Rainbow of solidarity at Boston meeting

The theme of the night was solidarity and struggle at the Workers World Forum here on June 19. The evening began with stirring video footage of University of Puerto Rico student strikers confronting the cops and celebrating their recent victory.

Speakers from Puerto Rico and Haiti shared experiences with LGBTQ activists and youth struggling for equal education. WW photo: Steve Gillis

The featured speaker was Dr. Alberto Baretto, long-time activist for Puerto Rican independence and liberation. The meeting was co-sponsored by Coordinadora Caribeña y Latinoamericana de Puerto Rico. Baretto explained how and why the capitalist attack on public education has intensified in this economic crisis. He described how the Puerto Rican students showed that the people united in movement and struggle can defeat the capitalist onslaught.

The filled room also heard from Sandra McIntosh and Jose Lopez, co-chairs of the Coalition for Equal Quality Education, who explained how the very same attacks are happening here in Boston. They spoke of a Community Summit planned for June 23 to organize the community fight-back against school closings, privatization, union busting and the racist resegregation of the Boston schools.

Then Lai Wa Wu and two high school leaders of the Student Immigrant Movement told the crowd of a round-the-clock vigil the group is conducting at the Massachusetts State House. The youth are opposing a draconian set of anti-immigrant budget amendments that would deny all education and social services to those who cannot prove legal residency.

Retes ReJouis, coordinator of the Confederation of Transportation in Haiti and president of Unity for Constructive Action by Haitian Unions, addressed the group about the attacks on public transportation in Haiti and the ongoing devastation from the earthquake, which continues to remain unaddressed. He called for international solidarity.

Frank Neisser of Stonewall Warriors told the crowd of the unity between the LGBTQ community and UNITE HERE Hyatt Hotel workers at the Boston LGBTQ Pride parade. The whole meeting showed what a rainbow of solidarity looks like.