Showing posts with label CNT-AIT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CNT-AIT. Show all posts

Thursday, April 12, 2012


INTERNATIONAL LABOUR/ANARCHOSYNDICALISM:
LATEST SPANISH GENERAL STRIKE A HUGE SUCCESS:
March 29th saw a one day general strike in Spain that eclipsed previous general strikes in magnitude if one is to judge by the drop in energy consumption, often the best way of estimating the impact of general strikes on the economy as a whole. According to this measure this strike was much more popular than that of September 2010 being actually the largest in 30 years in Spain. There are actually quite important differences between this event and previous strike protests in Spain. Not only was this the largest demonstration of working class resistance to state plans in Spain. It was also set against a background of conservative governments in both Spain and the Catalan region.
Even more importantly this strike was not a project of the so-called "majority unions", the UGT and the CCOO. As far as I can determine the date of this strike was more or less set originally by the "nationalist" unions in Euskadi and Galicia. This timing was then agreed to by the CGT and then by the other libertarian unions (the CNT-FAI, CNT-Catalunya, Solidaridad Obrero). The UGT and CCOO were late comers to the endorsement. It happened only after they could gain nothing by their preferred method of bureaucratic negotiation.Then they "signed on" at the last moment. This had its effect. Not only were the so-called majority unions very much a minority vis-a-vis the local unions in Galicia and Euskadi. In several places in Catalonia the gatherings of the UGT/CCOO were less numerous than that of the libertarian unions (who allied themselves to a rainbow of community groups).
No doubt looking at the country overall the UGT/CCOO "mafia" are still the most popular unions in Spain, and their turnout was higher overall than that of their libertarian and nationalist competitors. Still, the very fact that they have lost the initiative and have to play catch-up is significant. In previous general strikes the libertarian unions tailed the UGT and CCOO.
What does this mean ? When I look at this from over here in Canada where anarchists in unions are a tiny minority it is easy to be sceptical. I think the fact that the socialist (UGT) and so-called "reformed" communist (CCOO) unions are still a majority amongst Spain's workers is still very significant. Yet....looking at the buildup to the general strike (in my case mostly info from the CGT and the CNT-AIT) I get the distinct impression of watching "people who know what they are doing and have a plan". The libertarian unions, especially the CGT, took the evidence of the past (previous general strikes) and distilled it into a plan for opening a new front against the conservative government. They have also understood very clearly that politics is a process rather than any sudden conversion. Hence the plans already mooted for a two day general strike in the future.
Personally I think is is an historic opportunity for the libertarian unions in general and the CGT in particular. Anarchosyndicalism has always contained an Utopian element with the advent of "libertarian communism" easily following the "general strike". This easy stepwise proposal has been repeatedly disproved in history. In order for the anarchosyndicalist unions to become even major competitors with other unions, let alone usher in a free society, they first have to prove that their tactics are more effective in the here and now in advancing the rights of workers. Spain today is a perfect example of where this is possible. The "program" of the libertarian unions is actually very circumcised- opposition to the austerity of the conservative government. Prove that more militant libertarian tactics are better than the treacherous negotiations of the UGT/CCOO, however, and all sorts of possibilities open up.
What will happen in the future ? Who knows. Yet I see the actions of the Spanish anarchists as great evidence that libertarians in at least one country understand their task as a process that requires planning and intelligence.

Sunday, September 26, 2010


INTERNATIONAL LABOUR SPAIN:
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR SPANISH GENERAL STRIKE:


On Thursday, September 29, there will be a general strike in Spain protesting the Spanish government's austerity measures, mislabelled "reforms". All of Spain's labour federations are supporting this action, some more than others. As Molly has mentioned before on this blog there is some suspicion that the major union groups (CCOO- controlled by more or less "ex" communists and the Socialist Party UGT) deliberately set the date far enough into the future to allow for backroom political maneuvers after a less than stellar turnout for the previous public sector general strike earlier in the year.


The months have come and gone, and the government seems even less willing to compromise than it did earlier in the year. While the CCOO and the UGT have been rather tepid in their promotion of this strike Spain's third largest union federation the anarchosyndicalist CGT has thrown a tremendous amount of work into promoting the general strike. The smaller anarchosyndicalist unions such as Solidaridad Obrera, the CNT Joaquin Costa (aka the CNT-Catalunya) and the CNT-AIT have also been prominent in their support. The first two unions have entered into an informal alliance with the CGT so as to present an unified libertarian front. The CNT-AIT has decided to go it on their own.


Whether it is politically wise to put such emphasis on what, given the still solid control of the CCOO and UGT over the majority of Spains unionists, may be a potentially embarrassing show of weakness rather than strength is an open question. The anarchosyndicalist unions have all emphasized that this one day general strike can be only a beginning. The ability to go forward, however, depends upon just how popular or unpopular the work stoppage turns out to be, and just how much the ordinary workers feel that the policies of the CCOO and UGT, limited and cowardly as they are, are the only realistic course. in my mind the prospects aren't bright. In a preliminary libertarian demonstration in Barcelona on September 18 held by the alliance of the CGT, Solidaridad Obrera and the CNT Catalunya the turnout was only about 1,000 people. The CNT-AIT which didn't participate would probably have been only able to add another 100 or so people to the crowd.


