democracy and is incapable of governing
country."
He talked of Bush, Blair, Sharon, Berlusconi and Aznar as "the greatest enemies of humanity." He condemned Fortress Europe and the hypocrisy of European immigration policies in a context where capitalist wars create |000s of refugees
In answer to Ken Livingstone's legal threat over the use of the word Respect, Galloway issued this challenge, "You don't own the word Respect, you don't own the concept of Respect, you don't own the spirstatement was made on behalf of Anas Altikriti, President of the Muslim Association of Britain, praising Respect for offering a new alternative at a time of political stagnation.
The MAB, he said, saw the founding members of Respect as partners in struggle and saw being part of the anti-war movement on Britain as the biggest success for the muslim community in this country.
Whilst the MAB wouldn't join any political party, they would, he said, encourage their supporters to support Respect and country."
Powerful speeches were made in support of Palestinian struggles and in defence
Speaking for Socialist Resistance, Sarah Parker highlighted the plight of asylum seekers and the need for Respect to have a strong position on immigration and asylum
Salma Yaqoob spoke of the racism and Islamaphobia that had followed September 11 2001 and the fears of increased persecution that these had raised in muslim comShe spoke of the power of the stop the war movement, particularly in its early stages, when anti-war sentiments seemed marginal. She talked of the importance of us organising ourselves effectively to counter
In summing up the day John Rees said,
"This has been a truly remarkable conference. We have done something that no
one on the left has done before.
"We have brought together almost the
entire socialist left with representatives
from the muslim community, STW activists
and significant figures from the trade union
He said that the most important people
are the millions of working people who have been locked out of the political system. It was these people that we must now better." Nick Wrack. "The message to Tony Blair is, we're coming after you". Linda Smith, "Unity is strength". Mark Serwotka, "This is an historic event in terms of the politics of this Serwotka, " if in the 2/st century you can't show respect for pensioners and workers... this country is not civilized." Serwotka, "the marketplace has no place in education" Serwotka, "We are not just for justice in the UK but for justice internationally." Serwotka, "there is more than unites us than divides us" Sheridan, "Surely we can continue to organise on the basis of the 80% than unites us instead of concentrating on the 20% that divides us." Sheridan, "If we can afford E27 billion on nuclear weapons, we can afford free education in this Sheridan, "We must build a movement that declares war, on poverty and inequality." Ken Loach, "We must prove finally that we can establish a real left unity coalition that becomes a party and finally sees us to victory." Gennaro Migliore, "Capitalism brings war like the clouds bring rain. Galloway, "We must turf out of their seats those who have misgoverned our country for the last 7 years." Galloway, "Above all Respect is an anti-imperialist movement." Salma Yaqoob, "We are told that there is no alternative to privatisation, to endless wars. That alternative is right here."
Salma Yagoob, "Many hands make light work. Let's get to work."
George Galloway, "If we achieve our
targets - El million, I million votes,
we will have changed Britain's
political face for ever - and for the
page 7 of the scan
socialist resistance February 2004 7
Respect launch 'an end to immigration laws and for oper