Hospital workers condemn terrorism and war

SINCE THE bombings, the Socialist Party has been calling for an emergency demonstration to be organised with the clear message: 'No to terror, no to war, no to racism'.

Such political resolutions have been passed by several unions recently. The Transport and General Union's recent conference passed a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Len Hockey, UNISON joint branch secretary, Waltham Forest health branch writes that the following resolution was passed at UNISON Waltham Forest health branch committee at Whipps Cross hospital on 14 July.

"This Branch Committee condemns totally the appalling and despicable act of murder and maiming that took place in London on 7 July. Just as with 9/11 and the Madrid bombs, the target was ordinary working people of all cultures, creeds and denominations.

"Such acts threaten to divide our communities and can help reinforce right-wing press campaigns to scapegoat Muslims for all the ills that flow from the capitalist system such as lack of housing, decent public services, jobs etc.

"Bush and Blair's war in Iraq, for the profits, power and prestige of capitalism in the region, has so far resulted in the deaths of 100,000 ordinary Iraqis (as well as hundreds of Coalition troops). Our world has become a more unstable and dangerous place to live in as a consequence.

"We oppose threatened attempts at repressive legislation such as identity cards. Measures introduced by Labour In the wake of 9/11 failed to prevent this outrage.

"Most security measures in place are there to protect the elite in society and not ordinary people.

"The fight for world peace is a trade union issue. UNISON should continue to develop its links with Iraqi and Middle Eastern trade unionists and campaigners for the withdrawal of Coalition troops from Iraq across the world."

Campaigning for socialism around the country

THIRTY SIX copies of the socialist were sold at the Trafalgar Square vigil a week after the London suicide bombings. Socialist Party members handed out leaflets showing the need for a socialist alternative to war and terrorism.

Scott Herbert

Some bought the socialist after they read our leaflet, wanting to find out more.

Andy Tullis, who sold 10 copies of the socialist, said the vigil had a good mood of international solidarity. "I had a good discussion with a South African couple who bought a copy of the paper and said that government repression never solved anything in South Africa, Britain or anywhere else."

AT A packed all-London Socialist Party meeting on 14 July, Socialist Party general secretary Peter Taaffe spoke of the marvellous solidarity of workers immediately after the bombings but also warned of the potential for increased attacks on the Muslim communities.

The fighting fund collection of £1,000 reflected the determination of members and supporters to build on this mood of unity, to challenge the rise in racism where we can and to build a mass movement in the struggle for socialism.

THE WARM weather brought the crowds into Leicester. After we sold around 30 copies of the socialist on Leicester's Saturday stall, the Socialist Party went to a rally called by the local council of faiths for people of "all faiths and none" at Victoria Park.

We just let people come up to the stall and talk to us as we gave out our leaflets.

We sold nearly all our papers, three copies of the paper of our Pakistan organisation and all our Socialism Todays, as well as being interviewed by the local paper.

Hospital workers condemn terrorism and war

Campaigning for socialism around the country

Scott Herbert

Blair's outrageous slur on socialists

PETER TAAFFE, general secretary of the Socialist Party, sent the following letter to The Guardian which, on 19 July, reported without comment that, at last week's cabinet meeting, Tony Blair, "likened Islamic extremism to the Trotskyist Militant Tendency".

It was printed on 21st July