Workers World Party to anti-war protests:
Stay organized, no matter what
The fact that you are at the March 20
demonstrations shows you already know the importance of mass
mobilizations. That's how social change has always come
about--through direct struggle by those who are defending the
interests of the vast majority but are ignored, demonized or
ridiculed by the authorities and the corporate media.
You must stand firm and STAY ORGANIZED.
The wars and occupations we are protesting today have no
justification. Whether it is U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
or Haiti, or a U.S.-backed settler regime taking away the land
and national rights of the Palestinian people, the aggressions
of this country, with its enormous wealth and military might,
have done grave damage and caused deep and lasting harm--first
of all to the people and infrastructure of the nations
targeted, but also to the people here, to the troops and their
families, to the entitlements we have won, to the civil
liberties we have fought for.
All claims that the U.S. political and military
establishment decides on these interventions for altruistic
reasons are lies.
These wars and occupations flow from the profit lust of big
capital, whose leaders move back and forth among the
government, the military and boards of directors. The result is
wars of plunder that are cruel and barbaric, which is why they
are being resisted so vigorously.
What comes next? These are perilous times, just like the
1960s. Unexpected events, spun by the corporate media, can
create fear and uncertainty. Whatever happens before and after
the elections, this movement must stay together and in the
streets.
Imperialism does not give up its military campaigns of
conquest easily. The Vietnam War lasted through three
presidents--Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon--and almost four terms.
(Nixon got re-elected on a phony promise of peace.) Two
Democrats and one Republican. And they all talked peace, trying
to sidestep the movement as it became more conscious and
militant.
If only the people could vote directly on war and peace, the
assault on Iraq one year ago would never have happened. But
empty election promises are nothing new. What about health
care, better education, jobs for all? If we could vote these
things in, we would have had them years ago.
This is an immensely wealthy country, yet millions are
suffering from unemployment, poverty, imprisonment, poor health
and education, huge debts and the terror of an uncertain
future. These economic problems are compounded for the majority
of the population who also are subjected to special
oppressions, such as racism, sexism, and/or bigotry against
lesbians, gays, bi and transgender people.
The movement against globalization that started even before
the Bush wars was youthful and optimistic, raising the slogan,
"Another world is possible." Indeed, the choices are even
starker today. Which shall it be? Capitalist globalization that
plunders and pollutes--or a society where the wealth belongs to
all and the economy works to satisfy human needs, not corporate
greed?
Capitalism is not a pretty word these days. A lot of people
will tell you that capitalism stinks.
But you won't hear that in the presidential election. The
burning issue of our time--how to stop the class of
super-billionaires from wrecking more of the world in their
frantic struggle to stay on top--will be ignored as politicking
takes over the airwaves.
That's another reason to put our energy into building an
independent movement, one that gives voice to all sectors who
are fighting the ills of this system. We need a movement for
socialism, for the workers and all the oppressed, not just one
to slow down the deterioration of a thrashing, dangerous
capitalism.
Reprinted from the March 25, 2004, issue of
Workers World newspaper
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email: ww@workers.org
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