[The Black freedom movement in South Africa is…]

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The Black freedom movement in South Africa is facing its most severe test since the current upsurge began two years ago. The government's state-of-emergency decree of June 12 sent most Black leaders either to jail or into hiding. Despite the heightened repression, however, anti-apartheid activity continues at a boiling point.

According to a report by the Community Research Group in Johannesburg, at least AMERICA almost unworkable.

The Black and non-racial trade unions have come to the forefront in organizing activities to combat the government's repression. A wave of political strikes began in late June among retail clerks, farmworkers, and food workers. The strikers demanded an end to the state of emergency and the release of union leaders from jail.

Impact Visuals/Rick Reinhard On July 3, thousands of workers at four diamond mines ' valked off the job. By midmonth, close to 20,000 gold and diamond (continued on page 13, in “U.S. war on Nicaragua”) reorganize the contra forces in response to a series of setbacks. Numerous international press reports have described incidents of rape, torture, and brutality against the Nicaraguan civilian population during contra raids. Other reports have exposed widespread drug trafficking inside the mercenary camps.

Meanwhile, dismayed U.S. politicians complain that top contra commanders are siphoning millions of dollars of U.S. aid into their Miami and Honduran investment portfolios.

But money has never been the real problem for the contras, and there certainly isn't a shortage of it today. The Democratic and Republican Congressional politicians are pumping unlimited funds to revive a mercenary war which falters as it confronts massive and popular support for extending the social revolution inside Nicaragua.

The $100-million House-approved aid bill is only one expense item. There are (continued on page 12)

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PLEDOE OF RESISTANCE COF RESISTANCE