James E. Jackson Jr. — an appreciation

Esther Cooper Jackson and James Jackson. PWW file photo.

"James E. Jackson Jr., a giant in the struggle for African American equality, world peace and socialism, passed away Sept. 1, just short of his 93rd birthday. He was one of the truly heroic figures of the African American freedom movement, the progressive movement generally, and the Communist Party USA. He was an activist, mass leader, theoretician, tactician, teacher, writer and humanist, beginning at age 16. He was devoted to Esther Cooper Jackson, his wife of 66 years, a major leader in her own right, and to his daughters Harriet and Kathryn and their families, as well as to his many friends and comrades..."

Visit the People's Weekly World for the full article:
www.pww.org/article/articleview/11704/1/390/

David Cline 1947-2007

David Cline, former president of Veterans for Peace and co-founder of Vietnam Veterans Against the War passed away this weekend. He was a wonderful friend to many of us, a great leader and public figure in the peace movement.

He never hesitated to call me comrade and mean it sincerely. I remember working with Dave on the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign's tour of the U.S. just a few months ago, he always kept great spirits and humor despite his illness.

One of the most touching moments I have ever experienced is when Dave gave his Purple Heart medal to Nguyen Van Quy, a Vietnamese veteran and Agent Orange sufferer who came to the U.S. to testify in the lawsuit against the chemical companies responsible for the poisoning of Vietnamese and U.S. soldiers alike. Mr. Quy just passed away this July.

Dave always knew who his friends were, and who was the real enemy.

You will be missed, comrade.

For more information about the memorial services, making a donation in his honor, visit the Veterans for Peace Webpage.

Moe Fishman 1915-2007

Moe Fishman, passed away August 6. He was 92. He has been a stalwart activist for peace and justice in New York for decades. He will be missed.

Fishman was a veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and served as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln (VALB) until his death. He helped lead the organization through the Cold War, and was called before the House Unamerican Affairs Committee.

He was active in Veterans for Peace and other organizations and was a visible participant in peace demonstrations including the protests against the Republican National Convention in 2003.

Read the obituary in the People's Weekly World newspaper.