Austria – Action for the Democratic Rights of the People: Anti-imperialist Seminar Carried Out

We hereby share an unofficial translation of a report published by the Action for the Democratic Rights of the People, published on September 18.

First Anti-imperialist Seminar Successfully Celebrated!

We are happy to report that our first anti-imperialist seminar was successfully held. With around 40 participants the summer seminar, lasting a weekend, has become a guide in the current moment of the anti-imperialist movement in Austria. We thank all participants, lecturers and all those who contributed to the decisive, vigorous and discutive holding of the seminar.

New impulses for the anti-imperialist movement

On the weekend from September 4 to 6, activists of the anti-imperialist and revolutionary movement in Austria held their fist joint seminar. The point of departure and the foundation for the seminar were the recent struggles, the joint defense of the national liberation and defense movements against imperialism, the support for the struggle of the oppressed peoples, as well as being enemies of Austrian imperialism, which directly and indirectly partakes in many imperialist aggressions. The discussions during the seminars were on one hand controversial, and on the other united, as the lecturers were composed of many different initiatives and organizations. What was dominant over all was the struggle towards representing better and stronger the common interests in the future, to be able to go into action together more, and to enable strong impulses in the anti-imperialist movement. The seminar fully corresponded to these interests and aims, the joint time was excellently used and a big step was taken for the political struggle in the future.

Current questions of the anti-imperialist movement

The spirit emanating throughout the seminar was expressed in the leading slogans, giving the impulse:

“Values and Knowledge.

Action and Insight.

Rupture and Power.”

With three topics, a short hike and a celebratory evening at the bonfire, the seminar, that was full of content, has become a great guide for strengthening the unity of the anti-imperialists in this country. Topics like the imperialist war against Iran and the position of the “imperial left”, contributions to “authoritarian liberalism,” and a presentation/discussion on the current role in the world of Russia and China, took up the most current questions of the anti-imperialist movement. The lecturers and participants were noticeably following the common aim to lead these discussions along the interests of the international worker’s movement and the current of the national liberation movements. This strengthened the basis for the decision to work towards a new qualitative development of the anti-imperialist movement in Austria.

Greetings and solidarity

A special moment was the presentation of two international greetings to the seminar. One by the “Revolutionary Front in Defense of the Rights of the People – Brazil” [Translators note: FRDDP – Brazil] and one by “Migrante Austria”, a Filipino organization in Austria. These greetings not only contributed to the seminar in their content, but also gave impressions of the struggles of anti-imperialist and revolutionary movements in Brazil and Philippines. With a symbolic banner action the participants also showed their solidarity with the struggles of the oppressed peoples of India and Brasil: “Long live the heroic resistance of the peasants of Santa Elina” and “Defend the political prisoners in India! Revolution will win!” – were slogans to popularize these struggles in Austria.

Thanks and perspective

We once again want to express our thanks for all the contributions, the great support and the work that was done. The contributions and statements are still being prepared, but will be worked out in an adequate form for the participants and interested people and made available. The spirit of the seminar showed to all participants that debate and confrontation of questions and positions in the movement also further the clarity about the joint aims and makes the decided parts of the movement march in the same direction – to stand together shoulder to shoulder against imperialism! We look forward to feedback, questions and the continuation of this seminar.