Today's Topics:
1. wsm.ie: Report on National Conference 2017 (it)
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. Czech, afed: Fight for the living! -- Speaker of the AF
member at the Prague meeting of the Charlottesville events
[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. About the attacks in Barcelona. Against hate: Solidarity.
por Apoyo Mutuo (ca) [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. Ruptura Colectiva (RC): Antifascism in Charlottesville: What
are revolutionaries fighting for? by Michael Shraibman
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. Ruptura Colectiva (RC): Self-government and Democratic
Autonomy declared in the city of Shengal in Iraqi Kurdistan
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
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Message: 1
The Workers Solidarity Movement held our national conference in Dublin on the 22nd July.
What follows is a brief report on the day's proceedings. ---- This is direct democracy in
action. If it appeals to you, you might consider finding out more about the WSM and what
we anarchists are up to. ---- (Not on our contact system? Self register here) ---- What is
WSM National Conference? ---- National Conference is the ultimate decision-making body for
WSM members. It happens every six months and takes place over a day or two. We discuss
motions on collective policy, reflect on the past six months of activity and map prospects
for the next period. ---- Conference normally begins with reports of activity from all
branches, officers and working groups. This might cover areas like current campaigns,
publications, education, engagement and administration as well as organising the Dublin
Anarchist Bookfair. We then move on to an open discussion of our perspectives before
discussing amendments to our position papers.
We interrupted National Conference this year in order to take part in an anti-fascist
demonstration outside the Holiday Inn, O'Connell Street.
Reports
The National Secretary reported on activities since the last national conference where the
WSM had an active, organising presence, including Jigsaw, WSM educationals/conversations,
RAMSI solidarity dinners, Working Class Queeroes bloc at Dublin Pride, the Anarchist
Gathering, the Strike4Repeal + Rally4Choice, Dublin Central Housing Action, Derry's first
ever Radical Bookfair and the solidarity vigil for Umut Firat in Turkish prison.
Activities where WSM members participated included Jobstown Not Guilty demos, Mayday 2017,
Lá Dearg, choice demo at rogue ‘pregnancy counselling' clinic, Water Charges April 8th
demo, Bloody Sunday march in Derry, Belfast Anti-Fascist demo, Dublin Women's march,
Apollo House occupation, and Kurdish Solidarity events.
The National Secretary also reported a continued rise in the number of people engaging
with the WSM across all our social media rising to 85,799 in 2017. This represents an
increase of 10,104 followers (or c. 13%) from 2016. This includes Facebook WSM Page (67,
100); Facebook Solidarity Times (9,549); Twitter (7,488); Youtube (797); Mixcloud (865)
The Treasurer reported that the organisation is in a sound financial position. He
acknowledged donations from members, supporters, and ex-members as well as people who
donated money for specific events this year, including the Anarchist Gathering 2017.
After contributions from Dublin and Belfast branch secretaries, there followed a
discussion on ensuring we engage with new contacts directly and in a timely manner.
National Conference acknowledged the great work being done by new WSM members in Belfast
and Kilkenny, participating in local pro-choice and refugee/migrant solidarity campaigns.
Perspectives Discussion
Our perspectives discussion covered a wide range of struggles, hopes and fears. In
particular, we discussed the seriousness of the looming ecological crisis, the absence of
‘degrowth' politics, and the prospects for local struggles and anarchist interventions. We
discussed past WSM involvement in Shell2Sea as a good combination of the community/local
with the activist/national. A further point of discussion was the housing crisis and, more
generally, the crisis of affordability within cities, notably Dublin, insofar as wages are
not keeping up with a rising cost of living. In the past, this has mobilised ‘right to the
city' campaigns. In general, we discussed need for combining abstract/theoretical
propaganda work (the vision) with the need for practical networking/solidarity
actions/organising on the ground (the practice).
