(en) Palestine-Israel, The world economic and power struggle turbulence diverge the struggle*

It is a long way since the first struggle of the anarchists against the wall started in
the Mas'ha camp nine years ago. The joint struggle against the separation fence persist
and expand to other locations and to other aspects of the occupation. The struggle also
expand in the old boundaries of Israel to the social struggle of dwelling problems and
gentrification in both Jewish and Palestinian communities, and to the general social
struggle against the piggish neo-liberalism. The focus of struggle regarding guest workers
harassments shifted to the refugees struggle against persecution, mass arrests and
deportation. The bogus preparations of the war mongers for bombing of Iran initiated lot
of vigils. Israeli state forces invest lot of efforts in the acceleration of the transfer
of palestinians from various locations - mainly from agricultural C areas.


Beit Ummar

A 12 year old Palestinian boy was Saturday kicked in the leg by an Israeli soldier,
knocking him to the ground. Protesters gathered around him and he was carried away from
the soldiers, where he recovered with no major physical damage. The Commander of the
Israeli forces in the village refused to comment on the kicking of the boy when questioned.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=221467841315348

Bil'in

Israeli activists of the anarchists against the wall initiative, a German and Spanish
delegates participated in the Friday protest along with the local residents and other
international activists.
"About 10 Israelis and over 20 internationals joined the weekly Palestinian
demonstration against the wall and occupation in Bilin. We marched to the wall, crossed
the barbed wire "protecting" it, and within less than a minute were bombarded with tear
gas. The unfavorable wind forced us away, but some demonstrators regrouped a little
further north and stood their guard despite the tear gas, sound bombs and skunk water.
Then some kids braved the rubber bullets with their stones for a while, until the
demonstration was declared over, and we went to greet Nizar (the older son of Abu Nizar -
a member of the local popular comity against the separation fence) at his wedding."
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.488814401128869.118201.136633479680298


Jerusalem-Al Quds

Silwan

Protest against archaeological conference at the City of David settlement, Silwan, East
Jerusalem, 6.9.2012 - Israeli activists hold a protest against the Judaization of East
Jerusalem in front of the City of David settlement in Silwan, East Jerusalem, on September
6, 2012.
The protest took place as Elad, which is responsible for the settlement, held its 13th
annual archaeological conference, showcasing its achievements in excavating Silwan and
restoring the neighborhood's supposed Jewish heritage. Alongside its extensive
archaeological and tourist activities, Elad also established several residential
settlements in Silwan, establishing a Jewish presence at the hearth of a Palestinian
neighborhood, and setting in motion a chain of events which last year resulted in a series
of clashes with hundreds of arrests and at least two deaths.
Photo by: JC/Activestills.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/activestills/7944955236/in/photostream/

Sheikh Jarrah

Weekly Vigil at Friday 7/9 at 16:00


Ma?sara

Palestinian, internationals and Israelis participated this week in the demonstration of
Ma?sara to protest the occupation and the construction of the segregation wall on the land
of the village. The protesters marched till the entrance of the village where the
occupation forces were waiting for them. The soldiers prevented them to reach their land
by creating a cordon. The protesters commemorated the 30th anniversary of Sabra and
Shatila, which will take place on the 17th of September.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.416010101779356.90868.398339956879704


Nabi Saleh

Activists in Nabi Saleh are reporting that the village has been locked down since 8am by
Israeli Occupation forces with all entrances to the village closed.
Protesters look at Israeli soldiers blocking the entrance of the village of Nabi Saleh
during the weekly demonstration against the occupation and settlements
http://www.flickr.com/photos/activestills/7950924934/in/photostream/
"A strange protest day at Nabi Saleh
All the way's to the village where blocked from 6 am, so we parked the car at a distance
and walked and walked and walked, after anhour we walked a litle bit more and arrived just
for the start of the weekly march, one of the cars where spoted trying to walk to the
villedge and where all arrested (five activists) the protest was very small, we went down
the hill at the bottom waited the soldiers that started runing at ones and shooting gas
grandes towars the unarmed protesters, the shabab gave them back with stone throwing, two
more israely activists where arrested tryin to document... then the iof suddenly stopped
and from now on they hardly fired allthough the shabab continue the stone throwing , they
mostly stood there and looked like they are planing something, it was strangly come when
we expected the worse, when we thoght all was over the soldiers (young and un-expirienced)
decided for no reason to climb to the village, suddenly we heard the soldiers are coming!
they came to the edge of the village and started shooting, live ammunition towards the sky
and tear grenades straight at houses and protesters, after awhile they left...
The Occupation arrests 11 International Activist including a Photojournalist in Nabi Saleh
Protesting against Apartheid, Illegal Settlements and Occupation. (07.09.2012).
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=437318209643195
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.488841277792848.118210.136633479680298
israel putermam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndB0E-Z0Y5A
David Reeb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kJ6IJLFVGo
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.418938711486982

