Today's Topics:
1. Czech, AFED: May Day without celebrations - Due to the
situation today, we are not on the streets, but we carry the
legacy of the May Day tradition. (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. Greece, liberta salonica: Call of the Anarchist Federation
to the class rallies-marches of May Day. [machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. Greece, APO: Land & Freedom # 20 By APO (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. anarkismo.net: The 1918 flu pandemic in the CNT media by
Miguel G. BlackSpartak (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. Kate Sharpley Library update May 2020 (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
6. France, Union Communiste Libertaire UCL press release:
Deconfinement: between the hammer of disease and the anvil of
unemployment (fr, it, pt)[machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
7. France, Union Communiste Libertaire UCL - Collective call,
Solidary tenants, we are suspending our rent ! (fr, it,
pt)[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
8. France, Union Communiste Libertaire UCL - UCL Economics
Working Group, What to think of the oil crisis, and other
economic news (fr, it, pt)[machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
9. May Day Statement 2020 from Melbourne Anarchist Communist
Group (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
It's May Day - Labor Day - a day to commemorate Chicago workers' struggle for eight hours of work. Chicago workers were persecuted by
repressive forces for their views and demands, and some were even executed in accordance with the wishes of the then ruling class. No
wonder, because they stood up to this class with a demand to alleviate exploitation. And many of them did not even hide their anarchist
views, which proclaimed the eventual demise of social injustice and oppression. They have indelibly entered the history of the workers'
movement. ---- Today we are in a specific situation of global crisis caused by the spread of coronavirus. Politicians are trying to lie to
us that we are all the same. But the reality is different. How can we be in the unimaginable social inequality in society, where the
percentage of the richest has twice as much wealth as the rest of humanity combined. If we look at the news from the United States, in five
weeks, since the beginning of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, more than 26 million people have lost their jobs there. In the
same period, however, the wealth of American billionaires has grown by almost ten percent.
As in the case of the economic crisis of 2008, it can be expected that those who need it again will apply for the rescue again. If the
system of capitalist exploitation is to be maintained, the elite must be retained in order to preserve its wealth and, if possible, to value
it through the crisis.
This corresponds to the view of many workplaces. Although it is recommended to use protective equipment and to keep a distance, in many
operations workers must be in close contact and must provide protective equipment themselves if they wish to do so. It has also shown the
impact of the policy of cuts on health, which in many countries is now struggling with the problems that are once again affecting workers.
However, we are not just demanding that the richest give up part of their profits in favor of a society suffering from the crisis or that
employers ensure the greatest possible level of safety in the workplaces, or stop production. What we want is the removal of the privileged
class. This also means removing the unprivileged class. We don't want crumbs that fall off the richest from the mouth. We do not want a
larger part of the cake, which is created by the work of the working people, but almost the whole is screwed up by the economic elites. We
want the whole bakery!
The intervention of coronavirus showed the solidarity potential of society. He showed that we can take care of each other without the
mediation of political embarrassments. It is now up to us whether we ask for something or start taking what belongs to us. We will not find
our dignity in working for capital. On the contrary, the principle of wage labor deprives us of it.
Our alternative is free work, which we decide on in its entirety. Free work based on our real needs and developing our potential. Free work
that benefits ourselves, our communities and society as a whole. Free work, which has nothing to do with capitalist booty, which hurts
people and nature.
Against the state and capitalism!
We demand freedom, self-government and social justice!
Related links:
Don't pass! (2019)
May Day 2018 (2018)
Good job? (2017)
May Day Bulletin (2017)
May Day (2016)
Walk through Prague (2016)
From Below - May Day Special (2014)
A3: Labor Day: Is What to Celebrate? (2014)
May Day speech C SAF (2013)
May Day Action Days (2012)
Anarchist May Day (2011)
Looking back on Anarchist May Day (2010)
A3: Let's not be "sales whores"! (2010)
May Day speech of the CSAF (2009)
A3: May 1, 2009 (2009)
May Day Manifestations of Anarchist Groups (2008)
Traditions of Anarchist May Days in Bohemia (2008)
https://www.afed.cz/text/7164/prvni-maj-bez-oslav
------------------------------
Message: 2
May Day 2020: Ahead of the reorganization of class resistance and the militant reconstruction of the labor movement in the direction of
social revolution and libertarian communism! ---- The covid-19 pandemic is the first drop of a new, more severe storm that is about to hit
workers and the entire social base (in fact, its effects are already being felt, they will only gradually become more and more noticeable to
all of us). . It is an external factor, however, that has acted hastily in the direction of further deregulation of the functioning of the
capitalist system, thus demonstrating its anti-social class nature, which consists in the reproduction of capital for the enrichment and
well-being of the parasitic class of capitalists. class that appropriates by force and coercion all socially produced wealth.
As expected, the new phase of the capitalist crisis will be completely loaded on the backs of the working class once again, with the aim of
reorganizing and reviving the bourgeois camp. At a time when stock markets are plummeting internationally, bourgeois economists estimate
that in 2020 the recession in Greece will reach 10%, a development that automatically implies an increase in public debt. Every month in
quarantine for the big capitalist economies is tantamount to a 2% reduction in global GDP. The International Labor Organization estimates
that unemployment will rise by 25 million worldwide. while at the same time it is estimated that an additional 20 million people will be on
the verge of poverty internationally (in Greece this year the recorded unemployment is estimated to reach 22.5%). In this already volatile
situation, imperialist rivalries and interstate trade wars with a focus on oil production have plunged that industry and the corresponding
economy into historically low levels, cultivating the ground for impending fierce bloody conflicts that are very likely. the world proletariat.
