April antiwar actions enlist support from labor

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The sonic booms from U.S. military spy planes flying over Managua and the large-scale military maneuvers on the Honduran border have renewed fears that an invasion of Nicaragua is imminent. Over the past weeks, informed government sources have leaked information indicating that there are dates and even blueprints for an invasion.

Whatever the accuracy of these "leaks" it is undoubtedly true that the Reagan administration plans to step up its intervention in Central America.

During the Vietnam war, the Nixon administration often consciously floated rumors of major escalations. These threats were usually followed by the dreadful reality of larger and more barbarous military actions against the Vietnamese people.

This issue of Socialist Action contains several reports on local demonstrations, rallies, and picket lines. Although called on short notice, these actions show that there is great potential for organizing a massive anti-intervention One example of the growing opportunities for anti-intervention work was a local conference on Central America held on Nov. 10 in Richmond, Va., which attracted over 200 participants. Several nationally prominent anti-intervention speakers addressed the meeting. These included Jerry Gordon, coordinator of the Emergency National Conference (ENC); Suzanne Ross, a national leader of the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES); and Phil Wheaton, director of the Ecumenical Program for Interamerican Communication and Action (EPICA).

There have also been important steps taken toward building an effective national antiwar coalition. For example, an administrative sub-committee of a national coalition of traditional peace, pacifist, and religious groups has rec(continued on page 4, in “Referendum campaign spurs Boston antiwar movement”)

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AS WE GO TO PRESS National coalition changes date for spring actions to April 20.