Anarchistic update news all over the world - 23 May 2016

Anarchistic update news all over the world - 23 May 2016

Today's 6 Topics:

1. France, Alternative Libertaire AL #260 - 1916: Faced with
the war, the CDS saves honor of unionism (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)

2. Poland, rozbrat.org: Three months in jail for eviction
blockade (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)

3. France, Alternative Libertaire AL - policy, Lille: two
comrades victims of targeted arrests (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)

4. Greece, More on the NEW INSURANCE BILL by ESE Athens (gr)
[machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)

5. Call for an all-Britain class struggle anarchist conference
in 2016! (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)

6. France, Alternative Libertaire AL - policy, Valenciennes: we
do not drop the comrade! (fr, it, pt) [machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)


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Message: 1



In April 1916, at the labor exchange in Paris, opens a strange permanence: the unions 
opposed the war and the sacred union. Soon grouped in the union defense committee, they 
will, despite censorship and repression, strive to link social demands with the struggle 
for peace. Until attempted general strike. ---- For years, the European labor movement had 
fought against the threat of a continental war. In France, the anarchist communist 
Federation (FCA), the PS and CGT had opposed, often courageously, colonization of Morocco, 
to the militarization of society, patriotic and bellicose exaltation, the draconian laws. 
---- Weary, stunned by the brutality of the crisis in July 1914, the CGT had failed to 
act. The government had deftly reached out in the name of national unity to face the 
German enemy. This hand, Jouhaux and other leaders of the CGT had before entering walk-in 
what would be called soon "sacred union"[1].

The union does not deny Terrassiers

The sinking was almost complete. Do floated a few kernels remained faithful to the 
internationalist ideas: the elders of the revolutionary syndicalist magazine La Vie 
Ouvrière, around Pierre Monatte; CFA survivors gathered within the Friends of the 
Libertarian; teams departmental unions CGT Rhone and the Loire; the union Terrassiers the 
Seine[2], spurred by former CFA and hard of unionism of direct action[3].

These early dissidents were joined in December 1914 by the Federal Secretariat of Metals 
behind Alphonse Merrheim then, in August 1915, by that of the Federation of Teachers and 
women teachers at the instigation of Mary Mayoux[4].

But it was there that the prodrome. In September 1915, these pioneers of resistance found 
a common platform in an international event: Zimmerwald.

It was under the auspices of Zimmerwald that on 21 November 1915, one hundred unionists 
based in Paris, the Committee for International Action (CAI) to formalize the peaceful 
opposition within the CGT.

CAI, however, inherits the prewar divisions, personified by the rivalry between Alphonse 
Merrheim and former secretary of the building, Raymond Pericat. Two divergent visions of 
revolutionary syndicalism. The first, honest and prudent, had led to a refocusing of the 
CGT in 1913-1914; the second, the fire started, it was violently opposed. However, despite 
the prestige of Merrheim is Pericat who was elected Secretary of the CAI, carried by the 
anarchist movement and trade unionist "ultra" that the frame shape.

A few weeks later, the imprisonment of Pericat gives the advantage to Merrheim. On his 
proposal, the CAI joins the pacifist minority of PS in an enlarged structure: the 
Committee for the resumption of international relations (RISC), which until the end of 
1918 will edit pacifist brochures and pamphlets, despite censorship and repression, nearly 
500,000 copies[5].

This association in the CRRI still beats fast wing. On the one hand, trade unionists are 
not interested in internal battles that polarize PS allies. Moreover, the resumption of 
the class struggle in 1916 makes them a space for autonomous action: reborn strikes and a 
new generation of workers, sensitive to pacifism, flows into the unions. Between 1916 and 
1917, and contributors will be multiplied by 3 in the Construction, Metals by 10 in[6].

The CDS takes its autonomy

In short, trade unionists have less and less need for socialists exist. They dry the 
General Meetings of CRRI and in December 1916, without openly breaking, founded the 
syndicalist Defense Committee (CDS). Merrheim deemed too moderate, loses the hand[7]. The 
CDS Secretariat falls to another member of management Metals: Paul Véber. It is 
surrounded: Pericat of course, but also a strong team of anarchists Boudoux, iron 
Carpenters, The MEILLOUR, Metals of the Seine, Broutchoux, under secretary of Pas-de UD 
-Calais, Lepetit and Hubert, the Terrassiers, Vergeat, the mechanics ...

