1st of May

[L.J.Solidarity]

In Germany, relatively big pseudo-anticapitalist fascist marches on May Day have become a tradition in recent years. Last year there were two of them, and lots of antifascists took part in the fight against them, which was partly successful. However it also led to a kind of split between union leaders and antifascists because the DGB (trade union congress) refused to take part in the fight at Hamburg (where the more aggressive nazis marched), instead prefering to hold their usual march, which in consequence was only half as big as it used to be. This year, the fascists are going to march again at multiple locations. Now I wonder what is the best thing to do for socialists in this situation? Should we fight the nazis even if it means travelling 2 hours by train to another city, as it gives us the opportunity to get in contact with many "vaguely leftist" youth who lack a revolutionary direction, or rather take part in the normal union demos trying to educate and activate workers?

[Tjis]

Er.. You go to antifa demo's to convince "vaguely leftists" that trotsky was god and we should all follow his ideology? I go to antifa demo's to stop nazi marches, not to convince others of my political ideas.

Personally, I'd go to where the NPD is marching, unless another fascist group was having an action in my own city.

[L.J.Solidarity]

Of course you go to antifa actions to stop nazi marches, but I find it quite hard to just stand/sit somewhere waiting for the fascists to come without talking to anybody ;)

[Melbourne Lefty]

hmmmm...

Well if last year is anything to go by its sure as hell going to make the papers.

Is drawing attention to a far right anti-capitalist march a good thing? Or does the fact that the fascists are being physically opposed outweigh all other considerations?

If the fash are splitting their forces [which aint that big to begin with] then I suppose a couple of other marches, be they union marches or antifa demos, is a good deal.

As long as they are outnumbered by a lot. When they start outnumbering us with both sides mobilising all they can thats when the problems begin.

[Djehuti]

Should we fight the nazis even if it means travelling 2 hours by train to another city, as it gives us the opportunity to get in contact with many "vaguely leftist" youth who lack a revolutionary direction, or rather take part in the normal union demos trying to educate and activate workers?

The later. Really, it's our day - we should make the best of it for ourselves and our class.

But I agree that it's very provocing that nazi bastards are walking on our day. The best would be if we held our marsches and then take the entire demo and go and fuck up the nazis (given that they marsch in the same city).


Antifascism is not priority nr. 1 for socialists, It would be bad if socialists alienated themselves from the class and class struggle activity just to stop nazis from marsching. Ordinary class struggle is still the most effective form of anti-fascism, we must gain support and trust for our perspectives and our solutions.

[Melbourne Lefty]

But I agree that it's very provocing that nazi bastards are walking on our day. The best would be if we held our marsches and then take the entire demo and go and fuck up the nazis (given that they marsch in the same city).


That would help radicalise workers, sadly the unions would probably not allow it. [not knowing anything about the unions involved, but thats what I would expect union bosses to do.]