Today's Topics:
1. [Greece] Anarchist Federation called for a demonstration at
the International Fair of Thessalonica By ANA (gr, pt) [machine
translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. France, Alternative Libertaire AL n° special - Leroy Merlin
DIY Grand capitalist in the Tarn (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. Britain, 2016 London Anarchist Bookfair (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. Britain, solfed bristol: How we win, not just what we win
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. ag amsterdam: Does Democracy Bring Freedom?
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
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Message: 1
On September 10, 2016 will be inaugurated in Thessalonica more International Fair.
Another show that has the whole package: Pavilions-monuments of consumerism, concerts with
well-heeled singers supposedly popular, and of course with the country's Prime Minister
inaugurating the fair with statements about "the future of the economy." ---- Since 2012
, the year the country joined the International Monetary Fund, to date, all prime
ministers who "took it upon themselves to rescue (save) the country" announce (at the
show) the new measures, new cuts, always promising the coveted "development". ---- For our
class this year was a year of retrogression. The offensive has not received made her
return to "earlier centuries" or "medieval", but it marked the image of their future. This
is the future of the offensive on all sides of the state and capital to work, social
security, social liberties, the environment and social goods. After the cuts in wages,
pensions and all benefits, rising prices on basic necessities, come to change the law on
social security (that is, the elimination of social security) and the auction houses that
S & atild and, the first residences for those who inhabit them.
At the same time, humanitarian declarations of Syriza on the migration issue soon turned
out to be in full compliance with the orders of the European Union on this issue. Came
from all sides "hospitality settlements" to congest inside immigrants that the Greek State
could not throw overboard, entered into force the pact of shame (even by the standards of
bourgeois democracy) between the European Union and Turkey, began the arrests of
solidarity that for months offered their services in detention centers, the Idomeni the
detention center was evac uado by so-called riot forces, and the concentration camps for
immigrants and refugees (who never closed completely) are already filling. The immigrants
and the most underestimated part of our class were piled up in warehouses, tents and
prisons (as is due, according to the Sovereignty), waiting to become the docile human
potential of civilized Europe. This is a human potential whose alternatives are
nonexistent, whose resistance will be crushed, and the value of whose life is non-existent.
In this context, every power that has concerned himself does the same: On the one hand
deprives (strip) freedoms and "rights" in the past served its perpetuation, and on the
other hand intensifies repression. In one night dislodges three ceiling squatters for
natives and immigrants, and turns a blind eye whenever their uniformed guards trample the
"democratic rights". They are the same guards who until yesterday called to disarm and "to
democratize". What happens if an Albanian prisoner was found dead ( August 3, 2016 ), or
if two political prisoners were tortured after their intention ( August 5, 2016 )? Not
even made mention of an administrative investigation (which, obviously, would be comical).
In this surrounding desert the streets remain empty (without filling). The "popular anger"
that some expected, follows without expresar up. The last few years have been relatively
quiet for the ruling classes, without agitation and without significant resistance. The
responsibility on our part (ie, those who think of revolutionary rupture with the
existing) are important. Our organizational and political weaknesses led us to disability
to transmit sufficiently convincing message break, and reveal the reformist swindle. In a
few months it was revealed the discrepancy between the false illusion expressed by
Syriza's program (and every such social democratic program, which promotes the
continuation of capitalist barbarism "with a human face") and the reality of modern
capitalism. The failure (to carry out this program) conforms the only truth that can arise
from real data: In the global capitalist crisis there are two ways: The acceptance of the
conditions of modern totalitarianism, and social revolution. There is no other way.
After two years of dialogue, it was created the Anarchist Federation in November 2015 .
For all and all and we participate in it, it was an attempt to improve the organization we
thought he needed the anarchist framework. It is a collective coordination, determination
and coexistence, which may have a field (space) most action he might have each of us
individually. We never believe that the Federation could constitute itself a collective
sufficient for the building of the revolutionary movement. We tried, and we trying to act
in public m with comrades who have some similar views, not necessarily common.