Ni'lin

07 09 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgYMzBRgjxo


Qaddum 7,9,2012

When we reached the road to the village journalist teams told us that the road is blocked,
so we parked the car and walked on foot to the village through the olive orchards so we
arrived a bit late. At the outskirts of the village we were greeted warmly by the Shabab
with cold water. We were told also that the whole village is surrounded. They told us
about the beginning of the demonstration we missed: 'the march began as usual and after
burning tires and shabab protesters dispersed throughout the whole village. Rock barriers
were built every where as night raids are common and the village activist were ready. On
all the roofs of the village were boys and men informing the demonstrators about every
movement of the army."
After we drank, we joined the Shabab and called the soldiers to lay down their arms and
join the demonstration for a joint Jewish-Arab protest, for peace equality and social
justice. We explained to the soldiers the Supreme Court verdict that the disputed road
should be open and about the price paid by the villagers as it is being closed. The
soldiers were also warned not to obey orders to avoid standing trial at the International
Tribunal for war crimes in The Hague... Surprisingly none of the soldiers put his weapon
down and none of them joined us.
After burning another round of tires we find out the army raided the village by a
bulldozer, two jeeps and infantry. The jeeps movement was difficult due to the barriers
and the roofs people constantly guided the protesters how to escape them. So thanks to the
excellent organization of the demonstration non were injured, detained or arrested.
During the hustle and bustle we found ourselves at the back yard of a family who offered
us cold water, tea and coffee. Antennas of jeeps appear occasionally as jeeps turned
around in circles on the few roads that were not blocked.
After about 20 minutes the army left the village, we thanked our hosts and returned home
from the demonstration.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462105200478205.100678.271405776214816
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCU00uKA1II


South Hebron hills

This coming Saturday, September 8, too. we need as many activists as possible to accompany
them and stand up for their rights. There is a direct link between the number of activists
who come to accompany the farmers and their ability to harvest and work their lands.


Wednesday TV 1, 2, 10 evening news,

Activists of the anarchists against the wall and others try to help Eritrean refugees
trapped already 6 days between the Egyptian border and the Israeli new border fence.
Vigil in Tel Aviv in front of the state offices:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3492827290412
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgFGeLDTVUc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpm4ti_23Fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpm4ti_23Fs
Human rights activists tried to deliver food and water to refugees trapped in the fence
5.9.2012.mp4
israel putermam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpm4ti_23Fs

Following the excellent demonstration we conducted in front of the government complex
(https://www.facebook.com/events/484334461578940/) we are going to enter into the heart of
public sphere. We will meet at the corner of Habima and march throughout the Rothschild
Boulevard. We will stop and try to convince people to support us.

The soldiers provided Eritreans tarps to cover themselves from the burning sun. The
soldiers received an order to give asylum seekers "as little water as possible."
Until yesterday (05/09/2012) The IDF prevented the transfer of food brought by social
activists to the asylum seekers at least twice.

The order not to allow social activists to pass food to the asylum seekers is illegal, and
unfortunately until they were told otherwise, the IDF soldiers at the scene complied. We
call them to change their stance and refuse not to pass food asylum seekers. We call to
punish and/or press charges to those who should have disobeyed this shameful order and the
commander\s who ordered it.


