo When asked what had changed since the
come down to a revolution between the rich
whole damn place down" and "Take us out mon pointed out that Caterpillar "would previous Caterpillar strike in 1982, a pick
and the poor by the tum of the century."
on strike." have you believe that this fight is between eter at the plant's main gate explained, "It
The chanting reflected the desire of the them and [UAW secretary-treasurer Bill] used to be people said, 'You got everything, Rich Gaeta and Johanna Ryan are mem
more than 1,000 workers still on the job in Casstevens with you workers an absent what more do you want?' But now every- bers of the United Steelworkers ofA merica
Local5488 in Chicago.
Supreme Court denies power to Black officials
-CALENDAR-
Continued from front page be given the broadest possible scope." Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman law fum in
OREGON
Etowah and Russell county commissions had This followed a period where a variety of New York. "What they've carried out with
broken the law by not seeking such prior means had been tried to dodge the effects of this decision is a way of disfranchising large Portland
approval. On at least eight occasions since the 1965 law. Such practices had included numbers of people using more subtle rather Report Back From Cuba. Speaker: Tom~s
1975 the department has refused to approve abolishing elective offices altogether where than overtly blatant methods like gerryman Villanueva, president United Fannworkers Union
changes in the authority of elected officials Blacks had a chance of winning, or withhold- dering or changing qualifications for election of Washington State. Wed., Feb. 12,7 p.m. Pon
land State University, Smith Hall, Vanpon
that would have a discriminatory impact on ing information necessary for voting or run- at the last minute."
Room. Sponsor: Tomlis Villanueva Tour Com
Blacks. In most cases the Justice Department ning for office. In another blow to democratic rights, the
mittee. For more infonnation: 288-0466.
gives its approval for requested changes. Last Judge Paul Stevens, who wrote the dis- Supreme Court ruled the same day against
year the Attorney General cleared 99 percent senting opinion, said that the reallocation of the ability of labor union organizers to go on NEW YORK
of 17,000 requests for shifts in elective au- decision-making authority was clearly dis- company property to distribute literature or
Manhattan
tbority. criminatory and an "obvious response" to the urge workers to join the union.
Writing for the Court majority, Judge An- election of Black county commissioners for In a 6-3 ruling written by Thomas, the National Conference in Support of the Afri
can National Congress and a Democratic
thony Kennedy said, "The Voting Rights Act the flfSt time since Reconstruction. That was Court said that the National Labor Relations
South Africa. March 20-22. For more infonna
is not an all-purpose antidiscrimination stat- the period, following the defeat of the slav- Board (NLRB) had failed to give adequate
tion: [phone].
ute."Kennedyarguedthattheactappliesonly ocracy in the U.S. Civil War, when Blacks protection to employers • property rights
to voting requirements and not to changes in were elected to office in several southern when it adopted a rule four years ago that WASHINGTON, D.C.
authority that shift governing powers. states for the first time. gave union organizers greater access to park
African National Congress 80th Anniversary
Judge Clarence Thomas, whose recent ap- Lani Guinier, a law professor at the Uni- ing lots of shopping centers and factories. Celebration. Guest speaker from South Africa,
pointment to the Supreme Court sparked a versity of Pennsylvania who worked with the The case arose from a 1987 organizing cultural presentation, craft vendors. Sat., Feb. 8,
wide debate because of his overt anti-work- plaintiffs on the case told the New York Times drive by the United Food and Commercial 7 p.m. Reception follows. First Congregational
ing-class views, voted with the majority. that the passage of the Voting Rights Act did Workers union in Newington, Connecticut. Church, 945 "G" St., NW (near Gallery Place
The decision marked the first time in more not imply "simply a symbolic opportunity to Lechmere Shopping Plaza managers there Metro). Admission free. Sponsor: African Na
than 20 years that the Court reversed earlier cast a ballot. ... Majority rule was never repeatedly evicted union organizers attempt tional Congress. For more infonnation: (202)
543-9433.
interpretations of the 1965 law. The Court thought to mean that a governing elite could ing to reach workers in the parking lot.
We Won't Go Back. .• March for Women's
first ruled on the law in 1969 in Allen v. State keep 100 percent of the power for itself." The union won an unfair labor practice
Lives. National march on Washington, D.C.,
Board ofE lections, saying that even actions '1'his decision clearly narrows the scope charge ftled with the NLRB. Many national Sun., April 5. For more infonnation call Na
not prohibited in the Voting Rights Act would of the act," said Ed Copeland, a constitutional business associations backed Lechrnere 'sap tional Organization for Women: (202) 331-
be covered by the law, which it said "should rights attorney of the Rabinowitz, Boudin, peal in friend-of-the-court briefs. 0066.
10 'lbe Militant February 14, 1992