Today's Topics:
1. bandilang itim: Against the Terror of Anti-Terror By
Bandilang Itim by Malaginoo. (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. France, Union Communiste Libertaire AL #305 - Culture, Read:
Berkman, "What is anarchism ?" (fr, it, pt)[machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. icl-cit: Support your local Black Lives Matter uprising
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. Poland, Workers' Initiative ozzip: Germany: strike of
seasonal workers [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. Britain, Class War Daily MONDAY 01 JUNE 2020
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
6. INDONESIAN BLACK CROSS: Papua the Jakarta Six political
prisoners are free By PALANGHITAM (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
7. Britain, anarchist communisms ACG: Uprisings across the USA
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
8. ait russia: France: "81st Act of" Protest and "March of
Solidarity" [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
The Philippine government is another step closer to revealing its true self: an undemocratic, oppressive entity ready to protect and serve
the interests of the powerful, wealthy, and privileged few. Before there was talk of lockdowns and quarantines during the COVID-19 pandemic,
there was the issue of updating the Human Security Act, a law defining the parameters of terrorism. After many days and weeks of
politicking, grandstanding, and red-tagging, Congress unveiled the 2020 Anti-Terror Bill.1 ---- In it, the government aims to strip whatever
semblance of constitutional liberties and rights are left after the Duterte administration's stints into extrajudicial killings and human
rights abuses, that have claimed upwards of 5,000 lives and left indelible marks on the lives of countless Filipino families.2
On the 28th of February 2020, the Senate passed their version of the Anti-Terror bill, with 19 senators voting yes, and only 2 voting no.3
Debate still rages in the House of Representatives on its merits and its dangers,4 however, as of the 29th of May, two congressional
committees approved the Anti-Terror Bill.5 As the people of the archipelago face the greatest health crisis of this century without mass
testing, public safety, and financial stability, Congress is trying to take advantage of us while we are down and already suffering from
pandemic and the excesses of government.
A History of Insurgency
Different insurgent groups exist within our country, whose goals aim to threaten and change the status quo - to overthrow the people who
benefit from it: the current ruling class. The most prominent of these groups are the Bangsamoro separatists (such as the MNLF and MILF),
the Islamic fundamentalists (such as the BIFF, the Abu Sayyaf, and the Maute Group)6 and the Marxist-Leninist parties engaged in armed
struggle (the CPP-NPA-NDF and remnants of MLPP-RHB).7
These sets of militant organizations with their own allegiances and motivations have been operating for decades across the archipelago,
challenging government power in rural and urban areas around the country.
It is in this landscape of insurgency that in 1996, then-Senator Juan Ponce Enrile introduced a bill that would create a legal definition
for terrorism, and outline what the police and military can or cannot do to catch and prosecute convicted "terrorists."8 A "watered-down"
and "toothless" version of this bill became the Human Security Act, signed into law by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007.9
However, the rhetoric since then has evolved as Rodrigo Duterte became the President of the Philippines. Duterte has condoned and even
called for the extrajudicial execution of alleged drug users and pushers as part of his campaign against illegal narcotics.10 He also told
soldiers to shoot female rebel combatants in the genitalia, a clear violation of the Geneva Convention.11
Meanwhile, police and military forces regularly illegally detain dissidents, regardless of their affiliation or intention.12 There are even
cases where farmers, workers, and activists are murdered as part of "anti-subversion activities."13 Worse still, indigenous Lumad ancestral
land across the country are being occupied illegally, while atrocities against their communities continue to be perpetrated.14
Left and right, in the name of public safety and order, the current administration has committed grave violations of human rights. Civil and
military officers even called for the restoration and enhancement of laws and measures to make their jobs easier, presumably so that they
could claim more victims and plunder more territory. This included the push by Secretary Año to bring back the Anti-Subversion Law that
specifically targeted communists and those with communist sympathies.15
In this context, one cannot help but be skeptical about the government's motivations in changing the definition of terrorism, and extending
the punishment to be meted out to suspects and convicts under this bill.
Reading Between the Lines
In the Senate, this bill was authored by Senator Panfilo Lacson, to "provide a strong legal backbone to protect our people from the threat
of terrorism, and at the same time, safeguard the rights of those accused of the crime."16
Terrorism has been given a different definition under this bill. Simply, terrorism is any organization of people proving to be harmful to
the social, cultural, and economic structures of society, capable of causing harm to property or personage, and inciting other people in
joining their cause.
Under the proposed law, suspected "terrorists" can be held for 60 days without an arrest warrant. Aside from this, a 60 day period can also
be granted for digital surveillance, meaning any gadget connected to the internet, a phone, a computer, and appliance can be spied on, with
a simple suspicion by an involved police or military authority. This basically means that freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and
even freedom of conscience can be violated as soon as any investigator deems a person or a group "terrorist." Anything suspects do can be
considered a "terroristic act" and will be subject to the state's extrajudicial ways and means.