Put this in context of the Barcelona demonstration for increased Catalan autonomy last July where the turnout was about 1.1 million. What is probably happening is that many average Spaniards have adopted an attitude of resigned fatalism to the severe economic crisis that Spain faces. The libertarian unions have a hard row to hoe if they hope to push this general strike beyond a token gesture of (weak) opposition.


The Spanish general strike is supposed to be part of an Europe wide 'Day of Action' on the 29th. This event has been called by the European Trade Union Confederation, and its main event will be a demonstration in Brussels, the seat of most of the activities of the European Parliament. Despite some rather cocky chest thumping at the Facebook site of the event (ahem- "towards the 1st European General Strike or even the World General Strike") the "action" proposed by the ETUC consists of little more than a series of demonstrations which national unions may or may not support with whatever attention they may or may not think it deserves. The only country in which there may have been another general strike ie Greece will be a no show this time around. One doesn't have to invoke treachery to explain this. After 6 (or is it 7 ?) one day general strikes this year with no results in terms of modifying government plans the main union federations in Greece are pretty well down to the last dime of their political capital.


Outside of the mainstream unions, however, there is a growing libertarian labour movement. While Spain may be most prominent in this regard this movement is not restricted to the land of Don Quixote. In response to the CGT's efforts towards the Spanish strike numerous groups have sent messages of solidarity with the Spanish workers. The following statement with signatories attached was recently published in an English translation at the Anarkismo site. Since then many others have added their names to the statement. You can see an updated list of the signatories (now over 80) here at the Huelga General event site by the Spanish CGT. This Spanish language site also has a wealth of information and will allow you to follow the strike as it happens.
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International support for the General Strike in Spain on 29 September

Of all the European Union countries, the Spanish State is facing one of the most difficult economic situations of all, with 20% of the potential workforce unemployed. The measures proposed by the government to fill the State's coffers and stimulate the economy place all the burden on the popular classes in the form of lower wages, consumer taxes, pensions cuts, cuts in unemployment benefits, more privatization and the introduction of more obstacles to workers organizing (such as making it easier for employers to lay off workers and more restrictions on collective agreements).


Ever since the crisis broke, the more militant sectors of the trade union movement [including the CGT, CNT, SO, etc.] have been demanding that a general strike be called to oppose these unpopular measures, but because they were confined only to certain sectors and geographic areas, they were unable to achieve it alone, until a general strike for 29th September was eventually - and reluctantly - called by the big unions, the Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT).

It is very important for the General Strike to be a success and for the 29th September to see as many people as possible opposing the policies of the Zapatero government, outside the workplace and on the streets. If the strike should fail, it be not only a failure on the part of those that most of the public considers to be the unions that called the strike - the CCOO and UGT. It will be a failure on the part of the entire working class. On the other hand, the more successful the strike, the greater the success of the workers, as it will provide a clear demonstration of the strength that lies in our unity and will therefore be a step forward in our consciousness and in our levels of organization.

There follows the text of an international statement produced by the CGT and signed by various organizations of a libertarian nature.

----------------------
International statement of support

We, the signatories to this statement, wish to demonstrate our support for the general strike called by the CGT on 29th September 2010 in the Spanish State.
The widespread crisis is affecting the working class badly, in particular the most precarious sectors of the class. And though the Spanish State is particularly badly affected, this situation is shared by many different countries.

We agree with the reasons why our comrades in the CGT have called this strike, that is to say in order to defend the labour, social, economic and environmental freedoms and rights of all workers and all sectors of the working class in the face of the attacks from the multinationals and financial institutions.

We believe that Zapatero's attempt to force this new labour reform package on the workers, together with his plans for reducing the deficit and reforming the pension system, are completely unacceptable. These measures are extremely unjust, since they shift the burden of the crisis onto the backs of the masses and not the real culprits of the crisis. It is unacceptable that the very institutions that generated the crisis are those who are forcing their proposals to get out of it on everyone else, as it involves a reduction in the rights of the working class and an increase in profits for the capitalist system in general.

We also support the theme chosen by the CGT for this General Strike: "For the distribution of work and wealth". Distributing work means that everyone works less so that everyone can work, by reducing the working day (without a loss of wages) and the retirement age, preventing massive unfair layoffs, as well as overtime, piecework, etc. We understand the distribution of wealth not as a dividend or as shares amongst the population, but using that money on welfare and wage benefits for all the unemployed and a redistribution of resources on the basis of solidarity.

The crisis is affecting everyone, so our militant organizations will continue to work so that the mobilizations will continue everywhere.


