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This edition is No72 published in September 2002 |
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We want to bring about a society based on real grassroots democracy where power remains at local level and is organised upwards through workplace and community councils.
We do not want to become rulers nor do we want to seize power "on behalf of the working class". We have no interest in replacing one set of bosses with another. Instead we work for a free socialist society where everyone can have a direct say in making the decisions that will effect them.
This society will only be brought about through revolution! There is an old anarchist slogan which says that if elections changed anything they would be illegal. The thinking behind it is that real democratic change cannot come from the top down but must be built from the bottom up. Instead of voting in elections and effectively giving someone else control of our lives, we stand for direct action and solidarity among and between workers.
The Workers Solidarity Movement has been campaigning against the Nice Treaty. Joining up with other libertarian and internationalist forces, we have been posing an anarchist Europe as the alternative to both the bosses' plans and the backward isolationism of the right wing nationalists around Justin Barrett and Anthony Coughlan.
Our members in SIPTU have been canvassing support for Des Derwin, who is taking on the bureaucracy in the election for a new union general secretary. Derwin is fighting on a platform of making the union more democratic and member controlled by changing the rules, and opposing social partnership with the employers and state. Hopefully, radicals in the union will make contract with each other, and lay the basis for a network committed to a fighting trade unionism that is under the direct control of the membership.
Members of the WSM are also active in the campaigns against the bin tax, and in the ongoing struggle against racism. We produce this paper, the magazine Red & Black Revolution, and the occasional Anarchist News bulletin. With our relatively small numbers there is a limit to what we can do. That's why we need people like you to get involved. If you like what you've in this paper, maybe you would be willing to take 10 or more copies to distribute among friends, workmates or neighbours. The more people who read about the ideas and the more people who get involved in struggle, the sooner we will reach our objective &endash; a world free of poverty and exploitation. A world where freedom is a reality for al
Every month in Dublin we host a gathering of anarchists and other libertarian socialists to discuss a topic of interest over a pint. The meetings, for experienced activists and new comers alike, normally feature a local guest speaker with some expertise in the area, and are intended for thought provoking open discussion - not indoctrination!
We hope to develop these meetings so they become an essential monthly meeting point. Newcomers welcome - just bring along an open mind. The meetings are in The Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square.
With the second vote on the Nice treaty a look at Fortress Europe and the growth of racism in Europe
The destruction capitalism is causing to the environment have led some to reject the very idea of progress and argue for a return to primitive society. We look at their ideas.
Other events
Meet up at 2.30 sharp at St. Stephens Green
National half-day strike to demand three weeks state redundancy pay per year of service. Join your local trade union rally at 2pm. Support the Peerless Rugs workers occupying their factory since July 2001 to demand decent redundancy pay.
1-5 Donegal Lane, Belfast
Workers Solidarity Movement, PO Box 1528, Dublin 8 or E-mail wsm_ireland@yahoo.com, cork_wsm@yahoo.com
Phone/SMS 087-7939931
On the web - http://struggle.ws/wsm
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This edition is No72 published in September 2002 |
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