Guinean's and supporters march in the streets of Manhattan following the September 28th killings.

Join the second march on the UN by Guineans and their allies in New York City, Thursday December 8th.  If you can’t make it, there are ways to get involved, including organizing solidarity events and extensive letter writing campaigns, so please do!

Kadiatou Diallo (Amadou Diallo‘s mother) and Norm Siegal of the NYCLU are lending their voices to this, in support of “Alliance Guinea” in America. Their Advocacy page asks: “Are you an elected leader or political activist? Join our advocacy action group. Email allianceguinea(at)gmail.com to get involved in any of these sub-committees.”   There is also a full list of ways you can help at http://www.allianceguinea.org/advocacy-what-you-can-do/ .

The US based rights group Alliance Guinea is organizing a march and protest demanding the military junta in Conakry, murderers of thousands of innocents and, be brought to justice.  Only last week it was reported that the Guinean military was employing South African and Israeli mercenaries, hired by a firm run by a US former West Point graduate and Morgan Stanley executive, to train ethnic militias.  The use of such divisions, long overcome in by most Guineans, could plunge the nation into a civil war like Yugoslavia  experienced in the 1990s, and create suffering across West Africa.  Demand the UN make sure the regime in Conakry knows they have no future in government, and their only hope is to hand over power to a civilian transitional authority immediately.

If you can’t make the Tuesday lunchtime march:

• Write a letter to your government and press demanding action, and

• Come to the “Musique contre la Violence” unity night in Harlem on December 9 at 8PM at Shrine in Harlem

Full release follows:

Pro-democracy march in NYC on Dec. 8

From: Alliance Guinea
http://www.allianceguinea.org

This is far from over – the latest news out of Guinea is a proposed deal that would have the CNDD junta heading a “national transition council” for up to 10 months and open the door for Dadis to stand in elections. At the same time, the UN is beginning the work of the international commission of inquiry into the crimes of September 28, but it’s clear that more international pressure against the military and support for the population is needed.

Here in New York Alliance Guinea has joined forces with the Guinean Forces Vives in the US and our friends Kadiatou Diallo and Norman Siegel of the Amadou Diallo Foundation to form the “September 28 Coalition for Justice and Democracy in Guinea.”

Together we are organizing a march and rally on Tuesday, December 8 from 11am – 3pm to demand justice for the crimes committed and support for a speedy and democratic transition to civilian rule in Guinea. At 11am we will gather in front of the Guinean consulate at 140 E. 39th St., marching then to 47th Street and rallying by noon at Dag Hammarskjold Park in front of the United Nations.
see http://www.allianceguinea.org Stay tuned for a list of expected speakers.

If you live far from New York and cannot join us in person, here are two things you can still do:

1. Make a donation – help us offset the cost of the rally (permits, transport, stage & sound system costs, etc.) through our new online giving button at http://www.allianceguinea.org  Check it out and pass the word – every gift counts!
2. Write a letter (again!) to your local newspaper or Congressperson/Member of Parliament and tell them about the march and how the latest news out of Guinea confirms the critical need for international pressure and support is critical to getting justice and preventing what could spiral into civil war. For sample letters and other tips, see http://www.allianceguinea.org/advocacy-what-you-can-do/
3. And if you are in the New York area and can’t make it during lunch hour on Tuesday, don’t miss for what is going to be an amazing “Musique contre la Violence” unity night in Harlem on December 9 at 8pm at Shrine in Harlem with some of the greatest masters of Guinean music living in America and guest speakers from the September 28 Coalition. (2271 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, New York, NY 10030)

The situation in Guinea is just as dire as ever, and justice must be served and the military must go.

Need More details? see:

• Guinea: Bloody Repression Against anti-Junta Protesters (@ Indybay)
  http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/09/28/18623704.php
• On the brutal sexual violence perpetrated on September 28th (warning, disturbing images)
  http://hosive.agapeshack.com/2009/10/06/pause-horror-in-guinea/
• http://observers.france24.com/en/content/20091005-photos-women-stripped-naked-humiliated-posted-online-guinea-crackdown-abuse
• Blackstar Journal:  Ethnic cleansing in Guinea?  A detailed and disturbing letter from eyewitnesses to continued (October 21) violence and oppression aimed at opposition and ethnic groups
• http://blackstarjournal.blogspot.com/2009/10/ethnic-cleansing-in-guinea.html
• Human Rights Watch: Guinea: September 28 Massacre Was Premeditated
  http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/27/guinea-september-28-massacre-was-premeditated
• Friends of Guinea (US)
  http://friendsofguinea.blogspot.com/

Ivan, provided security for antifascists and dissdents of all stripes.