It is not, at present, to group some refractory handles; CDS can claim to join unions 
whole in the Seine - 5 in the building, 4 in metals, one in chemistry. The rallies are 
multiplying thanks to the rise of struggles in 1917 strikes in the clothing, weapons, 
buildings, agitation among officials ... Seamstresses in particular are supported by trade 
unionists that CDS, as Lepetit, strive to link their economic demands to the struggle for 
peace[8].

In March, the Russian Revolution stirs their action. On 1 May 1917, a meeting of the CDS 
attracts 4,000 listeners - the never-seen since 1914. pacifist tracts They pluck it and 
scuffles broke out with police. Meanwhile, riots shook the French army.

The CDS fate considerably strengthened this fiery first half of 1917. But this increase in 
social conflict also push the French government to respond.

The patriotic exaltation visibly longer enough to maintain order. It is time for the 
baton: it will be called Clemenceau.

Appointed chairman in November, he unleashed a witch hunt against the "defeatists" in both 
the labor movement and in the press and even in the political class. The twisted blows 
rain, justice prevails and prisons are filled.

This repressive climate grows CGT to close ranks. Jouhaux now seeking to disengage from a 
visibly outdated sacred union. Sensing this change, Merrheim judge need the help by 
extending his hand, and thus maintain the unity of the CGT face Clemenceau.

The problem is that at the same time the CDS, he is tempted by a splinter company. He 
thought indeed to call, above the official CGT leadership, holding a confederal congress 
... Finally, Merrheim convinces Pericat, Broutchoux and facilitators of CDS do nothing. 
The break is averted at the national conference CGT Christmas 1917 in Clermont-Ferrand. 
After three days of violent debates, oppositional put their anger muted in exchange for 
the promise of a true congress that would redefine the confederal approach[9].

general strike attempt for peace

This episode does not interrupt the action of the CDS. By January 1918, he tackled an 
extensive and ambitious operation, in the vein of revolutionary syndicalism before the 
war: a general strike for peace. A timetable for action is defined: in February, local 
preparatory meetings; In March, National Organizing Conference; May 1, kickoff. On 2 
February, in a confidential letter to his stéphanois correspondents Pericat evokes a 
"strike of arms, ammunition and transport to reach the strike cannons and rifles, general 
strike for peace, to force governments to commit . peace talks[...] It may be that the 
strikes in Germany and Austria, the Russian revolutionary movement took a more serious 
nature and it would be a mistake - a crime, I should say - not to answer a reciprocal 
action to the call of the people "[10].

In radicalized working class, they spread the word. Important union meetings held in Paris 
in February and Saint-Etienne in March, but the holding of a national conference is 
delayed. Indeed, the CDS is obliged to wait for the leadership of the CGT confederation 
organizes the congress as promised. Seeing nothing coming, he returned to his idea of 
convening the congress itself, but the Federation of Metal vehemently disagreed. Finally, 
the CDS agrees to limit these unions seated pacifist minority.

Nevertheless, it is a real success, with 246 delegates. The presence in the gallery of 
high-flying oppositional, Georges Dumoulin, deputy secretary of the CGT, strengthening its 
legitimacy. The conference is held on 19 and 20 May, in Saint-Étienne (Loire), very late 
indeed, but above all in a very uncertain environment for the success of a possible 
general strike.

On one hand, the military situation is clearly unfavorable to action. After signing the 
peace with Russia March 3, Germany concentrates all its forces on the Western Front, 
threatening to give way. Paris is bombed, and fear refluxed Worker Activism[11].

On the other hand, some red bastions remain ready to fight: 20,000 workers and armament 
workers went on strike in Bourges on May 1, in an electric atmosphere. On May 5, the 
building and the metals of the Seine entered the dance. Paul Véber got that strike cards 
marked "war on war". Finally, on May 18, eve of the congress of Saint-Etienne, the 
metallurgical and mining basin of the Loire is kindled. A conflict of major proportions, 
highly politicized, the animators, led by Clovis Andrieu, hammer the slogan "strike until 
the armistice." In this incandescent environment, and despite the bad feeling of Pericat, 
delegates can appear hesitant. The Congress therefore calls for a general strike 
throughout the country.

