Last wednesday a somewhat inapt room in north London was crammed full of members of civil rights groups, gathered to discuss one fundamental mutual aim: the launch of a campaign for a new grassroots social rights institution, produced by – and for – 'the people'.
There is truth in the adage 'power in numbers', and the strength of this campaign, as proposed in the first of a series of open forums (sponsored by groups A World to Win, People in Common and The Creative Forum) rests in its ability to unite citizens and establish a powerful force for good - a force that will challenge parliament; starting with local MPs.
The aim is to reach out to campaign groups across the country and effectively create a new ‘party’, only without the politicians, just representatives. Many of those present believed similar gatherings were taking place nationwide and mobilisation would increase the opportunity of creating a new democratic constitution – with the European Constitution looming, there is a need to reach groups across Europe (the European laws will be challenged if, for example, they promote capitalism and are deemed unacceptable by the group).
The campaign, as argued by organiser Mark Barrett (People in Common), will have to be based on action, a coalition would "help other 'right space' campaigners make their point" more effectively. Though he wouldn't endorse the actions and motives of the Father's for Justice Movement, he admitted that the publicity it received was what this campaign needed – applying actions to spark media interest and receive essential exposure. Slogans were discussed and a 'name' that would encompass all groups under one large umbrella, recognised with every demonstration (still to be confirmed).
David Cozens (Creative Forum) supported this idea for tackling many of today's issues, "we must bring activists together and give everybody a voice; another world is blossoming". He stressed the urgency for citizen involvement at a local or "borough" level, challenging councilors and developing links with unions – reporting successes back to the group.
The final speaker, Paul Feldman of A World to Win, emphasized the case for constitution replacement, "We're rapidly moving toward a police state; with travel monitoring and electric tagging, voting no longer has the power to influence, the government [and politics] is being led to a market-state driven by profit and run by non-elected bureaucratic bullies".
Feldman believes citizens are becoming powerless; referencing the police 'cover-up' in the Jean Charles de Menezes shooting, and the barring of demonstrators near parliament, he emphasised that peoples' rights were fought for, and people must now "transform this existence" by the same means. "We need a settlement, creating new local legal assemblies, a right to demonstrate and social rights free from commercial control or influence."
Picture: The government's control of demonstrations in Parliament Square, via Maxwarren.
Elsewhere: The Parliament Square Peace Campaign of Brian Haw, 'Peace protester' + We now have a Technorati Profile!
