G8 news

ISR backs school student walkout

ISR supports the call to school students to come out on 6 July in protest against the G8 and their neo-liberal policies. Nationally, International Socialist Resistance (ISR) took the first initiative in calling for school student strike action against the war in 2003. However, it would be arrogant for ISR to claim we organised the strikes. Our initial call, along with that of other parts of the Stop the War Coalition, was seized upon by countless students as the best means of making their voice heard against the tumult of pro-war propaganda.

Sarah Sachs-Eldridge

On the day the war started, hundreds of thousands of young people took to the streets internationally in opposition to the imperialist invasion of Iraq. Since then school students have taken part in many other struggles such as the tens of thousands of French school students who struck against attacks on education.

ISR calls on every young person who is angered and horrified by the poverty and inequality that blights our world to join our international youth camp in Scotland – from which we will be taking part in all the anti-G8 demos. You will be joining with young socialists from all round Europe as we discuss and debate the only realistic way to make poverty history.

But we understand that not everyone will be able to come for the whole five days. If you cannot, but want to demonstrate your opposition to Blair and Bush and the rest of the puppets of big business, organise a strike or protest in your school or college. We are appealing to the trade unions and student unions to provide transport for school students who want to come to Edinburgh on the 6 July. We also support those who wish to plan local protests.

If you would like help or advice about organising a strike or protest at your school please don’t hesitate to contact ISR on 020 8558 7947 and we can put you in touch with local ISR members and assist you in organising action. We can also help you try to get the support of teachers, and, if (as is sometimes the case) your head teacher opposes your action and tries to intimidate students, we can help you defend your right to protest. ISR stands in solidarity with workers and students around the world and defends the right to take strike action by all. We welcome the fact that so many young people are prepared to international solidarity action against war and poverty.