Austin, Minn., was the site of an anti-immigrant hate rally on June 3. Members of the National Socialist Movement, a fascist political party, organized the rally. Their stated goals include deporting all homosexuals and people without “pure european heritage.” They also stand for re-instituting traditional colonialism on a racial basis.
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Throughout the rally, more than 50 people came out to tell the group of about 15 racists that they are not welcome in our community.
Racism represents a serious threat to the class struggle everywhere. This can be clearly seen here in Austin, where in 1985-86 meatpacking plant workers went on strike to secure fair pay. Following the breaking of the strike and the migration of Latino workers into the plant, it became the position of local reactionaries to blame immigrants for “stealing American jobs.”
The true antagonism lies not between Latino workers and other workers, but between the bosses and workers. Nothing will relieve the pain that we feel as working people until this antagonism is addressed. That is where the true struggle lies, in the building of a multi-national workers movement to stand up and fight back against the owners and Wall Street.
Capitalism is facing a big crisis right now and it is during these times of crisis that fascists try to gain influence among disenchanted workers. We need to stand against the right-wing and all oppose all forms of racism and the division of workers.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation helped organize for the Austin counter-protest. Other groups, including FMLN Minnesota and the Socialist Workers Party also came out to show support for immigrant rights.
