Demonstration against militarist celebration

antrim | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Wednesday October 29, 2008 11:36

by Belfast WSM

Anarchists organise Anti-War Demonstration
Politicians of all sides show hypocrisy

The Workers Solidarity Movement,(WSM), an anarchist organsiation, will be holding a public demonstration this Sunday in opposition to the Ministry of Defences decision to hold a march celebrating the occupation and continued atrocities in Afganistan

Spokeperson Sean Matthews said today.

“The Ministry of Defence has deliberately sought to manipulate existing divisions within Northern Ireland, in an attempt to bolster support, at any cost, for its massively unpopular wars of aggression. Several council authorities across the UK have refused to allow military parades that essentially seek to legitimise the murder of hundreds of thousand of civilians, and which the vast majority of citizens oppose. We stand in solidarity with such opposition and with over 150 soldiers of the RIR who refused to partake in these war by going AWOL. Serving soldiers should be publicly encouraged and supported to disobey orders and refuse to be cannon fodder in the interests of imperialism, careerist politicians and generals”

Commenting on the reaction from various parties sitting at Stormont, he said
“As our elected political elites continue to squabble over the realm of sectarian politics in the north, this showcase of militarism provides a useful deflection from their failure to improve the lives of working people in the midst of an economic recession. Billions spent on militarism could be spend on our health education and social housing. It is hypocritical and opportunistic of Sinn Fein to oppose this parade considering their eagerness to wine and dine, and roll out the red carpet for their commander in chief George Bush and Gordon Brown during their last visit”

As anti-militarists the WSM reject the scaremongering and gun-boat diplomacy and Matthews pointed out the inconsistency and duplicity from unionist politicians, who he said are “creating an climate of fear and intolerance, and recently traded support for the failed attempt to intern individuals for up to 42 days in back door deals at Westminster so that women cannot have full reproductive rights over there bodies. The hypocrisy of mainstream parties suggests that they all see some lives are worth more than others as unionist support for this march clearly demonstrates”

Referring to others planning to oppose the RIR March, Matthews said
“WSM have nothing in common with rival republican organisations seeking to ‘outgun’ each other over the reactionary mantle of nationalism. The WSM is equally opposed to the oppressive role of imperialism under the British Army and the blight of militarism still endured by working-class communities at the hands of paramilitary organisations”

Calling for cross-community action against both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the spokeperson commented“We ask anyone who opposes sectarianism, nationalism (either British or Irish) and imperialism, to join us in opposition to the parade this Sunday 2nd November at 11am sharp. Assemble outside the front of Tesco’s supermarket on Royal Avenue in Belfast city centre. Bring banners and make some noise”

ENDS

www.wsm.ie