“S2W” at avtonom.org shares his memories of this modern day hero, Ivan Khutorskoy.

“Yesterday evening, Monday the 16th of November, 26 year old anti-fascist Ivan “Vanya Kostolom” Khutorskoy was shot to death at the entrance to his home at Khabarovsk street in the east side of Moscow; according to some information with two shots to his head.

Vanya was a great figure in the Russian anti-fascist movement, and I am sure many people will write down their memories of him in the days, months and years to come. But as of today most of his friends are too angry and too shocked, at the loss of this friend and comrade. [read the rest at avtonom.org]

You can help:

“Vanya’s father died a few years ago, he is by his mother and his sister. Donations to support friends and family with funeral costs are welcome, you may use Yandex-money account 41001411894609, or in case you do not know what that is, you may donate through ABC-Moscow: http://www.avtonom.org/donate. But in this case write to ABC-Moscow about your plans (abc-msk AT riseup DOT net, and also indicate in transfer that it is “for Kostolom friends and family”. ”

Related articles by Zemanta

• Nationalists Suspected in Russian Activist’s Death (nytimes.com)
• Russian Lawyer Who Fought Corruption Dies in Prison (abcnews.go.com)

Free stickers, via IDollarNY.org

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is general election day here in New York City and across the waters in NJ.  If you can vote, use it to make a point.

I know all the debates about voting not changing anything, and while I tend to agree, I’m not asking you to overthrow capitalism with your vote.  It won’t do that.  But it is a splendid soapbox from which to shout, and it is a way to ensure the object with which those in power can hit you is as small as possible.

So here are my recommendations:

Vote Against Bloomberg

The 4th richest man in America and the 17th richest in the world, Bloomberg is a billionaire 16 times over.  He’s spending over $100 Million to finance a campaign that is illegal under NYC law, after we all voted twice for term limits.  Of course he got other politicians to annul this law.  I wonder how?

Bloomy has jumped UP the rankings, making billions more during his two mayoral terms.  And yet he’s cutting schools, health care, services, and raising only those taxes that hit the working poor hardest.

http://www.voterevbilly.org

In short, he’s a scumbag.  Tell him what you think by voting for Reverend Billy Tallen for mayor!

You don’t have to worry that Billy will win and be corrupted by power.  And Billy has always been the first at every little picket or protest, always offered solidarity, always been there for those fighting power.  You owe him one (if not several).

Vote Socialist for NJ Governor

Greg Pason, perennial candidate for the Socialist Party is running for governor.  I may be biased.  But the media driven acceptable choices are the fat Republican who loves George Bush, or the hairy Democrat who made billions as a unrepentant capitalist merchant banker, or the “independent” who’s really a Republican who just doesn’t hate everyone who’s not straight/white/rich as much as the first guy.

http://www.votepason.org/

Greg Pason is not going to win.  Again, if you think this is a question of revolutionary principles, you’ve gotten ahead of yourself.  This is a lifeline to those out there who’ve always been told that capitalism, free markets, and wage labor are the only choices there are.  I’ve seen the effect that Greg’s campaigns can have on people across the state.  People are so rarely reached by radical newspapers, protests, email lists, or punk rock fanzines.  New Jersey law gives an avowed anti-capitalist air time, mailings that go to every home in the state, and a platform bigger than any march you’ve ever put together.  Every vote Greg and other anti-capitalist candidates gets lends legitimacy to a future more just society.

And this society has gotten so used to abstention, that despite what you’re told, no power is threatened when you stay home.  They just think you’re too fat and happy to shift your ass.

So drag it out: you won’t find a better use for a vote, even abstention.

Vote for Debbie Rose for NY City Council

Next Left Notes Photo: Michelle Akyempong

If you’re lucky enough to live on Staten Island, you have the chance to vote for Debbie Rose for City Council.  After decades of grassroots activism, Debbie got out the vote and shocked the Democratic Party machine in the primaries, spanking the right wing Democrat Fred Flintstone look alike Ken Mitchell.  Now Debbie is a day away from being the first person of color to be elected from any Staten Island election.  Ever.

