'No war, no capitalism'
HOBART — "If you're going to say 'no war', you have to say 'no capitalism'", suggested long-time peace activist Jack Lomax at a public meeting organised by Resistance on November 17.
Lomax, one of four speakers at the anti-war seminar recounted the major wars of the last century, identifying at the root of each war the drive by wealthy elites to protect their interests.
Other speakers included Democratic Socialist Party member Alex Bainbridge, a participant in the movement against the 1991 war on Iraq. Bainbridge explained how the US used talk of "democracy" to obscure its real interests in the region, including control of oil reserves. This is why, he argued, the US continues to bomb Iraq even after the pretext for the war, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, is gone.
Rockhampton discusses socialism
ROCKHAMPTON — In one of the first public discussions of socialism here for years, Resistance members and supporters gathered on November 17 to discuss socialism and the anti-corporate movement.
Watching a video of the M1 stock-exchange blockades around the country, participants had a witty discussion about how people can unite together to beat capitalism, and its destructive thirst for profit. Further discussions are planned, for more information phone Brett on (07) 4927 0355.
Solidarity 'our duty'
MELBOURNE — "An important factor in the success of Third World resistance movements lies with us in the First World — with our ability — our duty — to build solidarity with them", Resistance member Matt Rich told a November 17 anti-war seminar.
Designed to give the 30 participants some historical background to the current US-led war drive in Afghanistan, topics covered included the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the Afghan revolution.
In a concluding presentation, Ema Corro analysed the anti-Vietnam War movement in Australia.
"As well as helping the Vietnamese people in their inspiring victory", she argued, "the movement of hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets helped create opposition to Australian military participation in all imperialist wars".
Pointing to the tens of thousands of people across the country that voted for the Greens or the Socialist Alliance — parties which opposed both the war and the Australian government's racist treatment of refugees — Corro argued much of this opposition still exists.
From Green Left Weekly, November 21, 2001.
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