Wednesday, April 30, 2008
JAPAN:
NO! G8 INFO TOUR PRESENTATION:
For some time now comrades active against the upcoming G8 meeting in Hokkaido Japan (July 7 to 9) have been touring the world, giving presentations about the G8 meeting in their country and the opposition to it. As they say in the announcement below ,they have held over 100 meetings across the entire globe. A truly massive effort of organization and dedication. The following announcement is from the Asian Anarchist Network (see our links section), and it is a power point presentation that may be of use to other activists across the world. The following has been slightly edited for English grammar.
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No! G8 Action Japan has done an info-tour all over the world and had presentations nearly 100 times in various cities.In our presentation, we introduced the social movement in Japan and Asian countries and our preparation for the G8 summit in Toyako.
Finally, we completed a presentation file for public use.You can download this power point file and its description from the link below.
We would love each of you to hold an info-meeting on the Anti-G8 movement 2008. Even if you don't use it for presentation, it is also a useful information source.
These files are helpful for people who have an interest in coming to Japan or who want to know about the Japanese political situation.
Please enjoy,
NO! G8 Action presentation(.ppt)http://briefcase.yahoo.co.jp/bc/takurowo/vwp2?.tok=bcj9B5aBjxiHI8Yj&.dir=/e7d2&.dnm=NO!G8ActionPresentat.ppt&.src=bc
Description of presentation(.doc)http://briefcase.yahoo.co.jp/bc/takurowo/vwp2?.tok=bcj9B5aBXDt7nt3t&.dir=/e7d2&.dnm=Description.doc&.src=bc NOTE: Do not bother with the Japanese, just click an icon for the ppt & doc.
Labels: anarchism, Asian Anarchist Network, G8, Japan
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:
MAYDAY EVENTS REAL AND VIRTUAL:
Tomorrow is Mayday, the premiere event in the labour calender. Molly has blogged quite a bit about this day, both this year and last (see our archives for April and May 2007). This year make sure to check in with the Labour Start website to see what unions across the world are doing this time around. But also- for something totally different- unions in several countries are using this MayDay to launch the 'Union island' is the virtual world of Second Life. Yes, that's right. After the success last year of the "virtual strike" (protest actually) against IBM , using the Second Life platform various union activists are hoping to develop this tool of working class struggle. See the site http://www.slunionisland.org for more details. now Molly has her doubts about this sort of thing, but maybe she is just old-fashioned. In any case, here is the press release about this project.
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Press release: Virtual May Day
1 May 2008 sees the launch of Union Island, an innovative new trade union project to build a home for unions and activists in the virtual world Second Life™.
1 May 2008 sees the launch of Union Island, an innovative new trade union project to build a home for unions and activists in the virtual world Second Life™.
Union Island will open with a virtual May Day, a day of training, networking and celebration, to bring activists from the global union movement together in a way never before possible.
Events planned for the day include:
*Celebrating May Day with a dance party, hosted by a live DJ from Second Life’s club Fracture.
*Training for activists in how to get more out of Second Life through networking with others and designing their own 3D creations, and how to run better websites for their unions.
*A photo and video exhibition for the DGB’s Mindestlohn campaign for a national minimum wage in Germany. May Day sees the culmination of a exhibition tour of Germany, and German unionists will be on hand at a Second Life replica of the real life touring set, to discuss the tour and campaign online with supporters from around Germany.
*Themed surgeries for union organisers in Union Island’s virtual bar, swapping practical tips from around the world over a pint of virtual beer from the UK Workers’ Beer Company.
*Guided gallery tours of “5 Photographers”, a virtual art exhibition of 20th century New York photography, presented by American arts group Labour Arts Inc.
Union Island plans to use Second Life to create a community for unionists, which will let activists from around the world meet and work together on shared issues in the global economy. The project also aims to use the virtual world to present union campaigns to a new audience, and enable a new generation of online activists to have more input into union activities.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: ”Trade unions are all about people working together to improve things for themselves and others, and internet networks offer a powerful and cost-effective way for us to forge new links. As more businesses embrace virtual worlds such as Second Life to foster international networking and collaboration, it will be natural to find unions there too.”
UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said: “UNI Global Union’s member unions around the world are constantly innovating, to show their relevance to today’s members and tomorrow’s potential members.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
*Second Life is an interactive 3D environment used by millions of people around the world (as well as thousands of companies and organisations) to chat, network, create, conduct business or play games. www.secondlife.com
*Union Island is a joint project of the TUC, UNI Global Union and the New Unionism Network, supported by unions from the UK, Germany and Italy.
*You can find a full programme of events for virtual May Day, as well as more information on the project and a direct link to Union Island at www.slunionisland.org
*Contact for further information: instant message to Unionisland Republic (Union Island spokesperson in Second Life)
Labels: labour, Labour Start, Mayday, second life, Union Island
ANARCHIST EVENTS:
FRENCH CNT STATEMENT ON MAYDAY:
Tomorrow is MayDay, the international festival of labour, founded in memory of the Chicago anarchists who were murdered by the American state. Across the world socialists, both libertarian and authoritarian, will be holding marches, commemorations and festivals. The libertarian ones will, of course, be closer to the original idea of the day.
The following is a translation of the MayDay statement of the French CNT, also known as the CNT-Vignoles. The original in french can be found at their website.
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The first May is the day par excellence to consider the international perspective. The days of demands is everywhere in the World the day of workers in struggle. The current economic globalization makesthe coordination of our class even more necessary . Since the I07 international meetings, organized at the initiative of the CNT, and its foreign friends, it has been one year in Paris, and our internationalist work has further increased . Anticipating our directions, coordinations are taking place: these are the coordinations Red/Black and Euro-Maghreb. Days of common struggle in various sectors are in preparation. For this May 1st, our call for the mobilization is common to eight European organisations.
Indeed, on all points of the globe, struggles are the same:
- For utilities managed by workers and customers: the dismantling of social services is now at work everywhere in the world. In Europe, the decline is particularly sensitive. Education, health, transport, energy are now being undermined under the pretext of trade liberalization and at the expense of workers and users of these services.
-- For our trade union rights: they are perpetually scorned. Our solidarity is expressed to Moroccan militants, detained since 1 May 2007 and released in recent days under international pressure; against Mexican militants or Colombian victims of murders, threats due to their actions in the fight; against unionists Véolia in New Caledonia, threatened with prison for strike action; against Romain, our comrade tried for contempt of the former Minister of Interior (now President) as part of the struggle for the defence of undocumented migrants.
-- For working conditions and decent life: low wages and extended hours are not inevitable. Following the example of the victorious struggle of the workers of the Romanian Renault, we can not accept, anywhere in the world, the subjugation of our lives to the desires of investors and shareholders. Following the example of the African struggle against soaring prices of basic necessities (rice, millet, corn, milk, etc.).. We are the ones who produce, we get to decide! In France today, we are experiencing the full brunt of a retrograde policy at the service of the powerful. The principle of solidarity, already very minimum, existing in France to allow a better distribution of wealth is definitely dead:
- Patients pay for other patients sickness with medical deductibles
- The working poor have to sacrifice for other working poor with the decrease of the premium for employment
- The family allowances jump on the pretext of economy
- The rhetoric and policies on unemployment are akin to a bistro conversation , in blaming the unemployed
- The fattening of intermediaries at the expense of farmers and consumers justifies a higher price without precedent. It is true that when people are hungry, they do not lose his time in challenging it.
But the growing dissatisfaction of workers in the public and private sectors against an unworthy policy in favour of the rich counteracts this "beautiful program". We only have to watch the list getting longer: each day of strikes and demonstrations by workers for their wages, their jobs, their working conditions and their social rights. They would have us believe that since the electoral victory of Sarkozy, any challenge to its policy would be illegitimate. Yet the great social achievements (paid leave, minimum wage, pensions, etc. )have been won in the street by the strike and most often against the advice of elected governments. Today, a choice of society is at stake, and for the CNT, our camp is clear: to bring together struggles for a different distribution of wealth, to satisfy social needs of all and all and do away with capitalism. Yes, the street is legitimate!
All together we can push back the governments!
All together, dare to fight! Dare to win!
Labels: anarchism, anarcho-syndicalism, CNT-F, events, France, May Day
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
COSTA RICA:
AN ANARCHIST MAYDAY IN COSTA RICA:
As Molly has opined many times before on this blog anarchism today may have the widest geographical extent, if not the depth and maturity, of any time in its history. An example follows below- a call out for a separate (from the dreary legions of the left) anarchist MayDay event in the country of Costa Rica. The following has been translated from a Spanish original published at the Anarckismo site. One only hopes that both the size and self-confidence of anarchist movements elsewhere will lead them to specifically identify themselves as anarchists on future Maydays. We, after all, have little in common with the statist left, and we shouldn't see our role as ineffective critics of same.
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Event - Thursday, May 1 2008 Costa Rica: Call for all men and women, tired of so much lying and authoritarianism
by Germinal, La Libertad, San Jose People's Assembly
The fighters must gather on the south side of Parque La Merced, at 10 am. tomorrow.
We , various groups and individuals anti-electoral and anti-authoritarian, are self organizing a large protest reclaiming the true meaning of the first of May, under the slogan
That we will go for it all !
But what will we say to Mr and Mrs candidate , saying that his party is going to prescribe a tlc, with fewer deaths. * (La Nazione, Sunday April 20, 2008, in oblivion but covered in memory)
We must make our voices and our actions heard "That there will be at least a broken glass for honor! We need a stone of decency, to save self-esteem, which gives birth to courage."
On 1 May the dictatorship of the Arias brothers must hear us. The gentlemen of the employers' chambers must hear us. The imperialists who seek to use this territory for their wars must hear us. The fighters and fighters must gather on the south side of Parque La Merced, at 10 am.
No to social injustice!
Labels: anarchism, Costa Rica, Mayday
Monday, April 28, 2008
NEW ZEALAND:
ANARCHISM IN NEW ZEALAND:
The following is a reprint from the A-Infos site of an interview with a New Zealand anarchist, "Omar", on the part of the Spanish anarchist site Alasbarricadas.org . It gives an interesting perspective on the development of modern anarchism in what is a small and far away country to those of us up here in the frozen north. It also shows glimmers of the gradual maturing of the movement in NZ, just like in the rest of the world.
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Anarchism in New Zealand - Another Interview
The following interview was conducted via email between Spanish anarchist website Alasbarricadas.org and Omar, an Aotearoa Anarchist of New Zealand who is involved in Indymedia Aotearoa and the Auckland Anarchist Collective.----
The following interview was conducted via email between Spanish anarchist website Alasbarricadas.org and Omar, an Aotearoa Anarchist of New Zealand who is involved in Indymedia Aotearoa and the Auckland Anarchist Collective.----
ALB - We'd like to know at first, if there is something we could take as an "anarchist movement" in New Zealand. Which is its nature? I mean, is it a popular movement, class struggle, community, counter cultural... ?
Omar---- When we speak of an anarchist movement is New Zealand we are basically speaking of around 200-300 people based mainly in the major cities, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and organised through a variety of collectives, organisations and social networks. The orientation of individuals within the anarchist movement is very diverse, with some people involved in primarily activist projects, like human rights, worker struggle, feminist, anti-racist, animal rights, anti-war, global justice, and environmental concerns. The other main trend are those others who are orientated more towards a counter-cultural outlook with an emphasis on the creation of local alternatives and community projects. Lots of people are involved in both types though.
ALB -Could you make a quick summary about the history of the anarchist movement in the recent decades?
Omar: Since 1999, the anti-globalisation movement has had a very important impact on anarchists in Aotearoa, as has the anti-war movement since 2001, the movement against genetic engineering, and the climate change movement now emerging. These are the main movements most anarchists have been involved in over the last ten years. During the 1990s, anarchists were heavily involved in activism against the neo-liberal reforms that changed the New Zealand economy and made life very difficult for the unemployed and the poor. Also they were involved in campaigns to stop logging of native forests which was a successful campaign. Another major campaign anarchists were involved in in the 1990s was in solidarity with the people of East Timor. In the 1980s anarchists were involved in the movement against sporting contacts with South Africa, and against nuclear-ship visits and testing of nuclear bombs in the Pacific, and against racism in New Zealand.
ALB- Are there in Aoteoroa "libertarian" social movements not explicitly anarchist? I mean, those movements that don't consider themselves as anarchist but share plenty of common elements with the anarchists. What can you tell about them?
Omar:There are lots of anti-authoritarian, anarchistic organisations that anarchists are involved in in Aotearoa. These include Indymedia, Food Not Bombs and Critical Mass. In Wellington there is lots of anti-war activity around the group Peace Action Wellington which many anarchists there are involved with. In Christchurch and throughout Aotearoa many anarchists are involved in the Save Happy Valley campaign against coal-mining in the South Island. I think these types of organisations and movements consume the majority of time of activist anarchists in Aotearoa.
ALB- To have a proper idea, in which cities, towns, areas,is the movement/scene more powerful?
Omar:Traditionally the stronghold of anarchism in Aotearoa has been Wellington, the capital city which has a well established anarchist community house, infoshop, anarchist press, and strong ties to the inner-city bohemian suburbs. This means Wellington has the most organised anarchist community. In Auckland there are less anarchists although it is a larger city, and there is no social centre or infoshop, although there was for some of 2007. In Christchurch there is a social centre and some fairly active collectives.
ALB- Are there different tendencies inside the movt. or is it more or less homogeneous?
Omar:The anarchist movement is quite homogenous and this means that people who are attracted to it are very particular. It is a mix of lifestylism and anti-authoritarian protest movementism that is quite common to most youth anarchist scenes. There are strong punk and hippy influences as well. Although there are a scattering of anarchosyndicalists, class struggle anarchists, most people are quite movement orientated and there is very little production of theory and analysis by anarchists in Aotearoa.
ALB- Which are the biggest or most important anarchist or libertarian organisations? Are there national federations, networks?
Omar:In my opinion the most important libertarian organisation is Aotearoa Indymedia, which has anarchists involved in five cities in Aotearoa. There was also an attempt to set-up an Aotearoa Anarchist Network, but that fell on its face. There is also the Anarcha-feminist Network which has collectives in three cities and is the most active of the national networks.
ALB- Are there any national anarchist gathering, national conference, bookfair and so on... ? which are the biggest events?
Omar:There was an anarchist conference in 2007 which attracted 60 participants but in my view was a failure, as it failed to achieve the objective we set it of establishing an anarchist network, and a 2005 conference which attracted around the same number and was mostly workshops. With the absence of cross-city organisation and networking there is little attempts to build anarchist movement through larger national events, which ends up reinforcing the isolation of collectives and individuals.
ALB- Is there any social movement in which the anarchist participate? Which degree of influence could they have?
Omar:Anarchists in recent years have had lots of participation in the anti-war, union, environmental movements and are very much at the forefront of many of these struggles, actively engaged in promoting direct action and direct democracy in the organisations of these movements. For example in the campaign to free some Iranian asylum-seekers held in jail, the Auckland anarchist collective was at the forefront of this struggle and did a civil disobedience action at the jail, as well as participating in the pickets. Anarchists also played a large role in the campaign for a living wage at fast food restaurants like McDonalds, especially through the anticapitalist youth group Radical Youth, which organised a high school strike.
ALB- In which campaigns are the anarchists actively involved?
Omar:At the moment the main work anarchists are doing is in solidarity with those activists including myself, Maori and anarchist who were arrested on October 15th 2007, and charged for having allegedly attended armed training camps and possessing rifles and molotov cocktails, in a mountainous remote area of New Zealand called the Ureweras, which is the traditional homeland of the Tuhoe tribe. Also campaigns anarchists are involved in are the Save Happy Valley campaign, anti-fur, battery farming and vivisection campaigns and others are involved in ongoing community projects to build peoples self-reliance and autonomy.
ALB- Which are the relationships with other political movements (ie communists, trots, greens, etc.)?
Omar:Anarchists have quite a close relationship with the Green Party and some are members. In Auckland anarchists work closely in broad political work with the two main Marxist-Leninist groups, and other smaller trot groups. Marxist-Leninists are mainly based in Auckland where they are relatively strong, where as in the rest of New Zealand they are quite weak.
ALB- What is the relationship of anarchists- with other countries, like Australia, Britain? Are there any anarchist people in other islands on the Pacific Ocean?
Omar:Anarchists mostly cultivate their own individual contacts with anarchists in different parts of the world. There is some co-ordination with anarchists in Australia, especially Melbourne, where anarchists from New Zealand often go to live or holiday. Throughout a year there are often anarchists/autonomist people from Europe and North America who come and live and stay and work in different collectives. My own collective in Auckland last year had an Italian, a Russian and a German involved as well as an anarchist from Melbourne and two anarchists from Tucson, Arizona. Sadly there are no anarchists as I am aware of on Pacific Islands but there are lots of anticapitalists especially in Tonga involved in the movement against the monarchy and in kanaky/new caledonia where there is a strong movement against French rule and the power of transnational mining corporations.
ALB- What is the relationship with the Maori people? Are there any "anarchist-Maori" collectives? Are there any convergence with them?
Omar:The relationship with Maori people is quite good, especially with the Tuhoe tribe as we both have been repressed by the state, shared the same cells, court-appearances and protests against this repression. There are also a number of Maori anarchists and projects which are both Maori and and anti-capitalist but no openly anarchist Maori collective. One example is Conscious Collaborations project which has worked to build recognition of Maori self-determination and supported Maori people victimised by the recent police repression.
ALB- Finally, which is the future for our movement in Aoteoroa?
Omar:Looming large on the horizon is the trial of us, 19 anarchists and Maori arrested on October 15th and afterwards, and we all face possibly long prison sentences if convicted. The trial will be sometime in 2009. My estimation of the movement is that lots of people are feeling quite tired and burnt out by constant activism especially under a state of tension, caused by the police. In 2005, Sam Buchanan, a veteran anarchist from Wellington, wrote an article called "Attack of the Headless Chickens" which was widely circulated because it struck a chord with many people who have been worn out with endless protesting for many good causes but little long-term strategy and planning on how to change the world and failure to develop anarchist organisation beyond campaigning groups or single issue projects. I think that if strong, cohesive and purposeful local collectives can be built which focus on issues that are important to everyday people, issues of the environment; human rights, worker rights, colonisation and the New Zealand government's ongoing collaboration with imperialist, militarists and repressive regimes in the United States, in China, and across the world, we may see an upturn for the anarchist movement in its ability in challenging the gross excesses of the powerful.
A Molly Addendum:
Here are some links to anarchism in New Zealand from Molly's links section:
Capitalism Bad;Trees Pretty (good site for links not yet on Molly's list but soon to be)
Labels: Alasbarricadas.org, anarchism, New Zealand
AMERICAN LABOUR:
KEEP AMERICA'S WORKERS SAFE:
The following appeal is, unfortunately, only for our American readers. Those of us out here in the colonies cannot participate. Still, it is a worthy appeal, and fully in line with the Workers' memorial day today. So, if you live in the USA this one's for you. The following is from the Working Families Network in the USA. If any of the links below don't seem to be working you can access the campaign HERE.
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Workers and safety advocates from around the world today are observing Workers Memorial Day to honor the thousands of workers who are killed or hurt on the job each year. Workers, union activists, religious and community leaders and elected officials are expected to take part in more than 10,000 memorial services, rallies and marches to remember these workers on April 28, Workers Memorial Day.
Decades of struggle by workers and their unions have resulted in significant improvements in working conditions. But the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains enormous. Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more are injured or diseased because of their jobs.
These disasters hit home. Tammy Miser, whose brother Shawn was killed in 2003 in a combustible dust explosion in Huntington, Ind., criticized the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for seeking voluntarily--rather than mandatory--safety compliance:
We know that it’s feasible to prevent these explosions. And it is beyond negligent to expect a company that knows about these hazards to voluntarily comply, instead of making it a requirement.
You can do something to help.
Click here to tell your senators and representative to support the Protecting America's Workers Act (S. 1244 and H.R. 2049).
The bill would expand OSHA protections to millions of uncovered workers, enhance whistleblower protections and substantially increase penalties for serious, willful and criminal safety violations.
More than three decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. But the Bush administration has ignored the need for updated safety and health protections. Administration officials have allowed their corporate allies to police themselves.
We have our work cut out for us this year. In the fall, working families will need to work hard to elect a Congress and a president who will put the lives of workers first, restore enforcement staffs and budgets, and put some teeth back into our laws.
We need to do more than simply trust employers who want to increase their profits at the expense of workers and their families.
Please act now to tell your senators and representative to support the Protecting America's Workers Act.
Workers are still being killed on the job, but employers who are found to have violated federal safety laws in fatality cases are paying as little as $750 in penalties for each death, according to the latest edition of the AFL-CIO’s annual report “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect.”
The 17th edition of the national and state-by-state analyses on worker safety and health reveals that 5,840 workers died from workplace injuries in 2006, compared with 5,734 in 2005. The figures show a continued and significant increase in fatalities among Latino and foreign-born workers. (The year 2006 is the most recent year for which U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures are available.)
The AFL-CIO report shows that 16 workers were fatally injured and more than 11,200 were hurt or made sick each day in 2006. And the price workers pay for toiling in dangerous jobs climbs even higher when the tally includes the 50,000 to 60,000 workers who die every year from occupational diseases.
Help fulfill the promise of a safe workplace for millions of workers.
Tell your senators and representative to pass the Protecting America's Workers Act today.each year.
In solidarity,
Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO
P.S. Please tell your friends to take action for worker protections.
Labels: labour, solidarity, USA, Workers' Memorial Day
CANADIAN LABOUR:
WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY:
Today, April 28, is Workers' Memorial Day worldwide. This day is a contribution of the Canadian labour movement to world culture. The day was first promoted in 1984 by CUPE and several other Canadian unions to remember 4 miners killed on the job in Sudbury. The Canadian Labour Congress first declared the day as a day of remembrance in 1985. The significance of the date is that it is also the anniversary of the first Canadian Workers' Compensation Act, passed in 1919. In the USA it is the anniversary of the establishment of OSHA.
The Canadian Parliament passed Bill C-223 in 1989, establishing the day as a day of mourning and remembrance. In 1989 the American AFL-CIO adopted April 28th as their day of morning.In 1996 the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions adopted the day, and it became an official international day with a ceremony at the United Nations in New York. It is still not officially recognized as such by the UN, but a process to make such a proclamation began in 2005. Today it is officially observed in 19 countries worldwide. The International Labour Organization recognizes April 28 as 'International Health and Safety Day". The list of countries that officially observe this day includes Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Luxembourg, Panama, Poland, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and Ukraine. Note the conspicuous absence of the USA.
This day is needed because work usually kills more people per year than wars do. Over two million people per year die of workplace injuries and disease. Here in Manitoba we have the worst rate per capita of any Canadian province. For a listing of the events worldwide please see Hazards Magazine. See also this blog for April 28, 2007 in our archives for more useful links.
Labels: Hazards Magazine., history, labour, Workers' Memorial Day
ONTARIO:
URGENT APPEAL FROM OCAP:
The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) just sent this urgent !!! appeal this am. It concerns an imminent invasion of the Tyendinaga Mohawk community by the OPP. Read it and respond if you can.
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URGENT ACTION: Call Premier: SWAT Teams ammassing in Tyendinaga 9:30 am Monday
**URGENT** Tyendinaga 9:30 am Monday morning, April 28th We have just been informed by the Tyendinaga Mohawk community spokespeople that SWAT teams are amassing now on the Deseronto and Slash Roads, bordering the Tyendinaga quarry reclamation site. Community spokesperson Jason Maracle has just been told by the OPP to pull people out of the quarry because they are going in.
Tyendinaga Support Committee
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CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER! CALL THE PREMIER! Please call the premier's office immediately and urge them to:
-Honour Mohawk land, call off the OPP: Do not risk people's lives for a gravel pit the government has already acknowledged is on Mohawk land!
-Release all First Nations political prisoners!
Premier Dalton McGuinty: 416-325-1941 (phone)
416-325-3745 (fax)
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Yesterday's Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:FROM TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY:
Ontario Jails Five More First Nations People Involved in Land Struggles
(Sunday, April 27, 2008 -Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory)
Five men from Tyendinaga are in jail today bringing the total number of First Nations people in Ontario jails for defending their land to 12. Ontario, it appears, has opted for the incarceration of First Nations people over the resolution of outstanding land issues as their status quo.
As for the Ontario Provincial Police, it appears the adoption of Justice Linden's Ipperwash Inquiry recommendations is experiencing some delay.While in custody at the Napanee Detachment several different officers repeatedly informed Shawn Brant that they were going to "slit his throat"and that he was a "dead man." This followed a similarly disturbing incident that occurred on Monday,April 22nd during the road closures in Deseronto when an officer on the scene clearly and audibly commented to her colleagues "we should justshoot them (Mohawks) all." Meanwhile, road closures continue in Tyendinaga and Six Nations until, asone man said, "We finish the job."
Spokesperson:
Jay Maracle: 613-243-4993
Labels: aboriginal, OCAP, Ontario, solidarity
Sunday, April 27, 2008
ISRAEL/PALESTINE:
A BUSY WEEKEND OF STRUGGLE IN ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES:
The following is a report from Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories by the Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall. These people hold actions each and every weekend in protest of the policies of the Israeli government. This weekend was an especially busy one. The following has been slightly edited for English grammar.
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Palestine-Israel, busy weekend of joint struggle in Jafa-Tel-Aviv and the occupied territories by Ilan S. - AAtW :
The anarchists against the wall initiative were busy on Wednesday with graffiti in preparation for the Thursday evening joint demonstration. On Thursday joined in direct action with our Palestinian partners of Bil'in and others of the region in the temporary liberation of an area near Ramalla where a new settler point is in development. Later, Thursday evening there was the monthly critical mass ride against occupation that started at the Tel Aviv "Zocolo" and traveled to the big counter demo of the 60 years anniversary celebration of the Zionists occupation of Jafa on 1948, in the park built on the ruins of the destroyed al-Manshiya district of the Palestinian Jafa. Friday we split five ways:
One in the Hebron big demo at the Shuhada road and the nearby square. A second in the struggle against the separation fence south of Bethlehem - at Um Salmuna and Al Khader. A persistent struggle for already a year or so. These days, the Israeli state arrested and sentenced to administrative jailing of 6 months Musa AbuMaria - one of the main organizers of the joint struggle against the separation fence and occupation.