Alas, it is too late, or too early. Anyway the slogan is followed in the most advanced 
sectors: some mines, ports and arsenals, some large metallurgical centers. The press is 
silent on the strength of the strikes, but is unleashed against the CDS "agent of 
Germany". Police arrest 41 trade unionists, including Pericat and Andrieu. After one week, 
the movement, beheaded and isolated withers.

The moderate pacifists unleash the "ultras"

This heroic struggle has been the swan song of the CDS. While, on the front, German 
pressure remains strong, the confederal CGT congress as claimed finally held in Paris in 
July 1918. It only confirms, in spite of bitter verbal exchanges, the trend at work from 
Clermont-Ferrand: conciliation, in the modest forgetfulness of past differences, in favor 
of a "constructive" future.

"Extremists" warmongers as pacifists, are marginalized by the agreement between Jouhaux 
and Dumoulin Merheim who will form the new management confederal. Dropped by their most 
moderate allies, the "ultras" Building and the Seine metals are found quite alone. Pericat 
still incarcerated, witnessing from afar hemorrhage CDS. "We are still a handful," write 
him a fellow[12].

It's the end of the CGT minority that had agglomerated based on the rejection of war. 
temporary end, actually. A new minority will redial, based this time to support the 
Russian Revolution and in the denunciation of reformism of the new management confederal.

In 1919, the revolutionary wave in Europe and the spectacular rise of the class struggle 
will hand the Big Night in the agenda[13]. Survivors CDS unionists "ultras" and anarchists 
then gather at the forefront of the struggle.

Guillaume Davranche (AL Montreuil)

[1] Read the special report "Could we prevent the Great War? " , Alternative Libertaire, 
summer 2014.

[2] The department of Seine consisted Paris and its suburbs.

[3] Jean-Louis Robert, the workers, the Homeland and the Revolution. Paris 1914-1919, 
University of Besançon, 1995, p. 76.

[4] Max Ferré, History of the revolutionary syndicalist movement among teachers, SUDEL, 
1955, p. 176.

[5] Julien Chuzeville, activists against the war (1914-1918), Spartacus, 2013, p. 50.

[6] Maurice Labi, The Great Division workers, workers Editions, 1964, p. 249.

[7] Alfred Rosmer, The Labor movement during the war, volume II, Mouton & Co., 1959, p. 195.

[8] Jean-Louis Robert, op. cit., page 150

[9] Raymond Pericat, draft article for The Truth, March 1918 (Archives Pericat, IFHS).

[10] Letter quoted in Annie Kriegel, The Origins of French communism, Volume I, Mouton & 
Co., 1964, p. 209

[11] Annie Kriegel, op. cit., p. 215.

[12] Annie Kriegel, op. cit., p. 214.

[13] Read "1919's" moguls "of the CGT sabotaged the revolution" , Alternative Libertaire, 
June 2009.


http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Histoire-Il-y-a-cent-ans-Face-a-la

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Message: 2



On the 27th of April Lukasz Bukowski, a participant of Anarchist Federation Poznan, 
Poland, went to prison for three months. He had been charged and sentenced with the breach 
of bodily integrity of a police officer which had happened during the eviction blockade of 
a disabled woman and her husband, Katrzyna and Ryszard Jencz, from a tenement house in 
Poznan, Poland. Lukasz refused to pay the fine, which then was changed to community work 
and then to a prison term. He appeared at a prison in Poznan where he will spend the next 
three months. ---- Lukasz wants to bring attention to displacements and brutal evictions 
that still take place not only in Poznan but all across Poland. He refused to pay the fine 
because he believes that his act of defending the tenants was right. He also wants to 
bring attention to unequal and unfair treatment of tenants and to the repression that all 
people defending tenants' rights face.

