Today's Topics:
1. Czech, afed.cz: Existence 3/16 - TTIP as one of the
tentacles of an octopus capitalism: A brief introduction to the
corporate assault on the remnants of social and environmental
gains. [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. Britain, Class War: Make your own dinner! Donate to the
Deliveroo strike fund instead! (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. US, black rose fed: We Don’t Need a New Jail, We Need
Abolition (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
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Message: 1
Transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) and unintelligible sounds remotely.
Why should this agreement should deal with and protest against it? TTIP (and its Canadian
version CETA) is not an ordinary commercial contract. It is a further concession on our
civil rights in favor of large multinational companies and global capitalism. To truly
understand our situation, we must first outline what TTIP ever is and what allows us, if
its approval is imminent. ---- Capitalism is generally unsuitable solidarity with weaker.
Dream of all good capitalists is to eliminate all the rules protecting consumers, citizens
or employees so that they gain nothing stood in the way. Directors and other
representatives of large companies with long-term (at least since the establishment of the
Transatlantic Business Dialogue in 1995) seeks to enforce an agreement that would
eliminate the regulation for the activities of companies in the European Union and the
United States. TTIP and CETA for this purpose ideal medium.
The European Union is negotiating the closure of two major contracts - Transatlantic Trade
Partnership (TTIP) with the US and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
with Canada. The names of these two contracts disproportionately emphasize trade, which is
actually only a small part. Realistically, the main objective of both treaties to
harmonize the rules across the Atlantic: for example, on standards for food, consumer
protection, environmental protection, dealing with biotechnology (such as the need to
genetically modified organisms - GMOs) and toxins. The agreement will also affect public
services such as education, health or social services. We knew exactly why the TTIP (and
CETA) dangerous, we will go over now briefly its major aspects.
Negotiating in secret
First, what is on the upcoming agreements suspects is that they are discussed behind
closed doors. At the public receive only scant information that accidentally escape from
the negotiations. This is in itself alarming, given that the contract will affect the
lives of millions. PR European Commission report from 2013 states that citizens need not
worry because all negotiations will be transparent. But the opposite is true. Negotiations
are shrouded in secrecy, very protected, for example, demands for deregulation from the US
negotiators, or the requirements of Europe towards the United States. For example, MEPs
can do materials to policies seen only in a special reading room, from which you can not
take away documents, let alone somehow copy. Before entering the reading room must also
surrender their cell phones. Some official documents are equipped with special tags that
allow you to track down the leaked materials back to their originators. In Prague, you can
find information on TTIP read in the reading room at the American Embassy, where there is
a similar scheme. Yet escaped number of materials from which the content can be planned
contracts read.
Minimal barriers to dangerous toxins
Now to the actual content of pending contracts. Speaking of that harmonizing regulatory
rules, it means that they unite at the lowest possible common denominator, so that the
interests of large companies were placed minimal obstacles. While the Treaty treats, for
example, the regulations for the technical details of the production car, but the main
problem is that loosens rules on the necessary social and environmental standards. If the
rules in Europe and the US will unite, they will now look to match the relaxed American
rules. One of the areas in which the contract is reflected, is ecology. We illustrate that
we need the example of precautionary measures for handling chemicals. In Europe, the
chemical substances regulated by REACH modern dating from 2007 that have all the chemicals
first confirmation that they are not harmful, and then only can start using it. In the US,
there is a law of the 70s, according to which the first ingredient must be shown to be
dangerous, and only then may be limited its use. US negotiators have already indicated
that they have a problem with European legislation and that will require her release.
Other concerns are the disturbance of regulation protecting the environment, such as the
use of renewable energy sources.
