Interviews and On-the-spot reports
Washington anti-Wall Street rally: “This country has slipped out of the hands of the people”
By Nikolai Barrickman, 11 October 2011
Several hundred people rallied in Washington DC Saturday as part of the anti-Wall Street protests. Protesters staged a march around noon, and then held a General Assembly.
Occupy LA protests enter second week
By a WSWS reporting team, 10 October 2011
Several hundred people were present Friday as protesters lined the block with signs denouncing the “one percent” super-wealthy and calling for justice for the 99 percent.
Anti-Wall Street protesters rally in Norfolk, Virginia
By Ed Hightower, 10 October 2011
Around 100 supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement demonstrated on Saturday in downtown Norfolk, just outside of the local Bank of America headquarters.
Minneapolis protesters continue occupation of county government center
By WSWS reporting team, 10 October 2011
Demonstrators marked day two of the occupation of the Hennepin County Government Center, renamed “The People’s Plaza,” in downtown Minneapolis.
Boston: “If you don’t have money it shouldn’t be a death sentence.”
7 October 2011
The WSWS interviewed people at Occupy Boston in the city’s financial district, where several hundred people have been camped out since last week.
New York City: “The banks are selling our future”
7 October 2011
The day after Wednesday’s mass march and the police attacks and arrest of 28 demonstrators, several hundred people remained in Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan, where the police presence has been beefed up and metal barriers have been deployed to limit access to the area.
Portland: “The government does not represent the people”
7 October 2011
In one of the largest protests in Portland in years, thousands of demonstrators converged on Water Front Park in sympathy with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Wall Street protesters speak out: “America is long overdue for a revolution”
By a reporting team, 6 October 2011
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to many of those who joined Wednesday’s mass demonstration against Wall Street.
Wall Street protesters: “The whole system is broken”
By a WSWS reporting team, 3 October 2011
Participants in Friday’s march of over 3,000 to protest the over 80 arrests and pepper-spraying of unresisting demonstrators the week before spoke to the WSWS about why they were demonstrating.
North Yorkshire residents speak on mining conditions
“If we challenge the health and safety then we are seen as stopping the job”
By our reporters, 3 October 2011
At the weekend, a World Socialist Web Site reporting team spoke to people in Knottingley, North Yorkshire—the town adjoining the Kellingley colliery where the latest tragic mining fatality occurred.
Video: US college students speak on unemployment and budget cuts
By Andre Damon, 1 October 2011
In this video, students from Northern Virginia Community College and the University of New Orleans discuss education cuts, life without work and other social problems facing young people.
Workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, speak on jobs crisis
By Mike Ingram, 9 September 2011
Once a thriving mill town, Lawrence is among the poorest cities in Massachusetts, with an official jobless rate of over 18 percent.
New York State workers speak out against concessions contracts
By a WSWS reporting team, 30 August 2011
New York State workers voiced opposition to concessions and anger toward the unions for accepting drastic cuts in wages and benefits.
Workers speak out on British riots: “The system is not viable”
By our reporting teams, 19 August 2011
Reporting teams from the World Socialist Web Site spoke to residents in the cities of Manchester and Leeds about recent riots, police brutality and the social conditions facing working class youth on a daily basis.
“This isn’t a negotiation. It’s more like dictating.”
Verizon workers denounce company charges of “sabotage”
By a WSWS reporting team, 17 August 2011
Verizon has escalated its attack on the 45,000 striking telecommunication workers, stating that all workers will lose their health and other benefits on September 1. This follows reports that Verizon will fire any workers it accuses of sabotage or unlawful activities.
“The whole world needs to go on strike”
Verizon workers speak out as strike enters day five
By a WSWS reporting team, 11 August 2011
45,000 telecommunication worker enter the fifth day of their strike against Verizon, the nation’s second largest provider of telephone service and its largest wireless carrier.
New York City workers speak out against budget cuts
By a reporting team, 9 August 2011
Workers and youth in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn in New York City spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the impact of the budget cuts.
