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On Tuesday 11 September, The Financial Times ran a balanced and informed full-page story about the anti-globalisation movement. At last, we thought, this is the breakthrough. The media is getting the message that it's not all about demonstrations and violence, these are serious people with serious issues to be discussed.
On the same day, the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists, with such tragic and horrific consequences that all else has been swept aside. This unconscionable attack brought to the United States the violence and death that is all too familiar in other parts of the world.
Although the violence and deadly destruction of the attack has overshadowed the potent symbolism of targeting the financial and military heart of the world's sole superpower, the message could not be clearer.
The US can respond to this message in two ways. It can choose to break the cycle of violence by reflecting on what's behind this extraordinary "blowback" - a CIA term to describe the unintended consequences of American policies - and realise that the days of empire are over.
Or it can rev-up the security and military machine, declare war on terrorism and Islam and divide the world into good and evil, retreating deeper into isolationism, despite having received incredible international solidarity at this time of need.
Sadly for us all, the US has shown its almost Pavlovian preference for the second course of action.
And here is a terrible irony. By physically attacking what the anti-globalisation movement has been symbolically attacking - the unchecked power of finance and the hidden power of the military -- the terrorists have triggered a wave of reactionary and repressive politics that will have tremendous implications for the growing international movement against neo-liberal and corporate globalisation.
Our response must be clear.
It is incumbent on all of us who feel part of a global movement for justice and peace to demand that the US break the cycle of violence.
We must link our existing and common demands on neo-liberal globalisation to an agenda that includes a clear voice against militarisation and imperialism and proclaiming peace, cultural and religious freedom and self-determination. This will be extremely difficult in a climate where ALL forms of dissent will be subject to much greater security and repression, and in a climate of heightened xenophobia and militarisation. The cry from the establishment will be if you're not with us, you're against us.
Our immediate challenge is to overcome the deep fears and prejudices unleashed by the terrorist attacks, a task made even more difficult because these fears and prejudices have been carefully laid down by years of anti-Islamic, anti-left propaganda. This phenomenon is not confined to the US. In India, the attack has heightened Hindu-Moslem tensions and in Malaysia the fear of Islamic terrorism is being used to justify repression of the political opposition.
But in the long term, our work can only be strengthened by building a movement that includes all who struggle against sectarianism, for peace and freedom, and against irrational and unacceptable violence.
Focus on the Global South
15 September 2001
Bangkok
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