GMO, chlorine and other goodies
One of the most feared consequences of TTIP agreement is its impact on food safety. There
would also be there to unification of standards to the lowest possible level. In
discussions on TTIP often as one of the most striking examples are chlorinated chickens:
US manufacturers often treat poultry with chlorine, in Europe, this practice is banned
since 1997. If the regulation is released, you will be able to meat consumers in our
country enjoy a steak with addition of chlorine. Another change discussed would be an
invasion of GMO foods in Europe. European markets due to the opposition of consumers can
not find hardly any genetically modified foods, and if so, must be clearly labeled. Also
in this case there is pressure to make it mandatory labeling as regulatory barrier removed
and to thus allow path GMO food on our tables. Barrier, inter alia, promotion of local
food and alternative models. For example, if city hall supports farmers' markets can be
attacked its operations by favoring local producers against others.
Disappearing jobs
TTIP and CETA advocates often argue that the agreement will strengthen the economy and
create new jobs. The facts speak otherwise. The study, which after closing TTIP promised
economic growth of 0.5% has been reported as misleading. Effects TTIP we can look into the
past to the impact of the North American FTA (NAFTA), which was also accompanied by
promises of job creation. But the situation was reversed - as a result of introducing them
in the United States, on the contrary million perished. European Commission study then
admits that TTIP will lead to job losses in the EU and USA. If they unify standards at the
same time, it will be uncomfortable for the European workforce - American labor
legislation is in fact extremely hard. United States signed the convention of
International Labour Organisation, which guarantees such as the possibility of collective
bargaining and freedom of association. Approximately half of the states is also undermined
trade union activity special anti-union legislation. Czech campaign "Bad vTTIP" need
further states that American workers are not entitled to holidays - at harmonizing
standards, it could also apply to us.
Hospitals and schools for sale
Investors are also attractive possibility that they TTIP will open the way to public
services such as health and education. All this falls under the liberalization of
services, which include the present contract. In particular, public health is the same for
private investors on both sides of the Atlantic tempting morsel. We just talked about how
harmonizing standards at lower levels of the US damage Europe can now take the opposite
example. The EU announced that it wants to eliminate measures that support local jobs and
local businesses in the US. This plan is aptly called Buy America. Of the possibility of
entering the private sector in public services will benefit again and only leaders and
owners of large corporations.
Investors are suing citizens
Especially blatant interference in the already ridiculous level of democracy that
guarantees the elections to the national parliaments, it is called. Settlement of disputes
between an investor and the State (ISDS). It is a possibility of foreign investors to sue
states for the losses they incur due to political decisions of governments. Capital is
thus elevates the level of individual nation states. Given that the ISDS will be discussed
in the next article, we will show you just a brief example of how arbitration works. The
French company Veolia sued Egypt among other things, to increase the minimum wage, which
even then was ten times lower than in France. Increasing social standards is threatening
its profitability, and treated her lower profits. For similar keg is in the TTIP proposed
regulatory cooperation - under this vague designation hides the possibility of direct
participation with representatives unelected lobbyists and business interests on the
making of laws.
What happens next?
Negotiations on TTIP was officially launched in 2013. What is the current state of
negotiations? Negotiators recognize that it delays many delays and complicates the
situation also strong public opposition. From the leaked documents published by spring
2016 Greenpeace, shows that the US is developing a strong push for an agreement. The aim
is to be taken, if possible by the end of 2016, by extension, to the end of the term of
President Barack Obama (officially ends in January 2017). The necessity rocketed spur TTIP
speaks British Prime Minister David Cameron. John Hilary, executive director of War on
Want, which deals with TTIP, however, predicts that the conclusion of an agreement may
move to 2017 or beyond.
TTIP, kapitalismus a anarchistická perspektiva
And what to do with TTIP (and the resistance against it) from an anarchist perspective? Of
course, we know that the fight against TTIP is just one component of our struggles. This
is just one of the repulsive sprouts of capitalism that we just removed. Problematic
portion can be seen in defending state standards on our part. We may ask what is the
difference between the (arbitration) courts controlled by corporations and national courts
of the states with which we own, very good experience. Too excited also probably would not
be defending protective mechanisms in the otherwise unjust, exploitative wage labor.
