On May 1, violent Zionist mobs and other Fascist forces, including the Proud Boys, attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California-Los Angeles. The organized attack went unchallenged by the University and California Governor Gavin Newsom. According to encampment participants, these rightwing forces were allowed to physically assault the people at the encampment for three hours. The following night, Governor Newsom, with the support of the UC regents, ordered hundreds of police and California Highway Patrol to attack the encampment. We hear the voices of the student protestors confronting the authorities. Host Steve Zeltzer spoke to Peter Ross is a member of the UAW 2865 and a graduate student at UCLA. He was at the encampment during the attacks by Zionists and police.
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One hundred and thirty three journalists have been killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza, who have also targeted the journalists’ families. We hear from Rania Khyatt, spokesperson for the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate.
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In 2008, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union held a West Coast strike against the Iraq War. In keeping with that spirit, ILWU Local 10 has voted to submit a resolution to next month’s ILWU convention to halt the movement of all military cargo to Israel as part of the worldwide boycott called for by the Palestine General Federation of Trade Union on May Day. The resolution was passed unanimously. We talked with retired ILWU Local 10 longshore worker Jack Heyman.
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On May Day, teachers, healthcare workers, and longshore workers rallied to speak out about their working conditions and their support for the struggle of Palestinian workers and people. Some also supported united labor action to stop the genocide in Gaza.
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International Workers’ Day had its usual strong turnout in France, with unions taking to the streets in huge numbers. However, this year’s march wasn’t preoccupied by domestic concerns, but by demands for peace in Palestine. Press TV correspondent Ramin Mazaheri has more from Paris.
South Africa’s ruling alliance has marked International Workers Day with calls for continued solidarity with Palestine and other countries which are facing attack from western hegemony. The ruling ANC’s leadership was out in full force at events across the country to show their support.
Activists in Seoul, South Korea marked the ‘Global Day of Action’ to end arms transfers to Israel with peace advocates and lawmakers performing a ‘die-in’ across from the office of President Yoon Suk-Yeol. They say South Korea’s tens of millions of dollars in arms trade with Israel must end, and that Hyundai must stop selling Israeli equipment to demolish Palestinian houses for Israeli settlement. PressTV’s Frank Smith has this report.
And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from Steve Zeltzer, Akua Holt, Ann Garrison and Polina Vasiliev.
Thanks for listening!
Music:
Billy Bragg and Wilco, “All You Fascists”
Tom Morello, “A Wall against the Wind”
Mike Stout, “Time for a General Strike”
Zeinab Shaath, “The Urgent Call of Palestine”.
