This week’s editorial is extra special. We have just concluded the successful 1st International Anti-Fascist Conference, held in Porto Alegre between March 26 and 29. We are not dealing here with a complete assessment, but with some initial elements to engage with the current situation based on the enormous triumph of the Conference.

The figures speak for themselves. The opening march drew approximately 7,000 people, evoking Porto Alegre’s tradition, its connection to alter-globalization, and the World Social Forum. It was an effort against the still-dominant immobility on the left, demonstrating that mobilization is possible. And it laid the groundwork for continuing this process.

4,000 registered participants, 11 thematic panels, a forum of authorities and parliament representatives, and an impressive number of 150 self-organized activities. This effort was only possible thanks to the capacity for international coordination, the urgency of the global situation, the unified mood of the local committee, and the organizational commitment, where several comrades played a decisive role. We had the presence of approximately 40 countries, with an impressive representation from all five continents.

A Leap Forward in International coordination

The genesis of this triumph, beyond the persistence in carrying out the activity even after its suspension due to the 2024 climate tragedy, lies in the unity between the PSOL of Rio Grande do Sul and the PT of Porto Alegre, later incorporating other actors such as the PCdoB, the MST, and Andes, the latter responsible, along with the Lauro Campos and Marielle Franco Foundation, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and an effort by the MES-PSOL itself, as structural guarantors of the meeting. The international scope was only possible thanks to the global effort made by the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debts (CADTM), led by comrade Eric Toussaint, to connect the Fourth Int no no no ernational (which was represented by dozens of sections and members) and other sectors that joined in the appeal for an international anti-fascist front, launched to publicize the conference.

The presence of different international revolutionary and socialist organisations was qualitative, such as the DSA (where the Bread & Roses current played a central role), parliament representatives from the European left, with weight given to France Unbowed (LFI) and other anti-fascist groups from France (NPA, Après, Attac, Le Digue and Jeune Guard); the leaders and parliament representatives of the Workers’ Party of Turkey; the Argentine delegation was the largest with almost 200 people (composed of the committee with Ventos del Popolo, Livres del Sur, MST which has a historical relationship with us and has been developing with the International Socialist League, and UP); the Uruguayan delegation had a coach from PIT/CNT, with emphasis on the PCU and the People’s Victory Party. In addition to the significant delegations from North America, with dozens of cadres and leaders, such as those from Puerto Rico (from the Socialist Democracy and the Citizen Victory Movement, among other movements) and Mexico (MSP, ONPP, PRT, as well as leaders of the electrical workers). From South Africa came comrades from Zabalaza, as well as from Australia, militants from the Socialist Alliance and the Green Left.

CADTM was represented by delegations from various countries, especially from Africa and Asia, including delegations from South Africa, Mali, Congo, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Morocco, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Two other very special delegations, which fought a decisive battle in defense of internationalist principles, were those of the Russians and the Ukrainians, linked to the European Solidarity Network with Ukraine and the Marxist opposition in Russia.

CPAC with Flávio Bolsonaro and Trump, Porto Alegre in the streets

On the same weekend as the conference, CPAC – the rising neo-fascist international network in Trump’s United States – met, where Flávio Bolsonaro spoke, establishing himself as the representative of Trumpism in Brazil.

Porto Alegre was the immediate counterpoint to that forum, in practice. It established a link with the 24th March demonstrations in Argentina, with the Nuestra America convoy – many of its members returned in time for the Conference – which carried solidarity and solar panels to Cuba, with the enormous anti-fascist demonstration that took place in London – where some say 500,000 people attended; with the discussion of Iran, which has resisted and transformed the offensive of Trump and Netanyahu into a deeper problem. And above all, with the large “No Kings” demonstrations, which was the third unified day to defeat Trump, mobilizing millions of people in thousands of cities across the United States.

In Porto Alegre, as the Manifesto states, a response is being prepared, prioritizing street protests against the actions of the far right:

Never before has the fight against imperialism and fascism been so relevant and necessary. This fight must be articulated internationally. The Anti-Fascist Conference for the Sovereignty of Peoples is committed to continuing the fight tirelessly and as a space for building unity against the rise of the far right and imperialist aggression. Faced with barbarity, we raise the banner of international solidarity, the struggle of the peoples, and a socialist, ecological, democratic, feminist, and anti-racist future.

Our Activities

In addition to the large opening march of the conference, we were involved in both central and self-organized activities. The launch of the Retomada magazine marked a new moment for our tools for debate and brought together hundreds of comrades along with our partner Vladimir Safatle and many other significant figures. Our new magazine was launched with the dossier “The Name of This is Fascism,” resuming the battle of ideas in service of a critical anti-capitalist reference in Brazil.

The launch of the Ecosocialist Manifesto, organized by the Fourth International and attended by comrade Michael Löwy, was another point of great participation.

We also built and followed significant activities such as the plenary of Ecosocialist Youth, with the presence of Juntos, which stood out at various moments of the conference for its numerous and vibrant column; the launch of the manifesto of the Maré Negra (Black Tide) movement, with the American councilman Abdul Osmanu, from Connecticut, and the political thinker Mireille Fannon, which constituted a significant event; the meeting of delegations from the Emancipa Network of Popular Education; and union activities with the presence of SEPE, Andes, Fasubra, Metro Workers of RS and SP, ASERGHC, and Municipal Workers. In the activities on feminism, both from the Juntas collective and our public figures; in the workshop held on Big Tech, reflecting the growing body of knowledge about the digital issue. In addition, numerous international activities took place about topics such as Argentina, the United States, Ukraine, Russia, France, Kurdistan, and Puerto Rico.

An Example to Fight and Win

The unity expressed in the activity, with the leading role of the MES-PSOL and various sectors of the Fourth International, without excluding or imposing on other sectors, is a step forward. The activity in Porto Alegre equips us, nationally and internationally, for the challenges, where the Brazilian election itself will be a key chapter in confronting imperialism and Trump. We will have three decisive, polarized elections, with probable interference from Big Tech: the Colombian presidential election, the Brazilian general election, and the midterm elections in the United States.

We defend the military victory of Iran against Israel and Trump, without lending political support to the regime; the campaign for Cuba against the blockade; the struggle of immigrants throughout the planet; for the end of the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and Deputy Cília Flores, in addition to denouncing Putin’s imperialism and standing alongside the resistance of Ukrainian workers against Russian aggression.

To win in Brazil, we must combine the strongest banners of struggle: reduction of the working day, taxation of the rich, defense of the Amazon and the environment, and the fight against gender violence, with a broad mobilization that affirms sovereignty. The next steps involve new conferences and activities like those in the Porto Alegre Manifesto, especially considering the dynamics of the Argentine situation, the country to host the next event of this kind: a defeat for Milei would be costly for the far right and could indicate a new political cycle in the country.

Porto Alegre has once again placed itself at the forefront of the international struggle. Let us do with our own hands what concerns us: to fight and defeat the far right.

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Israel Dutra is a sociologist, Secretary of Social Movements of the PSOL, member of the National Directorate of the party and of the Socialist Left Movement (MES/PSOL).