A Big Cry for Another World!

Yes it was wonderful to meet Dave, right from the airport to his house and subsequently having dinner with him: a good human bond and understanding was my experience. Perhaps there is something noble in Economic Justice activists - bridging the global gaps and manifesting the world we all dream of, a just world, a world we all belong to and a world we all have responsbility to in stewardship: this is what Dave and I were experiencing and demonstrating during this historical experience in Manchester - a big cry for 'Another World'!

We called for 'Another World' as the peace march brought thousands and thousands of people to Manchester to visibly and loudly make their statement. And as also the mothers, wives, families of those who died and are dying in Iraq brought their position, asking: Why? Why had they to die? This reminded me of us mothers of political prisoners in 1992, also expressing the same question at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park in Kenya. What a connection of history of injustices! But also of resistance to the injustices. Talk of women and their role in history: they have never been left behind. The peace march involved the whole of society: men and women, young and old, children, boys and girls and them with their ability which we make the mistake of calling disability!

Freedom and justice for Palestine: oh yes, but we need to call a spade a spade and not a big fork. With USA imperialism out of Middle East, then we have a lasting solution! Israel is but a proxy stooge for American interests, which are to plunder the resources of Middle East people in the name of 'democracy'! Democracy from America = OCCUPATION, and all people of good will should be able to stand with facts and historical realities as they are.

Then what? It was a good march, but a good mobilisation needs organisation for long term ACTION, if it is to be instrumental in achieving the social transformation that has brought us here to Manchester. We must organise and mobilise for action, not just to make a statement.

We must take this window of opportunity of linking North and South to create a critical mass for a paradigm shift. The World Social Forum gives us the space and opportunity. So here we go with our banner: JUSTICE FOR ALL - ECONOMIC JUSTICE NOW. That is, peoples' destiny should be in their hands and not subject to corporates' designs. We have unity of purpose and strength to engage with the profit motive which threads the injustices for us in Africa through aid conditionalities, unjust trade and a debt burden which is death to us and our children.

JUSTICE FOR ALL is not negotiable for us women of Africa because we have refused to die for AFRICA. We are living for Africa within our alternative 'life economy' which no might can destroy. The future belongs to us and is in our hands as we build a Jubilee social economy. Thank to you Jubilee Debt Campaign UK for enabling me to have this experience here in Manchester!

Another World is not only possible, but is already in the making.

Wahu Kaara
24/09/06