From: miked-AT-riseup.net
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 20:38:10 -0800
Subject: Re: AUT: Research towards an anti-militarist project


Maybe to start I'll give a brief into to myself...
my name is michael desroches, i am an organizer with the ontario coalition 
against poverty in toronto, focusing mainly on housing issues but also 
participating in the immigration work that ocap has been doing, especially 
lately in creating links between that work and the anti-war movement as I 
outlined in a previous post.  i was lurking on this list a few months ago but 
had to get off because i couldn't keep up... hopefully this time I will be able 
to participate more.  Anyways...

Quoting chris wright <cwright.21stcentury-AT-rcn.com>:

> One difference, however, is the lack of a large mobilization of other
> sections of the population because by 1968 the mass struggles of the
> African American population had been going on for 14 years, with ebbs
> and peaks, but with tremendous impact, and the wave of wildcat strikes
> which would shake auto, steel, mining, telecommunications and other
> sectors had also begun by then (and was inextricably linked with the
> shift to the idea of Black Power, as well.)

the point raised by Chris is very very important.  although i wasn't even a 
glimmer in anyone's eyes in 1968 i think it's important to remember that large 
marches against war that aren't linked to existing or emerging social movements 
at home are just marches and will not be effective in challenging the ability 
of governments to implement their agenda.

> Even so, there is a demonstration here in Chicago this weekend in the
> Indian/Pakistani community on the northside of the city in defense of
> immigrants being harassed by the state and maybe I will have a better
> feel for what really exists here in Chicago at that point, as the major
> liberal-left anti-war coalition is calling this one with some
> coordination with Arab American and Pakistani groups.

Ahh, a sign of hope.  As I have previously mentioned, in both Toronto and 
Montreal no one is illegal campaigns are doing incredible on the ground work in 
backing up immigrant communities in their struggles everyday and bringing a 
very strong anti imperialist but also anti racist perspective to anti war 
organizing that strongly challenges the agenda of canada's government.  As the 
world moves towards war both canada and the U.S (and Australia, N.Z, UK, 
Europe, etc.) are increasing repression against immigrants and clamping down on 
the flow of refugees across borders.  this is perhaps the most visible way to 
link an anti war agenda with struggles at home (particularly in the U.S where 
the INS is on a completely insane rampage, detaining people en masse).

the Anti-War movement (at least in toronto) has also brought a strong 
palestinian solidarity message out so far.  We can go alot further however in 
linking up the situation in the occupied territories to the situations in 
Canada, the U.S, Australia, etc where indigenous populations continue to live 
under colonial rule.  Palestinian groups like Al Awda and solidarity for 
palestinian human rights and the no one is illegal group in Montreal have gone 
a long way towards bringing this to the forefront of their organizing.  OCAP 
too has strong links with the Mohawk communities of Ontario and is looking to 
make these links in our anti-war organizing.  as Shawn Brandt of the Mohawk 
nation of tyendinaga has said, "its not canada's land to deny people access 
to".

I am hoping to hear alot more stories after saturday as I heard coming out of 
san francisco last month when a group marched on the INS building as part of 
the anti war march. 
i would be very interested in hearing about ways in which the anti-war movement 
is making links to, supporting and encouraging broader social movements at home 
in various other places around the world.

miked


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