In the midst of this explosive situation, the capitalists are seeking to maintain their balance sheets in the first place, while at the same
time doing everything in their power to turn the crisis into an opportunity for profit. On the other hand, the social base is in turmoil, as
evidenced by the complete deregulation of labor relations, the violation of labor rights and employer arbitrariness, with all that entails:
flexible, intensive, uninsured and shift work, unpaid overtime, non-payment of gifts and refusal to grant permits, suspension of employment
contracts, introduction of tele-work, redundancies and unemployment, allowances-crumbs for those included in the lists of beneficiaries,
imposition of a single minimum salary at 533 euros, Lack of occupational health measures, 50% reductions in workers' wages accompanied by a
reduction in their working hours. At the same time, the financial support of people with disabilities is being suspended and the support for
refugees in the concentration camps on the islands is being deprived. Not the slightest measure has been taken to decongest prisons, migrant
camps and psychiatric clinics, where conditions are miserable in every way (and obviously medical). In fact, two detainees lost their lives,
as they were ostensibly not transferred to hospital units. Under the current state of emergency, the government has found an opportunity to
bring to the polls a bill to restructure all levels of education. which, among other things, turns the Lyceum into a conservative and
intensive examination center for unbridled pressure and competition, intensifies the intensification and class barriers to higher education,
evaluates teachers by opening new roads of safety and officially introduces the Department of Education. direction of gradual but systematic
privatization of education. Now close, if not from 30/4, then from September or even until the end of 2020, the protection measures for the
first house will be lifted, paving the way for mass auctions and seizures of thousands of people's homes. In addition to, A government bill
on the environment that will be put to a vote immediately provides for a number of facilities for more immediate and more flexible licensing
for investments related to green growth, energy and consequently the leveling of nature, with all that this may entail for each. local
biodiversity, the local community, but also the ecological footprint that will be left behind by this type of business and construction
activities. Furthermore, the same bill explicitly records the further privatization of IPTO, while there is a special report on the
expansion of the Greece-Italy interconnection project with the IGI Poseidon gas pipeline, in order to include the interconnection with the
East Med pipeline. End, We could not fail to mention the incalculable consequences for the weaker economic strata of the deteriorating
public health system over the years through systematic state underfunding and methodical privatization of health-related privatizations.
When health becomes a commodity, then human lives are counted on the basis of money for the crows of private clinics and their political bosses.
If one side of the coin shows the class exploitation of those at the base of the social and productive pyramid, then the other side shows
the economic and political strengthening of the ruling class. At this juncture, the capitalists have been clearly favored, judging by the
facilities, funding and tax exemptions that have been achieved by the state's political strategy. Let's see again what the numbers say. € 30
million went to private clinics for coronary diagnostic tests, while 3 university hospitals already have certified coronary artery detection
laboratories and offered to assist. € 20 million has so far been given to TV channels for EODY commercials, which are required by law to be
free. Each of the major private television stations has been exempted from the 3.5 million euros corresponding to the costs of securing a
television license (ie a € 21 million exemption in total). The major contractors of the tolls pocketed 11 million euros. 54 million euros
were granted to KEK and 30 million euros to platforms and certification bodies. The remaining money from the projected total of 193 million
euros was not given to the eligible employees, but was exchanged with training checks. In addition, the shipowners, this infamous caste that
avoids taxation such as the incense of incense, received targeted money from the state to "stand on its own two feet financially." If you're
not fed up with numbers, see how the European Union is doing at the moment. this intergovernmental organization of capitalist integration
that serves the interests of the bourgeoisie, in particular the financial capital, the multinational corporations and the monopoly groups.
The European Commission has proposed that, on the basis of the European Union's budget, 2 trillion euros be allocated to boost
entrepreneurship, ie to the capitalists' treasure. Unscrupulous politicians, technocrats and representatives of multinationals are
discussing within the European Union the creation of a "Fund for Recovery", declaring that it will be the lever for overcoming the economic
dimensions of the coronation crisis. This is how the ground for new loans is being built, the interest-bearing side effects of which are
going to crush wages once again.
And while wealth continues to be redistributed from base to top of social stratification, the government's criminal policies, which are in
the same strategic direction as those of its predecessors, are obscured by the methodical propaganda campaign of its mercenaries and
well-wishers. of the coordinated interests of capitalist regime journalism, which diligently, systematically and logistically reproduces the
infamous narrative of "individual responsibility", washed away thus destroying all state policies of plundering the social majority. For all
this, of course, we do not fall from the clouds. After all, the state, as a mechanism of oppression, takes care to serve by all means the
interests of the ruling class, that is, the capitalists. He also takes care of to shield the repression mechanisms, especially when it
carries out violent attacks on the masses, which inflate the material misery of the latter. Somehow we can explain the government's choice
to proceed with the reinforcement with personnel and equipment of the security forces of EL.AS. and the Coast Guard in this case.
At a time when the state and the bosses are trying to quarantine class resistance, workers' demands and the trade union action of the
workers, the government announced the transfer of May Day from 1/5 to 9/5, Saturday! Using health pretexts, the government is trying to
demystify the political and class content of May Day, citing restrictions on the movement of aspiring hikers, reducing May Day to a common
holiday, thus removing its class and strike character. Labor Day is neither a holiday nor a festive day of a spiritual or post-pagan nature.
