[The following statement was unanimously adopted by the Socialist Alliance's national executive on July 25.]
The Socialist Alliance national executive joins its voice with those calling for unity in the anti-war movement. As the Bush administration confronts renewed resistance to its war on Iraq, both at home and inside occupied Iraq, the need and opportunity for united mass action which can end the occupation of Iraq and end the US war drive is again growing.
In that context, we believe that the recent decision by a section of the Walk Against the War Coalition in Sydney to split away and form a Peace and Justice Coalition is a serious mistake. This decision threatens to destroy the unity in the anti-war movement that made possible the mobilisation of half a million people in Sydney on February 16, and a sustained campaign against the US's war plans which convinced many thousands of people to play an active part in the campaign against this unjust and unjustifiable war.
A split in the anti-war movement now will seriously undermine the possibilities for an effective campaign in solidarity with the Iraqi people against the occupation of their country. It will also weaken the movement's capacity to respond quickly and effectively when the Bush administration chooses its next target.
The unity and democracy of the anti-war movement, allowing both diversity of opinion and collective action, is our best weapon against the imperialists' war drive.
For that reason, we call on all activists and advocates of peace and justice to protest and resist this move to split an important part of the anti-war movement in Australia, and urge the initiators of the Peace and Justice Coalition to reconsider their decision.
From Green Left Weekly, August 13, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.