Racists heckle last night's Afghan solidarity vigil. Where was the Left?

Kids standing by their schoolmates face racist abuse

This evening's anti-war vigil outside St Patrick's Cathedral attracted roughly 30 to 40 participants, including a number of schoolkids who had maintained a presence since 2pm. Just before the vigil began, one of these kids fainted and had to be removed by ambulance for medical attention.

Throughout the vigil - and for some time before - those there in solidarity, including the schoolkids, were subjected to repeated taunts, abuse and racist chants from a group of local teenagers.

Related Links: Update on Afghan Hunger Strike: Day 4 Wednesday | Belfast Solidarity Picket | Belfast Photos | Questions in the Dail | Statement from volunteer observer | Hunger Strike in Colnbrook Detention Centre | Colnbrook Hungerstrike Solidarity Page | Residents Against Racism | Picket at McDowell's constituency office this Friday | Bush Speech: The American Right Demands a Final Solution for Immigrants

The number of people who turned out for the vigil was disappointing. Members of Anti-War Ireland, Cosantoiri Siochana, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Pitstop Ploughshares, WSM, Grassroots Dissent, Residents Against Racism, and other groups, were present. Many activists, however, were conspicuous by their absence. Especially disappointing was the non-appearance of many anti-war and socialist activists, who one would expect to be there. Certainly, some activists had prior engagements - or had turned out for the 12.30pm vigil - and some had sent their apologies in advance. However, that goes nowhere near explaining the poor turnout both last night and tonight. Where are the activists from the so-called 'far-left' parties? The non-appearance of members of mainstream parties is scarcely surprising, but where is Ireland's revolutionary left?

This absence, in my opinion, needs to be explained. One depressing outcome of the poor solidarity has been the growing confidence of a racist minority. Last night, one lone nutcase paraded with a 'Send the Taliban Back!' placard; tonight a sizeable gang of racists youths persistently harrassed those standing vigil. A number of the kids, there to support their schoolmate, were almost in tears as they faced repeated shouts of racial abuse. It was an ugly situation that could have descended into violence.

The only way to face down such behaviour is for anti-war, socialist and anti-racist activists to mobilise, to build the vigil, and to make the racist minority irrelevant by sheer weight of numbers. As things stand, the left and sections of the anti-war movement are failing in their duty to extend tangible solidarity to the Afghan hunger strikers. It doesn't matter whether people support the tactic used; the men's demands are entirely reasonable and must be visibly supported. Words of support are not enough; activists must attend the vigils.

The solidarity vigils will continue daily at 12.30pm and at 6.30pm. It is absolutely essential that people turn up for both these events. What happened tonight cannot be allowed to happen again! Our numbers will make these people irrelevant, so be there at 6.30pm tomorrow night, and every night thereafter!