Once convicted, those who will "propose, incite, conspire, and participate" in the "planning, training, and facilitation of a terrorist
attack" face life imprisonment. The same punishment goes for any "recruiters and active supporters of a terrorist organization." Lesser
sentences are given to those who "threaten to commit terrorism, incite others to do so, voluntarily join any terrorist group, or be an
accessory in any acts they do." In short, anybody remotely related to any "terrorist organization" can be charged with a crime under this act.17
Overbroad and Overpowered
We can all agree that safety of the public is always the concern of our society. Our safety and the safety of our friends, our family, and
our communities have been part of the Filipino psyche for centuries. Once this welfare has been violated, we come to each other's aid, and
struggle to restore it to them. An injury to one is an injury to all.
However, the government has consistently shown itself as the primary violator of our freedom, our security, and our right to live. Whether
it be on issues of labor, civil rights, the indigenous peoples, or even human life, the State continues to side with the powerful and
supports Capital, the wealthy, and the privileged.
Yet, the State itself has the audacity to declare what is a public threat, what is terrorist or not. Under this bill, any organization can
be dubbed terroristic as long as there is enough "evidence" to secure a conviction. Anyone can be convicted as a terrorist just because they
called to oust the current president, joined a rally that suddenly became a "serious risk to public safety," or even shared posts or
messages that are remotely critical of the government. They can be detained for as long as the police or military would need to build a
falsified, trumped-up case against them.
For years, activists have been discriminated on without any proof from the government. Students, labor leaders, and even indigenous elders
from Mindanao have been harassed and persecuted for their views and beliefs. If the Anti-Terrorism Bill passes, anyone the regime considers
an enemy can be silenced with practically life imprisonment. No wonder why many people consider this bill as a Martial Law in all but name.
The Terror in Anti-Terror
Mikhail Bakunin once said that:
"The human being completely realizes his individual freedom as well as his personality only through the individuals who surround him, and
thanks only to the labor and the collective power of society."18
This means that freedom is only achieved when all people are themselves equally free. Freedom can only be achieved when a person's beliefs
and actions are recognized by their fellowmen. The fact that our conscience can be arbitrarily punished by any leader in government means
that freedom can be punished for being in the way of greed for power.
Once we start thinking about this reality, it then dawns upon us that we have never really been free. We may have freedom to post online, to
make our opinion and dissent heard, and to act according to our beliefs and interests. However, as soon as we point our fingers to those in
power and disclose their weaknesses and faults, they will do everything in their power to silence us, and hide it from plain view. For
years, this facade of democracy reigned over the archipelago. In reality though, it is nothing but a game the rich and powerful play to
become even richer and stronger. This bill merely shows us the rules they want to play on.
A society that is libertarian, a society that respects liberty, does not rely on organizations that say they protect and serve us, only to
break up protests, discriminate based on sex or race, and kill in cold blood. It recognizes and respects the autonomy of each person, the
ability of each person to think, speak, and act however they want. As such, the power to protect themselves and those they care for from the
threat of terrorism, perpetrated today by cops, bosses, and government officials.
We have a long way to go before we can even ponder on what we should do to build a better society. Today, we see what little freedom we have
left collapse into authoritarianism and fascism. We have seen Bolivia, the United States, and Hong Kong. If this bill is not junked, we
could see it too in the Philippines. This is not just an issue for Filipino libertarians and anarchists. This is an issue for everyone in
the archipelago, regardless of age, sex, religious belief, or political affiliation. If the State can take away from us, how more are they
willing to terrorize us further? Besides, how can we trust fascists to tell us who are the real terrorists?
See a report on the proposed law: Neil Arwin Mercado, "Longer warrantless detention among features of Lacson anti-terror bill." Philippine
Daily Inquirer. October 02, 2019.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1172687/longer-warrantless-detention-among-features-of-lacson-anti-terror-bill[?]
See a list of some of the victims: Jodesz Gavilan, "LIST: Minors, college students killed in Duterte's drug war." Rappler. October 21, 2019.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/179234-minors-college-students-victims-war-on-drugs-duterte[?]
Op. Cit. Neil Arwin Mercado, "Longer warrantless detention among features of Lacson anti-terror bill."[?]
Filane Mikee Cervantes, "House panels OK non-contentious provisions in anti-terror bill." Philippine News Agency. March 10, 2020.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096093[?]
Filane Mikee Cervantes, "House panels approve anti-terror bill." Philippine News Agency. May 29, 2020.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104372[?]
See the report: Agence France-Presse, "Tracing back the Philippine Muslim conflict." Rappler. October 7, 2012.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/13759-tracing-back-the-philippine-muslim-conflict[?]
See the report: Alan Robles, "Explained: the Philippines' communist rebellion is Asia's longest-running insurgency." South China Morning
Post. September 16, 2019.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3027414/explained-philippines-communist-rebellion-asias-longest-running[?]
Janess Ann J. Ellao, "Human Security Act: ‘Draconian, Fascist.'" Bulatlat. August 11, 2007.
https://www.bulatlat.com/2007/08/11/human-security-act-‘draconian-fascist'/[?]
