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The People Will Bury the Fascists with Mass Struggle

Pentagon & Capitalist Rulers Allowed the Storming of the Capitol

Mandatory Credit: Photo by William Volcov/Shutterstock (9973296d) Protest against fascism and anti-Semitism on the Upper East Side on Manhattan Island in New York Anti-Semitism and Facism protest, New York, USA – 10 Nov 2018 Three protesters were arrested

The only thing more disgusting than the fascists who stormed the Capitol is the big business media endlessly replaying and publicizing their victory. Corporations and politicians are given airtime to claim their opposition but they have been and still are the main source of funding and support for the fascists. The fascists are celebrating the endless replay of them entering and holding the Capitol for four hours while they paraded around their racists Nazi signs and slogans. This has emboldened them to undertake further actions which they are again openly planning, this time with more focus on the seats of state governments.

Let’s be clear: this was allowed to happen not because a few Capitol police were sympathetic to the fascists (given a choice, the police will always side with the fascists). Evidence shows that the government and the Pentagon, at the highest levels, decided in advance to allow the scene at the Capitol to give the fascists a victory.

This violent assault was planned openly for weeks. They were allowed into D.C. and allowed to go to the Capitol. The Mayor had asked for troops and Trump and others were on the phone with the generals delaying. The Mayor certainly did not delay it. Even when a mere 340 National Guard troops were finally okayed, they stayed away from the Capitol until 5:15 PM.

Whether this was meant to be a dress rehearsal or more, it was not an insurrection with millions rising up for them. But it was certainly a step forward in the building of a fascist movement.

Fascism is not just a bad set of policies, it’s a bludgeon used to rescue capitalist profit.

Fascism is not just a bad policy cured by “good” politicians. It is a way to defend profits at a time when the capitalist system is in crisis. The German Nazi regime was a capitalist government dedicated to preventing workers’ power in the face of a depression. It was used to crush workers’ support of socialism.

In periods of relative stability, politicians take advantage of the low consciousness of workers to promote faith in capitalist democracy. But when deception fails, when they can no longer fool workers into believing that billionaires deserve private islands while millions of children starve, they will resort to open terrorism. This is what the history of fascism teaches us.

Independence from Democratic Party is urgent

It’s important to fight any setback, especially against the fascists. We must defend every right that we’ve won through struggle. The issue is how. We cannot depend on the Democratic party because they ultimately answer to their capitalist backers. They fund liberal and fascist politicians, one more than the other depending on which way the winds blow.

Even Biden admitted that Trump’s white supremacist shock troops were treated with kid gloves while Black Lives Matter protesters were met with brutal repression. But his answer is to call for “equal treatment before the law” as if Nazis and anti-racists were equal. Biden’s plan to “Unite America” is just another way of saying that he can work with the right-wing forces as long as they don’t give Wall Street the jitters.

Mass Mobilizations are more important than ever

The U.S. ‘left’ wasted four years waiting for the Democratic party until the tremendous Black Lives Matter protests broke out over the summer. As Workers Voice pointed out often, this was four years that Trump used to build his fascist movement. Anti-Trumpism was reduced to ridiculing the man himself, ignoring how effective Trump’s ploys were among many backwards workers. We urged mass street mobilizations to oust Trump. Even if he were replaced by Pence, the balance of power in the class struggle would have propelled the movement forward.

There’s no better time to hit the streets than now. Leave the parties of Wall Street and the Pentagon behind. The only force capable of defeating fascism is the collective power of working and oppressed people, united in motion. United, we can never be defeated.

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U.S. Capitol is Not a Temple of Democracy

Activist being removed during an occupation of the Capitol by disability rights advocates protesting Republicans’ attempt to repeal Obamacare in 2017.

Politicians have taken every chance they can to publicly mourn the “desecration” of America’s “temple of democracy,” but let’s get real. The U.S. Capitol is not a temple of democracy.

The U.S. Capitol is a monument to racist terrorism and capitalist profit, not democracy. Congress supported slavery, genocide, segregation, and attacks on women, LGTBQ people, workers, and unions. They support and fund murderous war after murderous war. It’s only because of the progressive movement that we’ve won any laws that are of value to the people.

UP WITH WORKERS’ STRUGGLE, DOWN WITH FASCIST TERROR

The issue is not about taking the Capitol, but for what purpose: to promote slavery or liberation? In 2011 workers of all nationalities united and occupied the Wisconsin State Capitol to defend their right to organize. In the 1980s when auto plants laid off hundreds of thousands and destroyed the communities, auto workers occupied the Michigan State Capitol to demand jobs. In 1965 the Mississippi Freedom Party refused to leave until they were seated in Congress. In New Orleans protesters chained the doors of the Eviction Court. In 1968 the heroic Black Panther Party entered the California State Capitol with arms to defend their communities against racist police terror.