Andrew Slacálek in an interview with Law recently likened the struggle for the
achievements of the welfare state that provides at least some dignity and redistribution,
the defending reinforcement cage by attacking neoliberal predators. This can be a time of
depressed and unproductive. Yet the fight against TTIP worthwhile. We perceive it as one
piece of the puzzle of our resistance against capitalism. Another need is squatter and
anti-fascist activities or help the homeless or refugees. We believe that the activity
against TTIP make sense. We use them, for example, gain new contacts in Europe, USA and
Canada, and also using them featuring their own alternatives to the current political and
economic arrangements.
Published in existence no. 3/2016 .
https://www.afed.cz/text/6505/ttip-jako-jedno-z-chapadel-chobotnice-kapitalismu
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Message: 2
Picket between 9am and 5pm at the Deliveroo recruitment office at 79 Pentonville Road
(near Angel tube station) to prevent the hiring of strike breakers until there is a
resolution between Deliveroo management and it’s current riders who are currently on
strike. ---- After the picket we will be protesting at 5pm at Deliveroo Head Office – so
come along to that after the picket! Join striking drivers at Head Office to make them
sweat! Protest will be at Torrington Place WC1, from 5-7pm at least ---- Deliveroo Drivers
Strike: Picket Outside Deliveroo Pentonville, Monday 15 August ---- Calendar ---- Add to
Calendar ---- Map Data ---- Terms of Use ---- WHEN: 15th August 2016 @ 09:00 – 17:00 ----
WHERE: Deliveroo ---- 79 Pentonville Rd ---- London N1 ---- UK ---- COST: Free ----
CONTACT: ---- Event website ---- DEMO STRIKE WORKERS ---- deliveroo. strikeroo living pay
sick strike wage
We’re holding a picket between 9am and 5pm at the Deliveroo recruitment office at 79
Pentonville Road (near Angel tube station) to prevent the hiring of strike breakers until
there is a resolution between Deliveroo management and it’s current riders who are
currently on strike.
UPDATE: After the picket we will be protesting at 5pm at Deliveroo Head Office – so come
along to that after the picket! Join striking drivers at Head Office to make them sweat!
Protest will be at Torrington Place WC1, from 5-7pm at least
The Deliveroo Driver Strike is continuing on and we’re taking the fight right to the
company’s doorstep and we need your support!
The manager of a restaurant in Hampstead told some of the strikers that while they would
usually take approximately £2000 on a normal Friday night from Deliveroo orders alone,
this last Friday gone – during the strike – that same restaurant only took £160 from
Deliveroo orders and management arranged to meet with Deliveroo to ask what the hell is
going on!
So, the strike and boycott are working!
Deliveroo will most likely try to break the strike by hiring additional drivers to fill
the areas where current drivers are striking. We won’t allow them to do that!
It looks like it’s going to be a nice sunny day so come on down! We will have a
soundsystem with an open mic policy for all those who want to support the picket and the
strike. We want anyone willing to support us to come down at any point in the day – even
if just for a little while – and lend a hand at the picket.
YOU CAN SUPPORT US BY:
– Coming down to support our picket for as much or as little time as you can.
– Inviting people you know to support our picket.
– Dropping off snacks/supplies to keep the picketers going.
– Sending messages of support and solidarity to picketing strikers via Facebook (IWGB
Couriers And Logistics Branch) and Twitter (@IWGB_CLB) to be read out on the open mic.
– Raising the social media profile of our strike using the hashtags: #Deliveroo,
#DeliverooStrike, #BoycottDeliveroo and #LivingWage.
– Sending emails, Tweets (@Deliveroo), Facebook messages to Deliveroo demanding that they
pay their drivers a #LivingWage. Also by calling them on 0203 322 3444.
– Donating to our stike fund to financially support striking workers
(https://www.crowdpac.co.uk/campaigns/47/the-deliveroo-strikers).