If that’s not reason enough, Ken Mitichell is storming back, using the Conservative Party ballot line (NYC politicians stand on, sometimes seemingly contradictory, multiple party lines) to try and win back his City Council seat.  The same seat he was gifted by the Democratic machine, with which he did zero, except voting against a law that would protect Abortion providers from harassment.

Is Debbie Rose going to change the world? Hardly.  But she’s good people, has always been loyal to her working class community and the struggles here against racism, police brutality, pollution and poverty. We need to give her a louder megaphone, and take it away from the idiots who hold it now.

So like I said, votes won’t make a revolution.  That’s up to the rest of us.  Your vote can make a point.  Use it.

Related articles:

• See another leftist set of recommendations at  Next Left Notes (nextleftnotes.org)
• Reverend Billy: New York’s Consumerism (huffingtonpost.com)
• Bloomberg Sets Record for His Own Spending on Elections (nytimes.com)
• New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg spending 15000 an hour on reelection bid (telegraph.co.uk)
• On Tuesday Your Vote is Really Going to Count (streetsblog.org)
• New Poll: Anybody But Bloomberg [Polls] (cityfile.com)
• Newark Mayor Backed Bloomberg, Then Got Funds (nytimes.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pittsburgh, PA – From September 22nd to 25th members of the NYC Local of the Socialist Party USA, will be in Pittsburgh, PA to participate in mass demonstrations in opposition to the G20 meeting being held in the city. We will be providing live reports, pictures and videos to the Socialist Webzine (http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com) and our twitter account (@socialistzine). We will also be available by phone for interviews before, during and after the street protests.

Nations in the G20 control 90 percent of world GDP, and 80 percent of world trade and operate under the free market direction of the IMF and World Bank. As a result, UNICEF reports that more than 25,000 children die each day due to poverty and millions survive on less than $1 a day. The economic policies of the G20 are a direct cause of the current global economic crisis which has produced mass layoffs and social suffering throughout the world.

The G20 meetings have no published agenda and there is no accountability – the meetings are conducted in secret and remain closed only through the violent acts of police. We oppose these policies and will make this opposition clear by taking part in the demonstrations against the G20 meeting.

“People are tired of settling for the crumbs of the global economy,” says Billy Wharton, Editor of The Socialist and Socialist Webzine. “Thousands will march in Pittsburgh to demand democracy, economic redistribution, and a future beyond capitalism.”

The NYC Local of the Socialist Party USA supports the creation of a world where the vast wealth in society is used for the benefit of the greater good. We believe in a radical expansion of democracy to all areas of life and we promote the use of our civil rights to protest. With our participation in these demonstrations we are not only declaring our opposition to the G20, but also our belief that the exploitative policies of capitalism offer no way forward for humanity. For us, taking part in these demonstrations are a declaration in our belief that a more democratic and equitable future is possible.

###

For more information or to arrange interviews contact:

Billy Wharton
Editor, The Socialist and The Socialist WebZine
718-869-2279
billyspnyc (at) yahoo.com

UPDATE 24 August: Nigerien Civil society activist Marou Amadou remains in arbitrary detention.  According to the BBC he has been beaten in custody.  Several other opposition activists arrested for protesting the coup remain in custody.  Police have attacked peaceful protests, most recently on 22 August in Niamey, at which several opposition leaders were arrested.  Also on 22 August Wada Maman, Secretary General of the “Front Uni pour la Sauvegarde des Acquis Démocratiques” (FUSAD), Board Member and Secretary General of the “Association Nigérienne de Lutte contre la Corruption” (ANLC), was detained by the military while waiting for a Niamey bus.  He is being held without charge or representation.

Please demand the release of these activists.
A sample letter, addresses, and statements by Nigerien and international rights groups are below.
Further links to background material follows sample letter and statements.

==Independent statement=====
PLEASE COPY, SIGN, AND EMAIL, PRINT OR FAX TO THE ADDRESSES BELOW. EMAILS ARE EASY BUT PAPER LETTERS AND FAXES MAKE A STRONGER IMPACT.

cc: missionduniger@gmail.com, webmestre@assemblee.ne, pneniger@gmail.com, ambanigeracanada@rogers.com, embassyofniger@ioip.com, ambassadeniger@hotmail.com
——sample letter——–

24 August 2009

To the honorable representatives of the Republic of Niger,

We deplore the recent wave of arrests by the government of Niger and the use of force to disperse peaceful protests.  We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, an end to political prosecutions, and a return to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Nigerien authorities must respect dissent and their own constitution.  The people of Niger have suffered too much since the struggle for democracy in 1991 to allow a handful of the powerful to return their nation to autocracy.

