Anarchic update news all over the world - 23.04.2019

Today's Topics:

   
1.  France, Alternative Libertaire AL #293 - 1788: The stolen
      generations of colonial Australia (fr, it, pt)[machine
      translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
2.  France, Alternative Libertaire AL release - Our Lady of
      Paris: A roof is a right ? (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
3.  Germany, Overview events in April - The Plattform
      Anarchokommunistische Organisation (de) [machine translation]
      (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
4.  cnt catalunya: Joint communiqué CNT-AIT Catalunya and
      CNT-AIT (ca) [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
5.  London Anarchist Communists ACG Film Show on July 11th --
      Rebellion in Patagonia- Film show followed by discussion
      (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
6.  London Anarchist Federation: Reading group #12 anarchist
      organising part 2 (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
   
7.  Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group: The Anvil Vol 8 No 2,
      WOMEN'S ORGANISING (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)


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Message: 1





The southern continent is inhabited since 60 000 to 130 000 years, by some 400 singular 
tribes. For English imperialism, Australia is " nobody's land ". For the aborigines she is 
their family, their bones, their skin, their veins. The spiritual link, carnal to the 
ground being inaudible to the " white guys ", it is on the historical ground that the " 
black guys " had to move the terms of their struggles, and to assert their rights on their 
own ground. ---- " You will strive by all possible means to establish relations with the 
natives, and win their affection, enjoining all our subjects to live in friendship and 
kindness towards them. And if it happens that our subjects destroy them by blind violence, 
or come to interrupt without necessity their occupations, that you punish these offenders 
at the height of the offense. With these words, in April 1787, Arthur Philip, governor of 
New South Wales, instructed the " subjects " of the British Crown established in Australia 
to treat the Aboriginal people well, thus marking a momentous impulse. generosity almost 
unique for two centuries.

Terra nullius
Two years later, again in April, England gave aborigines smallpox. Spreading from Port 
Jackson (Sydney), she reached the southern territories, then the other " frontiers " of 
exploration of the continent.

But the official date of the annexation of the island-continent to the Crown is January 
27, 1788, which corresponds to the initial mandate given to the 1st Fleet under the orders 
of A. Philip: establish a penal colony as a bridgehead for occupation and exploration of 
the country. In 1788, the sources estimate the aboriginal population at 750,000 to 1.6 
million people. In 1930, the Australian government evoked the possibility of extinction, 
with some 50,000 aborigines still alive.

The " founding " myths are often lies that excuse or annihilate a first massacre, an 
original spoliation, an ignominy thought necessary for the peace of conscience of 
subsequent generations.

The Australian story is based on the lie of a " land to person ", a terra nullius in the 
words of Cook, who made the first English scouting of Australia in 1770. He does not 
affirm that it is uninhabited , as will the Zionists in Palestine another criminal 
founding myth. He describes, as many other politicians do after him, that aboriginal 
people have no sense of ownership and that it is therefore perfectly legitimate for 
settlers, miners and thirsty cattle farmers in a country where the water resource is 
fragile, settle wherever they please.

In 1788, the aborigines were 750,000 to 1.6 million. In 1930, they were only 50,000.
In his diary, Watkin Tench, officer of the First Fleet, notes: " It does not seem that 
these poor creatures have a fixed dwelling, sleeping sometimes in a cave ... sometimes in 
a miserable shelter[...]. There is nothing to indicate that these huts form their 
permanent habitat[...]some seem completely deserted and it seems quite obvious that their 
habitats ... are shared by different tribes. » [1]

The idea that aboriginals had no concept of property and that hunting them from one place 
to another would not make them unhappy is absolutely wrong. In fact, the territorial roots 
of an aboriginal group in a specific place was, and remains, the basis of a social system 
where the aborigines themselves as guardians and guarantors of the place, since the 
beginning of time. Rituals and daily or occasional actions aim to maintain the spirit of 
the place, its power, its very existence: it is a carnal extension of the human group to 
which the ancestors and spirits of the Dreamtime [2]entrusted it. Gradually, from group to 
group, it is the country that is well meshed myths, rituals, songs that intersect and 
relate, as far as the people who live there, oppose or combine , according to precise and 
complex rules of law, passage and use of the territory. If, indeed, the concept of 
property is unfit to explain the link to the land, that of sacred responsibility against 
it is just, just like the intelligence of the right, very acute. So, every time the 
aborigines were torn from their territories, the settlers killed the crops as surely as 
their diseases and their alcohol killed the bodies.