“It’s an outright crime”
Michigan workers denounce cuts to Social Security, Medicare
By Andre Damon, 5 August 2011
The World Socialist Web Site will speak to workers and students across the US about the brutal cuts just agreed upon by both parties in Washington. We begin in Oak Park, Michigan, a working class suburb of Detroit.
WikiLeaks has provided evidence of war crimes, say Assange supporters
By Robert Stevens, 13 July 2011
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to some of those protesting outside the High Court in London in support of Julian Assange.
Young and jobless in Chicago
By Andre Damon, 4 July 2011
In this video, the second in a series on youth unemployment in Chicago, young people in the city speak about the lack of jobs, even for those with college degrees, and the effect of long-term unemployment on their lives.
New York workers speak out against attacks on jobs and services
By a reporting team, 17 June 2011
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to a number of workers who came to the June 14 rally in New York City to oppose the cutbacks proposed by Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo.
Detroit students speak out against closure of Catherine Ferguson Academy
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 June 2011
Catherine Ferguson Academy (CFA) in Detroit is scheduled to be permanently closed this Thursday on the last day of the school year.
Canada Post workers walk out in Windsor
“It’s not just us, it’s everywhere”
By Shannon Jones, 14 June 2011
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) continued its policy of rotating strikes with one-day walkouts in 10 cities on Monday.
Striking Canadian postal worker:
“We are fighting for everyone to be equal”
By a WSWS reporting team, 9 June 2011
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is persisting with its strategy of rolling localized one-day walkouts, even though government-owned Canada Post is aggressively attacking the 45,000 mail-sorters, letter carriers and truck drivers.
Yonkers students denounce school cutbacks
By our reporters, 16 May 2011
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to students at Riverside High School in Yonkers, New York, about proposed school budget cuts for the city that call for the layoffs of over 400 teachers and the elimination of school transportation, extra-curricular activities, intramural sports and many other programs.
Video: Catherine Ferguson Academy students and teachers speak on school closures and social inequality
By Andre Damon and Jerry White, 14 May 2011
In this video, the second part of a series, Detroit students and teachers speak about the attack on public education and the impact of the closure of their school on the community.
Workers in Ardwick, Manchester speak of growing poverty and hardship
By our reporters, 4 May 2011
Social inequality and the escalating cost of living has been a major issue raised with those campaigning for the Socialist Equality Party in Ardwick, Manchester, where Robert Skelton is standing as a candidate in the local elections.
US motorists express anger over skyrocketing gas prices
By a WSWS reporting team, 3 May 2011
A WSWS reporting team interviewed motorists at gas stations across the country.
Eyewitness reflections on the storms in Alabama
By Daniel Sharp, 2 May 2011
The devastation wrought by the April 27 tornadoes could have been substantially mitigated by decent housing and shelters, and a rational emergency plan.
The Fight for Socialism Today
Conference delegates speak with the WSWS
By Tom Eley and Tobin Reese, 12 April 2011
The World Socialist Web Site interviewed a number of delegates attending the conference “The Fight for Socialism Today” in Ann Arbor.
New Hampshire protest hits budget cuts, anti-worker measure
By Kate Randall, 1 April 2011
Several thousand workers protested Thursday against a New Hampshire budget proposal that would slash spending and strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights.
Spanish air traffic controller: “The unions, the political parties. No one supported us.”
By Paul Mitchell, 23 March 2011
Marcelino Victoria, a Spanish air traffic controller, contacted the World Socialist Web Site recently, thanking us for our support and agreed to talk to reporter Paul Mitchell.
Teachers and students speak on Wisconsin education cuts
By Andre Damon, 15 March 2011
In this video, Wisconsin teachers and students speak on Governor Scott Walker’s cuts to public schools, the effect of social inequality on education, and the role of education in a democracy.
