"The principle of is the principle of negation, the everlasting spirit of destruction and annihilation that is the fathomless and ever-creating fountain of all life. It is the spirit of intelligence, the ever young, the ever new born, that is not to be looked for among the ruins of the past."

Michael Bakunin (1814-1876)

“Setting a department store on fire and destroying commodities show human superiority over commodities.

It's a moment of truth in the false world of hierarchical consumption.

It's the human moment of revenge against a world that reduces humans to commodities.”

Situation of Revolt; Account of the December Insurrection in Greece. REPLICATE ORGANISE RESIST

Anti-Copyright Network >> This magazine is MP #7 an infrequent DIY printed project of incendiary texts & images, involving the collaboration of a small network of anarchists and anti- capitalists spread across Europe and the World. Most of the information about current legal situations of prisoners and anti-political struggles changes frequently, check out our web pages for more information and links.

OCTOBER 2009

CONTENTS:

Page # 6. International Resistance News 14. Conversation on Affinity Groups, Intermediate Struggles and Insurrection 17. Excerpts - From Riot to Insurrection 18. (Chile Section) Fighter is Dead but Our Fire Will Not Die Out 19. Un Saludo de Libertad para Mauricio Morales 20. Letter from Cristian Cancino Carrasco + More 25. Excerpt - Why a Vanguard? The Organisational Question 26. Excerpt - Insurrectionalist - Informal Organisation 28. Adios Prison by Juan Jose Garfia (as spoken by Xose Tarrio) 31. With the Rebels, Always from Carteles I by Rodolfo Gonzalez Pacheco 32. Texts from the Greek Insurgency 39. Letter from Spain (about the metal workers strike in Vigo) 40. Pirates - Somali Fishermen 41. Letter from Francesco Gioia 42. Germany 2009 - An Overview 47. 3 Years of Mutinies in Belgian Prisons 48. Agitations inside Italian prisons 50. Italy - The Dark Heart of Europe 51. L'Aquila like Palestine - About the Earthquake in Italy 52. Attack the Arms Factories 54. About the Prison Revolt in Caxias, Portugal 60. A Tale of Sand, & Those Who Feed From It 65. communiqué, Strasbourg anti-NATO 66. Support the Strasbourg Prisoners 69. In Gaza Like Everywhere / Terror war 71. Secrets and Lies 73. We Want To Watch Shining Stars... 76. Repression & Reports 83. Icelandic Squat Evicted 86. Notes on 'Call' 87. Distro

325.nostate.net # EDITORIAL

OCTOBER 2009

“Set patterns, incapable of adaptability, of pliability, only offer a better cage. Truth is outside of all patterns.” - Bruce Lee