Racist Foundations of Australia
But the English " invasion " is not without resistance. Aborigines will not cease 
incessant guerrilla warfare until the middle of the 19 th century. The forces involved 
are, however, disproportionate and firearms, as much as the number, and especially the 
disease, will quickly crush propellant lances and throwing sticks. And then, it is 
morally, psychologically attacking their vision of the world, their spirit, that here, as 
in Africa or the Americas, the colonial power will seek to destroy the aborigines.

In 1838, the government of New South Wales [3]named an " Aboriginal Protector ". On paper, 
its role is to preserve them from the injustices and encroachments of the settlers. In 
reality, this is the first step of a policy that is not only paternalistic, but also 
authentic ethnic cleansing. Reserves comparable to those of the United States are set up, 
where the populations are displaced without regard to languages, tribes or territory of 
origin. The Aborigines Protection Act (1886) [4]regulates marriage, displacement and 
employment of the aboriginal population. A first " decree of the half-bloods "Removes them 
from their families in a dynamic of forced assimilation, supposed to lead to the" natural 
" closure of the reserves, once the aboriginal blood has been completely diluted in that 
of the white population. A politician will say a few years later: " It is our duty not to 
let these children, whose blood is half British, become vagrants and rejected as are their 
mothers. A good number of blacks and half-breeds are absolutely useless and live in 
idleness and prostitution ... If they were removed from their environment of temptations, 
it would come out only good ... It may seem cruel to remove an aboriginal child to his 
mother, but in some cases it is necessary to be cruel to be good. "[5]

The stolen generation
Eugenics, lynchings, racial politics, sexual exploitation, unilateral laws, paternalism, 
militant puritanism, massacres of tribes who remained " savage ": the entire colonial 
repressive apparatus was summoned to " convert the half-breed into a white citizen " 
(Cecil Cook, protector aborigines of the Northern Territory). At this stage in its 
history, Australia obviously does not reduce the " Aboriginal problem " only to Métis, but 
will intensify this " conversion " through proper genetic means, inspired by ideologies of 
the late XIX th until Nazism. This same C. Cook claims that " generally, in the fifth or 
sixth generation, aboriginal characteristics are eradicated. The problem of our 
half-breeds can be quickly eliminated by completely eliminating the black race by 
immersing their offspring in those of whites " (1927).

The repressive system put in place by the Aboriginal Act of 1905, gathers the natives in " 
concentration camps " - an English practice inaugurated during the Boer War in 1899 - and 
launches the policy of kidnapping children to their parents. Every aboriginal child, 
whether their parents are alive or not, is first under the tutelage of the " Protector of 
the Aborigines ".

The Aboriginal Act of 1905 led to the creation of true concentration camps.
The " stolen generation " is about one out of every three children abducted from their 
parents, placed in orphanages or handed over to white adoptive parents. The scope of the 
guardianship powers of the " Protector " increases with the years, and if it is necessary 
at least to pretend that the children were " neglected " or mistreated in the law of 1905, 
in 1915 this clause jumps and the agency charged " protection " should no longer justify 
its decisions to separate parents and children.

In 1937, the first conference on health ( welfare ) puts indigenous assimilation in the 
center of the aboriginal issue and states that " the fate of indigenous ultimately lies in 
the absorption, to take place in the white community, equality with whites ".

In fact, the pulling out of children to their families will continue until 1970, and it is 
only the report Bringing them Home (1997) that will admit to the country that the stolen 
generation was the instrument of an " act of genocide, aimed at exterminating indigenous 
families, communities and cultures ".