Wisconsin state workers: “It’s the modern feudal society”
By Tobin Reese, 15 March 2011
The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke to two Wisconsin state employees about the implications of Governor Scott Walker’s attack on worker rights, and the response of the unions.
“This is just part of a bigger struggle that is happening on a global scale”
By our reporters, 15 March 2011
A reporting team from the World Socialist Web Site interviewed some of those who attended the protest outside the Liberal Democrats conference in Sheffield, England.
Musicians’ strike entering sixth month
A conversation with Detroit Symphony Orchestra violist Jim VanValkenburg
By Shannon Jones, 9 March 2011
Jim VanValkenburg, assistant principal violist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, recently invited WSWS reporters into his home to discuss the lengthy strike by DSO musicians.
Wisconsin teachers denounce school cuts
By Jerry White, 2 March 2011
Teachers spoke out against Governor Walker’s new budget, which will slash nearly a billion dollars from public education.
Firefighters speak out on Wisconsin struggle
By Jerry White, 1 March 2011
Hundreds of firefighters came to join the demonstrations of Wisconsin workers at the state capitol on Monday.
Hundreds in Manchester protest closure of Sure Start
By our reporters, 1 March 2011
Hundreds of parents and their children demonstrated outside Manchester Town Hall on Saturday to protest plans to close or privatise all the city’s 36 Sure Start children’s centres.
Libyan protests outside BBC: “An amazing revolution is taking place in the Middle East”
By Robert Stevens and John Newham, 24 February 2011
Protesters are holding regular demonstrations outside the BBC’s HQ in Manchester city centre in north-west England against the Gaddafi regime.
Detroiters speak out on DTE’s phony “customer assistance”
By Debra Watson, 22 February 2011
In the weeks after DTE Energy’s December Customer Assistance Day, members of the Committee Against Utility Shutoffs spoke to several Detroiters who had sought assistance.
Western Wisconsin students, workers oppose cuts
By Ron Jorgenson, 19 February 2011
While workers and students have concentrated their forces at the state capitol in Madison, rallies have proliferated throughout outstate Wisconsin. WSWS supporters leafleted a boisterous crowd of well over 500 workers and students who packed the “Falcon Nest” auditorium located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin in River Falls. The WSWS also covered another noontime demonstration at the University of Wisconsin Stout campus in Menomonie that brought out students, faculty and city workers.
Protestors in Madison denounce attack on public employees
By Jerry White, 19 February 2011
The protests of workers and young people against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s attack on public workers continued Friday, even as state Democrats and trade union officials worked feverishly to dissipate social opposition.
Madison protesters denounce attacks on public workers, social spending
By Jerry White, 18 February 2011
Demonstrators opposing attacks on Wisconsin’s public sector workers spoke to the WSWS about high levels of unemployment, low wages and social inequality.
Teachers and students speak out against New York school closings
By a WSWS reporting team, 25 January 2011
The WSWS spoke to students and teachers attending demonstrations against New York City school closings.
WikiLeaks supporters protest threatened extradition of Julian Assange
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2011
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to a number of protesters outside Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
The ongoing attack on public education in the US
Detroit charter school teacher: “I feel horrible, nearly helpless, and completely unsupported by the administration.”
By Joanne Laurier, 4 January 2011
The Detroit public school system has come under sustained attack in recent years, in part through the creation of charter schools. Joanne Laurier of the WSWS recently spoke to a young charter school teacher.
Protesters denounce legal persecution of Assange
By our reporters, 17 December 2010
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to a number of those protesting at the High Court in London, supporting the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, including documentary filmmaker John Pilger.
Hollywood musicians express support for Detroit Symphony strikers
By Marc Wells, 12 November 2010
The WSWS recently spoke to a number of musicians in Hollywood, who expressed support for and solidarity with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra players.
Marine biologist denounces BP commission findings
By Andre Damon, 11 November 2010
The findings of the White House commission into the BP oil spill are a cover-up of BP’s culpability in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to Rick Steiner, a biologist specializing in oil spills.