Such a perception is convenient for the ruling class, which is why it is promoted by it in such a systematic way. so that it has been
inscribed with this meaning in the alienated consciousness of a large section of society. For us, however, Labor Day is a strike. It is a
landmark day that connects the thread of the struggles of the past with the current class resistance of the working class. It is a day for
the struggling and dead of the working class, as well as a day that clearly serves as a reminder to the anarchist revolutionaries who were
hanged by the state authorities in Chicago because they fought relentlessly in the struggle for the liberation of the working class and
satisfaction. of its immediate material needs, of 8-hour daily work in particular. We are called upon to defend this class memory today, now
that the state and capital are attacking in a coordinated manner,
Under the pressure of the attack on us by the state and the capitalists, there is an urgent need to organize labor and social self-defense
and to create those conditions that will allow our class to counterattack against this system that reproduces injustice, social and economic
inequalities, oppression and exploitation of man and nature by the capitalist machine. The formation and strengthening of a class front with
the participation of the productively active working class, the reserves of the unemployed, the future workers (see pupils and students of
the poor popular strata) and the pensioners on the basis of the neglected, direct democratic organization and in the direction of the
anti-capitalist and anti-state revolutionary struggle is a necessary condition for the appreciation of our class position in the ever-raging
capital-labor conflict that governs the existing social formation. Class base trade unionism and independent labor initiatives must be
supported, in order for our class to rise to the occasion and clash with the capitalist class, which sucks labor power, to accumulate wealth
and privileges.
Class solidarity, collectivization and organization are the only forces that can keep our class standing, while at the same time making
demands for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. In the extremely unfavorable conditions of the present, we consider it necessary to
strengthen mutual aid within the working class. We trust the self-action and self-organization of our class. In this regard, we believe that
it is necessary to move towards the creation of mutual aid structures, labor solidarity funds, to proceed in a coordinated and massive
manner in refusal of payments, to exert pressure to demand the necessary financial support of workers and poor people, and the satisfaction
of the absolutely necessary popular needs (feeding, housing, water, electricity, internet) by any means.
Through the swamp of state and capitalist barbarism will blossom the flower of freedom, equality, solidarity and community, a liberated
society of full self-government will be born, a new collective individualism that can be realized and developed. This is the historic task
of those at the base of the social and productive pyramid. That's why we will make sure we win!
WE ORGANIZE AND COMPLETELY COMPLETE IN THE WORKS
WE STRENGTHEN THE LINES OF THE INDEPENDENT CLASS VANIS CONNECTION
NO ECONOMIC STRATEGY OF SOCIAL BASIS
FOR THE CRISIS OF COVID-19 AND CAPITALISM TO PAY STATES AND CAPITALISTS
LABORATORY CANCELLATION CAN BE WORKING ONLY OF THE SAME WORKERS
We participate in the strikes of May Day.
We support the blocs of unions and labor-based initiatives.
Anarchist Federation
Site: anarchist-federation.gr
email:anarchist-federation@riseup.net
Twitter: twitter.com/anarchistfedGr
Fb: facebook.com/anarxikiomospondia2015
Youtube: Anarchist Federation
https://libertasalonica.wordpress.com/2020/04/29
------------------------------
Message: 3
The publication of the Anarchist Political Organization "Land and Freedom" is published regularly every two months and circulates in
self-managed spaces, hangouts and squatters, as well as on the streets of the struggle. ---- In the midst of the spread of the deadly
pandemic, the 20th issue will not be published, for the time being, in print, as for reasons of social consciousness - given the necessary
self-restraint for individual and collective self-protection - it cannot be mass-distributed. It is therefore published in electronic form,
continuing to inform and counter-inform on the fronts of social and class struggle, and to formulate positions against the state, capital
and criminal political management of this unprecedented health and social crisis.
To make it easier to read, on the content page, click on the title of the article to go directly to the corresponding page.
Read it in pdf format here http://apo.squathost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/land20-1.pdf
http://apo.squathost.com/
------------------------------
Message: 4
The notorious flu epidemic of 1918 - known as the ‘Spanish' flu epidemic - was first reported among US troops bound for the First World War
trenches. Given the enormous mobility of troops at the time, the disease was largely free to spread to fresh population centres and so it
claimed the lives of 50 million people worldwide. Spreading like wildfire. A powerful example of the destructive power of a pandemic. ----
In the kingdom of Spain, the disease arrived sometime between April and May 1918. We know that, as there was no press censorship in the
country, the Spanish press reported the epidemic within days of its arrival. Which explains why it was initially thought of as having come
from Spain and spread to the rest of Europe, when the opposite was true. And to complete the contextualization of the disease, there was a
further surge in September and October 1918, when the mortality rate was at its highest. After that, there was another upsurge in February
1919, lasting a further two months. Finally, in 1920, there was a second wave of the epidemic. In all, around 150,000 lives were lost in
Spain and 1918 was the only year (prior to the Civil War) when there was a fall in the overall population figures.
The fact is, though, that the epidemic struck a Spain that was barely surviving poverty levels. The contemporary press highlighted the good
work of the authorities in, say, organizing clean-up squads or shutting down the schools. But to be realistic, most of the children scarcely
set foot in a school, as they had to work from a very early age. The labour organizations were unable to concern themselves with the disease
and used to chalk it up to the dire hygienic conditions in which the working class lived. Thus the Catalan unions affiliated to the CNT went
ahead with the Sants Congress in the summer of 1918 (by which time the first wave of the epidemic had begun to ease) and the Asturian miners
held their congress in September, whilst the UGT held its national congress in Madrid in October (in mid-surge).
