The Socialist 11 September 2004

A Spiral Of War And Terror

Bloodbath in Beslan

What Lies Behind The Terror

Protest Against Low Pay

Civil Servants Prepare To Fight Jobs Slaughter

Strength In Numbers

Save Southmead Hospital

Action - The Only Language The Government Understands

Blair And Beckham - The Champagne Charlies

Blair's Welfare Wonderland

Thousands Looking For An Alternative

Lessons Of The Sandinista Revolution

A Long View Of History

Previous issues, etc

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European Social Forum (ESF)

Thousands Looking For An Alternative

THE EUROPEAN Social Forum (ESF) in London will begin with a huge rally on Thursday 14 October, and finish on Sunday 17 with a large demonstration through central London against war and the occupation of Iraq.

Naomi Byron

People registering to go to the ESF before 1 October are being offered free transport within London between 15-17 October. This is apparently subject to availability, so book as soon as possible!

The ESF will attract many thousands of people looking for a genuine alternative to the war, terror and poverty that capitalism inflicts on the world. Many members of the Socialist Party and ISR will be travelling to the ESF to make sure socialist ideas and strategies are put forward for campaigning on the key issues facing the anti-globalisation movement - war, privatisation, cuts in public services, etc.

This will be particularly important because not all those involved in organising the event are prepared to open up the ESF's official sessions in order to reflect the new layers that have been drawn into action by the anti-war movement and recent trade union struggles.

The problems seen at other ESFs, such as having so many speakers there is little or no time for discussion at sessions and domination of the platforms by the same speakers with no room for young people, rank-and-file trade unionists etc, are all being revived in London.

This makes it all the more important that these new young activists fight for their right to be heard, and that organisations like ISR play a prominent role in the ESF.

Whatever happens in the main sessions, ISR and Socialist Party members will be organising events, meetings and protests where the new people who come to the ESF looking for a way to change the world will be welcomed.

In this issue

A Spiral Of War And Terror