The third was at the apartheid highway 443 - a somewhat new project in the Bil'in region. The fourth was in Shiftin - a small village near Shukba (in the west of Bil'in). There the action was targeted against a settler quarry which infringes on the village land and dusts the village. During the action, the villagers succeeded in burning one of the quarry tractors, before the army came. They soldiers shot at Palestinians and the car of the AAtW activists. Two villagers were lightly wounded - one of live ammunition. The fifth was the 166th Friday demonstration in Bil'in.... Bil'in become gradually the unofficial focus of the Palestinian non violent popular struggle against the separation fence and occupation. It is a real bi directional process. Activists from Bil'in participate in struggles in locations in the central part of Palestine.
Grass roots activists from all over Palestine come to Bil'in to be inspired and start similar activity at their villages. Even political activists at the national level feel obliged to come from time to time for meetings and even participate in the joint Friday demonstrations.This Friday, there was in Bil'in a meeting of political activists of the left spectrum of Palestine with a leftist delegation from Europe. After the meeting they participated in the Friday noon demonstration against the separation fence and occupation.The demonstration was, as usual ,with a small variation as the guests gave a speech at the square near the gate of the route of the separation fence.After the speeches, the unruly kids started to throw stones, which gave the Israeli state force the excuse to shoot on us tear gas and bullets coated with rubber. They also use it as usual to shoot at the video cameras documenting the demonstration.
This Friday's video by David can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhLYrpLxtDI
On Thursday the 24th a "celebration" took place, courtesy of The Etzel Museum and The Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, commemorating 60 years of the "liberation" of Jafa . Arab and Jewish activists planned a series of actions trying to raise awareness to the absurdity of celebrating the actions of the terrorist organization the Irgun (Etzel) which was responsible for a series of terrorist attacks during 1947-8.On the night between Wednesday and Thursday, three activists were detained, accused of poster hanging in the area of Neve Tzedek and Jafa. A short time after that 5 more activists were detained and accused of vandalizing public property in the same area. Around 4am the first bunch of activists were released, signing a house arrest form for 24 hours.The second bunch accused of vandalizing were illegally detained for over 8 hours and finally were officially arrested and taken to court. Around noon the court decided to release all the five on self bail.
AN INVITATION OF ACTIVISTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTION"
Hast thou taken possession and celebrated?"
This coming Thursday, April 24, at 19:00
A "celebration" will take place, courtesy of The Etzel Museum and The Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, commemorating 60 years of the "liberation" of Jafa…
It is time to make some noise!
All those who cannot share the joy over the expulsion of Jafa Palestinian inhabitants in 1948 is invited to join us in a joint Jewish-Arab protest (and vociferous) event.
At 19:00, near The Etzel Museum, on the ruins of al-Manshiya, Charles Clore Parc.
Join us to liberate Jafa from the expulsion.
Please, bring pots, pans, and other means of distraction
For further details: 054-xxxxxxx and 052-xxxxxxxx
You can read about the deeds of the Etzel in Jafa:
http://yaffastruggleeh.wordpress.com/alternativetour
An alternative tour will start earlier, at 17:30, from Suzanne Dallal Square
For details on the tour: 050-xxxxxxx
PART OF THE RELEVANT MEDIA
Rightist one:
Anarchists Arrested for Tel Aviv Graffiti
Police said Thursday that they had arrested a group of five anarchists early on Thursday morning for vandalizing property in Tel Aviv. The five, residents of Jerusalem and Haifa in their 20s, were caught painting walls with slogans against the Israeli occupation.
The five were released on Thursday morning on their own recognizance. They are expected to face charges of vandalism. One of the suspects was caught in possession of illegal drugs as well.
More sympathetic one:
Police arrested photographer while doing his duty [licensed media worker who is also an activist]A photographer of the "Ha'ir" documented spraying of graffiti in protest of the tours of the legacy of the Etsel [A pre Israel rightist Zionist underground terrorists] tours, was arrested and his camera was confiscated though he did not participated in the action.
The youth intended to spray graffiti along the route of the tour in protest as the official tour does not reveal the story of the nearly complete depopulation of the original Palestinian population of Jafa.
The policemen present disregarded the activists but after they starting the spraying of "where have the Jafa Arabs gone" the plain clothes detectives of the Tel Aviv police arrested them. Oren showed them his official journalist card and insisted he is there in his professional capacity.The detectives did not respect it - arrested him and confiscated his camera.The detectives refused to verify his claim and took all of them to jail.
When they were brought before the judge in the morning the police prosecutor claimed Oren participated in the "crime". However, the judge verdict was that the "damage of property" by graffiti - a despicable act still didn't justify the arrest. He released them on very low bail. As for the photographer, the judge claimed that there was a high probability he was there in his work capacity, and released him with out any condition.
After his release Oren stated he has been working for the media for two years and that day was assigned the task of photographing the protest activity.It seems like the police targeted these activities using a lot of their resources in order to prevent this joint Arab/Jewish struggle inside Tel Aviv and Jafa.
During that day the Menachem Begin foundation held tours in the area of Neve Tzedek and Jafa. A few activists managed to infiltrate these tours, asking questions and handing out fliers. Around 6pm an alternative tour took place on the same route, ending at a demo in front of the "celebration". Activists from the critical mass against the occupation joined the demo and made a lot of noise trying to disturb the so called celebration. The demo was surrounded by a heavy presence of riot police. Three activists were arrested and released about four hours later. Two more activists that were outside the police station were detained for a short time. Haaretz
Palestinian, Israeli activists scuffle with troops in W. Bank
The IDF yesterday evacuated some 40 Palestinian, Israeli and foreign peace activists who had taken over an abandoned outpost west of Ramallah and hoisted the Palestinian flag over it. After the evacuation, the IDF allowed settlers who used to pray in the synagogue at the Yad Yair outpost to return to it, purportedly to "gauge the damage," military sources said. The protesters say settlers have taken over the site and are setting up an illegal outpost there. (Meron Rapoport)
Ynet....
Jonathan Polak of the "Anarchists Against the Wall" said: "The reason for that action was because that outpost expresses the cooperation between the army and the settlers. If we could overtake it with no problem, the army could do it too". He added: "A short time after the take over, an army force arrived and shoot bullets "coated with rubber" that hit the car of the photographer team".In response to the the army claim that it is a closed military zone, and as such needed to be evacuated, he said: In spite of that, there are tens of settlers who arrive there every day for prayers".
HEBRON
[The invitation for the activist to join the Hebron action]:
On April 25th, On the Jewish Holiday of Passover, that symbolizes more than any other thing the meaning of being a free people, we shall conduct a solidarity visit to Palestinian families in Hebron who lost their freedom since the first Jewish settlement 40 years ago in Hebron.For more details please make contact with Amos: amog@mscc.huji.ac.ilRegards. Bnei Avraham]MEDIA
Left-wing activists, settlers clash in Hebron
Some 50 activists arrived in the city on holiday eve for a protest march despite an army prohibition; later charge police 'did nothing to stop settler's aggression.' Jewish community slams police 'cooperation with terror supporters'
Scuffles broke out on Friday afternoon between settlers and left-wing activists in Hebron – with both sides denouncing local police forces.Shortly after 1:00 pm some 50 activists convened at the Gross Square in the city to join Palestinian residents for a protest rally under PLO flags and banners. Local witnesses said demonstration participants assaulted a Jewish resident.
[They marched along the Shuhada main street that a court verdict said must be open for the Palestinians too... but it is not respected by the army].
When IDF officials informed the protesters that the gathering was not authorized, they refused to leave the scene and lay down across one of the city's roads. One of the rally organizers has been detained for questioning by the police.Activists also tried to block the main route leading to the Jewish section of the city, preventing residents from accessing or leaving their homes. Police troops were alerted to the scene after the confrontation deteriorated into a brawl and separated the opposing sides.The activists were then escorted to a bus, presumably to leave the city, but its passage was blocked by a group of settlers, forcing the driver to return to the police station.Eventually the bus departed in the direction of Jerusalem with a police escort, but not before it was pelted with eggs by right-wing activists.
"The police did nothing to stop the settler's attacks and chose instead to arrest the leftist activists instead and take them to the police station," said the outraged activists, adding that they had also been attacked with rocks and were delayed for a lengthy period of time at the police station. Meanwhile the Committee of the Jewish Community of Hebron also had harsh words for local law enforcement. "Police here regularly allow anarchist groups, extreme left-wing activists and terror supports to stage provocations here in the city. Today the police allowed them to block the only road into the Jewish sector. We denounce this act and demand the provocations stop, they should be kept away from Jewish communities."
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http://ilan.shalif.com/anarchy/glimpses/glimpses.html
http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com/
http://awals.org/
Labels: anarchism, Anarchists Against the Wall, international anarchist movement, Israel, Palestine
EUROPE:
A SYNDICALIST MAYDAY IN EUROPE:
The following announcement is from the website of the French CNT (the CNT-Vignoles). It is about a coordinated Mayday amongst various anarcho-syndicalist unions on the continent of Europe. The poster to the left is a joint effort of the various organizations.
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DIRECT ACTION AGAINST CAPITALIST EUROPE !!!
When, throughout Europe, "leftwing" Governments, as well as rightwing ones have similar policies : public services are broken up and privatised, working conditions are under attack from casualisation, subsidies to the bosses, attacks on the welfare system, and pensions, ...
When, throughout Europe, "leftwing" Governments, as well as rightwing ones have similar policies : public services are broken up and privatised, working conditions are under attack from casualisation, subsidies to the bosses, attacks on the welfare system, and pensions, ...
When, throughout Europe, "leftwing" Governments, as well as rightwing ones are criminalising both those who are fighting back, with repression against organised labour, and immigrants, with detention camps and deportation.
When, throughout Europe, "leftwing" Governments, as well as rightwing ones have imperialist and neo-colonial foreign policies such as in Iraq, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Africa and Latin America.
When, throughout Europe, the trade unions are now collaborating with the bosses, with no more strength of will to fight back.
We, anarcho-syndicalist, and revolutionary trade unionist organizations, the "Red and Black Coordination", on 1st May 2008, the day of labour and international solidarity, renew our determination in our anticapitalist, antiauthoritarian, antifascist, antisexist and revolutionary fight.
The Red and Black Coordination :
ESE (Greece), WI (Poland), LA (Poland), GGT (Spain), USI (Italy), IWW (GB), CNT (France), SAC (Sweden).
Labels: CGT, CNT-F, demonstrations, ESE, events, LA., May Day, SAC., USI, WI.
Friday, April 25, 2008
CANADIAN POLITICS:
STEPHEN HARPER'S TACTICS:
The following is a reprint from the Harper Index,(by the way, subscribe to this excellent list-Molly) devoted to keeping a close eye on our shifty Prime Minister. What it shows is a pattern of behavior that will undoubtedly be exasperated should sneaky Stevie ever achieve majority government. This pattern is highly authoritarian and anti-democratic. Read on....
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INSULTS, DISCOURTESY AND DISRESPECT MARK HARPER TEAM'S BEHAVIOR:
Targets have included AIDS activists, Nobel Prize winners and Road to Avonlea star.
OTTAWA, April 21, 2008:
OTTAWA, April 21, 2008:
A big reason many Canadians are uncomfortable with Stephen Harper may be the vindictiveness with which he and his team snub political adversaries and others with opposing views. Last week it was Elections Commissioner William Corbett. Before that it was multiple Genie and Gemini winner, and Oscar nominee, Sarah Polley.
News reports last week carried excerpts of a Conservative news release which attacked Polley for her advocacy against Bill C-10, which would give the federal government opportunities to censor artists by retroactively withdrawing previously approved tax credits. "... During the 2004 Federal Election, Sarah Polley was an active member of the 'Stop Harper' campaign, even attaching her name to a news release attacking the now Prime Minister." read the release, which quoted Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre as saying, "Individuals with vested personal and political interests should be honest with Canadians on what their true intentions are." These are tough words to choose for a Canadian cultural icon best known as Sarah Stanley in the TV series Road to Avonlea, based on a character in L.M. Montgomery's "The Story Girl".
The personal nature of the attack on Polley brought to mind the Harper team's lengthy record of personal or ad hominem attacks going beyond civil requirements of discussion and debate, some of which are listed, in alphabetical order, below. HarperIndex.ca encourages readers to submit their own examples, with references if possible, to HarperIndex list entries. As more are received, we will add them to the list.
*AIDS activists felt snubbed and embarrassed when Harper refused to go to the International Aids Conference in Toronto.
*Bains, Navdeep [reader-contributed] is the Liberal MP for whom Harper claimed the Liberals voted against the extension of two clauses in the Anti-Terror Act in order to "protect". (His father-in-law is a potential witness at investigative hearings to advance the Air India criminal probe.)
*Bono, the international rock star and AIDS activist, was snubbed by Stephen Harper at the G8 summit, who said he was too busy to discuss the African AIDS crisis with him. "Meeting celebrities isn't my shtick," Harper said. "That was the shtick of the previous guy."
*Black History Breakfast Clubs were snubbed by Harper on a scheduled visit to Ottawa in February, 2007. While students from an inner-city breakfast club in Toronto had the opportunity to tour Parliament, Harper stayed far away from the quick, scheduled hello. He failed even to send an MP in his place to the event, scheduled as part of Black History Month. Every other political party with seats in Parliament sent a representative to greet the visitors. Present were the deputy leader of the Liberal opposition party, Michael Ignatieff, and prominent NDP MP Olivia Chow, who is the wife of NDP leader Jack Layton.
*Calvert, Lorne, at the time premier of Saskatchewan, was not alerted by Harper of a major federal-provincial announcement in that province in 2007, presumably because Harper was miffed about Calvert's strand on equalization, nor was he invited to it. Not inviting Calvert violated well-established protocol in a way clearly intended to humiliate.
*Casey, Bill, is the Conservative MP from Nova Scotia who was dumped from the Conservative caucus over his dispute with Harper over federal equalization payments, and the ownership and taxation of underground oil and gas resources from his province. During the same week in October 2007 that Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay announced the Atlantic Accord would more or less stay in force (details have yet to be provided), Harper said Casey would not be allowed to run for the Conservatives in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, against the wishes of the local riding association.
*Climate scientists. Nobel Prize-winning scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were snubbed by the Harper government when it boycotted a celebration for them staged in February 2008 on Parliament Hill, hosted by the Swedish ambassador, and featuring speeches from all party leaders except Harper.
*Dion, Stéphane, the current Liberal leader is being routinely subjected to the same sort of graphic mockery (see the Conservative Party website) as Jean Chrétien, the former prime minister - which they only get away with because he isn't disfigured. (Chrétien, turned the tables on the Conservatives, long before Harper, in the 1993 federal election, in part by making the most of a Conservative campaign ad that appeared to exploit his facial disfigurement.)
*Hawkes, Jim, was the Conservative MP who was Harper's first political boss and the person Harper defeated to first win a seat for the Reform Party in 1993 in Calgary Southwest.
*Ipsos-Reid, the polling firm, was blasted by Harper in 2002 for having Liberal leanings, an accusation he was forced to retract.
*Johnson-Sirleaf, Ellen, the Liberian president and the first woman elected as a head of state in Africa, and who Time Magazine named as one of the top 100 people shaping the world today, got passed over for an official welcome from Harper when she visited Ottawa earlier this month. She met with foreign affairs minister Peter MacKay, but was overlooked by Harper, who met with Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak the same day.
*Keen, Linda, chair of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, was attacked personally in terms of partisanship and competence in the House of Commons by Stephen Harper and natural resources minister Gary Lunn, producing a chill in the civil service.
*Leadbeater, Alan, second in command at the Canada Information Commissioner's Office, was quietly let go in May 2007, only months after he criticized the Conservative government for reneging on promises to strengthen Access to Information laws. Robert Marleau, a former Clerk of the House of Commons, had recently been hired to replace John Reid, the outspoken former commissioner. Marleau claimed he needed a "flatter organization" and did not need a second in command. Leadbeater, who had worked in the office for more than 15 years, was told he was no longer needed and was immediately escorted from the building.
*MacDonald, Rodney, Nova Scotia's premier, was snubbed in July 2007 when Harper went to Halifax for a funding announcement without informing him. The scheduling "problem" occurred a few weeks after the two engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution of transfer payments handed out to have-not provinces like Nova Scotia. Harper was eventually forced to feign agreement to Nova Scotia's terms, largely because of pressure led by Bill Casey (see above).
*Manning, Preston, founding leader of the Reform Party, was criticized as being unable to attract a national majority by former ally Harper, leading to Harper's giving up his House of Commons seat in 1997 and taking a job at the National Citizens Coalition.
*McGuinty, Dalton, the Ontario premier, came under unprecedented attack this year, with Conservative house leader Peter Van Loan calling McGuinty the "small man of Confederation", and finance minister Jim Flaherty taking the extreme step of holding a news conference to attack the 2008 Ontario budget the day before it was read.
*Measner, Adam, president of the Canadian Wheat Board and a Board employee for 20+ years, was forced to resign when Harper's government fulfilled the dreams of early Reform members by stripping the Canadian Wheat Board of responsibilities and putting people in charge who want to destroy it.
*Okulitch, Andrew, a scientist emeritus with the Geological Survey of Canada, was relieved of his duties in 2006 after refusing a directive to refer to the federal government as "Canada's New Government". Later he was reinstated after the controversy attracted international attention.
*Ontario, Province of. [reader-contributed] Never has a prime minister unilaterally declared ideological jihad against an entire province, yet this is essentially what Harper has done. When finance minister Jim Flaherty blatantly called into question the intelligence of any company or business considering investment in Ontario, it was more than a partisan attack on a provincial liberal leader recently rewarded with another majority government; he was also calling into question the intelligence of Ontario voters as a whole (who had summarily dismissed his government from running Ontario in October 2003).
*Opposition parties [reader-contributed] were labelled Taliban supporters for asking questions about Afghan prisoners.
*Parliamentary Press Gallery. Stephen Harper has always seen the national media corps as the enemy. His mentor Tom Flanagan clearly instructs that reporters are left-leaning and eager to punish Conservatives for small errors. As a result, Harper never lets down his guard with veteran national reporters, preferring staged photo ops with local media, and internally-produced video and news releases. Stephen Harper refuses to do scrums unless he can control who asks questions. He has security officials escort journalists and camera people away from the hallway outside cabinet meetings and refuses to attend Press Gallery dinners.
*Polley, Sarah. See above.
*Riddell, Alan, a lifelong Conservative, was bullied out of his long-nurtured candidacy in Ottawa South in favour of the whistleblower Alan Cutler. His libel suit against Harper - whose public denial of a deal with Riddell was contradicted by court documents - was settled out of court.
*Williams, Danny, Newfoundland's premier, was an attempted victim of snubbing who turned the tables on Harper, whom he has battled over equalization payments and oil revenues. In a news conference, Williams repeatedly called Harper "Steve" and won an overwhelming victory in the subsequent provincial election as a result of his confrontations with the Prime Minister.
Related individuals, organizations and significant events
Labels: Canadian politics, Harper Index, politicians, Steven Harper
JAPAN:
REBELLION NEEDS MUSIC: AN APPEAL FROM JAPAN:
The following is an appeal reprinted from the Asian Anarchist Network. As usual it has been slightly edited for reasons of English grammar. It seems that some comrades who are organizing against the upcoming G8 meeting at Lake Toya, Hokkaido, Japan would like to have an international contingent of musicians on hand during their protests. Are you a musician ? Are you footloose and fancy free ? Have you ever dreamed about visiting Japan (Molly sure has) ? Why not check this out.
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Hi there,
we need more music for the upcoming protest/party!/catbloc
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A statement and call for participation in the musical events during the G8 in Lake Toya, Hokkaido, Japan, by the Sound Collective of NO!G8 Action Japan. Feel free to forward the information below to your music activist friends!
Rebellion Needs Music!
From July 7th to 9th, 2008, the G8 summit will be held at Lake Toya,Hokkaido, Japan. Numerous anti-summit actions will take place against this haughty meeting which is trying to monopolize and define the course of the world by only the so-called 8 major (Group of 8) countries .
We are disgusted at this absurd meeting. We would like to make spaces of protests, interaction, and solidarity with sounds. This is one of the things we can do to express our disgust.
All this time, we had been drowned out, misled and confounded by a deluge of textual/visual information and were at first not interested in politics at all. But the impact of music/sounds opened our eyes to social issues.We are fed up with statements, excuses, apologies, and policy changes by politicians. With music/sounds, we are going to make spaces of direct exchange, solidarity, and confirmation of our will of resistance in Hokkaido where the G8 summit will be held.
Needless to say, musical genre does not matter. Rap, punk, folk, jazz,or whatever, we invite you to come to Hokkaido to express yourself. Unfortunately, we would have to ask you to fund yourself with your travel expenses and since the nature of the events will be benefit events for the movement, we cannot pay a performance fee, but we can certainly guarantee performing spaces. Please contact the following email address, if you want to join us in the resistance against the G8 through musical/sound performance and self-expression.
For more information, contact the No-G8 Action Japan/Sound Collective at: isshikikouki@riseup.net
Labels: anarchism, anarchist music, G8, Japan, protests
GERMANY/RUSSIA:
GERMAN DEMONSTRATION AGAINST POLICE REPRESSION IN RUSSIA:
The following is translated from the Russian anarchist site Avtonom. As Molly has previously reported on this blog the Russian anarchists are the target of increasing repression on the part of Putin's autocratic state, but they have fought back within Russia, and they have international support. The following is a report of one such solidarity demonstration in Germany.
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Action against lawlessness of Russian authorities in Berlin
On April 25 in Berlin ,opposite the Russian embassy (Unter den Linden 63-65), there was an action of solidarity with the victims of police lawlessness in Moscow on 4 April, and with all the victims of state violence in Russia and the world.
The anarchist action was sponsored by Abolishing The Borders From Below and Autonomous Action. For two hours day, activists held banners opposite the Russian Embassy with the slogans "Gegen Staatsterror Welweit" ( "state terror against the world") and "Solidaritat mit den von dem russichen staatsterror opfenden" ( "Solidarity with the victims of state terror in Russia").
There were leaflets, telling passers of the incident in Russia,and chants of ", respect human rights", "No police lawlessness" and other slogans, to the at passersby. A few Russian speaking anarchists and one of the defendants came to support the action.
Labels: anarchism, Avtonom, demonstrations, Germany, Russia, solidarity
ANARCHIST MAGAZINES:
REVUES ANARCHISTES:
AFRIQUE SANS CHAÎNES (#2-MAI 2008):AFRICA WITHOUT CHAINS NUMBER (#2-MAY 2008):
The French anarcho-syndicalist union federation, the CNT-F (also known as the CNT-Vignoles), has sent the following message via their regular newsletter. The French original appears below followed by an English translation.
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Le 2ème numéro d' "Afrique sans chaînes", la lettre d'info bimestrielle du groupe de travail "Afrique" du secrétariat international de la CNT, est paru. Édité tous les deux mois et réalisé grâce aux témoignages des ses partenaires syndicaux et associatifs africains, ce bulletin se veut un outil de lutte / relais ett peut servir à établir des liens, tisser des solidarités entre celles et ceux qui ne se résignent pas, au Nord, comme au Sud, entre les Afriques.
Ce n° 2 de mai 2008 est toujours diffusé gratuitement et il est consultable par tous en se connectant à l'adresse internet suivante: http://www.cnt-f.org/propagande/autre/asc/asc2.pdf
Au sommaire :
- Quand la France adoube les dictatures
- Burkina Faso : Le FMI affame
- Mali : l'AME veut développer solidarité et assistance pour les expulséset refoulés
- APE : l'Europe du capital tente une nouvelle offensive sur l'Afrique
- Maroc : victoire des ouvriers agricoles de Soprofel- Togo : Presse en danger
- Zabalaza, sœur d'Afrique sans chaînes
- Cinéma : Rêves de poussière
- Littérature : Du Racisme français- Frantz Fanon : sa vie, son œuvre
- Et aussi : Centrafrique, Algérie, Comores, Tunisie, Maroc
Le 1er numéro est toujours disponible sur http://www.cnt-f.org/international
Confédération nationale du travail (CNT)
Secrétariat international (groupe Afrique)
33 rue des Vignoles
75020 PARIS
FRANCE
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The 2nd edition of "Africa Without Chains", the bimonthly newsletter of the working group "Africa" of the international secretariat of the CNT, has been published. Published every two months and implemented through the testimony of its trade union partners and African associations, this newsletter wants to be a tool of struggle and a relay house that can be used to establish links and forge solidarity between those who are not reigned, in the North and the South,and between Africans.
Number 2, May 2008 is always distributed free and is searchable by all connecting to the internet at: http://www.cnt-f.org/propagande/autre/asc/asc2.pdf
Summary:
- When France softens (hard to translate, maybe "soothes" or "accomodates"-MM) dictatorships
-Burkina Faso: The starving IMF
-Mali: AME wants to develop solidarity and assistance for refugees and repressed people
-EPA: Europe's capital tries a new offensive on Africa
-Morocco: victory of agricultural workers of Soprofel
-Togo: The press in danger
- Zabalaza, sister publication of Africa without chains
-Cinema: Dreams of dust
-Literature: Of French racism
-Frantz Fanon: his life, work
-And also: Central African Republic, Algeria, Comoros , Tunisia, Morocco
The 1st issue is always available at http://www.cnt-f.org/international
National Confederation of Labour (CNT)
International Secretariat (group Africa)
33 rue des Vignoles
75020 PARIS
FRANCE
Labels: Africa, Africa without Chains, anarchism, CNT-F, magazines
ANARCHIST BOOKFAIRS:
IT'S HERE, IT'S NOW, IT'S THE CALGARY ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:
Yes, that's right folks. The first Canadian anarchist bookfair of the year begins today in good old Cowtown. Wanna know what it's all about ? Wanna know where it is ? Just drop on over to their website at http://bookfair.anarchistservices.ca .
You know it seems appropriate that Calgary is the first out of the chute this year.
Labels: anarchism, anarchist bookfairs, Calgary, Calgary Anarchist Bookfair, events
Thursday, April 24, 2008
OTTAWA:
BIGGER AND BETTER DIGS FOR EXILE BOOKS:
Ottawa's anarchist bookstore and Infoshop Exile Books is moving to bigger and better premises. But they don't have far to go. Read all about it below.
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Some exciting news from the Infoshop: We’re moving!!! Ok, it’s only across the hall to a larger, brighter, and relatively (given the dominance of “markets”) affordable space.
