8 April 2019

Netanyahu pledges to annex West Bank if re-elected

By Jean Shaoul, 8 April 2019

Netanyahu, backed by Trump, has effectively repudiated the entire post-World War II international order, signalling new wars of conquest and territorial aggrandisement.

Netanyahu embraces Brazil’s Bolsonaro during Israel visit

Assange faces ongoing threats at Ecuador’s London embassy

By Oscar Grenfell, 8 April 2019

While the Ecuadorian government denied that Assange would be “imminently” expelled from the embassy, it did not dispute that plans had been afoot to terminate his political asylum.

Weekend vigils in London demand freedom for Assange

By our reporters, 8 April 2019

Alongside longstanding members of the Defend Assange Campaign, the London vigil was attended by members of the Socialist Equality Party and attracted support from far and wide.

UN Special Rapporteur: US extradition of Assange would be violation of international law

Supporters oppose eviction of Julian Assange outside London’s Ecuadorian embassy

Defend Julian Assange!

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia)

Free Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange! »

US Homeland Security chief forced out as anti-immigrant crackdown looms

By Eric London, 8 April 2019

Trump advisor Stephen Miller is orchestrating a right-wing takeover of the federal deportation apparatus with the support of a network of fascist Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and border patrol officers.

Obama, Pelosi push Democrats further to the right

By Patrick Martin, 8 April 2019

Obama, who headed a thoroughly right-wing imperialist government, and House speaker Pelosi, who is married to a multi-millionaire real estate developer, have been working together in a joint effort to curb the activities of the “lefts” in the House Democratic caucus.

Trump calls for more cheap money for financial markets

By Nick Beams, 8 April 2019

Proposals by Trump to fill two vacancies on the Fed’s board of governors have brought denunciations of political stacking.

US-China trade deal pushed back

New Zealand fascist killer appears in court

By Hayden Johns, 8 April 2019

The push for Brenton Tarrant not to face terrorism charges is part of efforts to suppress discussion about the political motivations behind the March 15 massacre.

“Independent” union in Russia facilitates closure of Ford factory

By Clara Weiss, 8 April 2019

The Inter-Regional Trade Union Workers’ Alliance (MPRA) has blocked opposition to the US-based auto giant’s plans to close three factories and exit the passenger car market.

University of Arizona students arrested for protesting Border Patrol agents

By Shuvvu Batta, 8 April 2019

In Arizona, a Class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and three years’ probation, along with a $2,500 fine plus surcharges.

Trump visits border to step up attack on immigrants

Massive ICE workplace raid jails 280 immigrant workers in Texas

The threat to close the US-Mexico border

More on North American immigrant issues »

Mississippi teachers threaten first strike since 1985

By J. L’Heureau, 8 April 2019

With Mississippi paying the lowest wages in the country, educators are enraged over the state's refusal to substantially increase them. Calls to defy the state’s brutal anti-strike laws are growing.

University of Illinois at Chicago grad student union pushes sellout contract

By Andy Thompson, 8 April 2019

Teaching assistants should reject the deal being pushed by the Graduate Employees Organization and its parent unions and spearhead a fight against the Democrats’ austerity measures.

Purdue Pharma, maker of highly addictive painkiller OxyContin, settles with state of Oklahoma for $270 million

By Ben Mateus, 8 April 2019

The settlement is the first of roughly 2,000 lawsuits pending in federal and state courts against Purdue and other opioid manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical.

Baltimore, Maryland Mayor Catherine Pugh caught in widespread corruption scandal

By E.P. Milligan, 8 April 2019

It is now abundantly clear that Pugh accepted thinly-veiled bribes from health insurance giants and other corporate interests in exchange for kickbacks from the city budget.

Rising number of Michigan and US households unable to afford basic necessities

By Debra Watson, 8 April 2019

Even under conditions of a low official unemployment rate, rising numbers of families are in distress. A new recession will throw even larger sections of the working class into dire poverty.

New in Russian

Эта неделя в истории
100 лет назад: В Баварии учреждена Советская республика

8 апреля 2019 г.

6 апреля 1919 года в Мюнхене около 150 представителей рабочих советов, левых политических партий, профсоюзов и министров бывшего правительства собрались вместе и объявили о создании Баварской Советской республики.

New in Norwegian

FNs Spesialrapportør: Utlevering til USA ville være brudd på internasjonal lov

Oscar Grenfell, 8. april 2019

Det ekvadorianske regimet og kollaboratørene i den britiske og den amerikanske regjeringen er engasjert i et skittent og ulovlig komplott for å oppheve det politiske asylet innvilget WikiLeaks grunnleggeren.