Bear in mind that the virus went unidentified until 1935 and that the working class of the time was already familiar with the impact of
cholera, TB, diarrhoea and fever, typhus, polio and measles. Each epidemic claimed lives by the thousands and the poorest strata of society
were especially hard hit. Poverty and lack of hygiene usually go hand in hand and this partly accounts for the high mortality rate. Added to
which there was also the hunger that struck in times of crisis and 1918 was assuredly one of those. Europe was living through the final
convulsions of the Great War and the factories were shutting down. Which merely exacerbated the circumstances of families staring at an
uncertain future. The ongoing death-rates triggered religious processions and public prayers "for our sins" - the sort of thing that had
happened in earlier epidemics.
But it should also be remembered that this came at a time of very high political and social conflict, the ending of the war in Europe. The
pandemic claimed millions of lives in Europe, providing the backdrop to the revolutions of 1918-19. It would not at all be going too far to
state that the flu was one factor in the rash of strikes that erupted in Catalonia in 1919, ushered in by the famous La Canadiense strike in
February of that year.
Solidaridad Obrera - in October - carried daily reports of the epidemic. There was talk of people dying day in and day out on the streets of
Barcelona and in other cities around Spain. There were reports of doctors dying and of sanatoriums being relocated from places not overly
stricken by the disease to needier areas. And of protests against towns and cities being left to fend for themselves, health-wise. Which was
a stark contrast with what the authorities claimed that they were doing. Obviously, their efforts were not up to the mark. The people
insisted that unhealthy premises or food-stores from which there was a stench flowing be shut down - remember that nobody knew for sure
where the flu was coming from. Solidaridad Obrera took it upon itself to reply to one report that half-rotten bananas were being sold
outside its own offices. Another consideration was the murky waters flooding the cities in the wake of rain showers, or the wholly
unhygienic urban streams of the industrial era.
Furthermore, there was the collapse of hospital and funeral services. In respect of the latter, there was a strike in Barcelona triggered by
the dismissal of 21 workers for taking exception to the very dire conditions they were having to cope with while making coffins. The
Woodworkers' Union espoused that strike and called the entire sector out on strike in October 1918. Victory was secured within days. The
cabinet-makers of Valencia did likewise. In the case of Barcelona, the death from flu of Josep Escofet on 15 October was reported; he was a
leading militant of the Woodworkers' Union. And there were strikes in other sectors too (the coppersmiths, tram-workers, Casa Girona
employees, carriage-makers in Barcelona; the glass-workers in Gijón, the miners in Asturias, Andalusian farm-workers, company employees in
Terrassa, Mataró, Sabadell, Sitges, etc.). This at a time when there was no self-isolation. Barcelona even had to contend with a rent strike
backed by the Tenants' Union (based at 83, Calle San Pablo, premises shared with the pasta-makers), after hikes in rents for apartments and
rooms. The demands were similar: in addition to soaring prices there were complaints about the absence of toilets and running water.
When these demands were publicly delivered to the landlords, the latter merely laughed at them, whilst the City Corporation just shrugged
its shoulders. The suggestions coming from the workers' organizations were entirely reasonable. The need to report for work was not being
queried. This was at a time when the rule was "no work, no pay". There was a request for a reduction in work hours so that they might have
enough strength left to contend with the epidemic, since it was correctly believed that exhausted bodies were weak and made easy pickings
for the disease. There was also a request that washing facilities be installed in workshops for hand-washing purposes. Another demand was
that canteens be set up in the factories so that they might have something hot to eat. The usual practice was to have cold snacks eaten
while sitting on the floor. There was even talk of improving ventilation in the workplaces; usually there was a hanging cloud of thick dust,
floating textile fragments or smoke affecting their breathing.
In Valencia, the Naturist Vegetarian Society offered its services to the governor to assist flu-sufferers. The offer was rejected by the
Board of Health on moral grounds. By which we mean so-called Christian morality, of course. The hygienist, naturist or vegetarian movement
was gradually expanding, partly on account of this epidemic, with a finger of blame pointed directly at the State over its failure to look
out for public health. The general population was also accused of ignorance for not knowing how to combat the disease properly. The view was
that a vegetarian diet was the cure.
In short, by 1918, the epidemic was yet another factor to be considered in a world turned upside down. In contrast to our current pandemic,
where the Coronavirus has come out of the blue, the flu of 1918 was but one of many incidents that struck out of the blue. The ending of the
World War triggered a deep-seated economic crisis and the world was stalked by the spectre of revolution. We cannot say for sure what impact
the flu had on the revolutions of the day. All we do know is that it had an impact in Brazil, becoming the overture to an insurrection (the
bourgeois withdrew to their luxurious villas, leaving the workers to perish in their thousands). We do know that in the wake of an epidemic,
life has an added value and this underpins fresh social struggles that might previously have been unthinkable. We shall see what the current
epidemic holds in store for us.
http://www.anarkismo.net/article/31850 (originally posted at
https://lasoli.cnt.cat/2020/04/10/memoria-lepidemia-de-grip-de-1918-als-mitjans-de-la-confederacio/)
[Additional from KSL:]From Solidaridad Obrera, 15 October 1918. Manuel Buenacasa reports the death of Jose(p) Escofet from the ‘flu.
"The flu, the ‘harmless illness' that the authorities speak of, took but a few hours to carry off our friend who was treacherously attacked
more than once at point blank range by the enemies of worker organization, but who failed to finish him off. He has perished, still full of
enthusiasm and youth, aged just twenty-six. News of his demise will be cause of rejoicing for many. We are genuinely pained by the passing
of this kindly, decent and hard-working fellow who contributed his enthusiasm, his liberty and his life to the revolutionary workers'
organization and the idea of human redemption."
