ICC Public forum
The working class is a class of immigrants
Saturday 10th of February at 2.30 pm
Friends Meeting House
Mount Street,
off Albert Square
Central Manchester
Once upon a time it was only Thatcher and the extreme right that talked about Britain being 'swamped' by immigrants. In the 21st century supposedly 'respectable' politicians, while praising traditional British 'tolerance', warn of the consequences of growing migration patterns. Meanwhile, the left argue about whether 'multiculturalism' has failed, while warning about the fascist menace that lurks round every corner.
What's the reality of global migration today? Hundreds of millions of people have been forced to take refuge from conflict, disease, disasters or poverty. When they reach countries that are not directly affected by war or with economies that are stronger rather than weaker, there are strict restrictions against entry, and, if they get in, they are treated as a source of cheap labour while being abused as an 'alien' presence within the 'host' society.
This is the situation world-wide, which only differs in the details of the campaigns round migration, race, ethnicity and religion. Anti-racism is posed against racism, secularism against religion, ethnic identity against social conformity. In Britain Blair says that everyone must conform to the values imposed by the capitalist state. The response of the left is to defend national, ethnic, religious particularities against working class unity.
In our public meeting we want to put forward the communist, internationalist position against all the ideological campaigns run by the various factions of the ruling class. Where the dominant ideas in society have the effect of dividing the population into so many different competing sectors, the interests of the working class are only served by what brings us together, what unites us in solidarity against capitalism, and for a society which serves the needs of humanity rather than exploitation, oppression and lies.
Format of meeting: short presentation followed by open discussion
All welcome!
The working class is a class of immigrants
Saturday 10th of February at 2.30 pm
Friends Meeting House
Mount Street,
off Albert Square
Central Manchester
Once upon a time it was only Thatcher and the extreme right that talked about Britain being 'swamped' by immigrants. In the 21st century supposedly 'respectable' politicians, while praising traditional British 'tolerance', warn of the consequences of growing migration patterns. Meanwhile, the left argue about whether 'multiculturalism' has failed, while warning about the fascist menace that lurks round every corner.
What's the reality of global migration today? Hundreds of millions of people have been forced to take refuge from conflict, disease, disasters or poverty. When they reach countries that are not directly affected by war or with economies that are stronger rather than weaker, there are strict restrictions against entry, and, if they get in, they are treated as a source of cheap labour while being abused as an 'alien' presence within the 'host' society.
This is the situation world-wide, which only differs in the details of the campaigns round migration, race, ethnicity and religion. Anti-racism is posed against racism, secularism against religion, ethnic identity against social conformity. In Britain Blair says that everyone must conform to the values imposed by the capitalist state. The response of the left is to defend national, ethnic, religious particularities against working class unity.
In our public meeting we want to put forward the communist, internationalist position against all the ideological campaigns run by the various factions of the ruling class. Where the dominant ideas in society have the effect of dividing the population into so many different competing sectors, the interests of the working class are only served by what brings us together, what unites us in solidarity against capitalism, and for a society which serves the needs of humanity rather than exploitation, oppression and lies.
Format of meeting: short presentation followed by open discussion
All welcome!