Hello, welcome to 325, an insurgent anti- prison magazine of social war and . In a world slipping into economic and ecological chaos, we’ve written, edited, cut-up and hijacked articles about the global social war for 5 years. This issue is the first one to appear twice in a year, which represents a great leap in our publishing schedule. Firstly, this is due to the efforts of numerous rebellious individuals who have contributed their force and energy into the project, and being so huge in their payload they can A ‘criminal solution’ is found for all the without the help of which, this subversive break the mountains of Afghanistan to aberrations of reality. The concept of the production would not exist. Also a major pieces. For us, we envisage a new world, ‘anti-social’ and of the ‘community’ is the rotten lie of the consumer fascism, the contributing factor is the intense need for which is expressed in our violent negation social and ecological struggle, as the of everything that transgresses our vision democratic illusion. When you start to pull economic crisis, peak oil production and of a libertarian world - We only feel rage at away from this capitalist system which is climate chaos begin to disrupt the post- this prison society which is being built, and exploiting profit out of everything around industrial consumer society. we refuse to submit to ‘law’ and ‘order’; if you, you already become ‘criminal’, simply the streets, squares and ‘communities’ for holding your head above water. The UK State, like all modern consumer are to be walled in then our fate is capitalist States, democratic, liberal, decided; to attack! ‘Criminal’ urgency comes from the feeling socialist or otherwise, is an effective and that any day, any moment, you can be dangerous authoritarian regime, If our whole lives are to be enclosed then taken by dawn in paramilitary raids of possessing widespread social control we declare ourselves at war with the systematic violence, locked away from technologies with their profound society that defines itself as ‘freedom’ but your family and loved ones, from fresh air, implications for internal repression, and we recognise as an open prison. the open sky, from your essential also advanced forms of mass influence, environment.. which is enforced not only through violent Every day in the UK there is some new coercion, but by attempting to individuate avenue opened of technological ‘Criminal’ urgency comes from never a new form of citizen through commodity surveillance and potential control. More of giving up hope that you can participate in culture and spectacle. life is criminalised day-to-day, continuously, the struggle for life. like a tedious delirium; the intrusion of the Compared to the previous old-style technological apparatus and conceptual “Look into the camera” says the woman authoritarian regimes of the 20th century, frameworks of modern repression into sat in UK Border Agency uniform as the this modern State is an entity to whom the public and private sphere is endemic. computer scans your facial data before fascism is a feature for the media, not as you enter the security vacuum, where you a point of reference directing our gaze The media is saturated with lies and the sit in the non-place of borderless, towards the totalitarian dominion of politicians are all corrupt, corrupt in their international consumer social prison, the everyday life. In a world of lies deceit is the way of life, the people are drugged by lies, place that is being unwrapped everywhere only currency, dangerous illusions replace bullshit and gossip of the false culture. across the world. Passive microwave clarity of language and ideas, the outcome Consumerist fantasy and slavish millimetre surveillance cameras enable - endless borders, prisons and war. obedience to force is endemic. TV-Studio- the operator to see through your clothes Set reality- coherent nonsense, of with x-ray vision, watching for concealed War is the eternal condition of Capital and language without content, pure weapons, contraband or the elusive prize, State. War, where there is only the law of redundancy. All that is communicated in the explosive suicide belt. coercion - exposed, for all to see in the the media spectacle are the dull codes of brutal rain of Phosphorus and DIME submission, behavioural patterns labelled Identity cards could soon be compulsory bombs on Gaza, or in the bombs which ‘Individuality’, ‘Equality’, ‘Free Choice’. on all major purchases, payments over a certain limit will have to be accompanied Since the early days in the 1990’s by registrations of an ID card, and will be when the CCTV networks have recorded against your central ID record. been installed en-mass, it has been So you won’t be able to buy an item like a seen that they have no reductive car, a plasma TV or even a 3-piece suite effect on crime, they are an sofa from a legal outlet without one. This instrument of mass control and the is to enable police and the Inland Revenue internalisation of the law. The tax agency to check your spending and cameras have raised an entire verify that you are not living beyond your generation in the logic of income. A cashless open prison state repression, it is the hell of approaches - this is the United Kingdom, democracy revealed. a place from which people are profiled, controlled, terrorised, used as political

