The meeting discussed a A HUGE attack on civil the unions against the war rights is being prepared including the demand for an under the banner of fighting terrorism. Governments in emergency TUC conference the US, the BU and in This was given a boost by Britain suddenly find that the news that train drivers' they can bring in measures ASLEF has already which would have been nassed an emergency resolu unthinkable only three tion against the war, to be weeks ago. tabled at the coming Labour In the USA and in Britain politicians are arguing that democratic rights have got Plans were made to cam- out of hand and are now paign in the various unions, playing into the hands of and also to ensure that the campaign committee and the the terrorists.
In Britain Home Secretary public platforms of the cam Blunkett is arguing that if paign have adequate trade terrorism is to be combarStop The War ted, civil liberties should be will be holding in the hands of politicians and not the courts. open In fact this is already law, which will include meetings of the working groups. because when Parliament incorporated the European convention on human rights into British law it gave politicians the final word. Big rallies, vigils and meetings against the war drive In the US there are already been taking place all proposals to lift the ban on over the country, and meet- the CIA on killing foreign. ings are being organised to ers. Of course the CIA never stopped assassinations when rallied in Portsmouth, while the ban came in, but official joined a protest sanction would clearly escaOxford on September 22 late the policy and a lot The Socialist Allance Is more people will die. giving full support to all New powers are being and given to tae ponce to darest updated listing on planned and detain on suspicion. events across the country can be found on its web sile and install surveillance camwww.socialistalliance.net.
being prepared. In Britain, where the draafter llth conian Terrorism Act and the Party discussed anti-war initiatives. A paper vas produced by the weekend and meetings called for On Thursday 20th a meetheld Glasgow and large meetings other reactionary legislation passed by New Labour already gives sweeping police powers, Blunkett is now considering the introwhat would be a grim echo of South Africa's hated apartheid "pass laws". It is something which British governments have dearly wanted for a long time in order to clamp down effectively on asylum seckers, but would have been unable to do under other The Tories considered it several times - and decided against it. Also mooted is the idea that such identity cards would not just be used to prove identity and address to police on the streets bul would be the means of access to a range of services from the NHS to schools libraries and other public THE NEXT regular issue of Socialist Outlook, with more in-depth coverage of the aftermath of the September 11 events and other news and analysis, will go to press on October 8. Let us have your news, comment and pictures for publications by October 4, by email to [email protected], or by fax to 020 8880 1846, or by post to PO Bax 1109, London N4 2UU. Contact Socialist Outlook on the web at www.labournet.org.uk/so, and the International Socialist Group web site is www.3bh.org.uk/ISG New technology would also give the government a range of options in terms of contain from finger prints How such measures would stop a suicide bomber is not clear: the evidence so far suggests that those who hijacked the planes were Iegally resident in the USA prior to the attack on New York and Washington, and that they had valid docuBut there are real and obvious dangers that new powers to stop "suspects" and demand ID cards will he used almost invariably against black people and ethnic minorities - adding yet another strand to the web of state racism.
comrades -