Mobilizing for Communism in Difficult Times: May Day 1992: Defying Martial Law in Los Angeles, USA
In the current crisis, actions and demonstrations are supposedly not possible. But we must mobilize to put boldly forward the communist solution to this crisis now, in the days ahead, and for May Day 2020. Experience shows how.
On May Day in 1992, communists proudly and defiantly marched in the face of martial law in Los Angeles, USA. Demonstrations had been declared illegal after a massive multiracial four-day rebellion against capitalism’s racist police terror and the capitalist courts.
Four white cops had viciously beaten and kicked black motorist Rodney King after stopping him for traffic violations. This was videotaped and televised. Masses were furious. They wanted the cops convicted. The trial took place outside of LA in Simi Valley with no black people in the jury. On April 29, 1992 the jury delivered a “not guilty” verdict for assault and excessive use of force for all four cops.
That night, a crowd tore down the kiosk in front of the main police station. The crowd included black, latin, asian and white youth and workers. There were protests at many police stations. Businesses were burned and looted.
The next day, the rebellion grew as youth and workers joined in from all over LA. Party members in cars with megaphones drove to the most combative points in the city, distributing communist newspapers and flyers.
The masses, fed up with racism, pushed the terrified police back. It became one of the biggest and most multi-racial rebellions in US history.
By Friday, May 1st, the National Guard, Marines and Army were in the streets to try to quell the rebellion. Martial law and a curfew were declared. Gatherings were prohibited. Communists continued to distribute our literature to the masses. Some members of the national guard stationed in front of an unemployment office gladly accepted our newspaper and leaflet.
Saturday, May 2nd was quieter. Our communist group had planned a May Day March for International Workers’ Day, against racist capitalism and for communism. It was set for noon in downtown LA on Broadway, usually crowded with workers, many of whom supported the march. However, with martial law, downtown LA was deserted except for cops. Our permit had been revoked but the communists came to march.
We met at the march site with a truck, sound system, banners and red flags. The police declared it an unlawful assembly. They ordered everyone to get back in their cars or be arrested. We got in our cars. A sound truck led our car caravan with red flags flying and banners calling for ending racist capitalism with communist revolution. The cops followed the caravan through downtown.
But as we headed toward south-central LA, where there were still many angry workers out in the streets, the police cars faded back, afraid of the masses. Smoke from the fires set by the angry masses filled the air, mixed with tension and anger.
Our caravan slowed down at the LA Coliseum. The National Guard was staging there—mostly sent from Oakland. We gave speeches calling on the National Guard troops to side with their brothers and sisters on the streets instead of the racist rulers who wanted them to attack the masses.
Several Guard troops put their fists up in support and agreement. Some took our leaflet which called on them to join us in the fight for communism. This inspired and emboldened us more.
As we turned south, more people were on the street. Many cheered the multi-racial communist caravan. We slowed to a crawl as participants got out of cars and distributed literature. People listened to the revolutionary speeches and joined the chants.
As the caravan headed south and the crowd grew, we parked the cars and marched—defying martial law by relying on the angry masses. Some joined us. We ended by singing the Communist International.
Today, ICWP fights for communism and nothing less to end capitalism’s racist terror and build a world that meets the masses’ needs. We aim to build communist collectives everywhere and under all conditions.
A key lesson from May Day 1992 is that we need to strengthen our work in the military. The National Guard is again being deployed on the streets in many cities during this crisis and the drums of imperialist war are beating.
Learning from this experience – and from our comrades in India working under fascist conditions today– we are starting to plan now to celebrate May Day 2020 as boldly as possible in as many places as possible. Join us!
