Chile: Popular power and revolutionary constituent assembly vital steps towards success of historic uprising

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. We are facing a combined crisis in Chile, in terms of the political regime that uses the Constitution of 1980, and the neo-liberal capitalist model that has exploited that Constitution. The emergence of popular protest has been enormous. ItContinue reading “Chile: Popular power and revolutionary constituent assembly vital steps towards success of historic uprising”

Wave of industrial action puts bosses under pressure in Finland

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Labour activity in Finland is escalating as unions enter into months of negotiations with employers nationwide. The Social Democratic-led “left” government of Antti Rinne has proven to be interested in supporting workers in name only.   The communications union,Continue reading “Wave of industrial action puts bosses under pressure in Finland”

Chile: Millions take to the streets in general strike

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Tuesday, 12 November, saw an estimated three million workers, youth and students, take to the streets throughout Chile, in yet another mass protest and strike. After nearly one month of protests and brutal repression, this magnificent movement has refusedContinue reading “Chile: Millions take to the streets in general strike”

Bolivia: President Morales removed from power by US-backed coup

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. A right-wing, US-backed attempt to overthrow the Movement for Socialism (MAS) government in Bolivia, and to replace it with a vicious anti-working class regime, is underway. Evo Morales, South America’s first indigenous national president, resigned on 11 November andContinue reading “Bolivia: President Morales removed from power by US-backed coup”

Campaign to free Chilean soldier who refused to take part in repression

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Freedom for Chilean soldier David Veloso. On October 18, the Chilean people began a generalized social uprising, triggered by a rise in passenger transportation in Santiago de Chile and violent repression of secondary students demonstrating against the increase byContinue reading “Campaign to free Chilean soldier who refused to take part in repression”

Chile, Lebanon, Haiti, Iraq, Algeria, Ecuador…Mass protests rock the globe

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Angry mass revolts have been erupting in many countries across the globe. On Friday 25 October, up to two million people demonstrated on the streets of Chile’s capital Santiago (see page 15). That was the eve of a weekendContinue reading “Chile, Lebanon, Haiti, Iraq, Algeria, Ecuador…Mass protests rock the globe”

Lebanon’s October revolt

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Recent weeks have seen major cities and entire countries around the world shaken by mass revolts. The ruling classes are challenged by populations angry and embittered by combination of threats of oppression, years of austerity, corruption and a wideningContinue reading “Lebanon’s October revolt”

Indonesia: Escalating anti-government protests

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. For a mass working class party for workers, young people, poor farmers and the oppressed. Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, was inaugurated for a second term on Sunday, 20 October, but he has been facing a continuous wave of protestsContinue reading “Indonesia: Escalating anti-government protests”

Portuguese elections – new class battles loom.

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. On the surface little seems to have changed as a result of the election to Portugal’s Legislative Assembly on the 6th October. But, beneath the surface, processes are developing which are likely in the next period to explode intoContinue reading “Portuguese elections – new class battles loom.”

Catalonia: Draconian prison sentences of independence leaders provokes mass protests and strikes

This article was originally written for socialistworld.net, the website of the Committee for a Workers’ International. Following a month long trial, the Supreme Court of the Spanish state pronounced brutal prison sentences on nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement. In total, prison sentences of over 100 years have been imposed on these former CatalanContinue reading “Catalonia: Draconian prison sentences of independence leaders provokes mass protests and strikes”