3 capital and thrown away, sometimes into the principles of free-exchange and self- The “First International of Stone the blackest pits of hell where there is no organisation. Throwers” as one German domestic name for the condition you are in; no intelligence agent described our present- name for the torture and subjection the The primary goal is the destruction of all day international anarchist and agents of the security services unleash aspects of the state and capitalism. autonomous informal network, is a upon you, none other than, of course: Nothing else will end the ruination of the functional but still limited international “extra-ordinary rendition”. biosphere. The desperate situation of the association, and for us to be serious about ecological collapse which is gaining a complete rupture, -revolution- means A finished colonial regime teetering on the greater momentum, to be felt in the initial constituting a network capable of edge of irrelevancy, the United Kingdom cataclysmic stages of its ferocity in the significant attacks against the forces of will violently murder and lockdown, all to next decade requires nothing short of the Capital and State. protect the financial empire it clutches total sabotage of industrial society, with its dirty war of attrition and terror. commodities, transport, communication, We have to accelerate the social war energy and the subversion of widespread which necessarily entails being an A place where Ian Tomlinson is killed by social values based on exploitation. organised force in the presence of a police in the main square of the financial hardened multiple-headed target with district in the City of London, at a demo There needs to be a broadening amongst incredible military and mass means of against the banks, and the people do the base population of the concepts of repression previously unseen in history, nothing. economic self-organisation, egalitarianism and capable of tyrannies unimagined. A and armed insurrection, against all those revolutionary movement which is not This is a place where the police shoot first who resist the total social transformation, cohesive, which cannot offer a really and get promotions later. which is necessary to avert the powerful solidarity, will never overcome approaching environmental disaster. the repressive forces of the state. Where the pigs eat at the troff, scoffing Solidarity and complicity are real weapons and stuffing their face with public money Capitalism is going to really hit a point in to defeat isolation and exclusion. and washing it down with luxury homes the near future where it cannot resolve and holidays whilst your misery forces you the contradictions which have held the The emerging armed movement must not to push back the despair, for just one base population in and make the mistakes of the previous waves more year, before you go insane. Even consumerist fantasy. The polar ice caps of anti-capitalist insurgents. The task of anguish seems self-indulgent in a culture are unleashing their torrents of power in reconciling the problems of necessarily where emotions are held in check in a unparalleled speed and proportion, the clandestine organisations of attack and mechanism surely only of benefit for the intensity unprecedented to all knowledge the role of those organisations as a ruling class and their liberal apologists. in history. violently transformative force is social, not military, in logic and essence. If the base Any person can string together a As an active minority of anti-capitalists population is the field and body of sentence that makes sense, that is and anarchists living in a situation of operations, the specific organisations of logically coherent, but this doesn’t widespread class defeat we have to begin attack should not separate themselves guarantee it has any value or use. The to constitute an active serious threat to from the mass, aiming to be as horizontal internalised cop and social democrat, the conditions of production that hold the in form as clandestinity safely allows. In even in the heads of the most base population in the present course of the world-wide information-terror war, disenfranchised, quickly leads to economic poverty and biosystem true communication is only possible reactionary outcomes. How many people meltdown. between equals, so it follows that our came to see the bloody history of the forms of attack must hold the future State, to see the domination of the not- Force is the only way to succeed against reality we carry inside us. living over life, then passed to dust before State and Capitalism, it cannot be fought anything could be done. Participation is in democratic parliament nor through Affinity groups of revolutionaries in preached everywhere- protest, march, pacifist resolve, it can only be fought in the autonomous networks that comprise part vote, lobby, petition. For some ‘the politics streets and workplaces. Radical direct of the widening insurrection within the of the broken window’ is more than simple action is the only method to get what we social sphere, in free association, activist outrage, it is an expression of the want, it is a formative component of our attacking the nodes and conduits of the devastation to come, the destruction of networks and also a means to attract economic apparatus and energy grid, the entire capitalist system. energy and attention beyond our limited whilst increasing the process of self- numbers, to consolidate and defend our organisation aimed at the seizure and If our desires are unrealizable, if structures and personnel whilst searching destruction of the means of production, revolution, is ‘impossible’, then the only for further avenues of activity and new co- their challenge is great in terms of sane response is the active destructive conspirators. time and existence. negation of this present order. If we cannot ‘win’, we’ll take revenge for each Our self-contained and autonomous Nevertheless, we will accept the daily defeat and humiliation, each pleasure groups which have a minimal theoretical challenge and be defined by our and sensuality denied. We’ll try to live a life unification enables a cacophony of points struggle for liberation and freedom. of priceless indolence, lazy beauty, a life of of conflict to emerge, despite the fierce resistance and unforgiving cameras, vigilantes and prisons vengeance against the class enemy. that the bosses build.

