Eco-socialism featured at Toronto conference
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The economic crises of capitalism are cyclical, but the current environmental crisis could be final. Only by means of public ownership under workers’ and community control can society address both man-made ills, and be empowered to save life and civilization. T ism 2010: Socialism or Barbarism hat was the message of “Social/ Eco-Socialism or Extinction.” Nearly 100 people gathered from across English Canada, Quebec and the United States for four days of lectures, debates, discussions, films, lunches and socials at OISE U of Toronto, hosted by Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action socialiste.
The eight conference sessions attracted on average 40 participants each, with 55 to 60 attending Thursday night’s “Palestine, Afghanistan and Haiti: Occupation and Resistance”, and Friday evening’s panel “From Copenhagen to Mexico City—the World at the Brink”.
The Conservative federal government’s racist ‘security state’ regulations nearly sabotaged the participation of the Socialist Unity League (LUS) of Mexico, co-sponsor with SA-USA of the international conference. LUS representative Linda Avila was denied a visitor’s visa by the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, which demanded proof of ample personal wealth. Fortunately, thanks to an iPhone connection facilitated by a good friend of SA/LAS-Canada, LUS leader Jaime Gonzalez was able to deliver two excellent 15-minute presentations to the conference, live from Mexico City.
Passionate discussions, frequently punctuated by enthusiastic applause, were a mainstay of the conference. One presenter, legal assistant and gay-rights (At podium from left) Cuban Consul Gen. Jose Soberon, Socialist Action (Canada) Nat. Secretary Barry Weisleder, and Socialist Action (U.S.) leader Carl Sack. (Right) Troy Jackson, Toronto gay activist and singer.
activist Troy Jackson, actually sang the first part of his contribution. Others, like OCAP organizer John Clarke, employed a more traditional, but highly compelling form of discourse.
Sessions on “Women’s Liberation Today”, “Combatting the Corporate Agenda—Jobs, Pensions and Poverty”, “Dialectical Materialism—a philosophy for radical change”, “The Malthus Myth: Population, Poverty and Climate Change”, and “Civil Rights under Attack—Fight Back!” rounded out the exciting programme, against a backdrop of beautiful banners. Slogans affirming the rights of immigrant workers, women and youth, calling for union democracy and the fight for socialist policies in the labour-based New Democratic Party, and demanding “Solidarity, Not Charity, Never Occupation” for Haiti, festooned the hall.