The eviction of Ryszard and Katarzyna (who is seriously ill and has been
in a wheelchair for many years) took place on 25th of October 2011.
Despite Katarzyna's visible serious condition, the court, which issued
the eviction notice, did not give them social housing (which is required
by the law but courts often refuse to do it due to lack of social
housing). So, in fact, the couple was evicted on to the streets.

Large police forces were mobilized and showed up at the tenement
building a few hours before the eviction, cutting off the access to the
building and the apartment. Around 70 activists tried to block the
eviction. Some people living in the neighborhood also joined them but in
the end Katarzyna Jencz, because of her worsening health condition had
to be transported out of the building in an ambulance. The debt
collector then seized the apartment.

During the blockade, three people, including Lukasz, were detained. He
claims that the charges he faced were not valid and his conviction was a
form of revenge for his social resistance. The police also charged two
more people with leading an illegal gathering but they were both acquitted.

Every year Polish courts issue from 30,000 to 40,000 eviction notices.
Debt collectors perform about 8,000 evictions, they are often
accompanied by the police. Other people with eviction notices simply
leave their apartments before the evictions. The main reason of
evictions is the debt growing because of high rents, utility bills, low
income and precarious forms of employment as well as no welfare support.
Very often the evicted tenants do not get the right to social housing.
The authorities do not acknowledge the constitutional duty to provide
social housing for people with the lowest economic status, people who
are ill and unemployed. The case of Katarzyna and Ryszard Jencz is one
of the most appalling ones, as it has showed the ruthlessness of
evictions and displacements by the city authorities who often represent
the interests of landlords and developers.

We as a movement believe that Lukasz is a political prisoner, a prisoner
of conscience, who demands respect for tenants' rights and demands
stopping evictions. His imprisonment marks the beginning of another
campaign against evictions, illegal displacements and violating tenants'
rights. Together with Lukasz we demand stopping evictions and changing
the unfair social-housing politics that causes so many human tragedies.
The victims of these politics are often the poorest people.
We are calling the authorities of Poznan to stop 250 evictions from
social housing that they have announced would be performed until
November and to guarantee that every inhabitant of this city has a place
to live. Show the real will to change the social housing politics!

At the same time we are calling all participants of the anarchist and
tenants' rights movements to show their solidarity with Lukasz, all
evicted tenants and victims of police brutality.

Stop violating tenants' rights! Stop police violence! Stop evictions!

Please send letters to Lukasz (he speaks English):
--------------------------------------
Łukasz Bukowski s. Zbigniewa
Zakład Karny Gorzów Wielkopolski P-2
ul. Podmiejska 17
66-400 Gorzów Wlkp.
Poland
--------------------------------------

www.facebook.com/eksmisjestop/
www.rozbrat.org

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Message: 3




Two fellow trade unionists of Valenciennes were shipped during the demonstration against 
Lille El Khomri law. They are in custody. AL demands their release! ---- The events and 
actions that took place today have been the scene of violent police repression. 
Intimidation, banning demonstrations, violence: the French police has once again justified 
its notoriety. ---- In Lille the police conducted searches and controls on people who went 
to the event. Some and some have been tested several times! The objective was clear: 
terrorize those who defy the government in the street. ---- But did the police not 
content. ---- While the event was starting police attacked the procession anticapitalist 
that grouped different organization, including Alternative Libertaire.

Two people were victims of targeted arrests for no apparent reason: Corentin, student and 
high school student Union (SEL-CGT) on Douai, and Antoine comrade active militant of the 
CGT of Valenciennes.

Corentin was released after several hours, but Antoine is still in custody.

Alternative Libertaire denounces the arrests taking place in a climate of heightened 
police violence and demanded the release of comrade.

Alternative Libertaire, May 17, 2016

Updated May 18 at 9:25

http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Lille-deux-camarades-victimes-d

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Message: 4




What is new insurance bill: ---- It is the continuation of the previous government efforts 
to abolish insurance welfare system and an integral part of the ruling class assault on 
the world of work, which aims to dominance of the neoliberal economic model (known as the 
"every man for himself"), the transfer public goods to the private sector and even greater 
domination of capital. ---- The new insurance bill divides the pension in national (euro 
386) and rewarding, with a minimum performance threshold of 67 years, and linking health 
care with our contributions. In addition, it leaves room in the State to redefine the 
level of pensions, or the conditions under which medical care to be given. Therefore care 
and insurance , will no longer be a collective right, Welfare structure and obligation of 
the State, but turns into a matter of personal responsibility for the employee and issue 
provider for the state, and is approached parallel shift of workers to private insurance 
companies and care. The new insurance undermines the lives of all of us who are working 
today, and condemning the next generations of workers to be given from the beginning the 
matches gave the working class from 1900 until today, to achieve the acquired rights.

