Successful fight back forum

By Alex Bainbridge

NEWCASTLE -- Thirty people from a variety of backgrounds attended the Fight Back Seminar here on September 14, initiated by the Democratic Socialist Party. Speakers and participants included the Greens, the ALP left, Resistance, the Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth, Newcastle Out-of-Workers, the Koori community, Newcastle Feminist Collective, university students and academics.

The same day, Telstra announced a record profit of $2.3 billion, alongside a projected shedding of 22,000 jobs in preparation for partial privatisation. Participants drew on the image to drive home the irrationality of the Howard government's policies.

Amanda Benson from Friends of the Earth argued that the "day of the rally is over" as a means of social change, advocating instead small-scale "practical activities".

Chris Dodds from Newcastle Out-of-Workers argued that the left needs to integrate itself more closely with the community in order to argue for a role for the state in society.

Jane Beckmann from the DSP advocated alliance-building and a struggle perspective as the best antidote to Howard's attacks.

The meeting enthusiastically endorsed Greens councillor John Sutton's announcement of a possible council-organised regional rally against the budget cuts. The meeting vowed to continue the discussion in future and provide support for all projects and organisations fighting Howard.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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