Tel Aviv

Activists blocking a main street in Tel Aviv on September 8, 2012 during a protest calling
for social justice. We were about 200 participants only, but the police got an order to
tolerate us. For about two hoers we marched along the Iben Gvirol main street blocking the
traffic to the north. from time to time we converged for a while on specific targets like
the war minister home, and banks, and occupied for a while the main intersections along
the route. Speeches and chants were produced by the participants and loud-speakers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/activestills/7957432364/in/photostream/lightbox/

=================================
* From my blog at: http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com
See Previous reports about the joint struggles the Anarchists Against the Wall take part
in at the blog
See also: http://awalls.org

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:07:43 +0300
From: a-infos-en@ainfos.ca
To: en <a-infos-en@ainfos.ca>
Subject: (en) Britain, Anarchist Federation Resistance #144, September
2012
Message-ID: <mailman.404.1347300480.3697.a-infos-en@ainfos.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"; Format="flowed"

Contents ---- Tenants' Victory: Letting Agents Pay Up! ---- Anarchists Victimised By
Security Forces -- Metro Cleaners Strike Against Pay Freeze --- Cleaners Win Pay Increase
At John Lewis -- Police Kettle Antifascists in Glasgow --- Swindon Workers Get Stuck Into
Bullying Bosses ---- Traffic Wardens Fight Low Pay In Camden ---- International Gathering
In Swiss Town Hailed A Success -- Spanish Unions Get All Robin Hood Against The Cuts ----
University Strikes Continue In Brazil ---- Resistance In a Russian Prison ---- Australian
Solidarity Demo For G20 Prisoner ---- Call For Solidarity With Imprisoned Anarchists From
Belarus ---- Write To A Prisoner! ---- Anarchist Federation Information & Contacts --
Tenants' Victory: Letting Agents Pay Up! ---- Direct action gets the goods after letting
agents try to rip off tenants!

Three young women recently took up a rented property in Bethnal Green through the
Shoreditch branch of Victorstone Property Consultants, paying ?3,451 as rent and deposit.
After they had only just moved into the house, Victorstone fell out with the landlords
over the fees they would take, the landlords decided they wanted to get out of the
letting, and changed the locks.

The women managed to get some money back from the landlady, but the landlady had never
been transferred the full amount, because Victorstone had subtracted their fee.
Victorstone initially tried to mislead the women, implying that all the money had been
transferred to the landlady. In fact they intended to keep ?1200 of their money for a
completely failed deal.

Victorstone were sent an ultimatum by supporters of the women, one of whom is a member of
Staines Anarchists, signed by North and South London Solidarity Federation and Housing
Solidarity amongst others. When the deadline expired at 1pm on Wednesday 1st August scores
of people called in to Victorstone to complain, an action supported by members of
Solidarity Federation, Anarchist Federation, Staines Anarchists and the London IWW branch.
Victorstone found the sheer number of calls overwhelming and by 3 o?clock they had
contacted the tenants to offer to repay the money.

As tenants ourselves, or other working class people seeking acceptable housing, we see the
struggle against exploitative letting agents as being a collective one. We are ready for
more struggles like this one. We encourage people who are treated like this to treat the
experience as political and we want to hear from anyone who wants to talk about how to
take a stand.

Contact us at: payupvictorstone@riseup.net

Anarchists Victimised by Security Forces

Last month two people were harassed and detained by counter-terrorist officers, following
a week spent at the international Anarchism Gathering in Switzerland (for a full report on
the gathering, see International Gathering In Swiss Town Hailed A Success).

Despite having no evidence that either of the individuals had been involved in any
criminal activity, police officers denied them access to a solicitor, forced them to waive
basic rights, took fingerprints and DNA samples, and detained them for two hours. The
officers were members of the SO15 Counter Terrorism Command unit of the London
Metropolitan Police, which has links to the intelligence services.

?We were treated like criminals.? said one of the detainees, who asked not to be named. ?I
told them I went to
the congress as I am an amateur journalist and I write articles about activism. They saw
my note book, camera and Dictaphone but they said I was lying. One officer said ?You said
you are an anarchist, I?ve seen anarchists on the news, they are violent, throw molotov
cocktails and disrupt people?s lives not write articles.? ? In a press statement released
shortly after the incident, the UK Anarchist Federation, asserted that the detention of
the two anarchists ?was not in response to any crime and constitutes repression and
criminalisation of a political ideology.?

To read the statement in full, go to http://tinyurl.com/bnckspz.

Metro Cleaners Strike Against Pay Freeze

Last month anarchists undertook direct action in solidarity with cleaners on the Tyne And
Wear Metro. Upon the commencement of their 48 hour strike, supporters were sure to leave
plenty of unwanted mess on numerous carriages, safe in the knowledge that all cleaning
duties were to be carried out by scabs and corporate shills.

