AS THE leaders of the G8 imperialist powers began to assemble in
Gleneagles, Scotland (where hotel rooms are £685 per night) millions of
people around the world took to the streets and attended concerts to
demand action to end the suffering and misery that affects two thirds of
humankind in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Tony Saunois, CWI secretary
The largest of these protests took place in Philadelphia, in the
heart of US imperialism. Up to one million people participated in a
concert which was the biggest demonstration in the history of the city.
The massive turnout at this event was a reflection of the growing
opposition to the Bush regime inside the USA, particularly because of
the bloody war in Iraq and his right-wing agenda.
In Edinburgh more than 250,000 participated in the largest
demonstration Scotland has ever seen. Other major cities like Tokyo,
Paris, Berlin and Rome also saw large concerts. In addition to those
attending these events, an estimated two billion peopled watched these
concerts on television.
One thing the G8 leaders and the capitalist class of Africa, Asia and
Latin America fear is a mass movement of the working people of these
countries to fight the system that breeds the misery in which they live.
They fear that even the events organised on 2 July would help boost the
confidence of the peoples of these countries to fight for their rights.
The Live 8 events were not therefore broadcast in most African
countries. Only the relatively wealthy few with satellite TV could watch
them!
Solidarity
Those who marched in Edinburgh took a conscious political decision to
go to a demonstration. While some attending the concerts went to hear
the music, the overwhelming majority were motivated by the demand that
the G8 leaders take action on debt and trade to help relieve the
suffering of millions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Millions were driven by a spirit of human solidarity – of linking
together with others all over the world to protest at the policies of
the international capitalist leaders.
This internationalist spirit was reflected at the mass concert in
Philadelphia, where the actor Will Smith explained that two hundred
years ago in Philadelphia the American Declaration of Independence was
made: "Today we make a new declaration of ‘inter-dependency’. We
are all in this together". For the CWI the ‘we’ does not include
the G8 and the system they represent.
The hip-hop star Kanye West went further and attacked
"politicians who drive home in their Bentleys every night and watch
thousands of Africans die".
Even at these concerts a ‘class division’ was in evidence. In London
the "golden circle" included tickets sold at £1,000 where a
bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne was sold for £99 per bottle.
Expectations
THE MOBILISATION of such vast numbers of people around the world in
support of action to end poverty represents a positive step. In one
sense, the demand of Live 8 for governments to take action to end
poverty was an advance over Band Aid twenty years ago which raised money
from its followers as a form of charity to try and alleviate poverty.
Yet at the same time, the events which took place on 2 July,
including the mass protest in Edinburgh, were a retreat on the
anti-capitalist mobilisations in Genoa, Seattle and other cities of
previous years. The demonstration in Edinburgh included thousands of
youth who were looking for an alternative to capitalism. The tremendous
delegation from the CWI was able to get the support from some of these
young people. It was however dominated by NGOs, charities and religious
organisations.
Gordon Brown spoke at a meeting of church leaders stressing the role
of the churches in combating poverty. Yet it will not be prayers that
end the suffering of the poor. It will only be determined struggle and
the overthrow of capitalism – the system supported by Brown – and the
building of socialism which will end the suffering and exploitation of
the poor.
The leaders of Live 8 have, however, raised tremendous expectations
amongst those who participated at the concerts and the Edinburgh
demonstration. They are riding a tiger. The high expectations they have
aroused can turn to bitter anger when the capitalist leaders fail to act
or take any substantial measures to end the poverty of the masses in
Asia, Africa and Latin America.
At the Edinburgh demonstration this was unintentionally hinted at by
the singer Billy Bragg. He semi-humorously warned the G8 leaders that if
nothing was done it would not be the fault of those present at the march
but of the G8 leaders themselves and "we know were you live".
Internationally, the G8 summit and Live 8 has been used as an attempt
to rehabilitate Bush and especially Blair in Britain. Although Bob
Geldof and Bono may genuinely wish to end the misery of the African
peoples and those of Asia and Latin America they have played a negative
role in helping to try and bolster Blair, Bush and the other G8 leaders.
It is these leaders and the capitalist profit system they represent
which is responsible for the human suffering inflicted on the majority
of the world’s population. The struggle to ‘make poverty history’ means
a struggle against these leaders and the system they represent.
At the concert in London, Madonna said we need a
"revolution". She did not explain what type of revolution or
what this means. A revolution does not mean increasing aid or debt
‘forgiveness’ or fair trade.
A democratic socialist revolution means the working people of the
world taking over the running of society and introducing a democratic
socialist plan of production geared to meeting people’s needs rather
than profit. This is the only way to end the misery and horrors of
capitalist exploitation and to make poverty history.
The spirit to change the world
Titi Salaam of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), CWI Nigeria,
spoke to Leah Jones:
"THE MASSIVE protests we saw show that people really do want
poverty to end and have an eagerness for another world. They are sick of
the capitalist system but confused about the methods they should use to
change it.
"I think a little reform may be gained but look at the outcome
of the anti-war protests. The G8 may feel threatened and make some
concessions but will not change their minds, as the root cause has not
been addressed.
"You cannot get rid of a tree by cutting off its branches. In
the same way, you cannot get rid of poverty by cancelling debt. The
roots have not been addressed. The inequalities of the capitalist system
have not been addressed. And so, the problem, the poverty, will always
come back.
"In Nigeria, when we call protests, nothing moves. People don’t
go to work and everything stops. Because the state, because the police
are so heavy-handed, protests often turn violent and they will use
everything they have against the people.
"People still come out to protest though. All over the world it
is the same. In Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, there is the
same spirit all over the world that people want to make a change.
"Even though people were so tired they still came and listened
to our meeting after the demonstration in Edinburgh. Our analysis showed
how corrupt the system is but also showed that another world is possible
and that people are ready for change.
‘There is a need for good leadership, and our organisation really
stood out on the demonstration for being so organised and so
different."