We support the rights of civil society and opposition groups to protest and assemble, and we support the general strike of the Nigerien labour confederations, the CDTN, CGSL-N, CNT, UGTN, UGSEIN, USPT, and the USTN.

We condemn the arrest of dissident journalists and the arbitrary closure of opposition press;

We condemn the arrests and use of force against peaceful protesters in on the day of the 4 August referendum, and in Niamey and elsewhere both before and after 4 August;

We condemn the use of force against those using peaceful civil disobedience on the day of the 4 August referendum in Illea and elsewhere on 4 August;

We condemn the arrests of opposition activists between 1 and 5 August, including:
*Zakari Oumarou, opposition leader, arrested and arbitrarily detained at Konni;
*Amadou Nomao, Deputy of the National Assembly, arrested and arbitrarily detained at Badaguichiri;
*Alhousseini Ousmane and Elhadj Idrissa Maïgoro, opposition members arrested at Tahoua;
*Dr. Douma, opposition member arrested at Ayorou;

We condemn the arrest between 4 and 11 August and arbitrary detention at Koutoukalé prison of opposition activist Monsieur Alassane Karfi;

We condemn the arbitrary detention by the Judiciary Police of President of the Front pour la Restauration de la Démocratie (FRD) Hamissou Moumouni;

We especially condemn the multiple arrests, unlawful detention at Koutoukalé prison and beating by FNIS (Ministry of Interior Paramilitary Police) of Marou Amadou, Vice Coordinator  of the  Collectif pour la Défense du Droit à l’énergie au Niger (CODDAE) and spokesperson of the FDD;

We condemn the unlawful detention at Koutoukalé prison beginning 22 August of  Wada Maman, Secretary General of the “Front Uni pour la Sauvegarde des Acquis Démocratiques” (FUSAD), Board Member and Secretary General of the “Association Nigérienne de Lutte contre la Corruption” (ANLC).

We condemn the prosecution of Abdoulaye Tiemogo, editor of a private satirical weekly, Le Canard Dechaine and the orchestrated campaign to silence those who question the financial dealings of those close to the President of Niger.

Rest assured that the people of the world stand by the people of Niger is their demands for democracy, rule of law, judicial Independence, and economic transparency.  The truth will come out, and the people of Niger will judge not only the behavior of their government, but those who failed to act in the defense of law.

With the deepest respect for your great nation,

Signed (Your Name)

=======Ends===========

Addresses:
=====================
TO: Ambassador of the Republic of Niger to the United States, S.E.M Toure Aminata Djibrilla Maiga

Embassy of the Republic of Niger
2204 R Street, NW,
Washington DC 20008

Phone: (202) 483-4224
Fax: (202) 483-3169
Email: embassyofniger@ioip.com, ambassadeniger@hotmail.com
Website: http://ambassadeniger@hotmail.com

—-
TO: Ambassador of the Republic of Niger to Canada, S.E.M Nana Aicha FOUMAKOYE

Embassy of Niger in Ottawa, Canada
38 Blackburn Avenue
Ottawa
Ontario K1N 8A3

Phone: (+1) (613) 232-4291 / 2
Fax: (+1) (613) 230-9808

Email: ambanigeracanada@rogers.com
Website: http://www.ambanigeracanada.ca

—-
TO: President of the Republic of Niger, Tandja Mamadou
Office of the President
Palais Présidentiel
BP 550
Niamey
Niger
Fax: + 227 20 73 34 30

email: pneniger@gmail.com
Website: http://www.presidence.ne/contacts.php

Secrétariat Directeur de Cabinet
Telephone:  + 227 20-72-24-72
Directeur de Cabinet Adjoint
Telephone:  + 227 20-72-36-67

—-
TO: Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Seini Oumarou;
Monsieur le Premier Ministre, Chef du Gouvernement ;
Email: webmestre@assemblee.ne
Fax : + 227 20 73 58 59

TO: M. Garba Lompo, Ministre de la Justice,
Fax : +227 20 72 37 77

TO: M. Albade Aboufa, Ministre de l’Intérieur,
Fax: + 227 20 72 21 76

TO: Mission permanente du Niger auprès de l’Union européenne,
Fax : + 32 2 648 27 84

