Raging Debate over ESF Disruption

It should be recorded on this blog that there is an extremely fierce debate going on, partly on ESF email lists, partly in the letters page of the Guardian, and no doubt in other domains, over the legitimacy and character of the (temporary) disruption carried out against Ken Livingstone at the anti-racist/anti-fascist plenary, and the legitimacy of the organizers' response.

There are also fierce exchanges going on about the Iraq plenary, which was totally disrupted over the inclusion of a speaker from the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (which spoke up to support the leadership at the Labour Party conference), and the events in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, when people were arrested for allegedly 'storming' the stage.

The arrests during these incidents, and the ongoing debates, are polarizing the movement.

I've now collected a dozen or so documents by participants and observers which are circulating by email. No doubt others have even more.

It seems critical to establish (as far as possible) the facts of the matter. I hope that Red Pepper can assist in this.

Milan Rai