From July 29 until August 3 the International Marxist
Tendency held its World School in Barcelona. Present were 300 comrades from 26
countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico,
Argentina and most European countries. Unfortunately, comrades from Serbia,
Morocco and Nigeria were denied visas However the Nigerian comrades were able
to listen to the opening and closing sessions via an Internet link.
At the opening Lal Khan of Pakistan addressed the school,
paying tribute to comrade Phil Mitchinson, who died tragically last November.
Acknowledging the tremendous role Phil played in the British section over the
past 15 years, he noted how proud Phil would have been to see so many young people
in attendance from Britain. Over half of the 40-strong British delegation was
youth, most attending for the first time. Up until now the section, compared to
others internationally, stood out through its relative lack of young people.
This school marked a turning point in this regard and the further development
of the Socialist Appeal. Lal recalled Phil’s inspirational qualities from a
visit to Pakistan in 1997: "Phil spoke to workers in Sindh, most wouldn’t have
understood much but such was his enthusiasm and passion that he received the
biggest reaction I have ever seen." A moment of silence was observed in his
honour.
On the first day Jorge Martin spoke on the revolutionary
events that have been taking place in Venezuela, particularly since the time of
Hugo Chavez’s re-election last December. Discussed was the nature of the
Venezuelan state, the ongoing debate in society on the role of the army in the
revolution, and the roles to be played by the UNT and the PSUV in the class
struggle.
Throughout the rest of the week the school was divided up
into different sessions. Comrades had to make tough decisions such as choosing
between ‘Brazil and the Black Question’ by comrade Miranda from Brazil, or the
‘RCP and the War Years’ by comrade Rob Sewell from Britain. Or between a
lead-off by Gerry Ruddy of the Irish Republican Socialist Party: ‘Ireland –
1967-2007′ and Lal Khans’ introduction on ‘Islamic Fundamentalism’. Comrades
found themselves both frustrated and spoilt for choice.
Also attended throughout the week were sessions on the
situation in El Salvador, the ideas of Che Guevara, three sessions covering the
Russian Revolution, Mexico, Cuba, Kashmir and the National Question, and
Anarchism and Centrism in the Spanish Revolution. Of particular interest was a
session given by the Danish section on their battle against the witch-hunt
carried out against them in the SUF, drawing strong parallels to the experience
of the Militant in the Labour Party in the 1980s, a valuable lesson for
comrades to learn. On show there was also a film screening of revolutionary
activity in our Pakistan section, as well as the film new from Hands Off
Venezuela: ‘No Volveran! The Venezuelan Revolution Now!’
On the Wednesday of the school the comrades rejoined for a
plenary session on Marxism and Religion by Alan Woods. There he emphasised the
colossal impact of the Human Genome Project, and among other things the
anti-religious sentiments of the USA’s Founding Fathers, the class struggle as
expressed through religious conflict and the implications of Animism as a
revolutionary step forward in mans attempt to understand nature. It was a
superb application of historical materialism to this intriguing subject.
Later comrades assembled outside the Mexican diplomatic
mission in Barcelona where a demonstration was arranged demanding the release
of Adan Mejia, a member of the Students Union in Mexico, an activist in the
APPO of Oaxaca and a member of the Marxist Tendency of Mexico Militante. He was
illegally arrested in Oaxaca in July, as part of a campaign of repression being
carried out by the illegitimate government of Felipe Calderón against the
workers and left militants. Since then 7 more students were arrested in Mexico,
4 are members of Militante. They have since been released on bail, yet the
campaign to release Adan continues. The IMT is calling for an International Day
of Action on September 13th when pickets will be organised outside Mexican
consulates and embassies around the world.
An International report was given on Friday by Fred
D’Alessandro, which outlined the growth and progress made by the IMT over the
last year. This was an inspiring session where comrades were able to exchange
experiences.
The school finished with a revolutionary singsong at the
excellently run bar that had been manned by the Spanish comrades all week long.
There were fine contributions from all the different sections, including a
rousing rendition of ‘Red Fly The Banners Oh!’ from the well-lubricated British
turnout.
Alongside the school was the infamous International Football
tournament. Despite teaching the French a 5-1 lesson in the group stages, which
included a double-brace from goal-hanger Joe Boustead, the Brits failed to
qualify after decisions made by a dubious officialdom. Yet the British record
for tendency toward injury remained untarnished as we ratcheted up 100% of all
comradely injuries, including a particularly special broken nose for Chris
Rutherford, care of the Italians. Special thanks to Espe Espigares must be made
here, who sacrificed a large amount of her time caring for the walking wounded.
Most importantly the school brought comrades together
with a collective sense of importance. As Dan Morley of Norwich explained: "the
school gave us the opportunity to understand the scope, perspectives and
importance of the International."