Motions
National Conference then moved on to discuss and vote on the motions members had
submitted. Motions concerning the following position papers were discussed:
Motion: Retire 'Fighting Racism' paper
Motion: New WSM anarchism & elections paper
Motion: Amend WSM Code of Conduct
Motion: Amend 'Work and Workplace Organising'
Motion: Amend 'Towards Women's Freedom' position paper
Motion: Amend 'Abortion Rights' position paper
Motion: New 'Patriarchy' & ‘Sex, Gender, and Sexuality' position Papers
Motion: 'Delete WSM Practice' Administration Document
Motion: Amend Point of Unity #4
Motion: Amend 'Relations with Other Left Groups in Ireland'
Motion: New 'The Function of Position Papers'
Motion: New 'Platformism and the WSM' position paper
Motion: New 'State and Democracy' position paper
WSM policy is based on the WSM position papers. The updated set of WSM position papers can
be accessed on the WSM website at http://www.wsm.ie/content/position-papers-wsm.
Elections and Close
Conference then moved on to elections for all national positions and national committees.
No one can hold any of these positions for more than 3 years but in practise positions
tend to be rotated more frequently than this. A new Publications Committee was also elected.
Conference closed with a closing circle where members said how they had found the
conference. This was overwhelmingly positive.
------------------------------
Message: 2
We all agree that what happened in Charlottesville is abhorrent and sad and that it must
not be repeated. But how can it be ensured? Relying on the state and his police would be
short-sighted. The state too often assures us that he and his ombudsmen have no problem
with the Nazis basically secondary to legal but racist and authoritarian policies. Can we
do something about ourselves? ---- It's not a nice answer, but the truth is that we can
not just do something, but we have to. ---- After a Saturday attack, our sister federation
Black Rose published a statement called "Truchleme for the Dead, Fight Like Wondering
Live". Under his name we can sign. But the society will continue to fall into nationalism
and related racism and authoritarianism unless it liberates the liberal myth that fascists
and anti-fascists are just two mutually exuberant groups of extremists, or that even
fascists should be able to promote their views like any other.
Anti-fascism is always a defense. Defending communities, defending the values of humanity,
defending particularly concrete people threatened by racism, sexism, homophobia,
transfobia, or countless other expressions of authoritarian hatred towards life and freedom.
And if we talk about racism and stalking, let's name it with a real name. The time for
euphemisms is over and now, especially after the death of Heather Heyer becomes blatant
hiding old known proto-fascism and hatred for words like patriotism, defense of
traditional values, and so on. For example, yesterday's Czech Facebook obfuscation
"guaranteed nenáckovského" blocks against Islamization and rendering aggressive Nazis in
Charlottesville as victims Antifa activists and African-American speaks for itself!
So we know that we all have to stop the Nazis and their buddies from the populist right.
By their actions, their solidarity and bottom and uncompromising defense of our
communities, defending each other.
Today, we meet not only to keep Heather Heyer's name on our fights, but also to keep it
well from those we are against. We will do everything to keep Heather Heyer's blood in
Charlotesville the beginning of their end.
Not pass!
http://www.afed.cz/text/6737/bojujme-za-zive
------------------------------
Message: 3
We in Apoyo Mutuo (Mutual Aid), a political initiative with aim of social transformation,
want to show our complete solidarity with the victims of the fatality perpetrated in
Barcelona. Hate deaths of innocent civilians in any place of the world will never have
justification. ---- In case of confirmation about jihadist motivations in this attack, we
think is needed to focus in some points, given the struggle against hate and terror are a
duty to any person who wants a world free of this political expressions. ---- 1. Most of
the victims of today impersonated by ISIS' jihadist terrorism, take place on muslim
mayority regions. This religion's supporters are day after day the main target of this
extreme right fascist religious faction. ---- 2. ISIS is an extreme right organization who
seeks to submit people in muslim mayority territories and to grow ethnical hatred where
they are not a mayority. On the other hand, hate against muslim world from Occident do
nothing but feed this idea and help them spread it. We cannot let hatred spread in our
communities. Do not let them get away whit it.
3. ISIS did not come out from nowhere, it is the result of decades of military
interventionism from West in the East. ISIS' political expectrum was promoted by US and
their allies in eastern countries to face Soviet influence in the context of Cold War.
