a Workers Solidarity Movement policy statement

Anti-Racism and Pro-Immigrant Campaigns

2. Since its foundation in the early summer of 1997, the Anti-Racism Campaign has, to a large extent, failed to fulfil its potential. This was due to a number of factors, but is primarily due to its lack of focus. The presence of many well-meaning but inexperienced people in the campaign led to a lack of awareness of the root causes of racism. This led to "woolly"/liberal thinking. The 'review meeting' held in early September has solved some of these problems. The campaign is now smaller but much more focussed.

3. We must continue our involvement in the Anti-Racism Campaign and continue to push for it to become a campaign which is activity oriented and aimed at involving as many people as possible - especially young people.

4. Presuming that the public meeting to be held at the end of October is successful and that a re-invigorated Anti-Racism Campaign comes out of it, we will push within the campaign for the following

(i) The campaign's focus to remain on state racism, and to avoid appealing to 'liberal' elements of the establishment.

(ii) A march to be organised before the en of the year, focussed on the Department of Justice, the airport, ferryport or some similar alternative.

(iii) Racist articles/letters in the media to be replied to, and pickets of media offices to be organised if these replies are not carried

(iv) On street activity, information stalls and leafletting to counter the racist lies - both in the city centre and in areas in which racist leaflets/graffiti appear.

(v) A 'review meeting' of the campaign to be held in early January 1998 to plan the next phase.

5. The formation of the Immigrant Solidarity group in the Cork area is a very welcome development. While both ARC and IS have broadly similar politics - both oppose any immigration controls - there may as yet be differences. The WSM will work for the maximum co-operation when a more nation-wide focus is needed, however we also recognise that the local character of both groups is a real strength when it comes to building an opposition to Government racism from the ground up. We will work for debate and an exchange of ideas and information between the two campaigns.