Signatories to date:
1.USI - Unione Sindacale Italiana (Italy)
2.IP - Inicjatywa Pracownicza (Poland)
3.CNT-f - Confédération nationale du travail (France)
4.IWW - Industrial Workers of the World (UK)
5.ESE - Sindicato Libertario Griego (Greece)
6.SAC - Sveriges Arbetares Centralorganisation (Sweden)
7."La Voz de los Zapotecos Xiches en Prisión", part of the Otra Campaña (Mexico)
8.Colectivo 20 de Junio (Zaachila Oaxaca) (Mexico)
9.María Antonieta Robles Barja, Trabajadora Social, Baja California (Mexico)
10.Julio Cesar Rincón, (Mexico)
11.Coordinadora Valle de Chalco (Mexico)
12.LA KARAKOLA, Espacio social y kultural (Mexico)
13.La Otra ciudad de Chihuahua, (Mexico)
14.Nicte- Dzib Soto, Niñas y Niños en La Otra Campaña-DF (Mexico)
15.Edilberto Bautista Dìaz, Gen. Sec. of the Sindicato Democrático de Trabajadores de la Procuraduría Social del Distrito Federal (Mexico)
16.La Red vs la Represión en Chiapas (Mexico)
17.Frente Popular Darío Santillán (Argentina)
18.SNAPAP Sindicato Nacional Autónomo del Personal de la Administración Pública (Algeria)
19.Asel Luzarraga (Chile)
20.Frente Popular Francisco Villa Independiente-UNOPII (Mexico)
21.Colectivo Radio Zapatista (Mexico)
22.Federazione dei Comunisti Anarchici (Italy)
23.Hombre y Sociedad (Chile)
24.Colectivo Socialista Libertario (Uruguay)
25.Periódico Rojo y Negro (Uruguay)
26.Organisation Socialiste Libertaire (Switzerland)
27.Federación Anarquista Uruguaya (Uruguay)
28.Unión Socialista Libertaria (Peru)
29.Grupo Antorcha Libertaria (Colombia)
30.Union Communiste Libertaire (Canada)
31.Red Libertaria de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
32.Organización Revolucionaria Anarquista - Voz Negra (Chile)
33.Estrategia Libertaria (Chile)
34.Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group (Australia)
35.Alternative Libertaire (France)
36.Federação Anarquista do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
37.Federação Anarquista de São Paulo (Brazil)
38.Miami Solidarity & Autonomy (USA)
39.Organización Anarquista por la Revolución Social (Bolivia)
40.Frente Autentico del Trabajo (Mexico)
41.Moez Jemai, journalist-syndicalist (Tunisia)
42.Fédération SUD service public, Vaud canton (Switzerland)
43.CUB, Confederazione Unitaria di Base (Italy)
44.Votán Zapata (Mexico)
45.UNICOBAS (Italy)
46.Instituto Nacional Sindical (Colombia)
47.Columna Libertaria Joaquin Penina (Argentina)
48.Libertære Socialister (Denmark)
49.Centro Internacional de Estudios Sociales (Uruguay)
50.Red Libertaria Popular Mateo Kramer (Colombia)
51.Centro de Estudios Sociales Manuel González Prada, Huancayo (Perú)
52.Tendencia Estudiantil Libertaria (Perú)
53.Movimiento Manuel González Prada (Perú)
54.Sociedad de Resistencia - Santiago (Chile)
55.Workers Solidarity Movement (Ireland)

For more information on the strike, see:

Related Link: http://huelgageneral.info/

Tuesday, August 10, 2010


INTERNATIONAL LABOUR SPAIN:
SOLIDARITY WITH CNT WORKERS IN EULEN CORDOBA:


The Spanish CNT is one of the anarchosyndicalist union federations operating in Spain. Over the past few months they have been organizing workers in the contracting company Eulen, and a number of disputes have arisen. The CNT is asking for international online solidarity to support the workers. Please note that you don't have to be a member of the AIT to participate in the following campaign. Here's the English language text of the appeal from the Libcom site. More information on the dispute can be read (in Spanish) at the references below.
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From Cordoba CNT-AIT,
Solidarity in the conflict against the multinational EULEN.

The conflict started in the University of Córdoba where EULEN has a contract for maintenance and gardening services. After several unsatisfied demands, a case was started against EULEN and the University of Córdoba for illegal transfer of workers and there was a ruling against the University, forcing it to hire the comrade who filed the lawsuit.

SOV Cordoba (CNT-AIT) asks for solidarity in the conflict we have against the multinational EULEN.

EULEN is a company basically dedicated to the service sector (cleaning, maintenance, social healthcare services, security, etc. ) specializing in subcontracting services to the public administration and to large companies.

It is therefore one of the main spearheads of privatization and outsourcing of public services and the worsening of working conditions, even having its temporary work agency, FLEXIPLAN.

The conflict started in the University of Córdoba where EULEN has a contract for maintenance and gardening services. After several unsatisfied demands, a case was started against EULEN and the University of Córdoba for illegal transfer of workers and there was a ruling against the University, forcing it to hire the comrade who filed the lawsuit.

Later, a union branch was established in the contract that EULEN has in the Swedish multinational ABB (Asea Brown Bovery, s.a.) dedicated to manufacturing large transformers. The reason for the conflict is because the collective agreement which is legally appropriate has not been applied; it has been replaced by another with worse pay and work conditions, as well as failure to comply with health and safety standards, a dual wage scale, and use of a special employment center to destroy employment and funnel grants.

This branch has maintained the conflict for more than a year, having won a court decision to implement the agreement that we demanded. But now we are faced with the dismissal of a comrade from the union, without reason.

The company recognized that the dismissal was unfair and paid compensation to the worker but refuses reinstatement, which is what the comrade and the union are demanding. The company hired another worker in his place but still needs workers. The firm denies that they have made this into a confrontation with the union.

There are no legal channels for the reinstatement of our comrade partner so this will only come from direct action and mutual aid, which is why we are asking for your solidarity.

