A-Infos (en) Ex-Yugoslavia, Another take on the Antifascist manifestation in Slovenia and the statement of the Anarchist Initiative

On the 27. april 2009, the Anarchist Initiative (AI) joined the march against fascism in 
Ljubljana, Slovenia. Here is the statement of the AI regarding fascism and its link to 
capitalism.Against fascism and capitalism – for social revolution! ---- We look back in 
history and observe the rise of fascism in 1920s and 1930 and we often find ourselves 
asking how was it possible that the people did not recognize the danger and resist it with 
by any means necessary. From the present point of view, it is not hard to point out times 
when fascism could still have been stopped before it became too late. Yet, the difficult 
task seems to be the recognition of the present forms of fascism. Historically, fascism 
found a rich breeding ground not only because capitalism entered another one of its 
inherent crises - a similar crisis that we are witnessing today - but also because 
fascism, as a total ideology, envisioned the possibility of concrete actions.

It confronted complex questions with simple answers, quick solutions and scapegoats. 
Millions blindly followed authoritarian leaders, not only because of the stupidity and 
blindness of the masses, but also because they thought fascism was a valid vision of 
social change, a social change that is conditioned by the exclusion, exploitation, 
domination and killing of »others«.

Today, in circumstances that in some aspects strongly resemble the first half of 20th 
century, we must understand fascism not only as the guiding ideology of misguided youth, 
but essentially as the product of the structural violence of capital and state. In society 
that is being ripped apart by class exploitation, where the minority is stealing from the 
majority, it is only desirable for the capitalist class to foster the new forms of 
militant xenophobes. The capitalist class needs the fascists so the capitalist class can 
remain on positions of power and dominance. Thus, the poor masses – the »others« - are 
wrongfully blamed for the wrongdoings of the capitalist class, when in fact the latter is 
the actual enemy of the people. However, some people choose to continue and pick up the 
breadcrumbs from underneath the capitalists' table. The consciousness of the masses is 
kept alive by the memory of the millions who died for nothing - who died because of 
fascism and nazi politics. Therefore, the new forms of hatred, i.e. new forms of fascism, 
have put on a more sophisticated disguise. Yet, they remain wolves in sheep's clothing.

True, capitalists and their political servants are no longer saluting the fuehrer with 
their right hand. However, they continue to accept political decisions with which they 
exploit, dominate and condemn to death millions of women, children, indigenous, retired, 
youth, workers, students, migrants and those who think differently. In accordance with 
such policies, militant xenophobes on the streets merely move the borders of normality and 
acceptability of systemic violence in the society.

This is why we must understand antifascist struggle as a struggle against extreme fascists 
in patriotic suits and simultaneously as the struggle against systemic violence from the 
forces of capital and state. In times of crisis, when politicians manifest their only 
loyalty, the loyalty to capital, the appeal of fascism inevitably widens its reach. 
Reformist measures are the illusion, put forward by the elites. The reformist measures are 
smoke and mirrors for the masses and they retain the continuing exclusion of the invisible 
people, the excluded. Crisis is not a time to reflect on this or that petty reform, it is 
a time for radical social change. A change that will bring about a society in which 
solidarity, respect for one's dignity, equality, brotherhood and comradeship will reign. A 
society that deems intolerance, exclusion and hate unacceptable.

Decades ago, our predecessors stood up and resisted the rise of fascism. Today, this task 
remains unchanged for us. We must build the resistance again! Let's say a firm NO to 
capitalism, NO to fascism and a YES to social revolution!

Anarchist initiative
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