NEWARK, August 28—As the recent protests at the MTV Video Music Awards demonstrate, the racist liberal Ras Baraka administration and this capitalist system continues to poison the working class of Newark.
This month, the Environmental Protection Agency notified Newark that two of three homes tested with PUR filters still have high levels of lead, despite the discovery of lead 3 years ago. The EPA cynically suggested the working class drink bottled water.
These events are a textbook example of how racism wreaks havoc on Black and Latin workers. It also shows how these liberal politicians like Mayor Baraka appear to be “for the people,” but they represent the interests of capitalism.
The health of our class in Newark is in peril. Yet, one thing is clear—this country is moving towards war and fascism. It is not enough to fight for clean water; we must struggle to overthrow the capitalist system that is using its resources towards war with countries like China and Russia rather than water for workers. The revolutionary communist Progressive Labor Party (PLP) unites workers internationally to fight for working-class power: communism.
Echo of Flint
Eighty five percent of Newark is Black or Latin and the working class has been suffering through the blatant racism unsafe drinking water.
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin. It can lead to developmental delays, hearing loss, seizures, learning difficulties, and behavioral disorders in children. Adults can develop mental, nerve, kidney, and cardiovascular problems. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborns with irreversible damage to their brain and nervous system.  There is no such thing as a “safe” level of lead consumption.
The Baraka administration knew this in 2016, when over 30 schools had to turn off their water. Newark was out of compliance with federal lead regulations. “Newark reported yet another exceedance of the 15 parts per billion federal action level for lead in drinking water—this time, lead levels are tapping in at 55 parts per billion, more than three times the federal action level” (Natural Resource Defense Council).
Newark politicians stayed silent. In April 2018, the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and the Newark Education Workers (NEW) Caucus made an announcement: they intend to file a lawsuit. Even then, the City still confused people by announcing on their website, “NEWARK’S WATER IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE TO DRINK.”
Liberal politicians’ racism continues
It wasn’t until October 2018, when the trial was set to begin, that the City admitted to the lead problem. Even then, half of the residents have yet to recieve filters. People were turned away, given the wrong filters, or not taught properly how to install and use them.
The City had to replace lead service lines for each home. The lead service line connects the water main to individual homes. In Flint and Pittsburgh, those lines were replaced for free. In Newark, residents are expected to pay up to $1,000 to replace their line. This was the same City that found money to give Jeff Bezos and Amazon $8 billion in tax credits. Newark has only removed 755 lead service lines out of 18,000 so far (they were supposed to start in July 2018).
Under communism, we would change the entire way this crisis is being dealt with. The problem wouldn’t have been acute, if existent at all, because the society’s resources would be allocated according to need, not profits or wars. With the working class in charge, all homes would be tested rigorously; all lead would be removed immediately because there would be one main determinant: safety. We would train millions to help solve and prevent the problem.
 Trusting Democrats is toxic
While the Republicans and Trump are openly racist and clearly enemies of the working class—particularly Black and Latin workers, trusting the Democrats is clearly toxic. The Baraka administration continues to lie about the extent of the crisis. While those in the Pequannock town continue to struggle with high lead levels and inadequate resources from the City, those in the Wanaque town are getting zero support! City hall continues to lie about the extent of the lead in the East Ward, as well as parts of the North, Central, and South wards. They even refused to give out cheap PUR filters to these residents.
The administration has done little: distributed filters with fast-approaching expiration dates, improper installation. When asked to be more proactive in assisting the residents, the City cries that they don’t have the resources. While these politicians don’t have the resources for Black and Latin workers, they have resources for war and fascism.  
This crisis shows us how capitalism is a democracy for the bosses and a dictatorship for the working class. Even after all of this, Newark still refuses to give out relief to the eastern part of the City because their water comes from a different reservoir. There is evidence that lead problems exist in this area as well but the bosses don’t care! (NRDC, Olson, 4/30).
When money is needed for war, or to give to their allies like Saudi Arabia or Israel, or when banks need billions to get bailed out—money is never a problem. When the working class needs basic drinking water—the burden is on us to fight for it.
Money for war & police state but not for water
Time and time again, the ruling class will present us with wolves in sheeps’ clothing. Democratic Party politicians like Congressman Alibo Sires and Donald Payne Jr. voted for a $1.4 trillion war budget but have done nothing for relief in this City. Their interests lie with JP Morgan Chase, Exxon Mobil, and the rest of the corporations that rule the US. That is why they can put trillions towards building the war machine while not even discussing the poisoning of Black and Latin workers and youth in Newark.
Senators Cory Booker (the first Black senator from New Jersey and campaigner for the 2020 presidential election) and Robert Menendez have also been silent. As then-mayor, Booker’s mismanagement of the now-defunct Newark Watershed had led to today’s many problems. And while Booker voted “no” on the current military spending, he has approved it 16 of the 19 times since being a Senator. It is clear that these Democratic politicians know whom they serve—and it isn’t the Black and Latin working class of Newark.
While the country prepares for war on a national scale, the Newark government is building a police state to keep the working class in line. The City claims that they don’t have the resources for clean water; the Mayor Baraka has just put aside $23 million to hire more cops for this coming year (Tapinto.com, 7/2).
Newark workers keep fighting
The Newark Water Coalition, a multiracial and multi-generational organization led by honest, energetic, and creative youth and elders. They have organized forums, open mics, and protests around these issues. They have also worked to distribute filters and water to residents in need. Not only are they fighting back but also they are serving the working class and making sure they get what they need. This past week, the Newark Water Coalition organized a demonstration at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA’s), hosted at Newark’s Prudential Center. Fascist bosses sent every cop in the City along with state pigs to lock down the perimeter and block out protestors. Some cops were saddled up on horses and would form a formation along the barricades, ready to defend property over people.
While many are still focused on getting Baraka out, PLP is in the fight, advocating for our energy to be put towards fighting for clean water now and communism in the future. Some members have been receptive to our ideas.
Fight for communism
While we fight for filters and clean water, we must win the working class to a bigger idea— one of no more capitalists using the earth’s resources for profit and power. An idea that the working class will rule over our own resources. PLP fights for communism. That means that the working class will run society.
We will continue fighting so that our health will not be compromised by the ruling class and their drive towards war. Under capitalism, mostly Black and Latin workers continued to be poisoned by lead. Under communism, they will be the decision makers of their own lives. We urge all to join Progressive Labor Party study and action groups. Subscribe to our newspaper CHALLENGE, and fight for a communist world!