The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.60/No.38           October 28, 1996 
 
 
YS In Sweden Participates In Protests, Classes  

BY MAXI ORTIZ

This column is written and edited by the Young Socialists (YS), an international organization of young workers, students, and other youth fighting for socialism. For more information about the YS write to: Young Socialists, P.O. Box 14392, St. Paul, MN 55104. Tel: (612) 644-0051. Compuserve: 105162,605

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Members of the Young Socialists in Sweden participated in a demonstration October 9 together with some 400 other people in defense of the right to asylum for refugees. The demonstration was built by a large number of immigrant organizations, human rights groups, and political organizations, including the Young Socialists and Communist League. The YS came with a banner reading, "For a world without borders."

The Swedish government recently passed a law restricting the right to asylum. During 1995, approximately 10 out of 1,333 asylum-seeking Africans were given some kind of residence permits. Many refugees in Sweden have been jailed like criminals while their cases are processed. On one occasion a Peruvian man threatened with deportation tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire.

Many refugees have had their residence permits withdrawn after several years of living in Sweden. Several families threatened with deportation are hiding from the authorities, especially the police, who were given a budget of 100 million krona (about US$16 million) to find hidden refugees.

During the latest clashes on the Israeli-occupied territories, the YS together with other organizations demonstrated September 29 outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. The YS placard demanded "Israel out of the occupied territories, U.S. out of the Middle East." Some 150 people participated in the action.

Since its establishment in Sweden early September this year, the Young Socialists have been meeting every week to organize our work and discuss politics. Since the meetings are held an hour and a half before the Militant Labor Forums, YS members are always present. At one forum the group raised $70 to help pay for its expenses.

Beginning October 18, the Young Socialists will hold public discussions on Pathfinder books and different political topics as part of educating ourselves and developing as communists.

The first discussion will be on Two Speeches by Malcolm X and the second on Peru's `Shining Path': Evolution of a Reactionary Sect.

The group has possibilities for more recruitment too. Two people returning from conscription military service have recently asked to join the YS.

Maxi Ortiz is a member of the YS in Stockholm.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home