The large and diverse movement against the war in Afghanistan that grew at Sussex University over the last academic year is getting ready to oppose any attack on Iraq.
The potential was evident on the evening of Freshers' Fayre, when a meeting combining a report of Genoa and the response to September I drew over 200 people.
Beforehand, staff and students from varying political standpoints had come to an agreement to work together in a united anti-war coalition. A week later, an organising meeting of around 100 students and some staff launched the Sussex University Coalition Against the War (SUCAW).
The workings of SUCAW were debated intensely. Weekly, open organising meetings would run the coalition, but there would be no steering committee or official leaders. All students had access to email, so the coalition set up lists to keep everyone informed and encourage debate.
Our founding statement was a very brief statement of opposition to the war - any political position beyond this would have been divisive. A week later we affiliated to the Stop the War Coalition after more debate.
The coalition promoted a meeting to discuss the crisis called by the university itself, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. Our statement condemning the war was signed by over 1100 students - around 10 per cent of the total student population.
We held weekly open rallies in the busiest part of campus. There were debates, die-ins, an occupation of the Navy's office on campus, protests outside the Navy's recruitment office in Brighton, barbecues, and a benefit gig that raised £400.
A monthly anti-war review, Eclipse, was launched, selling over 200 copies per issue on campus alone.
The national demo last November was the high point of the campaign with at least 120 Sussex students marching. We also took a full (and loud) double-decker bus of students to the March national demonstration.
Now the 'war on terror' is entering a new and even more deadly phase. But with opinion polls showing a majority opposing an attack on Iraq, we believe we have a very real chance of building a movement that can pull the British government out of Bush's war.
We intend to give ourselves the biggest possible head start before any new assault gets underway. Sussex students union Finance Officer David Mooney told Socialist Resistance: "The students of Sussex University will stand side by side and unequivocally oppose any attack by US and British imperialists. In the coming year our voice will only grow". (To contact Eclipse magazine, go to www.eclipsereview.org) Patrick Scott cording to George America. Millions of US citi- Hartley Act, similar in zens who invested in the scope to Thatcher's anti stock market during the 90s trade union laws in Britain. on behalf of I individuals
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