The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.61/No.18           May 5, 1997 
 
 
Keep On Giving To Militant Fund Drive  

BY DEBORAH LIATOS AND VALERHE JOHNSON
In the final week of the international fund drive for the Militant, partisans of the socialist newsweekly and of Perspectiva Mundial around the country are picking up the pace of collecting funds to meet the goal of raising $110,000 by April 26. This week $18,522 was received at the Militant - the largest amount in any single week - bringing us to a total of $84,226 collected. This means we need another $25,774.

Supporters across the United States and around the world have reported on plans to use the final week to go over the top in the drive. And, as the capitalist crisis and its ramifications for working people unfolds, each week brings new reasons why a working-class paper that presents the truth, the facts, and an analysis of world events, is needed.

At fund events, on the job, and at political meetings, socialists continue to win new contributions and to collect remaining pledges from supporters of the paper.

Reports from areas that just completed fund raising meetings show the appreciation of the Militant among fighting youth and unionists. If you haven't made your contribution as yet join us by sending a donation right away to: The Militant, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014.

BY CHRIS RAYSON

SEATTLE - Supporters of the $110,000 Militant Fund held an event here April 19 to celebrate the irreplaceable role of the paper. Autumn Knowlton, a student leader at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and active Militant salesperson who chaired the event, announced at the end that the 40 readers of the paper at the meeting donated $2,040 and made over $700 in new pledges.

In his message to the event, Tomás Villanueva, a leader of farm workers struggles in Washington for over a decade, pointed out that the Militant has consistently supported the "struggle of farm workers in the state of Washington in their pursuit of equality and economic justice.

"You folks open many doors for us to get support from labor unions throughout the state. I personally, in the name of farm workers, appreciate your support and wish the continuous success of the Militant," Villanueva wrote.

Samantha Kern, a leader of the Spokane chapter of the Young Socialists, explained the central role the Militant plays in organizing the chapter's work, citing numerous examples. "We use it as a reference tool to introduce young fighters, potential recruits, to our cause."

Frank Forrestal, an auto worker and Socialist Workers Party leader, gave the featured talk on "Washington's War Drive on Russia and Capitalism's World Disorder" at a fund- raising program.

Marty Boyers in Greensboro reported that "We had a successful fund dinner and meeting last night. Socialist Workers Party leader Ernie Mailhot from Miami was the featured speaker and 25 people attended the event. Four immigrant workers who are active in a union organizing drive at the Case Farms chicken plant in Morganton came. One gave greetings at the meeting. Marcus Tillery, from the Concerned Citizens of Tillery, a group of Black farmers fighting racist farm foreclosures, also spoke."

The Boston Militant Labor Forum held a special program to raise money for the fund, reports Gary Cohen. Brian Taylor, a leader of the Young Socialists, spoke on the topic, "Che Guevara, the Cuban Revolution and the Worldwide Struggle for Socialism."

Carol Thomas, a leader of the July 26th Coalition also spoke about why the Militant is invaluable for her political work, noting that "The Militant gives our struggle dignity."

The final fund chart will be run in the Militant next week. All contributions received by 12 noon Tuesday, April 29, will be credited to local goals.  
 
 
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