Invite for a European strategy meeting: 4-6th of October in Amsterdam: “Economic governance, the Troika and the struggles against European neoliberalism”

At the Alter Summit in Athens in June, activists from across Europe decided at an assembly to hold a strategy meeting to discuss and organise European struggles against the imposition of neoliberal policies by the Troika and the new EU economic governance, and its disastrous consequences . That strategy meeting is now set to take place in Amsterdam from the 4-6th of October.

The meeting intends to discuss how to address the undemocratic neoliberal crisis strategy and governance imposed from the EU – the EU shock doctrine:

– what have been the experiences of resistance

– what common priorities can be identified in the near future

– how can awareness raising be improved – how can our internal communication and coordination be improved, and what strategies should be pursued.

We’re looking for ways to ensure mutual support, and to strengthen our capacity to address the challenges at the European level that cannot be met at the national or local level alone.

If you or your group would like to participate, please reserve the date of 4-6th of October.

Please discuss this proposal within any relevant assembly, platform or network at the local or national level.

More information will be out shortly.

The meeting is open to everybody. Many groups have contributed so far, at the moment the facilitators include several ATTAC-groups, Corporate Europe Observatory, SOMO, Ecologistas en Acción, Transnational Institute and many more.

Tahrir-ICN statement on events in Egypt

The events of the past couple of days are the latest step in a sequence of events by which the military can consolidate its hold on power, aim towards the death of the revolution and a return to a military/police state.

The authoritarian regime of the Muslim Brotherhood had to go. But what has replaced it is the true face of the military in Egypt – no less authoritarian, no less fascist and for sure more difficult to depose.

The massacre carried out by the army against pro-Morsi supporters in Nadha Square and Raba’a has left around 500 killed and up to 3000 injured (Ministry of Health figures- the reality is likely much higher). It was a pre-orchestrated act of state terrorism. It’s aim is to divide the people and push the Muslim Brotherhood to create more militia’s to revenge and protect themselves. This in turn will enable the army to label all Islamists as terrorists and produce an “internal enemy” in the country which will allow the army to keep the military regime in an ongoing state of emergency.

They go after the Muslim Brotherhood today, but they will come after anyone who dares to criticize them tomorrow. Already the army has declared a state of emergency for one month, giving the police and military exceptional powers, and a curfew has been declared in many provinces for the same amount of time from 7pm to 6am. This gives the army a free hand to crack down on dissent. It is a return to the days before the revolution, where emergency law had been in place since 1967 and it provided the framework for wide-spread repression and denial of freedoms.

The character of the new regime is clear. Just a few days ago 18 new governors were appointed, the majority of which hail from the ranks of the army/police or even remnants of the Mubarak regime. There has also been an ongoing attack on workers who continue to strike for their rights (such as the recent army attack and arrest of steel workers on strike in Suez). The military regime is also hunting for revolutionary activists, journalists have been beaten and arrested, foreigners have been threatened against being witness to events. Both local and global media has told half truths and built narratives supportive of a political agenda. The counter-revolution is in full flow and it knows how to break the unity of the people in its effort to divide and conquer.

In the past two days there has been a rise in sectarian reprisals, with up to 50 churches and christian institutions attacked. The army and police were not seen protecting these buildings of the Christian community. It is in the interest of both army and the Muslim Brotherhood to stoke tensions and create fear and hatred in the people. They will fight for their control of the State as people’s blood fills the streets.

We condemn the massacres at Raba’a and Nadha Square, the attacks on workers, activists and journalists, the manipulation of the people by those who vie to power, and sectarian attacks. For the revolution to continue the people must remain united in their opposition to the abuses and tyranny of power, against whoever it is directed.

Down with the military and Al-Sissi!

Down with the remnants of the Mubarak regime and business elite!

Down with the State and all power to autonomous communities!

Long live the Egyptian revolution!

 

Tahrir-ICN