The new space will be located in Suite 200 (formally A & H Records) of our current building, 256 Bank St. It has three large windows that can be seen from Bank St., and the floor space is more than double our current room.
In this new space we will be able to provide a larger and more serene lending/reading library, expanded books/zines/accessories selection, we will be adding a commercial music section, and we will also provide more free computers, free wire-less internet, and fairly traded Zapatista coffee. It will have a large, decorated, launching-pad for the revolution. Militants with heart-conditions, please be advised. Unfortunately, due to the fact we are remaining in the same building, we are still not fully accessible. We should note that we still believe this location is temporary (and the best from limited options) and will continue to plan for an accessible, permanent, move in the nearish future.
Nonetheless, WE WILL BE RE-OPENING MAYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In our efforts to prepare the new space for coffee, intellectual romance, and summer of fire and rage, we are launching a funding blitzkrieg. We aim to collect 2000 bucks by Mayday and we are hoping that YOU can help reach our goal. Please consider making a donation. Cash received will go directly into preparations for the new space.
==============================================================TO DONATE:
*drop by and give cash in person
*mail to address (http://www.exilebooks.org/en/contact-us/)
*email paperpusher(at)exilebooks.org
*call 613.237.9270
PLEASE SUPPORT THE INFOSHOP!!!!==============================================================
Please note we will be closed Wednesday April 30th, 2008. The following day, please drop by for our re-opening. Please stay tuned for more delicious details.
*Toward a life without drudgery — for a holiday without beginning or end*
PLEASE SUPPORT THE INFOSHOP!!!!==============================================================
Please note we will be closed Wednesday April 30th, 2008. The following day, please drop by for our re-opening. Please stay tuned for more delicious details.
*Toward a life without drudgery — for a holiday without beginning or end*
Labels: anarchism, anarchist bookshops, Exile Books, Ottawa
ANARCHIST THEORY:
AN ANARCHIST ANALYSIS OF CAPITALIST FINANCIAL MARKETS:
Molly wants to alert her readers to a great new article over at the Anarkismo board. With the title above the writers attempts to provide a primer to the rather opaque world of financial markets, from commodities to derivatives. What is especially refreshing is that, unlike the usual leftist dreck on such subjects, this article is actually objective. just the facts ma'am. No speculation on how many labour values can dance on the head of a pin. The article provides a factually based description of the operation of present day markets, and he then goes on to speculate about what this means for class struggle and socialism in our age. The state-based socialism of the authoritarian left comes out as being more than wanting. Here's the first two paragraphs of the article....
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An anarchist analysis of capitalist financial markets
by Paul Bowman - WSM - RBR
Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction
This is the first part of a series of articles investigating the capitalist financial markets from a critical perspective. With such a large topic it is tricky finding a route into the subject and a plan of enquiry. The chosen road is to start with a look at the financial markets, particularly focusing on the mechanics of some of the instruments that have led to a momentous transformation of the workings of global financial markets in the most recent decades.
This is the first part of a series of articles investigating the capitalist financial markets from a critical perspective. With such a large topic it is tricky finding a route into the subject and a plan of enquiry. The chosen road is to start with a look at the financial markets, particularly focusing on the mechanics of some of the instruments that have led to a momentous transformation of the workings of global financial markets in the most recent decades.
At first sight, this approach may seem odd, perverse even, like examining the internal workings of a clock as a prelude to discussion the social relations of time. However this "inside-out" approach is justified by the fact that as well as a system of social relations, capitalism is also a system with internal mechanics. Those mechanics evolve in response to the historical development of struggles over exploitation, but what new directions the new mechanics make possible in terms of capitalist strategies, in turn, shape the new struggles of today and tomorrow. The next article in the series will place these market mechanics in their fuller historical context. But for now let's start by investigating the mechanics of capitalist financial markets.
READ MORE HERE.
Labels: anarchism, anarchist theory, anarkismo.net, financial markets
AMERICAN LABOUR:
TELL DHS:"NO MATCH" LETTERS HURT ALL WORKERS:
Last Saturday Molly reposted an article from the IWW website on the plans of the UD Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use a "no match" system to hunt down illegal migrant workers. The United Farm Workers also have a petition campaign against this piece of legislation. Their appeal follows. This campaign is only open to US workers, but if you are such and want to join go to http://changetowin.org/campaign/dhs_ssa_no_match .
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to start a new program of immigration enforcement that will punish thousands of legal, documented workers and companies who play by the rules. We need your help to stop them!
Take Action:
Tell DHS to Say No to No-Match
DHS is proposing using Social Security "no-match" letters for immigration enforcement. Every year, employers report their employees' Social Security numbers to the government as part of the process of paying their payroll taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) checks those numbers against their database; if they don't match, a so-called "no-match" letter is sent by SSA to the employer.
DHS is proposing using Social Security "no-match" letters for immigration enforcement. Every year, employers report their employees' Social Security numbers to the government as part of the process of paying their payroll taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) checks those numbers against their database; if they don't match, a so-called "no-match" letter is sent by SSA to the employer.
That works well enough when the issue is just checking the accuracy of Social Security's records. But now DHS is proposing to use this system for something far more critical -- identifying whether a worker is in this country legally. And the Social Security database just isn't accurate enough to be used reliably for that purpose.
Why isn't it? The Inspector General of the Social Security Administration estimates that there are more than 17 million errors in the database -- each of which would trigger a "no-match" letter. And more than 70% of those errors are in the records of legal, native-born American workers.
If you're one of those workers, when the "no-match" letter arrives, it's up to you and your employer -- not DHS or Social Security -- to resolve the "discrepancy". And if you can't get it resolved in time, your employer is required to fire you or risk significant penalties.
If DHS goes forward with this plan, it would cause thousands of people to be fired on an unverified hunch that an error in a database in Washington means that you're not a legal, authorized worker.
The Department of Homeland Security needs to hear from you that this is unacceptable. You can send a comment to them just by clicking this link:
Take Action:
Tell DHS to Say No to No-Match
Please take a moment to add your voice to ours in opposition to this misguided plan.
Please take a moment to add your voice to ours in opposition to this misguided plan.
Don't wait -- Friday is the last day DHS will accept comments on this issue.
Thanks for all that you do,
Greg Tarpinian
Thanks for all that you do,
Greg Tarpinian
Executive Director,
Change to Win
Labels: immigrants, labour, solidarity, United Farm Workers, USA
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
ARIZONA:
HELP FIGHT ARIZONA BILL TO BAN ETHNIC STUDENT GROUPS:
The following is a rather unusual appeal from the United Farm Workers in the USA. It seems that there is some sort of bizarre rider to a bill now before the Arizona legislature that would ban students in that state from forming groups based on race. This was tacked on to a "homeland security" bill ???, as explained below. The bill is actually an ill-disguised attempt to prevent students from minority ethnic groups from organizing to promote their interests, and it may not be so strange to see the UFW opposed to this sneaky little trick iof one considers the high percentage of Mexicans in the UFW.
Now, whatever you may think of such groups, whether they are a good thing, a bad thing or sometimes good and sometimes bad, it can hardly be argued that the proposed bill is not an infringement on the basic right of association. It is something that would be a total non-starter up here in the frozen north. A rather nasty and underhanded one at that. The UFW appeal follows below. To learn more and participate in this campaign (you don't have to be an Arizona resident- you can tell the politicos that the world is watching) go to http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/sb1108 .
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Help fight Ariz. bill to ban ethnic student groups like MEChA, Black Business Students Assoc.
Multiculturalism is a basic American concept. We value the beliefs, traditions, customs, arts, history and folklore of the diverse cultures reflected throughout our nation. All this is being put at risk in Arizona, where last week the Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to a routine homeland security bill, SB 1108 that would prohibit students at the state’s public universities and community colleges from organizing groups based on race (ie: groups such as MEChA, the Black Business Students Association, Native Americans United, etc.)
Please take action today. This bill could reach the Arizona House floor as early as this week.
According to newspaper reports, Rep. John Kavanagh, (R-Scottsdale), a supporter of the measure called these campus organizations, "'self-defeating' and 'self-destructive' for students."
Self-defeating? Multiculturalism doesn't limit students. It gives them pride in who they are and enhances their being fuller people by fostering the concept of America being the land of opportunity. As Cesar Chavez said, "Preservation of one's culture doesn’t mean contempt for others'."
These student groups are like any other school club or fraternity. They bring students together so they can achieve academic success. They offer a place to meet, make friends and support one another. Their goal is to help students succeed. For example, the members of the University of Arizona's MEChA chapter visit high schools to encourage students to attend college. They hold events and fundraisers to spread the message that education is the key to success.
The bill goes one step further. It also would ban public schools or colleges from including race-based classes or school sponsored activities. Officially the language says it would ban any activity "deemed contradictory to the values of American democracy or Western civilization." However, the language is so broad, who knows what could be prohibited? Certainly Chicano studies, African-American studies & other ethnic studies programs would be put at risk.
Studies show that students who learn about their race and culture have a lower drop-out rate. In truth, if this bill passes it could cause a huge set back in our educational system.
Please take immediate action. If you live in Arizona, e-mail your representatives immediately as well as the Speaker of the House. If you live outside Arizona, please e-mail the Arizona Speaker of the House today and let him know the eyes of the nation are on Arizona.
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/sb1108
Labels: Arizona, solidarity, United Farm Workers, USA
RUSSIA:
SOLIDARITY ACTIONS AGAINST RUSSIAN POLICE BRUTALITY:
The following is from the English language section of the Russian anarchist site Avtonom. Molly has blogged on a couple of these actions previously. The following has been slightly edited for reasons of English grammar.
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19.04.2008
Actions against police brutality continue in Moscow and around the world
Yesterday 18th of April a demonstration marching from Pushkin square towards Belarus Railway station blocked Tverskaya street between 7:40 and 20:10 PM in Moscow. This was a continuation of the reaction to brutal torture at Sokolniky police station 4th of April (http://www.avtonom.org/index.php?nid=1697),and the legal action 11th of April which finished in a confrontation, provoked by the OMON riot police (http://www.avtonom.org/index.php?nid=1701). As legalizing an action does not guarantee freedom from police infringement, this time people decided to go without it. There was also a legal action the same day, announced by some human rights activists, which police ordered to Bolotnaya Square -an isolated spot in a park in an island in the Moscow river, where there were no any passers by at 300 meter radius. Eventually up to 100 mostly old school liberal activists gathered there.
Yesterday 18th of April a demonstration marching from Pushkin square towards Belarus Railway station blocked Tverskaya street between 7:40 and 20:10 PM in Moscow. This was a continuation of the reaction to brutal torture at Sokolniky police station 4th of April (http://www.avtonom.org/index.php?nid=1697),and the legal action 11th of April which finished in a confrontation, provoked by the OMON riot police (http://www.avtonom.org/index.php?nid=1701). As legalizing an action does not guarantee freedom from police infringement, this time people decided to go without it. There was also a legal action the same day, announced by some human rights activists, which police ordered to Bolotnaya Square -an isolated spot in a park in an island in the Moscow river, where there were no any passers by at 300 meter radius. Eventually up to 100 mostly old school liberal activists gathered there.
But lack of passers by was not the case with Pushkinskaya square, one of the main hang-arounds in the center of Moscow. Police had not received a hint of the alternative plan, and a march with huge 10+ meter banner with text "No to brutality" and with a picture of crossed-over cop was unrolled to halt all traffic on the Tverskaya street in the exit direction from Moscow. Some 200 demonstrators lit sea torches and other fireworks and shouted anti-police slogans - Our cops are "protecting us", first they frame us up and then they beat us up!, This is our city!, Get to the streets - reclaim the city!, Antifa!, Raise the black flag higher -the state is our main enemy! and international A.C.A.B! Pushkin square constantly has a van of cops on guard in case of illegal protests, but they were slow to react. Eventually the action was followed by 3 buses of OMON riot police, but as they ended up to huge traffic jam caused by the action. They only made it to Belorussian station 5-10 minutes after marchers had dispersed and disappeared. Good, as blocking a road of federal importance may result felony charges in Russia.
Although not all participators were anarchists, this was definitely among the most significant actions initiated by the anti-authoritarian scene in Moscow during the last 20 years. The information agency "RIA-Novosti" was relying solely on police sources, and they announced that "a huge traffic jam in the center was due to 20 football hooligans crossing the road". This claim was widely ridiculed in the internet, but published by surprisingly many mainstream sources - apparently these days there is not much free media in Russia left outside the internet.
Besides Moscow, the last two weeks have seen solidarity actions in Arkangelsk, Samara, Tyumen and St. Petersburg of Russia and in Helsinki and Kiev abroad. Actions are also planned at least in Paris and Sidney.
The struggle continues!
Photos:
Video:
Labels: anarchism, Avtonom, demonstrations, police., Russia, solidarity
HAMILTON ONTARIO:
YET ANOTHER ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR- HAMILTON ONTARIO:
They're breaking our everywhere now. Tremble in your boots statists of the right and left. Here's an announcement of yet another anarchist bookfair coming up this summer, this time in Hamilton Ontario. Details will follow on the Linchpin site.
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Anarchist Bookfair - June 14, 2008
Hamilton, Ontario by Hamilton Anarchist Bookfair
Hamilton's Anarchist Bookfair
Fellow underdogs unite in underdog city for a day of workshops, discussion, networking and of course literature!
Date: June 14, 2008
Time: 10am - 4pm
Place: Westdale Highschool
700 Main Street West,
Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 1A5
More info coming soon.
Labels: anarchism, anarchist bookfairs, Hamilton, Linchpin
STUDENT MOVEMENT:
SUPPORT HUNGER STRIKING STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA:
The following appeal comes via the United Students Against Sweatshops, even though it concerns an effort on the part of the Students for a Democratic Society. Go HERE to read more and join this campaign.
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Support Hunger Striking Students at the University of Florida!
Students at the University of Florida have been on hunger strike for up to 13 days to demand that the university commit to a policy for socially responsible investment.
Students at the University of Florida have been on hunger strike for up to 13 days to demand that the university commit to a policy for socially responsible investment.
Please call and email President Machen today to demand that the university meet students' demands.
Script:
President Machen (352) 392-1311:
Hello, my name is _______ and I am a __________ from __________. I am calling today to urge you to listen to the demands of your hunger striking students. The University of Florida should be a leader in the struggle to ensure that the rights of workers are respected, and I hope that your administration will take action immediately. Thank you.
President Machen (352) 392-1311:
Hello, my name is _______ and I am a __________ from __________. I am calling today to urge you to listen to the demands of your hunger striking students. The University of Florida should be a leader in the struggle to ensure that the rights of workers are respected, and I hope that your administration will take action immediately. Thank you.
At the link above you can also sign on to send President Machen the following letter. The SDS also has their own online petition HERE.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): President Bernie Machen
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Support socially responsible investing
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am writing today to urge you to support the socially responsible investment proposal submitted to you by Students for a Democratic Society. Currently, the SRI policy passed by the Board of Trustees provides no measure of accountability to the students or the public. If the University of Florida is to live up to its mission statement of working for the public good, it must realize that its investments should be held to the same standard. I implore you to meet the demands of the students who are on a hunger strike and ensure that the University of Florida will remain at the forefront of the fight for sustainability and responsibility.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Labels: Florida, students, Students for a Democratic society, United Students Against Sweatshops
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
WINNIPEG:
MAYDAY IN WINNIPEG:
The following is the announcement of the annual May Day march here in Winnipeg. The Haymarket martyrs mentioned below and pictured to the left were, of course, anarchists, no matter how much the authoritarian left might wish to obscure this fact.
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Thu 1 May: Winnipeg May Day: An International Celebration of Resistance
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: City Hall (510 Main St)
Winnipeg, MB
contact email: winnipegmayday@ gmail.com
**The program begins at 6:00. After a couple short speeches, we will begin the march. We expect to arrive at Old Market Square at about 8:00
*** May Day (May 1), also known as International Workers Day, is an international annual celebration of the gains made by the labour movement and the working class in general. It commemorates the fight for the eight hour day and the workers who fell during the struggle, particularly the Haymarket martyrs who were sentenced to prison and executed for a bomb that even the judge knew they had nothing to do with. In Winnipeg, it is also a commemoration of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. May Day has long been a focal point for various groups identifying with the political left and is an official holiday in many countries.
This year’s theme is “The world is not for sale!” and “People not Profit!”, to highlight fighting back against neoliberalism and privatization.
We will assemble in the courtyard of City Hall at 6:00 pm, and after a couple quick speeches we will march down Main, to the Union Center, up Smith st, and to Old Market Square . There will be a music from the marching band and a drum group. If you are interested in getting involved with the planning of May Day, we are meeting every Sunday at noon at the Workers Organizing Resource Center (280 Smith st).
Spread the word! Invite your friends!
Monday, April 21, 2008
OTTAWA:
MAY EVENTS IN OTTAWA:
It's springtime in the nation's capital, and a warm zephyr blows through the gray bureaucratic canyons. It picks up loose pieces of carelessly discarded top secret documents and swirls them about while even the hearts of Revenue Canada auditors begin to melt. Ah, but not on Parliament Hill, nor at 24 Sussex Drive. Here winter still holds its icy grip, as the unmeltable heart of Evil Stevie sends out its tendrils of frost. On many a dark and stormy night one can hear his hideous cackle as he plots further harm to the tiny citizens of Canuckville in the service of the Evil Emperor and his corporate barons. Ah, but elsewhere the first flowers begin to issue forth, and the first green begins to appear on the brown lawns. Soon the Rideau canal itself will turn green with its summer foliage of pond scum. Now it must be admitted that they don't have pond scum down east like we have it out here on the prairies, but they have a form of scum that may be even worse. Or did I already mention Parliament Hill ? Ah well, there are some springtime events in the merry month of May down Ottawa way that don't depend on the perpetual circus up on the Hill. Here's some that are happily provided that Ottawa anarchist organization Common Cause.
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Canada, Anarchist federation Common Cause, Ottawa local, Call out for May events, for PDF listings
We're contacting you to see if you are aware of any events we should include in our May 2008 Ottawa events listings PDF. ---- If you have an event you'd like to see listed, please send us (a_ottawa@mutualaid.org) the details by Wed April 25 at 5pm. ---- If you know others who might be organizing an event, please pass this email on to them. ---- Thanks for your cooperation ---- Common Cause Ottawa.
PS here is what the April events listings looked like: http://ottawa.indymedia.org/media/2008/03//7234.pdf
---- PPS here are the events we have so far:
Wed, Apr 30, 2008,
7:00pm
Public Forum on Crops, Cars & Climate Crisis
Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave by Laurier.
--- Featuring guests from Canada, Mexico, Paraguay and the Philippines. www.cban.ca/agrofuels
613 241-2267
Thursday May 1,
12-1 pm
O'Brien's Impeachment Tea Party
City Hall (Elgin and Lisgar)
Thursday May 1
1pm (after the tea party)
Rally and march to take back the streets
Human Rights Monument (Elgin and Lisgar)
Ottawa Panhandlers' Union at 613-748-0460
Saturday May 3
12:00pm
Protest against Bill C-484
At the Peace Tower (Parliament Hill)
The bill would give a fetus rights as a 'person' which would mean that abortions in Canada could no longer be legal.
Saturday May 3 & Sunday May 4
Jane's Walk
Various locations
Tours in honour of Jane Jacobs, to allow people to observe and get more connected with spaces, buildings and activities.
Saturday May 3rd
9:30am - 5:00pm,
Sunday May 4th
10:00ma - 4:00pm
Workplace Organizer Training
Presented by the Ottawa-Outaouais International(Oh Jesus H. Christ, that's "Industrial"-Molly) Workers of the World.
613-225-9655,
Friday May 9,
7:00 PM
Musical Evening in Support of War Child Canada
St. Joseph’s Church, 151 Laurier Ave E. (corner Wilbrod/Cumberland)
Featuring artists Andrew Cash, Doreen Taylor-Claxton and the Stellae Boreales ensemble. Also a silent auction and fair-trade/organic/gourmet intermission.
Tickets $10 advance (www.maplemusic.com) / $15 at the door.
Sunday May 11,
1:30pm
Anarchist Discussion Group
Jack Purcell Community Centre (near Elgin&Gilmour)
Topic: History of May Day and workers' rights
Wednesday May 21,
7pm/7:30pm(movie)
Annie Sprinkle's Herstory of Porn
Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St.
Sponsored by Venus Envy
Sunday May 25,
1:30pm
Anarchist Discussion Group
Jack Purcell Community Centre (near Elgin&Gilmour)
Topic: Indigenous solidarity
Monday May 26,
6:30pm/7pm
Screening and Panel Discussion on "The Story of Stuff"
National Library and Archives Auditorium, 395 Wellington Street
Featuring panelists: Tracey Clark, Bridgehead; Paul Dewar, NDP; Jean Langlois, Sierra Club Canada; David Chernushenko, Living Lightly.
Labels: anarchism, events, Ottawa
MALAYSIA:
KUALA LUMPUR FOOD NOT BOMBS PROTESTS ARMS FAIR:
It seems that almost every day news comes in testifying to the increasing spread of anarchist ideas to areas of the world that previously have little such traditions. The following news item is from the mainstream press in the country of Malaysia, but it has been picked up by the Asian Anarchist Network because it gives an unusually fair account of the FNB group that picketed the arms fair. The internet site for the Kuala Lumpur FNB, by the way, is http://www.fnbkl.cjb.net .
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[Asian Anarchist Network] Food Not Bombs Kuala Lumpur protests Arms Showcase
hi there, FNB crew have done a great action in Kuala Lumpur. http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/81704'
'Buy Food, not Arms' protest at defence exhibition
Azreen Madzlan Apr 21, 08 5:55pm
About 10 protesters made their presence felt at a defence and security exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, handing out brochures and sandwiches to reinforce their core message - spend the nation’s money on food, not arms.
An hour into their peaceful protest,however, several police personnel and a representative of the organisers told the group to leave the lobby of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)where the four-day event began today.
“It’s shameful for Malaysians to do this kind of thing at a big event. Why don’t you protest to the minister of defence?” the representative told the protesters from the ‘Food Not Bombs’ Kuala Lumpur chapter of the global movement.
The group has served vegetarian food to the homeless every Sunday in BukitNenas over the past seven years, as a way of protesting military spending by the government and to help the poor.
Its volunteers began the protest at 10am in front of The Mall shopping complex before moving to the PWTC, the venue for the 11th Defence Service Asia Exhibition (DSA), the world’s second biggest exhibition of its kind. It is organised by DSA Exhibition and Conference Sdn.
Protester Mirdza Kamal told Malaysiakini that the group’s intention was to exercise freedom of speech and raise public awareness of the current global food crisis.
“Some of the countries participating in this exhibition are poor and conflict-afflicted countries. Because of the global arms trade, the food crisis situation in these countries will get worsen,” he said.
“Malaysia is also in the middle of food crisis. I believe the large amount of money spent on militarism should be channelled towards the increase of food production to ease the price hikes for food items.”
He added that Malaysians should stand up against the arms industry and trade, as it is the root cause of such global issues such as poverty.
Another volunteer, Yew Hun Ng, said organisers of military exhibitions claim that such events are aimed at boosting security.
“Capitalists have been profiteering from the arms trade and war for a very long time. This is often the backdrop to global issues (such as poverty). People are against war, but they don’t realise who are suppliers of weapons,” he said.
“Some companies can supply weapons to both sides in a conflict. They don’t care, they just want to profit from this.”
He urged Malaysia to end its involvement with events that allow the buying and selling of weapons here.
“At the moment, this country needs more attention to social issues. We pay too much attention to defence and security which only benefit people in the industry. I also pity the soldiers who have to go through war.”
Labels: anarchism, Asian Anarchist Network, Food Not Bombs, Malaysia, militarism, protests
Sunday, April 20, 2008
FINLAND/RUSSIA:
FINNISH YOUTHS STAGE PROTEST AGAINST THE ARBITRARINESS OF THE RUSSIAN POLICE:
(FROM AVTONOM)
This is a report from the Russian anarchist site Avtonom. The original in Russian is at the site.
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Finnish youths stage a protest against the arbitrariness of the Russian militia
In Helsinki, in front of the Russian Embassy on April 18 activists of the youth movement held a protest against violence on the part of Russian law enforcement and the de facto ban on gatherings for their Russian peers, said a BBC correspondent .
In total it was attended by about 30 people, who kept shouting slogans in English, Russian and Finnish: "Stop police arbitrariness in Russia", "No to militia violence ".
One of the organizers of the picket said that their primary motivation was to express their condemnation of the practice of impunity for violence against the citizens of Russia by the security forces. It is noteworthy that the embassy had no reaction to the demonstration.
The rally was attended by the city police of Helsinki, but they did not interfere in the demonstration.. Under Finnish law, a notification of pickets is required. Organizers have to call the police, no later than six hours before the event.
Recall that in Moscow on April 11 protesters were dispersed by arbitrary action on the part of the militia. The militia attacked the participants of the protest action, after seeing posters saying "no police lawlessness." As a result, about 30 people spent the night in police custody. Anna Orlova
Labels: anarchism, events, Finland, protests, Russia
HOLIDAYS:
PASSOVER:
Yesterday was the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover(beginning at sundown). It was especially poignant this year as yesterday was the anniversary of the 1943 uprising of the Warsaw Ghetto against the Nazis. The Passover, of course, commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, and it begins according to the Hebrew (and Samaritan) lunar calender on the 15th of the month of Nisan, the first month in that calender. The term refers to the Biblical "passing over" of the Angel of Death from the houses of the Jews who had smeared the blood of the Pascal Lamb on their doorways. In Israel Passover is a seven day holiday, but in the diaspora the length of the festival is typically eight days. amongst the orthodox.
Fuller accounts of Passover, its traditions,its history and its significance can be found on a Wikipedia site on same and also at Chabad.org .
So... from Molly to her Jewish readers, may you have a joyous Passover, and may you and yours be happy and prosperous in the year to come.
CANADIAN POLITICS:
QUEBEC ELECTRICITY RATES: THE POOR GET SHAFTED:
The following is a rather "free translation"(it begins with the title 'Les démunis pris à la gorge'-there is no English idiom equivalent to "getting it in the throat") from the Québec City blog Voix de Faits, a platformist blog produced by an affiliate of NEFAC in Québec City. The matters that are discussed here could easily apply across Canada, as power rates are raised despite power surpluses in many provinces (such as here in Manitoba) and priority is given to the American market to the detriment of local consumers.
