The Socialist 11 October 2007

Unity with the postal workers

Gloucestershire shows determination

Marching in support of the Burslem 12

Anger at Leighton, Crozier and Brown

Picket line round-up

Determination to continue the battle

Private hands off our NHS!

Brown's expedient election climb-down

Anti-war movement upholds right to protest

Burmese students join London march

Socialism 2007: Debates to sharpen your socialism

Windscale 1957

Super-rich super-donators

Any spare cash?

Beat back the profiteers

Cuts kill - no reductions in the fire service!

1917 October Revolution: the working class took power

Darfur bloodshed fuelled by land and oil grab

Iraq occupation: Brown's token gesture

Civil servants march against cuts and privatisation

Bolton care workers fight on

National Shop Stewards Network holds meetings around the country

Previous issues, etc

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Burmese students join London march

AS PART of a day of protest in cities worldwide, thousands of Burmese students were among the marchers in London on 6 October, with red headbands and vociferous demands for an end to dictatorship in Burma.

Clare Doyle

Many expressed concern for their families and for the leaders of street demonstrations put down by force. Communications are blocked, night raids continue and thousands are held by the military.

Yet the demonstrators were also celebrating the Burmese protesters' heroism and the worldwide solidarity.

There was anger at foreign firms supporting the brutal, corrupt regime but also a realistic acceptance that neither economic sanctions nor declarations from international bodies will bring about its downfall. "If European firms pull out, the gap is filled by Chinese or Indian firms," demonstrators said.

One of the march's main slogans was 'Free Aung San Suu Kyi!' – leader of the opposition NLD party held in great respect.

Her release would be a real sign that the regime was cracking, but many were wary of a compromise with the generals. Any democratic rights they are forced to concede should be used to step up the struggle for a lasting solution.

The main task is to organise in Burma, especially in the workplaces, to achieve coordinated action, up to and including a general strike.

Veterans of Burma's 1988 rising, on the London march, agreed that once workers are on the move, a concerted appeal to soldiers could break the army and pave the way for victory.

In Burma the idea of 'socialism' is associated with the generals' takeover of power in 1962.

Despite this, on this demonstration, our Socialist Party petitions, leaflets and newspaper were warmly appreciated. Generous donations were still coming in after all copies of the socialist had gone!

In this issue

Unity with the postal workers