Che-Leila on radical belgian anti war demo
Veronica C | 15.10.2002 10:39
Joaquim Sebastiao Da Fonseca, from Che-Leila youth brigades, an organisation originating in the UK who’s name comes from Che Guevara and Leila Khaled- a Palestinian revolutionary, answers questions following the press conference of the Stop United States Of Aggression demonstration.
Why are you here today?
As a member of che-leila, I am sympathetic with the demonstration being organised and as we strongly support the Palestinian struggle we cannot ignore the issue of Iraq. We believe that Zionist oppression against Palestinians is linked with American aggression against Iraq. It is an issue of US control in the Middle East and with their hands on Israel they can use their army to attack Iraqi resistance.
Che-leila will have a block in the demonstration and encourage everyone who opposes the war to come.
How do you feel about this demonstration being more radical?
The stand that this demo is taking may seem more radical compared with other demo’s but all we are asking for is justice and basic rights. Oppressed people have to resort to violence and any means they can to defend their children, their homes, their lives. It is natural response and we support them in their struggles throughout the world. Palestinians have struggled since 1917 for their right to keep their own homes and if they hadn’t they would have been thrown out of Palestine a long time ago. The simple Palestinians of Jenin resisted the bombardment of the powerful Israeli army for three weeks. The strength of their fight and persistence comes from their pride and the fact that they have nothing left to lose. They have learnt that negotiation is futile, why should we have to negotiate for our lives, the lives of our children!
This is a lesson for us, we cannot compromise, so we need to take a more radical stand point against what is going on.
How are you going to have a more radical stand here in Belgium?
The situation here is different, radical doesn’t mean the use of weapons as it does in the Middle East, we are radical for going against the government. We don’t agree with the war and we don’t want to accept any sanctions or compromise. Anyone who supports Palestine or Iraq must understand that you have to go against Bush, and the governments of Britain and Belgium because they want to attack Iraq.
Abroad we defend all ways of struggle against imperialism, at home we continue to fight against the capitalist government and for our democratic right, if we stand against the war and the government they label us a terrorist or radical for doing what is natural.
How many people are predicted to come and what kind of reactions do you expect?
This demo is different from recent anti war demos. There are a lot of people opposed to this war as proven by the huge displays of support in London and Italy. Even when the media distorts and hides things people still feel that the war is unjust. We are here to try and show the people that there is more that they can do and our job is to show people the real reason behind Western interference in Middle Eastern countries. If we succeed in this then this international “bad feeling” amongst the masses will be transformed into a united fight against the war.
This demo is a beginning and will definitely grow in popularity. Until we eliminate the war the people will fight more and more as it is becoming apparent every day that if the war isn’t stopped now after millions more are killed in Iraq the US will not stop there, and the people have nothing left to lose.
The demo will be very united, different religious groups and ethnic backgrounds will march together against the war. United, we strengthen the fight against the war.
We don’t expect much of a response from the press as we know that the government want to play down the fact that so many are against the war because they are afraid. They know that we have the power to stop the war.
As a member of che-leila, I am sympathetic with the demonstration being organised and as we strongly support the Palestinian struggle we cannot ignore the issue of Iraq. We believe that Zionist oppression against Palestinians is linked with American aggression against Iraq. It is an issue of US control in the Middle East and with their hands on Israel they can use their army to attack Iraqi resistance.
Che-leila will have a block in the demonstration and encourage everyone who opposes the war to come.
How do you feel about this demonstration being more radical?
The stand that this demo is taking may seem more radical compared with other demo’s but all we are asking for is justice and basic rights. Oppressed people have to resort to violence and any means they can to defend their children, their homes, their lives. It is natural response and we support them in their struggles throughout the world. Palestinians have struggled since 1917 for their right to keep their own homes and if they hadn’t they would have been thrown out of Palestine a long time ago. The simple Palestinians of Jenin resisted the bombardment of the powerful Israeli army for three weeks. The strength of their fight and persistence comes from their pride and the fact that they have nothing left to lose. They have learnt that negotiation is futile, why should we have to negotiate for our lives, the lives of our children!
This is a lesson for us, we cannot compromise, so we need to take a more radical stand point against what is going on.
How are you going to have a more radical stand here in Belgium?
The situation here is different, radical doesn’t mean the use of weapons as it does in the Middle East, we are radical for going against the government. We don’t agree with the war and we don’t want to accept any sanctions or compromise. Anyone who supports Palestine or Iraq must understand that you have to go against Bush, and the governments of Britain and Belgium because they want to attack Iraq.
Abroad we defend all ways of struggle against imperialism, at home we continue to fight against the capitalist government and for our democratic right, if we stand against the war and the government they label us a terrorist or radical for doing what is natural.
How many people are predicted to come and what kind of reactions do you expect?
This demo is different from recent anti war demos. There are a lot of people opposed to this war as proven by the huge displays of support in London and Italy. Even when the media distorts and hides things people still feel that the war is unjust. We are here to try and show the people that there is more that they can do and our job is to show people the real reason behind Western interference in Middle Eastern countries. If we succeed in this then this international “bad feeling” amongst the masses will be transformed into a united fight against the war.
This demo is a beginning and will definitely grow in popularity. Until we eliminate the war the people will fight more and more as it is becoming apparent every day that if the war isn’t stopped now after millions more are killed in Iraq the US will not stop there, and the people have nothing left to lose.
The demo will be very united, different religious groups and ethnic backgrounds will march together against the war. United, we strengthen the fight against the war.
We don’t expect much of a response from the press as we know that the government want to play down the fact that so many are against the war because they are afraid. They know that we have the power to stop the war.
Veronica C