Translated by: Paul Sharkey. Translation originally posted at https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/k6dm37
Related Link: http://www.anarkismo.net/article/31850
https://www.anarkismo.net/article/31862
------------------------------
Message: 5
Just some quick links from the KSL ---- Here's a few new bits ---- View this email in your browser ---- Welcome! ---- First off, some
listening: ---- The Final Straw Radio Podcast have put up a long conversation with Barry Pateman in which they ‘talk about anarchist
history, community, repression, defeat, insularity, popular front with authoritarian Marxists, class analysis and how to beat back
capitalism.' ---- If you've heard Barry talk before, you'll know he's not one to dish out easy answers. This is no exception, and he demands
that we respect the lives of past anarchists, and never reduce them to ‘pawns to support our arguments now.' (38 min. mark) There's a fair
bit on how important (and how challenging) it is to record the lives of the unknown militants. These are the ones who made up the movement:
without writing anything, sometimes never reading any of the ‘essential anarchist texts'. There's plenty, too, on the need (and challenge of
how) to talk to non-anarchists. Interesting stuff, and well put together.
You can listen at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2020/04/26/barrypateman2020/
Happy Mayday!
You can get the full text of our "Mayday and Anarchism" pamphlet here https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/59zwk6
(Just find the 'view PDF' button at the end)
We've put up a report about Alexandria's mayday in 1921: "May Day in the Land of the Pharaohs" https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/sqvcj3
"The 1918 flu pandemic in the CNT media" by Miguel G is here https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/k6dm37
and finally, for some true unknown militants, we have a translation of Imanol's article on "Women's participation in the Allied escape
lines" https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/18948f. That's Ana María Martínez Sagi - anarchist, poet, sports star, journalist, lesbian and
member of the resistance in France - at the top of the email.
Take care of yourselves, from all at the KSL
Kate Sharpley Library on Facebook
Kate Sharpley Library Website
Copyright © 2020 Kate Sharpley Library, All rights reserved.
We're sending you this because you asked to receive updates from the Kate Sharpley Library
Our mailing address is:
Kate Sharpley Library
BM Hurricane
London, WC1N 3XX
United Kingdom
------------------------------
Message: 6
In front of the National Assembly, Edouard Philippe, this April 28, confirmed the main announcements of Emmanuel Macron but by bringing many
nuances, proof that the multiple reactions reached the ears of the government. Édouard Philippe justified the deconfinement, recklessly
announced on April 13, by the risk of economic collapse. If this risk is real, the solution is not a hasty deconfinement but a
reorganization of society. ---- This confinement is suffering for many, especially since it is poorly organized (arbitrary rules not always
linked to health imperatives, police violence in working-class neighborhoods ...). It must also be remembered that if we must remain
confined it is because the hospital and public research have been destroyed in recent decades, because the leaders are calamitously managing
this crisis.
The dangers of brutal deconfinement
However, brutally deconfining the population would not be a solution. This would risk setting off the pandemic for a second deadly wave .
So, if it is obvious that we want to go out, to see our family and our friends, to resume our usual activities, we will still have to stay
cautious, voluntarily, for our lives. It is not brutal deconfinement that we need, but on the contrary protective equipment for workers in
essential sectors who work to stop the pandemic and make society spin. How can we imagine opening factories, as is already the case, with
masks for everyone, when hospitals and supermarkets lack these basic protections?
May 11, a patronal date
Because it is obvious that May 11 is an employer date and not health. The proof, the reopening of many activities on May 11, and a little
before or a little after, is planned to go to work, not for our leisure ! Moreover, the Scientific Council recommended opening schools only
next September. Isn't it ironic, then, to propose a reopening of schools from May 11 when sitting in a theater or cinema for two hours seems
too dangerous ? The educational explanation seems a bit short and the real reason is elsewhere: for employers, economic activity must
resume, it's enough to lose profits! There is only one solution for this: deconfining, at the risk of causing tens of thousands of
additional deaths. But what are our lives worth, doing to the possibilities of accumulating ever more capital ?
Reorganize society
Rather than taking reckless risks, when there are already more than 20,000 dead in France, it is obvious that we must maintain the lowest
possible activity, keeping only the essential sectors open. This is what caregivers say, this is what researchers say, this is what
wrestling unions say. The economic crisis is lurking, of course. But the solution is not to quickly send the workers back to work to
maintain the bosses' profits. The solution is to reorganize society in depth, by putting companies under the control of workers and
redirecting economic activities towards meeting the essential needs of the population.
Between the devil and the deep sea
But the ruling capitalists sing a very different song to us. They tell us that a threat greater than the coronavirus and its hundreds of
thousands of deaths hovers over us. This threat is that of the economic crisis ! The owners of small boxes explain to their employees that
the box will sink and that they will lose their job if the activity does not resume. And liberal economists, editorialists and politicians
follow one another on television to explain that a longer economic slowdown would be fatal.
The workers are therefore caught between the hammer and the anvil: it is either the health crisis or the economic crisis. Either health or
unemployment. These false choices are unbearable, especially since these two crises are already there ! But contrary to what one would have
us believe, there is an alternative: it is to do away with the capitalist system and to reorganize the economy to meet basic needs while
preserving the health of all and all, without trying to maintain the profits of a few.
