First Published: People’s Tribune, Vol. 3, No. 21, October 1, 1976.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
Copyright: This work is in the Public Domain under the Creative Commons Common Deed. You can freely copy, distribute and display this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit the Encyclopedia of Anti-Revisionism On-Line as your source, include the url to this work, and note any of the transcribers, editors & proofreaders above.
The working class of Brooklyn said loud and clear that they want a change this year. In two and a half weeks, 4299 people signed the Communist Labor Party petition to nominate Arthur Goldberg, for State Senate in the 23rd-senatorial district. This is over twice the number required by law, and still representatives of his opponent, Vander Beatty, “Mr. Election Fraud” himself have challenged the signatures. The workers have decided to put a communist on the ballot and now they must force this decision on the government, in the courts and in the streets.
Vander Beatty is tied to the corrupt party machines in New York, where a judgeship openly sells for $20,000. Art Goldberg, candidate of the Communist Labor Party has no ties to these bankers, lawyers, and real estate agents and represents only the workers.
Vander Beatty’s wife has been convicted of stuffing ballot boxes. Arthur Goldberg’s wife is a leader in her union, In the Coalition of Labor Union Women and along with Art, a leader in her neighborhood’s fight for unity against violent attacks like the firebombing of their neighbors.
Vander Beatty stood by the Beame administration, the center of the $1.7 billion a year corruption and allowed the banks and Big Mac to close schools, cut trains, shut hospitals and throw thousands off of welfare. Arthur Goldberg calls for a fight against default based on the CLP program:
1. No cutbacks. Rehire all laid-off workers. Honor all union contracts.
2. Reduce the subway fare. End face to face recertification for welfare recipients; nationalize welfare.
3. Immediate canceling of interest on all city debts.
4. Government officials to work at factory wages. Mandatory jail sentences for stealing by government officials.
5. Tax the banks, not the workers.
Vander Beatty is a spokesman for the banks and business interests in New York. Arthur Goldberg, communist candidate, is a spokesman for the working class.
The working class of the 23rd senatorial district needs such a spokesman. The area, which includes Park Slope, Fort Greene, Crown Heights and parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg is one of the poorest areas of the city, and in the last two years of budget crisis has only deteriorated more. Two hospitals are being closed and turned into first aid stations. Immunization programs have been abandoned and doctors now fear epidemics of diseases that science conquered long ago such as measles, tuberculosis and polio. Schools have been shut, teachers laid-off and classes now have 50 students. Children go through 12 years of school and still can’t read. Fire stations have been closed and the community fed up with the unnecessary death and burned down houses had to take over a fire house to keep it open. A hundred more subway trains were just cut out even though the fare is 50 cents and going to 75 cents.
Clearly the working class needs a spokesman like Arthur Goldberg who in his campaign and from the State Senate in Albany can speak for and fight to unite the struggles of the working class.
Concerned people and organizations should send telegrams or write now to protest this challenge and demand that the C.L.P. Is on the ballot In November.
Letters and telegrams should be sent to:
State Board of Elections
80 Varick St.
New York, New York
Contributions and offers of support should be sent to:
Committee to Elect Arthur Goldberg
PO Box 170, Times Plaza Station
Brooklyn, New York, 11217