As an expression of our free society that Every time we resist we hold in our hearts, we’ll take action new worlds are born, against the bosses dream of a perfectly our free society will controlled prison society, with individual blossom in the and collective acts of rebellion, sabotage, shattered ruins of the mutual aid and solidarity, in our project to consumer paradise. constitute a current of attack based on 4 1110 August, Salfororord, UK - Hazel Blears, 1118 Julyyy, Attthens, Greece - Anarchist International the former ‘Communities’ Secretary at group claims bombing. The militant the centre of an widespread expenses anarchist group “Conspiracy of the Cells controversy which ripped through the of Fire” claimed responsibility for a bomb Resistance British political establishment, has had attack on the Athens home of a former her car attacked in her Salford deputy minister and warned the newly constituency. Young people slashed two appointed National Intelligence Service News mp tyres and smashed the front window on (EYP) chief that he could be the next her Citroen Xsara while the MP was out target. In a proclamation posted on the Internet, the group - whose previous canvassing among her constituents. actions had been confined to gas 1115 Septttember, Brighton, UK - HSBC canister attacks on police and Bank smashed in response for call for government targets - described actions against the arms trade. HSBC 22 Julyyy, Geraardsbergggen, Belgium - Saturday’s attack in great detail, invest £450 million in the global arms Office City Guards attacked. Unidentified including how the explosive device was trade and are the principal banker for persons completely destroyed the office planted in the backyard of the home of BAE systems of the City Guards (civil security guards) former Deputy Interior Minister in Geraardsbergen. They broke all Panayiotis Hinofotis in Palaio Faliro, and windows and smashed the furniture providing insights into how the 2-kilo bomb was made, including details about 1114 Septttember, Somerset, UK - 3 inside. its wiring. The statement added that the construction vehicles sabotaged by the attack, which caused no injuries, was a ELF/ALF. The hydraulics and electronic follow-up to last December’s unrest cables were cut. 2221 July - Neeewport, Wales - The Celtic triggered by the police killing of a Manor Resort, a conference centre teenager in the central Athens district of which has previously hosted EU summit Exarchia. It noted that Hinofitis had been 23 August, Roootttttterererdam, Holland - meetings, was attacked for hosting ‘UV in office at the time and had targeted Immigration detention centre Europe’ conference. The conference was “revolutionary groups.” The group added construction site fire-bombed. Here is a trade fair for unmanned aerial vehicles that it would continue with its action and the communique used to claim the (drones) used in warfare. Companies warned of an attack on Dimitris action: “In the early hours of August 23rd included EDO MBM, target of anarchists Papangelopoulos, recently appointed as we sabotaged the construction of a new across UK. The conference took place in head of EYP, whose home they had migrant-detention centre at the the lead up to the worlds biggest arms targeted in February when he had been a Fairoaksbaan, Rotterdam Airport in The fair, DSEi (Defence Systems and prosecutor. Police expressed concern Netherlands. We set fire to the on-site Equipment International), which will be at that the Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire offices used by the management of the the Excel Centre, London this September. had “graduated” to a full-blown terrorist planning and construction companies Thousands of pounds worth of damage group. “We had expected an escalation of responsible for the construction. All had been done to the doors and windows the group’s actions following its gas companies involved in planning, design, of their Manor the night before the canister bomb attacks on two buildings in construction and exploitation make a conference. There were small protests Attica and Thessaloniki where new police profit out of the incarceration of people, during the day and security was divisions were to be set up,” a source at ahead of their deportation.. ... We call on breached by one individual. the police’s counterterrorism everyone to set fire to the systems that department said. He expressed fears seek to destroy people.” that the group’s knowledge of bomb- making techniques suggested links with more established terrorist groups. 2221 August, Brighton, UK - EDO MBM/ ITT arms factory attacked in run up to DSEi Arms Fair. “ ... Paint bombs were 1118 Julyyy, London, UK - Italian embassy thrown into the compound, the intercom attacked with stones and paint, political was super-glued, electronic equipment slogans left, this was made in solidarity controlling the gates was targeted and with the recent wave of repression the factory’s sign was defaced...” against anarchists and anti-G8 activists. 19 July, Berlin, Germany - Police car From the claim : “... with this action we in flames. Communique (sent on 20 demand the freedom of our Italian July) : “Yesterday, we burnt a police car comrades and the end of the brutal 1117 August, Somerset, UK - Barclays in Berlin-Lichtenberg. 8 years ago the repression against activists in Italy as in targeted in solidarity with anarchist police murdered Carlo Guiliani. We will all the world .... until we are all free prisoner Elijah Smith. Claim : “The second never forget Carlo. Revolutionary sabotage the world. Solidarity means largest investor of EDO MBM/ITT, greetings to Alex, imprisoned as we attack”. Barclays, last night had bank doors glued speak, also to Gabriel, Jose, Thomas shut and ATMs glued up then smashed in Somerset. This was in celebration of and all other prisoners in struggle.” Elijah Smith’s birthday (anti-militarist 1116 Julyyy, Brisisistttol, UK - Estate agents prisoner)...” attacked. Communique : “Last night in Bristol (16 July 09) the property b DIRECT EXPERIENCE IS developer ‘Linden Homes’ received 1115 Julyyy, Grasberg complex, Papua - Two the death of a youth running away from several paintbombs against it’s windows, Indonesian police officers have been shot the cops in Biel (CH), an anti-cop demo walls and front doors. This was done in and wounded in the latest in a series of took place in Zurich. Between 70 to 100 the context of the anti-capitalist struggle attacks near a US-owned mine in People gathered in the evening of the to create, maintain and defend Indonesia’s occupied Papua region. 