GMANews.TV, "Arroyo to sign proposed anti-terror law Tuesday." GMA News Online. March 5, 2007.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/33045/arroyo-to-sign-proposed-anti-terror-law-tuesday/story/[?]
https://bandilangitim.noblogs.org/post/2020/06/01/against-the-terror-of-anti-terror/#more-577
------------------------------
Message: 2
Surprising, isn't it? That in a libertarian newspaper we still wonder about the subject ... Not that much since it is the title chosen for
this translation into French of a work by Alexandre Berkman entitled What is anarchist communism? to which was added The ABC of Anarchism.
Throughout his pamphlet, Alexandre Berkman dealt with many subjects and of course, anarchism but not all anarchism. He touched on
individualist anarchism and mutualist anarchism, deeming these "mistaken ideas and difficult to apply" . ---- Reading it, one can only think
of Malatesta as the style is simple and understandable by all and the dialogued form evokes The two peasants of Malatesta. Extension work?
Not necessarily. This "banal conversation" as Emma Goldman will write, responded to a double objective: on the one hand simply to
reformulate anarchist communism and on the other hand, to arouse the desire to know more, to go further. This book is clearly conceived as a
didactic work which makes it attractive but also full of certainties, simplifications and even simplistic shortcuts: "Anarchism teaches us
that we can live in a society free from all constraints".
A first possible approach to anarchism
Alexander Berkman wrote this book in a particular historical context: a few years after the end of the anarchist attacks, the end of the
First World War and especially after the Russian Revolution and its political deviation. Alexander Berkman devoted no less than five
chapters to this revolution. From this major event, he deduced "the bankruptcy of socialism and Bolshevism" , a real opportunity for
anarchism as he will write in his preface.
Alexandre Berkman proposed to approach social problems in a fairly simple, understandable and dialogued way: wage labor, unemployment, war,
church, school, justice, government but also socialism, Marxism and Bolshevism ... to gradually introduce anarchist communism.
The final objective of these evocations was to demonstrate that anarchism was not what the newspapers say, that "anarchism is therefore not
synonymous with disorder and chaos" but also to demonstrate its feasibility in explaining that it means "the absence of government, ie
emancipation and freedom. Disorder is the son of authority and coercion. Freedom is the mother of all orders."
Faithful to the great libertarian communist principles of Kropotkin, Alexandre Berkman also addressed consumption, exchange before
production because "men must eat before they can work and produce" . He was interested in everyday issues such as housing, local security,
house and neighborhood committees but also revolutionary defense.
This book constitutes a first possible approach to anarchism but it calls for critical developments for further reflection. It must be
considered as a theoretical testimony at a given time to the plural construction of anarchism.
Dominique Sureau (UCL Angers)
Alexander Berkman, What is anarchism ? , L'Échappée (revised and enlarged), March 2020, 392 pages, 14 euros.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Lire-Berkam-Qu-est-ce-que-l-anarchisme
------------------------------
Message: 3
There are an unprecedented number of uprisings related to the Black Lives Matter movement currently occurring throughout the United States.
The Industrial Workers of the World was founded on a commitment to racial justice in 1905, and the IWW Freelance Journalists Union continues
to support the working class in its struggle for that justice. Our slogan is: An Injury to One is an Injury to All. ---- If you are
interested in getting involved in local actions, supporting community self-defense resources such as bail funds, etc., we encourage you to
contact your local IWW branch to learn more about how to do so in your area. A full directory of IWW branches in the United States can be
found here: https://iww.org/directory/
If this is the first time that you are contacting your local IWW branch, they may want some confirmation of your standing in the union for
security purposes. If so, please ask them to contact the IWW FJU at freelancejournalists@iww.org.
We've also heard, repeatedly, of journalists reporting from these actions being attacked, arrested, or otherwise prevented from covering
these historic events. If you are in need of any support - be it professional, legal, or even emotional - please contact us here, at
freelancejournalists@iww.org
To paraphrase the preamble to the IWW's Constitution: We are building the new world within the shell of the old.
In Solidarity,
Industrial Workers of the World
Freelance Journalists Union
https://www.icl-cit.org/support-your-local-black-lives-matter-uprising/
------------------------------
Message: 4
In recent weeks, German media have described the scandalous working conditions of employees from Eastern Europe. We publish an article
describing the situation of approximately 150 seasonal workers from Romania, assisted by our sister organization Freie Arbeiterinnen- und
Arbeiter-Union (FAU). ---- Most seasonal workers flew to Germany on special charter flights between April 15 and 19, during the epidemic and
movement restrictions. The smaller group stayed in Bornheim from January 2020 and had contracts until September 2020, which did not qualify
them as seasonal workers (as indicated in the article, this group had an hourly rate, unlike seasonal workers paid on the amount of
harvested crops). Several (5-7) people from Poland worked at the farm (currently we have no information on whether they still work there).
Unlike Romanians and Romanians, Poles worked as drivers and machine operators and did not have daily contact with collectors and collectors.