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Electricity Rates: The poor get shafted:
This should be expected. According to the PQ, a growing number of poor families have trouble paying their electricity bills, because of the multiple rate increases Hydro announced in the last four years (in all, the bill grew by 16.7% ).
At a parliamentary committee, MP Gouin of the PQ (Nicolas Girard), revealed that the number of client s who found themselves in distress and who had to sign a payment agreement with Hydro-Quebec had increased from 17,968 in 2004 ... To 22,670 in 2007. That's 4702 people over three years.
And the number of clients who had suffered a power outage, due to non-payment, rose by 4000 in the same period.
In the Montmarquette report , they are still trying to make us believe that another increase in the price of electricity is needed to replenish the coffers of the state. I seriously wonder whether this economist was aware of this situation. But I think he would rather speak as loud as possible.
I remember having heard in a debate between solidarity and lucid(I have trouble translating the previous-Molly), the next question that was posed to the economist Pierre Fortin, "Do you have any heart?".
To look at these statistics, the most obvious answer is: NO. The Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, Sam Hamad, replied that his government would consider this situation in its next plan to fight poverty.
The problem is that ...
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY PLAN TO FIGHT POVERTY!
Labels: Canadian politics, electricity rates, poverty, Quebec, Voix De Faits
ANARCHIST MAGAZINES:
UPPING THE ANTI- MAGAZINE LAUNCH THIS COMING MAY:
Way down east, in that throbbing pulsating centre of the universe called Toronto, the libertarian socialist magazine 'Upping the Anti' has been putting their efforts forward for some time now. they are now on issue # 6, and the launch date is may 8, 2008. Here is their announcement....
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Issue #6 of Upping the Anti is being launched in Toronto on May 8th, 2008.
If you would like to receive a hard copy of the journal or to distribute the journal in your community or organizations, please email uppingtheanti@gmail.com so that we can add you to our list of local distributors. This issue of the journal is 204 pages long and we are selling single copies for $10 including postage. If you want 5 or more copies for distribution, the journal is $5 per copy, and we'll cover the postage. Journal articles and PDF files will be uploaded to the website in a staggered process over the next few months.
Our mailing address where you can send your $10 in well concealed cash to for a copy of the journal is: Upping the Anti, 998 Bloor St. West, P.O. Box 10571, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6H 4H9. If you live in the US or elsewhere, please order our journal through AK Press as it costs us too much to mail it to you from Canada. Please continue reading this post for the full table of contents of this issue and the introduction to this issue.
Introduction
Interviews
*Mutulu Olugbala: It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop
*Roxanna Dunbar-Ortiz: The Opposite of Truth is Forgetting
*George Katsiaficas: Remembering May 1968
Articles
*Joshua Kahn Russell & Brian Kelly: Giving Form to a Stampede: The First Two Years of the New SDS
*Eric Newstadt: Accounting for the Student Movement
*Caelie Frampton: Response to Newstadt
*Jeff Monagham & Kevin Walby: The Green Scare is Everywhere
Roundtables
*Kriss Sol: Organizing Against the G8 with Hanne Jobst, Sabu and Go, Miranda and Jaggi Singh.
*Alex Khasnabish: Anti-Poverty Organizing in Halifax with Jill Ratcliffe, Capp Larsen, Angela Weal, Susan Lefort, Cole Webber, and James Babbitt.
Book Reviews
*David Calnitsky: Naomi Klein, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.
*Alexis Shotwell: Color of Violence: the INCITE! Anthology.
*Chris Keefer: The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. INCITE! (ed.).
*Scott Neigh Grace-Edward Galabuzi, Canada’s Economic Apartheid.
Articles
*Joshua Kahn Russell & Brian Kelly: Giving Form to a Stampede: The First Two Years of the New SDS
*Eric Newstadt: Accounting for the Student Movement
*Caelie Frampton: Response to Newstadt
*Jeff Monagham & Kevin Walby: The Green Scare is Everywhere
Roundtables
*Kriss Sol: Organizing Against the G8 with Hanne Jobst, Sabu and Go, Miranda and Jaggi Singh.
*Alex Khasnabish: Anti-Poverty Organizing in Halifax with Jill Ratcliffe, Capp Larsen, Angela Weal, Susan Lefort, Cole Webber, and James Babbitt.
Book Reviews
*David Calnitsky: Naomi Klein, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.
*Alexis Shotwell: Color of Violence: the INCITE! Anthology.
*Chris Keefer: The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. INCITE! (ed.).
*Scott Neigh Grace-Edward Galabuzi, Canada’s Economic Apartheid.
Labels: anarchism, events, magazines, Toronto, Upping the Anti
ANARCHIST MAGAZINES:
BRITAIN: ANARCHIST FEDERATION BULLETIN 'RESISTANCE' #102 (APRIL/MAY 2008) NOW ON LINE:
The bulletin of the Anarchist Federation of Britain, the British section of the International of Anachist Federations(IAF) is now online in a downloadable pdf format. You can acccess the publication via their website (see above). This is their announcement....
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Britain, Anarchist Federation bulletin Resistance #102 April/May 2008
Contents of the April/May 2008 issue:
---- SAFE IN THEIR HANDS - hundreds of deaths in police and local authority custody reveal extent of UK's state brutality.
---- TEACHERS STRIKE - but only the NUT, as IWW calls for wider action.
---- CRUNCH, WHAT CRUNCH? - credit is harder to get, but a big city bonus might help you ride the storm.
---- A BAD TIME TO BE A FASCIST - BNP stalls and venues attacked in Glasgow and Leeds, BNP copper caught with weapons hoard.
---- ON THE PICKET LINE, RAIN OR SHINE - members of AF support picket against Shelter bosses' attack on staff pay & conditions.
---- THROW A SICKIE TOMORROW - or desert from the armed forces, or both.
---- NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT - free TVs for MPs on expenses.
SUPPORT OUR PRESS FUND!
- send us money to bring the next issue of Resistance closer, or the revolution, or both.
NASTY SCOTTISH TAX COLLECTORS STILL CHASING
- unpaid Poll Tax arrears wanted by councils after 20 years, even if they lost your records.
SUBVERT!
- diary dates for April, May and June.
Labels: anarchism, Anarchist Federation, Britain, magazines, Resistance.
ANARCHIST NEWSLETTERS:
BOSTON: BAAM'S 8TH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER-APRIL: FREE AND ONLINE:
There is a growing trend amongst anarchists who are serious about their politics to publish regular local newsletters.A laudable trend for sure. Here's an announcement from the Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement about their latest publication.
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Boston, BAAM's 8th Monthly Newsletter – April Free! and online
Welcome to the 8th issue of the Boston Anti-Authoritarian’s Monthly Newsletter. This month’s issue:
---- “Activists Shut Down Bank for Fossil Fools Day”
---- “JPRRN Remembers the New Bedford Raids”
---- “The Scope on Iraq”
---- “Increased Profits, More Repression: Plan Mexico and NAFTA”
---- “Report back from New Orleans”
---- “Some Thoughts on the Movement”
Download the April Issue in its entirety here: http://boston.indymedia.org/usermedia/application/7/1_baamissue8.pdf -1921k
Past Issues can be found at: http://www.baamboston.org/baam-newsletter
See also:
---- http://neanarchist.net/ (Sorry for the bad PDF quality, of the present issue - a better version will be uploaded soon)
Labels: anarchism, Boston, Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement, magazines, USA
RUSSIA:
SUPPORT NORTH URALS MINERS ON HUNGER STRIKE FOR A DECENT WAGE:
The following solidarity appeal is from the online labour solidarity site Labour Start.
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Russia: Support North Urals miners on Hunger Strike for a decent wage
From March 27 to April 4, close to 100 miners at the "Red Riding Hood" mines of "North Ural Bauxite" (owned by RusAl) struck underground, protesting management's refusal to raise their wages. On March 30, 3,000 local residents demonstrated to support workers' demands. With the participation of local and national government officials, the Independent Miners Union (IMU) of Russia and RusAl administration signed an agreement to create a joint Coordinating Committee of worker and management representatives. But management has since blocked all attempts by worker members of the Coordinating Committee to conduct an official meeting to advance their demands, instead initiating labor conflict proceedings and attempting to discredit the Committee. In protest, dozens of miners are on hunger strike. They demand not to be prevented from conducting their official meeting. Support the demands of the hunger-striking miners, and send a letter of protest to RusAl management.
Please go to http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=360 to read more and to send the following letter.
To the management of RusAl
I am deeply concerned by the position and behavior of yourselves and the leadership of "North Ural Bauxite," specifically your violations of the law, which have pushed the miners to their acts of protest. The demands of the miners, supported by local residents, are legitimate and based on the law, while management's lawlessness and connivance demonstrates a deep cynicism and disregard for the workers. I hope you find the courage to hold a meeting with the workers' collective and seriously consider their demands, instead of inventing reasons to reject them. Global practice shows that negotiating is always better than permitting financial loss and damage to the health of workers, who, through their blood and sweat, bring your company its profits.
I am deeply concerned by the position and behavior of yourselves and the leadership of "North Ural Bauxite," specifically your violations of the law, which have pushed the miners to their acts of protest. The demands of the miners, supported by local residents, are legitimate and based on the law, while management's lawlessness and connivance demonstrates a deep cynicism and disregard for the workers. I hope you find the courage to hold a meeting with the workers' collective and seriously consider their demands, instead of inventing reasons to reject them. Global practice shows that negotiating is always better than permitting financial loss and damage to the health of workers, who, through their blood and sweat, bring your company its profits.
Labels: labour, Labour Start, Russia, solidarity
SOUTH AFRICA:ARMS SHIPMENT TO MUGABE REGIME STOPPED BY DOCKWORKERS:
As Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, attempts to cling to power despite being rejected in recent elections, some countries such as China are still willing to prop up his dictatorship. China is Zimbabwe's main arms supplier, but a recent attempt to ship arms to that country through South Africa was blocked by the refusal of dockworkers to unload the cargo. this was despite the waffling on the part of the SA government. An account of the incident and its background can be found HERE in a report from the BBC. What is missing from that account is the role of the dockworkers in preventing the weapons from going through. The following is a statement from the South African Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front on this story behind the story.
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The Working Class Takes a Stand: Stop Chinese Arms Shipment to the Zimbabwean Regime!
The Working Class Takes a Stand: Stop Chinese Arms Shipment to the Zimbabwean Regime!
We welcome and support the decision by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union for their workers neither to unload nor transport the shipment of Chinese-made armaments destined for Zimbabwe. This is a very encouraging sign of working class solidarity and internationalism, and we hope that such actions will indeed prevent this weapons consignment from reaching its destination - the Zimbabwean Defence Force.
At the same time, if the transport workers should fail, if President Robert Mugabe's friends should find a way to bypass their resistance, all who stand with the Zimbabwean people should be ready to take a stand. Should the action taken by Satawu fail to prevent the armaments from being transported across South African territory to Zimbabwe, we call on all progressive elements across the country to intervene.
On 29 March 2008, parliamentary, presidential and local elections were held in Zimbabwe. This represented the last-gasp attempt of the Movement for Democratic Change to oust the 28-year-old regime of incumbent President Robert Mugabe, after a series of contestations since 2000 had resulted in an impasse.The results of the parliamentary election show that the MDC has a narrow majority, but the results of the presidential election have been unaccountably delayed – presumably to allow Mugabe's regime to reassert its authority over the masses of the people who have been brutalised and impoverished.
These facts are well known to the world's progressive forces and to those who struggle for economic, social and political justice and equality. Now, in the hour of Mugabe's ultimate betrayal, a new threat has arisen in the form of a shipment of Chinese armaments – including rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 assault rifle rounds and mortars – which, we fear with justification, will be used to forcibly suppress the democratic forces in Zimbabwe, and could lead directly to the murder of thousands of Zimbabwean people.
We are fully aware of the heroic resistance of the Zimbabwean people to racist domination and their successful defeat of the regime of Ian Smith in 1980. This resistance was both pluralistic via the guerrillas of both Zanla and Zipra, and multiracial – even if the majority of white "Rhodesians" chose to abandon their country after independence.But we are equally aware of the grievous injury done to the cause of the people by Mugabe's paranoia over the years – even if this paranoia was well-founded on apartheid attempts on his own life – and the dead of Matabeleland [1] and the displaced of Operation Murambatsvina [2] cry out for social justice.
Now, with the whole world watching – and the Southern African Development Community vacillating as predicted in its usual ineffective "engagements" – Mugabe has again stolen not only a march on the opposition, but the future of his people. Journalists are being expelled and election observers have already fled the roost, allowing blood to flow in the streets unseen and unchecked: scanty reports now emerge of torture, murder, evictions, dispossessions and beating.
And now we have caught, red-handed, a Chinese shipment of arms to this regime, a regime that by all accounts is in terminal decline, with the highest inflation rate in the world and an elite that is already displaying the most grotesque elements of social decay imaginable.
We call on all progressive groups, organisations and individuals to physically prevent, whether peacefully or with necessary force, the shipment of arms to one of the world's most despised pariah dictatorships. This call extends to the progressive world community to do whatever they can to bring this to public attention and to prevent possible massacre.
This could include:
*Targeting and putting pressure on South African Port Authorities not to allow the consignment to come onto land.
*Targeting South African, Chinese and Zimbabwean embassies and diplomatic missions with pickets, protests and other non-violent direct actions - against representatives of these governments - and not the ordinary citizens of these states. (We will not tolerate any actions against Chinese, Zimbabwean or South African people on the basis of their ethnicity and/ or nationality).
*Gathering intelligence about the whereabouts, planned route and mode of transport for the armaments, and publicising these.
*Blockading these routes in a non-violent manner with an eye to preventing the armaments from reaching their destination.
*Blockading the South African border with Zimbabwe should the armaments reach it.
Supporting and sustaining the transport workers in their refusal to unload and transport the weapons.
*Defending the transport workers and anyone else who faces repression as a result of their efforts to stop the weapons reaching their destination.
*Link this struggle directly to global opposition to China's campaign to suppress the Tibetan people and turn the 2008 Olympics into a replica of the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany – where nationalist sporting events were used as a cover for gross human rights abuses.
What we know:
*A Chinese ship, An Yue Jiang - owned by the parasitical Chinese Ocean Shipping Company - carrying armaments destined for Zimbabwe has anchored at Durban harbour.
*The shipment contains almost three million rounds of ammunition for small arms and AK-47s, about 3 500 mortars and mortar launchers, as well as 1 500 rockets for rocket-propelled
grenades (RPGs), and is valued at R9,88million.
*The ship's cargo documentation was allegedly finalised just 3 days after the Zimbabwean elections.
*The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has refused to unload or transport the arms consignment, although this does not mean someone else won't.
*About 10 Chinese soldiers armed with pistols have been seen with Zimbabwean military officials in Harare.
*A Chinese ship, An Yue Jiang - owned by the parasitical Chinese Ocean Shipping Company - carrying armaments destined for Zimbabwe has anchored at Durban harbour.
*The shipment contains almost three million rounds of ammunition for small arms and AK-47s, about 3 500 mortars and mortar launchers, as well as 1 500 rockets for rocket-propelled
grenades (RPGs), and is valued at R9,88million.*The ship's cargo documentation was allegedly finalised just 3 days after the Zimbabwean elections.
*The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has refused to unload or transport the arms consignment, although this does not mean someone else won't.
*About 10 Chinese soldiers armed with pistols have been seen with Zimbabwean military officials in Harare.
THIS SHIPMENT WILL BE STOPPED BY THE DIRECT ACTION OF THE PEOPLE!
MUGABE WILL FALL! BUT WE, THE AFRICAN PEOPLE, WILL STAND IN HIS STEAD!
Footnotes:
[1] The Matabeleland Massacre, between 1982 - 1983 was an attempt by ZANU-PF on the ethnic cleansing of people of the Ndebele ethno-political group living in the Matabeleland region. An estimated 20 000 people were murdered.
[2] Known in English as Operation Drive Out Trash, Operation Murambastvina was a large scale government campaign to forcibly clear out slum areas, effectively displacing an estimated 2.4 million people. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Murambatsvina
http://www.zabalaza.net/
[1] The Matabeleland Massacre, between 1982 - 1983 was an attempt by ZANU-PF on the ethnic cleansing of people of the Ndebele ethno-political group living in the Matabeleland region. An estimated 20 000 people were murdered.
[2] Known in English as Operation Drive Out Trash, Operation Murambastvina was a large scale government campaign to forcibly clear out slum areas, effectively displacing an estimated 2.4 million people. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Murambatsvina
http://www.zabalaza.net/
Labels: China, international labour, labour, Zabalala Front, Zimbabwe
Saturday, April 19, 2008
WINNIPEG:
MORE ON THE "SPIRITED ANARCHY" FESTIVAL:
Yup, it's definitely a go. Winnipeg will have its first anarchist festival this upcoming May. It's an anarchist bookfair and more. The festival now has its own website, http://www.festival.a-zone.org . Here is a list of the workshops that will be held in conjunction with the festival....
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WORKSHOPS
(workshops are on a tentative schedule, are not confirmed and we will have a brief synopsis shortly. sorry for the vagueness)
Thursday May 8th
location: Mondragon Bookstore & Coffeehouse (91 Albert St.)
*6-8pm – Snapshots of Anarchist History: A Panel on Historical Aspects of Anarchism in a Canadian Context
*Travis Tomchuk on “Europe is No Place for an Anarchist: The Network to Aid Italian Anarchists After the Spanish Civil War.”
*Paul Burrows on “Anarchism, Colonialism, & Aboriginal Dispossession in the Canadian West.”
About the presenters: Paul Burrows is an activist and writer in Winnipeg, he helped found Winnipeg's Old Market Autonomous Zone (A-Zone),
Mondragon Bookstore &Coffeehouse, and the Rudolph Rocker Cultural Centre. He has written articles on participatory economics, Palestine- Israel,
and other issues. He is currently finishing his MA thesis in History at the University of Manitoba with a focus on indigenous history and resistance,
treaties, and settler-colonialism
Travis Tomchuk is completing a Ph.D. at Queen’s University on Canadian anarchist history. He has also been known as the anarcho-grindcore
vocalist for the legendary G7 band Malefaction (Where There is Power, There is Always Resistance).
*8-9:30pm – 40 year anniversary of Paris 1968 events Lecture and Discussion
About the presenters:
(workshops are on a tentative schedule, are not confirmed and we will have a brief synopsis shortly. sorry for the vagueness)
Thursday May 8th
location: Mondragon Bookstore & Coffeehouse (91 Albert St.)
*6-8pm – Snapshots of Anarchist History: A Panel on Historical Aspects of Anarchism in a Canadian Context
*Travis Tomchuk on “Europe is No Place for an Anarchist: The Network to Aid Italian Anarchists After the Spanish Civil War.”
*Paul Burrows on “Anarchism, Colonialism, & Aboriginal Dispossession in the Canadian West.”
About the presenters: Paul Burrows is an activist and writer in Winnipeg, he helped found Winnipeg's Old Market Autonomous Zone (A-Zone),
Mondragon Bookstore &Coffeehouse, and the Rudolph Rocker Cultural Centre. He has written articles on participatory economics, Palestine- Israel,
and other issues. He is currently finishing his MA thesis in History at the University of Manitoba with a focus on indigenous history and resistance,
treaties, and settler-colonialism
Travis Tomchuk is completing a Ph.D. at Queen’s University on Canadian anarchist history. He has also been known as the anarcho-grindcore
vocalist for the legendary G7 band Malefaction (Where There is Power, There is Always Resistance).
*8-9:30pm – 40 year anniversary of Paris 1968 events Lecture and Discussion
About the presenters:
Winnipeg New Socialist Group
I.W.W. (Industrial Workers of the World)
Friday May 9th
*7:30- 9 pm – Anna Hunter of Anti Poverty Committee Vancouver talks about anti- Olympics 2010 organizing
Anna Hunter is a Vancouver based anti-poverty activist who organizes with the anti-poverty committee (APC). The APC is a direct action based anti-capitalist, anti-colonial organization committed to fighting for impoverished people's rights, housing, against police violence and state imposed poverty. The APC has been involved in a campaign against the 2010 Olympic winter games and has targeted those involved in the push on poor people in the Downtown Eastside, the theft of indigenous land and the corporations who will profit off the 2010 games. She will be discussing the actions that have been taken since Vancouver won the olympic bid in 2003 and the mobilization that is planned across the country and the continent for the 2010 games
Mondragon Bookstore & Coffeehouse (91 Albert St.)
Saturday May 10th
10 am - 6pm – Workshops
Places and times TBA
Workshops:
*Radical Education
*Radical politics and regressive pro-sports
*Critical mass/bicycle revolution
*spirituality in anarchism
*pacifism
*radical parenting
*radical queers
*anarchism & technology
*agriculture
*Palestine
*anarchist economics
*self defense (parts I and II)
*"What is crime: a community response to criminality and institutionalization"
part two of a three part workshop covering basic incarceration theory and alternatives, and prisoner solidarity work
about the presenter: The Anarchist Black Cross is an international network of prison abolitionist groups working to address the
injustices of the prison/industrial complex, educate people about the so-called "justice" system and support political prisoners.
*Indigenous solidarity
*Urban planning
I.W.W. (Industrial Workers of the World)
Friday May 9th
*7:30- 9 pm – Anna Hunter of Anti Poverty Committee Vancouver talks about anti- Olympics 2010 organizing
Anna Hunter is a Vancouver based anti-poverty activist who organizes with the anti-poverty committee (APC). The APC is a direct action based anti-capitalist, anti-colonial organization committed to fighting for impoverished people's rights, housing, against police violence and state imposed poverty. The APC has been involved in a campaign against the 2010 Olympic winter games and has targeted those involved in the push on poor people in the Downtown Eastside, the theft of indigenous land and the corporations who will profit off the 2010 games. She will be discussing the actions that have been taken since Vancouver won the olympic bid in 2003 and the mobilization that is planned across the country and the continent for the 2010 games
Mondragon Bookstore & Coffeehouse (91 Albert St.)
Saturday May 10th
10 am - 6pm – Workshops
Places and times TBA
Workshops:
*Radical Education
*Radical politics and regressive pro-sports
*Critical mass/bicycle revolution
*spirituality in anarchism
*pacifism
*radical parenting
*radical queers
*anarchism & technology
*agriculture
*Palestine
*anarchist economics
*self defense (parts I and II)
*"What is crime: a community response to criminality and institutionalization"
part two of a three part workshop covering basic incarceration theory and alternatives, and prisoner solidarity work
about the presenter: The Anarchist Black Cross is an international network of prison abolitionist groups working to address the
injustices of the prison/industrial complex, educate people about the so-called "justice" system and support political prisoners.
*Indigenous solidarity
*Urban planning
Labels: anarchism, anarchist bookfairs, events, Spirited Anarchy, Winnipeg, Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair
AMERICAN LABOUR:
IMMIGRANT WORKERS TAKE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST "NO-MATCH" FIRINGS:
The following is reprinted from the website of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a syndicalist organization that upholds direct action tactics in the labour struggle.
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Immigrant Workers Take Direct Action Against “No-Match” Firings
A group of Latino workers, at the Twin Cities-based D’Amico’s & Sons restaurant chain have organized and taken direct action to resist being fired for receiving “No-Match” letters from the Social Security Administration. The workers many who have well over a decade of service for the company have been joined by family members, some co-workers, the Workers Interfaith Network (WIN), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Twin Cities General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and others.
A group of Latino workers, at the Twin Cities-based D’Amico’s & Sons restaurant chain have organized and taken direct action to resist being fired for receiving “No-Match” letters from the Social Security Administration. The workers many who have well over a decade of service for the company have been joined by family members, some co-workers, the Workers Interfaith Network (WIN), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Twin Cities General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and others.
D’Amico’s announced that Monday, March 31, 2008 would be the last day of work for 17 employees who had received the “no-match” letters. This appears to be illegal as the Social Security’s “no-match” notices explicitly state that employers should take no “adverse action” against employees based on these letters. “No-match” means a problem has been identified with a worker’s name and social security number not matching. Sometimes this can be due to immigration status, other times a simple typo can trigger the letter. In any case, the legal precedent has been that it was up to employees to correct the issue and not employers. A California Federal Court halted attempts by the Bush administration to penalize employers for having workers with “no-match” letters.
The D’Amico’s workers were determined to fight these unjust firings. On the morning of the 31st, seven kitchen workers at the Uptown store stopped working, approached their manager with a petition signed by their fellow workers demanding their jobs be protected. The workers then sat down together in the dining area refusing to work until the bosses negotiate. A Sit-Down strike! A lively picket rallied in support of the workers outside. Co-workers, including some who had also received “no-match” letters, and others who hadn’t, joined with WIN, SDS and Wobblies chanting, banging on pots and pans, and marching right outside the window where the sit-down strikers sat. Later that day one non-Latino waiter also refused to work and sat with his co-workers in solidarity.
An IWW organized effort to flood the store’s phone lines during lunch hour to inquire on behalf of the workers frazzled management. One caller, who works with Wobblies at a large telecom call center, was threatened by a manager with arrest for asking questions about the “no-match” workers!
When D’Amico’s owners refused to budge from their illegal, unjust and heartless position, the workers responded appropriately. Starting at 6:00 am the next morning a spirited picket managed to turn away three large delivery trucks from the Uptown store, including meat, produce, and general food supplies. This was a significant victory as the trucks were from both union and non-union companies, and the D’Amico’s Uptown restaurant also does the food prep for all their metro outlet stores. Towards the end of the picket a private contractor in his own vehicle crashed the picket line at the back entrance hitting a student supporter.
Since then the workers and their supporters have thrown up pickets at different D’Amico’s locations, and promise to continue their campaign on many fronts.
The IWW, whose participation has been praised by the D’Amico’s workers and WIN, will continue to advocate an industrial based direct action strategy, including outreach to other workers in the company and industry, tactics aimed at hitting the bosses where it hurts, and for democratic control of the struggle by the workers themselves.
Labels: direct action, immigrants, IWW, labour, USA
OTTAWA:
MAYDAY RALLY IN OTTAWA:
May Day, the real Labour Day, is coming soon. Down Ottawa way the Ottawa Panhandlers Union will be holding their own demo to protest the way that their city attempts to clear poor people off the streets. Here is their appeal.
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OTTAWA: MAYDAY Rally
MAYDAY is coming!
MAYDAY is coming!
