Baltimore, OCTOBER 10—Baltimore’s workers will never forget the savage murder of our working class brother Tyrone West  at the hands of  more than a dozen KKops five years ago. Since then workers joined by members of Progressive Labor Party (PLP) have been faithfully rallying every Wednesday to remind the city’s capitalist administration, of their crimes against black workers.
Today marks the 272 rally, and communist politics were at the forefront, and have become an expected and respected part of West Wednesday. These rallies demand accountability – for the police murder of Tyrone West, and for all victims of police terror. Despite this workers attending these rallies understand that racist police terror is an indivisible part of capitalism, and cannot be reformed.This week had a special focus, demanding an end to the gag orders that accompany almost every settlement, when victims of police terror in Baltimore are awarded a financial payment from the city
Bosses can’t gag the fightback
In this way, with gag orders, victims and their family members – probably hundreds of people – have been prevented from speaking out about what happened. It’s an effort – by capitalist politicians and top city lawyers, including City Solicitor, Andre Davis – to hold back the potential power of the movement against racist police violence. Furthermore, because talking about what happened is an important part of dealing with severe emotional trauma, the gag orders also make healing virtually impossible, after being brutalized or, worse yet after losing a loved one to street executions by police.
The slogan for this new campaign against gag orders is, “Forced Silence Condones Police Violence.” Two local organizations, also concerned with this issue, stepped in to help build support for this week’s West Wednesday activities.  The local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union and Not Without Black Women participated in the rally outside City Hall, in the march to central police headquarters and, right afterward, in a special panel discussion about fighting the gag orders, at which Challenge newspaper was distributed to just about everyone in attendance.Even more important – in terms of strengthening our understanding about the strategy we need for victory against racism and capitalism – a monthly Challenge readers’ group is scheduled to start soon. So far, seven of the West Wednesday activists have said yes, they will probably participate.
 Distributing Challenge is a important tool to raise workers understanding, that the only solution to eradicating police brutality is communism. To win this bright future we so badly need, our understanding of communism has to grow, and Progressive Labor Party must grow too! Dare to struggle! Dare to win, for a communist future!