The work was organized in a piecework system and paid according to the amount of fruit and vegetables collected. Earnings per hour were to
be EUR 9.35 per hour at work 40 hours a week or more if needed (working time at harvest is generally 10 hours a day, six days a week). The
high standards imposed by the employer meant that the rate per hour was de facto lower than the acceptable minimum. Money was also collected
from employees for a one-way flight (after the harvest they were to pay again for the return flight). Also the costs of accommodation and
meals were deducted from their earnings (as they knew when deciding to come, they expected higher earnings).
The protest began on May 15 at the initiative of the seasonal workers themselves, who refused to work without any external support, thus
joining a wild strike and demanding the payment of full rates. The local radio station became interested. Through her, people from the FAU
in Bonn found out who went to a place with water and food supplies for the protesters. From the beginning there were problems in
communication, of which only two people spoke German, and knowledge of other foreign languages was negligible. However, among the members
and members as well as supporters of FAU were people who knew the Romanian language. Legal support was also organized and farm visits became
regular.
Spargel Ritter initially refused to pay, but eventually decided to pay full payment under pressure. For reasons difficult to explain,
however, employees and employees were divided into subgroups, which - in order to make the transaction - began to be taken to an unspecified
place. The sums offered remained still lower than announced. On this occasion, the company also tried to force the signing of a waiver of
further claims, but employees refused.
The collections were not completed and they were transferred to another company. Of the injured employees, about 50 people stayed in the
Bornheim area, finding work on other farms. Members and FAU members accompanied them in meetings on subsequent farms, helping to assess the
conditions and offers prevailing there, and mediated in negotiating rates, making sure they were acceptable. About 25 people left for
seasonal work in Belgium. Some returned to Romania, some of whom were unable to keep in touch.
It is worth noting that for FAU it was a new situation for which the union - having no experience in the agricultural sector - was not
prepared. The impulse to take action was the aforementioned information broadcast on the local radio. As a result of the described
activities, 85 people signed up to the union and - regardless of where they are - plan to stay in touch. The association has prepared
informational materials in Romanian for distribution to seasonal workers. It cannot be ruled out that the organization of agricultural
workers will extend to other farms.
Strike in Spargel Ritter: Demonstration in front of containers on May 18
On Friday, May 15, some of the 250 seasonal employees of Spargel Ritter in Bornheim (Rhineland-Westphalia) left work on the asparagus and
strawberry harvest by informing the local press. The company's management called the police, but the attempt to intimidate employees failed.
The strike echoed widely in the media.
Workers and employees are furious because instead of the promised EUR 1,500 to 2,000 the salary was paid to them between 100 and 250, and
they were accommodated in inhuman conditions in a container camp, situated in an "idyllic location" - on the cheapest ground between the
cemetery and the sewage treatment plant. In response to the strike, they were threatened with immediate termination of contracts and being
thrown out of the accommodation.
Spargel Ritter has been operating since March 1, and according to other sources since January, in a state of insolvency, currently it is
represented by the law firm Andreas Schulte-Beckhausen of Bonn. In April, the company hired foreign and German seasonal workers without
informing them about the company's insolvency. Apparently, administrators of bankruptcy estate are using all means to make the company
attractive to a new investor.
The protest continued on Monday, May 18, when a demonstration outside the container camp was organized by the FAU anarcho-syndicalist trade
union. About 200 people attended. The protest began with furious speeches by workers opposing their exploitation. Then the assembled went to
a nearby company warehouse, where employees were to be paid overdue remuneration. There were police and aggressive security guards waiting
for them. It quickly became clear that the bankruptcy administrators' strategy is to conflict employees and set them against each other: one
paid 600 euros, others only 50 or 70. It was only the intervention of the police that allowed the enforcement of security guards so that a
lawyer summoned by FAU could be present during payments .
Isolation of migrant workers generally means that their exploitation is ignored, but the Bornheim case has caused sensation across the
country. Monday was a difficult day, according to FAU Bonn on Twitter: "The gloomy day is coming to an end. Even if the result is not
satisfactory: the fact that wages of several hundred euros were paid out at all is a panic reaction from the class enemy. Tomorrow's second
round. "
On Tuesday, agricultural workers and people who sympathize with them met at another demonstration, this time in the center of Bonn, in front
of the company's bankruptcy administrator's office. From there, they went to the Romanian consulate general, where a delegation of ten
employees was received. The consul called on workers to remain calm and prudent and to return to their accommodation. There, they were to
wait for the results of talks between the consul and the Romanian labor minister, Violeta Alexandru, who was in Berlin at the time at the
invitation of the German agriculture minister Julia Klöckner. Her second stop after Berlin was Bonn, where she was to meet a farmers'
association.
The minister actually appeared on Wednesday in workers' quarters. After a long conversation with Romanian employees - who were not admitted
by representatives of the union - she said that "everything is settled": the administrator of the bankruptcy estate assured her that the
payments would be made and her ministry would organize the employees 'return to Romania or, in agreement with the German farmers'
association , free change to work on another farm.
After her departure, the buses took groups of ten employees to an unknown location to pay overdue salaries. The supporters of the strikers
were able to enforce, together with the employees, that the lawyer and interpreter were present when making payments, provided that the
mobile phones were returned.