4th of July at Helvetiaplatz. The demo autonomous and occupied spaces across According to officials gunmen ambushed was fast-paced and the cops seemed to UK & Europe. We call for people to police on Wednesday along a road linking be extremely uncoordinated. From the prepare actions for the UK Days of the town of Timika and the massive beginning streets got blockaded with Action for Autonomous and occupied Grasberg gold and copper mining material and the traffic was stopped. On spaces, 18 & 19 September 09. complex. The shooting was the fifth such the way the following objectives were Property is Theft, Rent is Robbery and incident in as many days, but so far no victims of the general anger: Paint Profit only another word for Plunder.” arrests have been made. The Grasberg against the Prison Administration complex is majority owned by Freeport- building, plus cars in front of the building McMoRan Copper & Gold Incorporated, belonging to the administrators got based in the US state of Arizona. Papua, smashed. The Building of KPMG 1115 Julyyy, Rooovvvererereeettto, Italalalyyy - Action for a poor and mountainous province, lies (Financial Agents) got attacked. After a Mauricio Morales, fallen Chilean some 3,400km east of the Indonesian short onslaught on the arriving cops, the anarchist combatant. According to the capital, Jakarta. It is home to a 40-year- HQ of Securitas got smashed completely. newspaper “Il Trentino” on the 15 of July old insurgency that denounces the 3 cars of the company got damaged and in the city of Rovereto (Trento Province) Freeport mine as a symbol of outside one was burned, a Molotov-Cocktail got the facade of a housing agency and a thrown at the Entrance part. (Securitas rule. labour agency were destroyed are a company operating in private anonymously. The same people left prisons, detention-transport, security, messages that said “The G8 has finished, handling banks money etc. and from last the revolt continues”, “Mauricio Morales 1112 Julyyy, Chatellerault, Frrrance - French year were public ally revealed as having lives”, “Freedom for all comrades, car production workers threatened to been carrying out surveillance on a everyone free” blow up a factory unless they received political group in Switzerland at the order 30,000 Euro redundancy money. “The of big-companies and maybe police. 2 bottles of gas have already been placed other Luxury-cars got burned. At the at various parts of the factory and are “Schmiede Wiedikon” almost all windows 1114 Julyyy, Brighton, UK - 3 Estate agents connected with each other,” CGT trades of a Bank got destroyed and a Cop- attacked with stones and paint, Brighton. union official Guy Eyermann told France Station was attacked with stones and Many panes of glass were smashed, a Info radio. “If Renault and PSA refuse to colour. Also 4 civil-plainclothes cop-cars vodka bottle full of paint was thrown give us that money it could blow up got smashed up. To finish the demo through a window. Slogans were left. before the end of the month,” he added. another UBS-Bank got smashed then the Communique : “In the early hours of last The workers were successful in their demonstrators disappeared. The List Wednesday (July 14th) morning, an and inspired similar actions talks for itself. We took these days to estate agents in Seven Dials, Brighton Payback what should have been done was attacked with stones and in France. long before already. To all those affected paintbombs. This action was taken in by repression - To all the oppressed by solidarity with the recent Milada (Prague) ‘Order’ in this society - To all those people and Clinique (Paris) squat evictions, and 7 Julyyy, Brussels, Belgium - Cop car taken struggling and the prisoners of social in anticipation of the upcoming Days of into trap. Young people poured out olive war. We hope to set a sign that Action for Autonomous Spaces. Solidarity oil on a road, put fire to a bit of garbage resistance is always possible. This time means attack!” and called the cops. The cops drove the success was on our side. But we will really fast to the place and slipped heavily not stop till everything has gone. Then due to the olive oil, clearly a well set up our anger against the Cops is just a part trap. The police car smashed onto 1115 Julyyy, Bastille Dayyy, Frrrance - About of the anger against all of the ruling another parked car, while the youngsters 10,000 police officers were deployed in order! For a insurrectional perspective! major French cities, but over 300 cars were running away. For Anarchy!” were torched and at least 13 police officers were injured during street battles that emerged on the eve of the 2224 June, Liege, Belgium - Prison guard national day, Bastille Day, which marks attacked in the street. A prison guard the storming of the Bastille fortress in working in Lantin was recognised by two 1789. The day is traditionally seen as the persons and insulted when he came out occasion that set the French revolution of a bar at 6 ‘o clock in the morning. He in motion. Over 240 people - almost tried to ignore the insults but the two double the number recorded on the persons chased him and started to beat same day last year - were also arrested him. His face was bleeding and several in the riots. During the past few years, teeth were broken. Police arrested the however, riots and car-burnings that echo the events of 1789 are a regular 4 July, Zurich, Switzerland - Militant Anti- two youths. occurrence. Cop demo took place which was an important event. Here is the text: “As a reaction to the ongoing repression and

