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Translation of ESF report from Athens indy

translation manos | 18.10.2004 10:36 | European Social Forum | Repression | Social Struggles | London

Translation of the athens.indymedia report about the events at the ESF demonstration.

12:19am Monday 18 Oct 2004 from London

I just spoke with london and I have the following news. A Lawyer member of the forum and the network visited the police station where the guy thwy caught is being held (I belive he is from AK and the arrest was "premtive"). There has been a consulation with the Greek ambassy and the we expect positive results (although we should not have too hight hopes until he is out). Outside the police station there is a presence of comrades from the forum and other spaces.

Now about the incredible and miserable things that happened at the march. The platform was absolutely controled by the SWP with livingston's people and muslim associations. At some point a comrade got on stage so that a different voice is heard. When he came back down livingston's security grabed him and give him to the cops. This is a huge scandal and already some parts of the forum are preparing public condamnations, for this unprecedented miserable situation. Unfortunately the SWP's stalinism has met with the bourgeous-liberalism of livingston and has created a monster.

The european social forum does not belong to them and we will not let them destroy it!



translation manos
- Homepage: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=277374

Comments

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Dangerous assumptions

18.10.2004 16:22

I think it is dangerous not to mention very devisive for the comrade who wrote this article to portray some conspiracy on behalf of the SWP and police. The fact that the SWP were a large presence during the ESF and StWC activities in Britain is hardly surprising as they are the largest single party with a clear policy on the issue and therefore can devote more resources.

After an ESF that I feel fundamentally called for increased European and Global solidarity and co-operation it saddens me once again that within 24 hours we start to see the sectarianism again. If this franctionalisation continues we will be letting all our disenfranchised colleagues across the world down just as happened in Germany in the 1930s. The in-fighting has to stop or we give the the Right-wing and early Christmas present and that surely is something we can all agree must not happen.

(For the sake of my subjectivism to be open to scrutiny I am not a member of the SWP, I am however a member of Respect in an attempt to join what I hope will be a coalition of forces to beat the REAL enemy which is capitalism)

Dom Kingsmill

SWP and police

18.10.2004 17:31

Well... when the question of security for the launch of Manchester Against Racism last year was raised at a planning meeting, Colin Barker (leading Manc SWP bod) said 'we'll call the police about that.'

...gasp!

squatticus
- Homepage: http://wpmanc.org

looks like you have your own dangerous assumptions

21.10.2004 12:06

dom kingsmill certainly has some interesting views for someone who is telling others off for their dangerous assumptions. i think by far the most dangerous assumption you have is that by being a part of RESPECT you are campaigning for the downfall of capitalism. "democratic" government and capitalism walk hand in hand like two evil twins and the only way to get into power is to be in the pockets of big business. no offense mate but RESPECT is just another minor party hoping to capitalise on the activist vote in order to get into government. As for this sectarianism that is destroying the movement, dont you know what SWP stands for - Sectarian Wankers Party (or at least thats what it should stand for). As long as they have people working in hierarchical structures, using closed meetings, playing the race card at every oppurtunity and telling the working class that they are going to liberate them people will disagree, dislike and distrust the SWP or anything it is involved in. You cannot destroy capitalism by becoming a part of it!

el gormo squirrello