A revolutionary New Years greeting
from the Freedom Socialist Party
We dedicate this New Years greeting to the millions who marched against
the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq; to the intransigent strikers
at Southern California grocery stores; to the laborers in China and
Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador struggling to build unions; to
Palestinians and Iraqis resisting colonial occupations; to "enemy
combatants" and political prisoners illegally incarcerated at Guantanamo
and throughout the U.S.; to immigrants seeking new homes and respect in
strange lands; to opponents of the Patriot Act; and to the millions of
women and children who work in the "informal economy" worldwide, eking
out sustenance from a cruel and outdated economic system.
These are among the reasons the Freedom Socialist Party resolves to
keep on fighting in 2004.
It seems to us that the only way to be truly happy, in a world such as
ours, is to join the fight for liberty--liberty from poverty, ignorance,
war, discrimination, official lies and the rule of profit margins.
Today the streets and waterways of the U.S. are being patrolled by men
with machine guns; rooftop snipers and military helicopters keep a sharp
eye out for potential terrorists; cars and travelers are randomly
searched at airports. All the trappings of a police state are in place.
But there is resistance as well. Lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild
are challenging the legal apparatus of repression. Demonstrators are
suing police who violate their rights. Strikers refuse to be intimidated
by SWAT teams. Citizens are defending immigrants against FBI and INS
raids. Feminists stand up to rightwing fetus fetishists. Fewer and fewer
believe the lies of the Bush administration.
Slowly, anger and anguish are forging a worldwide bond among those who
see the need for fundamental social change. On the internet and at world
and regional Social Forums, those who oppose neoliberalism and "free
trade" are gathering strength. U.S. workers are learning that "their"
government, which has repressed freedom wherever it does not serve a
corporate end, has also aimed its laws and guns on them.
"What is next?" is the question facing workers everywhere, but
especially here in the U.S. How can the movement go from outrage to
organizations that can lead the struggle for lasting change? How can we
defeat a revived imperialism abroad and a rapacious capitalism at home?
Massive disgust with what is cries out for a viable left alternative.
What a shame that in this coming "Year of the Presidential Elections,"
the U.S. Left has not even attempted to create a united left electoral
slate!
However, it is not too late! In 2004, let us continue to march for
workers' rights and against war and attacks on legal abortion. But let's
build something lasting too: socialist electoral coalitions on the model
of those in Australia, France and the United Kingdom. Now that's a
revolutionary idea!
Happy New Year to all! And if you see a good fight going on somewhere be
sure and get into it!
To subscribe to the Freedom Socialist newspaper or respond to this
message, go to www.socialism.com, or write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
We'd love to hear from you!
Freedom Socialist Party
Australian Section U.S. Section
580 Sydney Road 4710 University Way NE, #100
Brunswick, VIC 3055 Seattle, WA 98105
Australia USA
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