Eye-witness from the G8

DESPITE POLICE brutality and provocation, the anti-G8 protests in Germany at the start of June were a success. It was inspirational to be part of a movement that emphasised the need to abolish capitalism - a system that promotes greed, privatisation and war.

Sean Clothier Leeds Socialist Party

I could not help but notice, whilst walking through the camp or marching through the streets, the number of people with a socialist outlook.

Most of the protests I have attended in Britain seem to be dominated by 'peace' and 'make poverty history' slogans before they are hijacked by Bono and Geldof who shed 'crocodile tears'. Throughout the week however, the red flag seemed ever-present.

The whole atmosphere was political. I was surprised by the number of people from former east Germany, many of whom had experienced Stalinism, who seemed open to socialist ideas, offering protesters food and water and cheering.

There was good reason for discontent in Rostock. It cost Û100 million for the G8 summit to take place in an area that suffers from low wages, high water prices and high unemployment.

For me, it was useful to talk to comrades from other sections of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) across Europe and learn about the struggles that are taking place.

You soon realise that we in Britain are not alone. After these discussions the importance of the CWI was clear to me; an international that fights for a socialist alternative to capitalism.

A lesson to be learnt from the G8 protests was the need to link this movement with the workers' movement. Unfortunately the trade union leaders failed to mobilise their members. Had they done so the movement would have been enormously strengthened.

The anti-G8 protests showed opposition to a system that measures the price of everything and the value of nothing.

No matter how hard the police try to intimidate anti-capitalist protesters, such struggles will only become more intense as more people realise the problems of capitalism are not being solved.

Besides, water cannon on a hot day can actually be quite refreshing!

Change the system! not the climate

G8 leaders' 'world hunger' banquet

What did the G8 summit achieve?

G8 protests: Determination wins through

80,000 demonstrate against the G8 summit

Activists with ideas

Socialist:

Bristol Central Socialist Party: Art and Politics

Bristol Central Socialist Party: The role of the monarchy in capitalist society

Southampton Socialist Party: Greece - how would a workers' government stabilise the economy?

More attacks on right to campaign

Protests:

Heathrow expansion protests

Capitalism:

Brighton Socialist Party: The psychological and social effects of capitalism

JP Morgan: banksters at it again

France: A weekend that shocked Europe

CWI:

Russia: CWI supporters arrested during protests

Tunisia: Brutal government crackdown on protesters will backfire

Widespread fraud alleged as Putin wins presidential poll

Socialist Party:

Liverpool Socialist Party: Marxist Economics

Liverpool Socialist Party: A Marxist view of history

Bristol East Socialist Party: No Pasaran! Fighting the far right

Socialist Alternative:

On 3 May, use your vote to: Rage against austerity!

USA: Occupy movement links with working class

Largest protest yet against Wisconsin Governor's anti-union bill