The fair solution to insurance:

Months now, Mass domestication trying to convince us that it is imperative to "recover" 
our insurance system and to provide a "fair solution". If the insurance system suffers, we 
are not responsible employees, who all these years constantly pay our contributions. 
Responsible looting of pension funds from the state (gambling on the stock exchange with 
its reserves, structured notes that the same funds loaded, the cut after the PSI ) and the 
years of contribution evasion employers. Therefore only "fair solution" is to restore the 
damage caused by those who caused it, namely the state and employers same.
What we can do:

Realizing that staying away from GSEE, Hadad, and other bosses organizations interrelated 
with state and employers, but also self-organized in work places, neighborhoods and 
schools are increasing our strength, all together and ask move
# Withdrawing insurance bill
# Return of reserve funds
# Payment of contributions due from an employer
# Human wages and hours
# Combating the 'black' labor with stamps for all hours worked and overtime
# Maintain the redistributive nature of social security.
WE THE EMPLOYEES:
1) dismiss the LOGIC MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMY IN OUR LIVES
2) deny misery OF ITTOPATHEIAS
3) Put FRONT THE NEEDS OF OUR ORDER
E leftheriaki S. yndikalistiki E Union (Athens

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Message: 5



Another world is possible, but only if we create it ourselves. ---- There is a vital need 
for cohesive organisation, with an attendant strategic and tactical co-ordination across 
the entire anarchist milieu. Consequently, and as a matter of urgency, a more dynamic and 
engaged movement is required. ---- In light of this, the Anarchist Federation (AF) in 
Wales calls for an all-Britain, class struggle anarchist conference in 2016, or as soon as 
one can be convened. ---- The last conference, held in London in 2009, raised searching 
questions which still await resolution: ---- Are we relevant? ---- Are we progressing? 
---- Are we mature enough to face the challenge? ---- How and where should we organise? 
---- Who are we are speaking to? ---- How do we relate to the wider world as anarchists? 
---- Do we exist in a form coherent enough to actually be called a movement?

A thoroughgoing reappraisal of our common strategies and activities is long overdue.

Hopefully, anarchists - as well as libertarian socialists in general - will consider and 
discuss the possibility of endorsing and supporting our goal.

Ffederasiwn Anarchaidd Cymru, March 2016

http://libcomgrp.weebly.com/

info@afwales.org

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Message: 6



Antoine is our comrade in custody until June 9, the victim of a targeted arrest in a 
demonstration against the proposed El Khomri law. He needs money and messages of support. 
---- Our comrade Anthony, kidnapped by the police during the demonstration in Lille on 17 
refused to be tried in immediate appearance. To punish the judge decides to keep him in 
custody until trial on June 9! A young comrade of the CGT union of students of 
Valenciennes he was released. ---- Anthony is known as libertarian activist, anti-fascist 
and trade union CGT on the Valenciennes. This is the only serious reason why he was put 
behind bars. ---- precarious worker, he has not a penny. To all of us to help him pass 
this test by writing messages of support, sending him books by paying the solidarity fund 
to send a monetary relief.


A Douchy-les-Mines (59)

On May 20, the fuel depot is blocked by SUD and CGT, with a banner hailing Antoine.
Send your messages by mail to douai@alternativelibertaire.org , which will transmit.

For financial support, two solutions:

Either a check to the SIA, to ship to Alternative Libertaire, BP 295, 75921 PARIS Cedex 19.
Is an online bank transfer, by clicking the button below. Indicate "For Antoine" in the 
"Special Instructions for Seller"

Your donations will be forwarded by AL with messages of support.

AL Douai-Valenciennes

http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Valenciennes-on-ne-laisse-pas

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