RE: 50,000 march in London

["Martin Spellman" <mspellman@xxxxxxxxx>]

I was there and the account by Alex Prianikoff is accurate.

VERY LARGE DEMO of DIVERSE MAKE-UP
        It was a very large demonstration which is important for confidence
building. Mainly younger people with a wide cross-section of different
communities. Overall it was very encouraging and there is great potential
and opportunity there.

LEFT SECTARIANS
        Left-sectarian groups were both small and their publications had no
take-up. Like Christmas decorations, some of them seemed to have been taken
out of the box, where they were put away after the miners demos. My prize
for the most sectarian slogan goes to the Sparts, who were shouting
something about 'For a Bolshevik party -- not the Labour Party' or something
like that. I saw no sign of the Socialist Party (Militant) either in paper
sellers or a contingent. The SWP seemed to have every member out selling
papers, pamphlets and badges. This is shameful parasitism. More
significantly no one seemed to be buying them -- from the SWP or anyone
else. There did seem to be interest in the leaflets and broadsheets that
were handed out. Anyone with a worthwhile analysis of events could be 'in
business'.

LACK OF HOSTILITY
        The lack of hostility from bystanders is important. In the 70s in
demonstrations against the war in Vietnam it was very different. The gulf
between the government's view and the mass of the people is large. This is
generally known in areas like Railtrack and the Health Service (much of
which can be accounted by the fact that government ministers don't
personally use these services). But on the issue of the WTC attacks I have
been surprised at the extent of popular scepticism (if not outright
hostility to) official explanations and use of 'alternative' sources.
        The police seemed content to let the demonstration pass. However the 
riot
gear was all ready in vans in Park Lane (nearest point to the US Embassy).

ORGANISED TRADE UNION PRESENCE
        There was no organised trade union presence and comparitively few union
banners. UNISON (public service union) had the largest number, mainly from
its university branches. There were a couple of trades council banners as
well. This shows the extent to which trade unions are no longer a 'movement'
in Britain as they were 20-30 years ago. Years of legal oppression without,
and the adoption of bureaucratic practices within, some even condoned by the
'Left', have taken their toll.

Martin Spellman

>
> Subject: 50,000 march in London
>
>
> (posted to alt.politics.socialism.trotsky by Alex Prianikoff)
>
> London, 13th October
>

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