OUR MOST POWERFUL ALLY a 23 June, Mouscron, Belgium - Arson at said a small group of agitators are threatened further “political car dealership. Three cars of the car responsible for the high tensions in executions,” mainly of police employees. dealership Delbar were burned around 4 North Montreal. “We will strike all dominant in the night. The three cars are mechanisms, institutions and their completely destroyed. representatives,” the communique said, which for the first time was marked 1118 June, Berlin, Germanyyy - House with their seal - two guns with a black squatted in Friedrichshain. Two cars set star in the middle. Elite anti-terror cop 22 June, Brussels, Belgium - About sixty on fire in the vicinity after the susquent Nektarios Savvas was shot dead outside workers of FIAT blocked a central street eviction. Rigaer Strasse (radical area) the home of a key witness from a past in Schaerbeek in front of the car dealer has burning barricades throughout the terror trial against the Revolutionary IAC (FIAT) in solidarity with 12 fired night. Popular Struggle (ELA), who was under workers. The workers put a fire in the a protection program. ELA were one of middle of the road with wooden pallets the largest urban guerrilla groups ever etc. Police closed off the whole road. to operate in Greece. The attentat was 1117 June, Guelph, Kanada - Road They kept the barricade for several the first blamed on terrorism in Greece Blockade in Solidarity with the Mohawk hours. since 2000. Police said one of the guns Nation. “In the morning of June 17th Savvas was shot with had been used in 2009, a few people dressed in black previous Sect of Revolutionaries blocked the Hanlon Highway at Paisley attacks. The group emerged this year in 20 June, Boscombe, UK - A right-wing Road during rush hour. Fallen trees and the aftermath of riots in December politician of the Conservative Party, branches were pulled across the triggered by the fatal police shooting of Tobias Ellwood, was attacked and beaten southbound lanes and two smoke bombs a teenager in Athens. The militants by a group of youths after he attempted were set off to draw attention to the pledged to avenge the boy’s death, and to stop them playing football in the banner, which was dropped from the in February conducted a gun-and- street. Mr Ellwood had to be taken to railway overpass. The banner read: grenade attack on an Athens police hospital for treatment to his injuries. A “PARK YOUR CARS! Solidarity with the station that caused no injuries. Their Mohawk Nation.” This action was done to 17 year old youth was arrested. first communique was left on the 15- disrupt the transport of goods and year-old’s grave. Greek anti-terror police people, especially those belonging to the officers believe the members of the Linamar Corporation. Linamar is a Revolutionary Sect are Exarchia-based 1119 June, Berlin, Germanyyy - Two member of the Security and Prosperity anarchists who have swapped Molotov ‘Ordnungsamt’ (low level/public order Partnership, which works to improve the cocktails for guns. The violence that has police) vans burned in solidarity with efficiency of North American trade. been orchestrated by left-wing and Roma Gypsies who had been evicted Amongst its plans is the militarization anarchist groups has embarrassed from a public park. and fortification of the borders and their Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis’ guards. Like in Awkesasne, Tyendinaga government. The government has and Peru, we too stand against the SPP vowed to crack down on the increasing and its projects. Solidarity with the 1118 June, Montreal, Kanada - Anti-police violence against police, political and riot for Montreal North. The Montreal Mohawk Nation means ATTACK!” business targets and has sought advice borough has seen several wild incidents from Britain’s Scotland Yard, who have since teenager Fredy Villanueva was a unit now in Greece, advising the police fatally shot by police last August. “I’m 1117 June, Heppignies, Belgium - and government. Scotland Yard have wwworororrrried that young people areee Directors taken hostage. The directors called for more infiltrators and devvveloping a culture of violence againsttt of the printing shop Graphing declared to informers to penetrate the Greek ttthe police,” squealed Brunilda Reyes, closing of their company. The 80 workers movement, as well as greater use of some ‘community spokesperson’. During responded by taken hostage the surveillance, both on the streets and the latest bout of anti-cop rage, directors during several hours. also through technological means, businesses were damaged, fires were Apparently, an agreement was reached internet, mobile phones, emails, CCTV.. set, and police were pelted with bottles. to give money to the fired workers. Increase the Peace - Cease the Police. Police went to a park at about 10 p.m. in response to a call. When they arrived 50 and 60 youths were in the park. Officers 1117 June, Berlin, Germanyyy - Attack stayed on the scene to observe the 17 June, Athens, Greece - Elite anti- 117 June, Berlin, Germanyy against the Iranian embassy. group, but eventually became the target - terror cop executed in revenge for the Communique : “Down with the clerical with the group pelting the officers with murder of 15 year-old anarchist Alexis fascist system in Iran! On the night from bottles and rocks. About 100 riot police Grigoropoulos. The Revolutionary Sect, the 17 to the 18 of June we attacked the were called in, dispersing the group a left-militant group has claimed Iranian embassy in Frankfurt am Main which then went on to cause damage to responsibility for the fatal shooting of an with stones and a burning barricade. By parked cars, businesses and a school in anti-terror cop guarding a key this, we solidarize with the comrades in the area. Most of the suspects arrested prosecution witness involved in a case struggle in Iran. For us, it is clearly not are in their twenties. They face a range against the now inactive leftist guerilla about a support for the “candidate for of charges including assault with a group, ‘People’s Revolutionary Struggle’, the reforms” Mussawi. He, while he was weapon, assaulting a police officer, in central Athens. The officer died part of the government in the eighties, trespassing, vandalism and public immediately while the attackers fled let thousands of leftists being put in mischief. One officer was slightly injured succesfully on motorcycle. In a prison or get murdered. The theocratic- in the melee while trying to arrest one of communique sent to the ‘Ta Nea’ state in Iran can not be reformed, but the suspects. In Quebec City, provincial newspaper, which published it in full on has to be abolished. Even though a large Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis Wednesday, the Revolutionary Sect