Recently a new union has been fonded in the EULEN contract in the cement works of the Portuguese group CIMPOR (COSMOS) in Córdoba. Again there was a conflict cause by the implementation of a collective agreement that did not recently formed a new association in the contract section of the cement EULEN Portuguese group CIMPOR (COSMOS) at Cordoba, here again the cause of conflict is the application of a collective agreement that does not match the lower wages and loss of other rights.

A few years back, EULEN started its international expansion, opening offices in Portugal and much of Latin America with the help of Spanish multinationals such as BBVA and BSCH, Repsol and Telefónica to develop cleaning, maintenance, and other services.

We would like to ask the IWA sections to show their support for us in this conflict by sending faxes and emails to the offices of EULEN nearest to you and to the headquarters in Madrid.

We would like to ask the sections in Portugal and Argentina to consider the possibility to make any type of protest or support action at the office of EULEN in those countries and to send us any information they have about the activity of EULEN in those countries.

Also publicize the forum for EULEN workers and the root fo the conflict:
http://cordoba.cnt.es/foros/eulen

More information:
http://cnt.es/en/search/node/eulen
http://cordoba.cnt.es/eulen
And cordoba (at) cnt.es

Sindicato de Oficios Varios de CórdobaCNTAIT

Support Text to send by fax and email :

STOP THE EXPLOITATION OF LABOUR IN EULEN.
REINSTATE THE COMRADE DISMISSED IN CORDOBA!
IMPLEMENT THE CONVENTIONS
RECOGNIZE THE UNION BRANCHES OF THE CNT
Solidarity and mutual aid.
An injury to one is an injury to all.

EULEN Directory: http://www.eulen.com

Saturday, July 17, 2010


INTERNATIONAL LABOUR SPAIN:
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST MERCADONA:


For years now the Spanish CNT has been waging a campaign against the anti-worker policies of the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona. the following is the latest action in the Spanish city of Valencia. To my knowledge the first English language account of this action appeared at the British site LibCom. Molly first became aware of this demonstration via the A-Infos website.

SLSLSLSLSL
CNT Demonstration in Valencia against the harassment of workers at Mercadona

Last Saturday, the 10th of July, a large group of people demonstrated against Mercadona in Valencia to publicly denounce the harassment which workers at this cruel business are subject to. ---- People started to gather in front of the Mercadona situated on the post road in Valencia. The idea was to demonstrate for an hour in front of the entrance of the supermarket to denounce the consecutive dismissals of various comrades and the harassment that continues inside the store. Comrades from Alicante, Elda, Alcoi, Sagunto, Pilar de la Horadada, Radio Malva and other sympathizers who wanted to find out about CNT's positions towards the abuses of Mercadona came. ---- People started to hand our leaflets and and we found out that the company had already learned about the call for a protest and had hired security guards especially for the occasion.

The business policies of this firm was loudly denounced over megaphones. A girl was discovered making videos and photographs of the demonstrators and had flee, to the astonishment of the passersby who saw the anti-union and espionage tactics typically used by Mercadona against all who criticize their abuse. In a moment of tension, a security guard hired by the company came out of the shop and tried to assault a comrade. He had to quickly flee and hid like a coward.

At 12:30 we left and marched in a block to another Mercadona located nearby. Hundreds of leaflets were distributed around the neighbourhood and the demonstrations of solidarity by the people there was overwhelming. A few people who knew the ex-workers affected joined the demonstration during its short but intense path.

At 13:00 we arrived at the shop on the 1 de Mayo Avenue, where a comrade who had been working there was a direct victim of the harassment and abuse of the coordinator of the facility. This shop had also hired security services for the occasion and two guards were observing us from inside the store. Many neighbours who knew the comrade joined in and refused to shop at such establishments. What surprised us most was the attitude of the two security guards who did not allow people who had a leaflet in their hands to enter and were grabbing them out of people's hands and throwing them in the trash. We also discovered various vehicles who were circling around the area and videotaping the protest; they were invited to leave the area immediately.

The event ended at 14:00 with shouts and applause for the protest and the combative nature sustained during its 2.5 hours. Thousands of leaflets were distributed and we managed to empty two shops almost completely. The whole neighbourhood was informed of the bullying practices of Mercadona. The comrades from Radio Malva did live interviews with some of the workers affected who told about their conflicts. You can listen to this here: http://radioslliures.org/audios/

More than five years have passed since the CNT started to take a stand against this cruel company: protests, demonstrations, informational pickets and a long, indefinite strike. The fight has just begun and until Mercadona stops its harassment, mobbing and anti-union repression, we will not abandon our struggle, even though the other unions remain silent and actively collaborate with the management to get rid of workers who are fighting for their dignity.

For more information on Mercadona and to access the forum, go to: http://www.cnt.es/mercacoso

MERCADONA HARRASSES AND DISMISSES THE CNT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD

ORGANÍZE AND FIGHT!

