What's wrong with Stop the War Campaign?
William Greaves | 11.10.2007 21:41 | Analysis | Anti-militarism | Iraq | London
I was there and this was one of the better demos - it seemed there was some real anger about the slaughter of 1 million Iraqis and untold Afghanis, and the role of the Labour Government in their deaths.
BUT - the energy and action came from people NOT following the STWC script. E.g. the sit downs - we should be causing some chaos and disruption through non-violent direct action. [The students are roused - nice one you lot!]
The liberation of Parliament Square - right on! They have no right to take away that space for political reasons.
But I have had enough of the STWC model - we the masses stand obediently listening to mostly the same old politicans telling us what we know. Even though I liked some of the speeches, it felt like we are challenging one elite (the warmongers) but being led by another elite (the anti-warmongers).
Why aren't we the people allowed to speak? Why can't we get up there and make a speech too? Why are we recepients not actors? There's no good reason that I can see. I remember feeling like that at a rally I went to at Methodist Hall - I was suprised we only got to listen to the "leaders" - not even ask a question.
And what are these demo tactics from STWC? I didn't come to be shephered and coralled by police abetted by STWC stewards. They wanted everyone to march nicely past Parliament and fuck off home. What kind of bullshit is that? If you look at the anti-Vietnam protests, STWC is nothing.
So reluctantly I am of the opinion that we are not well led by STWC - it is elitist, obedient to authority and lacking in creative and effective action. It is also non-accountable and non-transparent in its organisation, tactics and decision making.
BUT - the energy and action came from people NOT following the STWC script. E.g. the sit downs - we should be causing some chaos and disruption through non-violent direct action. [The students are roused - nice one you lot!]
The liberation of Parliament Square - right on! They have no right to take away that space for political reasons.
But I have had enough of the STWC model - we the masses stand obediently listening to mostly the same old politicans telling us what we know. Even though I liked some of the speeches, it felt like we are challenging one elite (the warmongers) but being led by another elite (the anti-warmongers).
Why aren't we the people allowed to speak? Why can't we get up there and make a speech too? Why are we recepients not actors? There's no good reason that I can see. I remember feeling like that at a rally I went to at Methodist Hall - I was suprised we only got to listen to the "leaders" - not even ask a question.
And what are these demo tactics from STWC? I didn't come to be shephered and coralled by police abetted by STWC stewards. They wanted everyone to march nicely past Parliament and fuck off home. What kind of bullshit is that? If you look at the anti-Vietnam protests, STWC is nothing.
So reluctantly I am of the opinion that we are not well led by STWC - it is elitist, obedient to authority and lacking in creative and effective action. It is also non-accountable and non-transparent in its organisation, tactics and decision making.
William Greaves
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