Video: DSO musicians speak on strike
5 October 2010
Members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra have gone on strike against demands by management that include a 33 percent cut in base pay. The World Socialist Web Site spoke to several musicians participating in a picket on October 4.
Sears Canada workers speak
By a WSWS reporting team, 16 September 2010
Workers at the Sears Distribution Center in Vaughn, Ontario who have been locked out for more than six months recently spoke with the WSWS.
EPA holds public meeting on Michigan oil spill
By a WSWS reporting team, 4 August 2010
World Socialist Web Site reporters attended a public meeting on the oil spill in Marshall, Michigan and spoke with residents affected by the accident.
“If you got hurt and took an ambulance, you would die”
Matewan, West Virginia, residents speak on dearth of services
By a WSWS reporting team, 30 July 2010
The small town of Matewan, situated in the steep mountains of Mingo County, West Virginia, earned a place in history for the struggles of the coal miners who called it home in the first part of the twentieth century.
Crowding, rising tuition at Michigan community colleges
By Dwight Stoll, 27 July 2010
The WSWS spoke to students at a Detroit community college about rising tuition prices and overcrowding.
“Massey has destroyed the wells and the water”
Williamson, West Virginia, residents speak to the WSWS
By a WSWS reporting team, 27 July 2010
Residents of Williamson spoke to the WSWS about declining conditions, environmental destruction, and corruption in Williamson.
“Everything is for the rich people, and the poor people are just hurting”
Harlan, Kentucky resident speaks to the WSWS
By a WSWS reporting team, 22 July 2010
Henrietta Inman, 64, spoke to World Socialist Web Site reporters at the Housing Authority of Harlan, a Housing and Urban Development-subsidized apartment building in downtown Harlan, Kentucky.
Video series: The Gulf oil spill
Part 3—The social impact
By C. W. Rogers and Andre Damon, 1 July 2010
This video, part three of a series, explores the social consequences of the BP oil spill.
Protests against Israel’s flotilla massacre held across US, Canada
By our reporters, 3 June 2010
Outrage over the Zionist assault on the “Freedom Flotilla” was expressed in demonstrations held across North America on Monday and Tuesday.
Economic crisis makes “very difficult” situation for Greek families worse
By Robert Stevens and Alex Lantier, 18 May 2010
WSWS reporters spoke to travelers at the Athens train station, who explained the impossible financial situations they face due to social cuts and the Greek debt crisis.
Greek debt crisis hits small businesses in Athens
By Alex Lantier, 18 May 2010
WSWS reporters talked with residents of Peristeri, a suburb of Athens with many small businesses, about how the Greek debt crisis is affecting them and the city’s industry.
Louisiana residents and fishermen denounce oil spill response
15 May 2010
The WSWS spoke to fishermen in southern Louisiana who will be devastated by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which threatens to shut down fishing, shrimping, and oyster farming for years.
Greek workers speak out against Papandreou’s cuts
By Alex Lantier, 15 May 2010
WSWS reporters interviewed workers in Perama, a working-class port city in the Athens suburbs, on the impact and political significance of the social cuts carried out by Prime Minister George Papandreou.
Mid-South flood survivors speak to WSWS
By our correspondents, 15 May 2010
Flood survivors in Nashville, Tennessee, and eastern Kentucky spoke to the WSWS about their experiences.
DTE Energy holds another public relations stunt in Taylor, Michigan
By a reporting team, 13 May 2010
Supporters of the Committee Against Utility Shutoffs distributed the “Findings of the Citizens Inquiry into the Dexter Avenue Fire: Utility Shutoffs and the Social Crisis in Detroit” to people attending a local community event in hopes of getting help with their DTE utility bills.
BP oil spill to devastate Gulf fishing industry
By Andre Damon and CW Rogers in Louisiana, 8 May 2010
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to fishermen and workers in the Gulf region who will be affected by the destruction of fisheries and the broader economic effects of the oil spill.
