Toledo strikers battle cops

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Salvadoran Altlacatl Brigade during special training in the United States TOLEDO, Ohio-On May 21, 1984, nearly 50 years to the day since the historic Toledo Auto-Lite strike left two dead and 25 wounded in 1934, union members from the United Auto Workers and other unions fought a pitched battle with police at the AP Parts plant.

This clash was the most violent labor action since the Auto-Lite strike of 1934 and the International Harvester strike of 1912.

On an hour's notice, at 3 p.m., hundreds of trade unionists began assembling at the AP Muffler and Tailpipe plant to protest the company's use of 120 scab workers. Between 2000 and 3500 unionists eventually joined the protest. Violence erupted about 4:30 p.m. when police rushed and arrested several protesters following the raising of a banner that said, "UAW strong!" four women. For Duarte, it is more convenient to find a handful of soldiers to punish so that the affair can once again In fact, it is not just more convenient for Duarte to limit the investigation of the murders—it is necessary. No Salvadoran government can last long that does not have the support or the toleration of the Salvadoran army and its clandestine detachments-the death The U.S. role in the elections Reagan administration officials now admit that the CIA funneled more than $600,000 to Duarte's Christian Democratic Party. U.S. policy intended to prevent the possibility of a victory by D'Aubuisson, whose election would have been a barrier to the open provision of military aid to El Salvador's rightwing regime. Hedrick Smith noted in the May 13 New York Times that the victory of Duarte, who vowed "to halt Iran-Iraq war widens, the rightwing death squads, pursue land reform, and seek a dialogue with the insurgents, not only suited the Administration but helped to disarm Democratic The war between Iran and Iraq, now in its fourth year, has entered its most The real significance of the Salvadoran elections was demonstrated by bloody stage yet. In recent months, conDuarte's international diplomacy. clusive evidence has indicated that the Iraqi regime has been using chemical Immediately after his victory, he went on a short tour of Costa Rica, Hondu- warfare on a wide scale and as an important part of its military strategy. ras, and Guatemala, and then flew off For its part, Iran has demonstrated a willingness to send tens of thousands of In Costa Rica, according to Guilteenage boys to the front to be sacrilermo Ungo of the Revolutionary Demficed in the widening carnage caused by ocratic Front (FDR), Duarte informed the Costa Rican president of his desire the war.

The two countries attempt to strangle to hold a dialogue with the Salvadoran rebels. Costa Rican President Luis each other economically by blockading each others' ports. The Arab League Alberto Monge has reportedly agreed to has sponsored a hypocritical resolution "facilitate dialogue towards a negoticondemning only Iran for its recent ated settlement" to the civil war in El bombing of four tankers in internaAt a news conference in San Jose, tional waters.

Costa Rica, Ungo reiterated the FDR's More on Iran-Iraq war, proposal of initiating a dialogue "withSee page 17 (continued on page 2, in “N.Y. rally set for June 9”)

Just prior to this, an empty car-carrier truck had been driven into the entrance gate to block it. Following the beating of one trade unionist and the handcuffing of others, the police were met with a hail of rocks and bottles. The police responded with tear gas, and a fierce 45-minute battle ensued.

During this time rocks and bottles rained upon the police and paddy wagons. Numerous windows in the plant were smashed, and unionists tossed back tear gas cannisters. Police broke out their riot gear, helmets, shields, pellet, and tear gas guns. The battle reerupted on several occasions into the evening. Forty-one trade unionists and unemployed workers were ultimately arrested. Most were charged with aggravated rioting. The preliminary hearings are scheduled to begin June 4.

(continued page 8) U.S. arms Saudi Arabia The bleeding of the Iranian and Iraq:

toiling masses through the prolongation of the war has been pushed forward by the imperialist countries, which have profited from the arms sales to both countries.

In this context, U.S. imperialism has delivered 400 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it has offered to insure "freedom of navigation" through the use of its military power in the Persian Gulf. And it has begun discussions within NATO to find a common military response to the Gulf This Gulf war has already resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. The U.S. intervention threatens a wider and bloodier war.

No U.S. intervention in Iran-lraq End the fighting now!