Today a new revolutionary pole must face up to the onslaught of market totalitarianism and
desorientativas the social democracies of all kinds political (parliamentary and
extra-parliamentary). (It will be) a broad movement which will focus on the goal of a
state output, on the basis of libertarian communism, communalism and emancipated human
labor. Our job is to strive to the fullest to create a social front and class, to untie a
constant attack along with the working class and all the oppressed, building a large
community of solidarity and mutual aid, which will be the forerunner of a new society.
For us, the attempt of the formation of an anarchist federation, a political institution
and horizontal organizational connection to materialize a libertarian and anarchist
program is a decisive step. The political and organizational improvement of the anarchist
current is a key milestone in the path (process) the creation of conditions of subversion.
We are aware that only the oppressed themselves can break their chains. No political
organization, whatever its political title, can not undertake this task on your behalf.
The goal of our project (tentative) organizational is not seize power, but to destroy the
foundations of all the power of buildings, mounting barricades plans of all state managers.
We tried, and we trying daily to form a political group that even more critical and
strengthen the resistance, which contributes to the connection of the struggles, and the
join, directing them to the path of social revolution. We made clear that we are present
in the class war that is in progress, united against statism and reformism, learning from
the lessons of the past and the legacy of historical anarchism, wanting to contribute
everything possible with the materialization of the anarchist-communist program. Faced
with the fragmentation, we propose the organization and struggle to get out of the
monster's belly, and to contemplate the light of social emancipation.
Because modern totalitarianism die crossed by the lances of the slaves ...
Collectivization drive, attack.
March in Thessaloniki International Fair 2016: Saturday, September 10 , at 17h, in Kamara.
Anarchist Federation
The Greek text:
https://athens.indymedia.org/post/1562575/
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Message: 2
With new as useless project the construction of a building materials store, the town of
Albi always goes further its metropolitan referred to development logic. ---- After the
UNESCO classification of the Episcopal city, the construction of a convention center,
theater and building requalification of the national stage from Albi multiplex cinema
underground parking for € 60 million, the city of Albi wants its Leroy Merlin. On the
program: immediate concreting 9 hectares of farmland, jobs created, enhancing the
attractiveness of the city and destruction of the eighteenth century farm. The
implementation of store would overload an axis already considered by city officials as a
black dot. It also would impact the living environment of a nursing home nearby. Let us
dwell on the point concreting and destruction. Land and building owned by the hospital in
a dire financial situation. The farm from a legacy made in 1925 which provided that half
of the products of a possible sale would return to the hospital and the other to religious
charities. It was decided that the money raised back to 1.4 million euros in the hospital
and the rest of the communal social action center.
The sale to a local developer certainly would offset some of the debt of 3.1 million
euros, but the problem is that the tenant of the land, Auchan, tax optimization practice
to the point of pay one euro tax. So money fled into the pockets of the Mulliez family,
without returning enrich the state and its communities.
Jobs lost in other stores
Incidentally, food self-sufficiency of the city and heritage protection built into
workhorses of the town takes a little bit. According to the municipality, the land would
lie fallow even exploit the farmer and the farm in poor condition and "squatted" while the
hospital has invested in 1990 nearly 500 000 euros in its total renovation, the farm is
far announced the bad state. Anyway it does not matter it will create jobs and attract
good customers to 80 km radius. That's not counting all the jobs lost in other DIY stores
in the catchment area and the transfer of employees to Weldom teaches the same group,
located 500 meters away.
To top it all, the project was, according to local leaders, subject to public inquiry at
the local town planning changes in 2010 and 2013 and at public meetings where the project
background has as usual been question. Thus in 2015, residents have learned with surprise
that Leroy Merlin would move. Six of them have sued the demolition permit and develop and
saw an appeal for abuse of process fall on them. Indeed, Aadur (Association of Opponents)
could not litigate because of its statutes. In short, a fine example of participatory
democracy in the Albigensian sauce.
Paul (AL Tarn)
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Leroy-Merlin-Grand-bricolage
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Message: 3
This year's London Anarchist Bookfair will be on Saturday 29th October from 10am to 7pm.