8 part of the actual demonstrators aims to ... We see this action as a part of the at a police station in the northern Athens reach a bourgeois democracy or support Actionweeks (for autonomous spaces), suburb of Melissia. Nobody was hurt in Mussawi, also communists and other indeed we all stay - where we want.” the incident but six police cars were leftists take part into the struggle. Our seriously damaged. The guard on duty solidarity goes to them. For the global fired warning shots into the air, while .” another officer threw two stun grenades 1115 June, Belgium - Metal workers block in an attempt to deter the assailants. highways and industry. The syndicate of Some of the attackers escaped on foot Metal Workers are blocking all the while others rode off on motorcycles. 1117 June, Attthens, Greece - A series of entrances of the highway going towards fire-bombings by anarchists in Athens the industrial sites of Herstal. Big traffic caused damage at two car dealerships jams are reported. Striking pickets are in and other businesses. Six attacks front of several companies and factories. 4 June, Attthens, Greece - Three banks in occurred within two hours and were In Liege, workers on a wild demo entered different parts of Athens were damaged spread over a wide area. The car into the building of Agoria, the Federation by co-ordinated incendiary devices in a dealerships, Suzuki and Skoda, major of Technology Industry, which was heavily period of about 20 minutes. Police said suppliers of patrol cars and motorcycles damaged. that the devices went off outside a to Greek police were attacked. A private branch of Millennium Bank in Palaio security company’s offices and three Faliron, southern Athens, Alpha Bank in businesses selling security systems, Maroussi, northern Athens, and Aspis hunting gear and military uniforms were 1114 June, Brussels, Belgium - The Bank in Halandri, northeastern Athens. also hit. Most of the damage was minor windows of the Work Office ‘Actiris’ The attacks occurred between 1.03 a.m. except at the Skoda dealership, where (which hunts down unemployed people to and 1.25 a.m. The blasts caused force them into work) next the South seven cars were destroyed, authorities property damage but no injuries. said. Police said they were studying Station in Brussels were broken. A tag footage from security cameras to track ‘Fuck your work’ was left on the spot. the arsonists. No group had claimed 2227 Mayyy, Barcelona, - responsibility. Construction crane torched near 1114 June, Berlin, Germanyyy - 3 German Meridiana in anti-gentrification arson. It pensioners kidnapped their investment was also done in memory with Maurico, adviser for scamming them out of 1116 June, Berlin, Germanyyy - Arson attack an anarchist rebel killed in Chile. against a catering company - 10 vans set money. He was freed by 40 heavily on fire. Communique (excerpts): “... On armed policemen from the counter- the 16.06.09 we put some incendiary terrorist unit on 18 June. The pensioners devices under some cars of the company are under arrest on suspicion of kidnap, 26 Mayyy, Spain - Sabotage of the Madrid- named ‘Barenmenu’, a sister company of torture and inflicting wounds. Lisbon high speed train. Heavy works Sodexho, located in Berlin-Lichtenberg, in machinery has been attacked, 5 order to attack in an exemplary way a machines and 2 trucks have been company which profits from racism and destroyed. Several devices were placed 8 June, Ecatepec, Mexico - Earth war. Barenmenu is part of the company by arsonists and also windows and lights Liberation Front Torches Police Vehicle, Sodexo. Sodexo Alliance is a French were smashed. “This action is part of the of the ASE (Agency of State Security), company which is active in 76 different daily war against this system of countries and also the second biggest violators of the prisoners in Atenco. domination. The struggle will not stop catering company of the world. They until the Earth and all who inhabit it are came into criticism especially since they free. We support the hunger strike of make business out of refugees and the Amadeu Casellas, as well as all the 8 June 2009, Elmdon Airport, UK - prison industry. Beside their catering for people who fight from within or outside Police helicopter attacked with fire. kindergartens, schools, companies and the centres of extermination, solidarity is From corporate media : A Police authorities, Sodexo cater for the Justice one part of the social war.” helicopter ‘suffered extensive damage’ system and the Army. In Germany, this in a suspected arson attack. The company makes profit from the system Eurocopter was found burning at 2am for refugees, deportation camps and at Elmdon Airport, Birmingham. “We 2224 Mayyy, Livorororno, Italalaly - Molotov cocktails deportation centres ... In many federal have launched a criminal investigation” against electoral committee offices. Two regions (i.e Lower Saxony) refugees do incendiary bottles were launched by not get any money but instead coupons said Chief cop Gary Cann. unknown people. No was injured or or chip-cards. This means that they can buy food and clothes only in specific and arrested. expensive shops which accepts those 7 June, Patras, Greece - A group of cards. Sodexo is active in all Europe. ... hooded youths threw six Molotov Sodexo is also active within the private cocktails at a police station in Patras 2221 Mayyy, Ghent, Belgium - Fire was put to sections of prisons. The yearly profit here causing minor damage but no injuries. the police station of Meulestede around is of many millions. This company, The assailants sped off on motorcycles. 4am. The front door was completely together with others, is an example of destroyed and the building suffered from henchman for the racist German and smoke damage. European migration politics. ... We do not want a world ruled by war, exploitation 4 June, Attthens, Greece - Police station and oppression. We struggle for a world fire-bombed. A group of about 10 people without power, exploitation and borders. wearing hoods threw Molotov cocktails

