1973 * A Year Of Unity And Of Struggle * 1973

By VVAW

SUMMARY OF THE YEAR

In past years, VVAW/WSO was primarily concerned with ending the war in Indochina. During 1973, the events that occured helped VVAW/WSO mature politically and allow for a better understanding of the crimes committed against the people of the world by the US government. With an increased knowledge of the policies of the US government of suppressing the freedom and enforcing the military and economic domination of Indochina, Latin America and Africa, VVAW/WSO broadened its activity to reflect the escalation of these crimes. The effects of US imperialism at home and abroad was marked by direct action from chapters across the country.

The year began with the continued war in Indochina and with the signing of the peace agreement for ending the war in Vietnam. Immediately, the US and the Saigon regime violated it, and continue to do so. The US is still bombing Cambodia daily, but is unable to suppress the struggle for independence of the Cambodian people. In Laos, the coalition government that resulted from the signing of their agreement proceeds on shakey ground. Elsewhere around the world, liberation struggles grew in strength while war broke out in the Middle East and a fascist coup overthrew the government in Chile.

At home the American people were subjected to ever increasing repression. We saw the trial of the Gainesville 8 end in victory for the people and the continuing trial of Gary Lawton and Zurebu Gardner, falsely accused of murdering two policemen. The occupation of Wounded Knee by the American Indian Movement forcefully dramatized the continued abuse of Native Americans by the US government. In addition, we witnessed the explosive rebellions in prisons across the country that pointed out the repressive nature of the American system. Political trials continued in a blatant attempt to silence dissent.

Economically, Americans saw the rise in food prices soar out of bounds to frozen wages and witnessed the attempts to destroy the United Farm Workers Union and the sellout of the auto workers by union and company 'leadership'. We learned of the crooked wheat deals and recognized the diversionary scare tactics of the energy crisis.

In an effort to help educate Americans to these crimes, VVAW/WSO has broadened its base to include non-veterans in order to expand its scope of work, as we continue to support the struggles of the Indochinese peoples.

INDOCHINA

In January, 5,000 VVAW/WSO members marched in Washington on Inaugural Day demanding that Nixon end the war in Indochina. When the agreement was signed our members pressed for its implementation by the US. Barry Romo of the National Office travelled around the country talking about the horrors of the December bombings that he lived through in Hanoi. Later in the year, John Naveau returned from Vietnam and spoke of the barbaric conditions under which the Thieu regime is holding 200,000 political prisoners. In California, members demonstrated against Thieu as he visited Nixon in San Clemente. Other demonstrations occured throughout the year protesting the bombing of Cambodia. In the Fall, VVAW/WSO organized Indochina Solidarity Week in which chapters spoke and leafletted in support of the struggles for independence in Southeast Asia. As long as the war continues, VVAW/WSO is committed to work for an end to it.

G.I.S

VVAW/WSO military chapters in Japan grew as they demonstrated against the war in Southeast Asia and the American presence in Japan and Okinawa. They participated in marches on Kadena AFB and members were arrested for handing out copies of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. The military declared the Hobbit, (the movement coffeehouse), off limits, but the chapters grew because of it. In the US, VVAW/WSO saw an increase in GI membership through the efforts of the NOSCAM offices in Dayton and Chicago. In a show of solidarity with GIs, chapters participated in GI demonstrations on Armed Farces Day, which helped result in the formation of new chapters aboard the USS JFK and at Ft. Leavenworth.

PRISONS

The year saw revolts in many prisons. These rebellions brought to public attention the inhuman conditions in prisons forced upon us by a racist judicial system. As a result of this oppression, VVAW/WSO chapters have begun in Leavenworth and Waupun and are forming in Soledad and Lucasville. Members of VVAW/WSO are in many prisons, including Starke, Florida and Otey, Texas. The organization is beginning a national prison project which will attempt to plug into prison struggles around the country. We will do educational and support work in order to aide our imprisoned comrades and inform the American public of the treatment received by them.

