Solidarity action for muslim political prisoners?
leftist revolutionary | 10.07.2002 20:02
Is it not time for the anti-capitalist left to undertake some solidarity action to support those muslim/ Asian youths who have been given long prison sentences for particpating in the riots in Bradford, Burnley, and Oldham last summer?
Is it not time for the anti-capitalist left to undertake some solidarity action to support those muslim/ Asian youths who have been given long prison sentences for particpating in the riots in Bradford, Burnley, and Oldham last summer? These riots took place, I would suggest, both as a response to Fascist attacks' and in a broader sense to the capitalist system's marginalisation of entire communities in the north of England.
Given the extremely hard line that the judicial establishment is taking with those dragged through the capitalist courts, surely now is the time for the radical left to stand up and be counted on the issue of supporting muslim/Asian youths who rose up to defend themselves and their communities from the Fascists and the capitalist state. If the radical left shows by its actions -not merely its rhetoric- that it supports these radical youths', then we might actually attract them to leftist anti-capitalist politics. If we fail them now, then we should not be surprised if they turn to other less progressive radical forces!
Anyone out there who has any thoughts about this please respond.
Given the extremely hard line that the judicial establishment is taking with those dragged through the capitalist courts, surely now is the time for the radical left to stand up and be counted on the issue of supporting muslim/Asian youths who rose up to defend themselves and their communities from the Fascists and the capitalist state. If the radical left shows by its actions -not merely its rhetoric- that it supports these radical youths', then we might actually attract them to leftist anti-capitalist politics. If we fail them now, then we should not be surprised if they turn to other less progressive radical forces!
Anyone out there who has any thoughts about this please respond.
leftist revolutionary
Comments
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Reservations
11.07.2002 10:16
There were certainly articles on both the Anti-Fascist Action and Class War websites at the time pointing out that these disturbances were different to those of say, the 1980s. Put simply they were far more race based than anything else - indeed in Oldham "white" pubs were quite openly targetted by rioters, regardless of who was in them at the time.
The later Bradford riot was another matter, taking place in response to an NF provocation and with violence clearly directed at the police.
However in the earlier Bradford riot a few months before I remember seeing a report of a white car driver who was injured after her car was attacked by Asians (she was eventually saved by another group of Asians who intervened and took her to hospital)we cannot support people who attack car drivers at random.
How do you propose to differentiate between the Asains who were "defending their community" and those who are/were involved in racist attacks against whites?
Both instances have occured.
Paul Marsh
e-mail:
paul_marsh36@hotmail.com
For Leftist Revolutionary
11.07.2002 10:37
Cheers
*
Ask
11.07.2002 12:43
If their prison details are listed anywhere at some point, you could always try writing to them and asking what happened. You could see if they are interested in discussing wider issues.
Just because someone is inside for what you may define as anti-social, or racist violent actions, doesn't mean that defines the person.
Of course, they may have no interest in discussing this sort of thing. But they are going to have a lot of time on their hands to think things through, if they feel so inclined.
ex-con