U.S. fuels hysteria to prepare for war

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Local 87 SEIU members rally in San Francisco on June 5 An important debate is taking place in the National Organization for Women (NOW). The upcoming national convention, to take place this month in New Orleans, will see Eleanor Smeal challenge Judy Goldsmith for president.

The differences between the two candidates are expressed most sharply around how to carry on the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment. Smeal favors a national program for direct action now. "This can't wait for another 10 years,' she says. "We can't decide that we want it and then do nothing."

Smeal is also calling for NOW to get involved in direct action on issues such as reproductive rights, discrimination against females in education, and fighting the Vatican's policies on reproductive rights and women's role in the church.

Goldsmith disagrees. "It [the ERA] is on our agenda, but it is not the most propitious time to bring it up. We are not interested in exercises in futility. We must change the political landscape and get more women elected before we try again."

On June 13, Congress reversed its earlier stand against contra funding by voting almost twice the sum the Reagan administration had requested only six weeks before.

Seeking to whip up a war hysteria, the Reagan administration has also reiterated its goal of overthrowing the Sandinista government in Nicaragua, which has been falsely accused of fomenting "terrorism" in the region.

In the aftermath of the Middle East hostage crisis [at presstime U.S. battle ships are heading for the coast of Lebanon] and of the deaths of four U.S. Marines in El Salvador, the Reagan administration has sent new "emergency" aid to the repressive Salvadoran government.

Potential shown on April 20 The movement against war and austerity has been given a gigantic boost by the April 20 antiwar demonstrations.

It is urgent to extend and deepen the important gains made in building the April 20 actions. Nationally coordiunderscores need for fall protests."

nated fall actions around the four themes of the spring mobilizations are a vital necessity. Greater numbers and new forces can be brought in to make the fall actions an even greater show of strength against the warmakers. Only in this manner can the American people force the warmakers to retreat.

More coverage pp. 4-5 BONAL HONOR PICKET LINES BUILDING TRADES employers' takebacks. [See story page 7.J E Pron AINST Action loc Rvan

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I AFRICA Socialist Action/Joe Ryan Women's movement at crossroads

"Congress' renewed support for contras