Categories: U.S. and Canada

Solidarity with the ‘Tinley Park Five’

The Detroit branch of Workers World Party held a public forum Aug. 4 on fighting fascism. The speakers included Abayomi Azikiwe, a WW contributing editor, who spoke on the history of fascism and racism in the United States. This writer did a short talk on WWP’s history of fighting fascism, whether it comes from the Klan, the American National Socialists, or any other hyper-reactionary forces. The special guests of the evening were part of the Tinley Park Five’s defense team who, for safety reasons, used only the first names Chandra and John.

Back in May, the Tinley Park Five — all militant anti-fascists and part of Anti-Racist Action or ARA — confronted a group of racists with the Illinois European Heritage Association, which has links with the fascist National Socialist Movement, who were meeting in a restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Ill.

Chandra and John talked at great length about the extensive work ARA has done over the years in fighting reactionaries wherever they rear their ugly heads. Their organization has branches all over the country, as well as some in Canada and Mexico.

Currently, the Tinley Park Five are being held in captivity on multiple felony charges with a collective $1 million bond. It is clear they are political prisoners of the capitalist state.

Organizations or individuals who take the position of militant anti-fascism deserve the solidarity and support of the entire progressive movement. Fascists and racists must be combated wherever they are, whether by organizing mass actions, or confronting and stopping them physically. A liberal attitude of ignoring them accomplishes nothing. In fact, it only emboldens the racists.

For more information on the anti-fascist fight and the struggle to free the Tinley Park Five, visit tinleyparkfive.wordpress.com.

Tom Michalak

Share
Published by
Tom Michalak

Recent Posts

Texas executes two people despite disabilities and innocenceTexas executes two people despite disabilities and innocence

Texas executes two people despite disabilities and innocence

Huntsville, Texas Within eight days in February, Texas executed two men, one innocent and the…

February 21, 2025
Belgian workers march against government’s austerity plansBelgian workers march against government’s austerity plans

Belgian workers march against government’s austerity plans

A tidal wave of demonstrations across Belgium on Feb. 13 brought out a multitude of…

February 21, 2025
10,000 King Soopers strikers go back for 100 days / “They could not weaken our line.”10,000 King Soopers strikers go back for 100 days / “They could not weaken our line.”

10,000 King Soopers strikers go back for 100 days / “They could not weaken our line.”

February 19, 2025, Denver Ten thousand striking grocery workers at 77 King Soopers stores in…

February 21, 2025
Cleveland: Struggle intensifies for county divestment from Israel BondsCleveland: Struggle intensifies for county divestment from Israel Bonds

Cleveland: Struggle intensifies for county divestment from Israel Bonds

Since April 2024, the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community and other organizations have been demanding that…

February 21, 2025
An appreciation of Malcolm XAn appreciation of Malcolm X

An appreciation of Malcolm X

February 21, 2025, will mark the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X. The…

February 20, 2025
Panamá: Unions battle regime over workers’ rightsPanamá: Unions battle regime over workers’ rights

Panamá: Unions battle regime over workers’ rights

A mass national demonstration Feb. 12 in front of Panamá’s National Assembly protested the regime’s…

February 20, 2025