No. 6, April 2009 Table of Contents Selected articles linked  Newspaper of CUNY students from the Revolutionary Reconstruction Club and Internationalist Clubs, for the program of Marx, Lenin and Trotsky, published in accord with the Internationalist Group, U.S. section of the League for the Fourth International Click on image to left for pdf version of complete issue.

 

Battle Over Budget Cuts and Tuition Hikes at CUNY “Students and Labor: Shut the City Down!” On  March 5, some 75,000 New York City workers demonstrated in a huge labor protest against threatened budget cuts as the capitalist economic crisis deepens. They were joined by hundreds of students and faculty from the City University of New York (CUNY). The municipal labor tops called for a “fair budget for all,” while showcasing Democratic Party politicians. The principal student demands, however, were: “No Tuition Hike – No Cuts – No Layoffs.” After a walkout and rally, the energetic student contingent poured into the street chanting, “Students, Labor, Shut the City Down.” The CUNY Internationalist Clubs actively participated in organizing the student actions. “Students and Labor: Shut the City Down!”  (April 2009) Democrats Vote Mega-Billions for War, Trillions for Bankers – Working People Get Shafted Students and Labor: Shut NYC Down! No Tuition! Open Admissions! Free Mass Transit! We Need a Revolutionary Workers Party The Revolution leaflet distributed at March 5 and March 25 protests which underlines the role of the Democrats and calls for powerful working-class action against the ruling-class attack. Students and Labor: Shut NYC Down!  (5 March 2009) See CUNY Internationalist Clubs video on "Fight the Tuition Purge at CUNY: Students and Labor, Shut the City Down!"

Beat Back the Suspensions – Expel Sexton! Defend NYU Protesters! Student and labor activists throughout the New York area and beyond must come to the defense of the 18 New York University students suspended and threatened with expulsion for their participation in the 40-hour sit-in that began February 18. The vindictive administration of NYU President John Sexton seeks to make an example of the protesters, including evicting them from their dorm rooms. Despite hostile media coverage, the NYU occupation struck a chord in NYC. Hundreds of people came out on two bitterly cold nights to stand for hours in front of Kimmel Hall, where the “Take Back NYU!” group and others had occupied the cafeteria. Defend NYU Protesters!  (23 February 2009)

Inside the New School Occupation For 38 hours, beginning on the evening of December 17, student activists carried out a widely-publicized sit-in at the New School in lower Manhattan. They declared that they were inspired by the recent factory occupation by workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, and by protests against police brutality in Greece. The occupation took place shortly after the faculty voted “no confidence” in the New School’s president Bob Kerrey. Back in 2001, we had called to drive out Kerrey, a war criminal who killed defenseless women and children in the Vietnamese village of Thanh Phong. This also became an issue in the December occupation. Our article is an account by participants of the development and discussions that took place during the sit-in, and what conclusions can be drawn for future struggles. Inside the New School Occupation  (24 February 2009) Solidarity from Mexico with New School Occupation Drive Out War Criminal Bob Kerrey!

Marxists for Class Struggle, “Obama Socialists” for Tax Reform What Program to Fight the Crisis? In the fight against budget cuts and tuition hikes at the City University of New York, the main dividing line has been over the attitude toward the Democratic Party. Many union officials and student activists focused on pressuring the Democratic governor and legislators in Albany, as well as in Washington. The CUNY Internationalist Clubs, in contrast, reject this program of pressure politics and look to militant protest uniting students and workers. What Program to Fight the Crisis?  (April 2009)

How Open Admissions Was Won in 1969 and Debates on the Struggle at CUNY Today During a meeting following the March 25 [2009] student/labor rally at Hunter College, supporters of the International Socialist Organization objected that strengthening ties to labor should not be a priority. Supporters of the CUNY Internationalist Clubs and Class Struggle Education Workers responded that mobilizing the working class was vital to defending students, citing examples from Europe, Mexico and the United States. In response to an ensuing broadside from a prominent ISO activist, Revolution published this article highlighting key aspects of the struggle that brought about open admissions in 1969. It noted that open admissions was actually not part of the CCNY occupation’s demands, but was eventually won through the intervention of powerful city unions. How Open Admissions Was Won in 1969 and Debates Today  (April 2009)

Voices of the Student/Labor Protest: Education Is a Right!

Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Life is On the Line

All Out to Win the Stella D’oro Strike