Call to action in Lewiston Maine
On Saturday January 11, 2003, the World Church of the Creator (WCC) plans to rally in Lewiston, Maine- a move Matthew Hale, their leader, said will "help spread the group's message of racism throughout New England". Seeking
to capitalize on racist statements made by Lewiston Mayor Laurier Raymondin regards to the recent influx of Somali refugees to the area, Hale plans to deliver a speech entitled "White Power or Ruin". The speech will urge
residents "to make sure that the Somalis feel unwelcome", and to "drive [them] out of Lewiston!". As WCC, as well as the National Alliance, continue to piggyback off of
local controversies, we must continue to stand solidly against the spread of racism and fascism in our communities. This strategy, of dividing the united force of the working class along ethnic lines, is historically used
by the right wing as a means of consolidating the power of the status quo(the bosses), and has the effect of strengthening the power base of fascism. In New England, where once the right played the Irish against the Italian immigrants, and the Quebecois immigrants against both, now, in Lewiston, it uses the recent immigration of Somalis as a lever to divide the natural solidarity of the working people in this Maine town. They tell us that immigrants are taking our jobs. But the fact remains that Maine's economy, in general, has been destroyed by plant closings, capital flight, and the loss of a manufacturing base. Lewiston, like other parts of the state, actually saw its population significantly decrease between 1990 and 2000 in part because it is really difficult to find good paying jobs. This is just one example of the relationship between capitalism and community-- the more flexibility the corporations have to move to the cheapest labor markets, the more insecure working people become in their daily lives.The WCC and the National Alliance seek to exploit an artificial divide in order to gain support for their neo-nazi program. But we, the working class, know racism and fascism is antithetical to our class struggle aimed
at our own emancipation as human beings. As Adolf Hitler was driven to commit suicide, and as Italian workers executed Mussolini, we intend to stand united against the threat that fascism poses to the freedom, safety, and continuing struggles of our co-workers, communities, friends, and families. We call on the people of New England, Quebec, and beyond, who strive to eradicate such racist leeches as the WCC from our communities, to show
unity against racism not behind closed doors-- but out in the open streets of Lewiston. For, wherever preachers of racist ideology travel to spew their garbage, they will be met face to face by the fire of working class solidarity. Wherever they try to construct racial tension, we will continue to dismantle them the only way that has proven to be effective-- up front and personally. The people of New England have no tolerance for fascism or racism, we will meet WCOTC with steadfast opposition, and we intend to win!
Working class power, not white power
Green Mountain Anarchist Collective (NEFAC supporter) greencollective-AT-chek.com
*For logistical information contact
GMAC via email
Endorsed by:
NYC Anti-Racist Action
Sargassum Collective
R.O.S.A. Collective
Desiderata Collective