An Inspiring Marchhere ♦ Filled with Joy here ♦ Camaraderie here ♦
An Inspiring March
In El Salvador, I believe that, just as it was worldwide, the May Day march was a success. Farmworker comrades got up very early to reach the meeting point in San Miguel. From there they were transported to San Salvador. On the road they were joined by families of comrades who are former civil war combatants. Year after year, despite their advanced age, they do not falter in the struggle. And this year they are more convinced than ever that we must continue the work toward the communist revolution.
An inspiring sight is the enthusiasm of the elderly comrade P, who, with nostalgia, motivates us to continue communist work. So do the comrade workers from various factories who already belong to the ICWP, holding the banners high, repeating the chants, and raising the flags, all ready to take part in the march, along with a good group of young people. Other people who are not yet part of the party joined the group, voluntarily integrating into the ranks with the comrades.
The impact on the people who came out to watch was interesting. Many read the banner and discussed the slogan with others, as if to say, “The ICWP exists internationally.” Additionally, the Red Flag newspaper was received warmly. Some were given copies without asking, while others asked for them and immediately began reading.
A total of 1,200 newspapers were distributed along the route. Two comrades went to distribute them at the location where the march was supposed to end, since it had been rerouted. However, this was not an obstacle. Rather, it worked in our favor, as it allowed us to provide coverage even at another event that had been planned to disrupt the activities of this May Day.
As one slogan put it: “Capitalism is on its way out because Communism is on its way in.” The many fascist actions no longer stop the working class from demonstrating, much less from organizing. The work being done is being accepted, especially because workers are gaining awareness of the exploitation to which we are subjected. Regardless of the industry in which we work, we are slaves to the capitalist system.
And the only thing guaranteed in this system is the deterioration of the individual in the effort to put food on the family table. Deterioration in health and personal dignity, as well as the deterioration of family relationships due to a lack of time to connect with one another, all while meeting the goals or demands of the system itself.
Waiting for a retirement that does not bring good news—on the contrary, it arrives amid economic hardships and family insecurity. It is therefore gratifying to have participated in a march where there were more positive comments, greater acceptance, and new integration of other participants into the march alongside all the comrades of the ICWP.
Long live the working class! Long live May Day! Long live ICWP!
—Comrade in El Salvador
May Day in El Salvador: “Filled with Joy!”
Greetings to all, comrades and friends.
For me, it was a very special day to be at the May 1st march. At first, I thought I would be alone, that few comrades would show up. But then comrades from other departments and municipalities across El Salvador began to arrive. That filled me with joy. It was a long march, unlike in previous years.
However, we raised our voices, and it was a great opportunity to make ourselves known as a communist party.
It’s not easy for us women to leave things undone at home. But it’s worth putting those things aside to go out and fight, comrades, because if we stay silent, no one will ever know about communist ideas.
Distributing Red Flag filled me with joy. My son and I handed out the newspaper. It was the little bit I needed, but it filled me with satisfaction.
A woman approached me and said, “But I hadn’t heard of you until today.”
I replied, “This party has been around for years, but now we’re distributing our newspaper so more workers can read it—we’ve grown. And if you read the newspaper, you’ll see where we’re organized in other countries, not just here in El Salvador. Our party is international.”
“Really?” she asked.
“There’s a website where you can read more. If you have children, nieces and nephews, or grandchildren, they can use the internet to learn about our entire struggle and how long the ICWP has existed.” She thanked me.
This motivates me to raise our voice as a party, as Red Flag.
—Young communist worker
Camaraderie among Communist Farmworkers and Factory Workers
Comrades, greetings to all!
The community where I live has a long history of participating in the struggles for a better world.
Today we took part in the May 1st march, with the conviction that this oppressive system will come to an end.
We got up very early at 2 am and left at 3 am for the meeting place where other party comrades were waiting for us, so we could arrive in the capital early.
They welcomed us very warmly, which made us feel a sense of camaraderie, just as it should be among communists.
There were six of us from the community, including family and friends. We marched a long way, but it was worth it.
We will meet soon to continue organizing more workers in the community.
On the way back, we were all tired but satisfied that we had fulfilled our duty to mobilize on this historic day for our class, the working class.
—Farmworker comrade in El Salvador
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