Vol. 78/No. 14      April 14, 2014

The Militant has launched its annual Militant Fighting Fund. Our aim is to raise $115,000 in a seven-week campaign between April 5 and May 27. The drive will go hand in hand with the Militant subscription campaign to win 1,800 new and renewing subscribers.

The $115,000 is needed for the paper’s operating expenses as well as reporting trips covering workers struggles and political developments around the world. Since the beginning of 2014, worker-correspondents have reported from Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cuba, Lebanon and most recently Ukraine. Contributions for the Ukraine reporting trip total more than $2,000 so far.

To raise $115,000 we must enlist the aid of our readers. With no capitalist advertising in its pages, the Militant is financed solely by our working-class readership who want to see the socialist paper continue to come out every week.

Socialist workers selling the paper door to door find people who want to chip in a few dollars “for the cause.” Those contributions will go to the Militant Prisoners’ Fund, which helps provide subscriptions to workers behind bars at a reduced rate or in some cases free of charge.

Currently there are 96 subscribers in 53 different prisons across the U.S. — a number we are proud of and want to multiply. Prisoners tell us the paper gets passed around widely, which means many more than the 96 read it.

“Let me first salute you to indicate much respect and gratitude that you’ve earned,” wrote a prisoner in California Feb. 8. “Presently I’m in solitary confinement and with no doubt I’m a worker. I’m requesting to be placed on your mailing list as a subscriber. At this time I’m with no funds but in the near future my financial situation will level out. I will graciously donate a bit of money your way, which in turn I know you will distribute in one way or another to our people.”

To contribute, contact distributors listed on page 8 , or send a check or money order made out to the Militant to 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Send experiences, quotes and photos on winning contributors to the Militant Fighting Fund and the Prisoners’ Fund to themilitant@mac.com.

— LEA SHERMAN