Churchill?s, the company responsible for contracting Metro cleaners, recently attempted to
impose a zero per cent pay award on a workforce already on the bare minimum wage. On top
of this, workers have reported victimisation and punitive disciplining of a colleague on
trumped up allegations. The bosses have routinely attempted to recruit scabs on rate of
pay that far exceeds that of the cleaners themselves, proving that funds that could easily
contribute towards an improvement on poverty pay are mysteriously readily available when
the suits are inconvenienced.

Churchill?s client, DB Regio, have offered no increase in basic pay whatsoever. The
company has announced a doubling of profits in the past five years, channelling around ?7
million from the exploitation of essential cleaning staff, whose current contract does not
include sick pay or pensions. The cleaners are even denied the basic travel concessions
rights enjoyed by other NEXUS workers.

While the company is trying to maintain low pay for the staff who deliver vast profits for
the shareholders, its own highest paid director had a salary increase of more than 18% in
the last 5 years, up to nearly ?160,000. This makes nonsense of their claims that they
can?t afford a decent offer to the front-line cleaning staff.

As anarchists we realize that the reformism of the trade union bureaucracy can only
enhance the position of a privileged few as mediators. Only by collective defiance and
direct action will the bosses get the message: Don?t let these sharks use the threat of
unemployment as a weapon with which to intimidate workers! On strike days, make a mess on
the Metro!

Cleaners Win Pay Increase At John Lewis

The dispute between cleaners at the John Lewis Partnership?s flagship Oxford Street store
and their employers has ended in a victory for the workers, who took strike action on 13th
and 20th July in protest at planned cuts in jobs and hours, following a 90% vote in
favour. A further strike set for Thursday 26th July, as the Olympic Torch passed the
store, was cancelled following fresh talks with the cleaners? direct employers,
contractors ICM (Compass Group), and the facilities company MML, hired by John Lewis
Partnership. In addition to defending their jobs, the cleaners at John Lewis turned the
cuts situation around, securing a 10% pay increase backdated to the start of the contract
in March 2012.

A union spokesperson said: ?First 50% of cleaners hours were to be cut, then nearly a
third of the work-force were to be made redundant, now after a courageous struggle not a
single cleaner at John Lewis Oxford street will be forced to loose their job. In an age of
austerity this is no small achievement?. However, whilst the pay and allowance increases
are a significant step up from the ?6.08 per-hour the cleaners previously earned, it is
still well below the London Living Wage of ?8.30. In a press statement, the union said
they saw the victory as a ?stepping stone? and that the Living Wage remained a ?key
objective?.

To read the press release in full, go to: http://tinyurl.com/buo97ae.

Police Kettle Antifascists in Glasgow

On Saturday 28th July, the BNP were scheduled to hold what Nick Griffin had been trailing
for weeks before as ?the biggest nationalist demonstration ever in Glasgow?. Prior to the
date there had been two consecutive weekends of rumours about fascist activity in Glasgow
that failed to materialise. Judging by previous showings earlier in the year, things
weren?t looking promising for the far right: the SDL?s demonstration in Glasgow in
February numbered less than 100 and was cordoned off into insignificance behind police
lines. In May, even by the authorities? estimates, the SDL were outnumbered 2-1 by
antifascists and local activists in Edinburgh. On the 27th July, the SDL withdrew their
support (owing to the arrests of at least five of their members the same day) leaving the
BNP to officially call off the demo, citing some vague concern for the authorities during
?their busiest time of the year?.

It was pretty obvious that despite this call-off there was a high likelihood of a fascist
presence, and as counter-protestors and antifascists began to assemble on Buchanan Street,
the sighting of dubious-looking spotters began as early as 9.45, and continued throughout
most of the morning. Finally, when three members of BNP-splinter group Britannica emerged
on the streets, they were quickly identified and opposed by over 100 counter-protestors.
Police encircled both groups almost immediately, at least to forty to fifty cops
containing both sides with mounted police in tow.