POLITICAL PRISONERS

During the past year the Nixon administration has attacked many groups and individuals who have been against his policies. This repression is intended to silence dissent and, as such, is an attack on all of us. Witness the trial of the Gainesville 8, where VVAW/WSO members were freed on government charges of planning to violently disrupt the Republican convention. This people's victory drew the support of many organizations. VVAW/WSO chapters organized demonstrations around the country as well as drawing over 1,000 people to Gainesville. In California, the trial of Gary Lawton and Zurebu Gardner continued with support from VVAW/WSO. As a result of our work, Lawton has joined the organization. Chapters across the country worked for other political prisoners including Pat Chenowith, Jim Hardy, the Attica brothers, Karl Armstrong, Frederick Stubbs, Carlos Feliciano, Martin Sostre, the San Quentin 6, the Chino defendants and the Wounded Knee defendants. VVAW/WSO will continue to support these cases and others that will inevitably occur as the Nixon administration continues its policies of repression.

SUPPORT WORK

The struggle of Third World People has intensified during 1973. Two VVAW/WSO national projects are in support of the Black communities of Cairo, Illinois and Bogue Chitto, Alabama. In Cairo, chapters continue to support, with convoys of food and clothing, the three year old boycott of racist businesses that have exploited the Black community. In Bogue Chitto, VVAW/WSO is working with community people in setting up a clinic to provide medical aid for residents. When AIM occupied Wounded Knee, chapters again responded with supplies and participated in demonstrations around the country in support of their just demands. Another struggle which has received VVAW/WSO support is that of the predominantly Chicano United Farm Workers Union that has been attempting to unionize these exploited workers. VVAW/WSO has joined in picket lines and boycotts to show solidarity with their efforts. VVAW/WSO will continue to support the struggles of Third World People.

AMNESTY

VVAW/WSO, long committed to universal and unconditional amnesty, began a national program for amnesty. Programs were begun to upgrade less than honorable discharges that veterans received for their opposition to the war and to the racism and oppression of the military. One of our demands is to upgrade all these discharges to a universal one. Community work and demonstrations were organized by chapters in order to bring the issue of amnesty and resistance to the war in Indochina to the prominance it requires. This amnesty is for all war resisters.

VETERANS

In February, the VA announced that it was asking for cuts in veteran's benefits. This attack on veterans has long, historical roots in the US. In New York City, members went to hearings on veteran's problems and confronted the panel with the truth about VA failure to meet the needs of vets. In Milwaukee, VVAW/WSO took over the VA office to point out the continuing plight of veterans. Chapters across the country set up PVS groups to counter the ineffectiveness of the VA in dealing with vet's problems on returning to the US after fighting for 'freedom' only to learn that this was a lie. VVAW/WSO is committed to continue to work for all veterans.

WATERGATE

As the Watergate disclosures were made, it was learned that VVAW/WSO was the target of illegal surveillance and infiltration by police provocateurs. To counter this, chapters spoke out to expose the corruption forced on America. Demonstrations occurred in towns and cities and VVAW/WSO participated in them. As Nixon attempts to subvert investigations into Watergate, VVAW/WSO has joined in calling for the impeachment of the biggest criminal in this nation's history.

INTERNATIONAL

As VVAW/WSO develops into a strong force for peace and justice it also develops strong ties with liberation forces around the world. During the past year, members attended meetings in Rome, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and Moscow, and met with representatives of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Korea as well as with representatives of liberation struggles in Africa and Latin America. These meetings gave us the opportunity to learn of the struggles against imperialism that are being waged in the world today. VVAW/WSO stands in support of these struggles and these meetings have helped chapters inform the people of the continuing crimes of the American government in exploiting countries around the world.

* * *

In all, 1973 has been a year of political maturity for the organization. Our world outlook has sharpened and we can better deal with the problems created at home by a government that is concerned with the interests of the rich rather than the welfare of the working people. VVAW/WSO is dedicated to changing the political, social and economic institutions that have burdened and exploited the American people for generations. As we approach 1974 we will use the experience given us in 1973 and will make our impression on this country even more forceful. But we know that it will take much more work and more determined efforts on our parts to topple the criminal elements that make it necessary for our organization to exist.

UNITY-STRUGGLE-VICTORY