Nowadays, this current between Wahabism and Salafism is encouraged and supported by great
allies in West countries as well as in Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Turkey, who invest huge
amounts of money in funding this ideology. We must cut relations with those countries who
promote hatred.
4. Fear and terror has been lived today in Barcelona is what thousands of refugees are
running off when they risk their lives by precariously crossing the Mediterranean Sea. To
welcome terrorism victims is a duty for all democrats. Let's not forget ISIS has already
devastated most of Syria, Iraq and other African zones such as Sahel.
5. Best way to fight against Islamic extreme right from social movements is to generate
inclusive intercultural communities. The generation of separate communities in ghettos
only increases distances and incomprehension amongst cultures. Living together in
democratic frameworks is the best brake on the generation of excluded population seeking
refuge in ideologies of hate.
6. It is urgent to develop an internationalist popular movement in support of muslim
communities threaten by wahabism, secular movements in Middle East and political movements
who seek a way out the conflict through respect, equality and democratic values. Among
this movements, is the Kurdish People - who has pushed back ISIS army through the armed
struggle - the one who has developed in a higher grade a multiethnic, respectful and
democratic social system which is embodied in the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.
Barcelona will always be the Rosa de Foc (Rose of Fire), the rebellious and anti-fascist
resistance city. The ghost of European fascism is raising its ugly face once again in the
shape of Islamic Fascism. In memory of the victims, today as yesterday: They shall not pass!
https://apoyomutuo.net/about-the-attacks-in-barcelona-against-hate-solidarity/
------------------------------
Message: 4
By listening two representatives of the antifascist movement on the American channel Fox
News, I heard the following: "anti-fascists attacked the right wing in Charlotsville
because anti-fascists are ‘against Haight-speech, freedom of speech is not for those who
spread hatred". Also, they said that antifa unite different people: there are not only
anarchists among them. Also the following thing: in the reports of the various teams they
constantly emphasized that American anti-fascists unite "anarchists, socialists and
Communists (Leninists)". In this regard, I have few small comments. ---- Anarchism,
communitarian self-government and anti-fascism ---- Anti-fascist movement was formed as an
Alliance of all or many of the opponents of fascism in the so-called Era of Fascism (if we
use the definition of the famous German historian Ernst Nolte), in 1930-1945 years of the
20th century. This movement suffered a crushing defeat in Spain, before reaching the goal.
Moreover, anarchist self-governing communes in Aragón and self-managing factory in
Barcelona was captured by anti-fascist Republican government, which United the social
Democrats and Stalinists. Thousands of anarchists and activists, members of the commune
movement were arrested or shot. Anarchists somehow decided at that time that for the sake
of anti-fascism to abandon resistance to the left state (Republic). In the end anarchists
suffered a heavy defeat from the blows of anti-fascists that destroyed the self-management
of factories and local communities. And then, the Republic still lost the war to the fascists.
We can discuss to infinity how could anarchists act (it is highly likely that the
coalition with left-wing parties and the Republic (the enemies of the anarchists) was
required for tactical purposes, but it was necessary to prevent the arrival of the
left-partys' troops to the anarchist areas, like the Kurds (PYD), periodically entering
into a coalition with Assad but not allowed on its territory troops and officials of Assad
out of 2 small areas). In any case, historical experience of anti-fascism proved to be
very bad for anarchists and for the social revolution in Spain.
Anarchists received from those who mistakenly believed as "friends" shocks in the back.
Self-management in Barcelona and Aragon and the anarchist revolution in Spain became a
victim of anti-fascism.
What are anarchists fighting for?
The main point of activity of the anarchists is the transformation of society. So, the
attempts to initiate the establishment of an Autonomous self-governing territorial
communes (libertarian communalism) and direct action of workers at the place of work
(revolutionary anarcho-syndicalism or councils).
Today, revolutionary syndicalism is missing: all attempts of the anarchists to create such
structures ended with the transition to civilian pacifist legalists trade Union's
activities, collective agreement with the business and governmental mediation committees
and state courts.