Watching police lines beginning to close around the counter-protestors, with more and more
police arriving on Buchanan Street, a few anarchists crossed through to let protestors
know that this was about to happen. Few moved, and the police inevitably ?kettled? the
group. Only after spending well over an hour in the blazing sun were people then allowed
to leave, one and two at a time, subject to being searched. In a disgusting attempt at
profiling the police attempted to take the details of protestors as they left the kettle,
however, Legal observers were on hand to counter this, letting people know that they were
under no compulsion to provide this information nor were they compelled to consent to
photography under the terms of the Section 60 order the police were enforcing. Two
individuals were arrested for refusing to consent to being searched, while the three
Britannica members were instantly arrested upon leaving the scene.

As the dust began settle, news came through that in Dalkeith ? where Griffin had attempted
to capitalise on a rally being held against the presence of a convicted sex offender in
the local community, after the prospect of the Glasgow Demo collapsed ? the BNP?s presence
was met with a vigorous response by local anti-fascists.

While the far right consistently being denied any kind of a platform is positive, the
pattern of total policing attendant to these occasions is not. The profiling of protesters
witnessed in Glasgow on the 28th July follows on directly from the policing of the Refugee
Solidarity Demo, held the previous month, where the police actively curbed and forcibly
dispersed a demonstration of around 400 people protesting the forced destitution and
evictions of over 150 refugees in the city, in order to actively facilitate 20-30 fascists
there to disrupt and counter-protest, again with the police quoting off sections of the
public order act to justify the intimidation, kettling, profiling and arrest of protestors
and activists.

Swindon workers get stuck into bullying bosses

The following piece is a guest article from a brand new anarchist paper to be published in
the South West of England, the West Country Mutineer. If you would like to get involved or
want a copy of the forthcoming paper, email: mutineerpress@riseup.net.

For the past half a year, cleaners at Swindon?s GWH Hospital have been taking action
against their employer, Carillion, who take on the maintenance, construction and
management of hundreds of buildings across the UK. The action comes in response to a
culture of bullying and racism from Carillion bosses towards the mostly Goan cleaners. As
well as routine racist abuse, Carillion managers frequently forced workers to present them
with ?gifts? in return for time off and other basic rights at work. The Goan workers were
also denied the right to take enough of their holiday in one go to visit their families in
Goa.

Since the first strike in February, the workers have given the rest of us a shining
example in how to treat your boss, taking dozens of days of strike action (always
involving nearly 100% of the workforce), blockading Carillion HQ, holding well attended
meetings, a 400 strong demo through Swindon and numerous solidarity events and protests
with Swindon Anarchists and other union and activist groups.
The campaign has already seen one racist boss get kicked out, but instead of taking the
strikers demands seriously, Carillion have responded by sending scabs to undermine
strikes, lying, faking and fudging internal ?investigations? and further victimising the
victims by launching disciplinary procedures against 10 of the strikers. With Carillion
losing their reputation in the industry, not to mention lucrative contracts, as a result
of the campaign, they have also been caught playing a central role in a blacklisting
scandal, where major companies have been denying work to ?troublemaking? workers for
?crimes? such as attending anti-fascist protests and being members of a union! With
Carillion refusing to take the hint and sort out their racist, bullying behaviour, more
and more ordinary workers are getting drawn into the fight, voicing disgust (and yet more
stories of bullying and intimidation) against Carillion. With more strike action on the
horizon ? not to mention planned support actions from supportive anarchist and activist
groups ? you can be sure that we?ll all be hearing more from the brave Goan workers that
refuse to be trampled by an arrogant bully of an employer and you can be equally sure that
they ain?t gonna quit until they?ve won the rights we all deserve at work.

Traffic Wardens Fight Low Pay In Camden

Camden traffic wardens were on strike last month demanding better pay and a reduction in
hours. Workers struck from the 9th to the 11th of August, following on from a previous
two-day strike in July. Further action is planned if bosses refuse to give in.

Strikers demands include a wage increase of ?2.50 an hour (their current wage is only
?8.09, less than the London living wage), a reduction in working time, overtime pay for
night shifts and weekends, and paid holidays. Their employer, NSL, which describes itself
as ?an expert outsourced service provider?, has offered them an increase of just 21 pence
an hour this year, an offer that was unanimously rejected by union members.
According to UNISON support for the strike has been ?exceptionally high?, with at least
half of union members actively picketing their workplaces over the course of the strike.
The three-day strike also included a small but lively demonstration by fifty strikers and
supporters, accompanied by chants of ?Low Pay, No Way? and ?NSL - No Slave Labour?.

