The following text was an internal text for our political group, written by one of our members after the first STOP THE WAR march in order to open up discussion. We are not in favour of the war but do not wish to take part in huge demos in London, preferring to take part in our own DA activities for reasons which are clear in the text.
Compromising our ideals and pretending that we are happy families, may create media interest and may help in the short term but stopping debate and selling out merely stops any attempt at fighting the real causes of war. We are alarmed at the recent trends in the so called left, the anti-war movement and the anti-globalisation movement. These movements are growing quickly and should be careful they do not continue to go down the wrong road.
Anti- Semitism, Racism, Conspiracy Theories and British or European Nationalism are NOT the solution, no matter how many people they get on the streets. They are counter revolutionary and fascistoid.
We have decided to post this now in response to the SWP elitism debate. I hope that this document opens a useful and civilised debate. It is our strength that we remain focussed and willing to discuss, split, reform and work towards a free society.
We are sorry that we didn´t write a paper after the debate but we´ve been very busy. Remember this is a text to open discussion.


TIME TO RETHINK THE PEACE MOVEMENT?

As the second Gulf War looms , British and American politicians are travelling the world to try to gain support for the almost inevitable military strike. As the world´s leaders are wooed into accepting another war people over the world are taking the streets to demonstrate for peace. According to Schnews there were an approximate 400,000anti-war demonstrators in London. Is this a cause for celebration? Sadly not as the peace- march had no real left- wing analysis of current affairs and slipped into the same old traps: nationalism, anti- Americanism and anti- Semitism. Mass demonstrations catch the headlines but tend to produce meaningless and confused messages. This was a perfect example.

What the peace movement needs to address is the real reason for war and the actions of other nations: i.e. capitalism. A peace movement, without addressing the problem of capitalism, can only end in absurdity. To claim that war is avoidable under a system of capitalism is about as revolutionary a Tony Blair himself. Countries will act to ensure access to natural resources, foreign interests, access to markets and trade relations. In a system that judges success by economic growth and gross domestic product, nation states will do what is necessary to ensure this process. Without confronting these issues all we achieve is a self- satisfying conscious clearing stupidity with which it should be impossible for any radical left or anarchist groups to have solidarity with. Why are Schnews so keen to praise it then? A mixture of different classes and religions all marching with politicians over one issue is nothing more than a mess. "Not in my name" and "Stop the war" are meaningless statements without a revolutionary critic. "Not in my name" but I´ll still keep putting petrol in my car, and "Stop the War" as long as it doesn´t affect my share portfolio! Disempowerment, class societies, the market economy, nationalism, arms exports, environmental concerns and social disparity were just some of the real issues neatly swept under the carpet to create a huge coalition lacking alternatives and forward thinking. What a beautiful place Britain must be where we can all march together in perfect harmony. The nationalism, classism, racism, sexism and anti- semitism of Britain´s society was forgotten in a moment of true Cool Britannia publicity. Whatever happened to Anarchy in the UK?

So, if the people of Britain aren´t to blame for the consequences of their consumer choices and capitalist thinking, then who is? Sadly the answer has become all to clear across the world from Genoa and Prague to Afghanistan. The scapegoat today is of course America, the richest country in the world, which is meddling in international affairs for solely economic gain. The big fat giant is guzzling up the world´s resources and using it´s economic might to reduce production and labour costs across the world, indifferent to the consequences. George W is a menace to the world and solely guided by the economic lobbyists that surround him. His military expenditure is immoral and as the world´s sole superpower the USA has a free hand to intervene in conflicts all over the world without being reprimanded for her actions. This imperialist analysis of international relations has no relevance to a revolutionary movement, whether communist or anarchist. I´m sure Nick Griffin, Jean-Marie Le Penn, Horst Mahler or Gabrielle Belusconi would be in perfect agreement as the logical consequences of this are that Europe would be a better place if it retained it´s own cultural identity. I took part in many anti- McDonalds demonstrations in England and there were many reasons to protest for the right to speak out about the company and to criticise it. Unlike the famous Frenchman my criticism was never that McDonalds was an American company which sold food that was bad for English people. This is just nationalist rubbish and this niveau of argument has no foundation for us. America´s actions are solely the consequences of it´s status as a capitalist super state. Instead of finding a scapegoat in foreign nations we have to challenge our political situation and the capitalist actions that take place "in our name" due to our economic position and interests. Far from being the Dallas and Dynasty figures we see on television the American population is the victim of the advanced capitalist state it lives in just like we are and the most disgusting form of anti-Americanism are the racial stereotypes and hate placed upon the population of that country. We have to take responsibility for our own purchasing power and our lack of real democracy. Only a revolutionary based movement can provide the answer to this and we must start with ourselves and work outwards to create a system where economic interests don´t compromise the future of the world and the lives of millions. America is merely how Britain wants to be if it continues down the road of capitalism. Self-determination requires self-responsibility in a revolutionary context. Once again the anti-war march failed. It´s main enemy was Bush and the people he represents, whilst no real challenge was made to capitalism and it´s consequences.

Well if it wasn´t enough to show how all classes of England speak with one innocent voice and to blame it on the Americans, neo-Nazis were bound to feel at home on the demonstration by the anti- Semitic feel resounding from the unchallenged acceptance of Palestinians calling for a boycott on Israel. What the hell are they doing at a protest against war after two years of war against Israel. Schnews seems proud of the ethnic mix at the demonstration and has also advertised protests against Selfridges in its editions. Once again the real issues are shrouded by jingoism and anti- Americanism. Anti- Semitism didn´t start and end at Auschwitz and Britain is no exception. Far from being the defenders of the European Jews our society is rotten with prejudice. This doesn´t mean of course that the policies of Israel are immune from criticism and that anyone making such criticism is anti- Semitic. The historical reasons for the Zionist state must be taken into account and the existence of Israel cannot be placed into doubt however. Israel has been the victim of military aggression from its creation and the refugees are the responsibility of the Arab states who started and lost these wars. Instead of taking these refugees the rich oil states have used them as a political tool for many years now, feeding them with anti- Semitic propaganda and Arabic nationalism. Their situation is not the fault of Israel but once again in history the Jews are to blame and are attacked in the most brutal and sadistic way. The Arab world certainly does not wish for a left- wing revolution in there socially divided and corrupt states so the solution of anti- Semitism rears its ugly head again. The last Intifada, after the Palestinian leadership refused to sign a peace treaty, is another example of anti- Semitism and war. How is it possible to see banners calling for a boycott on Israel and demanding Solidarity with Palestinians at a left- wing demonstration? It is of course possible to support Palestinians in a class struggle against capitalism but not in the context of an anti- Semitic struggle against Israel. It is also to remember that any statement made condemning Israel is being made in a society in which prejudice towards Jews is common place, and fuels this hate. This most blatant form of anti- Semitism is of course only the tip of the iceberg as it can also be found in anti- American statements, views and philosophy. Instead of promoting the religious tolerance of the peace march, would it not be better to show solidarity with the nation of Israel and to expose the anti- Semitism within society.

Class War should know its enemies. Nationalism, anti- Americanism and anti- Semitism are for Nazi scum.