15th February: Protest across Europe!

Monday January 06, 2003 23:25

by Angry activist

European wide day of action against war including a European wide General Strike on 15th February

AN "ASSEMBLY of social movements met at the end of the European Social Forum in Florence. It agreed the following statement: "To all the citizens of Europe! Together we can stop this war! We are fighting for social rights and social justice, for democracy and against all forms of oppression. Respect We stand for a world of diversity, freedom and mutual respect. We believe this war, whether it has UN backing or not, will be a catastrophe for the people of Iraq-already suffering because of the embargo and Saddam Hussein's regime-and for people across the Middle East. It should be opposed by everyone who believes in democratic, political solutions to international conflicts because it will be a war with the potential to lead to global disaster. There is a massive opposition to war in every country of Europe. Hundreds of thousands have already mobilised for peace."

"We call on the movements and citizens of Europe:
(1)To start organising now against war.

(2)If war starts, to protest immediately and to organise demonstrations in every country the next Saturday after the war starts.

(3)To start organising now for anti-war demonstrations in every capital in Europe on 15th February."

"In addition we also appeal for a European wide General Strike to coincide with the European wide Day of Action against the war on 15th February."

Footnote: Many European trade unions have already endorsed the General Strike against the war on 15th February and have begun to actively mobilise for this to be a successful General Strike that will show that ordinary workers can cripple the machinery of war. If and when war starts there are also plans actively afoot in most European countries to launch immediate work stoppages, walkouts from workplaces, schools and colleges, road blockades, takeovers of schools, workplaces and colleges and other forms of direct action by many varied different groups of various political leanings and by individuals of no particular political leaning.