BY PETER PERKINS
I was disappointed and disgusted at the ideas expressed
by Rob Gowland in a recent article of the Guardian newspaper on
the M1 protests [see accompanying box — Ed.].
Many of the opinions that have been put forward in the article have
no basis in fact, having been put for one reason only — i.e., causing divisions
between the diverse forces opposed to global capital in this country.
The stories that appeared in the Murdoch newspapers regarding preparations
for M1 were published for one substantial reason — they sell newspapers.
Political action for them is spectacle. Just watch the press vultures go
to extremes to capture on film and in writing someone else’s misfortune
or in some cases their death. Look at how the press maggots are ready to
feast on the body of the executed Tim McVeigh.
Capital has no conscience. Penthouse magazine (sexist, pornographic
US publication), for example, devoted a large part of its magazine to the
coverage of the Quebec protests a week or so earlier. Its web site carried
very good video footage of the street battles. Perhaps their intention
is to subvert the very same anti-capitalist movement by attracting them
to the pages of their reactionary magazines.
For different reasons the tabloids and mass media here have ignored
the civilised Sunday amble to First Fleet Park and the boring speeches
of the Labor Party endorsed union officials organised by the May Day committee.
It isn’t even a spectacle. There are no demands here, there are no threats
to their power and if you haven't noticed the Labor Council-organised unions
have been on the capitalist payroll for as long as anyone can remember.
The latter point being why the Victorian Trades Hall Council did not support
the blockades.
However, many of the rank and file within those unions did support some
form of direct action rather than the usual Sunday stroll which had become
a burdensome duty. M1's role was as a facilitator, raising the possibility
of direct defiance of the VHTC leadership by those who had been bridled
for too long. For that, no one in the M1 Alliance will make an apology.
Another reason for the coverage given of M1 may be that the Murdoch
press hounds understand that the M1 and S11 movements have a base of popular
support. A reading of current trends within the fortunes of the parliamentary
parties would bear this out. Their whole reasoning would be to draw people
in, then subvert them. Look carefully at how they scripted the rise and
fall and rise again of One Nation.
In the case of M1 supporters, they will not succeed in denting enthusiasm.
Why? The opinion of many of those on the barricades has been critical and
cynical of the mainstream press.
On more than one occasion during the blockade of the ASX there were
chants and adverse exchanges with the agents of the mainstream media. The
M1 activists certainly sent camera operators and reporters a strong message
wherever they could.
In the past year or so I have seen articles on the history of the Communist
Party in papers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, carrying photos
of your general secretary, Peter Symon. Perhaps the authors of these articles
had a different motive though, as they were presented as a nostalgic historical
feature. But it would be outrageous and ill judged if I were to draw the
same conclusions that were drawn in the Guardian about the DSP and
their role in M1.
Conspiracy theories abound on the right of politics, especially from
the supporters of Hanson and One Nation. However, I did not expect them
to be prevalent in a paper that is supposedly representing the interests
of the working class in a truthful and scientific way.
To say that the M1 supporters and the Democratic Socialist Party are
in the pocket of Murdoch is a ridiculous proposal. These conclusions bring
no credit to the CPA at all.
The left in general has only recently been handed this unique opportunity
to break out of the political straight jacket. The increasing capitulation
of parliamentary parties of all persuasions to the diktats of capital has
introduced some transparency to the political process.
There are now an increasing majority of people that see through and
have experienced first hand the said “rationality” of the glorious global
economic system and are ever willing to fight for a better future. Young
people especially are the victims of the newly-intensified hegemonic society
that discriminates against them in every way possible. We should all grasp
the chance for organising opposition with them when and if favourable conditions
arise.
By misjudging this obvious trend and/or opting out of the struggle for
whatever reason, the CPA leadership has made a grave political mistake.
All working people are interested in creating their own future, where there
will be jobs, where there will be clean air and water and where all other
forms of exploitation are removed. The new struggles around the world are
making this possible.
Any political formation or party that happens to be heading in that
direction will be a vehicle for the movement, adding momentum to the movement
and adding understanding to the debates. As a party representing the labouring
classes and against all forms of exploitation, the CPA should have been
in the thick of the struggle. Alas, it has become a mere spectator, and
worse, a heckler from the sidelines.
Solidarity is a hallmark of the Marxist movement. It implies working
together with all forces opposed to the excesses of capital and standing
alongside those who have a vision of the new world without exploitation.
In this task the CPA leadership has failed its own members and the movement
in general.
As a rank-and-file work-place activist who has been slogging it out
against the bosses and their class collaborators, it fills me with loathing
that the same old left political divisions exist in some corners and that
they are holding us back from achieving our goals of worker emancipation.
Let's for once recognise that there will always be disagreements and
that there is no “true” path. A failure to understand this point leads
to intolerance and autocratic and totalitarian behaviour. The task is to
balance all of the competing views while still heading in the general direction
that the majority wants to go in.
Differences have to be worked out in a truthful, respectful and amicable
way through debate and education that takes account of all points of view.
That doesn't mean that as socialists we can take our eyes off the main
game or that we compromise the struggle or our politics by doing deals
with our class enemies.
The M1 formation, whether transient or here to stay, has been a breath
of fresh air for activists like myself. For once there has been sighted
the spark of hope that shows much more is really possible. For those people
locked arm-in-arm and determined to hold off the police as they tried to
break the blockade of the Sydney stock exchange, the exhilaration and comradery
of the moment was written in their joyous faces. They were creating history
on their own terms and it felt very satisfying.
It's sad that the judgments of the CPA leadership were so awry that
they were not able to experience the same degree of motivation. Hopefully,
an open debate within the party can lead to a reconsideration of the position
taken by the CPA leadership and everyone can join us in the struggle against
our common enemy in the not-too-distant future.