These acts were right, justified, and democratic. They inspired millions of others to rise up and fight, even if the occupation was temporary, even if some were arrested, even if all demands were not met. Movements grow by mobilizing and mounting militant action.

If 20,000 workers marched on the Capitol to demand COVID relief, or protestors occupied the Capitol to demand an end to racist police terror, we would be cheering them on and rushing to gather support.

Let 20,000 workers of all nationalities and gender march on the Capitol to stand up against the fascists. This is what we need.

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INDIGENOUS LAND: Water Protectors Fight Pipeline Construction (International Briefs)

Jan. 9: Water protectors fight the construction site for an oil pipeline near Palisade, MN.

Hundreds of water protectors have been braving the harsh Minnesota winter to defend the territorial rights of Indigenous nations against Enbridge, a multi-billion-dollar pipeline company headquartered in Canada. Dozens of Indigenous activists and allies have been arrested as Enbridge attempts to push through construction of a tar sand oil pipeline, which would expose hundreds of miles of Indigenous land to toxic spills and would have a carbon cost equal to 50 coal power plants.

Enbridge has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire Minnesota state police as private goons to protect their pipeline and their profits. Oil and gas companies, with the help of the American Legislative Action Council (ALEC), are also using their money to sponsor a Minnesota law to make protesting a pipeline a federal offense. The oil tycoon Koch brothers run ALEC which funds anti-worker, anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion laws in multiple states, and was behind a similar anti-protest law in Louisiana. They practically own the Louisiana legislature.

One January 14, 3 activists halted construction on the Line 3 pipeline by locking themselves together inside a pipe segment. They demand that U.S. and Canadian governments recognize the treaty rights of Indigenous nations and immediately halt the construction of KeystoneXL, Line 3, and DAPL fossil fuel pipeline projects. Through militant action, these and other activists are standing up for us all.

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VENEZUELA: In Rebuke to U.S. Coup Attempts, Venezuelan People Put Chavistas in Power (International Briefs)

In elections on December 6, the Venezuelan people took to the polls to elect parliamentary representatives. In the highly watched elections, voters were able to choose candidates from 117 parties, including more than 70 parties in opposition to President Nicolas Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) party. Overwhelmingly, Venezuelans elected representatives of the PSUV and other progressive, Chavista forces who now occupy 257 of the 277 seats in the National Assembly after being sworn in on January 5.

For the past five years, National Assembly had been dominated by right wing parties and was used as a tool the United States and Venezuelan capitalists in their violent and criminal attempts to oust the democratically elected President Maduro. The election of the new National Assembly is a testament to the Venezuelan people’s refusal to submit to U.S. imperialism and will to fight for their national independence and right to pursue the path of socialism.

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ARGENTINA: Argentinians Win Right to Free, Safe, Legal Abortion (International Briefs)

After decades of struggle and massive street mobilizations, Argentinians win abortion rights.

On December 30, the Argentinian Senate passed the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy bill, legalizing abortion for any pregnant person. This victory follows decades of struggle led by Argentina’s women’s movement, LGBTQ community, and labor unions. As the bill was being debated, thousands of militant demonstrators filled the streets surrounding the National Congress to show support, erupting in cheers once the law passed. “We won it in the streets. We’ll see you again in the streets,” said Gostine Bete, and abortion rights activist with the Movimiento Popular por Dignidad.

Argentina’s new law guarantees free, safe, and legal abortions to women and people of any gender who become pregnant and request an abortion within the first 14 weeks with extensions in cases of rape, risk of life or health of pregnant person, or risk of still birth. Along with the right to abortion, a 1,000-day Plan bill was passed to strengthen healthcare service and nutrition for mothers and newborns from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.

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FRANCE: Following Massive Protests, France Withdraws ‘Security’ Bill (International Briefs)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by ISA HARSIN/SIPA/Shutterstock (11029703ae) Demonstration Place du Trocadero in Paris, called in particular by journalists’ unions who denounce an attack on freedom of expression and the rule of law, following the adoption by the National Assembly in first reading November 20, 2020 of article 24 of the global security law proposal, brought by Gerald Darmanin, Minister of Interior in the government of Emmanuel Macron. This article penalizes the malicious diffusion of police images Demonstration against global security law, Paris, France – 21 Nov 2020

More than half a million people across France took to the streets to protest of the so-called Global Security Bill, which was passed in late November. The bill would have forbidden the publication of images where a police officer can be identified and expanded the ability of the “security forces” to film ordinary citizens without their consent using bodycams and drones. Although the bill has been withdrawn as of December, right wing lawmakers say they will return with a new version.

