Re: Comments on a Leo Panitch article in the latest MR

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Louis writes:

> Unfortunately, designating oneself as "anticapitalist"
> lacks the precision of something like "immediate withdrawal
> from Vietnam" (or "legalize abortion now" for that matter.)
> The "anticapitalism" of this new movement is not only
unfocused,
> it is open to criticisms that the slogan means different
> things to different participants. For many of the NGO's, it
> is a term that suggests displeasure with the way capitalism
> is being operated, not to capitalism itself. Keep in mind,
> for example, that the guy who runs Jubilee 2000 out of Great
> Britain is a member of the WEF. Of course, he is
> "anticapitalist" in the sense that many people are
> "anti-corruption"--but so what? Unless a movement can develop
> SHARPLY FOCUSED DEMANDS, it will fall apart.

Louis,

I agree with what you say above. But the "movement" has been
debating this almost from the beginning. One of the most widely
asked questions, even during the days of June 18, 1999, was this:
"What do we want?" Further, in 1999, words such as
"anti-capitalism" or "anti-imperialism" were not part of the
vocabulary of the movement. Now, they are. You are looking at a
"movement" whose ties with its past are severed for a variety of
reasons. It will take a while until they learn their past that
goes many centuries back. In the mean time, criticisms such as
yours are more than welcome, as they may help more people to be
more critical of themselves.

Below is an example of an attempt of the "movement" to formulate
"sharply focused demands".

Best,


++++++

May 19, 2002

Dear Friends,

We are writing to request your endorsement and organizing support
for an anti-war, anti-detentions rally to be held on Sunday, June
9th  from 4:00 pm -- 6:00 pm in the Midwood section of Brooklyn
(Coney Island Ave. and Newkirk Ave.)  So far, NY Taxi Workers
Alliance has received endorsements from 9 different
organizations.  We would very much like to add your name to the
list as we build toward a powerful rally.

We would also like to invite you to our second planning meeting,
to take place on Thursday, May 23rd at  6:30 pm at the offices of
Brooklyn Bridges: 388 Atlantic Ave. (subway:  A/C/E  to Hoyt St.;
Walk 4 blocks south to Atlantic Ave., away from the mall)

Please reply by either email or phone (212-627-5248) regarding:

1.  Organizational Endorsement
2.  Contact Info:  name, organization, phone number, fax number,
email
3.  Plans To Attend Planning Meeting on Thursday, May 23rd

We have two organizing goals in mind for the rally: first, to
express solidarity with the people in the Midwood community where
many post-9/11 detainees are from.  Even eight months later, the
INS and FBI continue to harass residents, creating a repressive
environment of fear.  We want to break the silence and fear that
fill the streets of so many of our neighborhoods, beginning with
the Midwood community.

Our second goal is  to mobilize local and especially
working-class immigrant communities to participate in the broader
anti-war movement.

Our demands of the rally are the following:

1.  No More War:  Remove All Troops From Foreign Countries
2.  End the Occupation Now and Prosecute War Criminals
3.  End Communal Violence and Remove Troops From Borders
4.  Universal Nuclear Disarmament: Social Programs And Education,
Not Military Funds
5.  Release the Detainees and Stop the Attack on Immigrant and
Civil Rights

The rally is the second in a series of NYTWA anti-war
demonstrations. The first was a "Peace for South Asia Rally" in
Jackson-Heights that we initiated with a network of other groups
in response to the looming war between India and Pakistan.  Since
then, US-supported and sanctioned wars have increased.

To be an effective opposition, we must build a broad based
anti-war struggle in this country.  Already, millions throughout
the world have engaged in mass actions, campaigns and strikes to
demand an end to US imperialism and the complicity of their own
governments.  In the US itself, there has been a growing anti-war
movement from coast to coast.  We, as community and worker
organizers, must mobilize the strength of our community and have
our voices heard.

We reach out to all of you to join us in holding a rally in
Brooklyn calling for an end to war and an end to detentions.  To
hold an event with true impact, we need your support.  We hope to
see you at the planning meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 PM.

Until then, if you have any questions or comments, please feel
free to call us at the office and ask for Shomial.

Thank you.

Shomial Ahmad, Benefits Coordinator
New York Taxi Workers Alliance


===================================
New York Taxi Workers Alliance
122 West 27th St, 10th Floor
New York, NY  10001
email:    nytwa1@xxxxxxx
phone:   (212) 627-5248
fax: (212) 741-4563