National Sections of the L5I:

European Social Forum

Paris ESF: develop the ESF into a democratic, fighting body

Our movement now plays a central role in the opposition against capitalist globalisation and imperialist war. We proved on February 15 that the forces gathered here can mobilise many millions of people on the streets. The challenges are getting bigger. The rulers of this world are hell-bent on carrying through their war against the workers, peasants and oppressed peoples of the worlds. Read more...

Paris ESF: what's at stake at the Paris ESF?

The gathering of tens of thousands of people in Florence last November and in Paris from 12 - 15 November this year marks a big step forward for the struggles against corporate globalisation and imperialist war. This year to the war-mongering of Bush has been added an all out offensive launched by the governments of the EU against our social gains and civil rights. The increasing involvement of working class militants from the trade unions, the Communist parties and even oppositional wings of the socialist parties should be welcomed. So too should leaders of these parties when they are actually fighting neoliberalism and war. Those participating in governments that are carrying out these policies or waging these wars should not be welcomed. Read more...

Paris ESF: action forum or talking shop?

On 25.-26. April, the preparatory meeting of the European Social Forum (ESF) met in Berlin. About 250 delegates from all over the continent and some observers from African and Asian initiatives discussed three major items:

• the programme of the coming ESF, which will take place in Paris in November this year.
• the anti-war work of the ESF
• the character and future orientation of the ESF Read more...

Florence ESF: left-wing speakers attract biggest applause at Florence forum

In Florence on 8 November at a packed European Social Forum meeting in a huge hall in the Fortezza da Basso more than 5,000 people listened to speakers on the theme of “parties and the movement". This was certainly the most interesting of the large scale “conferences” of the forum. Read more...

Florence ESF: mass anti-war march in Italy follows historic conference of the left

Sometimes facts do speak for themselves. The biggest ever demonstration in Florence, the largest anti-war protest to date. At least half a million from all over Italy - possibly many more – poured out of trains and coaches into the city centre on Saturday afternoon to join the 35,000 who had been locked in the embrace of the Fortezza de Basso for three days at the European Social Forum – itself a unique political dialogue of the European anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation left. Read more...

Florence ESF: Revolution's declaration on the war against Iraq

The socialist youth movement, Revolution, agreed this declaration at a meeting in London in October. It asking that the conference of social movements in Florence discuss and adopt it. We appeal to all those people who agree with it to sign it. Read more...

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