On May 1st, we take action to recognize the sacrifices made by those who have come before us in the fight for liberty and security against the forces of capitalism. For the last four years, the Ottawa Panhandlers' Union has celebrated the struggles of those who paid for their activism with their lives and/or liberty by taking action on Mayday in the streets of Ottawa to reclaim public space, and to protest the blatant abuses by police against the most vulnerable people in our community. Previous years have seen us blockading the police station, shutting down the Rideau Centre, and taking the fight directly to the offices of the BIAs who own the politicians at City Hall.
The action starts at noon at the Human Rights Monument beside City Hall, at the corner of Elgin and Lisgar, where the Homeless Action Strike will be holding a Larry O'Brien Impeachment Tea Party. Then stay at 1pm to join the Panhandlers' Union for a rally to take back the streets which belong to all of us from the combined forces of police, government, and business who have laid claim to every inch of public space in this city. Let's show them this city belongs to ALL of us, and not just the people who have the most money or can hire the most lawyers!
For more information, please contact the Ottawa Panhandlers' Union at 613-748-0460.
Labels: anarchism, homelessness, Ottawa, poverty
WINNIPEG:
KELVIN COMMUNITY CLUB DEMOLISHED:
Molly blogged quite frequently early last year about the closing of the Kelvin Community Club, just south of where Molly lives. Despite the efforts of local residents at the time the doors of the Club were closed, and last Wednesday, April 16, the wrecking crews moved in. This was despite the efforts of the Manitoba Metis Federation earlier this year to save the club by offering their own financial support for its re-opening. The City rejected the offer of the MMF, and stuck by its plan for demolition. This event precipitated one of the usual exchanges between Lillian Thomas, the City Councillor of Elmwood and Sam Katz, the Mayor. Councillor Thomas suggested that she may run for Mayor in the future to "make up for the damage he has done" because she is "so pissed with this guy". Katz responded with even snarkier comments, saying that such a move would be "the best thing that ever happened to the people of Elmwood-East Kildonan. That would hopefully mean that they have a chance, an opportunity, to finally get a councillor who would represent them". Here it's time for another of Molly's hairballs. Cough, cough, cough, gack, gack plahhh ! Oh, that's relief !!! I suppose that selling the frontage of the now-extinct KCC will be "in the interests" of people residing in this ward ? This is grist for the old "there otta be a law" mill. Perhaps there should be a law that says that any developer who is sold city land at a reduced price should NOT only have NEVER been associated in a business sense with ANY of the politicos who voted to offer such land for sale, is NOT presently associated with same and will NOT ever be associated with same for at least 20 years in the future (ALL these deals are done by informal contacts within the social circles of the ruling class- put a tiny, little restriction on such things). Criminal penalties should be applied. If you steal millions from the public you should face at least the same sort of sanctions that somebody who breaks into a house and steals a $500 piece of electronics does.
Unfortunately such justice will never happen. In the interum the ruling clique at City Hall has put forward a proposal to fund "sports participation" on the part of inner city kids (though one can bet that the lion's share will go to the suburbs in the end). Oh great ! There is considerable debate about whether such "organized sports" actually reduce the crime rate amongst youths. One thing is certain, however, it fits the world view of the ruling class that the underclass has to be disciplined and organized. Militarized in other words. When it was operative Kelvin was a locus for far more than sports, especially "organized sports". There was a chess club and a film showings amongst other things.
Molly has a particular bee in her bonnet about this. She suffered through the one and only effort on the part of the local Legion to organize a hockey team in her home town. It lasted all of one year, and it was never repeated, though the efforts of said Legion to enforce a curfew at the local hockey rink persisted several years until they were abandoned. We won in other words through shear persistence. Militarization !. Molly lost at least two teeth on the rink in the local games. Neither incident was so exquisitely painful as being forced to perform in public before an audience. The word "terror" hardly expresses what I felt then. Later in life, after the old man had retired and we moved to the city, Molly was one of the best players on defense in the informal football games that we put together without the obtrusive and obnoxious organizing efforts of the adults. Well, I'm half Russian, and I was very good at rushing.
Informal !! That's the key word. Despite the illusions of the ruling class that all the scummy little poor buggers need is a little discipline, and despite the illusions of their leftist collaborators who are salivating at the prospect of more remunerative positions for their ilk, the sort of personal dignity that actually prevents crime can only come from the individual themselves. I doubt that kids today are very much different than they were when I grew up, even if the temptations of anti-social behavior are far greater. This sort of personal morality is contradictory to the "gang mentality" that is taught by adult-organized sports.
All that adults can do is stand back, provide a variety of opportunities to youth, and not try to direct the kids' lives. This, of course, assumes a faith in the potential of free action that neither the ruling class nor "the left" has. So I conclude... let kids be kids. Don;t close down their gathering places and expect that your army-like "alternatives" to substitute for their free action. But, of course, liberty is one thing that both our rulers and their leftist imitators fear.
Labels: Kelvin Community Club, Winnipeg
RUSSIA:ANTI-REPRESSION PICKET:
The following is from the Russian anarchist site Avtonom, and the original (in Russian) is at their site. Like other citizens of the Russian Federation anarchists are the subject of the disguised dictatorship of Putin and his cronies.
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MILITANT PICKET AGAINST ARBITRARINESS:
On April 18 in Samara a picket was held at the public office of the Federal Inspector for PFO. The picket was organized against torture, ill-treatment and unjustified interference in the lives of citizens on the part of the uniformed services and their employees (held as part of the week of action against militia arbitrariness,as declared by the action team after the events in the ATS "Sokolniki"). The picket was peaceful.The slogans were "No police arbitrariness" and "respect human rights". The picket consisted of two parts: from 10 to 11 am and from 7 to 8 pm, in the morning, 7 people were present and in the evening 11 according to "Freedom"
Labels: anarchism, events, Russia
VENEZUELA:
ANARCHISM IN VENEZUELA, PAST AND PRESENT:
The following is an article on the history of anarchism in Venezuela, originally published in the Venezuelan anarchist magazine El Libertario. I have used an English translation recently published on the A-Infos board rather than do my own translation. The following has been slightly edited for clarity.
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Anarchism in Venezuela, past and present
This is a brief outline of the libertarian footprint in the history of Venezuela, prepared by members of the Collective Editorship of El Libertario, www.nodo50.org/ellibertario. We hope that this serves as a useful point of reference for those who are interested in the subject. ---- The profile of anarchism in Venezuelan history has been less pronounced than in other parts of Latin America, where it has vigorously manifested itself through collective struggles, publications, personalities and ideological debate. It is, however, worth pointing out that it has also influenced our social and cultural evolution. ---- From the end of the 19th Century to the first third of the 20th Century, some local intellectuals were either sympathizers or tolerant readers of anarchism, but nothing like a Flores Magón, Barret, Oiticica, González Prada or other exponents of Latin American anarchist thought (Cappelletti 1990). The few who did explore libertarian pathways produced hardly any written material, and then veered towards positivism or Marxism; it is only worth mentioning Pío Tamayo, who taught the ‘socialism of Bakunin and Marx’ to young anti-Gómez activists in prison until shortly before his death in 1936(Sananes 1987). In terms of popular struggle, historians of the Federal War (1859-63) – the biggest social upheaval between Independence and the petrol era- point out the influence of Proudhon and French socialism on Ezequiel Zamora, General del Pueblo Soberano (General of the Sovereign Nation). The Zamorist federal program was clear, “…horror of the oligarchy, freedom for men and lands, social equality”, expressing a radical intent that was only halted by his assassination. (Brito Figueroa 1981)
At the beginning of the 20th Century, European anarcho-syndicalist immigrants contributed towards the emergence of worker organisations despite economic, social and cultural backwardness (Rodríguez 1993). These efforts –the formation of mutual societies and guilds, strikes, propaganda etc – gained them a certain notoriety in the era of the oil industry. The dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez (1908-35), however, viciously repressed all syndical activity, preventing it from developing as it did in other latitudes. The few hounded social militants that remained in the country tried with great difficulty to generate political thought, whilst the majority of the anti-Gómez exiles were not open to radical thought. Amongst the radical minority, the attractiveness of the expansion of Russian bolshevism proved too strong and effectively stemmed the flow of anarchist thought. When this Marxist faction returned after the death of the tyrant, it occupied the entire field of left wing politics, absorbing the handful of readers and clandestine disciples of the libertarian ideal, who were even among the founders of the Venezuelan Communist Party (PCV- 1936) and Acción Democrática (1941), the two parties that would subsequently control the process of the political organisation of the masses. Additionally, the anti-anarchist repression had a constitutional footing and was implemented in the so-called Ley Lara (Lara law) which was in effect between 1936-45.
Many exiled Spanish anarchists arrived in Venezuela during the 1940’s and 1950’s, and had to deal, not only with the weight of defeat in the Spanish Civil War, but also an adoptive environment where their ideas were seen as strange. The urgent need to subsist and the imperative to adapt to the atmosphere of brutal authoritarianism were additional obstacles to the organisation of potential local sympathizers. Their efforts were not, however, in vain, particularly after 1958 when, after ten years of military dictatorship, the Federación Obrera Regional Venezolana – FORVE (Venezuelan Regional Workers Federation), affiliated to the International Workers Association, a global anarcho-syndicalist movement founded in 1922, was established. Some specific groups were also formed; newspapers, pamphlets and books were produced, but little of this activity transcended the most politically aware circles of Spanish immigrants (Montes de Oca 2008).
The wave of socio-political contestation that was experienced globally at the tail end of the 1960’s – especially May 1968 in France with its indubitable libertarian roots – also took hold in Venezuela. Its mark can be clearly seen in the Renovación Universitaria (University Renewal) that profoundly shook the principal institutions of higher education in Venezuela between 1968-70, and maintained its presence in subsequent student movements and alternative culture. However, apart from the diminishing presence of Spanish veterans, years would pass before groups that identified themselves with the ideal and practice of anarchism would exist. This is because, in the 70’s, Marxism was still considered the irreplaceable ideological support for any revolutionary proposal in Venezuela.Between 1980 and 1995 there were clearly anarchist attempts to connect with social struggles and movements, the Colectivo Autogestionario Libertario - CAL (Libertarian Self-managing Collective) being the most visible. Two journals, El Libertario (published by CAL – 9 editions between 1985-87) and Correo A (28 editions between 1987 and 1995), were points of reference and reunion for activists, exiled Latin American libertarians, and, principally, young people who came to anarchism through the punk scene. Also noteworthy at this time was the academic and informative activity of Angel Cappelletti, an Argentinian anarchist who worked in Venezuela for 26 years (Méndez & Vallota 2001). Despite the difficulties inherent in trying to propagate and push forward anarchist proposals of self-management and direct action in an environment where they were either unknown or poorly interpreted, little by little routes towards diverse spaces where such projects could be expressed became apparent. And then on 27/02/1989 the popular rising known as the ‘Caracazo’ occurred, which together with other national events (particularly the crisis of near total dependency on the oil industry and of the political model that was established in 1958) and international events (such as the fall of the Eastern European bureaucracies), opened spaces where the libertarian ideal could be propagated.
The attempt to fuse anarchism with concrete collective struggles was made more apparent by the reappearance of El Libertario in 1995, whose working group called itself first, the Comisión de Relaciones Anarquistas - CRA (Commission of Anarchist Relations), and after 2007 the Collective Editorship of El Libertario. It is the most lasting publication in local libertarian history, publishing 5 editions every year and with a significant circulation compared with other local and continental publications. Side by side with El Libertario are numerous core groups and initiatives with various areas of intervention and which are located in diverse regions, highlighting the working of specific spaces( such as the CESL in Caracas, the CEA in Mérida and the Ateneo La Libertaria, first in Biscucuy and then in the rural area to the southwest of Lara), the organisation in January 2006 of the Alternative Social Forum in Caracas, the activity of the Anarchist Black Cross, the persistent publication of various informative materials, and the impulse given to distinct events of social protest and cultural agitation. This process has had to overcome the test of the ‘Bolivarian revolution’, led by Hugo Chávez, which for anarchists represents a demagogic, corrupt, militarist and inefficient swindle which has deceived a large sector of local and international socialists, making the development of autonomous popular movements, a course of action promoted by Venezuelan anarchism, more difficult.
Bibliography
* Alterforo (2006). –Bulletin in Spanish and English of the Alternative Social Forum- Caracas.
* BRITO FIGUEROA, F. (1981). _Tiempo de Ezequiel Zamora_, Caracas, UCV.
* CAPPELLETTI, A. (1990). “Anarquismo Latinoamericano”, pp. IX-CCXVI, in A. Cappelletti & A. Rama (Eds.): _El Anarquismo en América Latina_, Caracas, Biblioteca Ayacucho.
* Correo A (1987-1995). Caracas (Also at: www.geocities.com/samizdata.geo/CorreoA.html).
* El Libertario (1985-1987). Caracas.
* El Libertario (1995-2008). Caracas (also at: www.nodo50.org/ellibertario, with an extensive English section).* MÉNDEZ, N. & A. VALLOTA (2001). _Bitácora de la Utopía_, Caracas, UCV (Also available at various internet sites).
* MONTES DE OCA, R. (2008) “Anarquismo en Venezuela”, Caracas, unpublished.
* RODRÍGUEZ, L. (1993). “Conociendo al Anarcosindicalismo Venezolano”. Correo A, Caracas, # 22, pp.16-17.* SANANES, M. (1987). _Pío Tamayo, una Obra para la Justicia, el Amor y la Libertad_, Caracas.* UZCATEGUI, R. (2001). _Corazón de Tinta_, Caracas, Naufrago de Itaca.
[El Libertario, # 53, April-May 2008, Venezuela]
Labels: anarchism, El Libertario, history, Venezuela
Friday, April 18, 2008
not
AMERICAN LABOUR:
NORTH CAROLINA:
Chancellor Moeser (919) 962-1365:
Hello, my name is ________ and I am a ________ from ______. I was shocked to discover that North Carolina clothes are produced in sweatshops. I urge you to listen to your students, adopt the DSP, and refrain from any kind of disciplinary action. Thank you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
AMERICAN LABOUR:
STUDENT SIT-INS SPREAD ACROSS THE USA:
Way back (in an internet sense, on April 11 actually) Molly blogged about an appeal from students at Appalachian State who were sitting in in support of the Designated Suppliers Program. You can learn more about this activist focus, that attempts to to bring various universities and colleges across the USA into compliance with a promise to but only from suppliers who hold to minimum standards in terms of their labour force. The students in question were evicted from their sit-in and arrested. The Boone Web, from their part of the world, has extensive coverage of the events. it also has links to the statement of the University authorities and the students' reply to same. be prepared to search the site.Way back in 1999 Time Magazine had a story on the `new student movement`. The present wave of action is far more widespread than back then. One wonders if it will get the same attention. In the wake of this, however, students at many other institutions have initiated sit-ins to pressure their university managements to sign up for the DSP. The following is a collection of these events that have occurred in the last few days. It is also an appeal from the students at the various institutions for internet solidarity, in order to show their respective authorities that the students are not alone, and that they have supporters from across the world. Read the following and sign up for the various campaigns if you will. Molly's comments on this whole matter follow at the end of the appeals. The activists are united under the banner of the United Students Against Sweatshops.
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NORTH CAROLINA:
Call Today To Support University North Carolina Students Sitting In For the DSP!
Students at the University of North Carolina are currently sitting in to demand that their university adopt the Designated Suppliers Program. Call, email, and fax Chancellor Moeser today to demand that all licensed apparel is produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage.
Students at the University of North Carolina are currently sitting in to demand that their university adopt the Designated Suppliers Program. Call, email, and fax Chancellor Moeser today to demand that all licensed apparel is produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage.
Chancellor Moeser (919) 962-1365:
Hello, my name is ________ and I am a ________ from ______. I was shocked to discover that North Carolina clothes are produced in sweatshops. I urge you to listen to your students, adopt the DSP, and refrain from any kind of disciplinary action. Thank you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill James Moeser
UNC Chancellor James Moeser
UNC President Erskine Bowles
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Adopt the DSP Today!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
We write to you about a pressing human rights concern that UNC Chapel Hill has the power to change. We write to endorse the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP), which was presented to the UNC-CH administration in 2005 by Student Action with Workers, an affiliate of United Students Against Sweatshops. The DSP is a comprehensive program for enhancing the enforcement of university codes of conduct under which University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill apparel will be produced in designated sweat free factories.
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Adopt the DSP Today!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
We write to you about a pressing human rights concern that UNC Chapel Hill has the power to change. We write to endorse the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP), which was presented to the UNC-CH administration in 2005 by Student Action with Workers, an affiliate of United Students Against Sweatshops. The DSP is a comprehensive program for enhancing the enforcement of university codes of conduct under which University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill apparel will be produced in designated sweat free factories.
Students, faculty, and workers at Pennsylvania State University and Appalachian State University have been asking their administration to adopt the DSP since 2005 and 2006, respectively. Similar to UNC-CH, their administrations refused to listen to the voices of thousands in their university communities who care about the basic human rights of workers in their supply chains. On Tuesday, April 15, at the urging of Penn State administration, thirty-one students were arrested while peacefully sitting in the administration building asking Penn State to end its reliance on sweatshop labor. On Friday, April 11, six ASU students engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience urging adoption of the DSP were also arrested at the urging of the ASU administration. This is unacceptable to us. Our universities have a stated commitment to human rights and UNC in particular, living the motto of the "university of the people."
The students, faculty, staff, and members of the Carolina community would like to see their university system act as a leader in the struggle to ensure that the rights of workers producing apparel for their university are respected. Your position as a top seller of collegiate apparel means that you should be setting ethical standards. As of now, forty-two major colleges and universities have distinguished themselves as leaders by adopting the DSP, including Duke University, Georgetown, Columbia, and the entire University of California system. It is our expectation that, given your university's stated commitment to worker rights, you will publicly endorse the DSP and to commit your university system to adopting it as policy.Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
To read more and help out in this campaign go to http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/unsitin/gi566w4a7neb636?
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MONTANA:
Molly note: According to a report from a local newspaper, 'The Missoulian' these students have also been arrested, just like those at Appalachian State. This makes support for their cause even more urgent.
Support Students Sitting In At The University of Montana To Adopt The DSP!
For the past two years, students at the University of Montana have demanded that their university ensure that university clothes are produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage. Today, students are occupying President Dennison's office to demand that the university finally take action. Call, email, and fax President Dennison today to demand that Montana adopt the DSP!
President Dennison: (406) 243-2311
Hello, my name is ______ and I am from ______. I was shocked to hear that the University of Montana is sourcing from sweatshops. I am calling to urge President Dennison to listen to the students, respect the rights of workers, and adopt the DSP. Thank you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
President, University of Montana George Dennison
UM President George Dennison
Vice President Jim Foley
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Respect workers' rights
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
For the sake of the workers suffering to produce University of Montana apparel, it is imperative that you listen to the students sitting inside Main Hall today. The University of Montana must adopt the Designated Suppliers Program to ensure that workers are paid a living wage and afforded the right to organize a union. I urge you to join the more than 40 other universities that have already taken an active stance against sweatshop-produced collegiate apparel. In addition, I would urge you to respect the rights of your students to peacefully protest. Refrain from arresting students and adopt the DSP today!
Sincerely,
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Respect workers' rights
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
For the sake of the workers suffering to produce University of Montana apparel, it is imperative that you listen to the students sitting inside Main Hall today. The University of Montana must adopt the Designated Suppliers Program to ensure that workers are paid a living wage and afforded the right to organize a union. I urge you to join the more than 40 other universities that have already taken an active stance against sweatshop-produced collegiate apparel. In addition, I would urge you to respect the rights of your students to peacefully protest. Refrain from arresting students and adopt the DSP today!
Sincerely,
To read more and join this campaign go to http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/montanasitin/gi566w297ncj66j?
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PENNSYLVANIA:
Support The 30 Students Sitting In At Penn State To Demand The DSP!
For the past three years, students at Penn State have demanded that their university ensure that university clothes are produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage. Today, 30 students are sitting in in President Spanier's office to demand that the university finally take action. Call, email, and fax President Spanier today to demand that Penn State adopt the DSP!
For the past three years, students at Penn State have demanded that their university ensure that university clothes are produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage. Today, 30 students are sitting in in President Spanier's office to demand that the university finally take action. Call, email, and fax President Spanier today to demand that Penn State adopt the DSP!
President Spanier: (814) 865-7611
Hello, my name is ______ and I am from ______. I am calling to urge President Spanier to listen to the students inside Old Main today. For the sake of the workers who suffer to produce Penn State apparel, President Spanier must sign onto the Designated Suppliers Program immediately.
Thank you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
PSU President Graham Spanier Penn State University
President Graham Spanier
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Respect workers' rights
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
For the sake of the workers suffering to produce Penn State apparel, it is imperative that you listen to the students sitting inside Old Main today. Penn State must adopt the Designated Suppliers Program to ensure that workers are paid a living wage and afforded the right to organize a union. I urge you to join the more than 40 other universities that have already taken an active stance against sweatshop-produced collegiate apparel. Adopt the DSP.
Sincerely,
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Respect workers' rights
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
For the sake of the workers suffering to produce Penn State apparel, it is imperative that you listen to the students sitting inside Old Main today. Penn State must adopt the Designated Suppliers Program to ensure that workers are paid a living wage and afforded the right to organize a union. I urge you to join the more than 40 other universities that have already taken an active stance against sweatshop-produced collegiate apparel. Adopt the DSP.
Sincerely,
To read more and join this campaign go to http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/psusitin/gi566w4r7n3k763?
.........................................
THE OBLIGATORY MOLLY COMMENTS:
The above actions are very much reminiscent of the late sixties/early 70s, and they share all the virtues and faults of that era. Back then .before Molly became an anarchist, she was a member of the NDP, the New Democratic Youth to be exact. We were all good devout leftists then, and our disagreements hardly reached the level of what is called in lefty parlance "theory" (most so-called leftist "theory" hardly deserves the name even today). Then, as now, we gravitated towards certain actions more because of an inchoate "emotion" rather than a clearly thought-out "plan".
The emotion ! At the time Molly was a member of the NDY, and we were, to a large extent, "in competition with" the 'Students for a Democratic University', a sort of clone of the American SDS. They had the "emotion" of trying to stage the most dramatic and most hopeless actions, often via the rather sneaky underhanded assumption that, once the campaign failed that they would 'recruit" the "educated" adherents of the campaign becxause they would be "radicalized" by the failure of the campaign and come to support "revolution". The SDU concept of "revolution" at the time was, to say the least, pretty vile and evil. The Trotskyist version was the best of the bunch, and most people had a Maoist version in mind. Should they ever have succeeded in their mad and pathetic project the death camps would have devoured tens of millions in North America. The American version, without the moderating influence of an indigenous social democracy was even more insane and more vicious than our Canadian one.
Nowadays the so-called Marxist left is very much of a joke. The two great competitors are anarchism and social democracy (not that the "great commies" of my own youth didn't pretty well all gravitate to social democracy in the end because it offered them jobs manipulating people even though they had no marketable skills to speak of). The United Students Against Sweatshops are very much a social democratic creation. They are the creation of the AFL-CIO (if you can grace that organization with the term "social democratic"). Yet, in their actions, they go far beyond their creators, just as we did in the NDY.
Their background, however, makes them more realistic today as opposed to the present reincarnation of SDS. Their lack of "radicalism" is actually a virtue and, yes, even an "anarchist virtue". This may be hard for some to swallow, particularly those who have been propagandized by the advocates of anarchism=militance.Yet.....one can hardly imagine the adherents of USAW tearing themselves apart over the identity politics that too much of "the left today" has inherited from my generation. Yes.... they recognize the issues, but they don't allow such recognition to degenerate into turning the organization away from its goals into becoming a "therapy session". They are too practical for that. They actually want to accomplish something rather than to show off. All this is a segue into the whole matter of "direct action".
"Direct Action" has become something of an anarchist mantra today, even though the term is almost always used for actions that are not just not direct action, but are often the exact opposite of same. The purist form of "direct action", as enunciated by the anarchist tradition has a rather simple meaning. It means that people actually initiate actions themselves that lead to a given result. In an union sense the clearest example of this would be the tactic of the IWW when it wished to restrict working hours of simply and plainly walking off the job at the hour decided upon by the workers. In India, Ghandi often engaged in such real and true direct actions, such as his campaign against the salt monopoly. The essence of direct action is that people actually do something without petitioning an authority to do it for them.
This is in stark contrast to a perverted idea of the term that is promoted by some within the anarchist milieu. To those people's lights "direct action" is nothing more than a synonym for "militance"(a hang over from the Maoist left), preferably of a violent nature. This sort of "direct action" is nothing more than social democracy stripped of intelligence and equipped with a stone to throw. It is nothing more than petitioning with a brick rather than a ballot.
The actions of Students United Against Sweatshops are not "direct action" in the purist sense. They are also "petitions", no matter how "militant" they may seem. They do not directly change the situation. They petition authorities to make the change. Still... they have virtues that should be imitated...
1)They actually have a goal that can be realistically achieved. The list of institutions that have already signed on to the DSP is living proof that their goals are realistic. If one wants to engage in this sort of action it is incumbent that one sets goals that can actually be achieved. Marching through the streets and smashing windows in favour of an "anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, anti-racist, anti-specieist, anti-ableist, anti-classist (Molly's gorge rises at this neologism), vague leftism is actually counterproductive, no matter how much it may "rally the troops". Eventually your "troops" realize that you are accomplishing nothing. They desert slowly but surely. REAL victories involve realistic goals.
2)One has a clear idea that one is "doing politics"and not making an emotional and existential statement. The whole idea is to influence others who do not presently agree with you. Molly has seen the written justification from one petty terrorist here in Canada. Here justification for her acts essentially boiled down to the bizarre proposition that her group "wanted to show that militant resistance in Canada was possible", a "statement' to the restricted in-group of leftists that she had foolishly identified with. Ahhhhh....who do you want to talk to ? Is it leftists who are waiting for the glorious government job or is it the average person ? Make your choice because the two are mutually exclusive. getting te "moral high ground" very much depends on what the mores of your audience are. choosing your audience is a necessity. Molly chose her own audience decades ago. The people at USAW have chosen the same audience, and their tactics are quite appropriate for those they want to speak to.