TO: Ambassadeur M. Adani Illo, Mission permanente du Niger auprès des Nations unies à Genève,
Avenue du Lignon 36 (2ème étage), 1219 Le Lignon, Suisse.
Fax: +41 22 979 24 51.
Email: missionduniger@gmail.com

====END ADDRESSES=====

=======Transparency International Statement========
Anti-corruption leader arrested in Niger as civil society faces increased intimidation
Berlin, 24 August 2009

Transparency International (TI) is seriously concerned about the arrest in Niger, of Wada Maman, Board Member and Secretary General of TI chapter, the Association Nigérienne de Lutte contre la Corruption (ANLC)
*http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases/2009/2009_08_24_niger_intimidation

=======Ends===========

=======Publish What You Pay statement===============

Action Alert: PWYP calls on the Nigerien government to end all forms of harassment against civil society leader Marou Amadou
Source: PWYP International – Action Alert
Date: 13 Aug 2009

http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org/en/resources/action-alert-pwyp-calls-nigerien-government-end-all-forms-harassment-against-civil-society

PWYP strongly condemns the transfer into police custody of Marou Amadou, president of the United Front for the Safeguard of Democratic Assets (FUSAD), coordinator of the Advisory and Orientation Committee for the Defence of Democratic Rights (CROISADE), and member of the Réseau des Organisations pour la Transparence et l’Analyse Budgetaire (ROTAB) – Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Niger.

According to ROTAB/PWYP Niger, Marou Amadou was discharged on Tuesday, 12 August 2009 after appearing before the Court of First Instance in Niamey, where he had been summoned for “inciting disobedience of defense and security forces” and “regionalist propaganda”, following his arrest on 10 August 2009 by the Nigerien Judicial Police.

PWYP condemns Marou Amadou’s forced transfer into police custody just hours after a court had ordered his release.

PWYP therefore demands that the discharge decision be respected and calls for the immediate release of Marou Amadou.

PWYP urges the Nigerien authorities to guarantee Marou Amadou’s physical and moral integrity.

PWYP calls on President Mamadou Tandja to ensure an end to all forms of harassment and intimidation against Marou Amadou and civil society activists in Niger, and to guarantee freedom of speech and of the press in accordance with the international human rights standards Niger has committed itself to.

Actions Required:

PWYP asks that you write to the Nigerien authorities, Nigerien diplomatic representatives and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your respective countries to draw their attention to your concerns and forward them this statement

=======Ends===========

=======Frontline Defenders Statement=======
Niger: Detention of human rights defender Mr Marou Amadou
2009/08/17
(Sample letter included)

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2128/action

=======OMCT Statement=======
*Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture
Relaxe et disparition forcée de M. Marou Amadou Niger 11 août 2009

http://omct.org/index.php?id=OBS&lang=fr&actualPageNumber=1&articleSet=Appeal&articleId=8737

====Ends=====

Further links:

*News Reports on the arrest of Marou Amadou
**http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5isewxWl32nJBbl2UP0n3QYpCKSYA
**http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-08-10-voa36.cfm
** BBC NEWS | Africa | Niger opposition figure ‘beaten’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8197439.stm

* Transparency International Statement (22 August)

http://appablog.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/anti-corruption-leader-arrested-in-niger-as-civil-society-faces-increased-intimidation/

* Collectif pour la Défense du Droit à l’énergie au Niger (CODDAE) statement   (Francais)

http://coddae.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92:declaration-de-presse-relative-a-larrestation-du-camarade-marou-amadou-pour-atteinte-a-la-surete-de-letat&catid=1:actualite&Itemid=50

*  Opposition decalration 11 August http://pnds-tarayya.net/news/news.php?id=41
DÉCLARATION DU 11 AOÛT 2009 La Coordination des Forces pour la Démocratie et la République (CFDR)  (Francais)

*  Opposition decalaration on 4 August arrests
http://pnds-tarayya.net/news/news.php?id=38  (Francais)

*NIGER-En réaction à l’arrestation du président du Fusad, Amnesty international exige la libération de Amadou Arou
le Quotidien (Senegal) 19 August.

http://issikta.blogspot.com/2009/08/niger-en-reaction-larrestation-du.html

* Areva/Niger: organisation exposing links between the French Uranium consortia and the government of Niger  (Francais) http://areva.niger.free.fr/

*Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2009 – Niger

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4a5f300dc.html

*Nigerien Labor Confederations joint 72 hour strike, 23 August

http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2073:preavis-de-greve-generale-de-72-heures-&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61

*Nigerien news articles  (Francais)
*http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2072:affaire-marou-amadou-le-proces-des-collectifs-associatifs&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61
*http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1976:vague-darrestation-dans-les-rangs-des-opposants&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61
*http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2005:-communique-de-presse&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61
*http://www.tamtaminfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2007:proces-marou-amadou-et-abdoulaye-tiemogo-des-militants-de-la-cfdr-copieusement-tabasses&catid=44:politique&Itemid=61

*Niger: Les manifestants de l’opposition dispersés par les forces de l’ordre, 22 August.  (Francais)

http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200908240223.html

*Niger: La matraque du colonel, 23 August. (Francais)

http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200908240166.html

*Updates in English:

http://www.tomathon.com/mphm/

I recently saw an appeal from US high school students, raising funds for anti-malarial bed nets to be delivered to the DRC. “When people find out they can donate $10 to save a life,” one Tampa Bay kid was quoted saying, “it really hits home, and they want to help.” The group is a “team” in the NBA / Sports Illustrated charity Nothing But Nets, which directs funding to Ted Turner’s UN Foundation along with several huge corporate charities supported by Exxon and other such entities. There’s no reason to believe that donations for bed nets go anywhere other than this project. And while other huge charities (like Oxfam) actually advocate for changing the world trade regime which cripples poor nations, but there’s no reason — if you have the money — why you shouldn’t donate to both.

Malaria kills a million people a year, mostly African children, but is preventable and treatable.

“Malaria is presently endemic in a broad band around the equator, in areas of the Americas, many parts of Asia, and much of Africa; however, it is in sub-Saharan Africa where 85 – 90% of malaria fatalities occur”1

Nations with year round endemic malaria (red)

Let’s be clear.  Africa is NOT the only place where malaria is still endemic year round.  Pretty much all of the tropics, and areas as far north as parts of Turkey, China, and Mexico see malaria year round.  Other areas see it for parts of the year. People live in malaria endemic areas around the world.  People get malaria in some of the most densely populated nations in the world, like Indonesia, India, and China.  But 90% of the deaths are in Africa.

Cases of malaria (note the many places besides Africa)

Africa is just where most of the deaths are.  Is this because people in other places all use bed nets? No, it’s because they have access to healthcare, clean water, have drained swamps near homes, and provided other measures which guarantee long lives.

If the United States and other powerful nations were to seriously deal with poverty, Malaria would cease to be a major threat. The lack of affordable medication, health care resources causes Malaria to be a killer in Africa. Niger, for instance, has just over 300 physicians for 14 million people, but pays tens of millions to the World Bank every year.

In fact, the entire government expenditure for Niger in 2002 was $320 million (in US dollars). By way of comparison the government of the ~ 8.5 million people of New York City have a $59.4 billion budget from 2009, described as an “austerity budget”. Re institution of the New York City sales tax on clothing (which I’d oppose: poor people would pay disproportionately) would bring in $350 million in 2010. The new Yankee Stadium cost $1.3 billion.

Nor is science alone the answer. One commentator noted, following the much hyped DNA coding of the Malaria virus in 2002, that HIV’s DNA had been know for a decade, but we were no closer to a vaccine. Now that malaria vaccines are in large scale trials, there’s no reason to believe that malaria will disappear from tropical Africa like it has largely done from the rest of the tropical world. Children still die of Measles, in outbreaks in Niger in particular. There are vaccines, many children get them, but children forced to follow their families on seasonal migration seeking work or grazing land often miss their boosters. And there are no clinics in most rural areas to administer them.

In 1900, there were malarial swamps across the US south, around Chicago, in the suburbs of Rome. In 1882, Malaria was endemic in half the United States.

“Malaria’s decline in the United States and Europe in the late 1800s was due mainly to draining swamps and removing mill ponds. Draining swamps also exposed good agricultural land, enabling people to afford better houses and thus isolate the sick. Increasing livestock densities may have diverted biting from humans toward cattle, pigs, or horses. Improved housing, isolation of sick people in mosquito-proof areas, better access to health care and medication, and improved nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene all may have reduced transmission and/or mortality rates.” 2

The United States Malaria eradication campaign: Aircraft spraying from the 1920s, DDT advert from the 1940s

So its very clear what the answer is.  If westerners are dying, we should invest in health care and infrastructure, drain swamps, and spray everything that moves with DDT.

