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*“The Only position that PFP (Peace and Freedom Party) has Re Syria is that we oppose any and all US/ Nato Intervention….”*So wrote a prominent member of the Peace and Freedom Party (PFP) in defense of hosting Rick Sterling, representative of the pro-capitalist Syria Solidarity Movement, at a meeting. (The PFP is a small socialist electoral party in California.) This PFP member’s argument is common among many on the socialist left, so it’s useful to understand the real meaning of this argument as well as who groups like the Syria Solidarity Movement (SSM) and people like Rick Sterling are and what connections they have. *Syria Solidarity Steering Committee*On the SSM steering committee is Susan Dirgham, who in turn is linked with the Catholic fundamentalist Mother Agnes Mariam. There is Eva Bartlett, open mouthpiece for the reactionary, chauvinist Putin regime and a proven liar <https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-eva-bartletts-claims-about-syrian-children>.There is Paul Larudee, former executive of the pro-capitalist Ford Foundation. There is Sarah Flounders of the International Action Center (IAC) and United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) – both of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Workers World Party. In 2014, the IAC and UNAC participated in a conference in Russia organized by the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia, which is a fascist-linked group <http://threewayfight.blogspot.com/2015/02/moscow-conference-draws-fascists-neo.html> if it is not outright fascist itself. Several European fascist groups were there as well as the racist and fascist US “Confederate League of the South.” UNAC and IAC had no problem meeting with them and returned with glowing reports on the conference. And SSM has no problem having their representative on their steering committee. *Rich Sterling*As for Rick Sterling as an individual, among other things, he is a regular contributor <http://theduran.com/?s=Rick+Sterling>to “TheDuran.com”. This is an openly pro-Putin web site that supports Putin’s links <http://theduran.com/le-pen-hoax-russiagate-simple-move/> with the racist, chauvinist Marine Le Pen in France. They also carry articles giving political cover to Trump! It’s just the same as UNAC/IAC participation in that fascist-linked conference, and Sterling has no problems associating with these types either. A visit to Sterling’s Facebook page makes clear that he, too, is a supporter of the repressive, chauvinist, neoliberal capitalist Putin regime. *And socialists have no problem giving the podium to this man!* *Read full article here <https://oaklandsocialist.com/2017/03/27/who-is-the-syria-solidarity-movement/>.* -- "No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them." Asata Shakur Check out:https:http://oaklandsocialist.com and // www.facebook.com/WorkersIntlNetwork?ref=stream _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