3)They have been consistently non-violent. This is important beyond measure. The whole idea is to actually accomplish something- not to show off. This also comes down to the "what do you want to do" question. If you want to speak to the unconvinced rather than to some vague subculture then you are obliged to gain the percecption of a "moral high ground". You have to appear better than those who have an opposite opinion. NOT to appear "tougher". The USASW have done this very well. Yes.... they are a social democratic creation, but anarchists woulkd be well advised to imitate them.
Labels: anarchism, Penn State, sit-ins, students, tactics, United Students Against Sweatshops, University of Montana, University of North Carolina
BLOGGING:
JOIN BLOGGERS UNITE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON MAY 15 !
Blogging is a rather new thing, and it has yet to show either its full potential or its limitations. The most obvious limitation is that it is totally democratic medium, and everybody and his dog is free to post about whatever is on their minds or in their eye at the time. Thus the "blogosphere" is flooded with a massive flood of tiny and petty "personal statements". All that one can say to this is that, if you can't raise your sights above some minuscule personal angst then you have proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are a totally boring person. Yet...the greatest strength of the blogosphere is, to repeat myself, "that it is a totally democratic medium, and everybody and his dog is free to post about whatever is on their minds or in their eye at the time". This democratic nature has often meant that the blogosphere has brought facts and issues to the world wide public much faster and also more accurately than the conventional press, of whatever ideological stripe. The mainstream media (and its "alternatives") regularly quotes from the blogs and uses them a a news source. this is rather a new thing in human history, and Molly, echoing Socrates, says that she "does not know" what it all means, and therefore she has more knowledge than those who claim to know when they do not. Time will tell. The potential and limitations of the blogosphere for social actions is also very much a subject of debate.
In any case here is an attempt at such internet activism. The sponsors, the Blog Catalog, have their own commercial interests in this sort of thing, but it may still be worthwhile nonetheless.
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Join Bloggers Unite For Human Rights On May 15!
Thanks to you, May marks the first anniversary of Bloggers Unite and this time we're launching an awareness campaign chosen by Blog Catalog members. On May 15, let's unite for human rights and make a statement that all people are born with basic rights and freedoms - life, liberty, and justice!
On May 15th 2008, let's come together and all blog about Human Rights. There are dozens and dozens of human rights issues that you can write about. The one you choose is up to you.
Topics to Consider
*The wrongful imprisonment of journalists covering assemblies.
*Governments that ignore the plight of citizens left tot he mercy of gangs.
*The censorship of the Internet in order to prevent freedom of expression.
*Harsh punishments that include torture, forced labor, and starvation.
*Sexual assault against women by members of military or militia.
Learn More About Human Rights
There are many organizations that promote human rights and work to protect people. We've picked three to help you learn more and find breaking topics.
*Amnesty International (http://www.amnesty.org/) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. They work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.
*Human Right Watch (http://www.hrw.org/) is dedicated to protecting human rights of people around the world. They stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, uphold political freedom, protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.
*Youth For Human Rights (http://www.youthforhumanrights.org) is an independent non-profit that educates people about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.
We have an entire group discussion dedicated to Bloggers Unite (http://www.blogcatalog.com/group/bloggers-unite) where you can add more organizations that you think are worth including.
How To Join Bloggers Unite!
To join, simply visit the Bloggers Unite page (http://unite.blogcatalog.com/) to get more information. Then, on Thursday, May 15th, write a blog post that shares awareness about human rights.
Your blog post could:
*Have the title "Bloggers Unite For Human Rights" (or some variation).
*include an example of human rights so people can learn about it.
*Explain the importance of human rights and how it applies to everyone.
*Link to one of the sites we've listed or the most suitable site for your country.
*And add a link to our BlogCatalog Community Human Rights Awareness Campaign page so we can give you and your blog credit for being part of it.
If you have any questions, please e-mail bloggersunite@blogcatalog.com. And please, don't forget to tell your friends to blog about this too. Together, I know we can raise awareness and prove bloggers can do good!
Labels: Blog Catalog, blogging, human rights
Thursday, April 17, 2008
MOROCCO:
MOROCCAN POLITICAL PRISONERS RELEASED:
The following is translated from the news bulletin of the CNT-F, and anarcho-syndicalist union federation in France. It concerns several labour activists who were arrested during a May Day demonstration last year. The CNT-F has been campaigning for their release ever since that time. See the CNT-F website for more details.L'original français soit ci-dessous apres l'anglais.
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Morocco: release of the detainees of the 1 May 2007
The international secretariat of the NLC was immensely delighted to learn from our Moroccan friends of the release, in recent days, of detainees of May 1 by a "royal pardon". In this connection, it's a good bet that the arrival in Geneva of Mohamed VI to participate in a symposium on Human Rights has a lot to do with it. Mohamed VI is, in fact, eager to break (at least superficially) with what were the "years of lead" of his late torturer father, Hassan II.
Our comrade Hackesh Mohamed, secretary of the National Federation of Agricultural Sector (FNSA) of the Trade Union Confederation UMT, on the occasion of the release of detainees of 1 May has sent us the following message in which he evokes the joy of families and prisoners, but also the fate of the activists who remain in prison:
"We can not but be pleased with the release of our comrades detained on May 1st without forgetting that other prisoners are still in prison. Amongst other activists of the movement, AMAZHIR Dadas of Boumalen in the region of Ouarzazate, the students of the national union of students Moroccan (UNEM) and activists against the theft of public goods.
Dear comrades, the victory comes little by little. Struggle continues and accumulates small victories. The "royal pardon" was a legal way to release them under great and militant pressure both nationally and internationally. On this occasion I strongly welcome the participation of the CNT in this result.
Long live international solidarity!
At present the detained comrades from the 1st May are all with their families. Meetings and events are being organized throughout Morocco, especially in Agadir, Belli Mellel and Ksar el Kebir to accommodate them and to reiterate our resolve and renew our militant strength to continue the fight. "
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Maroc : libération des détenus du 1er mai 2007
Le secrétariat international de la CNT a eu l’immense plaisir d’apprendre, de nos camarades marocains, la libération ces derniers jours des détenus du 1er Mai par "grâce royale". A ce sujet, il y a fort à parier que la venue à Genève de Mohamed VI pour participer à un colloque sur les Droits de l’Homme y est pour beaucoup. Mohamed VI est, en effet, très désireux de rompre (du moins en apparence) avec ce que furent les "années de plomb" de son défunt tortionnaire de père : Hassan II.
Notre camarade Mohamed Hackesh, secrétaire de la Fédération Nationale du Secteur Agricole (FNSA) de la Confédération syndicale UMT à l’occasion de la libération des détenus du 1er Mai nous a envoyé le message suivant où il évoque la joie des familles et des prisonniers mais aussi le sort des militants toujours en prison :
"Nous ne pouvons qu’être content de la libération de nos camarades détenus du 1er Mai sans oublier que d’autres détenus sont toujours en prison. Entre autres les militants du mouvement AMAZHIR de Boumalen Dadas de la région de Ouarzazate, les étudiants de l’union national des étudiants marocains (UNEM) et les militants contre la spoliation des biens publiques.
Mes chers camarades, la victoire vient peu à peu. La lutte continue et les petites victoires s’accumulent. La "grâce royale" est une façon juridique de les relâcher sous la grande pression militante nationale et internationale. A cette occasion je salue fortement la participation de la CNT à ce résultat.
Vive la solidarité internationale !!!
Actuellement les camarades détenus de 1er Mai sont tous en famille. Des rencontres et des manifestations s’organisent partout dans le Maroc, surtout à Agadir, Belli Mellel et Ksar el Kebir pour les accueillir et pour réitérer notre détermination et renouveler notre force militante à continuer la lutte."
Labels: CNT-F, labour, Morocco, solidarity
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
NEPAL:
THE NEW RULING CLASS- JUST LIKE THE OLD RULING CLASS- ONLY WORSE:
The following has been translated from the Voix De Faits blog, in Québec City. Voix De Faits is a blog of the Québec section of NEFAC, the North Eastern Federation of Anarchist Communists, a platformist organization. I may disagree with labelling the new ruling class that the Nepalese Maoists want to shove down the throats of their people as "capitalist". My own term is "managerial". In the rest of the world, with the defeat of fascism and the collapse of other Leninist regimes a more benign form of this ruling class has come to power. In Molly's view the pathetic Leninist aspiration to power is primitive in that a better form of the class rule that they propose already holds sway in the commanding heights of the economy through most of the world. This managerial ruling class "uses" sometimes more or less "capitalist" forms of political economy, but at other times uses political manipulation of the economy to achieve their goals. They are superior to the failed Leninist experiments of the last century (and the soon-to-fail Cuban experiment) simply because they are more flexible and less hidebound by ideology(religious belief ?). All that being said I cannot express the degree of loathing that I have for the cultists of the greatest mass-murderers that human history has ever seen. The following article expresses the essence of Maoism (the lowest of the low in a field filled with scum), only using a different name for the evil.
....................................
The vast Maoist revolution in Nepal is ... a capitalist revolution!
In Nepal, the ex-Maoist rebels are currently on the verge of becoming the first party of the constituent assembly, elected Thursday, which will allow the transformation of the monarchy in the Republic and will force the king to abdicate. The Maoists have won or are leading in 98 districts now. They are also about to get a simple majority, beating the same old political formations such as the Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (center-left).
It will be recalled that the people's war in Nepal, led by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist adherents "(...) is regarded as a bright hope not only for the Nepalese masses, but also for the entire international proletariat and the oppressed peoples (...)"!( PCR (Co) - Arsenal no.2).
The newspaper Le Monde, published this week, an interview with the general Nepali Maoist ideologue, Baburam Bhattarai, the right arm of the Party, the no.1 in the Party. According to this interview, one of the highlights of their revolutionary program, "(...) would be to initiate a political transition dominated by the capitalist revolution (...)"! Oh yes! The famous transition period, which after years of propaganda will eventually become the famous revolution desired ...
After the peace accord in 2006, which ended the conflict which has claimed more than 13,000 deaths in 10 years, the Nepali Maoists now proclaim that their aim in the short and medium term is neither socialism nor even Social Democracy, but to erect a triumphant capitalism! For a revolution acclaimed by the Maoist Parties , as the embryo of the new wave of world revolution, which rises with increasing strength, and that was afford to build a new world finally free from all forms of exploitation, we can say that it's rather tipsy.
After revolution, the only solution is that the Nepali Maoists modus operandi becomes this only solution? After Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot etc .. how many disastrous examples of genocide are necessary to demonstrate that Maoism militants are not a hope for the oppressed masses, but rather a dictatorship established and maintained by force? ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Here is the article in the newspaper Le Monde
... Baburam Bhattarai is in a three-story villa with red tiles, located in a suburb of Kathmandu where modest brick houses rise on the side of the ravine. A look at the portrait gallery of red saints red adorning his living room, tells us that this man then, number two in the Communist Party adherents of the Nepali Maoist (CPN-M), must have a sacred dogma. Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and Mao: the display of references is clear. Eyes half closed, a thin mustache covering severe lips, Baburam Bhattarai affects of the dryness of a former guerrilla shaped by life in the resistance.
And yet, the man is a master of the brilliantly contortions of the dialectic. It is probably not a coincidence that this former architecture student, holds a PhD at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, is a great lover of chess, and passes for the ideologue of Nepalese Maoism.(See Déclassé Intellectuals in the works of Max Nomad-Mollymew) At age 53, he became a key person, alongside the leader of the party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias "Prachenda" (the Terrible),around the reconstitution of the political life of Nepal around a republican calendar that they were able to impose on the traditional parties at gunpoint.
Mr. Bhattarai exudes confidence. He is sure of his case: the abolition of the monarchy and to gain power. He is confident even though the lucky red star CPN-M, can afford the luxury of polishing revolutionary jargon. Since power, he believes, is close and it will still take some useful steps to be achieve it, it is important to reach out, to be accommodating. Thus, if "the abolition of the monarchy" and "the elimination of feudalism" return as leitmotifs in his speech, he spoke ,strangely enough little about, "socialism".
"POLITICAL TRANSITION"
Certainly, the goal remains as "long term", but in the meantime, priority will be to initiate a "political transition" dominated by the "capitalist revolution".The supreme Irony, the Maoists have a mission, if you understand Mr. Bhattarai correctly, to implement capitalism in Nepal!
"We will not nationalise big industry and we will respect free enterprise", he said . The charm offensive against the bosses had already begun: the leaders of the CPN-M have come to meet with the office of the Federation of Industry and Commerce.
He says, we have reassured them, and they are willing to work with us."
Is not such openness is not in flagrant contradiction with the orthodox Marxism-Leninism professed by the CPN-M? "Absolutely not," Mr. Bhattarai protests."Marx, Engels and Lenin had already written on the subject," he says. Between feudalism and socialism, there is capitalism.. However there is still no capitalism in Nepal. It must be developed.
" Indeed, the ideologue of the CPN-M now is wary of models. While he still reveres Mao - a porcelain bust of the Great Helmsman is on a throne on a table in the living room - he wants to "go beyond Mao." "We must develop our own style", he says. "Marxism is not a religion, it is a science. We want to develop Marxism."(Booolsheet amigo-Molly) And that "Marxism to develop" must accommodate itself to democracy?
Mr. Bhattarai said, accepting the "competitive multi-party system". Of course, the Maoists are critical of a parliamentary system on the "Westminster model, "a source of instability". They want institutional reform to establish a "presidential system similar to the French." But Mr. Bhattarai assures us that he has nothing against democracy. Intoxication? Conversion sincere? History will judge fairly fairly soon
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Also, if you are interested, you can read the message of solidarity from PCR (co) on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the war in Nepal, published in the journal Arsenal(Maoist scumbags-Molly) ... Are they talking about the same revolution?
Dear comrades,
We extend our warmest greetings on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the outbreak of the People's War. Starting from almost nothing, but armed with what is most important - a Party, an ideological line and a correct political line, as well as a deep bond with and supported by the broad masses - the combatants of what would become the mighty and glorious People's Liberation Army began with great courage a long and arduous struggle, which is now a bright hope not only for the Nepalese masses, but also for the entire international proletariat and the oppressed peoples.(or at least the inferior members of the managerial ruling class who can't get directing jobs otherwise-Molly)
By constantly advancing in the fight against the reactionary classes and the imperialist powers that support them, and building, step by step, a new popular power, the oppressed masses in Nepal run by your Party have established a solid base of support for the global revolution.
The considerable success that you have already won prove once again, in the words of Mao, a just cause still enjoys considerable support, and that ,when it is conducted properly, it is possible to combat and win even against the enemies of the most despotic and in the most difficult conditions that exist.
The people's war you lead past eight years is a vivid demonstration of the great power of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, ie The ideology of the proletariat internationally reinforced by the experience of more than 150 years of struggle for socialism and communism. (Maoist language is so weird. all that I can say is that my asshole is not just chewing bubblegum, if this is true,but it is blowing multicolour bubbles. The comrades of Voix De Faits added this bit for the sake of irony. as they say...)
A little ironic or not?
Labels: anarchism, Leninism, Maoism, Nepal, Voix De Faits
CANADIAN LABOUR:
THE DIRTY SOCKS SECRET:
Investigation for Catholic School Boards uncovers worker rights violations in factory producing school uniforms:
Toronto- For years, students have been asking questions about where and under what conditions their school uniforms are being made. A new report on a factory investigation conducted by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) for Catholic School Boards in Ontario confirms their worst fears.
Toronto- For years, students have been asking questions about where and under what conditions their school uniforms are being made. A new report on a factory investigation conducted by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) for Catholic School Boards in Ontario confirms their worst fears.
The recent investigation revealed that a Chinese factory, Lianglong Socks Ltd in Zhuji City, China, which produces socks for many Ontario Catholic schools, violates Chinese law, school uniform manufacturer RJ McCarthy's Code of Conduct and Ontario Catholic School Boards' fair labour policies. The investigation was conducted by the WRC on behalf of an association of nine Catholic school boards in Ontario that employed the WRC to help it implement its fair labour policies.
"School Boards have taken a big step in uncovering these abuses. This report must be a catalyst for change," said Lori Ryan, Chair of the Ontario Catholic No Sweat Network (OCNSN). "The factory conditions must improve, and the supplier held accountable," she added.
The WRC's investigation documents flagrant violations of workers' rights, including:
near or below freezing temperatures in the unheated factory and dormitories;
*forced, excessive and unpaid overtime;
*the withholding of a portion of workers' pay for up to a year at a time;
*the failure to pay all workers the legal minimum wage;
*dirty, hazardous, illegal and unsafe conditions in the dormitories, bathrooms and factory;
*labour contracts that violated local law; and
*failure to provide legally required benefits like workers' injury compensation and maternity leave.
The WRC also concluded that factory management:
*falsified payroll, time and employee records; and
*coached workers to lie to inspectors about working conditions.
"It's outrageous that our socks are being made under such terrible conditions," said Natasha Vaz, a Grade 12 student at Cardinal Newman Secondary School in Toronto, and one of the thousands of students in Ontario wearing RJ McCarthy uniforms. "The intensive campaign against sweatshops is close to our hearts and consistent with all the values we are taught in school. It's extremely hypocritical for our school apparel to be produced under such cruel conditions," she contends.
"For years now, clothing brands and manufacturers have insisted their clothes are squeaky clean," said Kevin Thomas, Director of Advocacy at the Toronto-based Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN). "This report is a warning to all schools, municipalities and provincial governments that, in dealing with an industry that relies heavily on outsourced manufacturing, you need mechanisms like this to verify manufacturers' claims. ‘Just trust me' isn't good enough."
In response to the investigation, the WRC reports, R.J. McCarthy has now promised to "provide factory management with a letter asking for concrete commitments, with clear deadlines, with respect to each area where corrective action is needed." R.J. McCarthy has also pledged to revise its approach to monitoring to include a thorough review of factory records - something it hadn't done in the past.
The Lianglong Socks investigation is the second of two independent uniform factory investigations conducted by WRC on behalf of Ontario Catholic School Boards. The first investigation of the Empresas T&M factory in the Dominican Republic, which produces uniforms for Halpern's, exposed violations including unpaid wages and unhealthy drinking water. Halpern's and Empresas T&M management agreed to work to remedy the violations. The remedies still need to be verified.
The sustained effort of students, teachers and school board trustees caused twelve Ontario Catholic School Boards to adopt no-sweat uniform policies in recent years, and will continue to encourage all boards to develop policies and collaborate in this joint monitoring project.
Ontario Catholic No Sweat Network (OCNSN) is a network of students, teachers, and trustees across Ontario working with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and the Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) to promote the adoption and enforcement of "No Sweat" purchasing policies.
The Maquila Solidarity Network is a labour and women's rights organization that supports the efforts of workers in global supply chains to win improved wages and working conditions and a better quality of life.
Read the WRC report
The Catholic school boards in Ontario that have joined together to contract the WRC to help implement their fair labour policies are: Durham Catholic District School Board, Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board, Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, Halton Catholic District School Board, Hamilton Catholic District School Board, Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic District School Board, St. Clair Catholic District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the York Catholic District School Board.
For further information contact:
Lori Ryan,
Development and Peace,
Ontario Catholic No Sweat Network,
(416) 922-1592 ext. 230;
[can connect media with students]
Kevin Thomas, Maquila Solidarity Network:
Labels: Canada, China, labour, sweatshops.
MONTREAL:
INVITATION POUR LA FORMATION D'UN COMITE DE QUARTIER DANS HOCHELAGA MAISONNEUVE :
INVITATION TO THE FORMATION OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMITTEE IN HOCHELAGA MAISONNEUVE:
(MOLLY NOTE: THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION FOLLOWS AT THE BOTTOM)
À vous, résidents et résidentes du quartier,
À vous, résidents et résidentes du quartier,
Nous vivons dans le même quartier sans même vraiment nous connaître. Nous sommes plus souvent qu'autrement isolées dans nos vies, dans notre pauvreté, dans nos détresses psychologiques, dans nos dépendances à l'alcool, à la drogue... Tout contribue à notre solitude. Ensemble, nous serions plus fortes. La créativité populaire s'accentue dans nos réseaux de solidarité, dans nos réalisations collectives, dans nos luttes.
Plusieurs organismes répondent à nos problèmes particuliers comme le Bails dans le domaine du logement, l'ADDS et l'OPDS dans celui des droits sociaux, Le pavillon d'éducation communautaire qui se spécialise dans l'organisation de programmes d'activités culturelles et d'éducation populaire, La Marie-Debout qui vient en aide aux femmes du quartier et il y en a bien d'autres. Mais il manque un comité qui tisse des réseaux élargis qui fassent le pont entre nos existences et nos différentes luttes. C'est un Comité de quartier qu'il nous faut !
Nous vous invitons à une première soirée qui retracerait l'histoire des luttes populaires dans Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Nous discuterons par la suite du projet dans le but de nous organiser concrètement.
Dimanche le 20 avril 19h
au Rhizome
1800 Létourneux coin
Lafontaine
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Montréal, Québec
..............................
The following is translated from an A-Infos article (http://www.aiinfos.ca/ainfos08346.html) in French- Molly.
To you, residents of the district,
We live in the same area without even really knowing each other. We more often than less are isolated in our lives, in our poverty, in our psychological distress in our dependence on alcohol, drugs ... Everything Contributes to our solitude. Together, we would be stronger. Popular creativity is accentuated in our growing networks, in our collective accomplishments , in our struggles.
Several agencies respond to our problems as in the Bails Area of housing, ADDS and OPDS in terms of social rights, the Community Education Pavillon that specializes in the organization of cultural activities and popular education, Marie-Debout that helps women in the district and there are many others. But there is a lack of a committee which weaves broad networks as the bridge between our lives and our different struggles. It is a neighborhood committee that we need!
We invite you to a first evening which will retrace the history of popular struggles in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. We will discuss the future of the project in order to organize ourselves in practice.
Sunday, April 20 19h
At Rhizome
1800 Létourneux
corner of Lafontaine
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Montreal, Quebec
Labels: anarchism, community organization, Montreal
ONTARIO:A SUMMER OF DISCONTENT AND ACTION:
The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) has campaigned for years now on behalf of homeless and other poor people in Ontario. They have proven that direct action tactics work in this context. This summer they intend to continue their ongoing campaigns and escalate the struggle against gentrification in Toronto, with a "takeover" of a city park by the homeless. But they need your help. Please read the following appeal and respond if you can.
.............................................
Fight Poverty in the Park - Your support needed
WAR ON HOMELESS IN THE DOWNTOWN EAST
Appeal for Support and Resources for Fight Back
A war is underway in the central part of this City. On the one side are long established low income neighbourhoods and large homeless populations.Pitted against them are the forces of upscale, urban redevelopment - the developers, the tourist industry, the 'resident' and business associations, the cops and the politicians.
As the oversupply of housing for the well off creeps into poor areas of the City, as ruthless drive to push out the homeless gathers force. People are targeted by the cops. Those forced to beg on the streets are hounded and their civil liberties disregarded. Services to the homeless are curtailed by the City. Hundreds of shelter beds are taken out of the hostel system and the places that remain become overcrowded hell holes.Under the 'Streets to Homes' project, homeless people are dumped in tiny rooms with no resources and no support, in conditions that make even the shelters look humane.
The war on homeless people has grown uglier with a speed that shocks even the most hardened service providers. OCAP is taking the lead in resisting this outrageous situation. We held a mass panhandle in the underground 'Path' commercial network. We have taken delegations to City Hall to expose and challenge the neglect. We set up a special night of shelter at Central Neighbourhood House to coincide with the end of the 'Out of the Cold' program run by the churches. This laid bare the fact that hundreds more have nowhere to turn and must go back to the streets.
In the summer, we will defy the whole process of upscale development and its champions with a takeover of a city park for the homeless. We will make sure that the covert war to drive the homeless from view is made into a public issue and we will build up the resistance of the homeless and their allies.
For this struggle, we must have resources. We will need to produce and distribute hundreds of leaflets and posters. We will need a large supply of TTC tokens to enable homeless people to participate. Food will have to be supplied at all the events we organize, including a number of meals and snacks for the campout. The campout will also require a range of supplies and equipment.
OCAP is already fully committed to a major fight to win repairs for public housing tenants. We continue to organize Special Diet clinics that put millions of dollars into the pockets of low income people and families.We are stretched to the limit and need help desperately. Please send cheques to OCAP at 10 Britain Street M5A 1R6. (Earmark them 'Homeless Fightback') Call us at (416) 925-6939 to discuss how you and your organization can back this vital campaign. Thanks, OCAP
Labels: homelessness, OCAP, Ontario, poverty, solidarity
AMERICAN LABOUR:
TOXIC CHEMICALS ARE THREATENING FARM WORKER CHILDREN:
The following appeal is from the United Farm Workers in the USA. You can read more about this issue and join the campaign at this LINK.
............................................
Toxic chemicals are threatening farm worker children. We need your help.
Farm worker children are being put at daily risk of neurological and developmental damage due to four deadly organophosphate pesticides.
Farm worker children are being put at daily risk of neurological and developmental damage due to four deadly organophosphate pesticides.
These toxic pesticides were derived from nerve gas developed during World War II. The four organophosphates at issue are methidathion, oxydemeton-methyl, methamidophos, and ethoprop and are primarily used in California on a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, and nut crops.
These toxic chemicals pose a danger to everyone, but especially to rural children and families when these four pesticides drift into schoolyards, outdoor play areas, and homes. The EPA has acknowledged the danger, but has done nothing to protect the public.
The health of farm workers and their children is much too important to leave up to bureaucracy. We can't wait any longer, so last week the UFW and a coalition of farmworker advocates and environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop the continued use of these four deadly chemicals.
The UFW is doing all we can to protect farm workers and their children. That is why we filed this lawsuit, however we want the EPA to do something now instead of subjecting farm workers to years of litigation. Tell them to just to do their job and to protect the public.
Please e-mail the EPA today and tell them to ban these four toxic pesticides immediately. Stop putting children's health at risk.
Go to the link above to send this email.
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
(Edit Letter Below)
Farm worker children are being put at daily risk of neurological and developmental damage due to four deadly organophosphate pesticides.
These toxic pesticides were derived from nerve gas developed during World War II. The four organophosphates at issue are methidathion, oxydemeton-methyl, methamidophos, and ethoprop and are primarily used in California on a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, and nut crops.
These toxic chemicals pose a danger to everyone, but especially to rural children and families when these four pesticides drift into schoolyards, outdoor play areas, and homes. You have acknowledged the danger, but have done nothing to protect the public.