Supportere opponerer mot utkastelsen av Julian Assange utenfor Ecuadors ambassade i London

Paul Mitchell, 8. april 2019

Forsvarere av WikiLeaks-grunnlegger Julian Assange samlet seg utenfor den ekvadorianske ambassaden i London sent på fredag, etter en advarsel om at han står overfor utskyving fra bygningen der han søkte politisk asyl i 2012 «innen timer til dager».

Forsvar Julian Assange

Erklæring fra Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 8. april 2019

Socialist Equality Party (Australia) fordømmer de opptrappede forberedelsene til å utvise Julian Assange fra Ecuadors London-ambassade og tvinge ham over i det britiske politiets forvaring. WikiLeaks rapporterte på fredag at de hadde mottatt informasjon fra en kilde i Ecuador om at Assanges utkastelse fra bygningen der han søkte asyl i 2012, ville skje «innen timer eller dager».

Masseprotester i Algerie etter at Bouteflika trakk seg

Will Morrow, 8. april 2019

Samtidig som protesterende fordømte den bedragerske militærstøttede overgangen, publiserte hæren på fredag en uttalelse som truet enhver opposisjon til deres interesser.

New in Spanish

Los barbáricos Estados Unidos

Niles Niemuth, 8 abril 2019

Si fueran expuestas en Rusia o China las condiciones que existen en las prisiones estadounidenses, causaría un revuelo en los medios y los pasillos del Congreso a favor de sanciones económicas y una “intervención militar humanitaria”.

La provocación facciosa, la histeria de clase media y el colapso de la Organización Socialista Internacional

el Comité Político del Partido Socialista por la Igualdad (EUA), 8 abril 2019

Las denuncias facciosas de un presunto encubrimiento de agresión sexual en 2013 fueron revividas para instigar una purga de liderazgo y liquidar la ISO.

Relator Especial de la ONU: la extradición de Assange a Estados Unidos sería una violación del derecho internacional

Oscar Grenfell, 8 abril 2019

El régimen ecuatoriano y sus coconspiradores en los gobiernos británico y estadounidense están comprometidos en un sucio complot para poner fin al asilo político del creador de WikiLeaks.

Protestas de masas en Argelia tras la renuncia de Bouteflika

Will Morrow, 8 abril 2019

Mientras los manifestantes denuncian la transición fraudulenta respaldada por los militares, el ejército emitió una declaración ayer amenazando cualquier oposición a sus intereses.

El New York Times lamenta el estancamiento del golpe en Venezuela

Bill Van Auken, 8 abril 2019

El Times tiene un historial asqueroso de apoyar guerras estadounidenses para cambio del régimen y golpes derechistas a través del planeta.

New in French

Le Rapporteur spécial de l'ONU dit que l'extradition d'Assange par les États-Unis constituerait une violation du droit international

Oscar Grenfell, 8 avril 2019

Le régime équatorien, et ses complices dans les gouvernements britannique et américain, sont engagés dans une conspiration sordide et illégale pour mettre fin à l'asile politique du fondateur de WikiLeaks.

Des manifestations de masse en Algérie font suite à la démission de Bouteflika

Will Morrow, 8 avril 2019

Alors que les manifestants dénonçaient la transition frauduleuse soutenue par les militaires, l’armée a publié hier une déclaration qui menaçe toute opposition à ses intérêts.

L’Amérique barbare

Niles Niemuth, 8 avril 2019

Si les conditions qui existent dans les prisons américaines étaient révélées en Russie ou en Chine, il y aurait un tollé dans la presse et les couloirs du Congrès pour réclamer des sanctions économiques et une intervention militaire humanitaire”

Netanyahu accueille chaleureusement le Brésilien Bolsonaro lors de sa visite en Israël

Jean Shaoul, 8 avril 2019

Sous Netanyahu, Israël est devenu un pôle d’attraction pour les idéologues de droite, les ultra-nationalistes et les néo-fascistes du monde entier.

Les travailleurs de l'Ontario ont besoin d'un programme socialiste international pour défendre l'éducation publique et lutter contre l'austérité

Le Parti de l’égalité socialiste (Canada), 8 avril 2019

Pour défendre l'éducation publique de la maternelle à l'université, les travailleurs et les étudiants doivent lancer une lutte politique indépendamment des syndicats et en opposition à l'ensemble de l'establishment politique.

