forget Trafalgar Square 10 months ago, on 31 March 1990, the most magnificent mobilisation against the Tories Since that time, the trials of those arrested have been taking place, starting with those on
Page 7
Labour movement must act against Women fight back against the war
When the General Council of the TUC met on 23 January to discuss the situation in the Gulf not one resolution was moved in support of even a ceasefire. This is vivid testament to the craven bi-partisanship of the leadership of the labour movement, with Willis and Co following directly in the footsteps of the Labour front bench.
But at the base of the labour movement, the situation is very different. Many workers, particularly those directly affected on the job. such as health workers and teachers, are angry and concerned both about the war itself and the line of their leadership.
Such sentiments will spread as the war continues, and its costs, both here and in the Gulf become more and more obvious. There Working with Women Against War in the Gulf (WAWG) has been a massive breath of fresh air for many women. Since its formation in October WAWG has been busy establishing a national network of women anti-war activists. As with the broader anti-war movement, it has been in the new year that the blossoming has begun in eamest.
Socialist feminists active around Women for Socialism recognised very early on the importance of the gender division within society over the question of war. Quite obviously it was correct to try and orientate the embryonic anti-war movement towards this important division.
Back in October there was a great deal of sectarianism between various different elements of the existing anti-war movement. We saw doing work on the ground as more important at this stage than allowing a repetition of the bickering and factionalism that has plagued the British left for decades. So, WAWG was bom.
In any war, the general rule is that it is the men who go off and do the fighting and the women are left to pick up the pieces. In wartime, the burdens on working class women increase dramatically. WAWG is in the process of establishing links with support groups - like the Galf Mum's Support Group. Many women who have relatives in the forces are very worried about the war. Obviously they do not want to see their husbands/sons/brothers dying for a war that they are quite cynical about.
Building bridges between us and those women is absolutely vital to broadening out the anti-war movement and bringing into action working class communities.
this work is particularly important at the local/community level. Also important is to do work against conscription. The war is almost certainly going to be long, and bloody especially when the ground fighting starts. Conscription papers have already been printed - they will be mainly served to young working class men who will be used as cannon fodder for the imperialists.
Another important aspect of WAWG's activity is the fight against racim. Work around the deportations of Iraqi, Palestinian and other peoples of the Middle Eastern origin (under the 1971 Immigration Act), and work around the increasing number o racist attacks against the Page 8
GULF SPECIAL the Tory War is an opportunity to take a whole variety of in-
itiatives - inviting speakers from local antı-
war committees to workplace or trade union
meetings, setting up trade union and
workplace groups, organising contingents on
marches, and much more.
A few national unions have taken a stand;
MSF sponsors the Committee to Stop War in
the Gulf, and the FBU and SOGAT have
called for an immediate ceasefire, and a peace
conference which includes discussion of the
Palestinian issue, as well as more problematic
demands for a UN peace keeping force. The
issue must be taken up in every union at both
local and national level and the leadership
held to account.
While we don't actually have a coalition
government, to watch Her majesty's Loyal
Opposition perform, you would think we did,
Voice has also been opposing the war. tion. union branch and local committee/campaign. London, N4 4DD Tel: 071 272 7649 Court, London WC2
Kinnock clearly doesn't recognise that if people want to see warmongers in power, the Tories are always better at it than Labour. But again the leadership hasn't had it all its own way. There have been four front bench resignations, and opposition from the majority of Labour MEPs. The number of local parties opposed to the war drive has been growing ever since Annual Conference last October. Many are participating in local anti-war groups and organising public meetings. Those involved in the anti-war movement must fight to take opposition to the imperialist slaughter deep into the Labour movement. We must make it clear that neither the Tories nor the leadership of the Labour movement have a right to pursue their barbaric war in our name. Black and Asian communities, is crucial in linking the anti-war movement here with the anti-imperialist actions that are happening throughout the semi-colonial world. It is vital that the anti-war movement takes steps to defend black people in Britain against the likely es calation of racism. Labour Party Black Sections and Community organisations have been mobilising against the war from the outset. The
WAWG's recipe for success is that it has never sought to impose rigid schemas for activity. It acts as a network, stressing that the need is to get a flow of information from activist to activist. In some areas WAWG groups have been established; in other areas Women for Peace in the Gulf groups have been set up; in other areas women are happy to work as individual within their local campaign. WAWG has weekly meetings, open to all women, on Tuesdays at Wesley House in London and an emergency national meeting of all women opposed to the war has been called jointly by WAWG and the Women's Peace Vigil (outside the Foreign Office) for February 3 - again in Wesley House.
Far from dividing the anti-war movement, as some on the left have accused us, WAWG is actively encouraging every one opposed to the war to work together to build a broad united and democratic anti-war movement. The key to democracy is to actively encourage participa-
WAWG is asking for this year's International Women's Day (the 80th anniversary) to be a day for Peace and International sisterhood. Activists are planed in various local areas - contact WAWG for more details. A newsletter is being produced with information about what is happening and where - again contact WAWG for more details.
Finally we need money, for leaflets, posters and newsletter. So far we have been operating with none of the resources of the wider anti war movement and although money is starting to come in we do need more. Raise affiliation to WAWG in your Labour Party ward, Trade
WAWG can be contacted: c/o 63 Upper Tollington Park,
Emergency national meeting of Women opposed to the war: Sunday 3 February 11am-2pm Wesley House, 4 Wild
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 30, February 1991
US