Because this dubious procedure could not be trusted, the demonstrators took buses to "unknown places", which was clearly prevented by police
who were confused. There was an absurd chase in western style among strawberry crops until the buses stopped in a field and the wages were
paid in the scorching sun. The lawyer ensured that employees did not sign the notice, and many gave him the right to judge his salary
claims. On Wednesday evening, the FAU considered that the minimum target had been reached.
Systematic division
The fact that not all employees from Romania and only a few from Poland took part in the strike results from the policy of dividing
employees by means of various contracts. Employees with contracts until September (and not only until June) and those who promised higher
wages, saw the strike as a threat to their employment contracts and criticized the unrest.
In addition to foreign seasonal workers, around 200 auxiliary workers from Germany have been employed since the end of April. As one
employee from this group told us, it is referred to as the "German team", despite the fact that these people come from all over the world
and only live in Germany. This is a very diverse group - young people who responded to the call to help "our" farmers so that the harvest is
not wasted, and people who simply need money because of short-term employment or unemployment. Unlike Eastern European workers, they do not
work as piecework, but for temporary pay, and receive a few cents more than the minimum wage (EUR 9.35), which introduces racist diversity.
This is of course also because
During work, the "German" and "Romanian" columns - according to the racist language of the bosses and drivers - are strictly separated in
strawberry tunnels, but fall into each other after passing full boxes. However, communication usually fails due to the language barrier. On
Friday it was noticed that there were no "Romanian" loudspeakers, but it wasn't until Saturday in the "German band" that the news of their
colleagues was on strike. After German workers continued working on Saturday and Monday, they were sent home on Tuesday because the
situation was too tense.
In recent weeks, there have been reports of poor working and living conditions for agricultural workers and laborers in German
slaughterhouses. The main reason is the inhuman conditions to which workers are exposed, and which in the current epidemic situation are
even more dangerous due to the lack of protection against infections. It is not surprising, therefore, that while Germany is celebrating the
low number of coronavirus cases, infections are bursting out in places where people live and work in particularly precarious conditions.
Examples of such outrageous conditions are accommodation for refugees in Sankt Augustin, a slaughterhouse in Dissen and the death of a
Romanian agricultural worker in Baden-Württemberg.
A wild strike from which we can learn a lot
Romanian agricultural workers were initially left alone. Leftist solidarity groups responded to their call - above all FAU. And what did the
main association in agriculture of IG BAU do? And the DGB federation? Members of the Landtag? Thread! Despite the lack of money, scarce
resources and translation problems, FAU Bonn managed to support employees at every step - it is a perfect example of concrete solidarity.
This struggle shows above all that unorganized workers employed under precarious conditions can also defend themselves. This experience
encourages the future. It remains to be seen whether those who have now been diverted to other farms via the farmers' association will not
spread the virus. In Romania, all major daily newspapers reported on the strike in Bornheim. This can also increase the confidence and
aspirations of seasonal workers.
During the crisis caused by the coronavirus, the risk of infection makes public debates numerous social complaints that caused the
catastrophic situation of employees before the epidemic, but remained hidden for years. It is clear that in a crisis situation, the burdens
and impediments are first identified individually. But in various sectors there are currently microprocessions of resistance that can easily
turn into collective struggles. In some cases they occur together, in others there are many barriers, such as divisions and hierarchies,
which should be broken.
authors:
Alice Claire, activist from Cologne, works at Beyond Europe
Christian Frings, activist, author and translator
John Malamatinas, freelance journalist from Berlin, Brussels and Thessalonica
translation: Maria Debinska
This text was originally published on www.wirkommen.akweb.de
http://ozzip.pl/informacje/zagranica/item/2665-niemcy-strajk-pracownikow-sezonowych
------------------------------
Message: 5
Today in Class War Daily: ---- Solidarity with George Floyd Protests ---- When the Cops Kneel ---- COVID-19: where we are at now ----
England will be ablaze by August ---- Got a text for us? Email classwardaily@gmx.com ---- AS tens of THOUSANDS ---- GATHER in london, and
AROUND THE WORLD IN SOLIDARITY with the george floyd protests, POLICE IN THE united states CONTINUE TO SAVAGELY BEAT any who dare stand
against them, despite making a show of solidarity. ---- WHEN THE COPS KNEEL ---- After five brutal nights of violence across the United
States at the hands of police, Yesterday started differently. With a loaded gun at the heads of protestors in the form of the National Guard
and Army, there was a sudden change of tact. ---- Across the country police chiefs came out to protests, talked to the organisers and in at
least a half dozen cities the police take a knee with protestors. A sign of solidarity and respect.
"We want to be with y'all,
for real. I took my helmet off,
laid the batons down. I want
to make this a parade, not
a protest," Genesee County
Sheriff Chris Swanson told
protesters in Flint, Michigan.
Santa Cruz PD shared the photo
above of their Chief kneeling on
Instagram and across the country
there was a clear message being
made, Justice for George Floyd
protests have the solidarity of
the police and it's not eithers
fault that that they turned
violent. Echoing segregation era
media, everyone firmly accepted
that it was "out of towners" who
had come to ruin and burn the
cities. This is despite what it
might look like the five days of
videos, - that the rioting was a
direct reaction to the violence
and was perpetrated by a racially
diverse array of locals furious at
the murder of their neighbours
and the systemic racism of the
Police.
