Statement on the London Terror Attack by British Fighters of the YPG

Submitted by potrokin on March 28, 2017

We are some of an increasing number of British nationals fighting in
Syria and Iraq as volunteers with local forces against the Islamic State
[Daesh].
We wish first and foremost to express our sorrow and anger at the
recent terrorist attack in Westminster, London, and to convey our
sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the victims and their
families. We know only too well what is to lose friends, to treat those
horrendously wounded, to pull the dead and dying from the rubble.
We also wish to express sympathy and solidarity with the many
ordinary Muslims going to work and school today feeling that they are
under special scrutiny, and fearful of what this might mean for them. We
share their fear, and we urge anyone who might be tempted to take
against ordinary Muslim people to think again. If you associate them
with the Islamic State, you are giving such groups exactly what they
want: a greater and more violent gap between the Muslim world and ours.
The familiar sounds of hate and bigotry are sounding again – on
social media, and in the more guarded mainstream press – where the
intent is nonetheless clear. Hate crimes will spike again. There are
calls to demolish mosques. The fact that local Muslims raised thousands
for victim support, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, is easily
drowned out by the bandwagon. The EDL have called a snap demonstration,
eager to make hay from the suffering of innocent people.
For all the sound and fury, we don’t remember seeing anyone from
Britain First, EDL, UKIP, or their like, by our side in battle. Which is
a good thing, because we wouldn’t have tolerated them.
Our ranks are made up of Kurds, Arabs, Yezidis, Brits, Yanks,
Canadians, Aussies, Asians, Europeans – Muslims, Christians, Alevis,
atheists – too many faiths and races to list. A multi-ethnic,
multi-faith entity, standing united against hate and extremism. The
majority are, in fact, Muslims, and not only are we proud to stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with them – the truth is, we can’t do this without
them.
The only way to defeat the Islamic State, and groups like it, is with
ordinary, moderate Muslims on side. The only way to defeat hate and
extremism is to not give in to it.
Don’t stand with Britain First, the EDL, UKIP or those who talk and think like them. Stand with us.
Signed,
British fighters of the YPG

baboon

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on April 15, 2017

Here's a response to the democratic campaign of the British ruling class following the attack and a response to the above: http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/201704/14294/using-london-attack-strengthen-dominant-ideology

potrokin

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by potrokin on May 2, 2017

Founding Statement of the IRPGF (International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWfHzXNRUrc
[youtube]gWfHzXNRUrc[/youtube]

Khawaga

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on May 2, 2017

Urgh. That video was terrible. All the imagery was about fighting and guns; nothing about the social revolution that they presumably go there to defend.

potrokin

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by potrokin on May 2, 2017

Khawaga

Urgh. That video was terrible. All the imagery was about fighting and guns; nothing about the social revolution that they presumably go there to defend.

I guess, as they are fighting a war against fascists, they want to show that they are trained to use weapons and can train others. I think you make a good point though, about the social revolution, it would have been nice if they had talked about the positives of that, though thats not hard to find out if you want to and they did state what they stand for. As for war being unpleasant, it certainly is but surely revolution means civil war?

Khawaga

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on May 2, 2017

it would have been nice if they had talked about the positives of that, though thats not hard to find out if you want to and they did state what they stand for.

I know what they stand for and arguably why these folks went to fight. And that is why I am more troubled by the imagery they used than if I had not known why they had gone. I mean, sure some imagery of guns and fighting has its place given that a war is going, but to focus only on that is disconcerting. I dunno, does it reveal some misplaced priorities? Am I reading too much into this?

jura

6 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jura on May 2, 2017

Looks like a maoist racket defending a revolution that never happened to me.