Source and photos: http://www.cnt.es/noticias/cronica-y-fotos-manifestacion-en-valencia-contra-el-acoso-laboral-de-mercadona

http://libcom.org/news/demonstration-valencia-against-harrassment-workers-mercadona-14072010

Tuesday, February 09, 2010


INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-MALAGA:
YES VIRGINIA THERE IS AN ANARCHIST LAWYER:
Every once in awhile, while working on the 'Links' section of this blog (now far and away the most extensive set of links on the 'anarchonet') I come across things that snap my head back. The last time I can remember such a double take as what follows is when, a couple of years back, I came upon and listed items such as 'The Mormon Worker' and other "Mormon anarchists". What gives me pause is that, after the double take, I do a triple take and realize that I have no real objection whatsoever. There are indeed things in the wonderful world of anarchism that are truly disturbing, and I'm occasionally visited by demons from these netherworlds. I don't, however, see why a Mormon couldn't be a good anarchist, though I have to bite my tongue to avoid arguing about religion with same. Mercifully, the older and lazier I get the easier this becomes.
The following is one such experience. While dutifully chugging through the CNT listings for Andalucia I was readying the CNT Málaga items for future inclusion. I came across the following link within the site: Sección Sindical De CNT En El Colegio De Abogados De Málaga. Say What ??? This means "Union Section of the CNT In The College of Lawyers". Anarchist lawyers ? Well, I went searching, remembering the conference many years ago in the Netherlands on 'Law and Anarchism'. The two are not mutually contradictory, unlike the clowns who try and marry (a shotgun marriage if there ever was one) anarchism and right wing politics, especially of the neo-fascist kind (yes, there was one of these serpents who once visited Molly's paradise). Neither is this sort of thing immediately repulsive in a moral sense.
To be honest I think that an "anarchist lawyer" is worth more to the movement than 300 political science graduates who can sling academic non-words around. An anarchist accountant or an anarchist economist would be equally valuable. No, it's not a contradiction in terms. It seems, however, that at least one of the members of this Sindicato is in trouble with the Spanish equivalent of the local 'Legal College' in Málaga, as per the following article from the CNT Málaga website: 'El Colegio De Abogados De Málaga Impone Dos Nuevas Sanciones A Nuestra Delegado Sindical'. This translates as 'The Law College Of Malaga Imposes Two New Sanctions On Our Union Deleagate'. Seems that those who profit by the law are somewhat ticked about a visible anarchist in their midst, and, human nature, being nothing if not petty, are out to get the poor bugger. You can read the article in Spanish here. If there is overwhelming popular demand I will translate it into English (though I already have two Spanish translations sitting "in the queue").
Yes, I definitely feel sorry for the man and his compañera (also mentioned in the article). The site, however, gives no mechanism whereby we, on the other side of the world, can do anything for them. I do, however, wish him well. Check out the article, and the previous items there on this persecution, at the CNT Málaga site. May the guy keep pissing off the "forces of evil" and be happy about it.
Good luck compañero !

Sunday, January 10, 2010



ANARCHIST HISTORY:

CENTENARIO CNT ON FACEBOOK:

Molly has already blogged a couple of times before on the fact that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Spanish CNT. As promised I'll be presenting various statements from Spain on this anniversary. Today it's the turn of the Spanish anarchosyndicalist union that still bears the name, the CNT. There's now a CNT associated Facebook page on this milestone, Centenario CNT. Their basic information follows, but be sure to drop on over to their site to see all of the photos, events and videos contained therein. A feast for the curious.

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CENTENARIO CNT:
Basic Information

Birthday:
May 1, 1910
Hometown:
Barcelona, Spain
Relationship Status:
In an Open Relationship
Interested In:
Women/Men
Looking For:
Friendship/Networking
Political Views:
ANARCOSINDICALISMO
Religious Views:
ateo
Contact Information

Website:
http://www.cnt.es/centenario
http://anarcosindicalismo-basico.blogspo...
Education and Work

College:
Universidad de Extremadura '98
High School:
el brocense '20
Pages
See All (35)


cnt-ait sindicato de oficios varios de adra

Mandiamoli a casa!

fora-ait - sociedad de resistencia de oficios varios mendoza

cnt-ait sov de barcelona

fora-ait - sociedad de resistencia de oficios varios san martin
Groups
See All (45)

Member of:
POR EL OCASO DEL CAPITALISMO, ASI - Vršac, CNT, Solidarity with FAU against Union Prohibition!, 1.000.000 de personas en contra de la Pornografìa Infantil, LOS MARGINADOS DEL ESTADO, Fédération Anarchiste Francophone, A VER CUANTOS ESTAMOS EN CONTRA DE LA MANIPULACION DE ESTA GENTUZA, ITALIA ANTIFASCISTA, Miguel Hernández - El PP de Orihuela pretende desvirtuarlo., La Rinascita del Gruppo Anarchico!, Kasalet (Terrassa), CNT AIT Cornellà i comarca, NO a Intereconomía ! contra la contaminacion informativa, NO A LA PRIVATIZACIÓN DE LOS SERVICIOS PúBLICOS EN EXTREMADURA, Refinería NO!!!, Contra la privatización de la Sanidad Pública, UNETE CONTRA EL ACOSO LABORAL. Campaña de Solidaridad con Pedro Torrado, ANTIFASCISTS INTERNATIONAL, A la memoria Carlos Palomino joven Vallekano asesinado por un militar nazi, Célula Anarquista "Fabrizio De André" - Santiago, Chile., Stories About Us, libertari@s unido@s, Hay que juzgar a Aznar por crimenes de guerra!, salvemos a lobo iberico, MARINALEDA, una justicia para el pobre y otra para el rico., Banqueros a la CARCEL, Igualdad Animal / Animal Equality, UNA VIA PER CAMILLO BERNERI AD AREZZO, İntihar