An incessant fight
Aborigines, beyond the diversity of their languages, despite their decimation by diseases, 
alcoholism, assimilation, will not cease, from the first day of colonization, to fight. 
Abandoning spears for the social and legal struggle, the 1946 Stockmen (Cowboys and Farm 
Workers') Great Strike will inspire all future movements against discrimination and injustice.

Aboriginal Stockmen are paid tobacco or food stamps. Terrible conditions of work, absolute 
arbitrariness, non-existent labor law, salary amount (when it exists) at the boss's 
discretion ... Two indigenous jurists, Dooley Bin Bin and Clancy McKenna, decide to 
organize their people. The idea of a direct action was launched in 1942 by 200 elders from 
23 different peoples. It was launched on 1 st May 1946 to Pilbara (Austr. Occ.) Around the 
perception of a minimum wage; 20 of the 22 agricultural stations go on strike. It extends 
to the northern territories where it is severely repressed. The rest of the country is 
following suit and the unions are massively supporting the action: a boycott of support 
from the seafarers' union, 19 unions in Western Australia, seven national federations or 
centers will help the Stockmen until 1949. They set up self-management based on their 
ancestral organization, fundamentally egalitarian and united, accustomed to autonomy.

Nun driving stolen children at New Norcia Mission.
Under the incredulous eyes of Whitefellas society (the " white guys "), the Blackfellas of 
Pilbara will not only have demonstrated a combativeness on all subjects (centrality of the 
tribal territory, citizenship, labor law, racism), but also the will they have done in 
their own way, completely original, almost always in self-management, relying on their 
cultural structures forever, employing Aboriginal art to assert their territorial claims, 
[6]to overthrow the very concept of terra nullius . [7]

It will be necessary to wait until 1967 for the Australian citizenship to be given to the 
aboriginals and métis, 1992 so that a Prime Minister admits that " by ignorance and 
prejudice ", " it is we who removed the children to their mothers ... discriminated and 
excluded ... destroys a whole way of life ... " It is in 2004 that the last paternalistic 
guardianships disappear and in 2008 that the government presents the apologies of 
Australia to the victims of the stolen generation.

Cuervo (AL Marseille)

[1] " Tench Watkin ", on the Australian Dictionary of Biography online dictionary.

[2] Dreamtime: sacred space-time that does not refer only to a past legendary time, but 
constantly updates itself in the present.

[3] The name of the Australian territory retains this name until 1827, when the whole 
continent is claimed by England.

[4] See " Aboriginal Protection Act 1869 " at www.foundingdocs.gov.au for a first 
application of this law to the state of Victoria in 1869

[5] JM Drew, member of the Labor government of 1924 on the occasion of an amendment to the 
" Protection " laws .

[6] Aboriginal art, whether painted on the ground or on canvas, represents spiritual or 
historical subjects generally taking place in a specific and identifiable geographical 
location. These paintings are all cards. The work of art is recognized as legally valid 
and acts as an act of property in the absence of European titles, nonexistent, of course, 
100 years ago.

[7] The case Mabo vs. Queensland.

http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Les-generations-volees-de-l-Australie-coloniale

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Message: 2






A world heritage masterpiece that is under fire is sad. But all the same, is there not a 
double standard that should indignant a little more ? ---- The partial destruction of 
monuments forming part of the architectural heritage is deplorable. This frame consists of 
a thousand century-old oaks, part in smoke. The annihilation of the work and suffering of 
thousands of workers and workers ... ---- But all the same, the "national mobilization" 
around this event says a lot about the priorities of the capitalists ... ---- Thousands of 
deaths at the bottom of the Mediterranean ? Nothing ... Already dozens of women killed by 
their companion in 2019 ? Nothing ... Women give birth in their cars ? Nothing ... 
Monsanto continues to poison the agricultural world ? Nothing ... No money for hospitals, 
education, social minima, public transport ....

