ANTI-WAR ACTION STEPS UP A GEAR
While working class Scottish soldiers are fighting and dying in Fallujah, at the hands of working class Iraqis, and facile debates about the sacred heritage of various regiments rumble on like interminable flatulence and so many words, grassroots resistance to the continuing occupation has started to grow. Since the war began it has perhaps been felt that a good many comrades within the anarchist and communist movement have grown weary and depressed with the irregular and passive activities of the anti-war blocs. Anti-war activity, as it is practiced within the parameters of the Justice Not War Coalition and Stop The War et al has come to be seen by many (and rightly so) as nothing more than simulacrum of resistance. These groups have controlled, and diverted any useful self-activity or actions which actually might have chance at "bring[ing] the troops home". However, of late, there has been some changes taking place in Glasgow. Autonomous groups and actions have started to take place across the City at such a rate that the coalitions have not been able to keep up. The city has borne witness to daily vigils and protests for weeks, called by small groups and individuals, and the pressure has been mounting. At first sombre vigils were held in the city's George Square on a daily basis to show solidarity with victims of Anglo-American aggression in Fallujah. These vigils then gave way to a weekend antiwar demonstration, which despite misinformation and a lack of mobilization erupted into spontaneous civil disobediance which the megaphones and megamouths of anti-war parties seemed powerless to stop. Vigils have now given way to resistance, with protests being held every day in Buchanan Street from 5PM this week and fiery pickets taking place outside the Labour Party offices (145 West Regent St.) from 3PM. Both of these new activities have already borne fruit - the demonstrations have had the support and attendance of random passing citizens and the pickets have been successful in deterring people from going in or out of the bloody offices of the labour party. Now is a crucial time for the anti-war movement in Glasgow; we are starting, now, at last, to move away from symbolic resistance to genuine solidarity and the politics of self-organization and direct action. It is crucially important that comrades join in _now_ and help us keep the momentum and pressure. We have a real chance here to inflict damage on both the government and the policies it is adopting in its thirst for oil. We are the Iraq resistance also. We have just as much responsibility, and so much less personal risk. Let's bring the war home. Nick Durie, Troops Out Group [troops out is a non-alligned anti-war group which is involved in this latest phase of struggle. Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 7PM in Glasgow's Woodside Halls, 36 Glenfarg St., G20. Email: troopsoutglasgow@yahoo.co.uk Read another article on this action at Indymedia here.
