Fascism / Anti-racism: BELGIUM / HOLLAND Massive anti-racist march in Holland
SOME 350 organizations came together to call for a massive antiracist demonstration in the Dutch city of Amsterdam on Saturday March 21, 1991. The police claimed that 50,000 attended, the organizers estimate being 100,000. Some fascist groups had called for a counter-demonstration, but nothing in fact happened. There were many young people and immigrants on the march, which was in some respects reminiscent of the big peace demos of the early
1980s.
The organizing committee invited Dutch prime minister Lubbers to receive a petition against racism and the chairman of the national employers' organization was invited to give a speech. At the same time several immigrant organizations, local and national anti-fascist committees and left wing groups, including the SAP, the Dutch section of the Fourth International and the youth group Rebel, called for the building of a contingent critical of the government's racist policy towards refugees and immigrant workers (the government wants to put refugees in camps, while continuing its austerity policies which are the real root of racism - unemployment among immigrant workers is constantly rising). This — small - contingent wanted to draw attention to the racist policies of the government and employers because this is the most direct danger for immigrants. When Lubbers received the petition he was also pelted with rotten eggs and tomatoes thrown by discontented demonstrators. Racist street violence as seen in Germany or France is still exceptional here, but that may change. Several weeks before the demonstrations there were attacks on mosques and the premises of immigrant organizations. While the size of the demonstration was a big success, efforts must be stepped up to build local anti-racist and anti-fascist committees that are democratic and that are prepared to criticize government policies. — Ron Blom. *
The workplace union delegations present on the march will feel more confident now about combatting discrimination and division in their factories.
In order to go forward, the movement brought into being by this demonstration must be structured from top to bottom. For this new perspectives for mobilization are needed.
Discussion on platform must continue
At the same time the discussion on the platform has to continue. It has proved that it could act as a lever for this first mass demonstration.
Now it should be used as a basis for discussion. Room should be made for all those who want to get involved.
Only in this way can one raise the discussion on the need for a challenge to present government policy and that of the existing leadership of the organized movement without threatening the unity in action achieved.
The government will have taken note of this demonstration, which has increased pressure on it.
This government, formed with much difficulty, sees as its main concern the application of a new austerity policy to put Belgium at the head of the march towards European political and monetary union. This means further attacks on working class living standards.
And as ever the money will not be found to meet the real needs of the inhabitants, whether immigrants or Belgian, of the crumbling urban areas where the far rights get big votes.
A few token measures and much rhetoric will not be enough to hold back the fascist tide. *
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April 13, 1992