Several activists affiliated with the International Socialist Organization gave speeches Feb. 28 promoting UCSD’s antiwar movement.
Guardian
“”We are here so people will be able to see the other side,”” said Justin Akers, an active member of ISO. “”Media and politicians are one-sided. This war … takes away rights and civil liberties. [ISO] wants to reveal what’s wrong and why we should be critical.””
The forum featured a group of prominent socialist speakers discussing the war’s consequences and alternative actions. Some of the speakers were San Diego-affiliated, while others were part of an ISO panel touring the nation.
The ISO, based in Chicago, has branches across the country, recruiting and banding activists in communities, workplaces and on campuses. The organization says it is based on coordinating opposition to international oppression and exploitation while working for a social revolution.
Bob Arness, a UCSD graduate student as well as an ISO member, said he feels strongly about these implications.
“”I envision a world where the majority can run a social democracy,”” Arness said. “”By inviting the speakers here tonight, we are trying to broaden the layers of people who are active and build a larger movement … to counter the mainstream ideologies which tend to rule.””
The organization set up several tables in front of Center Hall, where the rally was to take place. The tables offered pamphlets and other literature sponsoring socialism and an end to the war. Among them were extensive copies of the International Socialist Review, a widely circulated newspaper that bills itself as a “”journal of revolutionary Marxism.””
The ISO also produces a newspaper, The Socialist Worker, which provides several statements of the organization’s beliefs, saying that “”reforms within the capitalist system cannot put an end to oppression and exploitation. Capitalism must be overthrown.””
Sherry Wolf, an editor for the International Socialist Review, and David Barsamian, a broadcaster for San Diego’s Alternative Radio, were two of the speakers at the forum.
Wolf ardently spoke about wars throughout history, arguing that the war against terrorism in the United States will create more suffering than good.
She also mentioned the irony of another organization’s antiwar pamphlet.
“”[The pamphlet] says war is not American,”” Wolf said to the audience. “”But if you think about it, what is more American than war?””
Barsamian said he was surprised and pleased by the turnout.
“”In a city like San Diego, the organizations are swimming against the current,”” Barsamian said.
Other speakers included Gerard Ungerman, a filmmaker; Meritxel Calderon, a member of Tijuana’s Humanists for Peace; and Jaime Cota, also from Tijuana.
“”Sept. 11 was a tragedy,”” Akers said. “”But instead of fighting a war, the best thing we can do is to alleviate conditions that create terrorism. Like ending funding to Israel — that money goes straight to other wars. And then ending sanctions on Iraq — our economic blockade has helped cause the deaths of more than a million people.””
Akers added, “”The country needs to end the conditions that create anger and suffering. We are feeding more conflict. It only makes things worse.””