Further action is likely over the coming weeks. At a mass meeting held at Clarence Way
Tenant?s Hall on the second day of the strike, workers voted unanimously for holding a
four-day strike ?at the earliest opportunity? along with other forms of industrial action.

For updates and a full report of the struggle so far visit: www.camdenunison.org.uk

International Gathering In Swiss Town Hailed A Success

Over a long weekend from the 9th to 12th August, thousands of anarchists and interested
visitors from across Europe and elsewhere in the world were gathered in the town of St.
Imier, in the Jura region of Switzerland, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the
founding of an anarchist international.

In 1872, an anti-authoritarian international movement was born after anarchists and others
broke from the ideas of Marx to envision a society based on freedom from both capitalism
and the state. Karl Marx had taken control of the original First International (called the
International Workingmen?s Association) but some sections in the Jura were determined to
maintain an autonomous spirit and practice. Many of the members in these sections were
working in their homes as watchmakers, were well read, and had an independent spirit. When
Michael Bakunin came to the region in 1869 there had been a true meeting of minds.

The 2012 gathering took the form of a festival and educational, with music, films and
entertainment as well as the many workshops and discussions. In addition to the gathering
the modern day International of Anarchist Federations, formed in 1968, met for its
congress, with delegates from 10 different organisations including the UK Anarchist
Federation.

One highlight of the weekend was a meeting held by anarchists from Japan about the
re-emergence of libertarian organising there following the Fukushima nuclear plant
disaster. Another was the announcement on the last day of an international
anarcha-feminist initiative to be held in two years time.

The Swiss press was overwhelmingly positive about the gathering, calling it a success, and
local people were impressed. Sadly the British counter-terrorist police either hadn?t got
the message or were confusing the word ?tourist? with ?terrorist?, choosing to arrest two
conference attendees on their return to England via Heathrow airport, and refusing to
release them until they had harassed, searched, and interrogated them for several hours
(see Anarchists Victimised by Security Forces).

Spanish Unions Get All Robin Hood Against The Cuts
From the West Country Mutineer.

Across Europe, millions of ordinary people have been fighting back against massive cuts to
jobs, wages and welfare. There have been massive protests, occupations, strikes, direct
actions and even the odd riot. But now, members of the Spanish field workers union,
Sindicato Andaluz de Trabajadores, along with supporters, have stepped up the fight back
by raiding one supermarket and forcing another to ?donate? most of its produce, before
distributing the looted groceries to families impoverished by the cuts. Hundreds of union
members entered supermarkets in two towns filling up trolleys with basic food stuffs and
after a tussle with some supermarket security left without paying. The food was
distributed to those who needed it via locally coordinated food banks. The actions saw
only two arrests, one being the mayor of Marinaleda, who stated ?If I end up in jail
because I highlighted the crisis, it will be an honor?. A second supermarket raider said
?Taking some food and giving it to families who are having a really hard time. If this is
stealing, then I?m guilty.?

The situation in Spain is worsening for ordinary people while the rich keep getting richer
(sound familiar?), with the top 10% earning 12 times the average wage. Unemployment stands
at 25%, higher amongst young workers and 22% of families have plunged below the poverty
line. If planned cuts over the next decade go ahead, things look set to get much worse.

In light of this, the supermarket looters have realized that, while protesting against
cuts is important, if we are to keep our heads above water, we need to start taking what
we need from the rich, who would let us go homeless and starved rather than sharing their
wealth. All we should care about is the fact that we need food, housing, health care and,
hell, some entertainment once in a while, and we still live in a continent of plenty.
Despite (or because of) the recession, whilst we?ve all been tightening our belts the
richest in our country, and all across Europe, have been hoarding even more wealth, soon
the time will come when we have to start taking some of it back for ourselves. Trip to
Tescos anyone?

University Strikes Continue In Brazil
The general strike at Brazilian state universities has just entered its third month,
which, as this edition goes to print, is showing no signs of a quick resolution. One union
has stated that up to 350,000 education workers are now engaged in industrial action and
it is now being regarded as the biggest public sector strike of recent years.
Starting on 17th May, the action has forced the closure of 94 federal institutions across
the country as administrative staff and lecturers square up to the government on a number
of issues related to the planned restructuring and privatisation of higher education. A
positive aspect of the strike has been the support shown by students even though the
standoff has meant that the second halves of their courses have been postponed. However,
it was clear which side students were on when the CNGE (Student Strike National Command)
announced that student strikes were in place at 40 federal institutions.