Communitarian system, however, work in Mexico (Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Chiapas), in
some areas of Syria (Arabic, Kurdish). In addition, similar initiatives exist in Greece,
France and some other countries. Everything else can be at best only as supplement and
complement to this kind of real work for the radical transformation of society.
If now the right-wing threaten to libertarian communes in United States, the logic of the
anarchists would have been absolutely clear: they need fight against right-wing with goal
to expand the boundaries of libertarian communitarian influence. But, as far as I know
libertarian communes almoust does not exist in USA. Then, why do you unleash street war
with a powerful enemy? (And why this war is initiated with a right-wing, but not with a
supporters of Hillary Clinton, for example?). In Russian it is called "put the cart before
the horse".
Street war
American militia are armed, have tens of thousands of people. Among them and among the
American right-wing, there are many those who can use arms. You have to be very stupid to
think that if you're getting into a fight with fist or stick, you wood get answer only
with a fist or stick. The opponent may reply with a pistol shot or deadly attack of the
car (it happened). No one ever agreed on the rules of Boxing. If no such arrangements, we
should not be surprised when the fight turns into a massacre. Therefore, I ask: "Are you
really sure you want war right now?"
American right-wings is not so strong to unleash big street war, they are pretty marginal
and they are under the scrutiny of the security services of the government. But at the
same time they are armed and may be dangerous. But if the anarchists, together with the
Leninists, want to start a war with the right wing it can happen. Are you sure you want it
now? Because no one promised you "a fair fight".
Hate-speech
Some American leftists and part of the anarchists believe that they have the right to use
violence to muzzle opponents. I don't feel sorry for white supremacists. But on the other
hand I want to ask: what else do American leftists think as "Hate-speech"?
American leftis infinitely expand the concept of "fascism, nazism and racism". They often
call as "fascists" everyone who disagrees with them... including each other.
I saw many did not adequately respond to the discussion, for example, such as debates
about "black racism". If you only speak of it, for example about the Nation of Islam, many
of the leftists immediately respond with insults and call you "nazi".
Finally, I have suffered in this environment from insults on a national basis. For example
I was told: "Shut up white Jew!". And none of them stopped the anti-Semites. I want to add
that I have a negative attitude to the state of Israel and Zionism, and anti-Semitic
insults were caused not by discussing the issue of Israel. No, it's just part of the
American left wing considers acceptable to offend Jews with white skin.
Finally, explain to me one thing. Those who cooperated with the Leninists, Stalinists,
Maoists, those who carry on the demonstration flags of the USSR, at the same time talking
about the ban of "hate speech". But what is the flag of Soviet Union at the demonstration
of anti-fascists? Isn't it a symbol of hatred and repressions?
Conclusion
I don't think the war with the right wing is a good point todey. Would be better if the
anarchists are engaged in initiatives related to the development of autonomy of local
communities (or workers councils if it is possible). There is the place to use many skills
and aspirations.
http://rupturacolectiva.com/antifascism-in-charlottesville-what-are-revolutionaries-fighting-for/
------------------------------
Message: 5
Trad. Newroz Euskal Kurdu Elkartea ---- The Co-Chairs of the Shengal Autonomous Democratic
Assembly, Co-Chairs of the Democratic Administration Board and other officials held a
press conference to declare the Democratic Empowerment project of Êzidîxan. The statement
was read in Kurdish and Arabic. ---- "We, the Yezidí people, belong to the oldest culture
and faith in history. Due to our beliefs, we have suffered repeated genocides, forced
displacements and we have been the subject of all sorts of suffering throughout our
history. The Yezidí faith, the oldest in humanity and the Middle East, has been the victim
of genocide massacres perpetrated by fanatical religious governments and intolerant
societies throughout history. As a result of these massacres, as the people of Kurdistan
and Mesopotamia we have reached the threshold of extinction. Hundreds of thousands of
people had to emigrate to Armenia, Russia and Europe. We have managed to reach the 21st
century with a community reduced to a few hundred thousand established around Welatesex
and Shengal.
