Socialist Resistance supporters in Britain have launched a petition as part of an international campaign against the expulsion from the Brazilian Workers Party (PT) of members from radical left groups. Already, after only three weeks, over sixty prominent politicians, trade unionists, anticapitalists and artists have signed it. We urgently need more support from activists to ensure there are no expulsions for opposing the policies of the World Bank and IMF. Petition on Behalf of PT Senator Heloisa Helena And PT Deputies Joao Batista Araujo Baba and Luciana Genro
Be the undersigned, like millions of others around the world shared the joy of the Brazilian people when Lula was elected President of Brazil last year.
After more than a decade of neo-liberal policies devastating the peoples of the world; after more than four years of a new, diverse, international movement of opposition arguing that another world is possible -in which Lula, the PT and the World Social Forums in Porto Alegre played a crucial part - it seemed that at last there would be a chance to show there really is an alternative.
Of course the circumstances are difficult, the legacy is a heavy one, and time has been short. But it is with deep alarm and dismay that we learn the PT is now considering expelling three of its most outspoken members of congress for publicly opposing the Committee* [* signed in a personal capacity] government's planned pension reforms. It is not our business to express an opinion about the detail of the Brazilian government's policies. However we do know that pension reform, not only in Latin America but here in Europe and elsewhere, has been a key issue pitting neo-liberal governments and the IMF against the organised labour movement. Just one day after the PT decided to begin disciplinary proceedings against these three members of congress, millions of workers in France and Austria took action against pension reform in their countries. We also understand that the PT itself opposed similar pension reforms when they were proposed by the previous government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
It therefore seems to us very grave that the P.T leadership is now considering drastic punishment against those who continue to argue for the PT's traditional policies. Of course, as Emif Sader of the World Social Forum International Council has put it, the Lula government may well have the right to change its mind about such issues, but to punish those who have not changed their mind would send a terrible message around the world.
To those millions of workers on the streets in France and Austria, to the many millions more who have been mobilising against neoliberalism and war, it will seem to say, "Sorry, we don't care about all that, we've decided there really is no alternative".
It will also suggest that the PT as a party has given up on its proud tradition of democracy, pluralism and tolerance.
We therefore urge you to step back from any expulsions and reaffirm the PT's role as a beacon of hope for all of us around the world who want to work with you to realise our common dream - that another world is indeed possible. Petition Signatories so far include: For more copies of the petition email us: [email protected] Chris Jones US DA EX-SUCAM-FUNASA
USTIGA they agreed on to Congress. The were successful at the recent CUT