Saturday, June 27, 2009


INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-FRANCE/IRAN:
STATEMENT OF THE CNT-AIT ON THE EVENTS IN IRAN:
If there is anything that clearly illustrates the "translator's dilemma" it is the article that follows. The English language article that follows comes from the A-Infos website. What it actually is is a melding of two previous articles, at least one of which has previously appeared in the original French at A-Infos. I don't know about the second, and apparently older item. Pour les francophones j'ai reproduit les originals ci-dessous. What is the problem here ? First, and foremost, the articles were presented without any introductory context. What I literally did at the beginning was go in search of a Spanish original from the much more well known Spanish CNT. No such luck. It took some searching to find out that this was from the AIT-affiliated French CNT, one of the two anarchosyndicalist organizations in France that claims this name. The other, and larger French CNT, the CNT Vignoles has, as far as I am able to determine released no statement on the events in Iran. It might be a good idea for any anarchist news site to provide at least a minimum of context. Yeah, I know that the "Paris" in the title should have given me a clue, but that was all it was-a clue. it was only when I read the full text in editing it that the idea that the country of origin was France became clear.







The fact that the original was in French, however, was a blessing because of the second matter. The English translation was obviously a 'machine-translation', and the resulting product was, to say the least, clumsy, and at points incomprehensible. I'm a little more comfortable in French than in Spanish, and thus the following item from A-Infos has been edited for English grammar, spelling and simple "sense" better than it would have been if the original had been in Spanish with which I am far less familiar. The second item was much more mangled by computer translation than the first.







I know the time constraints of translation. This particular item took up far more of my time than it may deserve, what with reference to the original and correcting the translation. Still...I think that it shouldn't become an ever present reflex amongst anarchists to rely on machine translations. Occasionally the time should be taken to do the work right. Computers are, after all, "stupid" in that they mindlessly follow instructions. At least to anarchists it should be obvious that sometimes a real human is necessary.







Be that as it may, here is an anarchist statement on the events in Iran.
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CNT-AIT - Statement in solidarity with the iran's insurgents:

IN PARIS AS WELL AS IN TEHERAN : AGAINST UNLAWFUL POWER, SOCIAL REVOLUTION !:

The dominant ideology, that is of Power, forcibly wants us to believe
that electoral democracy would be the highest expression of popular sovereignty, that elections give Power its legitimacy.
----
The Iranians, however, have just burst this lie. The Iranian elections, like all elections, are only a joke. Elections are acceptable for Power only when they go in its interests. People can express their voice as long as they say what Power desire them to say. When this it is no longer the case, Power uses all the means at its disposal, any frauds and subterfuges, to keep its dominant position. Elections are only an alibi for Power. In Iran, it is a proclaimed result opposed to reality. In Europe since 2005, Power has had reiterated ballots until the results of the referendum(for the new European constitution-Molly) were in conformity with Power’s expectations (and it even sometimes directly passes its projects without new electoral guarantees...).




The Iranian population, young and old young, let forth its anger in front of this flagrant lie of Power, which thus appears in its very raw truth. What occurs in Teheran goes beyond the question of the elections. Everyone knows that the election of one or another politician will change nothing fundamental. All the politicians - without exception – are a part of Power, even if they represent forms of it with different expressions. But regarding their basic principles, they all agree : for them privileges and easy life, for the people, hard work, unemployment, misery and police repression.




Power holds its legitimacy only with our passive submission to its dictatorship over the spirit. To say no, to release oneself from the dominant psychological influence, no longer being afraid and revolting against this submission, is the first step towards an emancipatory rupture, a first step toward revolution. In this direction, the insurgent Iranians who rose, and who expect nothing of the “oppositional” puppet ", show to us the way, that of the street.




In Europe, the electoral results of the last European elections show although Power is not more legitimate there than in Iran: with 60% of abstention, the political parties - all tendencies together – do not represent anything but themselves. Power has no more legitimacy here. These parasites steal our lives. Only a rupture with this system will enable us to find our freedom and our autonomy.




We can rely only on ourselves !
Let us have confidence in our own strength: We are all, we produce all, without our participation the system will collapse!
In solidarity with the Iranian insurrectionists, Freedom for all detainees!
To end once and for all to any dictatorship of murderous Power,
IN PARIS AS IN TEHERAN
AGAINST THE ILLEGITIMATE POWER,
SOCIAL REVOLUTION, COMMUNIST AND LIBERTARIAN!
CNT-AIT (International Workers Association)
..........
FROM IRAN TO GREECE…
LONG LIVE THE INSURRECTION AGAINST MURDEROUS POWER!:
The crowd opens to the police officer's motor bike which engulfs itself in the live mass, the acrobat who drives the humming machine has become accustomed to brutality and so he hits many defenceless unwary people. It does not seem that today the crowd that he charges is the People, a whole People electrified by the word “freedom”.