It is shameful that in the XXI century, considering the universal values such as
democracy, equality and freedom, massacres such as the one perpetrated by ISIS. The ISIS
fascist gangs have become a menace to humanity. The inhuman and brutal attack on our
society on August 3, 2014, which we defined as the 73rd massacre, was one of the most
tragic and painful experiences of our people. This massacre has produced sequels that will
be difficult to overcome.
Thousands of Yezidis were abducted during the attacks, mainly women and children. Hundreds
of thousands had to flee from their holy land Êzidîxan and are scattered all over the
world. Although these massacres were predictable neither the state of Iraq nor the
Kurdistan Regional Government of Bashur took due precautions. Due to the lack of
self-government and the limited self-defense force of the Yezidis, ISIS managed to invade
the villages and reach Shengal in a short space of time during their attack on August 3,
2014. Shengal's military forces could not stop The onslaught of the ISIS and hundreds of
thousands of people were left at the mercy of the genocidal attack. As in previous attacks
on our people, women, children, elders and young people fled to the mountains of Shengal,
barefoot, Without food or water. It was the most difficult time for our people, but 12 PKK
guerrillas formed a human shield to protect us from ISIS assassins. Also guerrillas and
guerrillas from the YRG / YPJ Rojava defense forces rushed to open a humanitarian corridor
that made it possible to rescue our people from a mass slaughter and genocide.
Most of the Yezidis who survived the attack settled in camps in Rojava, Bashur and Bakur,
while between 15,000 and 20,000 people stayed on Mount Shengal, so young and old continued
their lives under harsh circumstances. In the face of the ISIS threat, thousands of
families insisted on staying and continuing their lives in Shengal amid challenging winter
conditions, which was a great example of resistance to the history of our people. This
determination was written in history for a struggle of our people to continue their existence.
The Shengal YBS Self-Defense Forces and the HPG guerrillas did not allow ISIS gangs to set
foot on Mount Shengal and released several settlements around the hill. Our self-defense
forces and the guerrillas played a key role in the liberation of the city in the fall of
2015. Thus we realized that achieving autonomy on the basis of self-defense and developing
a free and democratic life is a guarantee not to face More massacres. Developing our own
organization was a fundamental right. We firmly believe that the powers that did not
fulfill their responsibility to the Yezidis are trying to prevent us from using this right
to impose their hegemony on our territory.
For us as Yezidíes, the 3 of August of 2014 marked a milestone in our history. Our people
do not want to entrust our existence to the compassion of other powers and we want to
achieve a democratic and autonomous life. For this reason we constitute an assembly and in
it we declare our will to increase our resistance and liberate our lands. Likewise we will
encourage the return of the displaced, we will advance in our self-defense and
self-government system, making Shengal a new source of life and hope.
Only two and a half years have we succeeded in establishing institutions and organizations
that have paid off despite all the challenges, from educational centers to schools, field
assemblies, municipal assemblies, health services, and security. The Reconstruction
Assembly re-created a new living space in Shengal despite all the obstacles. But not only
did it benefit the Yezidí people who remained in Shengal, but also for all those who were
forced to emigrate and now see an opportunity to return. So far, the Assembly has
fulfilled its function of meeting the basic needs of the population, building popular
institutions and defending the people with their defense forces.
ROUTE SHEET AND BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMY
1. The establishment of the Êzidîxan Autonomy Commission under the supervision of the UN
and the inclusion in this Commission of representatives of the regional governments of
Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government, the PKK and the Syrian Democratic Federation of
Northern. Under supervision To establish the People's Assembly of Êzidîxan and to involve
the representatives of the entire Yezidí community, Yezidí religious officials, women's
and youth organizations and different religious communities and other religious groups
living within our borders. The operation of this Assembly will be that of Constituent
Assembly.
2. Unify the YBS military forces of several Yezidean communities under joint command and
the formation of the self-defense force of Êzidîxan affiliated to the People's Assembly of
Êzidîxan.