---- Venue: Park View School -- West Green Road, London, N15 3QR ---- To book a stall or
meeting go to the bookings page. ---- What is anarchism? ---- Like all really good ideas,
anarchy is pretty simple when you get down to it. Human beings are at their very best when
they are living free of authority, deciding things among themselves, rather than being
ordered about. That's what the word means: without government. Read on... ---- Anarchism
and the bookfair ---- Bookfairs provide a space where like-minded people can come together
to re-affirm old friendships, make new ones, discuss all things anarchist and
anticapitalist and start planning the future revolution. They're also one of the public
faces of anarchism. Anyone unfamiliar with the ideas or wanting to know more about the
politics can come along, look through books, sit in or get involved in meetings, workshops
and discussions or just chat to the groups and organisations having stalls there.
It is also a space where we counter the rubbish talked about anarchism by sections of the
media and our opponents. Bookfairs are one small element of making anarchism a threat to
the present political system.
We need people to help us publicise the event to every nook and cranny in London. If you
are new to anarchism, check out the pages websites and bookfairs. There are links to
anarchist and campaigning groups around the country and anarchist bookfairs throughout the
world.
Access issues
If you have any access requirements, please let us know so we can try and meet your needs.
If you are Deaf and require BSL interpreting and/or speech-to-text provision, please give
us as much notice as possible and we will do our best to organise these. To discuss any
specific access needs, please contact us at access at anarchistbookfair.org.uk.
Dogs
To make the bookfair a safe environment for children and adults alike, we ask people do
not bring dogs to the event, except guide dogs. Thanks.
Cameras
Please don't take photographs: it's not necessary and it can annoy or worry some people.
See a map of the venue and surrounding area.
Directions to venue
From Seven Sisters
Come out of tube and walk down West Green Road. Either get 41 bus down the road to Philip
Lane stop (3 stops) or walk along West Green Road (15 minutes).
From Turnpike Lane
Come out of tube and get 41 or 230 bus from stop outside the florists towards West Green
Road (4 stops) and get off after KK McCools pub. Or 67 bus from same stop but get off
before mini roundabout (again 4 stops) and walk along West Green Road a couple of hundred
yards. Or walk from tube along West Green Road (15 minutes)
From Manor House
341 bus (towards Turnpike Lane). It's about 9 or 10 stops.
Or overground to Seven Sister and then get bus or walk.
Look for the Anarchist Bookfair banners on the blue metal fence outside the venue.
http://anarchistbookfair.org.uk/
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Message: 4
I've not got much experience of organising, and I work in an industry where it's rare for
people to be unionised (IT). But I did win some small victories at my last workplace
(mostly thanks to SolFed's workplace organiser training) and like they say, the best way
to learn is by trying! This is a report on two of those victories - blocking an attempt to
give us unpaid overtime, and improving health and safety. Things were easier because we
were all on permanent contracts and couldn't be replaced quickly, but harder because
no-one else had much knowledge of unions or organising and because we worked in a small
open-plan office where it was hard to talk without the boss overhearing. ---- My first
issue came up just after I'd finished the probationary period of my contract, which I'd
kept my head down for. The company was trying to squeeze more work out of us - already
they'd had us all stay till 9pm one night unpaid to meet a deadline (we're meant to finish
at 5), and now they were getting us to do one "working lunch" a week. I felt this was the
thin end of the wedge, seen as unpaid overtime is an industry-wide problem, so we'd better
fight it or it would all be downhill from here. I complained about it to people when we
were talking in groups at lunch and on breaks, but no-one else would say anything,
probably because they were worried about getting overheard or else maybe they just hadn't
thought about it before as something that could be challenged (like I said, unpaid work is
endemic in IT).
Anyway I changed tactics and instead started talking to people one-on-one. This was much
more successful and each person I spoke to agreed that something should be done. One even
agreed to help get people on side. So between us we had the whole team covered by the time
of the next unpaid meeting, and I was trying to work out the best way to get everyone
together to talk about it and make a plan. However, in the end I didn't have to! At the
start of the meeting one of the people I'd talked to spoke up, saying that a few of us
aren't happy with management taking our lunch break, and that other people here might have
something to say about it too. Without any more prompting we then went around the table,
each person saying why they were unhappy with it. Faced with every other person in the
room against him our manager had to give in, and agreed to no more compulsory working
lunches right there on the spot. The best part is that since everyone spoke, there was no
ring leader for him to pick out to bargain with or punish. In the following two years I
worked for them the company never once held a compulsory meeting outside working hours
again. So I'm definitely glad we fought them on this. It fits with an experience our local
has had before - that even without direct action just grassroots organising alone can be
enough to scare bosses and managers into giving in.
