militancy after years of relative slumber. Workers forced the two union federations, one Christian and the other Socialist, to call the strike despite initial resistance from the Socialist union leadership.
Plans are being made for a nation-wide demonstration on 27 March 1994 to stamp out racism.
The network of school student committees formed out of the high school strike will Europe-wide day of action which will link up workers and student across the continent. 10,000 school students marched against racism and fascism on 24 November as schools and colleges were hit by a one day strike. Many more took part in the strike which was organised nationally by school students to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the far right Flemish-Block party winning seats in the local elections.
Nadine Peeters, a co-ordniator of the strike in Antwerp said, 'the strike took place in many different schools, inciuding catholic schools and state schools all over Belgium'.
Leaflets
She added, 'we distributed leaflets for the strike in schools and colleges and many students came forward asking for more and then set up student committees'.
The strike was based on five key slogans, 'for tolerance and democ- WORLD NEWS racy, anti racism/anti fascism, for equal rights, asylum rights are a human right!' and 'Stop the Flemish Block!' Nadine commented it showed that 'young people want a multi-cultural country'.
Suspension
School students have been supported by teachers from the socialist teachers' union but some schools have imposed repressive sanctions including detentions and even suspensions for taking part in the strike.
Young people are now organising for the national demonstration in 27 March that is being co-ordinated across Europe.
'The school committees are planning this further action together with the national Hand-inHand anti-racist organisation' said Nadine.