Other Languages

Perspective

Socialism haunts the American ruling class

8 April 2019

Since Donald Trump vowed in his State of the Union address that “America will never be a socialist country,” the president has embraced anti-socialism as the defining theme of his 2020 reelection campaign.

Earlier Perspectives »

The Fight Against Fascism

“What will be required is a very high level of political and historical awareness”
David North appeals to readers to attend US meetings against fascism

SEP (US) National Chairman David North said, "The visit next month of Comrade Christoph Vandreier to the United States is simply the application of a strategy of the international organization of the working class against the fascist threat. They will not conquer again, we can be certain of that."

David North to address public meetings with Christoph Vandreier: “The Threat of Fascism and How to Fight It”

2 April 2019

“In order to fight fascism, we must understand where it comes from.”
Author Christoph Vandreier to tour US

Christoph Vandreier, author of the newly released book Why are They Back? Historical Falsification, Political Conspiracy and the Return of Fascism in Germany, explains the importance of his upcoming speaking tour in the US.

Neo-Nazi planned assassination of second UK Labour MP

By Robert Stevens, 4 April 2019

Arts Review

Netflix’s Trigger Warning with Killer Mike: Provocation and pessimism from the Atlanta rap artist

By Nick Barrickman, 8 April 2019

With Trigger Warning, rapper Michael “Killer Mike” Render combines occasional flashes of insight and intellectual courage with a tendency to resort to mere shock tactics or juvenile behavior.

Jordan Peele’s horror film, Us: “Us” and them

By Kevin Martinez, 6 April 2019

Mike Leigh’s Peterloo: A drama of the British working class

By David Walsh, 5 April 2019

An interview with Mike Leigh, director of Peterloo: “You don’t run out of steam if what you do…is to literally hold the mirror up to nature”

By David Walsh, 5 April 2019

This week in history: April 8-14

25 years ago: The suicide of Kurt Cobain

On April 8, 1994, Nirvana’s lead singer Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle, Washington home, from a gunshot wound to the head.

More »

50 years ago: Harvard students occupy campus building

On April 9, 1969, Harvard University students began a series of protests against the Vietnam War. About 500 students held an occupation of the school’s administration building.

More »

75 years ago: Bombay ship explosion kills over 800

On April 14, 1944, the SS Fort Stikine, a British armaments ship, exploded at the Victoria Dock of Bombay, the Indian financial capital now known as Mumbai.

More »

100 years ago: British massacre hundreds in Punjab

On April 13, 1919, British Indian Army troops under the command of Colonel Reginald Dyer fired into a crowd of people demonstrating in the Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in the Punjabi city of Amritsar, site of the Sikh Golden Temple.

More »

Commentary

America the Barbaric

By Niles Niemuth, 6 April 2019

“An excessive amount of violence, sexual abuse, and prisoner deaths”
Federal report exposes horrific levels of abuse in Alabama prisons

Replying to Woody Allen suit, Amazon acknowledges McCarthyite character of #MeToo campaign

By David Walsh, 6 April 2019

Factional provocation, middle-class hysteria, and the collapse of the International Socialist Organization

By the Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 2 April 2019

Factionally motivated denunciations of an alleged cover-up of sexual assault in 2013 were revived to instigate a leadership purge and liquidate the ISO.

Boeing CEO praised “streamlined” oversight of 737 plane that crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia

By Barry Grey, 6 April 2019

Investigation shows that a malfunctioning Boeing sensor caused Ethiopian Airlines crash

Why aren’t Boeing executives being prosecuted for the 737 Max 8 crashes?

More on airline workers issues »

The political implications of the Corbyn/May Brexit talks

By Chris Marsden, 5 April 2019

UK elite Parachute Regiment use Corbyn poster for target practice

May offers Corbyn “national unity” Brexit agreement talks

More on Brexit »

US escalates threats against Turkey, leverages election controversy

By Keith Jones, 5 April 2019

New York Times laments stalled Venezuelan coup

More on US militarism »

At Detroit panel discussion
DSA Democrat Rashida Tlaib opposes fight against GM plant shutdowns

By Shannon Jones, 4 April 2019

“We the People” forum: Platitudes and demagogy from Democratic presidential candidates

By Patrick Martin, 4 April 2019

More layoffs point to worsening jobs crisis in Australia

By Terry Cook, 5 April 2019

Amid auto layoffs and warnings of manufacturing “bloodbath”
IMF chief points to global growth deceleration

Christchurch terrorist donated to right-wing Austrian Identitarian movement

By Markus Salzmann, 3 April 2019

Christchurch terrorist’s fascist manifesto promotes trade unions

Why was the New Zealand terrorist attack not prevented?

