Since the banning of the Communist League by the French government on 28 June a mas sive campaign of defence has developed throughout the French working class more. ment.
The day after the government's order of dissolution' was issued, a meeting was convened of the Council for the Defence of La united front grouping together twenty of the most important trade union and left-wing pulitical groups if France, including the Communist Party, the Socialist Party, and the two main trade union federations. These organisations decided to sponsor a mass mcering in protest at the banning of the League, to take place in Paris on 4 July.
Public statements denouncing the Government's action and calling for the ending of the ban have been made by every important workers organisation, Lesting agaiast what they described as a grave precedent for freedom and democratic rights." The Socialist Party termed the attack on the League a new blow against democratic freedoms' and described the simultancous bannig of Ordre Noureau as baving as its only aun to deceive públic opinion*, they stressed the need to bring topether, as quickly as possible. all the working class and democratic organisations.
The executive commission of the Commenistout that it had never ceased to speak oul in favour of the dissolution of the fnscist groups;"
but, with regard to the Communist League, *proteated strongly against the dissolution of this grouping. The Socialist influenced CFDT stated that, The CFDT, as it bas done on previous occasions when this law was used, places itself agrinst this decision which constitutes a new escalation of the attack on free dom.' The federation of teachers' unions stated that: "The choson excuse and the false par- ment of international solidarity, behind it the allel that explain the simultaneous dissolution of Communist League cannot fail to win. the fascist movement Ordre Nouveau should not foul anуone., Freedom is indivisible. The dissolution of an organisation of the extreme left is a new threat tor all the organisations of the oppos ition.
A joint statement by the three trade unions who represent the state radio and television employees protested against the lying fashion in which the Communist League was portrayed on the television news programmes of 28 June? Meanwhile, international action in defence of the League is getting underway. The Japanese section of the Fourtb International has already occupied the French embassy, and similar displys of support are planned in many countries.
It appears that the Pompidou regime and the French ruling class may have bitten off more than it can chew. With a united defeno cimpaign of the French left, and a mass move-