Anti-war movement, put down your arms
Hope | 09.10.2001 00:11
We must put away the papers and slogans if we are to build a substantial and effective opposition to this war. A factionalised and paper selling movement stands no chance of appealling to those we need most.
I'm sure many watching their televisions at home were delighted to see so many turn out on tonights demo outside Downing Street. It did indeed demonstrate that there is pubic opposition to this war and mass concern for the knock on effects in other countries such as Pakistan and Palestine. It would be great if the small amount of coverage recieved were to encourage non-activist members of the public to also express their concerns.
Fortunately for the anti-war movement the media did not focus on the fact that the demonstration included many who seemed to think that selling their party papers, chanting and shouting, and contributing to a generally factionalised and almost belligerent atmosphere makes a valuable contribution to the most urgent issue at stake here: an end to this war.
If we are to encourage the genuinely broad range of people who oppose the military action to join this movement, and actively (rather than passively) oppose this war then surely the anti-war demonstrations should be concentrating purely on the issue at stake, not turning complex arguments into slogans and thus alienating many in the process. Of course we all have a political perspective on this issue, but the time to push these are not at a demo which can only be effective when it is seen to be clear, inclusive and, most importantly, accessible to all sections of the public.
If we stand any chance of building a serious and effective public opposition to military action, individual organisation's political postions must be subordinated to the need to present to the media and public a united and coherent opposition.
Fortunately for the anti-war movement the media did not focus on the fact that the demonstration included many who seemed to think that selling their party papers, chanting and shouting, and contributing to a generally factionalised and almost belligerent atmosphere makes a valuable contribution to the most urgent issue at stake here: an end to this war.
If we are to encourage the genuinely broad range of people who oppose the military action to join this movement, and actively (rather than passively) oppose this war then surely the anti-war demonstrations should be concentrating purely on the issue at stake, not turning complex arguments into slogans and thus alienating many in the process. Of course we all have a political perspective on this issue, but the time to push these are not at a demo which can only be effective when it is seen to be clear, inclusive and, most importantly, accessible to all sections of the public.
If we stand any chance of building a serious and effective public opposition to military action, individual organisation's political postions must be subordinated to the need to present to the media and public a united and coherent opposition.
Hope
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if thousands can turn out in ny we can too!
09.10.2001 00:35
The only way this will be achieved is to broaden the message to the general public. This is not the time for hijacking of the cause by political factions. If we can manage to promote the humanitarian aspect of this crisis we will have a better chance of uniting our communities against this inhumane and injust war.
The lack of broad support for *any* form of protest in the UK is our main obstacle to overcome. I agree with Hope. Don't sell me a paper, stand with me for the common cause as a human being.
more hope
talk to the paper-sellers...
09.10.2001 02:51
As for the chanting. Well maybe we need a variety of different approaches to express the variety of different emotions that we're all going through. There's room for all expressions of sadness, grief, silent resistance. We need to promote actions that give room for people to share these feelings.
But there's also a need to express our anger and our fears -as safely as possible. People are quite freaked out enough without macho shit happening at peace actions - be it by police or by protesters. We know the provocations but we've got to keep our nerve & concentrate on building the biggest, broadest, united anti-war movement across the world.
We need to work hard at creating energetic alternatives to violence - as it kind of spills over when there's a lot of it all around. IMHO I believe it is a duty of every progressive person, socialist or not, to respect the solidarity between people in the anti-war movement and the strength of feeling this is based on.
At the end of the day it's our ability to work through difficulties like this that will be what brings an end to this war shit.
red bird
Homepage:
http://socialistalliance.net
Where have all the flowers gone?
10.10.2001 00:27
Many people are horrified that we are now involved with the US in killing aid workers and causing the deaths of many thousands via starvation and a huge refugee crisis.
But I am worried that the anti-war events which I have attended have been mis-used by 'left' groups as an opportunity for recruitment and paper-selling.
Surely we need to focus on the need for peace and justice. Couldn't each sect or party appoint a maximum of two or three people to sell their paper? I don't need to be asked fifty times if I want to buy a 'Socialist Worker'.
We need to consider how we are perceived by 'the public', and also the messages that we send each other. We should concentrate on extending our support and sympathy to the many thousands of people whom our & the US government is bombing and starving.
Socialist groups are supposed to be against the competitive behaviour which the capitalist system engenders. They should live up to their principles by deciding not to treat peace demonstrations as marketing opportunities for their slogans, papers and recruitment drives.
Noah
Noah