Indy Media Watch

An article on UK Indymedia is rallying more support for the Paris Rioters.

The riots across France are the explosive beginnings of a powerful new political movement.

That's right. A political movement which burns cars, sets pensioners on fire and destroys nursery schools.

The Parisian riots may be the definining moment of French politics this decade. The youth of the banlieue are rejecting the povery brought about by racism, they are demanding dignity, and their violence represents their attempt to find a voice using the only method they have left.

The only method? Surely there is also killing people, poisoning the water supply and let's not forget gang rape.

This is a plea for solidarity actions on the part of the UK progressive community. We need to organise displays of support for the French rioters, and get in touch with the communities at the heart of the violence, so that these two movements, whose goals are the same (regardless of differences of opinion about methods), can open a dialogue and benefit from each other.

Difference of opinion about methods: "I hate the head of state. I'm going to vote him out at the next election"..."Solidarity brother! I hate the head of state as well, I'm going to burn everything I can find. Isn't it nice we have so much in common?"

We mustn't stand by and let the French movement peter out;

But what happens when they run out of cars and buildings?

thanks to the effective segregation of French society there appears to be little effective communication between rioters and established radical organisations.

Some commentators suspect Osama has someone on the next flight.

This is a community of oppressed people trying to take their destiny into their own hands

What destiny awaits those who burn their own property? They don't even get virgins in the afterlife.

it would be a dereliction of our duty not to help them as best we can, and forge long-lasting connections.

And what "duty" is that anyway? Will you help them by suggesting they calm down and talk about it? Or will you be refilling their jerrycans with fuel.

This isn't an unreserved defence of the methods of the French rioters; many of us may disagree with violence and arson, many of us may not. But that's not the issue

Naturellement.

Start public discussions here, set up a webgroup, whatever; just let's all of us get involved now, and turn these riots into the defining event of European politics this century.

I think they already are, and none of that is anything to do with Indymedia morons throwing petrol onto the flames.