To the LRP
attn: Joseph
Hi,
Thanks again for your recent email. (You should have received a response). We wish to continue the discussion of principles which has begun. However, we are writing this time to ask your assistance in a practical matter.
The ANSWER web site contains a number of union resolutions in support of demonstrations against the Iraq war. Some of these resolutions mention ANSWER specifically, so it is a good bet these resolutions were introduced by ANSWER supporters. Others may or may not have been introduced by ANSWER.
The ANSWER website also contains lists of endorsers of the demonstrations and their union affiliations. In many cases, it is easy, through cross referencing, to determine that an individual endorser is a "close" ANSWER supporter, i.e. shows up in variety of places supporting WWP initiated organizations.
We would like to determine
a) if public WWP or ANSWER supporters have anywhere introduced resolutions in favor raising anti-war demands as part of a work stoppage.
b) which resolutions public WWP or ANSWER supporters have in fact introduced
c) which resolutions they have voted for, but not introduced
Our practical request is this. If you have any information that could help us answer these three questions, could you forward this information to us.
The use that we wish to make of this information is in leaflets at ANSWER sponsored demonstrations which draw attention to:
1. the fact that ANSWER and WWP have supporters in the union movement and
2. the fact that these supporters use their influence in the unions to build demonstrations which contribute very little to building an effective opposition to the war/occupation,
3. the fact that these supporters do not use their influence to fight for political strikes, actions which would contribute significantly to building an effective opposition to the war/occupation.
Such a leaflet would have been very appropriate at a demonstration held today in Boston, where ANSWER had no Democratic Party speakers, but did have supporters of WWP in the union movement speak. Unfortunately, we were not in a position to challenge them on the actual work they do in the unions.
Whether or not you can or wish to assist us in this matter, we would also welcome your opinions and advice regarding the approach mentioned.
--Peter for the AL Collective