Libertarian Communist Union, April 28, 2020
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Deconfinement-entre-le-marteau-de-la-maladie-et-l-enclume-du-chomage
------------------------------
Message: 7
Many tenants are no longer working and, despite the measures put in place, face a drop or even suppression of their income. Faced with that,
a collective action is proposed by this call: to suspend its rent. An appeal supported by the Libertarian Communist Union (UCL). ---- Many
tenants no longer work and, despite the measures put in place, face a drop or even a reduction in their income: partial unemployment schemes
which do not compensate for the fall in wages, total lack of income for many of the most precarious workers or in the informal sector...,
increased risk of economic redundancies, difficulties and delays in accessing technical unemployment or health insurance... ---- Containment
also represents an additional financial burden: increased food load (more school or business canteens, restaurant tickets, etc.) of water
and electricity ; and will weaken many tenants in the HLM park and the private market.
In Germany, a rental moratorium for a period of 3 months is established for tenants in difficulty, with a payment deadline extending until
September 2022. In Lisbon, as well as in Barcelona, the mayors have frozen payment rents in their public housing until June. The payment of
home loans is suspended throughout Spain, Swiss tenants can suspend their rent without penalty for 3 months, the Canadian and English
governments pay aid to tenants ...
In France, where rents have never been so expensive and are among the highest in Europe, the Government does not act, apart from the
postponement of 2 months from the end of the winter truce, evictions and cuts in energy, and the suspension for a few weeks of the eviction
procedures for the unpaid state of emergency. He takes the reckless risk of provoking massive eviction procedures and adding to the anxiety
generated by the epidemic that of tenants in economic difficulty. The Government does not respond to associations which alert it to the need
for a rental moratorium.
This is why we, the signatories, decide to suspend the payment of our rent during the epidemic, in solidarity with tenants in difficulty and
for the establishment of a moratorium during the pandemic and its aftermath.
To join and support the call: https://www.loyersuspendu.org
For HLM and private sector tenants who want to join this movement:
first, suspend the automatic direct debit as soon as possible ;
secondly, if the government remains deaf to the plight of tenants in difficulty, by the next deadline, suspend the rent by making sure
beforehand not to get in more trouble.
We request that the government:
Declares a rental moratorium for tenants in difficulty
Suspend all sanctions against tenants (bailiff acts, rejection of direct debit, suspension of the lease in the event of a deadline)
Provides a budget up to the needs to clear the debt of tenants and first-time buyers in difficulty
Organizes very quickly a fall in rents, the increase in APL, the stop of evictions, the massive realization of real social housing.
We ask the municipalities, departments and inter-municipal authorities at the head of an HLM organization, and all of the lessors, not to
take any penalty with regard to joint tenants and their tenants in difficulty due to the pandemic.
nioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Locataires-solidaires-nous-suspendons-notre-loyer
------------------------------
Message: 8
This note was produced by the UCL Economy working group, aimed at synthesizing essential data on the economic situation we are going through
with the coronavirus crisis. It is as sourced and factual as possible, and aims to link the main data on the economic situation with more
general political and social analyzes. However, it was carried out by activists who are not economic professionals. do not hesitate to
report any errors to the working group. ---- State of production and employment ---- The INSEE economic outlook dated 23 April tells us that
the French economy is operating at a level 35% lower than the ordinary situation. In the market sector alone, the loss is estimated at -
41%, and even - 49% excluding rents. If we tighten the focus on agriculture, the loss of activity would increase slightly: -13% against -10%
two weeks ago. Conversely, in industry and construction, the reopening of businesses slightly mitigates the loss of activity: -39% against
-43% in industry -79% against -88% in construction.
Partial activity is required for 10 million employees, and hirings are down 22.6%. The consequences for the social security accounts are
disastrous: the "optimistic" forecast deficit is counting on 41 billion euros, on the assumption that the deferrals of employers'
contributions will be paid by December 2020. However, the government is already working has its cancellations for certain sectors ... [1]
Household consumption would be 33% lower than normal. We note that media unrest, communication and government measures that encourage
recovery have little effect on production and demand. The revival of production will be long and to establish long-term prospects is
complicated. For all sectors, INSEE has 80% pessimistic bosses, figures which exceed those of the 2008 crisis. [2]
On the oil side, the consequences of an episode of tensions between producing countries, in particular between Russia and Saudi Arabia are
still being felt. On April 12, 23 producing countries (Opep +) certainly found an agreement to limit their production, despite the tensions
between Ryad and Moscow: 10 million barrels less would be produced each day. But this agreement will take effect on 1 stMay Besides, one
might think that this significant reduction will not be enough to rebalance the market. [3][4]
Note n ° 4 in PDF to download
Situation of the financial sphere
This week, much has been said about the price of oil [5], which turned negative in New York Monday, April 20. This little event does not in
reality indicate much positive nor, in reality, much interesting. Of course, it is symptomatic of the sharp fall in economic production in
general, which has greatly reduced the demand for oil. This results in excessively high reserves, to the point that the storage capacities
are saturated: the owners therefore seek to dispose of their reserves, even if it means selling at a loss. [6]
However, the importance of the event should not be overstated. On the one hand, this price concerns mainly the United States and Canada,
because it takes as reference the "West Texas intermediate" (WTI), a form of crude oil exploited in North America, and not the "BrentWhich
is a benchmark in Europe. [7]However, Brent "serves as a tariff base for two thirds of world production[8]and is maintained at a price that
revolves around twenty dollars for each barrel, with a downward trend. In addition, WTI prices quickly rose after Monday's floor. [9]
Clearly, what must be remembered is not this short-lived negative price but the general decrease in oil prices in the medium term, which is
bad news: this drop marks the unresolved character of the diplomatic conflicts between seller countries. and oil buyers and the extremely
serious economic crisis we are going through. The impact of this drop on gasoline prices at the pump is quite limited: the cost of fuel is
largely determined by the regulations of the authorities and by the level of taxes on which the State grows ... [10]As for the ecological
effects, they remain rather uncertain: the instability of the oil market may tend to discourage investment in this sector, but persistently
low oil prices reduce the competitiveness of renewable energies. [11][12]After the crisis, it is therefore very likely that the economic
recovery will be extremely oil-consuming in the absence of political measures favorable to an ambitious energy transition.
