The Occupy Lahore: Anti-Capitalist camp opened on Saturday with people from different social movements and trade unions across Lahore and Punjab participating in a discussion at the Nasir Bagh camp and taking out a rally through Anarkali Bazaar chanting the slogans for an end to capitalism and feudalism.
The participants included trade union workers, factory workers, journalists, students, katchi abadi residents, woman rights’ organisations, professionals and the youth. Various speakers including MPA Mian Rafique, Pakistan Workers Confederation General Secretary Khursheed Ahmed, Workers Party Pakistan President Abid Hassan Minto and others addressed the gathering. Laal band also performed on the occasion. Participants took out a rally through the Anarkali Bazaar where protesters chanted slogans against capitalism, military-bureaucratic dominance and called people to participate in the revival of the socialist movement in Pakistan. Upon returning to the camp, over 50 participants took part in a consultative general body meeting where a decision was taken to continue the camp on Sunday and invite more movements and youth to share their struggles and formulate a collective strategy for the people. Around 10 members of the camp decided to stay the night at the campsite.