3. The administration of the police forces and assault by the "destaya rêvebir" and the
"destaya parastín" will be carried out under the Assembly of Êzidîxan.
4. Establish a Diplomatic Committee affiliated with the Executive Council to work on
establishing relations with Iraqi and Kurdish governments, foreign states, international
institutions and organizations and political parties interested in participating in the
project of a free and democratic life based on autonomy Democratic society of Êzidîxan.
5. Establishment of executive councils to work in the areas of health, education, culture,
economy, trade and justice within the Assembly of Êzidîxan, and supervision of these works
by assemblies that will be formed solely by staff involved.
6. The press will be organized independently on the basis of the democratic principles of
Êzidîxan and the values of society. Problems related to the press will be solved through
press institutions or assemblies composed of press workers. Êzidîxan allocates a specific
budget on an annual basis.
7. Each town and city shall be administered by Local Assemblies, a part of the Assembly
shall be composed of elected representatives in general elections and shall maintain
quotas that guarantee equality and another part of the Assembly shall be made up of
representatives elected by democratic institutions. In the Assemblies decisions will be
made that concern the city but not for all Êzidîxan. The executive councils will manage
the works relating to the cities and towns in question.
8. It will be constitutive of crime to put pressure on the opinion and political
organization in the Assemblies and Executive Councils. All political views will be freely
organized.
9. In each work area a differentiated organization of women will be ensured, women's
specific issues will be decided by women's organizations themselves and women's councils.
10. In all municipalities and communes there will be a minimum quota of 40% for women. The
youth representation fee will be a minimum of 15%.
11. Religious representatives and scholars will have a sufficient representation quota and
will reach the Council through a predetermined electoral system.
12. The People's Council of zzidîxan once acting as a Consituent Assembly will be renewed
in accordance with the elections held in line with the electoral law.
13. Both the government of Ezidixan and councilors and city councils will be elected by
65% of the general vote and 35% by democratically elected representatives.
14. The democratic autonomy to be created will relate to the central Iraqi government and
the Kurdistan Regional Government. These relations will be determined by the negotiations
that the commission of autonomy maintains with those powers. If there is no agreement in
the negotiations, a democratic referendum will determine whether Ezidixan is under the
central Iraqi government or under the Bashur Federation, or a third option.
15. After determining the autonomous structure of Ezidixan with the relevant governments,
the democratic autonomy created will be compatible with the Iraqi Federation and Kurdistan
of Bashur to avoid conflicts in the political and social terrain, without this altering
the core of autonomy.
16. In matters not directly related to Êzidîxan and in matters directly related to Iraq in
general such as defense and diplomacy, Êzidîxan will act in accordance with the Iraqi and
Bashur constitutions and laws. But in the foreign embassies will be designated a Yezidí
cultural aggregate for the promotion of Yezidí culture and life.
17. The Êzidîxan Automomy will be included in the Iraqi Constitution and in the laws of
Bashur, under the principles mentioned above.
18. The Yezidí people are the legacy of history for humanity. The autonomy of Êzidîxan
should not only be guaranteed by the Iraqi constitution, but must be assured by the UN.
The Commission of Autonomy of zzidîxan under the supervision of the UN will continue its
existence until democratic autonomy is accepted and put into practice.
19. In the process of autonomic construction, no defense force should enter beyond the
existing one. Under the above, all military forces not under the Council of Êzidîxan must
withdraw.
20. We demand the recognition of the 73rd massacre against the Yezidis as genocide in the
international arena. To this end, the Commission of Autonomy, under the supervision of the
UN, will complete its corresponding responsibilities.
21. To found an Independent Court in Shengal that of judgment and punishment to the towns
that played a role of support to the yezidí genocide.
22. Support for the Êzidîxan autonomy commission in the protocol that will be signed
between Iraqis, Turkmen and Christians in the European Parliament on October 26, 2017. "
http://rupturacolectiva.com/se-declara-el-autogobierno-y-la-autonomia-democratica-en-la-ciudad-de-shengal-en-el-kurdistan-iraqui/
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