[WSF-Discuss] International call for an Anti-Capitalist Action Block during ESF 2008, Sweden

[CACIM]

 International call for an Anti-Capitalist Action Block during ESF 2008,
Sweden

>From email, 8 September 2008:

@ http://www.wombles.org.uk/article2008091941.php* *

*Who are the Action Network? *

During 17th - 21st September 2008 the European Social Forum will be hosted
by Malmo, an event planned to give social movements and radical
organizations all over Europe the opportunity to enter into dialogue with
each other. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this five-day
Forum which will offer seminars, workshops, and art events, including music,
all with the slogan 'Another Europe is Possible.'

Simultaneously, various kinds of demonstrations, mass activities and street
events will take place, some as part of the official ESF, but others outside
and independent of this. The ESF 2008 Action Network is intended to
co-ordinate these organizations – from other parts of Sweden and Europe –
that wish to work independently and get involved in mass activities and
other events in Malmo during the ESF period.

The purpose is especially to help different groups communicate, and to help
organize their mobilization. The ESF 2008 Action Network is independent of
the official ESF, politically as well as economically, and all participants
in the Network will little by little shape its slant and aims.

The mass activities won't take place in opposition to the official Forum,
but on the other hand, they won't be in the least committed to that
political agenda or social practice which the wealthiest and most powerful
forces no doubt will express through the official ESF.

Quite the contrary: we know that many of the thousands of activists expected
to travel to Malmo because of the ESF will welcome the chance to turn their
own political opinions into action through mass activities. Within the
Network, there will be time and place for a wide spectrum of different kinds
of practice. Respecting each other's methods, but without compromises,
people will act together, or at least during the same days, towards our
common goals.

Invitation for participation in the Anti-capitalist Action Block run by
Action Network on September 20th 2008.

The major demonstration during ESF in Malmo will take place on Saturday
September 20th at 12.00. The demonstration will be divided into different
blocks, where Action Network has organized the Anti-capitalist Action Block,
which has a freedom of tendencies. It means that the block is open for
participation for all groups who consider themselves anti-capitalist and
revolutionary.

*Why an anticapitalist block? *

The Nordic countries have a long tradition of a mutual agreement between the
state, the political parties and the unions. This has caused us to forget
the political disobedience that characterized our movement one hundred years
ago. We have chosen to organize an anti-capitalist block because we do not
believe in parliamentary reforms or lobbying as a strategy for change.

The cooperation between states and major corporations to keep the capitalist
order in place needs to be overthrown by unity and cooperation between the
oppressed peoples of the world. Change does not come from above- It´s
organized from below.

For more information about the planned activities by Action Network during
ESF 2008. See further on our homepage http://www.esf2008action.net

*Resources needed *

The five days of action will need a lot of resources. We ask for support to
make the make the best possible out of the actions. Do you have a travelling
kitchen that can provide food for many people? Have you worked with Trauma
Support/Out of Action areas? Do you have ideas for cultural events in the
evenings?

*Practical information *

Due to a shortage of facilities we have to direct you to the official ESF
who will provide sleeping places for the participants of the forum. We will
focus our resources to provide accommodation for people with children or
other special needs. There will also be an area close to Malmo where
sleeping places for a limited number of people will be available. This place
is also recommended if people need to take a break from the actions for a
shorter time.

Hope to see you in Malmo in September!

Contact address:
koordination at esf2008action.net

See: http://www.esf2008action.net/en/node/30

++++

*Street Party ESF 2008 - We are taking it all back! *

We're sick of working for a ridiculous wage with only tendon-stretching,
muscle-ache and early retirement to look forward to. We're sick of women
getting a lower wage than men and we are really goddamn sick of the
politicians that are supposed to be on ordinary people's side having long
since turned into pseudoliberals and sent those of us who can't find a job
to Malmö's own daycare center for adults: the employment office.

Politics to us isn't something that mainly happens in dusty buildings of
parliament or dull TV-debates. Politics is about power, and now we are going
to use our strengths! By taking over the streets and filling them with what
we stand for we want to focus on a Malmö that is far from the politicians
polished facade.

We want to focus on a Malmö of conflict where union activists are
peppersprayed by police, where homeless people freeze to death on the
streets while politicians pay millions for christmas lights, a Malmö where
police force kids up against the wall for hours without reason and then have
the nerve to lie about it afterwards. A Malmö where we stand up for one
another and realize that only by working together can we ever change
society!

This will be a creative action where you aren't relegated to being a
spectator but is rather welcomed to take place. Do you want to write out
your crappy boss name in pink all over the street? Are you in a band who
want to arrange something? Do you want to tear open the asphalt to plant
seeds and grow crops? Do you want to bring your couch? Do you want to rap?
Do you want to dance to your revolution? Do you want to meet new friends? Do
you want to have a political discussion? Do you want to hand out crayons for
drawing on the streets? Do you want to shout poetry in a mike? Do you want
to sit at home and wait for the politicians to do something for you, or is
it time to take back what is ours?

We're going to challenge the power at it's core and the entire world is
invited!

Friday night during the European Social Forum
19th September 2008

check out the promo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2YByUNM4Qc
or
http://www.esf2008action.net/en/reclaim
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