SEATTLE (US), July 13— “In my thirty years, I have not seen a better time to recruit the forces we need to end capitalism. When we join masses fighting against war and fascism, we can build political and social relationships,” affirmed Al, a political organizer, at a recent ICWP barbecue. “Concrete action is one of the best ways to secure these ties.”
Al continued, “If you told me years ago to spend my time trying to win troops to turn the guns around, I would have thought soldiers are the enemy. Don’t talk with the enemy!”
According to media reports and discussions with ICWP comrades, National Guard and Marines are already questioning their orders. Now is the time for communist collectives to reach out to soldiers.
Three US army veterans and others took part in the conversation. Some thought it would be safer to wait until the troops left the armed forces before recruiting them to ICWP.
But some veterans did their best communist work while in the army. Comrades built party collectives that led rebellions against racist officers and imperialist war. These concrete actions helped recruit communist leaders. They mobilized hundreds of troops against the brass (officers).
Concrete Action Will Help Our Party Grow
The other big issue discussed was the continued attacks on immigrants, especially the ICE kidnappings.
Hank, a political activist, invited an ICWP comrade to a meeting of the Boeing Action Committee the day after the BBQ. These zoom meetings are rank-and-file get-togethers of several dozen workers from factories in the Seattle area and Wichita (Kansas).
Some of these activists had watched the recent “press conference” where IAM member and green-card holder Maximo Londonio was released from prison after months of ICE detention.
One Boeing factory worker at the meeting said it reminded her of the delinquency of the union “in not standing up for any member who is put in harm’s way by fascist attacks.”
This committee is not limited to the traditional union reforms. Members have written a “Resolution for Mutual Defense.” The resolution is filled with demands to protect immigrants.
The workers are preparing to present this resolution to the union’s Human Rights committee. Most think the resolution will be ignored. The union leadership has already kicked out some of these progressive Boeing workers from official union meetings.
“Shop floor action advocating for immigrants is powerful,” noted Hank. The plan is to gather signatures from various shop floors and mobilize rank-and-file workers around the resolution. The power of workers on the factory floor cannot be dismissed.
The Struggle for Communist Solutions Continues
The recent creation of this Boeing Action Committee and the discussion about recruiting soldiers are opportunities for ICWP. Decades of communist work inside the Boeing plants and the current work outside the gates have laid the basis for political advancement under today’s fascist conditions.
On the way home, Hank asked for the latest issue of Red Flag. He wants to write about the history of the Boeing union. Our comrade will contribute some of his experience battling the union hierarchy over the years.
“Just writing about things is not enough,” Hank warned. “We must also organize working class action.”
The committee is especially interested in ICWP’s efforts among global industrial workers. A comrade offered to share notes from the party’s International Leadership Meeting.
“Nice, looking forward to it!” said Hank. Others sent various inspiring emojis.
The notes comrades bring back from the meeting will come from around the world. Various discussions about the necessity of communist revolution have already occurred. We can advance the struggle if we make the battle international in this era of war and fascism.
Be it Boeing workers, ICWP friends, military veterans, high school teachers, or students, party collectives must struggle to advance communist recruitment. Over time, concrete activity with communist leadership will secure the political and social ties among the masses.
Now is indeed the time to win the forces we need to end capitalism.