Images of police brutality particularly against Muslims, Black people, and migrants in France have galvanized opposition to President Macron’s repressive, racist, and anti-worker policies. In addition to the ‘security’ bill, Macron has promoted a bill called Supporting Republican Principles. THis bill seeks further restrictions of Muslim life by banning home-schooling, expanding surveillance of Muslims, and subjecting publicly funded organizations to tests of their French nationalism. Protesters must stay in the streets to ensure this racist bill is also withdrawn.

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INDIA: Indian Farmers Surround Delhi in Protest of Pro-Corporate Laws (International Briefs)

Hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers plan a tractor parade into Delhi on Jan. 26 if the anti-people, anti-farmer Farm Acts aren’t withdrawn.

On November 26, over 500 farmer’s organizations cutting across religion and caste came together to begin a nationwide struggle against the right wing BJP government’s anti-farmer, pro-corporate Farm Acts. These laws would condemn millions in India to poverty and hunger by allowing domestic and foreign corporations total control over Indian agricultural production as well as the ability to hoard and sell essential food stuffs on the black market to maximize corporate profits.

More than sixty percent of Indians are agricultural workers. Their struggle has been joined by labor unions, students, women, youth, workers, and peasants. Recently, on December 30, the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a countrywide strike at over 100,000 workplaces.

This is the longest and most powerful farmers’ protest in India’s history. This militant struggle has been brutally repressed by government forces who have already killed more than 60 people. But the farmers are steadfast. Thousands have camped out for weeks on the outskirts of Delhi and plan to hold a parade into Delhi on January 26 if the government does not address their demands, including the total withdrawal of the Farm Acts and provision of pandemic relief.

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Workers and Oppressed of the World, Unite!

Fight for socialism. We have nothing to lose but our chains.

Workers Voice wishes you and your loved ones health and happiness in 2021. Yet, we carry heavy hearts into the new year as we continue to witness millions here and around the world plunged into unnecessary death from COVID-19 and other diseases. Millions more have sunk into poverty, hunger, and starvation caused by capitalism, imperialist war, and planet destruction.

In the face of these challenges, let us resolve to achieve greater unity among socialists, progressives, unions, and community activists and make 2021 a year we fully devote to reaching the workers and oppressed in all communities.

Around the world, this is happening. Take heart from the uprisings breaking out across the world. Take heart from the millions in India who are rising up against their own version of Trump, Prime Minister Modi, a racist nationalist and COVID-19 denier. In the biggest general strikes in human history, peasants, workers, and youth of all genders and nationalities are united against a common enemy. This is not an accident but a testament to years of work led by socialist forces. It is also the unfolding of world history, the story of the indomitable spirit, sacrifice, and struggle of the oppressed.

This will happen here too but not if we’re shackled to the idea that the Democratic Party is our salvation. We must mount a mass independent struggle for our survival rights, for equality, to defeat fascism and save the planet. We must break with any forces that support imperialist domination, deny self-determination and sovereignty, murder the masses through sanctions, and threaten millions with imperialist war.

NO WAR, NO INVASIONS, NO SANCTIONS
U.S. OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, ASIA, AND LATIN AMERICA

Capitalism is on the decline, but in its death throes, even more nuclear weapons are being built. While millions starve, U.S. capitalists are looting the treasury to feed their addiction to war profiteering and financial gambling. We must organize to prevent war against Iran, China, Russia, and other nations in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialists. We must say no to invasions, sanctions, and space war. We must demand the closure of the 800 military worldwide.

The stakes are high. For nine months the Democratic Party has politely negotiated over relief, posturing for elections but has never raised a real fight for the people. Trump is a white supremacist who is clearly fundraising and organizing fascist elements. We the people can turn the tide, but to do so, we must foster class consciousness and independent struggle among the working class and oppressed. This means parting with the two parties of the Pentagon and Wall Street: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

The “relief” bill that just passed is an $2.3 trillion omnibus bill that mainly gives money and support to war profiteers to promote regime change, Israel, and space war. Clearly, the two capitalist parties only differ in the means by which they seek to rescue and continue war profiteering and exploitation.

Both capitalist parties have conspired to hide the fact that, throughout the crisis, the Federal Reserve Bank has handed out trillions to the banks each week. They have authorized the unlimited purchase of private bonds, reaping untold dividends for ultra-wealthy shareholders. That money alone could have guaranteed $600/week to everyone, including migrants and incarcerated people, and paid off credit card and student loan debts.

Our movement needs to fund the independent struggle of workers, not the Democratic Party, build united fronts, and organize rank and file in the unions to push them into mass action. Only the united power of the workers and the oppressed can stop fascism, imperialist war, white supremacy, gender oppression, and planet destruction. Onward to the mass struggle for the needs of the people!