The message was clear.
Yes from Fox News and Breitbart
to Police Department Twitters
feeds, Militias pages and
MRA mouthpieces like Mike
Cernovich (Who had celebrated
the murder of Trayvon Martin
as stopping a rapist before he
had a chance to rape) everyone
agrees now that it's bussed in
professional Antifa who have
come to cause trouble. Trump
then posts that he intends to
designate Antifa as a terrorist
organisation and bosh. Job done.
In New York organisers set
about organising a mass Taking
the Knee and then decided to
handed the mic to the NYPD.
One protestor shared her thoughts
"... all this getting the cops to
kneel with us.... like the cops are
cool with us, that's what's going
to be on the news tomorrow
and not our message. The
message of "oh only peaceful
protest is OK ... and we tried
that so many fucking times and
it hasn't worked and I'm not
about to watch a cop knee and
say "oh good for you". I'm
not going to do that any more.
We've tried so many things
and they havn't worked and
I'm mad and I deserve to be"
As she takes a breath the
crowd chant "NYPD Suck my
dick", clearly some folk aren't
buying the ersatz solidarity and
saccharine smiles of those who
just hours before were busy
blinding journalists, shooting
rounds into peoples houses and
knocking old fellas with canes
down to the ground in scenes
that brought back memories of
the murder of Ian Tomlinson.
Shortly after, someone chucked
a bottle of water at the cops
and they exploded into a
wave of violence attacking
protestors and bystanders alike.
Meanwhile In Washington DC,
a peaceful protest descending
into rioting as cops smashed up
people pushing over a fence and
when others moved to protect
themselves, they had tear gas
rounds rain down on them. Last
I looked - about four am Monday
morning - a building guards
were using was on fire and a
dozen fires around the central
area could be see from the air.
When the cops kneel, they
do so to shut you up. They
want to pacify the righteous
anger of working class black
communities. "Behave!", they
say, "be compliant, keep it
peaceful". Nah we wont do a
thing about these trucks that keep
ploughing through your peaceful
protests nor the fucker who span
his car around for a second high
speed attempt at murder. They
want to pander to the liberal
crowds and those who continue
to hold onto the delusion that
the police can be reformed and
at that, it is the police who will
reform themselves. Don't blame
cops, blame other protestors for
being too angry, it's their fault
we hurt you. Just listen to them.
You never know maybe the
police liaison tactic will work,
perhaps once again people
will give community review
schemes a try and the cops will
do their very darnedest not to
kill another unarmed black man
for a while. If that doesn't do it
they will use the army and force
the good behaviour they crave
and keep people in their place.
The implicit threat of violence
that the military base as the LA
Convention Centre hangs heavy
on the minds of those who seek
justice for the dead to be sure
and if the cops are repeating
themselves, there will have been
threats against organisers too. It's
their fault people rioted after we
battered them see? Police logic.
They want to divide the working
class in any way they can, if they
can use race, they'll use race. If
they can make it about whose
local and whose not, they'll do
that. That guys too angry, that
guy disagrees with who you
voted for. Point the looters out for
us, we'll take them away for you,
let's get this movement broken
up and at each others throats.
They do it every time, after every
riot, everywhere in the world.
I have faith people are
smarter than that tho, and the
temperament of the next few days
will be governed by solidarity
and fighting for the community
and not capitulating to the state
on a raft of empty promises. I
guess no one can really call what
will happen this coming week
but from Class War Daily, from
London, Cardiff, Dublin, Sao
Paulo, Tokyo, Auckland and a
dozen other cities, you how our
solidarity and know that the
world stands with you as you
find Justice for George Floyd.
Peter Ó Máille
If you're attending a protest
in London this coming week
remember that police violence
is rife here as well. Print out the
bustcard below and keep it on
your person. If you are attending
demos elsewhere check on the
GBC website, as they have a few
https://classwar.world/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CW-Daily-39-200601.pdf
------------------------------
Message: 6
Having previously been released, today 27/5 Papuan political prisoners who are in Jakarta have been released after serving a nine-month
detention period. Ariana Lokbere was only released on 28/5 due to administrative problems.
There are still 48 other political prisoners still undergoing legal proceedings in Kalimantan and #West Papua. Maintain solidarity.
#freepapuanpoliticalprisoners
#BfreeTapol
#BfreeTapolPapua #PapuaThey're
https://palanghitamanarkis.noblogs.org/post/2020/05/30/tapol-papua-the-jakarta-six-telah-bebas/
------------------------------
Message: 7
We re-post this 29th May report from the website It's Going Down. ---- Police Precinct Torched in Minneapolis as Government Buildings
Stormed & Riots Spread in Solidarity with Uprising ---- Over the last two days, continued rioting, looting, and clashes with police have
intensified in so-called Minneapolis, following the police murder of George Lloyd on Monday. On Wednesday, one protester has been shot and
killed. County prosecutors on Thursday afternoon stated that they would not proceed forward with charging the officers involved
in[Lloyd's]death at this time, only adding to the growing anger on the streets. ---- As one report wrote: ---- During a Thursday afternoon
press conference, Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey attempted to placate protesters and pleaded with them to "be better than we have been."
