International
Socialist Group
Eaterment on Sikia protests against Behvti (Cistonoun
We are opposed to the cancellation of er a 'good time for women and young background narthe_sh commany a the play Behzti, written by Gurpreet people within the ethnic communities to divided lindts response. The samenwar Bhatti. a woman from a Sikh back- voice their criticisms of and opposition true sanith in them uns economisty clunat ground. and we support the right of to tabusezandı violence sagainstawomen he Bushdrezaffiair. its author to decide where it should be andchilldmen. Racismiiszalways pnesent shown. The right of free speech is a and cannot be used as a way of deflect- The level of anger displayed in the dem- basic democratic right and as such an ing the rights of the doubly oppressed onsinatians- and the refusalmonthe: Siki
important gain for the working class and to speak out. There is no hierarchy of leaders @orguarantee peaceful protests,
the oppressed. This means that those oppressions feminist issues rarenusizar shows all the more clearly that the play
touched a powerful nerve in the issues who oppose certain ideas also have the moortantas ant-racistiones
it raised. We are not surprised that such right to demonstrate their opposition, and thestheatre was wight tO macilitatr We should not assume that there is such issues as rape. violence. corruption and
e distribution of leaflets explainı a thing as a homogenous Sikh (or any abuse of power are present in the Sikh the protesters' reasons for opposing other religious or other) community. All Gudwara. Why should a conservative the play. But the protestors did not have communities are divided by class. gen- religious group with minority ethnic sta- thewright tomuse violent indimidation in der, race. age, sexuality, disability and tus be any different from other religious
sometimes religion: the Sikh community groups such as Christian churches? achieve their aim of censorship.
is no exception. While the conservative Over the past twenty years there have It is true that because of the so-called regious leadensitry to retaini controllower been exposures of the abuse of power war on terror, Sikhs have been targeted the young who are angry at the levels of in other hierarchical. male-dominated alongside Muslims and other ethnic and racism they suffer. they wrongly direct religions such as the Catholic Church. religious minorities by the state and by their anger against those in their com- including the sexual abuse of children racists, and we defend them against munity such. as women, lesbians and and women in Ireland. the US and any such attacks. But this does not gays who trymand speak out againstheir Britain. It is no coincidence that the mean that those with criticisms within oppression within the communitya twas Catholic church was one of the first to the Sikh or any other community have cleanfrom the comments about itkerpkay spear out in defence of the Sikh reli- to keep their mouths shut. There is nev- andits censorshipby isome from a sin glows leaders and therprotests.
NSSP Tsunami Appeal
The tragic-events-in the indian Oceanson Boxing Day-lastuyear-expose thennaysan nich a naturer, events transformediintora humanitarian catastrophe becanse brilhes erusal oilthe nich auntries mornvestina ts unarmi
warming system in the regionebecause of therfailure offtlao seawhodid know the waves were coming towallertithe
localities which were hit; and because of the degradation of coastal regions where mangrove swamps have been
cleared for tourist development or industrial shrimp farming.
There is an urgent appeal for money from the NSSP. the group in solidarity with the Fl in Sri Lanka.
Cheaues made buttoNSSP: Solidarity Fund cancersent to PO Box Obniondon NATU
Money transfers can be made to NSSP Solidarty Fund. Sort Code 086001. Account Number 20131917
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