We want to create a lively environment on the picket with music etc so get creative!!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! SHARE THIS EVENT AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
NO DRIVERS – NO DELIVEROO!
http://www.classwarparty.org.uk/event/deliveroo-drivers-strike-picket-outside-deliveroo-pentonville/
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Message: 3
For five years, Champaign-Urbana (CU) residents have been battling jail expansion in our
community while supporting community-based alternatives to incarceration. Like the rest of
the nation, the racial disparity in CU is horrific, from school discipline to the criminal
justice system. Although Black people make up 13% of the general population in Champaign
County, Illinois the jail population is around 70% Black. Despite reformist approaches to
addressing systemic anti-Black racism in our County, county officials along with the
sheriff’s office are attempting again to move forward on expanding the satellite jail at a
minimum cost of $15 million through a sales tax referendum. Speaking to the Champaign
County Board on Tuesday, August 9th, local Black organizer/activist, Kadeem Fuller made a
much needed case for the abolition of jails, prisons, and white supremacy. The following
is a transcript of his speech to the county board.
Tonight I sit before the people of Champaign County and declare we have been set up. Once
again members of our local government have attempted to set in motion a project that will
doom the most vulnerable among this county’s population. Once again this county board is
conspiring with oppressors of the people, men with badges, in an attempt to revitalize the
draconian tactics of the War on Crime masked as a simple proposal for a safer Champaign
County. Put simply this County board is attempting to sign a deal against the people of
this county. This ridiculous proposal attempts to justify the construction of a jail
project estimated to be 10 to 15 million dollars. This proposal places the jail project in
Group A which is the highest priority category while interestingly enough places the
creation of a Behavioral Health Services Facility in Group C, which is the lowest priority
level.
Although the proposal also mentions maintenance of the nursing home it is important to
remember that the jail construction project is 65 percent of the entire proposal budget.
This proposal is nothing more than an attempt to sneak a new jail into this county.
In the proposal it states that Group A projects are considered critically important and
there are no other feasible alternative solutions. We have seen time and time again the
results of incarceration. Broken homes and torn relationships, babies growing up without
fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. We have seen within Black communities both locally
and nationally the slaughtering of dreams, both potential and realized. We have no more
room for incarceration, we have no more room for despair. We have no more room for jail
cells where jobs, schools and other resources should be.
Over the last few decades much research has been conducted detailing alternatives for
incarceration: methods ranging from revolutionary restorative justice to reform in policy.
There are several alternatives to incarceration.
In fact, mental health services, similar to the facility this proposal places in Group C,
could indeed be seen as an alternative to incarceration. It is clear this county board do
not concern themselves with alternatives to oppression. In June this county board listened
to several family members of people who died in the Champaign County jail. These family
members suggested a detox center and a pretrial program as alternatives to the harshness
of incarceration, yet neither are mentioned in this new jail proposal. These people came
and shared their hearts, tears and grief to this county board and you all turned your head
to them.
The proposal also stated that this jail project would address concerns of both corrections
staff and community members. My question is how? How can you meet the concerns of both the
oppressed and the oppressor, of both tyranny and resistance, of both a corrupt and
repressive government with the calls of liberation from the people? It simply cannot be done.
I ask you what makes you all think we need a new jail? This county jails takes lives. In
this county Black people represent 13 percent of the population but represent over 60
percent of those in jail. What’s more, from July 1, 2015 to June 2016, 29 deaths were
reported to the Illinois Department of Corrections, with Champaign County placing second
on the list with three.
45-year-old Toya Frazier found dead December 1, 2015 in the Champaign County Jail.
59-year-old Paul Clifton died on Easter Sunday after collapsing in the Champaign County Jail.
48-year-old Veronica Horstead found dead on June 10, 2016 in the Champaign County Jail.
We do not need a new jail.
What we need is justice for the people that have died in custody in the Champaign County
Jail. What we need is the abolition of jails and prisons in this county, state, nation,
and world. What we need is an end to anti-Black racism and white supremacy in this county,
state, nation, and world.
A new jail will not solve the neglect that incarcerated people face in this county. Only
the toppling of prisons and jails can do that. I condemn this heinous attempt for a new
jail and I condemn the people who support it. It will not stand. All power to the people!
Kadeem Fuller is an organizer with Black Lives Matter – Champaign-Urbana and Black
Students for Revolution at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
http://www.blackrosefed.org/dont-need-new-jail-need-abolition/
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