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arrodondo joined in the plea to restore order in the city. "I know that there is currently a deficit of
hope in our city... But I will not allow anyone to continue to increase that deficit by re-traumatizing those folks in our community."
Popular anger was further stoked Thursday by the comments of the prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case, Hennepin County Attorney
Mike Freeman. He told reporters that there is "other evidence that does not support a criminal charge... I will not rush to justice."
Freeman is responsible for the decision not to bring charges against the officer who killed Jamar Clark in 2016, sparking days of protest,
as well as the more than half a year delay in deciding to charge and arrest the officer who shot and killed Justine Damond in 2017.
Rioting and looting continued to spread as it had the night before - into neighborhoods away from the initial epicenter and then into nearby
St. Paul. On Thursday, as smoke still rose from burned out corporate stores such as Target, thousands of people took to the streets in
Downtown Minneapolis in solidarity with George Floyd, as fresh clashes broke out with police and more stores were looted. Posts on social
media also show liberated goods been distributed in the Target parking lot close to the 3rd police precinct, which has become the de-facto
epicenter of the rioting.
As the afternoon wore on, people gathered outside of the precinct, as clashes with police continued. These running street battles escalated
as rioters broke into the building, finally forcing police to flee in their vehicles. Once the building was empty, people then began to loot
it and then set it on fire. What followed was a festive, party-life atmosphere for several hours while the precinct burned.
This victory over the police by thousands of people taking sustained action daily in the face of massive police violence, mainly young
zoomers and millennials, represents a historical moment. As expressed in hours of interviews conducted by Unicorn Riot on the ground in the
midst of the uprising, the revolt is not coming from the activist Left, nor from "progressives" or "liberals," but instead from the local
base of proletarian youth in Minneapolis. While the uprising has had a very multi-racial character, across the board there is an
understanding that the entire anti-Black system of racialized capitalism must be destroyed.
As night wore on, solidarity demonstrations were kicking off across the so-called United States. Anarchists organized solidarity
demonstrations and marches in Portland and Olympia, while students in Oakland blocked a freeway entrance. In Sacramento, street marches took
place, while riots broke out in Fontana, which broke windows at City Hall. Meanwhile in Los Angels, two days of protests were organized,
with people on Wednesday blocking the 101 freeway; busting out the windows of a police car that attempted to drive into demonstrators.
Finally in Phoenix, rowdy street marches gave way to riots, as people lobbed rocks at the Phoenix Police Department.
More riots and clashes with the police continued in Denver, where people fought with police and blocked a freeway, while in Columbus, riots
in the street soon led to mass vandalism of the Statehouse. Street-fighting also took place in Louisville, Kentucky, while in New York,
clashes with police led to multiple arrests. In the evening, Trump took to Twitter to call protesters "thugs" and announced the arrival of
several hundred National Guard troops on the streets of Minneapolis, whom he claimed would potentially open fire on looters.
What follows is a roundup of solidarity protests and riots from across the so-called United States. For a list of upcoming protests and
demonstrations, go here.
Pacific Northwest
Olympia, WA: Solidarity demonstration tears down fences keeping people from access Downtown park. Graffiti written. Read reports here and here.
Portland, OR: Protest and occupation outside of so-called Justice Center continues into second day. At night, street march launched;
blockades of streets.
Southwest
Sacramento, CA: Street march blocks streets.
Oakland, CA: Youth shut down freeway entrance in downtown Oakland.
Fontana, CA: Clashes with the police break out after protest takes to the streets. People begin throwing rocks and bottles at police.
Windows broken at city hall.
Los Angeles, CA: Two days of solidarity actions. On Wednesday, mass march takes to the streets and blockades freeway 101. Police officer
drives into crowd and police vehicle is attacked, windows broken out. Crowd marches and rallies in front of LAPD HQ where anti-police
graffiti is written. Thursday sees more protests.
Phoenix, AZ: Large march takes to streets. Riots breakout outside of Phoenix police headquarters; rioters pelt police station with rocks.
Albuquerque, NM: Mass march takes to the streets.
Central
Denver, CO: Street marches turn into riots; police shoot out gas to clear people from blocking freeway. Vigilante driver runs into crowd;
reports of a shooter firing off several shots, no one hit.
Midwest
Chicago, IL: Rally in solidarity with Georgy Floyd.
Oakdale, MN: Protests continue outside of the home of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed Georgy Floyd. Several arrested
over past few days.
Minneapolis, MN: Mass street protests flood downtown; clashes with police and looting continues; fires are re-start, rioters are able to
push police out of the 3rd precinct and police evacuate; precinct is set on fire. Thousands party in liberated zone. National guard arrives
to mostly clear out streets after Trump issues vague threats of the military opening fire on looters.
Columbus, OH: Street protests lead to riots which take over the Statehouse; windows broken; people storm building.