The health of farm workers and their children is much too important to leave up to bureaucracy. We can't wait any longer, so last week the UFW and a coalition of farmworker advocates and environmental groups filed a lawsuit against your agency to stop the continued use of these four deadly chemicals.
The UFW is doing all we can to protect farm workers and their children. That is why we filed this lawsuit, however we want the EPA to do something now instead of subjecting farm workers to years of litigation. Just to do your job and protect the public. Stop putting children's health at risk.
Sincerely,
Labels: labour, solidarity, toxic chemicals, United Farm Workers
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
WINNIPEG:
UPCOMING EVENTS IN WINNIPEG:
There's going to be a lot going on locally in the next couple of months. Get in on some of it before the mosquitoes make going out without body armour a life-threatening experience. Hey, it's not springtime in Paris, but some things will be quite interesting....
A. Wednesday, April 16, the Queer Radical Action and Discussion Group will be holding a meeting at 631 Main St. in the Spinstar Space(enter through the gate in the parking lot). Come at 7:00 pm. The event will be a potluck so bring along food. Vegan is appreciated.
B. Coming up this Thursday, April 17th, down at the Mondragon--The Pharmacists Improv Show. Imagination run wild.
C. This Saturday, April 19th, March Against The SPP. This demonstration against the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) will be held two days before the meeting of this summit in New Orleans. Molly guesses that the politicos have no sense of irony or they wouldn't hold such a meeting with such a title in New Orleans of all places. Security ?? Prosperity ?? Tell it to the people of that city and their diaspora scattered across the continent.
The demonstration will begin at 12:30 at the Forks (Oodena Celebration circle behind the Johnson Terminal) and will proceed to the Legislature building for the usual yap, yap. For more information contact info@wakeupwinnipeg.ca or visit the Facebook site http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9017558682 .
D. A couple of other things are also happening on the 19th....
-If you have a spare $20 you can sign up for "Emerging Energy Technologies for Manitoba" with the keynote speaker Tom Molinski from Manitoba Hydro. Also speaking are Bob Spensley from Sequoia Energy (Wind power), Eric Rempel of BEST Inc (Biomass energy)and Bill Grant of Homewood Solar and Wind. This rather corporate heavy list is sponsored by the Provincial Council of Women. To reserve a seat call 992-2751 or email pcwm@mts.net . The seminar runs from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.
-Less obviously business oriented and also free is the "Going Green Fair" at the Crestview United Church, 316 Hamilton Ave.. This runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and features "Organic Lawn Care" by the Manitoba Eco-Network and a "Composting Workshop" by Resource Conservation Manitoba. No admission charges but any donations will go to Neighbours Helping Neighbours.
E. On Tuesday, April 22, there will be a panel discussion on the planned "BiPole 3" high voltage transmission line that the Province now plans to build on the west side of Lake Winnipeg. "East/west or the Route Less Taken" will feature John Ryan, a retired professor of geography, who has presented his extensive research in the local media over the past few months. His point is that a power line buried on the floor of Lake Winnipeg would be both less expensive and less ecologically damaging than either the east or west side proposals. Also on the panel: James Blatz from the Dept. of Civil engineering, U. of M., Louis Young, former chief of the Bloodvein First nation and advisory member of the Taiga Rescue Network., Eric Robinson, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism,and Don Sullivan of the Boreal forest Network.Time 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Place Eckhardt Gramatte Hall, University of Winnipeg. Free admission and all are welcome.
F. Sunday, April 27: Manitoba Earth Day at the Living Prairie Museum, 2795 Ness Ave., from 10:00am to 4:00pm. For more information contact MBEarthDay@gmail.com or the site http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/naturalist/ns/MED/EarthDay.htm
G. Also on April 27th, The Winnipeg chapter of the Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) will be holding a fundraising brunch from 11:00am to 3:00 pm down at the Mondragon, 91 Albert St.. This will be a kickoff for their Books to Prisoners program, so bring a soft cover book as a donation. Held in conjunction with the Winnipeg chapter of the Elizabeth Fry Society. Suggested donation $10 for the brunch.
H. Wednesday, April 30, there will be a screening of the film 'Crapshoot" , sponsored by the Manitoba Eco-Network. The film looks at our waste disposal system and possible alternatives. followed by a discussion. At 7:00 pm at the Park theatre, 698 Osborne St. South. Admission $8, students and low income $5. Tickets at door.
I. Thursday, May 1. It's Mayday ! The annual Mayday March will assemble at City Hall at 6:00 pm. For more information contact Glenn Michalchuk at 589-7840.
J. Tuesday, May 6th, the 6th annual Winnipeg 1919 General Strike Tour will begin with a film and presentation at the Duckworth Centre, Room 2D12, University of Winnipeg, followed by a guided bus tour to visit the locations of the major events of the General Strike. Tickets are $15 and include a light supper. Time is 4:30pm to 9:00 pm. For more info and to reserve a seat contact Steve Pataki at 988-7122 or at s.pataki@uwinnipeg.ca
K. Also on May 6: A book launch of "Renegades: Canadians in the Spanish Civil War" by Michael Petrou. Time 7:00 pm at McNally Robinson, Grant Park Mall. Free Admission. Come on out and argue with the commies and their lies.
L. Wednesday, May 7: A more congenial historical event. "Canadian Anarchist History", by Paul Burrows and Travis Tomchuk. Down at the Mondragon, 91 Albert St.. Time 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Discussion to follow.
M. AND HERE IT IS FOLKS, WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:
THE BEST OF ALL BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST:
WINNIPEG'S SPIRITED ANARCHY FESTIVAL:
FROM MAY 8 TO MAY 11:
A number of events put on by a diverse group of Winnipegers, held on Old Market Square, the A-Zone at 91 Albert St. and several art galleries on te downtown area.
Kicking off with a multi-venue Radical Art Exhibit at Artspace Building (100 Arthur St.), the Edge gallery (611 Main St.) and the A-Zone (91 Albert St.) on Thursday, May 8. The Friday following, May 9, will include a talk at APC activist Anna Hunter and a screening of the film '5 Ring Circus', all about opposition to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. All of this down at Mondragon, first floor, 91 Albert St. The film will begin at 6:00 pm and Hunter will speak at 8:00 pm. The APC is a Vancouver anti-poverty organization campaigning against the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2010.
The night of the 9th will end with a "Rock for Rights" party at the Rudolf Rocker Cultural centre on the third floor of 91 Albert St. . Featuring Ian Larue & The Condor, the 1919 Insurrectionary Orchestra and others yet to be announced. The show starts at 9:00 pm and costs $5. Also, all weekend long the A-Zone will hold a fundraiser with the participation of all the groups. The height of this will be on Saturday, May 10, with a four floor party. Admission by donation. Various workshops will be held throughout the weekend at the A-Zone in conjunction with the Spirited Anarchy Festival. On Sunday, May 11, "Celebrating The May Days of '68" will take place at the Rudolf Rocker Cultural Centre at 8:00 pm. Admission free but donations accepted. Presented by the Winnipeg New Socialist Group and the IWW Winnipeg Branch.
And then there's the heart of the event. On Saturday, May 10, there will be an open air bookfair in Old Market Square, just kitty corner to the A-Zone. Come on out and see local and out-of-town publishers, zinesters, etc. present their wares. Music will be provided by the Flaming trolleys Marching Band. It's a Winnipeg first. Don't miss it.
Labels: anarchism, events, Winnipeg, Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair
Monday, April 14, 2008
ANARCHIST PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS:
PGA INSPIRED NEWSLETTER #4:
FIFTH PEOPLES' GLOBAL ACTION GATHERING IN EUROPE:
The People's Global Action (PGA) is a loosely knit network of anti-globalization activists. It has been instrumental in organizing protests against the G8, the WTO, the World Bank and the IMF in locations across the world. The following two reports concern the recently published newsletter, available in a downloadable pdf format and the upcoming (August 20 to 27th) gathering in Athens, Greece. If you want to learn more about the PGA consult one of the sites below:
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PGA* inspired newsletter #4
This is the 4th issue of the PGA inspired newsletter! You can download the file for reading from here: http://aresistance.net/data/pga4_read.pdf and the file for printing from here: http://aresistance.net/data/pga4_print.pdf At the PGA-conference in Dijon a need for a non-digital communication-tool was mentioned. There was an idea to refresh a printed newsletter. We would like to continue the project with this call. Our aim is to continue using this newsletter as forum of debates, different project, actions and struggles of collectives, related to PGA. The newsletter does not speak in the name of the network, but is inspired by PGA. Therefore it will continue to be an autonomous project with subjective views, but can only work through the participation of various collectives and individuals in the network.
This is the 4th issue of the PGA inspired newsletter! You can download the file for reading from here: http://aresistance.net/data/pga4_read.pdf and the file for printing from here: http://aresistance.net/data/pga4_print.pdf At the PGA-conference in Dijon a need for a non-digital communication-tool was mentioned. There was an idea to refresh a printed newsletter. We would like to continue the project with this call. Our aim is to continue using this newsletter as forum of debates, different project, actions and struggles of collectives, related to PGA. The newsletter does not speak in the name of the network, but is inspired by PGA. Therefore it will continue to be an autonomous project with subjective views, but can only work through the participation of various collectives and individuals in the network.
This project should be an open process and switching workgroups take the responsibility for each issue.The group, working on the next issue, announces their idea for next issue and sets a deadline for article (both on the pga-process list). After layouting and publishing it’s also helpful, if the workgroup cares for skill-sharing with the next group (which means to introduce in the tools, used for the newsletter). The final printing and distribution is like the creation of article in the responsibility of all the collectives and single persons in the network. To make the next newsletter a better instrument of information and perhaps more open to global struggles, please send articles
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* An antiauthoritarian anticapitalist initiative network
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5th Peoples' Global Action Gathering in Europe Athens 20th / 27th of August
PGA - People's Global Action - started in 1998, it has been a tool and a diffuse structure coordinating groups and people sharing common struggles and practices, in accordance with various anticapitalist and anti-authoritarian principles (see the hallmarks).
PGA initiated the Intercontinental Caravan in 1999, as well as international action days of actions against the G8, the WTO, the World Bank, the IMF... In Seattle, Genoa, Prague, and in a number of less popular events, PGA was a driving force behind numerous actions and reflections. At the convergence of international initiatives and local struggles, groups close to the PGA are now looking for new drives to challenge stagnation.In Europe, groups who identify with the PGA principles meet about once every two years, through the initiative of a "convener" collective. Since 1998, these conferences have been the opportunity for several days of exchanging practices and knowledge, and of establishing bonds, which allow us to be better organized in common actions.
The 5th gathering of Peoples Global Action in Europe this time will take place in Greece.The responsibility of organizing and coordinating the discussion that opened in the last meetings of PGA Europe has taken up by a decentralized network of activists and collectives in the Balkans. That's exactly and the essential advantage of this initiative. The convener is not a local collective like other conferences in the past but a vital Balkan decentralized network. On the preparation all of these months several questions , problems as well as ideas for taking action have already been mentioned by all of us involved with a conference here!!! Again, in the Balkan region! We would like to open a long discussion about local activism in combination with a global perspective. In other words we want to discuss about the future of the PGA network and its process as well as the various projects , topics and ideas for action.
As a reference example : the following topics that we are already working on or we want to invite people to open meeting spaces during the PGA conference.
Autonomous spaces and squatting,
patriarchy, gender, radical feminism,
antirepression, anti militarism,
biotechnology, environmental struggles,
indigenous spaces,
antiglobalization, G8,
DIY activities and sharing skills, fanzines, infoshops,
PGA infopoint ,
land and autonomy, eco communities,
digital struggles and autonomous servers, indymedia tools,
precarity and flexibility,
radical theory,
productive networking,
local alternatives,activism,
other,
to be continued ...
If you wanna take part on the meeting we need the following information from you!! Please send it to us as soon as possible at con2008@no-log.org.. have it in mind that our dynamic is not the best one and we need a lot of international support and definitely to know how many people are planning to join the meeting .. You also need sleeping bags and probably a tent.
Info that we need from you:
1.name of your collective (if you belong in a collective),
2.number of people,
3.workshop or topic who you want to organise (name of your workshop,what do you need for it, for ex do you need a projector?),
4.if you wanna participate on the kitchen (we definitely need it as well)
In solidarity -
International working group of the 5th PGA conference
Labels: anarchism, events, magazines, Peoples' Global Action
SPAIN:
PUERTA DE HIERRO HOSPITAL IN STRUGGLE:
The following article is translated from the website of the Spanish CGT, the largest anarcho-syndicalist union federation in the world....
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The construction and commissioning of the Hospital of Majadahonda does not justify the closure of the Hospital Puerta de Hierro as they fail to provide adequate health coverage to all users in the area.
The new hospital of Majadahonda will be a government grant with administrative services privatized,and this will mean a cost to the public purse far greater than if it were entirely public.
The Ministry of Health and some Trade Unions (excepting the UGT and CGT) signed a transfer pact of (October 2004) and ,as a result thereof, the Directorate General of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health has issued a resolution dated 13 March 2008 which worsens the working conditions of staff in Puerta de Hierro (layoffs, increased hours, salary reductions, etc.) due to the outsourcing of all non-health services, which so far were directly managed by administration.
With all this the People's Party is still waiting in line to destroy the Public Health system and does not address the different types of users and workers who support a public health system and quality.
Since then we, the CGT, have begun a series of demonstrations, with the support of the majority of the staff, at the iron Hospital Gate iron to defend the rights of our colleagues. Also, we have been conducting demonstrations during the years of 2007/08 with the Residents' Associations in the area, Student Associations, UI(Izquierda Unida-United Left-Molly), PCE(Partido Comunista de Espana-Communist party of Spain-Molly) and UJCE(Union de Juventudes Comunistas de Espana-Young Communist Union of Spain-Molly). Defending the public health needs of the population involves the fight against privatization and the deteriorating quality of public health due to the policy pursued by Esperanza Aguirre in Madrid.
NOT THE END OF THE IRON DOOR!
IN DEFENSE OF OUR JOBS!
IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC HEALTH!
Original Spanish text:¡El 8 marzo este año también cae en 8 de marzo!
Labels: anarcho-syndicalism, CGT, Spain
Sunday, April 13, 2008
MOROCCO:
MOROCCAN ANARCHISM: ANARCHISME MAROCAINE:
INTRODUCING THE BLOG OF FILLALI BRAHIM:
Fillali Brahim is a Moroccan anarchist who has been attempting to establish an anarchist presence in his country for several years. He is the publisher of the journal 'Ici et Maintenant' (Here and Now-Molly) and has also attempted to set up an infoshop in his home city. Because of all this he has been the recipient of consistent government repression. His efforts have been the subject of a solidarity campaign on the part of the Spanish CGT, the largest anarcho-syndicalist union in the world.
Despite the fact that we have never met Fillali he still seems like an old friend to Molly. Hence I am happy to announce his latest effort, his blog Fibra-Over Blog, which contains all his writings and those yet to come. Welcome to the blogosphere Fillali. The blog is bilingual in French and Arabic. There is a translation button on the bottom for English, but it doesn't seem to work too well. A sample of his work follows the French version of this intro.
Anarchisme marocaine
Présentant le blog de Brahim Fillali
Brahim Fillali est un anarchiste morocaine qui a été la tentative d'établir une présence anarchiste dans son pays pendant plusieurs années. Il est l'éditeur du journal «Ici et maintenant» et a également tenté de mettre en place un infoshop dans sa ville natale. En raison de tout cela, il a été récipiendaire de la répression gouvernementale constante Ses efforts ont fait l'objet d'un campagne de solidarité de la part de la CGT espagnole, le plus grand syndicat anarcho-syndicaliste dans le monde.
Malgré le fait que nous n'avons jamais rencontré Fillali il semble un vieil ami de Molly. C'est pourquoi je suis heureux d'annoncer son dernier effort, son blog Fibra-Over Blog, qui contient tous ses écrits et ceux encore à venir. Bienvenue dans la blogosphère Fillali. Le blog est bilingue en français et en arabe.
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On Precolonial Morocco.
Morocco non-capitalist and not precapitaliste:
I wish to stress this point because the prefix does not mean the same thing. If we said not capitalist, it is assumed that there is an alternative mode of production wherein capitalism and other possibilities that are open to the future of society.
History is not linear, no societies are sentenced to spend their historical development via Capitalism. Within the framework of autonomy and independence, each of them can create an autonomous social organization on its own and his own mode of Production, and so on. Capitalism is not the only system with a way of invasion, expansion and colonialism. It is different from other forms of colonialism, however, because of the levels of development that the productive forces have reached in advanced capitalism, reflecting the experience and success of science. But it is the only mode production tends to be globalized. With slavery, feudalism, the mode of Asian production and many others we could not talk about Globalization or globalisation ...
However, the qualifier precapitalist refers to capitalism as the determining mode because earlier modes that will necessarily become capitalist. In others terms it is not possible to avoid the historic passage through capitalism. This is wrong wrong and justifies imperialism, globalization and globalization. What is the strategy of capitalism? It is the generalization of capitalism in all aspects of social life throughout the entire globe. Can we reach this stage? Is that generalisation of the capitalist mode of production possible? Will capitalist culture totally and completely destroy other cultures that still exist within society, until we arrive at identical societies ? Can we Speak with a unified global identity, unique and homogeneous? Can you reduce all human and social experiences to a single experience model and predetermined route? Capitalism, is it an inevitable destiny? What capitalism can never realize it that
it has to end because of the creativity and the development of human intelligence. Capitalism, by contrast, creates the mechanisms and means of its own destruction; by its nature being unequal, repressive, authoritarian and racist. While we can not prohibit people to reflect and think differently, Capitalism will never be highest stage , the termination of human civilization.
Is this identity is stagnant and unchangeable? What Identity? Questions and issues to arise, but we must stop to answer some of them.
THE MAKHZEN, and ZAWIA THE TRIBE.
What relationship? This trinity was a very complex relationship which call on colonization to settle its affairs.
Morocco in the 19th century, and even before the colonial penetration, was not governed under a central government existing in the entire geographical area of the country.
The makhzenis that part which occupies part of the area, especially the most important part, in the country that France calls USEFUL MOROCCO in opposition to USELESS MOROCCO . This expression condenses the meaning of the whole Imperialist project. Utility goes back to a value that Morocco has . What it is useful here and not useful there?
It's not like they say; "capitalism is a mission of civilization". It is a productive mode of operation, enslavement, violence, contempt, racism, inequality and repression ...
I said that the Makhzen (central government) could not be generalized throughout the society. Politically the tribes did not recognize the Sultan (King), they were not under his government. They were rebels against the State of Makhzen, They founded their own organisations. Example: the tribe of AIT, ATTA extending through Southern Morocco (Lamhamid to Benimellal) through to the Atlas mountains. Those in the south call themselves N'tafouit Atta (from the sun that is to - say the Sahara), and those of Atlas region N'oumalou Atta (from the shadows ie from the west). This tribe is organized by a federalist logic , but the federation of Ait Atta is based on ethnicity:those entrusted with responsibility in the organs of the federation belong to one of the parts of the tribe. They are divided into five fractions or extended families
... She ( the tribe) has never heard of either State or parliament or political party or trade union or anything It, it is a tribe that occupies a large geographical space . Regions close to each other organized by a federation (But the tribe has the same design of organization: federalism). Take the example of Bougafer federation, comprising the Ait Atta Saghro, near Tinghir, then M'semrir, Boumalne Dades, and Zagora Lamhamid.
In every village there are quarters (Ighreman), each neighbourhood (Ighram) according to custom is called each year to mandate individuals according to their belonging to a fraction of the tribe. That's the criterion that expresses ethnicity of the organization. The mandate groups together to form a committee Of the district which joins with other committees and other districts to form the general village committee. This will ,in turn, appoint a working committee and mandates to be met. Amghar n'ighf n'ousgass (The secretary-general - if we can call it that) is elected at the end of each year by representation from the village The federation along with other mandated groups within the village committee, represents the village to other tribes (inter wars are getting Trigger). Members of the federation are all mandated to one year, Each member that does not respect the mandate is immediately relieved of his responsibility, rejected by the organs of the federation. In addition to the disavowal of the State they recognize the sultan as a religious but not a political authority. Thus impelled the Makhzen to create institutions that will give middle and long term normalization between the Makhzen and the tribes. This is the Zawia Institution. It is called LAAZIB, land / property Zawia , it is designated by the sultan. Cherif the head of Zawia, represents the Sultan as religious power.
Zawia's role is to disseminate Islamic Ideology, permanently put Islam in daily life, gradually breaking customs and devising by religion another form of social organization. It is religion, which serves as a means of destruction of a culture by another, and being the means of cultural and political domination, and so on.
Despite all this is not the Makhzen which has come to dominate the tribes as a central power .
At that time we are talking about two countries in one, that called the Makhzen " Blade (???-Molly)al makhzen= countries makhzen ", the space occupied by the tribes is called "blade siba". Siba according to the Makhzen is in a state of disorder and revolt. But tribes in the state of siba are not in a world full of disorder. The existence of the federations is a concrete example, Real and historic meaning Morocco is a society of difference and diversity. It is the Makhzen which tends by its Arab-Islamic ideology to destroy and eliminate the cultures that are different from it.
The siba is a concept that justifies domination.
With the distribution of the world between the imperialist forces, it was intended that Morocco be occupied by France and Spain. It was colonialism that established boundaries between societies. It was colonialism that had developed the logic of development of other countries. It established another view of historical process that was estranged from society. Colonialism partly destroyed cultures, disrupting them, to build a model of society that suits it to maintain an order established at the international level. Everything was placed in the context of power relations.
The ethnology, anthropology, sociology ... Have played a very important role in Domination.
It was a scientific mission in Tangiers, chaired by Bellaire Michaud and others, which dealt with the discovery of Moroccan society in order not fall into the same mistakes committed in Algeria. With this investigation and ... made on the Makhzen tribes, etc.,driven by a strategy of domination with a minimum of rifles and a maximum of scientific research. That's how scientific research serves as facilitatator of colonial penetration. Know the country and after that occupation authority and domination. That is why I say that the issues of colonial sociology are not scientific; they are ideological, asking for a response or Solution or a predetermined strategy . In this sense the questions don't present a discovery, but justify a response, a reality. Returning to the nature of Moroccan society in the 19th century and the beginning of 20th, within the tribe the means of production are collective,but there is also alongside this private property. All the families of the tribes hold fields, herds ... but there are no employees. No employees in the tribe. People grow, harvest, work together to turn their fields via their roles. If there are six people, there is an agreement by custom to work any field cooperatively that we belong to the six people. Without the money, without anyone being paid, no salary, because they are farmers / producers who free unite freely. No exploitation of others. We work our fields. In the tribal collective the criteria are strong. There is the custom, the spirit of the customary acts and practice on a daily basis. The history of Imazighnes is broken and deflected by the Arab-Muslims and the West afterwards.
To draw a comparison between Berber federalism and anarchist federalism , I can say that the first one comes out of a tribal society and is based on the ethnic factor and localism , and a subsistence economy alongside nomadism. This federalism works in a society without schools. No school before, the fkih(???-I am unable to translate-Molly"filth" ? ) after that fills the teaching profession ... The federalist society has attached to it a culture of oral, unwritten memory.A culture of ear and eye, customs rather than the law. This allows us to say that the F.AT. is simply, implemented in a society of primary relations in the the family. A patriarchal society, in which the Mythology and religion dominate the cultural field. This is what characterizes agricultural and semi-nomadic societies. This is Federalism local or regional and not international. It is not an achievement of a societal project, it can not be In its development it cannot exceed the ceiling of the tribe, its limits. It's a Tribal federalism in an agricultural and semi-nomadic society . It is simple social organization, but equally there is the mutual aid and non-exploitation, Customs, not mandates laws and elections ... the tribe has not "enjoyed" police nor prison, neither police nor all those other forms of repression. Its federalism ensured that the society was neither militaristic nor autocratic. I raised this issue of the federation to say that federalism as a conception of social organization is not strange to Moroccan society-despite Its nature -.
If we take two concepts - anarchist federalism and liberal democracy - and try to explain them to a Amazigh, it is easy to understand the AF but difficult with liberal democracy because in his history he practiced some sort of federalism, and he is his culture close to the federalist logic. Even the elections are designed in a tribal logic; if we vote for X, it's not because he is part of a political party which adopts an ideology and political program, but because he is of the family, the village or the tribe. What remains - ideology, policy - is not interesting.
We are unable to understand politics in Morocco without calling on social science . The political party has played the same role that authority has played: Destruction of the tribal logic. The political party is an alien mechanism to Makhzedn structure of the tribe . The political party has done what the bottle of Coca-Cola has done to a tribe in Africa, which has never seen such a bottle. It has torn apart the tribe. When we talk informally about social structure, that's it. How tribal mentality includes designs and practical politics?
From self-management, direct action to the elections, the group, unity, the federation, the political party,the trade union,the association and the state. Let me say that the problem of anarchism in Morocco does not depend on its Western origins as a foreign import, that of the "other". The other is no longer a psychological problem - unless you want to disguise the logic of things - because it is ubiquitous, it is part of our identity. Then why refuse technology and the values that accompany it? There has been talk of the federalism of the tribe in the 19th century and the beginning of 20th. Now things have changed, but the past still weighs heavily on us. This is because it is still recent, and the system has not made a break and transition in history. It is not a system in itself, there is in connection with the capitalist system that has created a relationship of dependency is structural, drawn between societies. So the tribe in this general social crisis due to dependence, feels always a nostalgia for the past. Muslims belong to the past, but this is blocked. Even the left refers to a past. Everyone in this society is not in the present. Normally it is the present that exists because the past is compared to a present and the future is referring to a present. It is always this determined one thing that has passed, or what is to come. This is not the past that determines the present and the future. It was Détérminé not détérminant(Molly has left the language here as it was rather than try and translate it as "determined' and "determining" because she suspects that she is incapable of rendering these terms in proper English. I may get the "gist' of this or I may not. I try not to translate philosophy. Thus I ask the reader to take this latter paragraph as perhaps inaccurate.). The past can not answer questions which were unknown and not asked. It is the future who will answer your questions, not the present nor the past, and this future is not without history it is the result of the accumulation of human civilization.
The future includes past and present, this is an overtaking, and a break at the same time the destruction and reconstruction concurrently. The past is blocking and tampering with the present. But the present is will contribute each time to the future and replace it If not, the past will dominate all time.
What I mean is that the solution is neither in the tribe or religion or in a past experience, but in a society different from all other than man has known and which surpasses them.
