“What Is the Next Step? Open Discussion Begins to Tackle Problems Facing Anti-war Movement

“What Is the Next Step? Open Discussion Begins to Tackle Problems Facing the Anti-war Movement

“What Is the Next Step? Open Discussion Begins to Tackle Problems Facing the Anti-war Movement

Last Friday afternoon, May 9, following the largest Freestyle Friday event to date and a Rally Opposing the attacks on Rights, a broadly representative group concerned about the continued war at home and abroad, converged at St. Joes for an open discussion. Freestyle Fridays were initiated by Rochester Cop Watch last month in order to provide a place and sound system for Rochester Youth to share ideas and music via hip hop beats and rhymes. This ongoing event takes place every Friday at 3pm at the Liberty Pole. Several local activists and community members organized the last Friday’s rally and discussion to serve as a forum for those opposing U.S. aggression and occupation of Iraq to come together and collectively decide what is needed for the Peace movement to move forward.
The discussion was attended by about 25 activists, students, media democracy advocates, educators, health and social workers and other community members. The meeting was defined by a spirit of cooperation and enthusiasm. The first part of the discussion focused on assessing the state of anti-war work in Rochester now, and sharing ideas on how to make sense of the local and world situation throughout these past three months. It was pointed out that many involved with opposing U.S. aggression throughout the world are going through a difficult time now. The scope of the devastation in Iraq, and the refusal of US leaders to heed the people’s opposition to the war have lead to a state where many feel pessimistic. Many of the participants described both the pressure of this pessimism and the need to combat it. In addressing how to combat this feeling, participants brought up the fact that there was never widespread support for this war and that during the past six months; demonstrations, teach-ins and other actions have brought together millions of people, some of whom are now becoming political for the first time. In this new space created by heightened activism before and immediately after the war, people felt that something real was being accomplished. Many felt it was important to acknowledge that as a result of this new political space, people are more organized and conscious, thus in a better position to fight for their interests.
The second half of the discussion focused on sharing ideas on how we can move forward. Everyone present was invited to make proposals and suggestions on how to build efforts that will win the peace. Suggestions and proposals dealt with the various work individuals and groups in Western New York are engaged in. While the merits of the many strategies were not specifically discussed, the opportunity for participants to share their ideas led to the emergence of certain questions and dilemmas that are facing the movement. For instance, how do we grapple with electoral politics when it’s been shown that people do not have say in government, in its present form? It was pointed out that the Bush Faction is extremely well organized and has been able to take over easily, what does this say about the ability of the people to participate in the electoral process? All agreed that we need to come together again this upcoming Friday to continue this important discussion. The group decided on Friday at 5:00pm at St. Joes (402 South Ave.). For more details or to contribute your ideas to this ongoing discussion, email adillon@frontiernet.net.