‘TARIQ ALI – YOU’RE A CUNT’

I did think of naming my book this but the publisher doubted Waterstone’s would display it prominently plus Tariq might…….etc etc

STREET FIGHTING TOFFS ALI and REDGRAVE in RADICAL CHIC GEAR

I’m reminded of the  never-to-be title by the forthcoming celebrations of May 1968. Tariq’s account of this glorious year of hope is called ‘STREET FIGHTING MAN’ but, to my pathetically continual annoyance,he was the very person who stopped any street fighting taking place in London. The decision by Tariq Ali and the Trots in the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign to go for a picnic in Hyde Park rather than to the American embassy in Grosvenor Square in October 1968 was a disastrous and cowardly abnegation of revolutionary duty which has set the tone for the impotent and useless marching to Hyde Park that has distinguished protest  in this country ever since.

You get a load of toffs – the REDGRAVES,PINTER,LOACH, ALI, TONY BENN – to speak at the end of a pointless slog during which NO DIRECT ACTION MUST EVER BE CONTEMPLATED and are told with false triumphalism what a great success it all was. Why we let these fuckers talk down to us from the platform is beyond me. Compare and contrst the POLL TAX RIOT ( POLL TAX DROPPED, THATCHER BOOTED OUT)  with the disgraceful and cowarly STOP THE WAR marches which never broke a twig in anger.

Time to reclaim our own fucking protests comrades. I am the first to admit that I have been known to tie my shoelaces up during a charge at police lines ( though never when it was my turn to get a round in comrades)but in 1968 I was bolder and idealistic. I thought it was our duty in the West to breakthrough to the embassy and get ourselves shot by the marines who were said to be based inside. This would have done more to BRING THE WAR HOME  and END IT than a useless fucking picnic in the fucking park. At the very least another ruck in Grosvenor  Square similar to the one in March would have shown the ferocity of anger at the war.OK I was naieve but I thought everyone thought we should fight our way into the embassy like the Vietcong had done during the Tet offensive in Saigon.On the day it was only a few anarchists and maoists who made even an attempt to fight the coppers.

But NO – the tradition of hot air platitudes was established – and we are still to break out of it. Check out Stop the War for risible stuff about their ‘5 year anniversary rally’ on march 15th. ‘Auld Lang Syne’ with the coppers and back on the bus to Hampsted.

Tariq Ali you’re a cunt!