In the face of the wild henchman of the ayatollah, those – male and female - who draw aside constitute neither a trade-union nor a political group and even less stewards, like in our demos in Europe. A few minutes ago some of these persons did not know each other. And here they are assembled in the solidarity of this massive fight. Actually nobody flees, the retreat they started is a trap which is closed again on the mechanized tough. Men and women, without another weapon than their moral strength, drawn up against the dictatorship, they spontaneously reinvent the erudite tactics of Alexander the Great's phalanges against Darius ‘s scythe tanks.Like in an operation of the Roman legions surrounding Hannibal elephants, the “clubman” is caught by tens of arms and thrown on the ground.




With the Magnanimity and intelligence of revolting people : they saw under the bestial uniform that there was a young man and while his deadly engine of death starts to burn the furious fists become again helpful hands, drawing the defeated enemy aside from the fire and wipe his running blood . And these facts already speak to us more than long speeches.




That which occurs in Teheran and here in France the political commentators say to us that this heroic people would not have other ambition than to change the head of State. (This change of head being what our political economists call “democracy”, showing thereby how much they hold the People in contempt, since it would be only a change of dictator). The Iranian masses, however, daily in the street,and precisely without any leaders, demonstrate the Peoples’s ability to self-organize and to fight against a Power of murderers. This movement which started on the pretext of an electoral discussion put in motion something much deeper.




An element which does not mislead on the state of mind of Iranian people, it is the participation, by their word and by their acts, of the anonymous women who express their will to get rid of the choking headdress of the politicians and the clerics. I saw it on my screen this 14 June : she wears neither scarf nor veil, her hair is dyed blond and she wears a surgical mask to protect herself from the tear gas . She has decided and marches in the middle of her comrades. To be filmed does not matter to her. What really counts for her on this day, is to show the direction and to prompt men; "Down with the dictatorship, long life freedom! "Two days later another woman is a genuine lioness who attacks alone a band of police officers, kicking their legs while they are hitting another women at a bus stop. When the policemen men turned on this attacker, she finds refuge within the small group which reforms itself around her to protect her. All of them stay upright under the blows of the police




...... They and so many others! The young Neda shot down on the 21th of June by a murderer on the theocrats’orders. She paid of its life for the fear which seizes Power when women enter the fight. In large Pantheon of innumerable and obscure State and capitalism’s victims, Neda will remain forever in our memories, associated with Alexandre, this young Greek assassinated this winter by another murderous cop.




At that time our comrades in Athens wrote:




"Our lives do not belong to States and their assassins! The memory of the brothers and of the sisters, assassinated friends and comrades remain living through our fights! We do not forget our brothers and our sisters, we do not forgive their assassins "




So it must be said loudly : the Iranian people's fight is also our fight. What we can see in action, is nothing but this huge universal brotherhood that is gradually rising against the criminals who are ruling the world and who control us. This fight will unite us beyond borders . A fight shaped by what gives it body and which will will make it win : the Idea that one can live free, all together and with dignity, apart from the sordid plans imposed by the ideology of domination.
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CNT-AIT : A Teheran comme à Paris : contre l'illégitimé du pouvoir, révolution sociale !:
L'idéologie dominante, celle du Pouvoir, nous assène que la démocratie électorale serait la plus haute expression de la souveraineté populaire,que les élections donnerait au Pouvoir sa légitimité. Pourtant, les Iraniens viennent de faire éclater ce mensonge. Ces élections, comme toutes les élections, ne sont qu'une farce. Les élections ne sont acceptables pour le Pouvoir que quand elles vont dans ses intérêts. Le peuple peut donner sa voix tant qu'il dit ce que le Pouvoir aenvie d'entendre. Quand ce n'est plus le cas, le Pouvoir utilise tous les moyens à sa disposition, toutes les fraudes et les subterfuges, pour garder sa position dominante. Les élections ne sont qu'un alibi pour le Pouvoir. En Iran, c'est un résultat proclamé à l'opposé de la réalité. En Europe depuis 2005, ce sont des élections réorganisées jusqu'à ce que les résultats aux référendum soient conformes aux attentes du Pouvoir (quant il ne fait pas passer directement ses projets sans caution électorale ...).




La population iranienne, jeunes et moins jeunes, a laissé éclaté sa colère devant ce mensonge flagrant du Pouvoir, qui apparaît ainsi dans sa vérité toute crue. Ce qui se passe à Téhéran dépasse la question des élections.Tout le monde sait que l'élection de tel ou tel politicien ne changera rien de fondamental. Car tous les hommes politiques - sans exception -font partie du Pouvoir, même s'ils en représentent des formes d'expression différente. Mais sur le fond, ils sont tous d'accord : pour eux les privilèges et la vie paisible, pour le peuple, le travail dur, le chômage, la misère et la répression policière.




Le Pouvoir ne tient sa légitimité que dans notre soumission passive à sa dictature sur les esprits. Dire non, se libérer de l'emprise psychologique du discours dominant, ne plus avoir peur et se révolter contre cette soumission, sont les premier pas vers une rupture émancipatrice, révolutionnaire. En ce sens, ceux des Iraniens qui se sont insurgés, et qui n'attendent rien non plus de la marionnette « d'opposition », nous montrent le chemin, celui de la rue.