Workers Struggles

“Music is too powerful to be silenced by tyranny”
Chicago symphony musicians host packed concerts as strike reaches turning point

By George Marlowe, 6 April 2019

Another steelworker killed at ArcelorMittal in Indiana

By Jessica Goldstein, 6 April 2019

“We are the future. Give us what we need!”
Thousands of Ontario students walk out to protest school cuts

By our reporters, 6 April 2019

Ontario workers need an international socialist program to defend public education and fight austerity

By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 6 April 2019

Australia: Tasmanian teachers take strike action

By Frank Gaglioti, 6 April 2019

Mexico’s López Obrador attacks teachers through right-wing education reform

By Alex González, 6 April 2019

As Mexican president calls Mussolini a “great leader”
Companies and police violently attack remaining strikes in Matamoros

More on the defense of public education »

“If the UAW was bought, we should get it all back”
Former UAW vice president pleads guilty to conspiracy in bribery scheme

By Jerry White, 3 April 2019

Corruption probe engulfs top UAW executives

New trade union bureaucracies or rank-and-file workers’ power?
Lessons of the Matamoros workers’ rebellion: Part one

By Andrea Lobo, 25 March 2019

New trade union bureaucracies or rank-and-file workers’ power?
Lessons of the Matamoros workers’ rebellion: Part two

New trade union bureaucracies or rank-and-file workers’ power?
Lessons of the Matamoros workers’ rebellion: Part three

By Andrea Lobo, 3 April 2019

Free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning!

Ecuadorian president threatens to evict Julian Assange from London embassy

By Oscar Grenfell, 3 April 2019

Moreno accused Assange of “repeatedly violating the conditions of his asylum,” to create a pretext to hand him over to British and US authorities.

Chelsea Manning files motion for immediate release pending appeal

By Kevin Reed, 3 April 2019

Free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning!

More on the campaign to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning »

History

One hundred years since the formation of the Communist International

By Peter Schwarz, 20 March 2019

Socialist Equality Party

Sri Lanka: Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee and SEP hold powerful conference

By our correspondents, 20 March 2019

Support grows for Sri Lankan plantation workers’ conference

Socialist Equality Party of Germany certified to stand in European elections

By our reporter, 19 March 2019

Socialist Equality Party files lawsuit against German secret service

The Socialist Equality Party’s lawsuit against Germany’s secret service

International Committee of the Fourth International

Indian Trotskyists hold Kolkata public meeting to celebrate 80th anniversary of the Fourth International

By our correspondents, 13 March 2019

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
Victory of the Trotskyists in the 1985–1986 split in the ICFI

By Saman Gunadasa and K. Ratnayake, 29 December 2018

Eighty Years of the Fourth International: The Lessons of History and the Struggle for Socialism Today

By David North, 9 October 2018

On the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International

History of the ICFI

From the arsenal of Trotskyism
The Political Report by David North to the International Committee of the Fourth International—February 11, 1984

12 February 2019

Thirty-five years ago this week, David North, then the national secretary of the Workers League (predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party), presented at a meeting of the International Committee of the Fourth International a critique of the British Workers Revolutionary Party’s abandonment of key theoretical conceptions and programmatic principles of Trotskyism.

Halil Celik, 1961-2018

Halil Celik, a fighter for socialism (1961-2018)

By Peter Schwarz, 1 February 2019

On December 31, 2018, Halil Celik, founder and leader of the group Sosyalist Eşitlik, which supports the International Committee of the Fourth International in Turkey, died of cancer at the age of 57. This obituary presents an overview of his life.

In memory of Halil Celik (1961–2018)

Security and the Fourth International

New book now available
Agents: The FBI and GPU Infiltration of the Trotskyist Movement

By Mehring Books, 21 January 2019

The WSWS announces the release of a new book, Agents: The FBI and GPU Infiltration of the Trotskyist Movement, by Eric London.

The origins and findings of the Security and the Fourth International investigation

By Eric London, 14 November 2018

Seventy-eight years since the assassination of Leon Trotsky

By Eric London and David North, 21 August 2018

Book Review

Rohini Hensman’s Indefensible: The ISO discovers its muse—the CIA

By Alex Lantier, 14 December 2018

Rohini Hensman’s book, issued by the International Socialist Organization’s (ISO) Haymarket Books publishing house, is an endorsement of imperialist war.

Part one | Part two | Part three | Part four