Communists always begin with how to advance the struggle against imperialism through a course of action that strengthens the organization, class consciousness, and self-confidence of the working class and its allies, pointing to the need for a revolutionary struggle to replace the capitalist government with one of workers and farmers. This is true both in "peacetime" and in times of brutal military assaults that more and more mark the course of the U.S. ruling class.

Since September 11, Washington's war drive and war have accelerated the major trends in world politics, from the employer and government assault on the unions and workers' rights in the United States, to moves by German and Japanese imperialism to deploy their military forces abroad, to conflicts between Washington and various imperialist rivals in Europe.

This helps highlight the importance of building a revolutionary workers party, rooted within the resistance of workers and small farmers, as the only instrument capable of leading working people and the oppressed to take power out of the hands of the ruling rich and begin building a new society. That has been and continues to be a goal backed by the Militant.

Today, in the midst of a new imperialist onslaught, members of the Socialist Workers Party and the Young Socialists are joining workers involved in strikes, union organizing drives, protests against police brutality, and other actions in defense of workers' rights. Because these struggles are against the same ruling class that is waging war abroad, they are at the center of the fight against imperialism. They objectively weaken imperialism, as do strikes and protests against the government in Pakistan by working people there.

SWP and YS members also keep a lookout for picket lines, rallies, and marches against the U.S.-British war. In my earlier article I explained some of the anti-imperialist slogans and signs they bring to such protests--actions that reflect a broad range of political views. These protests are where many young people have an opportunity to express their opposition to Washington's war in Afghanistan and moves to broaden its assault, whether it be in the Philippines or against Iraq. The Militant has reported on these protests and socialists' participation in them, from the September 29 protest in Washington, to New York mayoral candidate Martín Koppel's speech at State University of New York in Stony Brook, Long Island.

Socialists bring Pathfinder books, New International, and the Militant and Perspectiva Mundial to all those they meet, whether it be on the job, on street tables in working-class districts, at protest rallies, and elsewhere. These books and periodicals are essential in learning the truth about imperialism, the history of the working-class movement, and a scientific understanding of current developments in world politics.

Along these lines, the Militant made a special appeal for all its supporters to take a day off work last month in order to spend a day on a college campus meeting and bringing a working-class perspective to students. Consistent work along these lines in several cities is resulting in numbers of youth interested in joining and learning more about the Young Socialists. Good numbers of students and workers are also participating in Militant Labor Forums each week to discuss the struggles of working people and oppressed around the world as well.

There is one point to clarify in Stan Smith's letter on the vigils. Shortly after September 11 various local governments and other institutions held candlelight vigils to "mourn our heroes." These were designed, as the article described, "to try to whip up American patriotism and convince the maximum number of people from the middle and working classes that they need to ally with the bourgeoisie." At the same time some forces opposed to Washington's bellicose war moves also organized "peace" vigils under the banner of both opposing the U.S. war drive and "mourning the dead." These did not serve to clarify questions involved in Washington's propaganda campaign, and, if continued, would have helped to disorient workers and youth seeking to fight against Washington's war drive. But over the past weeks most organizations involved in the protest actions are putting forward demands that are more unambiguously against the war.

For those seeking to oppose imperialism and its war today, it is helpful to recognize that Washington's war against the people of Vietnam was not ended by an antiwar movement in the United States alone. Washington was defeated by the Vietnamese people who fought in their millions in an anticolonial and anticapitalist revolution. Well prior to the first national antiwar protest in 1965 of 20,000, U.S. imperialism had already been dealt blows at home by the mass proletarian movement for Black rights that swept the North and South and smashed Jim Crow segregation. Chicanos began organizing against the national oppression they face, and tens of thousands took to the streets, shut down schools, held teach-ins, and organized politically to fight for their interests.

Struggles erupted among farm workers, unionists at General Electric, coal miners, and others, even in a time of relative gains for the working class. The anti-Vietnam war movement was itself deeply impacted by these historic events. The SWP and Young Socialist Alliance joined these struggles and brought their lessons and experiences to youth involved in the protests against the war.

Today, the pages of the Militant reflect the working-class campaign against imperialism and war being carried out by communist workers and Young Socialists in a number of countries. From defending the Cuban Revolution; to getting out the truth about worker's strikes and protests, antiracist struggles, and actions to defend women's rights; to battles of peoples in semi-colonial countries who face devastating conditions imposed by imperialism. We urge all readers to join this fruitful and politically exciting effort that is responding to Washington's war by deepening the battle to bring down the world's final empire.  
 
 
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