Belfast May Day - anarchists in the sunshine

ireland / britain | anarchist movement | news report

Thursday May 14, 2009 20:21

by Andrew & Sean - WSM (personal capacity)

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Thirty or so anarchists marched with the WSM and/or Organise! at the Belfast May day march this year. Initially the rally was addressed by trade unionists including John Maguire, Visteon union convenor.

Alan from the WSM described it as "A lovely sunny day with a good anarchist turnout." and reported that "several people I spoke to afterwards thought a minimum of 2,000 people were on the march, the majority of these from the unions with maybe 20% from different left groups"

The WSM distributed over 500 copies of both the northern and southern versions of Workers Solidarity 109 as well as selling some copies of Red & Black Revolution 14. Both these will shortly be appearing here as PDF files for you to download. Organise! were selling their new paper 'The Leveller'.

About 250 copies of the international anarchist communist Mayday statement were also distributed, see http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/5498
Belfast WSM used the occasion to launch the Anarchist Communist Discussion Group. Its first talk took place last Monday on 'The History of Mayday and its relevance today'. This Saturday, a public meeting will take place in the An Culturlann, Falls Road on the topic of direct action. Visteon worker, Dessie McEnroe will be speaking in a personal capacity about the workplace occupation, its lessons and practical advice to workers facing similar cut backs. WSM member, Davy Carlin will also be speaking on building solidarity with workers in struggle, the politics of anarchism and direct action.

Statement released by Belfast branch before the march:
"Mayday is a time of reflecting and renewing the proud tradition of working-class resistance and commitment to social revolution. The spirit of class struggle continues to burn in our class from the Visteon workplace occupations to the school occupations in Glasgow and beyond. As we continue to bear the brunt of job cuts, house evictions and police brutality, the powerful message of direct action and solidarity against the bosses and the state is as relevant and necessary as ever before."

Distributing Workers Solidarity

Distributing Workers Solidarity