Mindy Brudno Troy, New York  
 
 
April 20 action
I liked your article on the April 20 demonstrations in Washington and San Francisco, but I don’t understand why I did not see any articles in the Militant leading up to the demonstrations and urging people to mobilize for them. These demonstrations were very important given the war footing of the Democratic and Republican parties and their complete and tight control of the media.

They helped create a little more space for us to organize and take advantage of the new radicalization that many are seeing on the campuses, high schools, communities, and work places around the country and, therefore, warranted more mention by the Militant.

Joe Lombardo Albany, New York  
 
 
U.S.-backed coup?
I read Maurice Williams’s article on Venezuela this morning and have to ask...what evidence do you have of the U.S. backing this coup? I know the U.S. doesn’t like Chávez. He has been a disaster from the outset. But I really do not see any evidence that the U.S. somehow backed the action taken by the generals.

The accusations are made but not backed up by any facts.

I’m curious...can you shed some light on this? Hard evidence, not rhetorical theory.

E. A. by e-mail

Editor’s note: Williams reported the public statements of support for the military coup by U.S. president Bush and White House spokespeople, as well as the fact that top U.S. officials collaborated with leaders of the short-lived regime both before and during the events. The U.S. government, along with many big-business newspapers, backed the coup from the start, even though they never called it a coup.  
 
L.A. airport protest
There are a few points I want to add to the Militant’s coverage of the March 28 action at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to protest a series of INS raids at Terminal 1. The protest was ringed by police, in uniform and plain clothes, as well as federal police. The fact that more than a few of the several hundred marchers were undocumented, including an immigrant without "papers" who began the news conference, underscored the courage of these demonstrators.

It should be noted LAX, like other U.S. airports, remains militarized. The breadth, discipline, and security of the union-based protest offered adequate protection for these workers, including a contingent of jornaleros--day laborers who contract their services at area hardware and building supply stores.

The most powerful chant was raised by a vocal contingent of Janitors for Justice, members of the Service Employees International Union, who have won widespread support for their inspiring and victorious struggles for union organization here. Led by a union member with a bullhorn, they continuously chant "la clase obrera no tiene frontera (The working class has no border)."

The protest had a positive impact on many of my co-workers in the International Association of Machinists, especially those who are immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, and other Latin American countries, who saw coverage of the demonstration in the media.

Jon Hillson Inglewood, California

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of interest to working people.

Please keep your letters brief. Where necessary they will be abridged. Please indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name.  
 
 
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