The fall in oil prices weighed on general stock quotes, on Wall Street as in Europe. The CAC 40 thus continued to fluctuate heavily this
week [13], generally staying at the level of the past month. [14]
The "business climate " indicatorprovided by INSEE has experienced a collapse this past month since its creation, going from 94 points in
March to 61.7 points in April. By way of comparison, at the height of the economic crisis that followed the subprime crisis, a floor value
of 68.8 points had been reached in March 2009. This indicator is constructed from several data collected in a monthly qualitative survey and
aims to represent the employers' confidence in the future of the economy INSEE nevertheless emphasizes that the exceptional situation may
have made data collection less precise than usual. [15]
Economic policy measures
The first attempts at deconfinement in Asia ended in a return to square one (Japan, Singapore). In addition, the absence of an appropriate
reaction in Brazil and to a lesser extent in the United States is starting to have disastrous effects on all of the two countries.
Everything seems to indicate that only a definitive treatment would put an end to the pandemic.
Thursday, April 23, a new meeting of European authorities ended in a new failure to set up the mechanism of a European debt claimed by the
countries of the "South" including France. This failure demonstrates the fragility of the Union and runs the risk that the less solid states
borrow at prohibitive rates, which would cause unbearable tension on the Euro.
In parallel with a gradual deconfinement, Austria and certain German lander (regions) have set up an air bridge to bring in seasonal
Romanian workers while the borders are closed. The measure caused jostling at airports, conducive to the contamination of suitors for
travel. The Federal State (or the Landers) take care of not only the plane ticket but also the hotel for the quarantine of Romanian
agricultural workers ! Wouldn't it be more logical to offer working conditions acceptable to Austrians ?
In France, the massive use of partial unemployment and sick leave (which affects more than ten million employees), added to the additional
medical expenses and combined with the promise of an unprecedented recession will lead to an unprecedented deficit in Social Security: 41
billion euros, in a "favorable" hypothesis according to the Minister of the Economy. [16]The latest measures voted by the right in
Parliament (uncapping of overtime tax exemption ...), and those already taken by the government do nothing to improve the situation. It is
very difficult to conceal that the date of the start of deconfinement and the reopening of schools given for May 11 is primarily for the
economy and not for the decline of the epidemic, which is difficult for him feel.
At the same time, support plans for certain sectors are becoming more precise (tourism and hotel industry, aviation, etc.). For Air-France,
the government releases 7 billion in aid without going up in capital and the Dutch government should add 3 billion in support to KLM.
Proposals to postpone the summer holidays, or to extend working hours, are under consideration, without further details. These sectors,
which represent millions of jobs, are at 80 or even 95% stopped. The social and economic consequences of the current crisis could be
catastrophic for all workers who depend on these sectors, and socially devastate entire cities, such as Toulouse. [17]
In the mobilizations launched around the Luxfer oxygen cylinder plant, the government remains silent while the SCOP (cooperative) project is
very advanced. On the other hand, Macron operates an unexpected reversal by promising support via massive orders for the reopening of the
mask factory in Plaintel. The factory has been shutdown for a longer time, however.
It may be noted in passing that in other sectors, the implementation of "emergency" measures by the government turns out to be a failure.
This is the case for agriculture where, as in other European countries, the sector depends on immigrant labor: the establishment of the
platform of volunteers by the government, despite the success of registrations (300,000 people ) [18], does not seem to be working well
(only 15,000 workers placed). If the reasons for this discrepancy are not yet known, we can think that this initiative was built largely
outside the demands of farmers on the ground, on a rude bureaucratic finding and the support of industry leaders in the sector (FNSEA ),
very far from the actual organization in the fields. In addition, labor inspectors are concerned about the consequences for people who are
ill-prepared in this sector where working conditions are very poor. [19]
Furthermore, even consultations with the employers of large groups to help the crisis economy turn out to be completely insufficient: only
around fifty PSA employees would be concerned for the fitting of respirators according to an internal source, and the possibilities of using
actually these respirators are hypothetical. [20]
After more than a month in crisis, one thing is clear: the government finds itself incapable, politically, of questioning its liberal dogma,
and of imposing in a serious and effective manner the measures necessary to respond effectively to the health and economic: planning,
requisitions, nationalizations and nationalizations of scale are obviously not on the program ... Worse, it continues to take the measures
which could lead in the long term to a collapse of the already weakened social protection systems.
Overall, the Covid-19 health crisis will only exacerbate pre-existing conditions of inequality wherever it strikes. In the more or less
short term, some expect uprisings or even revolutions. The International Labor Organization (ILO) has also warned that the crisis threatens
1.25 billion people with "layoffs, loss of activity and income". [21]However, most of them were already poor ...
