Day 1 ---- Participated throughout the day today in Libertarian Conference taking place in
Set?bal, in Athenaeum Setubalense . On average - sometimes more, some less - about 30
attended anarchist militants, mainly representing groups, individuals or spaces in the
area south of the country - Alentejo, ?vora, Set?bal, Lisbon, Coimbra. Although there was
a schedule previously set in the morning, the discussion was reserved for the specific
topics of the libertarian movement and everyone present gave a presentation of reality in
their area or association. The conclusion is that the realities are different, although
patent growth of sympathy for libertarian ideas and assemblearias, together with greater
visibility collective of anarchists who have played various activities in connection with
the emerging social movements, but also clearly demarcating the left and the extreme left
of the system.
The lunch break led us to COSA (House Okupada Setubal self-managed) where a vegetarian
lunch was served to the participants at the Conference. The COSA is an example of a longer
occupation with history. The occupation dates back to the early 2000s and is a meeting
place and resistance anarchist and anti-authoritarian in Set?bal and a reference to the
libertarian movement in Portugal.
The Conference proceedings were resumed shortly after two in the afternoon and was set to
create a mail list among diverse groups and individuals present (the others, since that
request, can be associated), as a basis for assistance and preparation common action and
may be the beginning of a network anarchist, although informal, covering the whole territory.
After beginning the sessions were open to the general public, with more people in the
room. The debate was conducted by Vitor Lima (Indignados Lisbon) and the theme was "Social
Movements Libertarians in demonstrations." It was a very involved and debate between
different points, was referred to the need for anarchists to participate and influence the
various social movements - many basic libertarian - and highlighted the need for a deeper
understanding of the problems that capitalism and crosses solutions that transform
society, from a libertarian perspective, can be envisaged.
Then one of the elements of the Collective Gon?alves Correia de Castro Verde, presented
the latest issue of the magazine Alembic on alternative root rural communities. Another
important issue that motivated also participated in a debate. This was followed by dinner
in COSA.
For this Sunday (where, in principle, not be able to participate) will be discussed in the
morning the possibility to organize some Journeys Libertarian south of the Tagus
(polinucleadas) and a conversation around an invitation extended to a rally in the 1st May
in Set?bal. At most there will be two public debate on important issues: "The mechanisms
of domination" and the discussion around the libertarian journal "MAP" whose 1st issue was
published recently.
Just two notes: I participated in the discussions during the day were important,
especially as building space of a libertarian movement that has managed to renew. And, in
this sense, it is important to emphasize the high quality theoretical and soul of the
youth who constitute the overwhelming majority of participants in this first day of
debates CLS2013.
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Taking account of the 2nd day of the Libertarianconference in Setubal
Rather than we had initially thought, after all we can (3 elements Collective Libertarian
?vora) we present today on the 2nd day of the Conference Libertarian Set?bal, but this
time it was time a little lost for many miles we had to travel between ?vora and Set?bal.
If yesterday the debate about whether Social Movements, Communities Anarchists want about
(cover story of the magazine Alembic) were excited and contextualized, this Sunday session
began just after lunch, bringing the debate to the organization of the 1st of May. Little
is said - but that will be good companions Set?bal bring forward everything that we
decide, in ?vora, will support them - and it was a time spent with little use.
Also was scheduled for today to discuss the performance of each Journeys Libertarian - but
did not.
Then he was scheduled to debate on the newspaper MAP that recently left the 1st paragraph.
Many employees were present, but it was difficult to get some idea. While considering the
MAP a successful experience, useful and evolving, still can not understand, for example,
if this is an anarchist newspaper or want to join several ideological positions that are
not recognized in the system, can not understand what is meant by when he refers you want
to "connect" the fights (a newspaper that comes out every two months, is more a magazine.
lacks immediacy and timeliness); seemed to me that the graphics and text density are not
consistent with the make the idea of "popular", ie, appealing to a public that, from the
outset, not "gain" for the "cause"; reaffirmed that the draft paper should not disregard
the draft on the Internet, accessible to more people. I put these issues on the table and
were somehow poorly received by some of those present - especially when he said (and I
repeat) that a newspaper should be something more than a collection of egos (of selves) -
must have a project perceptible and clear in its genesis and definition that fulfills the
objectives for which it was created (and in this case, I suppose be to give information
not manipulated, alternative system to the media concerning the principles and active
anti-authoritarians ).
Other companions praised the newspaper, others made specific criticisms, but it was all
very lightly, superficially. For my part I leave here writing what there said I value the
work and dedication of these young and old companions, their commitment and the certainty
that this "school of journalism" will be important either for this or for future projects.
But please accept criticism, repairs - even less fair. A newspaper, to be, has to be a
collective project of those who do, those who have read it and those who have not yet
read. A newspaper is its content - but especially the usefulness it may have or not to
your readers. And often in the media there is a libertarian and an almost arrogant
self-sufficiency in the face of any criticism, that does not mean strength - but weakness
and fear of confronting ourselves with what we dislike.
After not seen the end of the conference, for reasons of agenda, but from what I
understand is slightly more advanced. If the first day of the conference is still "saved",
even having a good time, this second day nothing concrete has been defined in terms
internal to the libertarian movement, nor any proposal out here working together, unless
the creation of a mail list.
Was little and, despite good logistical work developed by fellow Set?bal to this
conference if he had done and the fact that many of us having known or rediscovered,
resulting always an added value, this conference represented an opportunity that was not
harnessed to discuss issues relevant internal and coming from the Porto conference last
September, including coordinated activities or the development of a more functional
platform for mutual aid between organizations, groups, or individuals anarchist spaces. It
also showed that a conference of this kind has to be better organized, with most debated
issues and interventions and better prepared, and with preparatory work involving indeed
the generality of the anarchist movement in Portuguese territory, leading him to
participate and submit proposals designed and structured. What, he was not happened this time.
But, of course, the path is made by walking and there will be other opportunities. Except
that, given the emergence of social movement derived from the current context, it is
important a more effective presence of the Portuguese anarchists in the forefront in the
struggle for social transformation. And what happens (as has happened over recent decades)
is that often the worst enemy of anarchism are anarchists who do not know the
opportunities for growth and influence on the social struggles that reality has offered
them almost Hand-lapped. And this is the case of today's world: the anarchist movement,
again, do not grow and do not create deep roots in Portuguese society, the only fault we
can be assacada.
(Regarding a possible manifesto, conclusions or final communique did not know if there
will be, although fellow Set?bal have taken notes to make a record of the meeting). After
all, for them, in the end, a word of gratitude for the commitment, dedication and effort
(despite the scarcity of resources) that organized the conference. They did what they
could, from what I saw. And the best they could.
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