Bringing Home the Consequences of War

The bombing in Syria has begun. Across Britain, millions of people have been sickened by the rush to war. Lots of us are especially angry at Labour MPs who, against the wishes of their leader Jeremy Corbyn, spoke in favour of dropping bombs. This military action will lead to the deaths of many innocent men, women and children. Even more will also be forced to flee the region, worsening the refugee crisis.

More bombs won’t stop ISIS. In fact British intervention in the Middle East –including the recent wars in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan – has played a partin sowing the seeds of the deadly chaos engulfing Syria and the rise of ISIS. This war is really about the Tories’ wish to maintain Britain’s ‘prestige’ as a world power. It will also be a bonanza for the big business arms companies, whose profits have already increased as a result of the vote in Parliament.

In Leicester city centre this evening, local campaign groups and activists played their part in building the movement against the war, following a 250 strong vigil last Wednesday (the day the bombing campaign was approved). In order to draw attention to the devastating effects of thebombing campaign, activists dressed as war victims and lay down by the Clock Tower. The spectacle drew hundreds of onlookers, many of whom joined in anti-Tory chants and expressed their solidarity by writing (chalk) messages on the pavement.

Leicester is just one of the many cities that has taken upthe fight against this hated government, however, and it is a fight that can only be won through nationally coordinated action. In 2003, across the country, school students walked out in mass strikes against the Iraq war on the day the bombing started. This, and the demonstrations of millions, that took place shook the Blair government, at the time. If this movement had been built upon,with the trade unions calling out workers on strike for 24 hours, Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war could have been stopped. This hated Tory governmentis much weaker than Blair in 2003.

What you can do:

• Come to a public meeting hosted by the Socialist Party at 7.30pm on Thursday December 10, at the Richard III pub, Highcross Street, where we will discussing the war on Syria and how we can fight againstit.
• Attend the local demonstration against the bombing of Syria in Leicester City Centre on Friday December 11.
• Go to the national demonstration on Saturday December 12 in London.
• Help organize a walkout or protest at your local school or college.
• Get your friends involved in organizing against the war.