Haiti: Nothing to Lose But Our Chains

HAITI, May 1 — PLP organized several events around May Day here to build class-consciousness and PLP . Below is a report of one of the activities in a small town.
PLP members organized a gathering of rural and urban workers and students. They recalled the history of May 1 with a historical overview of slavery and the industrial revolution, up to the mobilizations of striking workers in Chicago in 1886. They described the current situation for the working class and debated how to destroy the misery, poverty and exploitation that capitalism creates. The participants responded with solidarity for PLP — organize our class, prepare the revolution, and march towards communism, the only answer to capitalism!
Raise Hell With Radios
On the eve of May Day, two PL’ers presented a radio show: “May Day is not a festival.” The bosses try to hide what May 1 really means by creating fairs and festivities without political content. But communists organize rallies to present the conditions and interests of the working class. The presenters read a press release heard on radio programs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, before traveling to the provinces.
Callers congratulated the speakers and asked questions about the solution to the problems posed: unemployment and slave wages. The response was to “organize our class to fight back against the ills of capitalism and build a revolutionary party that meets the aspirations of the working class around the world.” The final caller, a youth aged 14, called to say, “Don’t go, you are saying good and true things; my mom and dad are listening to you, too. I like to hear what you say and learn about what you are doing.”
On May Day, PLP organized a public event with more than 50 people. Workers and unemployed, young professionals and students participated. They condemned the system and showed that they understand the bosses’ game. They also pointed out the contradiction that May 1 is seen as Work and Agriculture Day in Haiti. How can workers celebrate Work and Agriculture Day when there is no work and no agriculture?
They also denounced the exploitation the working class suffers. They proclaimed, “Let us unite, we have nothing to lose but our chains!” A public health worker, a secretary, a high school teacher and a primary teacher agreed with a young comrade who advocated organizing into unions to defend the interests of workers. However, as communists, we went straight to the point: the working class must organize itself under the leadership of an international communist party, and go beyond the reform struggle all the way to a revolutionary communist struggle. That is the only way out of the racist capitalist world.
One participant said he liked what they were saying, so why not run for Congress? The comrades made it clear that electing the “right” people will not solve the problems workers are facing because the capitalist system is stacked against our class. Participation in the bosses’ election circus only builds individualism and trust in bourgeois politicians doing something positive for workers. That never happened and it never will happen!
After the public event, PLP and friends enjoyed a dinner together. To carry out these activities, PLP comrades from the U.S. and Haiti raised funds among our friends. A colleague of a local teacher contributed a community center and a generator; a brother provided the sound; other friends and family made coffee and prepared food. Several students did the mobilization work and cleaned up the space before and after. It was a good experience, showing how we can accomplish our tasks by relying on ourselves.
Some students of one teacher criticized her, because they feel that not enough classroom time is given to political debates. They are eager for more opportunities to discuss class struggle, communist revolution and the history of the working class, subjects that are generally hidden from them in the course of bourgeois education.
As communists, we live in harmony with the masses, who have confidence in our communist party. To the final victory!