BBC Mayday Lies - The Spectacle Strikes Back
Anarchist Rioter | 18.04.2002 20:25
Tonight's BBC Newsroom South East programme opens the batting in the British states' propaganda offensive against the anti-capitalist movement. Their strategy is to divide the movement.
The five minute piece opened, somewhat predictably, with shots of "anarchist" protestors trashing the McDonald's on Whitehall during the Mayday 2000 protest. This was interspersed with clips of Mayday 2001, to look as if both were the same protest. The newsreader solemnly intoned that "fringe groups" planned to "hijack" this year's "official" protest on Trafalgar Square. These "fringe groups" were said to be "intent on violence".
A London Labour MP was then wheeled out to extoll the Trafalgar Square demonstration, which is billed as the first "proper demonstration" in the capital since 1829. Needless to say, there will be no violence (and no nasty unwashed proletarian types) at this protest, which is apparently organised by someone called "Global Resistance" (sic).
So the propaganda offensive has finally begun. It is clear that the state intends to divide the movement. Globalise Resistance has fallen into the trap - by accepting the government's terms for the Trafalgar Square protest, they have effectively become little more than the youth wing of the New Labour party. Meanwhile, the real protest in Mayfair will no doubt be attacked by a horde of adrenaline-charged riot cops, intent on beating and arresting any activist who dares take part in autonomous (and hence effective) protest.
For the sake of history, I would like to remind the SWP and its front parties that Mayday is not only International Workers' Day, but also marks the state murder of the so-called Haymarket Martyrs - the anarchists who were put to death for their beliefs in Chicago in 1886.
I don't think that this is the place to start yet another anti-SWP tirade. The SWP already know what anarchists think about their shameful attempt to suck up to Blair on Trafalgar Square. All I want to know is this - when the riot cops attack us, will the SWP condemn the police violence? If they hear that we are being beaten by the cops, will they come and assist us? If dozens of activists are sent to jail on May 2nd, will the SWP condemn this? Will the SWP organise relief for the prisoners? Or will they stand on Trafalgar Square, smug and self-satisfied, knowing full well that their greatest adversaries are being pulped by the forces of the state?
You don't need to be Mystic Meg to predict this one. In ten years from now, most of the people in Mayfair will be in jail for public order offences. And most of the people in Trafalgar Square will be MP's, spin doctors and media pundits, sipping cappucinos in some swanky bar and telling their mates how they used to be "revolutionaries" back in the heady days of 2002. You can call me a wanker if you like, but you know I'm right.
A London Labour MP was then wheeled out to extoll the Trafalgar Square demonstration, which is billed as the first "proper demonstration" in the capital since 1829. Needless to say, there will be no violence (and no nasty unwashed proletarian types) at this protest, which is apparently organised by someone called "Global Resistance" (sic).
So the propaganda offensive has finally begun. It is clear that the state intends to divide the movement. Globalise Resistance has fallen into the trap - by accepting the government's terms for the Trafalgar Square protest, they have effectively become little more than the youth wing of the New Labour party. Meanwhile, the real protest in Mayfair will no doubt be attacked by a horde of adrenaline-charged riot cops, intent on beating and arresting any activist who dares take part in autonomous (and hence effective) protest.
For the sake of history, I would like to remind the SWP and its front parties that Mayday is not only International Workers' Day, but also marks the state murder of the so-called Haymarket Martyrs - the anarchists who were put to death for their beliefs in Chicago in 1886.
I don't think that this is the place to start yet another anti-SWP tirade. The SWP already know what anarchists think about their shameful attempt to suck up to Blair on Trafalgar Square. All I want to know is this - when the riot cops attack us, will the SWP condemn the police violence? If they hear that we are being beaten by the cops, will they come and assist us? If dozens of activists are sent to jail on May 2nd, will the SWP condemn this? Will the SWP organise relief for the prisoners? Or will they stand on Trafalgar Square, smug and self-satisfied, knowing full well that their greatest adversaries are being pulped by the forces of the state?
You don't need to be Mystic Meg to predict this one. In ten years from now, most of the people in Mayfair will be in jail for public order offences. And most of the people in Trafalgar Square will be MP's, spin doctors and media pundits, sipping cappucinos in some swanky bar and telling their mates how they used to be "revolutionaries" back in the heady days of 2002. You can call me a wanker if you like, but you know I'm right.
Anarchist Rioter
Comments
Display the following 23 comments