On August the 6th, Korean workers concluded their occupation of a car plant in Pyongtaek. For 77 days, these workers resisted attacks by scabs and police officers, demanding their right to jobs. Now as the state takes them on in court, they’re asking for continued solidarity from international workers.
The Workers Party is organising a picket outside the Korean embassy:
WELLINGTON
ASB Tower, 2 Hunter St
Thursday 13th August, noon
how was the picket?
Slow to get going, but people were receptive.
The banner and the leaflet were both hastily produced and we didn’t have a megaphone. On the up side a rather high proportion of passers by took leaflets.
It was a good little anarchist/socialist international workers solidarity demonstration that we should repeat and develop.
If you are in Auckland come along to this: 🙂
Socialist Aotearoa Public Meeting: Resistance in Korea
Wednesday 19th August
7pm
Clubspace, University of Auckland (above the quad)
In 2008 hundreds of thousands of Koreans joined massive candle light vigils protesting the right-wing government of Lee Myung Bak. A wide cross section of people were angered by Lee’s policies of privatisation, attacks on public education and his decision to allow imports of US beef despite fears over Mad Cow Disease. Following the protests the government launched a heavy crack down on democratic freedoms. Riot police brutally attacked demonstrators. Many protest leaders were imprisoned.
Recently the occupation of the Ssangyong auto factory by 600 workers, facing off attacks by police helicopters, tear gas and tasers has received media attention around the World.
Jacob Lee, a member of the Korean socialist group All Together, will give a first hand account of the militant mass movements in Korea.
All welcome!