A historical monument loses its roof ? National union, machinthon ... The rich unlock one 
billion in two days and call the poor to give too.

The aftermath of the fire last Monday shows that there is money. It's up to us to get it !

Libertarian Alternative , April 18, 2019

http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Notre-Dame-de-Paris-Un-toit-c-est-donc-un-droit

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Message: 3





In April we will hold 8 events in different cities in German-speaking countries. We think 
this is a good start for our series of events - even though some of the events already 
planned for April have now moved to later months for various reasons. We are burning to 
enter into an exchange with you. From so many places we hear that our approach is on 
everyone's lips and hotly debated. Now it finally starts! That we ask your questions and 
suggestions. And so that we get the chance to explain our approach in more detail. We look 
forward to seeing you! Come to the events in the following cities: ---- 09. Ludwigsburg - 
in the Democratic Center (Wilhelmstr. 45/1) from 19.30 clock ---- 12th Bern - in the infos 
of the riding school (Neubrückstraße 8) from 19.30 clock ---- 17th Dortmund - at the 
Anarchist Book and Culture Center Black Pigeon (Scharnhorststr 50) from 19 clock
22. Hambacher Forst - at the Skillsharing Camp from 13 o'clock
25. Würzburg - MiezeKoze (Gutenbergstraße 3) from 19 clock
26. Jena - in the FAU union restaurant Milly Witkop (Bachstraße 22) from 19 clock
27. Krefeld - in the H5 (Hardenbergstr 5) from 15 clock
28th Essen - in Alibi (Holzstraße 12) from 19 clock

https://www.dieplattform.org/2019/04/06/uebersicht-veranstaltungen-im-april/

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Message: 4





To the public, ---- To the working class, ---- To the libertarian movement, ---- To the 
International Workers Association (AIT), ---- To the unions of the CNT-AIT ---- Through 
this communication, the general secretary of the National Confederation of Labor attached 
to the AIT and the general secretary of the Regional Federation of Labor of Catalonia of 
CNT Catalunya, want to make public the return of the latter within the CNT-AIT. ---- The 
contacts made in recent months have led to an agreement finally endorsed by all the unions 
of the CNT-AIT, so by virtue thereof, CNT Catalunya endorses the resolutions issued by the 
last Congress of the CNT-AIT. ---- Likewise, and as it could not be otherwise, the 
agreement reached is framed within the federalist principles through which we are 
governed, being guaranteed the autonomy of the unions and regional federations.

In this way, practically twenty-five years after acting independently, both parties are 
pleased to have put an end to the organic irregularity that occurred with most unions in 
the Catalan regional, a regrettable fact that did not result in the discouragement of 
their militancy or in which this one left in no moment of the anarcosindicalista 
trajectory of the CNT.

We extend this statement to all workers to be organized in the CNT-AIT in its fight 
against the State and Capital.

For the working class, for the CNT-AIT, for the social revolution.

Long live the anarcho-syndicalism!

https://www.nodo50.org/cntcatalunya/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=770:comunicado-conjunto-cnt-ait-catalunya-y-cnt-ait&catid=35:general&Itemid=68

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Message: 5





Workers in Patagonia, influenced by anarchist ideas, demand improvements in pay and 
conditions. After employers at first agree to workers' demands, which are supported by 
workers in other sectors and areas, the regional governor, under pressure from local 
employers, orders the paramilitary police to intervene to crush the movement. In response 
a general strike is declared, paralyzing the ports and wool production for export. The 
government backs w the landowners, and soldiers are brought in to crush the strike.This 
dramatised account of the events directed in 1974 by Hector Olivera was banned by the 
Videla dictatorship in Argentina. ---- Convened by London Anarchist Communist group.
Free.
https://londonacg.blogspot.com/2019/04/london-acg-film-show-on-july-11th.html