New York City: thousands line up for a handful of jobs
By Sandy English, 29 April 2010
On a rainy weekend, an estimated two thousand workers lined up, many of them overnight, for about 100 elevator mechanics’ apprentice jobs in Queens.
Four more miners found dead in West Virginia explosion
Miners speak to WSWS on unsafe conditions
By Andre Damon and Samuel Davidson, 10 April 2010
The bodies of the four missing miners who had been trapped underground following Monday’s explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia were found by rescue teams early Saturday morning.
Video: Director of Detroit free medical clinic denounces utility shutoffs
23 March 2010
Sister Mary Ellen Howard is the Executive Director of Detroit’s Cabrini Clinic, the oldest free medical facility in the US. She discusses the impact of utility shutoffs on patients at the clinic.
Detroit firefighters discuss impact of utility shut-offs and budget cuts
By Jerry White, 17 March 2010
At a dinner for Sylvia Young—who lost three children in a March 2 house fire hours after DTE cut power and gas to her Detroit home—firefighters spoke with the WSWS about the deadly consequences of utility shut-offs.
Video report
Dexter Avenue Fire Inquiry: Sister of victims speaks on utility shutoffs
2 March 2010
The Citizens Inquiry into the Dexter Avenue fire of January 5 has begun interviews with relatives, neighbors and Detroit residents. We begin with an interview with Charlotte Nash, the sister of two of the victims.
NUMMI auto workers denounce UAW intimidation
2 March 2010
The WSWS attended a United Auto Workers union meeting in Fremont, California, on February 28. Workers opposed the closure of the NUMMI auto plant and denounced the role of the UAW in working with the company and seeking to intimidate workers.
Workers and youth at Athens protest speak to the World Socialist Web Site
By our reporters, 25 February 2010
A number of workers and youth who participated in Wednesday’s Greek general strike and mass demonstrations in Athens spoke to a World Socialist Web Site reporting team about their understanding of the economic crisis and its impact.
Boron, California mine workers denounce company lock-out
20 February 2010
The WSWS spoke to some of the 570 Rio Tinto Borax workers in Boron, California who have been locked out by the company since January 31.
New York students and teachers speak out on school closings
By a WSWS reporting team, 30 January 2010
The World Socialist Web Site interviewed parents, students and teachers who attended Tuesday night’s Panel for Educational Policy vote at Brooklyn Tech on the closing of 20 public schools.
Family members denounce deaths in Detroit fire
7 January 2010
Following a week of bitter cold weather, three people living in a home without gas or electrical service died in a tragic house fire in Detroit early Tuesday morning. Relatives of the victims spoke to the WSWS.
Teachers speak to WSWS on concessions contract
By a WSWS reporting team, 8 December 2009
The WSWS interviewed teachers before and after a mass meeting in Detroit on December 6.
Parents, pupils speak out over Abbeydale Grange closure
By our reporters, 24 November 2009
A World Socialist Web Site reporting team spoke to a number of those on the demonstration to oppose the closure of Abbeydale Grange school in Sheffield on November 21.
Michigan job seekers speak to WSWS
By Naomi Spencer, 20 November 2009
Several hundred Detroit area residents attended a jobs fair Wednesday in nearby Livonia, Michigan, the latest of several similar events held in the area that have drawn unemployed residents seeking any kind of work.
Video: Ford workers speak out against concessions contract
31 October 2009
The WSWS spoke to Ford workers in Michigan as they prepared to vote on contract revisions agreed by the company and the United Auto Workers.
Video: Tens of thousands line up for housing assistance in Detroit
8 October 2009
Tens of thousands of Detroit residents lined up at the city's Cobo complex for a chance to get financial assistance against evictions and utility shutoffs.
Interview with striking Vale Inco workers
By David Walsh and Joanne Laurier, 10 September 2009
The WSWS interviewed striking Vale Inco workers in Port Colborne, Ontario, on Tuesday.