The dispute revolves around the government?s plans to open up state universities
(including the state funded on-campus hospitals) to private capital and comes after years
of cuts in education ($R5b [?1.5b] in the last two years). This has lead to pay freezes,
inadequate facilities, unfinished construction on campuses, below subsistence funding for
students, and an increasing student-teacher ratio. However, when taking into consideration
the government?s clear neo-liberal agenda, it should be of no surprise that amongst the
backers of plans to privatise state universities are Brazil?s three biggest banks, who
stand to gain most from future student demand for private loans.

The only offer tabled so far by the government has been a tiny pay increase that would
only affect around a third of those on strike and was obviously designed to divide workers
and break up the solidarity within the movement. The reality is that the government has
consistently maintained an aggressive stance towards workers by docking pay, making
threats, and coordinating a media campaign designed to discredit the legitimate demands of
those on strike.

The result of this has been an increase in direct action with the CNGE recently stating
the need to ?get more radical?. How this will develop remains to be seen but so far acts
of direct action have included roadblocks, occupations of university and governmental
buildings and general assemblies seeking to engage students and workers in decision-making
processes outside of union bureaucracies.

Resistance In A Russian Prison

On the 22nd of July almost 900 prisoners at Prison Colony No. 4 in Salavat, Russia went on
hunger strike and five of them slashed their forearms. The outbreak of collective
resistance in the high-security prison that holds 1,100 people was in retaliation for the
murder of Sergei Lasko, who was beaten to death by guards on the night of the 17th of
July. The Public Monitoring Committee (PMC), an organization which defends prisoners?
rights, discovered the truth about Lasko?s death and the hunger strike only after a lawyer
visited the prison about a separate issue. Almira Zhukova of the PMC said: ?Then we
discovered the beatings; we found proof? It was terrifying. They beat [prisoners] till
they were blue. All the rooms were covered in blood.?

A prisoner described how as Lasko was being beaten, guards played loud music over prison
speakers to mask their victim?s shouts. ?Whenever the music starts, we know that they are
going to beat someone.?

The hunger strike is just one of several recent uprisings against the judicial and
penitentiary system in Russia.

Australian Solidarity Demo For G20 Prisoner
On the 5th of August anarchists in Australia hung two large banners and scattered over 200
hundred leaflets from the Cahill Expressway bridge in Sydney. The actions were carried out
to express solidarity with Kelly Rose Pflug-Back. Kelly is an anarchist who was recently
sentenced to 15 months in prison for her resistance to the Toronto G20 meeting in 2010.
Her supporters explained: ?Our small act was an expression of our solidarity with Kelly
and all the rebels who rejected the passive logic of legal protest and made a concrete
stand against the annual meeting of the managers of global capital.

?On July 19 our friend Kelly Rose Pflug-Back was sentenced to 15 months in jail followed
by 3 years of probation for her involvement in the Black Bloc at the Toronto G20. The
crown stated that this sentencing was meant to send a clear message that the actions of
the Black Bloc would not be tolerated. Kelly spent much of the preceding year under house
arrest and strict conditions, designed to isolate her from the movement and disable her
from doing the work she believes in. Yet through it all Kelly has remained active, strong,
and defiant!?

Send letters and cards of solidarity to Kelly at:
Kelly Pflug-Back, Vanier Centre for Women, P.O.Box 1040, 655 Martin Street, Milton,
Ontario, L9T 5E6, Canada

Call For Solidarity With Imprisoned Anarchists in Belarus
We reproduce below a statement issued by the International of Anarchist Federations,
appealing on behalf of the Belarusian Anarchist Federation who are struggling in the face
of massive state repression:

It has been a long time since the last call for solidarity with the Belarusian anarchists
appeared. Today we have to admit that the new wave of solidarity is needed urgently to
help them out from the prison. That?s why we call you to participate in days of action in
solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners on 22nd-23rd of September (parliament
election day is 23rd) .

