International round-up

Gilets jaunes in Toulouse, January 2019, photo by Terry Adams (Click to enlarge)

USA: teachers strike

30,000 Los Angeles teachers are striking over a catalogue of issues arising from privatisation and underfunding.

60,000 people came to their first strike-day rally on 14 January.

Read the Socialist Alternative (CWI USA) proposal for action at socialistalternative.org

Nigeria: socialist arrested and released

Democratic Socialist Movement (CWI Nigeria) member Abiodun Bamigboye (Abbey Trotsky) was arrested by state forces on 21 January.

International pressure and protests, organised by the CWI, forced his release. Abbey is a Socialist Party of Nigeria candidate.

He was arrested for helping to organise a casual workers' strike in 2018 and because he is challenging the capitalist elite in elections.

Stay updated at socialistnigeria.org

Russia: repression of anti-fascists

Four anti-fascist protesters, including Socialisticheskaya Alternativa (CWI Russia) member Igor Yashin, were arrested on a march on 19 January.

We feared they could be held for up to 15 days. But swift action in Russia and internationally has secured their release.

Read the events at socialistworld.net

France: gilets jaunes

'Gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) still enjoy public backing in France, 55% according to the polls.

Official government figures say the protests doubled in size on 12 January.

The tenth weekend of action, 19 January, was the biggest yet in Toulouse, with 10,000 people protesting.

Go to socialistworld.net for an important article on how the movement can be sustained

Tunisia: public sector general strike

750,000 Tunisian public sector workers struck against pay freezes and IMF-imposed austerity on 17 January.

The Tayaar al'Amal al Qaa'dii (CWI Tunisia) leaflet said, "The neo-liberal policies adopted by successive governments are contrary to the Tunisian revolution, and reflect the sole interests of a minority that monopolises the nation's wealth and deepens the class divide."

Read the full leaflet and check out pictures at socialistworld.net

Zimbabwe: general strike

150% fuel price hikes - making Zimbabwean fuel the most expensive in the world - provoked a three-day general strike starting 14 January.

A litre of fuel costs more than the daily earnings of almost the entire population.

Read about the horrific state repression and our programme for how the struggle can win at socialistworld.net

Spanish state: Massive opposition to right-wing bloc

Izquierda Revolucionaria (CWI in the Spanish state) and their socialist feminist campaign Libres y Combativas (LyC) participated in huge protests across the Spanish state on 15 January, against the bloc of right-wing parties following 2018's Andalusian elections.

LyC is now building for a feminist general strike on International Women's Day.

Check out 'Libres y Combativas' on Facebook to stay in touch

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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.