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Message: 6


Going back to theory! Following up from last month's reading group on Synthesis and 
Platformism, we'll discuss Syndicalism on 21 May: ---- Anarchist FAQ: What is 
anarcho-syndicalism? & Why are many anarchists not anarcho-syndicalists? p. 2646-2668. 
---- https://libcom.org/files/Iain%20McKay%20-%20Anarchist%20FAQ.pdf ---- Rudolf Rocker: 
Anarcho-syndicalism. p.37-49 ---- 
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/rudolf-rocker-anarchosyndicalism ---- 
Anarcho-syndicalism in the 21st century, SolFed "Fighting For Ourselves" ---- 
https://libcom.org/library/5-anarcho-syndicalism-21st-century
Anarchist FAQ: Other kinds of anarchist federations. p. 2623-2635. ---- 
https://libcom.org/files/Iain%20McKay%20-%20Anarchist%20FAQ.pdf ---- 21 May, 7pm at 
Freedom bookshop
https://aflondon.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/reading-group-12-anarchist-organising-part-2/

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Message: 7






The makeup of workers' organisations is an indication of their strength. Unless women are 
present, along with other oppressed groups, capitalism will not be defeated. ---- Recent 
campaigns of transgender women and intersex people have clarified the gender issues at 
stake for feminist women. All women and intersex people demand the freedom to depart from 
gender stereotypes. All those who identify as women, whether they have a uterus or not, 
join in struggle with other women workers in their rallies and their campaigns. The 
women's movement has become more gender diverse. ---- Feminist movements such as #metoo 
have been effective in claiming the right of all women to respect and equal opportunity. 
They have suffered backlash from men as expressed in the #notallmen campaign. #notallmen 
arises from the indignation of sexist men who take women's demands for justice and 
equality as personal attacks on themselves. They decry the most notorious abusers and the 
most heinous murders, but in a way which diverts attention from the more mundane 
misbehaviour which is far more widespread but creates the environment in which the worst 
crimes are possible.

In this climate of #notallmen backlash, there has been sensitivity about women's right to 
organise as women, even as they demand equality. Is women's organising for women an attack 
on men? Is it sexist to allow only women to participate, as might be the case if only men 
attended a particular rally? Does organising specifically for women workers weaken the 
workers movement as a whole? Certainly a large part of the workers' movement answers yes 
to all these questions. For example, for some years cis men have taken part in Melbourne 
IWD rallies.

But no, women's particular history has made it imperative that organisations specifically 
for women are available to encourage and strengthen women. While they welcome the support 
of men, and acknowledge the contribution of pro-feminist men to advances in the feminist 
cause, women have the right to organise autonomously. They have the right to women-only 
spaces, both as organisations and events.

The ongoing struggle of working women has put them in a place where they may need 
encouragement to experience themselves as effective and powerful, to experience other 
women as powerful and supportive, to unlearn deference to men, and to step up to roles of 
responsibility and leadership. While the decision as to whether to organise solely with 
other women or together with men is a judgment call to make based on the particular 
circumstances, to deny women workers the right to organise as women is to deny them their 
own paths to resistance.

Organising for women does not discriminate against men, nor does it attack them, except 
insofar as they defend patriarchal social structures. Women's organising is to support 
women in their struggle, by allowing women to have their own voice and to set their own 
priorities. In fact, for campaigns such as for safety and against killing of women by men 
in the domestic sphere, the participation of men in solidarity actions is vital, and expected.

Unless women have access to their own organisations, workers will only ever achieve 
surface uniformity, not unity. This uniformity is achieved by silencing oppressed groups 
within the working class. This unity maintains existing divisions within the working class 
and repels many who are not white, cis men.

Women have the right to organise as women within the wider working class movement and 
within anarchist organisations. It is the responsibility of the whole working class to 
fight sexism (along with racism and all other oppressions), but this does not deny the 
right of oppressed groups to organise autonomously. For the Melbourne Anarchist Communist 
Group, this right does not need any special dispensation, but rather rises from Anarchist 
theory and its commitment to autonomy and consistent federalism. Within the diverse 
working class, it is only when each perspective is represented that common goals can be 
identif

https://melbacg.wordpress.com/2019/04/21/womens-organising/

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