Michigan’s Oakland University faculty strike in seventh day
10 September 2009
WSWS reporters conducted video interviews with students and striking faculty members at Oakland University, in suburban Detroit.
Detroit teachers denounce pay cuts
27 August 2009
WSWS Reporter Jerry White Spoke to teachers at a rally in Detroit against wage and benefit cuts. The teachers denounced concessions demanded by the school system's financial czar Robert Bobb.
Interviews at Los Angeles health care clinic
18 August 2009
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to workers seeking free health care at a clinic in Los Angeles, California.
“The union is not being responsible to its members”
Interviews with striking Toronto municipal workers
By a WSWS reporting team, 27 July 2009
As the strike has progressed, more and more workers have rejected their leadership’s gag order and spoken out, sometimes quite bitterly, about their experiences on the picket line.
Workers continue Vestas occupation on Isle of Wight
27 July 2009
Workers are continuing their occupation of the Vestas Blades wind turbine factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. Some 25 workers began the sit-in on July 20 to oppose the closure of the plant, which is scheduled for July 31 with the loss of over 500 jobs.supplies and force them out.
Social services applicants talk to the WSWS
California: the human toll of the economic crisis
By Kim Saito and D. Lencho, 15 July 2009
In the midst of the state’s economic crisis, Southern California social service clients tell of their difficulties.
Thousands of Peruvian workers join protests against Garcia’s policies
By our correspondent in Lima, 15 July 2009
Thousands of workers marched in Lima, Peru on July 8 in opposition to the free-market economic policies of President Alan Garcia.
Stella D’Oro workers: “It is not right if they close down—the fight should continue”
By our reporter, 14 July 2009
The WSWS spoke to Stella D’Oro workers following their return to work at the Bronx, New York cookie factory after an 11-month strike. The owners now say they will close the plant in 90 days.
A conversation with Windsor municipal workers
26 June 2009
As they enter their 11th week on strike, two strikers talk to Jerry White of the World Socialist Web Site.
New York City workers speak against cuts in healthcare and social services
22 June 2009
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to workers in New York City on drastic cuts in health care and social services.
LDV workers: “80 percent of the lads here think the union is a waste of time”
By Robert Stevens, 16 June 2009
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to redundant LDV workers attending advice sessions.
Striking city workers hold rally in Windsor, Ontario
By Joe Kishore, 15 June 2009
Striking city workers in Windsor, Ontario held a rally last week. D’Artagnan Collier, SEP candidate for mayor in nearby Detroit, Michigan, visited the strikers, calling for the unity of the Canadian and American working class.
Employees speak on Chrysler dealership closure
By our reporting team, 11 June 2009
Tuesday was the last business day for the 789 Chrysler dealers slated for shutdown in the automakers bankruptcy plan. WSWS reporters spoke to employees of a closing dealership in Livonia, Michigan.
Detroit Public Schools financial manager dismisses pleas at public meeting
By our reporters, 6 June 2009
Students, parents and community members urged Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager of the Detroit Public Schools, to reverse the decision to remove the principal at Western International High School in southwest Detroit.
Michigan auto workers and families speak on plant closures
4 June 2009
General Motors workers from Pontiac and Lake Orion, Michigan, two northern suburbs of Detroit, spoke to reporters from the World Socialist Web Site about the impact on their families and communities of the bankruptcy of General Motors and the decades of decline in the auto industry.
GM bankruptcy will devastate communities
By Tom Eley, 2 June 2009
Cities and towns across the US will be devastated by the GM “rescue plan” orchestrated by the Obama administration. At least 18,000 workers will lose their jobs and 2,100 auto dealers will lose their GM franchises.
GM workers speak out on concessions contract
28 May 2009
The WSWS interviewed GM workers at the Michigan Poletown plant on a new concessions contract agreed by the UAW and GM, with the backing of the Obama administration.
UK Visteon workers speak on occupation
18 April 2009
WSWS reporters spoke to laid off workers who have occupied a parts factory in the UK that supplies Ford Motor Company.
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