(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #229 - Anticapitalist Front: Toulouse up to the front (fr)

At the initiative of the AL group in Toulouse, the anti-capitalist front is already a 
reality in the pink city. Back on the process of construction and results. ---- In 
November, the AL group Toulouse launched an invitation to a range of organizations to 
discuss the process of anti-capitalist fronts. The NPA, the Moc, and the Alternative VP 
responded to the invitation. Before discussing the approach as such common findings were 
established: in a situation of economic and social crisis anticapitalist struggle to be 
heard at the opposite extreme of a right which the hearing progresses. At the Toulouse 
shared observation is that most collective mobilizations that mount (support for 
revolutions in the countries of North Africa, support for employee-es-es dismissed) 
struggling to get out of a unit front mostly on slogans minimalist "to maintain unity."

But despite these slogans minimalist "to brew widely" these protests can not be reduced, 
in most cases, only organizations and cartels are not audible.

A patient and progressive approach

The approach of the anticapitalist forehead made sense in terms of these findings: firstly 
Toulouse promote anti-capitalist and revolutionary speech about political and social 
mobilizations and current topics. But not at any price. Initially themes have been 
identified: ecology, housing, employment and anti-capitalism. Discussions were held to 
compare and contrast the positions of different organizations and bring out some 
similarities. These discussions led to the desire to hold a public meeting to officially 
launch the discussion of anti-capitalist front. Indeed, the desire is to initiate a 
process exceeding five organizations present in addressing all those who could not find 
their account in existing structures.

This public meeting was held in early April: a numerical success since hundred people 
attended the debate, but a disappointing content. The presentation of the approach was 
unprepared and organizations had not provided concrete and common to make proposals. Which 
could leave more room for some people to express their skepticism.

Nevertheless, the feedback has been very positive. The approach, although it is still at a 
stage of trial and error, seduced and enthusiasm.

Encouraging initial success

Following the public meeting it was decided to have a common event during May 1st 
structuring an internationalist and anti-capitalist parade appearance. Indeed, in a 
context where nationalist speeches the coast, including the left, it was more than 
necessary to assert a message of international solidarity with all peoples in struggle. 
The procession was able to gather more than one hundred people in a generally skinny 
event. Again the feedback was very positive. Managing to gather twice consecutively a 
number of interesting people in a difficult approach is gradually gaining credibility and 
gradually succeeded in convincing the skeptics.

Now the challenge will be to find opportunities to integrate an increasing number of 
people: initiatives of solidarity with the struggles, large meeting, etc.. All this will 
be discussed in the coming weeks.

Tristan (AL Toulouse)