Brahim Fillali.
(The text was written in March 2004 and published in Morocco on October 11, 2005)
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Molly swears to think five times before ever attempting to translate something from French that contains "philosophy" again. Big headache. The French original is available at Fillali's blog et j'encourage mes lecteurs de visiter ce blogue. I hope that others can give better translations of the more obscure parts than I can. What I would like to add here is that our comrade makes a very salient point, that anarchism is NOT merely a concept of western philosophy but is ALSO a embedded reality in many pre-colonial msocieties across the world. Anarchy is "possible" because it has existed, and what exists is, by definition, possible. Our comrade also does not engage in guilt mongering and looking backwards, as too many North American anarchists do. Rather he looks forward , building on the traditions of his society but recognizing their limitations and not worshipping them.. His attitude is valuable if only for that. Keep on struggling Fillali.
Labels: anarchism, anarchist theory, Fillali Brahim, Morocco
ANARCHIST BOOKS:
MURRAY BOOKCHIN BIOGRAPHY PROJECT:
Janet Biehl, the long term companion of the late anarchist/communalist Murray Bookchin, is gathering materials for a biography of Bookchin. It is to be titled 'Murray Bookchin:A Life in History'. She is looking for anyone with reminiscences of Murray that might be of help in writing the book. To contribute to her research contact her on her BLOG.
Labels: anarchism, books, Janet Biehl, Murray Bookchin
RUSSIA:
A MEETING AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY IN MOSCOW ENDS IN POLICE BRUTALITY:
The following news report is from Avtonom, a Russian anarchist news site. It has been slightly edited for English grammar.
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Yesterday, the 11th of April there was a meeting in Slavyanskiy square in Moscow, exactly one week after some youths were brutally tortured in theSokolniy police station. The meeting was organised by a spontaneous initiative, but leaflets distributed linked to the website of the Anarchist Black Cross - ABC Moscow (www.avtonom.org/abc). The action was legal but ended up in chaos. It was well attended, up to 300 participants, but cops let only 200 inside riot fences, announcing that "organisers had requested a permission for merely 200 participators". Tensions were immediately raised, and demonstrators surrounded police who were controlling the entrance, shouting among other slogans "Follow your own laws!", as there is no legal pretext in Russia for police to limit entrance to demonstrations.
The police also did not liked a huge "Stop police brutality"-banner, and soon about a dozen OMON riot police attacked the people holding the banner,beating them with truncheons and electro-shockers(tasers-Molly).
What followed was a mini-riot during which some bottles landed on the heads of some police. Eventually 25 persons were arrested, as far as we know all of them were released today with misdemeanor charges, with an order to show up in court in Monday, and none of them was tortured in the police station. Although torture in Sokolniky police station was completely ignored in almost all the Russian media, apparently we managed to make so much noise that police made efforts to avoid torture yesterday.
Photos:
Video:
Background about torture in Sokolniky police station
(source: http://avtonom.org/index.php?nid=1701)
Labels: anarchism, Avtonom, Moscow, police., Russia
Saturday, April 12, 2008
AMERICAN LABOUR:
TELL THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA TO RESPECT WORKERS' RIGHTS AND ADOPT THE DSP!:
The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) is a code of ethics proposed by a coalition of labour, student, community and human rights groups. It is meant to apply to colleges and universities in the USA, and, if adopted, would bind such institutions to purchase supplies only from firms that hold to a minimum standard of labour rights. The following is a call from students at the University of Montana, asking for support to pressure their institution to adopt this code. To read more or to join this campaign go to the link HERE.
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Tell The University of Montana To Respect Workers' Rights And Adopt The DSP!
For the past two years, students at the University of Montana have demanded that President Dennison sign on to the DSP, which would ensure that all university clothes are produced in factories where workers have the right to form a union and earn a living wage. Please call, email, and fax President Dennison to let him know that the University of Montana has been stalling for long enough. UM apparel is produced in sweatshops, and it is time for the university to do something about it!
President George Dennison: 406-243-2311
Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I am a ______ at ________. I was shocked to discover that UM apparel is produced in sweatshops, and I am calling to urge President Dennison to sign on to the DSP. The University of Montana needs to act as a leader on this issue, and I expect the university to do the right thing. Thank you for your time.
President George Dennison
UM President George Dennison
Vice President Jim Foley
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Adopt the DSP Today!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am writing as an advocate of the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP). The DSP would ensure that all workers producing goods for the University of Montana earn enough to support a family and have the right to form a union. I urge you to join the other 41 universities in adopting the DSP. This will prove the commitment of the University of Montana to ensuring that apparel emblazoned with the Grizzly logo is not produced in sweatshops. Signing onto the DSP carries no financial or legal drawbacks and will give your university a positive reputation as a leader in supporting basic human rights. Three other universities, Brown, Regis, and Bryn Mawr, have signed onto the DSP since the Department of Justice letter was withdrawn, and are committed to working with other WRC universities to implement a viable DSP. It is morally unacceptable for a university of your prestige to sit on the sidelines when human rights abuses are being committed. I would urge the University of Montana to live up to its stated commitment to worker rights and act as a leader in this important initiative. Now is the time to sign the DSP.
Sincerely,
Labels: labour, solidarity, United Students Against Sweatshops, University of Montana
CANADIAN LABOUR:
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY ACTIVIST AWARD:
April 28, Workers Memorial Day, a day devoted to the memory of workers killed and injured on the job, is coming up soon. Please see the post 'Workers' Memorial Day' on April 28 2007 here at Molly's Blog for further details and references. Just to set the tone, the ILO estimates that two million people die each year of work-related accidents and diseases, and that there are 270 million work related accidents each year in the world. This carnage surpasses the death toll from war in most years.
This year the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has opened nominations for the recognition of individuals who are trying to reduce this toll. They hope to honour such activists. here is their press release....
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National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job -- Health and Safety Activist Recognition
Monday, April 28th, 2008 is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job. This is a time to mourn for those lost on the job, as we work to strengthen safety standards and reduce the health and safety risks that workers take each day.
This April we will take time to applaud the remarkable gains that have been made in the protection of workers' health, safety, and environment. Health & safety activists work the front-line in the battle to establish standards and compliance with legislation.
Over the history of the health and safety movement there have been difficult fights against employers and a culture that too often accepts workplace risk. Worker safety has not always been a top concern.
We appreciate the battles fought and the sacrifices made by health and safety activists for the benefit of us all. This year we would like to pay special tribute to these labour activists.
Nominate a Health and Safety Activist
If you know a person in your union who has made a special contribution in health and safety nominate them for National Union recognition!
All nominees will be featured on a special National Union web page. Nominees will be contacted to confirm their acceptance of the nomination and the publishing of their information on the web site.
Receive a free copy of Tony Mazzocchi's biography
If you nominate someone we'll send you and your nominee a copy of Les Leopold’s new biography, “The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi”. Tony Mazzocchi was a legendary union leader who saw the need for a massive movement that would popularize workplace health and safety issues. This new release is a must read for every trade union activist.
Labels: Canadian labour, labour, National Day of Mourning, NUPGE, workplace health
FLORIDA:
NEW ANARCHIST BOOKSTORE PROJECT:
As Molly has remarked many times before on this blog the anarchist movement today continues to spread and grow in a rapid fashion. Despite the decline of spectacular and futile "summit-hopping" the movement is putting down much more effective and mature roots in places that one would hardly have dreamed about a couple of decades ago. Here's a report and an appeal from yet another start-up, this time in Miami, Florida.
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Miami: Introducing The anarchist Black Mangrove Collective
We'd like to formally announce a new anti-authoritarian project located in Miami, Florida. The Black Mangrove Collective has been active for a few months now and we're working hard to open a Social Center/Coffeehouse/Bookstore where radical ideas can be exchanged and new projects can be nurtured. Many folks equate Miami with reactionary Cubans and the FTAA fiasco, but thus far we've had a warm reception in an emerging and growing radical community. We've been able to do some amazing things despite our humble resources, but to truly get off the ground, we need the solidarity of the anarchist community. We're initiating an online donation drive with a modest goal of raising $2500. Visit https://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/from-the-roots-funding-drive and help us foster a strong movement here in Miami. Thank you for any assistance you can offer.
Below is a basic description of what we're about and the projects we're working on:
The Black Mangrove Collective is a new organization dedicated to the task of nurturing a culture of activism, creativity and cooperation in Miami, Florida. We look to open up spaces, temporary or permanent, from which new institutions and new infrastructure can be built based on the principles of self-management, solidarity, and participatory democracy. By working closely with community members, students, activists, and allied organizations, we help build from below the society we wish to see. We aim to prove that indeed, Another World is Possible.
Coffeehouse Project:
Our primary project is the establishment of Miami's first workers' collective coffeehouse and bookstore. Managed by its workers, The Black Mangrove Coffeehouse will serve as a political, creative and cultural resource center for activists, musicians, artists, and those who just enjoy a good cup of joe. Besides offering quality fairly traded coffees, teas and foods, space will be provided for activities ranging from meetings and book clubs to workshops and knitting circles. The Black Mangrove Bookstore will specialize in titles not commonly found at the local chain store, including everything from radical theory to independent music to organic gardening.
Book Distribution:
While our hope is to eventually find a permanent home for our books and pamphlets, we look for any opportunity to table at local conferences, concerts, or events. Beyond books we plan to also extend our merchandise to include buttons, patches, art, and fairly traded crafts from around the world.
Event Programming:
With our growing network of local, national and global friends and allies, we have a valuable opportunity to bring an array of perspectives to the South Florida region. The Black Mangrove will host lectures, performances, art shows and workshops that will be sure to entertain, educate and inspire.
Grassroots Resource Center:
The Black Mangrove will work to develop a publicly accessible activism library and equipment rental program. Specifically designed for progressive organizations and individuals to utilize, the Grassroots Resource Center will seek to cultivate a cooperative system of resource, knowledge and skill sharing. We hope to make available valuable tools such as PA speakers, video projectors, podiums, Lexus Nexus services, and other items that can (and should) be shared for the benefit of all.
Questions?
Email the BMC at: info@theblackmangrove.com
Website Coming Soon!
Labels: anarchism, Florida, Infoshops, Miami, USA
INDONESIA:
CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN:
CALL ON ADIDAS TO IMPROVE ITS PERFORMANCE IN INDONESIA:
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Call on Adidas to Improve its Performance in Indonesia
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Call on Adidas to Improve its Performance in Indonesia
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
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Call on Adidas to Improve its Performance in Indonesia, Re-Employ Mistreated Workers
In its glossy and well-designed publications, Adidas expresses its commitment to improving its social and environmental performance,acknowledging its responsibility to "take action and encourage others in our supply chain to take action if we are to make a difference and become a sustainable business." Now is the time for Adidas to take action in Indonesia, where systemic violations of international labour standards--like those at Adidas suppliers PT Spotec and PT DongJoe--profoundly affect the lives and well-being of workers.
Take action now at: http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/08-04-09.htm#action
Time and again, urgent cases of labour violations in Indonesia reveal the abuse of short-term labour contracts; irresponsible and illegal treatment of workers during factory closures; and the pervasive infringement on workers’ freedom of association, their right to organize and bargain collectively. The Clean Clothes Campaign and Oxfam Australia call on Adidas to implement sector-wide solutions to ensure that workers in Indonesia are guaranteed their rights and are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. (See "Sector-Wide Solutions for the Sports Shoe and Apparel Industry in Indonesia":http://www.cleanclothes.org/ftp/080320_Sector-Wide_Solutions_in_Indonesia.pdf)
As a first step toward improving its performance in Indonesia, Adidas must make amends for the serious mistreatment of workers at its former suppliers, PT Dong Joe and PT Spotec. In November 2006, 10,500 workers at PT Dong Joe and PT Spotec suddenly found themselves out of a job when the factories abruptly closed. To make matters worse, workers did not receive their severance and other entitlements for many months, leaving them with nothing. Full entitlements have still not been paid to all workers.
Now, with Adidas guaranteeing a placement of orders, the PT Spotec factory will re-open under new ownership as Ching Luh. Adidas must uphold its commitment to a fair and transparent process that gives priority hiring to the workers whose wages were stolen and whose rights were so egregiously denied.
Send a letter to Adidas demanding fair treatment for former PT Dong Joe and PT Spotec workers and implementation of "Sector-Wide Solutions in Indonesia," detailed by the CCC and Oxfam-Australia. Go tohttp://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/08-04-09.htm#action
or use this Sample letter:
or use this Sample letter:Frank Henke Global Director of Social and Environmental Affairs
Adidas-Salomon
e-mail: frank.henke@adidas.de
Dear Mr. Henke,
I am writing to ask you to address fundamental problems in Indonesian working conditions by implementing the "Sector-Wide Solutions" put forward by Oxfam Australia, the Clean Clothes Campaign and an international network of labour rights and consumer groups.
Although workers in Indonesia have witnessed relative gains in labour standards during the past decade, systemic violations of international labour standards have become obvious. Time and again, urgent cases of labour violations in Indonesia reveal the abuse of short-term labour contracts; irresponsible and illegal treatment of workers during factory closures; and the pervasive infringement on workers’ freedom of association, their right to organize and bargain collectively.
Adidas’ implementation of the Sector-Wide Solutions will help guarantee that Indonesian workers are free to exercise their fundamental rights and are treated in accordance to Indonesian law and international labour standards.
As a first step towards taking responsibility for workers in your supply chain, Adidas must make amends for the unlawful and unethical treatment of workers at its suppliers PT Dong Joe and PT Spotec. In November 2006, both factories abruptly closed and 10,500 workers were laid off. To make matters worse, workers did not receive their severance and other entitlements for many months, leaving them with nothing. Full entitlements have still not been paid to all workers.
Adidas and the management of PT Spotec and PT Dong Joe should ensure that workers receive their full legal entitlements. Now that the PT Spotec factory is set to re-open as Ching Luh, Adidas has the chance to make amends for the injustice done to workers who make its products.Adidas should uphold its commitment to a fair and transparent process that gives former workers of PT Spotec and PT Dong Joe priority in hiring.
I look forward to your response and hope that you will take concrete measures to "improve your performance" in Indonesia.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Labels: Clean Clothes Campaign, Indonesia, labour, solidarity
Friday, April 11, 2008
MONTREAL:
MAY 4: STATUS FOR ALL:
4 MAI:UN STATUT POUR TOU(TE)!:............................................
MAY 4: STATUS FOR ALL!
A march for immigrant justice,and against poverty, racism & racial profiling
MAY 4: STATUS FOR ALL!
A march for immigrant justice,and against poverty, racism & racial profiling
SUNDAY, MAY 4th, 12:30pm
Starting Point:Corner of Victoria & Van Horne
in COTE-DES-NEIGES
(metro Plamondon, sortie Van Horne)
This is a child-friendly demonstration.
Food and drinks will be available.
There will be vehicles on-hand for those with reduced mobility.
As part of a National Day of Action for immigrant rights, Solidarity Across Borders is again taking to the streets, with our allies, to demand justice and dignity for all migrants. In opposition to deportations and detentions, we demand STATUS FOR ALL! There is no such thing as an "illegal" human being, only illegitimate laws and governments.
Daily, we resist deportations and detentions, we fight for justice in the workplace, we demand safe and secure housing, and we oppose racism and racial profiling. In contrast to the xenophobia promoted by the false "reasonable accommodation" debate in Quebec, we take to the streets to celebrate our collective struggles for justice and dignity in all its diversity and strength.
This year, we march through the streets of Cote-des-Neiges, a predominantly poor, working class and immigrant neighbourhood. Our march will mark the culmination of "Mayworks!", a festival of working class and immigrant culture, organized by the Immigrant Workers Center (IWC). Our march is also part of the Mayday tradition, as we celebrate the struggles of working people locally and throughout the world.
Join us -- with your friends, family, co-workers and neighbours -- on Sunday, May 4, and add your voice and presence to the growing numbers of people in Montreal and beyond who are demanding "STATUS FOR ALL!"
Immigrant rights are workers rights! No borders, no nations, stop the deportations!
INFO: sansfrontieres@resist.ca – 514-848-7583
For background to previous migrant justice marches in Montreal (2003-2007), click HERE.
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ENDORSE & MOBILIZE!
We encourage your group and organization to endorse the May 4 "STATUS FOR ALL" demonstration, and to mobilize within your networks. If you endorse the demonstration, please let us know at sansfrontieres@resist.ca or 514-848-7583.
We also encourage you to announce the demonstration on your e-mail lists, blogs and websites, and at your meetings and events. If you would like to invite someone from Solidarity Across Borders to address your group, please get in touch! We can offer presentations about issues concerning migration, poverty and racism, ranging from 10 minutes to full 2-hour workshops.
If you need flyers and posters to mobilize within your networks, get in touch as well.
GET INVOLVED!
We encourage you to get involved in the organizing of the May 4 "STATUS FOR ALL" march and demonstration. We have an active OUTREACH committee that is meeting people door-to-door in the Cote-des-Neiges area, as well as actively flyering and postering throughout Montreal. As well, we have an ART committee that will be creating images and banners to carry our message during the demonstration. To get involved, e-mail sansfrontieres@resist.ca or phone 514-848-7583.
DONATE!
You can also support our efforts with a donation; whether $20, $50, $100 or more, your donation will help us meet our expenses. If you can donate, please make a cheque out to "Solidarité sans frontières" and send to the address below. Alternatively, to arrange cash donations, just contact us by e-mail or phone.
Cheques can be sent to:
Soldiarité sans frontières
c/o QPIRG-Concordia
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, #204
MONTREAL H3G 1N1
MAY 1st
Solidarity Across Borders is also endorsing the Anti-Capitalist Mayday demonstration, and encourages our allies to attend: Thursday, May 1st, 6pm, Corner of Ontario and Valois (metro Joliette).
Info:
1erMai2008@gmail.comINFO: sansfrontieres@resist.ca – 514-848-7583 - http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org/
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L'annonce ci-dessous est de 'No One is Illegal-Montréal.
........................................
4 MAI: UN STATUT POUR TOUS!
Justice pour
les immigrants et les immigrantes Non à la pauvreté, au racisme et au profilage racial
4 MAI: UN STATUT POUR TOUS!
Justice pour
les immigrants et les immigrantes Non à la pauvreté, au racisme et au profilage racial LE DIMANCHE 4 MAI à 12h30
Point de départ: au coin des rues Victoria et Van Horne à CÔTE-DES-NEIGES
(métro Plamondon, sortie Van Horne)
-> Bienvenue aux enfants!
-> Nourriture et breuvages sur place
-> Véhicules disponibles au besoin pour personnes à mobilité réduite
Dans le cadre des journées nationales d'action pour les droits des immigrants et immigrantes, Solidarité sans frontières prendra de nouveau les rues pour exiger la justice et la dignité pour toutes les personnes migrantes.
Nous marcherons en opposition aux déportations et aux détentions, et pour demander un STATUT POUR TOUTES ET TOUS! Nous marchons parce que, pour nous, il n'existe pas d'être humain qui soit "illégal": il n'y a que des lois injustes et des gouvernements illégitimes.
À tous les jours, nous luttons contre les déportations et les détentions, nous nous battons pour obtenir justice dans nos lieux de travail, nous revendiquons des logements sécuritaires et décents et nous nous opposons au racisme et au profilage racial. À mille lieux de la xénophobie promue par le soi-disant débat des "accommodements raisonnables", nous prendrons les rues pour fêter nos luttes collectives pour la justice et la dignité, dans toute leur diversité et leur force.
Cette année, nous marcherons à travers les rues de Côte-des-Neiges, un quartier majoritairement ouvrier et immigrant. Notre manifestation marquera le point culminant du festival Mai à l'oeuvre!, un festival de la culture ouvrière, organisé chaque année par le Centre des travailleurs et travailleuses immigrant-es de Montréal (IWC-CTI). Notre marche s'inscrit également dans la tradition du 1er mai, en hommage aux luttes menées par les travailleuses et les travailleurs partout dans le monde.
Soyez des nôtres! Amenez votre famille et vos ami-es, vos voisins, voisines et vos collègues de travail. Le dimanche 4 mai prochain, ajoutez votre voix et votre présence à celles d'un nombre grandissant d'individus à Montréal et ailleurs qui exigent un "STATUT POUR TOUTES ET TOUS!"
Immigrants, travailleurs, même combat! Ni frontières, ni prisons, arrêtons les déportations!INFO:
sansfrontieres@resist.ca – 514 848-7583
Pour en savoir plus sur des marches passées pour les droits des immigrants (2003-2007), cliquez ICI.
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APPUYEZ LA MARCHE ET MOBILISEZ-VOUS!
Nous invitons tous les groupes à endosser la marche "UN STATUT POUR TOUTES ET TOUS" et à mobiliser leurs réseaux. Si votre groupe ou organisme désire endosser la manifestation, veuillez écrire à sansfrontieres@resist.ca
Nous vous encourageons également à annoncer la manifestation sur vos listes de diffusion, blogues, sites Internet et lors de vos réunions et événements. Si vous désirez inviter un-e membre de Solidarité sans frontières dans une de vos rencontres, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter. Nous pouvons faire des présentations sur des enjeux reliés à l'immigration, à la pauvreté, au racisme, et plus encore. Ces présentations peuvent durer de 10 minutes à 2 heures (pour un atelier complet).
Contactez-nous également si vous avez besoin de tracts et d'affiches pour mobiliser.
IMPLIQUEZ-VOUS!
Nous sommes à la recherche de personnes qui désirent s'impliquer dans l'organisation de la manifestation du 4 mai. Nous avons un comité de MOBILISATION très actif, qui fait présentement du porte-à-porte dans Côte-des-Neiges et de l'affichage et de la diffusion partout à Montréal. Nous avons également un Comité ART qui fabrique des bannières et des images pour porter notre message durant la manifestation. Pour vous impliquer, envoyez un courriel à sansfrontieres@resist.ca ou appelez-nous au 514 848-7583.
APPUYEZ-NOUS FINANCIÈREMENT
Vous pouvez également nous aider en nous appuyant financièrement. Que ce soit $20, $50, $100 ou plus, votre don nous aidera à défrayer les coûts de cet événement. Si vous voulez contribuer, veuillez faire un chèque à l'ordre de "Solidarité sans frontières" et nous le faire parvenir à l'adresse ci-dessous. Pour des dons en argent comptant, contactez-nous par courriel ou par téléphone.
Les chèques peuvent être envoyés à:
Solidiarité sans frontières
a/s GRIP-Concordia
1500 De Maisonneuve Ouest, bureau 204
Montréal, Qc. H3G 1N1
1ER MAI
Solidarité sans frontières endosse également la Manifestation anti-capitaliste du 1er mai, et nous vous encourageons à y assister. La manifestation aura lieu le jeudi 1er mai à 18 heures, au coin des rues Ontario et Valois (métro Joliette). 1erMai2008@gmail.com.
Labels: anarchism, demonstrations, events, immigrants, Montreal
ANARCHIST ONLINE LIBRARIES:
NESTOR MAKHNO ARCHIVE UPDATE:
The Nestor Makhno Archive has been updated, with the addition of a large number of new documents in Italian, English, Turkish, Portuguese, French, Czech and Serbo-Croatian. ---- The new additions include three important works in English: the newly-published first volume of Makhno's memoirs, Arshinov's history of the Makhnovists and the section of Volin's "Unfinished Revolution" which deals with the Makhnovists. ---- As usual, all contributions of documents for inclusion, suggestions etc. are gratefully received. ---- In solidarity, ---- Nestor McNab web-maintainer -----
NEW ON THE ARCHIVE SINCE LAST UPDATE
Italian:
* I Due Ottobre, Piotr Arscinov
English:
* The Russian Revolution in Ukraine (March 1917 - April 1918), Nestor Makhno
* History of the Makhnovist Movement (1918-1921), Petr Arshinov
* The Two Octobers, Petr Arshinov
* Nestor Makhno: The Man and the Myth, Paul Avrich
* The Unknown Revolution, Book III, Part II, Volin
* Nestor Makhno and the Ukrainian Revolution, Frank Sysyn
* The Revolution That Failed, James Joll
* The Warrior: Nestor Makhno, the Bandit Who Saved Moscow, Max Nomad
* On the Bolshevik Myth: When Leninists attack anarchism in their press, Anarcho
Turkish:
* Iki Farkli Ekim, Piotr Arsinov
Portuguese:
* Revolução Russa: o Poder dos Sovietes contra o estatismo,Coletivo Anarquista Zumbi dos Palmares
French:
* "Les Deux Octobre, Piotr Archinov
* Avec la « Plate-forme », l'anarchisme tente la rénovation,Guillaume Davranche
Czech:
* Historické pozadí a kritika "Organizacní platformy libertinskýchkomunistu", Barikáda kolektiv
Serbo-Croatian:
* Borba protiv drzave, Nestor Mahno
Labels: anarchism, Nestor Makhno Archive, online libraries
AMERICAN LABOUR:
STUDENTS AT APPALACHIAN STATE ARE STILL SITTING IN ! CALL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNC SYSTEM:
A little Molly Intro:
The following is an appeal from the United Students Against Sweatshops. For some time now they have been organizing and struggling to bring various Universities and Colleges in the USA to adopt what is called the Designated Suppliers Program. This is basically a code of ethics saying that such institutions will not buy materials from suppliers who do do not uphold a basic standard of labour rights. See the website highlighted above for more information on what this is all about. In the following appeal USAS calls for both phone calls and emails to petition the President of Appalachian State to accede to the demands of the students sitting in at that institution. To read more and join this campaign go HERE.
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Students at Appalachian State are now in the third day of their sit-in to demand that Appalachian State adopt the DSP. Despite the fact that they have been threatened with arrest, the students have still refused to budge. Email, fax, and call the President of the University of North Carolina system to demand that he refrain from arresting students and that the entire UNC system, including the University of North Carolina, adopt the DSP today!
President Erskine Bowles: 919-962-1000
Hello, my name is _________ and I am a ________ at _______. I have been following the sit-in at Appalachian State for the past three days, and am very disappointed that the university has not yet adopted the DSP. I would urge you, as the President of the UNC system, to adopt the DSP for every school within your system. I would also urge you to refrain from any attempt to arrest peaceful protestors. These students are setting an example that the university should be proud of. Thank you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): President Erskine Bowles UNC President Erskine Bowles
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Adopt the DSP Today!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
It has come to my attention that students at Appalachian State University are curren