UCL Economics Working Group, April 27, 2020
Validate
[1]https://www.challenges.fr/ entreprise / sante- et- pharmacie / coronavirus- le- deficit-de- la- securite- sociale- atteindra- le- niveau-
abyssal-de- 41- milliards-d -euros_706733
[2] https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4481458?sommaire=4473296
[3] https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4481458?sommaire=4473296
[4] https://www.lepoint.fr/economie/les-pays-exportateurs-de-petrole-decident-d-une-baisse-histor-de-la-production-12-04-2020-2371141_28.php
[5]
https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2020/04/21/aux-etats-unis-les-prix-negatifs-du-petrole-balayent-la-strategie-energetique-de-trump_6037258_3234
.html
[6] https://www.20minutes.fr/economie/2764671-20200421-coronavirus-baisse-extraordinaire-ca-veut-dire-quoi-petrole-americain-cours-nul-negatif
[7] https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/le-prix-du-petrole-peut-etre-negatif-mais-ce-nest-pas-une-bonne-nouvelle_fr_5e9ef35ac5b6a486d07f5047
[8] https://www.lejdd.fr/Economie/prix-negatif-du-baril-de-petrole-pourquoi-il-sagit-dun-trompe-loeil-3963438
[9] https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/energie/petrole/petrole-le-brut-americain-se-redresse-peu-peu-apres-son-plongeon-histor-6814284
[10] http://www.francesoir.fr/societe-economie/covid19-le-prix-du-baril-est-devenu-negatif-quelles-consequences-pour-le-prix-du
[11]https://www.franceculture.fr/emissions/radiographies-du-coronavirus/le-petrole- less- cest- cher- plus- ca-nous-coute
[12]
http://www.nouvelobs.com/coronavirus-de-wuhan/20200421.OBS27791/prix-negatifs-du-baril-americain-de-petrole-4-questions-sur-un-plongeon-histor.html
[13] https://www.tradingsat.com/cac-40-FR0003500008/actualites/cac-40-le-cac-40-succombe-au-chaos-sur-le-marche-petrolier-910375.html
[14] https://www.boursorama.com/bourse/indices/cours/1rPCAC/
[15] https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/3532408?sommaire=3530678
[16]
https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2020/04/23/la-crise-due-au-coronavirus-fait-exploser-le-deficit-de-la-securite-sociale_6037512_3234.html
[17]
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/haute-garonne/toulouse/coronavirus-premiers-chiffres-crise-economique-liee-au-confinement-haute-garonne-1813404.html
[18]
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/agriculture-peche/coronavirus-en-bourgogne-franche-comte-des-volontaires-par-milliers-pour-aider-nos-paysans-1587563281
[19] https://www.bastamag.net/contrat-saisonnier-agricole-condition-de-travail-SMIC-pesticides-TMS-covid19-coronavirus ?
[20] https://www.lunion.fr/id146727/article/2020-04-23/les-respirateurs-fabriques-en-urgence-en-france-non-adaptes-au-covid-19-le
[21]
https://www.lefigaro.fr/social/coronavirus-1-25-milliard-de-travailleurs-courent-un-risque-de-licenciement-ou-de-reduction-de-salaire-selon-l
-or-20200407
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Que-penser-de-la-crise-petroliere-et-autres-nouvelles-economiques
------------------------------
Message: 9
Dear Comrades, ---- The Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group has issued its May Day Statement for 2020: ----
https://melbacg.wordpress.com/leaflets ---- It can also be seen directly here: ----
https://melbacg.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/may-day-2020-final.pdf ---- Finally, it is attached below. ---- This leaflet is usually
distributed at the 8 Hour Monument on May Day.Because of the need to restrict the spread of the coronavirus, the MACG will not be doing this
this year. ---------------- MAY DAY 2020 ---- Origins ---- In 1886, workers in Chicago in the US kicked off a campaign to win the eight hour
day, starting with a strike on 1 May. Police started breaking up a peaceful workers' demonstration, then an unknown person threw a bomb.
Seven police and at least four workers died from the explosion and the following gunfight. A kangaroo court convicted eight Anarchist union
organisers, without any evidence of guilt being presented. Four were hung, one committed suicide and two later had death sentences commuted.
In the campaign to defend them, International Workers' Day was born.
Back to the Future
The labour movement, just getting started in 1886, grew to a massive size and strength over the
following decades. Despite massive internal conflict over political philosophy, it made revolutions
in several countries and won great reforms in many others. Inequalities were greatly ameliorated in
industrialised countries and many developing countries. The revolutions, though, were defeated -
some by the capitalists and some by tyrants who claimed to rule in the name of the workers. And
then the capitalists went on the offensive again, taking advantage of new technology to integrate
world markets and pit the new workforces of the Third World against the labour movements of
developed countries. Today, inequality has widened again to levels last seen in the 19th Century.
Coronavirus
The novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has caused a global health emergency.
The economic emergency that has accompanied it, though, is caused by capitalism. And this, in
turn, aggravates the health emergency. Workers need wages to buy their daily necessities. Petty
traders need their turnover to make ends meet. And capitalists need both workers and customers to
make profits. When people stay home to stop the spread of the virus, the wheels of capitalism grind
to a halt and the system falls into crisis. Some countries, like Australia, have a buffer that will last a
while. Most others have none. In some countries, workers already have to choose between the
possibility of infection and the certainty of starvation. Capitalism kills.
A New World
The struggle against the coronavirus pandemic is one that can only be won by an act of
unprecedented human solidarity. Through that act the values of a new world can be born. But
turning those values into reality requires the working class. Only the working class: global, multiracial,
multicultural and gender diverse, has the potential strength to uproot the power of capital at
its source and steer a new course. We can start by defending health and safety for all workers and
by fighting for adequate resources for the health care system. We can extend the struggle by
defending civil liberties and opposing austerity. And we can culminate it with a revolution to
overthrow capitalism and create libertarian communism, worldwide.
WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!
Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group
PO Box 5108 Brunswick North 3056
https://www.melbacg.wordpress.com
1 May 2020 macg1984@yahoo.com.au
In Solidarity,
Ablokeimet
for MACG.
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