The activists Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Dziadok, Artsiom Prakapenka, Pavel Syramolatau,
Aliaksandr Frantskievich, Jauhen Vas?kovich that were detained in autumn 2010 and winter
2011 and then sentenced to 3 to 8 years of prison in May 2011 for a series of attacks on
state and capital symbols are finishing their second year in jail. During this time their
comrades and relatives did their best to help them feel comfortable in custody and set
them free. In October 2011 they were acknowledged political prisoners by right-watch
organizations. This fact gave them bigger chances to be freed as soon as possible, because
at the moment the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, faces pressure from the
European Union with the demands to set free all the political prisoners and decriminalize
them. From August 2011 he has already pardoned more than 30 of them, but none of our
comrades was granted freedom. Lukashenko said publicly, that he will pardon only those,
who will write the petition for pardon, thus admitting their guilt and asking him
personally for mercy. All the rest will remain in prison, he stated. In fact all
imprisoned anarchists were many times asked if they want to sign such petition. Five of
them refused to do it. Artsiom Prakapenka signed it under pressure but he is still in
prison. Now there are 15 political prisoners left in Belarus, among them are 5 our
comrades and 1 more, imprisoned for the action of solidarity with them. All the prisoners
are experiencing different kinds of pressure from the administration of the prisons they
are held in, because Lukashenko wants to be a winner in this situation and make it as if
it is not the EU that forces him to set free the political prisoners in fear of more
political and economic sanctions, but as if it is his good will to pardon them, again only
if they ask for it. We strongly oppose the fact that our comrades are now traded for
benefits form the EU and condemn the pressure that they experience. We call everybody to
protest against these tortures and demand the immediate liberation of the political
prisoners of Belarus, including anarchists.

We welcome solidarity actions of ANY kind starting from now on to accumulate amount of it
on days of solidarity, we also ask you to make solidarity actions at least once a month if
you find it possible even after the days of solidarity. We need constant pressure on the
regime and the EU politicians in this situation.

A solidarity demo for the prisoners has been called for 1pm on 23rd September at the
Belarusian Embassy, 6 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL.

Write to a Prisoner!

Paddy Besiris pleaded guilty in May 2012 to violent disorder during the Stokes Croft riots
in Bristol last year. Paddy was sentenced to 14months in prison, however he will serve 7
months because of his early plea. Paddy is a Greek socialist who was involved in various
political groups and was recently moved from HMP Bristol after he tried to organise a
prisoners? union on G-wing. Paddy would like letters, cards, newsletters and books sent to
him. Write to:

Paddy Besiris c/o ABC
14 Robertson Road
Easton
Bristol
BS5 6JY.

Many more prisoners? addresses from around the world are listed on the websites of the
Anarchist Black Cross groups.

For excellent advice on contacting prisoners download the free PDF leaflet by Leeds
Anarchist Black Cross called ?Writing to Prisoners? from:
www.leedsabc.org
For loads of news, information and links about prisons check the Campaign Against Prison
Slavery website at:
www.againstprisonslavery.org


Anarchist Federation

The Anarchist Federation is an organisation of class struggle anarchists (based in Britain
and Ireland, but with many contacts overseas) which aims to abolish Capitalism and all
oppression to create a free and equal society. This is Anarchist Communism.

We see today?s society as being divided into two main opposing classes: the ruling class
which controls all the power and wealth, and the working class which the rulers exploit to
maintain this. By racism, sexism and other forms of oppression, as well as war and
environmental destruction the rulers weaken and divide us. Only the direct action of
working class people can defeat these attacks and ultimately overthrow capitalism.

As the capitalist system rules the whole world it?s destruction must be complete and world
wide. We reject attempts to reform it such as working through parliament and national
liberation movements (like the IRA) as they fail to challenge capitalism itself. Unions
also work as a part of the capitalist system, so although workers struggle within them,
they will be unable to bring about capitalism?s destruction unless they go beyond these
limits.

Organisation is vital if we?re to beat the bosses, so we work for a united anarchist
movement and are affiliated to the International of Anarchist Federations.

National Contact

Email: info [at] afed.org.uk
Web: www.afed.org.uk

Write to:
BM ANARFED,
London, WC1N 3XX,
England, UK.

International of Anarchist Federations:
www.i-f-a.org/

--

Bron :

Resistance bulletin no. 144, September 2012

The Anarchist Federation: http://www.afed.org.uk