The massive demonstrations that took place all over the world on the weekend of October 2lst and 22rd are an expression of a tremendous awareness and solidarity that has developed among young people because of Vietnam, Nearly all the demonstrations in Europe and other parts of the world were extremely militant, and contrary to the reports of the British press and news agencies, they were big. At the March on Washington, for example, like at the mass rallies of April 15th, the press reports minimised the number of demonstrators. 50,000 was the number given at first, but according to the reports from participants in the march, there were at least 100,000. ‘The same distortions of course appeared in the British press concerning the number of demonstrators at the October 22nd march, But apart from the impressive statistics of the London demonstration, it has to be understood that a completely new stage has been reached in the anti-war movement of this country. Judging from the demonstration of October 22nd it is clear that a political change has come about. If so many more people are demonstrating under the slogan of "US get out of Vietnam NOW!" rather than other, compromising, slogans it is clear that people have deve2loped their political understanding of the Vietnam war, They are no longer content with shouts for "peace" or coming to terms with the aggressor, and instead, are resolved to join hands with the Vietnamese to fight American imperialism, The Vietnam Solidarity Campaign, which organised the demonstration now has the responsibility of taking up the leadership from this point onwards. The slogans we used which are consistent with our support foz the Vietnamese revolution have proved to be completely correct, but that demonstration will be of small value in the long run, unless it is made the basis for building a militant mass movement. This is what is needed and must surely be possible. Discussion is already going on and people are keen for further involvement, However, if the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign is to be able to take up this responsibility, it must have the necessary resources, Since its inception, the V.S.C. has received considerable financial assistance from the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, but the Foundation, because of its increasing involvement in other activities, is unable to continue with its assistance. For this reason the V.S.C. has started a fund raising Campaign in order to meet the challenge that now faces us, This matter will be under discussion at the V.S.C. meeting on Thursday reece 2nd (at Toynbee Hall near Aldgate East Tube Station eharewel eo ° If you have supported the work of V.S.C. and believe that the prssibilities for building such a movement exist, please read the yellew form enclosed and act according to your means,
KKK