Following this win, I asked people in my SF local for ideas about what to do next. We
settled on organising around health and safety, since the company was clearly not
following the law on several issues. Now I could have just gone to the boss myself, quoted
the regulations at him, and maybe got a few things changed that way. But this wouldn't
have helped build any workplace organisation, and would have got me noticed as a
troublemaker. After all it's important how we win, not just what we win, right? So I
decided to start off by trying a bit of direct action. I'd been asked to put together a
list of equipment the company would need to order for some new people who were starting.
As well as doing the list as normal I went round the team I worked in taking orders for
things to improve health and safety and suggesting some myself - like wrist rests,
ergonomic keyboards, footrests, stuff like that. I just tacked these orders onto the end
of my list, marking them something like "safety equipment". Now to be honest I'd expected
to have to answer some questions on this, but no one said anything and the equipment was
all delivered! The office manager who processed the order was also meant to be responsible
for Health and Safety, so maybe she thought it was better for her to just go along with
it? For whatever reason, it worked. Afterwards I did mysteriously get that task taken off
my hands because I was "too good at programming to spend time putting orders together".
But it set expectations high enough that the manager ended up doing the same thing in
future anyway. I think it also got me people's respect, and some of them started joking
that I was their union rep (we had no recognised union), so overall I'd say it worked well.
In the end, for one reason or another, organising stopped there and I never managed to get
together anything permanent like meetings outside of work, getting people to join a
mainstream union, or anything like that. Part of the problem was that I didn't want to be
the only one taking initiative so I concentrated on individuals, tying to find at least
one other person to do the organising with me. The first person I tried to enlist was
promising and I had lots of discussions with him, but he was so unhappy with his job that
he ended up quitting instead of organising. The second I tried to recruit agreed with me a
lot politically and we had many, many good conversations. In the end though he wasn't
interested in actually doing much more than talking (even though his job was was clearly
too stressful and eventually made him ill). I think a lesson from this is that the most
disaffected and the most "political" people often aren't the best to organise with. The
other lesson is not to wait for the "right conditions" before organising or acting. As I
hope my two examples showed, it's possible to permanently make things better at work and
to do this in a syndicalist way, even at workplaces where it's not even usual for people
to be in a mainstream union.
If you're interested in organising your own workplace like this, get in touch with Bristol
SolFed. As well as holding organiser trainings we have a lot of experience and can give
you advice on how to apply it to your own situation. We are also members of an
international active in 18 countries, who we can call on for support
http://www.solfed.org.uk/bristol/how-we-win-not-just-what-we-win
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Message: 5
Dramatic imbalances in economic and political power have driven people into the streets.
These are structural features dating back to the origins of democracy itself; they appear
in practically every example of democratic government. Representative democracy preserved
all the bureaucratic apparatus that was originally invented to serve kings; direct
democracy tends to recreate it on a smaller scale, even outside the formal structures of
the state. Democracy is not the same as self-determination. ---- Rather than championing
democratic procedures as an end in themselves, then, let's return to the value that drew
us to democracy in the first place: an urge for freedom. If democracy is not the most
effective way to actualize this urge, what is? We need a framework that can fulfill the
promises democracy has betrayed. Can anarchists provide helpful ideas on these matters?
A CrimethInc. comrade will examine this subject together with the audience at meetings in
several towns. We will debate what it would mean to seek freedom directly rather than
through democratic rule.
This evening will also see the presentation of the Dutch translation of: "To Change
Everything".
A night with American anarchist publishing collective CrimeThinc.
Wensday 14 september at 20:00
In the MKZ, adres: Eerste Schinkelstraat 16 Amsterdam
http://www.agamsterdam.org/does-democracy-bring-freedom/
