Dear comrades,
From my cell at Loddon Prison, I wish everyone a happy May Day. As a socialist, May Day is the biggest celebratory day of the year for me. This will be the first May Day celebration I have missed for over 20 years. I hope someone remembers to buy the red May Day ribbon and badge for me to go with my collection this year.
We find ourselves under attack by the fascist Howard government. Union rights, health, education, student unions, abortion on demand (i.e. women's reproductive rights) and many, many other rights are under attack. But we should not be surprised. This pack of capitalist lackies have been lying and attacking all progressive people and rights since they gained power in 1996.
But comrades do not despair. The fight-back is coming. Organised labour must now fight for its very survival. Real union leaders will show effective leadership in the period ahead as the battle hots up. Those that want to compromise with the enemy will be discredited and voted out. The working people of Australia have been fooled for a while by Howard and Co. but the penny is dropping and the fight-back will lead to ultimate victory.
But there is a lot of work to do and I urge all activists to get involved and share the load. I will soon be released and I'm relishing the thought of returning to the campaigns and actions in front of us.
Comrades, once again, happy May Day and remember — dare to struggle, dare to win! If you don't fight, you lose!
Craig Johnston, political prisoner
[Craig Johnston is the former Victorian secretary of the Australian manufacturing Workers Union and is currently serving a nine-month jail term for charges relating to an industrial dispute in 2001. He is a member of the Socialist Alliance.]
From Green Left Weekly, April 27, 2005.
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