ON THE initiative of the Kurdish National League, fifteen immigrant organisations in Sweden have called for a one hour general strike against racism on 21 February. They are urging anti-racists to organise broad demonstrations outside Swedish embassies all over Europe on that evening Unprecedented racist violence has hit Sweden in recent monty of toily in. in No.
vember, one Iranian student was murdered and five immigrant workers were injured iter being she called laser- shot by an armed racist -man' - who stalks the streets in and around Stockholm.
Bomb threats
The new year period saw a campaign of bomb-threats against railway stations and airports all over Sweden. One bomb exploded at Stockholm central station. The bombers were demanding the release of two members of the VAM -'White Aryan Resistance' - on trial for armed robbery.
At the end of January there were five shootings within five days, in Stockholm and in the university town of Upsala. One Turkish immigrant and one l'alestinian were seriously injured after being shot in the head. Three other people were also shot.
These specific attacks have been accompanied by an explosion of racist violence and arson attacks against the black and immicrant communities Especially threatened are people working alone in small shops and cafes. The racist campaign of violence is now dominating Swedish politics. But while Stockholm is in a state of shock, black and immifrent workers fear for their The 21 February strike is supported by Riksfarbundet Stoppa Rasismen - the National League to Stop Racismand also, showing the impact of the escalation of racism in the country, by the government minister for social affairs.
Tense
At present the situation is very tense. The Swedish employers' federation is clearly opposed to the strike but, up until now, do not dare to con demn it. Trade union leaders are divided in their support.
Carl Bildt, the Conservative Prime Minister, is met with growing contempt following his public speculation that the waveof shootings may be connected to rivalry within the criminal world. So far though. only the Socialist Party (SP) -the Swedish section of the Fourth International - has called for bilats resignation In a new development in Stockholm, collective defence is being organised for black and immigrant people who work alone in shops. guards against racism have been pushed for by the St, in conjunction with social demo crabs, the left Party and Stoppa Rasismen. They also have upport of the local radic The initiative follows debate over whether or not individuals should arm themselves for protection. The SP argues that, while individual arming cannot be condemned, collec tive defence is a better solution in the face of the cynical role played by the Swedish police.
At present the 21 February Committee is enjoys " relative 'honeymoon' withe hes and policine. This could easily change overnight. News of support trom anti-racist and labour move ment organisations in Britain would be very important for morale. mittee do Kurdiska Riksferbundet in Stockholm.
Tel: 010-46-8-6528585; Fax: 010-46-8-6502120. Saturday 22 Febraury
Close down the BP HQ Assemble 12 noon, St Nicholas Church, Plumstead High St, SE18 Called by the Rolan Adams Family Campaign