It is with immense sadness that the Socialist Equality Party announces the death early Wednesday morning of our beloved and immeasurably respected comrade, Alan Gelfand. He was 76 years old, and the cause of his death was cancer.
Alan had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1986. Intensive radiation treatment cured him of the disease. However, the long-term consequences of the radiation led earlier this year to the recurrence of cancer. As Alan’s physical condition deteriorated, he gave instructions last week that all efforts to extend his life be ended.
Until his final hours, Alan remained fully lucid. Accepting calmly and with dignity his approaching death, Alan expressed satisfaction with the course of his life, in which he had devoted 50 years to the struggle for socialism.
Alan’s hatred of injustice and passionate defense of democratic rights and equality found expression not only in his politics, but also in his professional career as a public defender in Los Angeles. Alan’s extraordinary skill as an attorney saved countless defendants from unjust conviction. A passionate opponent of the death penalty, he was proud of the fact that he did not lose a single defendant to the California state executioners.
Only a few months ago, the Socialist Equality Party devoted its international summer school to a study of Security and the Fourth International. Alan’s central role in the fight to expose the conspiracies of Stalinism and imperialism against the Fourth International is recorded in the epic legal and political struggle that bears his name. The Gelfand Case and the man and fighter whose courage and unrelenting commitment to historical truth inspired it are an imperishable part of the history of the Trotskyist movement.
The Socialist Equality Party extends its deepest condolences to Alan’s wife, Roseanna, and to all members of his family.
David North
National Chairman, Socialist Equality Party (US)
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The World Socialist Web Site will publish an appreciation of Alan Gelfand in the coming days.