(en) Canada, UCL Collective Emma Goldman - Open letter to the participants of the congress for the general strike of 1 May 2015 (fr)

[machine translation]

Here is the open lette sent to the participants of the conference to the general strike of 
May 1, 2015. It was in response to claims proposed in the Congress booklet. ---- Link to 
notebook Emma Goldman anarchist collective thank SITT / IWW for the invitation to this 
conference. However, several constraints are such that no member may be present. 
Nevertheless, we reflect on some of the proposals that we want to submit to Congress. ---- 
Do not negotiate the length of our chains! ---- It is important to go beyond the existing 
framework of struggles against austerity measures, but it should not limit our demands to 
surface facilities of our living and working conditions. Avoid the trap of reformism which 
forced us to play by their rules (state / capital). While it is commendable to try to 
unite the most progressive fringe of the community, we believe that as a left-wing 
activists, we did not achieve as wide a consensus on the claims.

It therefore seems pointless to list and a shopping list from multiple and sometimes 
incompatible horizons. In addition, we must avoid or compensate to try to organize these 
actors / actresses who work, mobilize and who have already gathered around these claims. 
We need to support the mobilization while avoiding duplicate instances, coalitions and 
with more limited resources.

In return, we believe it is better to define and popularize work on principles and means 
of action that are actually subversive and cause an overflow mode of capitalist production 
and distribution. We believe that our role is not to offer social movements claim as 
defined, but work on the acting abilities of people whether organizational and 
decision-making levels. They pass by means of mobilization and concrete action that permit 
the resumption of power in the hands of the oppressed and exploited-es-es.

The anarchist Emma Goldman Collective invites Congress to revisit applications with a 
combative approach rather than a basket of claims while keeping the three areas proposed 
by the ISTC / IWW. The Collective further recalls that it would be wise to always keep in 
mind the systems of oppression, privilege and exploitation (patriarchy, capitalism, 
colonialism, etc.) in the development of all aspects of the fight, since it is crucial 
elements in society.

Some thoughts for the debates:

Improved working conditions:

- Promote the development and reclaiming self workplaces rather than just wage demands; - 
Propose approaches to overcome the segmentation between living spaces community and 
workplace. Improvement of Living and Housing: - Valuation of public services (health, 
education etc.) and free quality - Fighting gentrification and its effects; Go rather to 
project development that meets the needs of the first inhabitants and inhabitants; - 
Promoting a direct appropriation of the city and its common areas; - Advocate for 
accessibility and free transit. Environment: - Review the exploitation of natural 
resources in collaboration with First Nations system - Opposing exploitation of 
hydrocarbons and fossil fuels in general - Explore avenues of resilience and material and 
energy independence.


Finally, the Collectif Emma Goldman greet and thank the initiative of SITT / IWW for this 
conference and hope that the proposed tracks will stimulate our comrades present-es. We 
reiterate our desire to collaborate and mobilize for the campaign. Good convention all.

Collective anarchist Emma Goldman