St. Louis, MO: Rowdy protests block streets in solidarity with George Floyd.
Ferguson, MO: Protest outside of police department in solidarity with George Floyd
Southeast
Penascola, FL: Protest and rally in solidarity with George Floyd.
Memphis, TN: Two nights of rowdy marches which take the streets in solidarity with the Minneapolis Uprising; blocks streets. Attempted
disruption by neo-Confederate.
Louisville, KY: Riots break out in the streets; street fighting with police; barricades and shields utilized by rioters. At some point there
was as shooting which injured 7 people, one person critically. Rioters marched in solidarity with George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor,
who was killed by police in March.
Northeast
New York, NY: Clashes with police in Union Square; over 40 arrests.
https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2020/05/31/uprisings-across-the-usa/
------------------------------
Message: 8
The authorities in France again banned the holding of traditional yellow Saturday vests demonstrations in major cities, which were planned
as part of the 81st protest. Characteristically, these bans were vigorously supported by the bourgeoisie, such as the store owners in
Toulouse, who launched a fierce campaign against protesters. Nevertheless, activists of the movement on May 30 again reached the roundabouts
and intersections of highways. In large cities, "yellow vests" called for support of "solidarity marches", such as in Paris, where more than
10 thousand people marched on such a march, despite all the government's bans! ---- The march in Paris was initiated by 195 associations,
trade unions and political organizations. Its organizers called for expressing solidarity with the alleged migrants and "illegal immigrants"
and a protest against police violence. Authorities banned the march, citing the motive of "sanitary security", which supposedly does not
allow assembly of more than 10 people. But the demonstrators ignored the totalitarian bans.
Protesters gathered around Reomur Street and marched along Sevastopol Boulevard to Madeleine Square and Republic Square. They carried
banners on which it was written, in particular: "Freedom to all locked up!" and chanted: "Documents to whom? Everyone!" and "Solidarity with
the undocumented!" Some of them were masked, others without. As the Mediapart blog noted: "" After the layoffs and contempt, wearing masks
today is a sign of obedience to power in France! "
The protesters from the Paris suburbs Montreux were not given the opportunity to join the Parisians. Montreux has become the latest hotbed
of riots in poor suburbs across the country. During police violence in poor neighborhoods, mid-March killed 12 people.
Reinforced police and gendarmerie units, armed and in military clothing, were already waiting for demonstrators in the Republic Square. A
helicopter circled over the procession.
Police repeatedly attacked demonstrators, trying to disperse them. On Madeleine Square and Opera Square, capitalist guards grabbed
protesters. They forced the demonstrators to retreat from Republic Square along Republic Avenue. The police used tear gas in the square,
scattering part of the crowd. Clashes erupted, but despite police repression, the demonstration continued. People tried to stay in Madeleine
and Opera squares. As a result, 92 people were detained.
Solidarity marches also took place in Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, Grenoble and other cities. A new manifestation is scheduled for June
20. "The Solidarity March calls for an even more powerful and decisive manifestation, due to the emergency medical, social and political
situation, and for the protection of our freedoms to join the demands of the manifestation."
In a number of cities, the "yellow vests" organized small pickets of their own. In Brest, dozens of people gathered in Strasbourg Square at
13.30, but after half an hour they were expelled from there by the police, after which they passed a short demonstration along Jean Zhores
street. "We are still against capitalism," one of the activists of the "yellow vests" declared. "There will be more and more poor people
(...) I think that Macron's policies are far more dangerous than coronavirus." Protesters accused the government of manipulation. One
participant stated that he put on a mask, but for him this is a way to hide his identity from the police. In turn, the police announced that
they would fine all the protesters.
Dozens of "yellow vests" for the third time after May 11 went to a protest rally in Angers, protesting against the ban on demonstrations. In
Nimes, during an unauthorized protest, the yellow vest activist Roland Voeille was arrested. In Lannion, dozens of "yellow vests" took part
in a rally of solidarity with a local hospital ...
Source:
https://blogs.mediapart.fr/ceinna-coll/blog/310520/acte-81-lxxxi-paris-covid-19-deconfinement-retour-des-manifestants-3;
https://www.revolutionpermanente.fr/Malgre-l-interdiction-plus-de-10-000-manifestants-a-Paris-pour-exiger-la-regularisation-de-tous-les;
https://regnum.ru/news/2967233.html;
https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/brest-29200/brest-une-soixantaine-de-gilets-jaunes-rassembles-place-de-strasbourg-ce-samedi-30-mai-6853045;
https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/angers-49000/angers-gilets-jaunes-et-elus-d-opposition-veulent-deconfiner-aussi-les-manifs-68595a8c-a278-11ea-b1ee-3b6e20287a94;
https://www.objectifgard.com/2020/05/30/gard-un-leader-des-gilets-jaunes-arrete-ce-samedi-en-train-de-manifester-malgre-son-controle-judiciaire/;
https://actu.fr/bretagne/lannion_22113/lannion-des-gilets-jaunes-en-colere-devant-l-hopital_33982411.html
https://aitrus.info/node/5488
------------------------------
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