[fse-esf] Solidarity with Cobas hunger strikers

[Dave Stockton]

Statement of Solidarity with Cobas against Police Repression
 
The League for the Fifth International declare its total solidarity with the
hunger strikers of COBAS, fighting for the democratic rights of workers in
the private sector to hold meetings in work time and to join the trade union
of their choice. 
 
To add injury to insult, the police have brutally assaulted one of the
hunger strikers, Nicola Gina, seriously threatening his health, if not his
life. In addition they have forcibly arrested Piero Bernocchi and other
members of the national executive of Confederation Cobras.
 
This is an outrage and should be immediately protested by trade unionists
and activists of the anticapitalist/anti-globalisation movement not only in
Italy but also across Europe and beyond. We send our warmest solidarity and
best wishes to all the hunger strikers and those arrested for supporting
them.
 
It is a scandal that the government of Romano Prodi, which claims to be ³of
the Left.² should refuse to grant their demands, immediately and
unconditionally. It reveals in the sharpest manner that this government is,
in fact, a servant of big capital. This latest crime follows on from its
servility to Bush by agreeing to the expansion of the huge USAF base near
Vicenza, the sending of troops to Lebanon, and the continued involvement in
the occupation of Afghanistan.
 
We wholeheartedly support the demonstration called on 9 June in Rome against
the visit of the arch-war criminal Bush. The struggle against the neoliberal
attacks on public and social services, on democratic and trade unions
rights, on immigrants and other minorities, is linked indissolubly to that
of opposition to imperialist war. It is a common fight, both in Europe and
worldwide. 
 
The mass mobilisations against the G8 criminals, from Genoa in 2001 to
Rostock just yesterday, show that there is a tremendous potential for
coordinated resistance across national boundaries and that to beat the
capitalist globalisers we must forge powerful links of solidarity. We
appreciate that Cobas has always been in the front ranks of those striving
to achieve this.
 
Victory to Cobas in its struggle for workers rights!
Victory to all those fighting against Italy¹s involvement in the bombings,
occupations and invasions of the G8 and their allies!
 
League for the Fifth International