http://www.permanentrevolution.net/http://www.permanentrevolution.net/images/logo.gifhttp://www.permanentrevolution.net/en-GBwww.zenblog.net(c) 2008 Permanent Revolution. http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-692http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-692What struck me about the German anti-cap movement was its totally impressive base democracy, organisation and militancy. The contrast with the UK was profound. For me the key task his how to take this militancy into the unions and working class parties, particularly Die Linke. And I don't think that we should pose as a pre-condition that people unite within a single organsiation, important as a party is I don't think there is yet the trust in the idea of it amongst the rank and file. We need to prove why its is necessary within the movement. How it assists the wider application of the living example of the anti-capitalists movements many strengths. So that may be the formulation of key demands, a number of ad hoc united bodies which agree to fight for them, demands on the trade unions and left parties that they carry on the example of the anti-cap movement, out of which may come a party when the movement itself has been convinced of its necessity. The fact is that Attac and co may have wanted to betray the movement, but they totally failed. And by their separation from it, rendered themselves pretty much irrelevent.Bill J2007-06-14 19:52:242007-06-14 19:52:24 http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-696http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-696Just an update since the report was written: The German army was stationed around the summit - not with 1,000 soldiers, as previously reported, but with more than 2,000 - even though the German constitution prohibits any use of the army on national territory beyond "administrative assistance". They actually had a "Tornado" spy plane (the same kind the German army is using in Afghanistan) flying over the Rostock protest camp just 150 meters up to photograph the demonstrators! There are conflicting reports about the number and kind of injuries sustained. Many sources are talking about "serious eye injuries" caused by the water cannons used to clear the blockades - some sources are saying concretely that a young woman has lost an eye!Wladek Flakin2007-06-15 15:12:102007-06-15 15:12:10 http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-705http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/1424#comment-705As Wladek says the water cannon did cause serious eye injuries. We know of one Liverpool activist who had his eye knocked out of its socket by water cannon and who has had the sight in that eye very seriously damaged, if not indeed totally blinded.Bill J2007-06-16 13:32:352007-06-16 13:32:35