En Europe, les résultats électoraux des dernières élections européennes démontrent bien que le Pouvoir n'y est pas plus légitime qu'en Iran : avec 60% d'abstention, les partis politiques - toutes tendances confondues - ne représentent qu'eux même. Le Pouvoir n'a ici non plus aucune légitimité. Ces parasites nous volent nos vies. Seule une rupture avec ce système nous permettra de retrouver notre liberté et notre autonomie.




Ne comptons que sur nous même !
Ayons confiance dans nos propres forces :nous sommes tout, nous produisons tout, sans nous le système s'écroule !
En solidarité avec les insurgés Iraniens,Liberté pour toutes les personnes arrêtées !
Pour en en finir une fois pour toute avec la dictature du Pouvoir assassin,
A TEHERAN COMME A PARIS :
CONTRE L'ILLEGITIMITE DU POUVOIR,REVOLUTION SOCIALE, COMMUNISTE ET LIBERTAIRE !
CNT-AIT (Association Internationale des Travailleurs)
108 rue Damrémont
75018 PARIS
contact@cnt-ait.info
http://cnt-ait.info/
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De l’Iran à la Grèce:
La foule s’ouvre sur la moto du policier qui s’engouffre dans la masse vivante, le voltigeur qui conduit l’engin vrombissant est tellement habitué à brutaliser et à frapper des gens sans défense quil ne se méfie pas. Il ne voit pas quaujourdhui la foule quil charge c’est le Peuple, tout un Peuple électrisé par le mot de liberté.




En face du sbire sauvage des ayatollah ceux et celles qui s’écartent ne constituent ni un groupe syndical ou politique et encore moins un "service d’ordre", il y a quelques minutes encore certaines de ces personnes ne se connaissaient pas et les voilà réunies dans la solidarité de cette lutte massive. En réalité personne ne fuit, le recul amorcé est un piège qui se referme sur la brute mécanisée, des hommes et des femmes, sans autre arme que leur force morale, dressés contre la dictature réinventent spontanément les savantes tactiques des phalanges d’Alexandre le Grand contre les chars à faux de Darius. Comme dans une manoeuvre des légions romaines happant les éléphants d’Hannibal, le matraqueur est saisi par des dizaines de bras et jeté a terre.




Magnanimité et intelligence du peuple révolté, sous l’uniforme bestial il y avait un jeune homme et pendant que son engin de mort commence à brûler les poings rageurs redeviennent des mains secourables, écartent l’ennemi vaincu du brasier et essuient son sang qui coule. Et ces faits nous parlent déjà plus que de longs discours.





Cela se passe à Téhéran et ici en France les commentateurs politiques nous disent que ce peuple héroique n’aurait d’autre ambition que de changer de chef. (Ce changement de chef étant que ce nos politologues nomment la démocratie, montrant par quel mépris ils en ont, puisque ce ne serait quun changement de dictateur). Pourtant les masses iraniennes font quotidiennement dans la rue, et précisément sans aucun chef, la démonstration des capacitées du Peuple à s’autoorganiser et à lutter contre un pouvoir d’assassins. Ce mouvement qui a démarré au prétexte d’une controverse électorale a mis en branle quelque chose de beaucoup plus profond.





Un élément qui ne trompe pas sur l’état d’esprit du peuple iranien, c’est la participation par la parole par les actes de femmes anonymes qui expriment leur volonté de se débarrasser de la chappe étouffante du pouvoir et des religieux. Je l’ai vue sur mon écran ce 14 juin elle n’a ni foulard ni voile elle a les cheveux teints en blond et un masque chirurgical pour se protéger des grenades lacrymogénes elle est décidée et marche au milieu de ses camarades. Qu’on la filme ne lui importe pas ce qui compte pour elle en ce jour c’est de de montrer la direction et d’entrainer les hommes : « À bas la dictature, vive la liberté ! » Deux jours plus tard cette autre femme est une véritable lionne qui attaque seule à coups de pieds une bande de policiers occupés à frapper d’autres femmes à un arrêt de bus, agressée à son tour par les soudards elle se réfugie au sein du petit groupe qui se reforme autour d’elle pour la protéger, toutes restent debout sous le coups ...Elles et tant d’autres ! La jeune Neda abattue le 21 juin par un assassin aux ordres des théocrates payera de sa vie pour la peur qui s’empare du Pouvoir lorsque les femmes rentrent dans la lutte. Dans ce Panthéon immense des victimes innombrables et obscures de l’Etat et du Capitalisme Neda restera dans nos mémoires unie à Alexandre ce jeune grec assassiné cet hiver par un autre flic meurtrier.





A ce moment nos camarades d’Athènes écrivaient :





« Nos vies n’appartiennent pas aux états et leurs assassins ! La mémoire des frères et des sœurs, des amis et des camarades assassinés restent vive à travers nos luttes ! Nous n’oublions pas nos frères et nos sœurs, nous ne pardonnons pas leurs assassins »





Et il faut le dire la lutte du peuple iranien rejoint celle de tous. Ce que nous voyons en marche n’est pas autre chose que cette immense fraternité universelle qui se léve peu a peu contre les criminels qui nous gouvernent. Elle nous réunira par delà les frontières autour de que ce qui lui donne corps et qui la fera vaincre. L’Idée que l’on peut vivre libres, ensemble et dignement, en dehors des sordides schémas imposés par l’idéologie de la domination.
Un militant de la CNT-AIT