The solution offered Africa: Seydou Keita hands out donated nets in Mali

If Africans are dying at the rate of 3000 a day, we should give out bed nets, and send celebrities to “teach them” things.  Again, don’t get me wrong.  Those bed nets will save lives right now, and they are desperately needed.  But if they are the only answer we give, then we are handing Africans out to dry. Again.

Bed nets are not the reason millions of white people don’t die from malaria right now. Doctors, swamp draining, closed sewers, DDT, schools with free vaccination regimens are. Hell, even paved highways, allowing easy transport of medical and construction resources are crucial. It’s not that sub-Saharan Africa lacks bed netting: its that it lacks all these other things. And it lacks these because it is poor. We can go into why that is, but suffice to say its not going to reflect well upon colonialism, dictators propped up by foreign powers, subsidized dumping of Western agricultural products or other goods, Structural Adjustment programs, etc. Malaria vaccines exist now, treatments exist, malarial habitat eradication exists. African’s die because of their poverty and our profits, not lack of bed nets.

See also:

• Link: Why capitalism isn’t really fighting malaria: Phil Ward
• Link:  AntiMalaria day in Mali
• Link: The Great Failure of Malaria Control in Africa: A District Perspective from Burkina Faso
• Link: Africa: Broken Promises on Malaria, 12/13/02
• Link: The billion-dollar malaria moment. Mark Grabowsky Nature 451, 1051-1052 (28 February 2008)
• Link: http://www.malariasite.com/
• Link: BEDNETS FOR MALARIA CONTROL April 4, 1996. International Development Research Centre
• Link:  Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn, Diarmid H. Campbell-Lendrum, Ben Armstrong, and Clive R. Davies. Malaria in Britain: Past, present, and future. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 August 19; 100(17): 9997–10001.
• And finally, the wonderful Bad Air: Malaria in Africa Blog, with links and art from 2006.

Thursday November 20th – 7:00 pm – Book Discussion:
“Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism” w/
author Jeffrey Perry – A. J. Muste Institute, 339
Lafayette Street, Buzzer #11, (6 train to Bleecker
Street)
www.sp-usa.org/
www.blackpast.org/

Saturday Dec. 6th – 3:00 pm
- NYC Local Open House –
Find out more about your local Socialists – A. J.
Muste Institute, 339 Lafayette Street, Buzzer #11, (6
train to Bleecker Street)
www.spnyc.org

Sunday Dec. 14th – 3:00 pm
– Liberation Film Series – “Heavens Above!” -
A. J. Muste Institute, 339
Lafayette Street, Buzzer #11, (6 train to Bleecker
Street)
www.going.com/heavensabove

Coalition/Endorsed Events

Thursday Nov. 13th – 4:00 pm
– Rally for National Single-Payer Healthcare –
–Rally begins at 4pm, at
42nd St. and 7th Ave., with speakers & music –At 5pm,
march to GHI Insurance at 34th St. and 9th Ave. –
Bring Signs and Friends! – contact Jean Fox at
212-865-6027
http://phimg.org
www.healthcare-now.org/
http://saveourhealthcare.blogspot.com/

Sunday Dec. 14th – 7:00 pm –Activist Poets Roundtable
– A. J. Muste Institute, 339 Lafayette Street, Buzzer
#11, (6 train to Bleecker Street)
For further information send an email to:
stblm@optonline.net.

Questions? Contact a Socialist! (718) 869-2279 or
socialistpartynyc(–at–)gmail–dot–com

Useful Links
http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com/
http://www.warresisters.org/
http://www.responsiblelending.org/
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/

DIRECTIONS to the A.J. Muste Institute:
Take #6 train to Bleecker Street or B, D, F, V train to
Broadway/Lafayette or R, W to Prince. (B, V, W are
weekday-only.) BUSES: M21 Avenue C/Houston St. bus or
Centre St. or Broadway bus; NYC suggests BIKING:
Broadway, Lafayette, Houston, East River path, Hudson
Greenway.

Interested in activist events in NYC? Check out Todd
Eaton’s List…
Please ask friends to try nyprotest
two-message-per-week calendar, also online at
http://snipurl.com/nyprotest