Violence and Social Change: A Discussion on Aims and Objectives of the Movement

The Winnipeg Structured Movement Against Capitalism (SMAC) organized a lively political discussion forum on the question of violence and social change. Held at Mondragon Coffee House & Bookstore on October 24th, the forum drew a standing-room only crowd.

The question of violence and the movement has been debated extensively, especially since the protests against the Summit of the Americas held this past April in Quebec City. Much of the focus of this debate has been to split activists into opposing camps; those who favour violence versus those who oppose it. What largely has been missing from this debate has been any discussion of the aims and objectives of the anti-capitalist, or anti-globalization movement, and the tactics which are required to ensure these aims are achieved.

This kind of broad-based discussion is even more important in the post-September 11th period, as already some people, echoing the monopoly media, are declaring that everything has changed and that mass protests can't take place, while the state is embarking on an anti-terrorist campaign that will make it easier to crack down on the anti-globalization movement.

The forum opened with brief introductory remarks which placed this forum in the context of the on-going political discussions organized by SMAC to bring together the progressive forces in Winnipeg.

Following the formal presentations, there was a lengthy period of questions and comments from participants. The next SMAC forum, on the question of democracy in the movement, will be held on Wednesday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m. at Mondragon Coffee House & Bookstore.