Amir Nasrallah ith the political situation in Brazil becoming worse y by day, the visit of Luizianne Lins (of the azilian Workers Party) to the University of East indon was a welcome opportunity to voice critisms as well as to discuss solutions to the probms that exist. uesday 21 October saw the lecture theatre in the klands campus filled with many students from rious ethnic backgrounds, coming together to ice their opinions on the state of affairs in Brazil. With proposed subject content being discussion of sues such as rates of unemployment, unfair treatent of the black population and gay rights, it was likely that the debate would not be strong. After introducing herself, Lins addressed the audice in a tone of urgency. She expressed her belief at a socialist solution was needed and whilst mitting that there were many faults that existed, at she had come across as both a photographer d a journalist had given her a positive outlook on e future. sne went on to say that the way of living for much the population was below the poverty line and at this was only a reflection of the reality that employment was hitting over half of all those in
Furthermore, the point of racial injustice against the black population was highlighted by Lins and was linked to the capitalist policies of successive governments.
With the topic markers being set, the debate got into full swing. The point that Lins made earlier with regards to the capitalist regime raised a question from a student which asked what her idea of socialism was and whether it was anything like what the student had actually Luizianne Lins vision of socialism. ent points of view. University of East London. encountered herself living in former East Germany.
Lins's response was that the East German model of "socialism" had proved to be a failure. It had many faults such as no freedom of speech. She was very clear that freedom was central to her
Also raised was the question of whether a socialist regime if achieved in Brazil would cater for the rights of gays, or whether it would be much the same as happened in Cuba with the fleeing of numerous gays to the United States.
Lins's response to this was that she personally had many gay friends in Cuba and the situation was improving. She added that the situation of Cuba itself, with the hardship resulting from the blockade was an incentive to leave whether a person was gay or not. She went on to add that gay rights would be catered for in socialist Brazil.
Overall, the debate was a success and ended on a positive note. As there was such an array of people from various backgrounds and interests in the audience, the debate brought to the table many differMany students left having learnt a lot. It showed that such an event worked well and left us with the hope of many more of these occasions at the gear up to greet Bush Socialist Resistance student supporters are gearing up for the Bush visit with stalls in the colleges. At the School of Oriental and African Studies in central London, students have been doing stalls every day in the run up to the Bush visit.
Many colleges in London plan to stage occupations, teach-ins and banner drops on the day of direct action. The aim is that every college in the country has an anti-Bush protest.
At Southampton University, one student set up a film showing of the McLibel trial, when two protesters took on the might of multinational burger joint McDonalds and wonover 70 students turned up
At the University of East London over 20 students came to hear Luizianne Lins from the Brazilian Workers Party (PT) talk about the fight against neoliberalism, both inside and outside of the PT. In the coming weeks Socialist Resistance will be holding meetings in the colleges; "Capitalism means war" • For further details, ring us on 0208 800 7460
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*1 Liverpool Studes