9 2221 Mayyy, Bologna, Italalalyyy - Explosive device GMT) Sunday in a rundown area north of under its nose that beamed broadcast- against the CIE (Centre for Identification Paris, when the gunmen opened fire. The quality footage to the control room, was and Expulsion). Anarchists against the assailants blocked the police vehicle with airborne 214 times during April, an CIE wrote the claim: “Some large petardi two cars at La Courneuve and opened average of seven flights per day. A Surrey (firework type explosives) have been fire with a “heavy-calibre weapon, Police spokesman said the identity of the made to explode in the late evening of probably a Kalashnikov”, said a police mob members was ‘unknown’. Tuesday in front of the CIE, the center of official. “It’s the first time that I have seen identification and expulsion for a military weapon being used in this clandestines of via Mattei.” context,”said Jean-Francois Herdhuin, head of security for the Seine-Saint-Denis 1112 Mayyy, Madrid, Spain - At around 4pm, department. Miraculously, no police were a tourist bus in the neighbourhood of the station of Sants was openly painted with injured. 2221 Mayyy, Attthens, Greece - The leftist slogans. During the action the following urban guerrilla group ‘Popular Will’ leaflet was given out (excerpts): “Spain is carried out a bomb attack in the Greek a jail - While with one hand the State capital against a financial target. No one 1116 Mayyy, Madrid, Spain - Action in takes the tourist for a walk in our city, was hurt the explosion. The group said in solidarity with Amadeu Casellas. Several with the other it strangles and crushes. a pamphlet sent to a Greek weekly sabotages in solidarity with the The tortures in police stations, the long newspaper said it planted the time-bomb imprisoned anarchist were carried out in sentences of jail against political which exploded outside the central the area of Corazon de Maria. Two bank militants, the constant deaths in offices of an investment company in branches and a Burger King ago met overcrowded and unhealthy prisons, the Athens on Wednesday, causing minor dawn with shattered windows. “Amadeu persecution and systematic damage. The little-known group also to the street! Death to the jail. Death to imprisonment of immigrants or the claimed responsibility for a bomb which the state. Anarchy Lives” labour operation within the jail, is the rattled central Athens in March, causing authentic reality of this rotten serious damage to a state building and democracy, although it does not appear shops but no injuries. “Undoubtedly the in the colouristic tour guides of the city killing of the 15-year old student 1113 Mayyy, Brussels, Belgium - Wall of fire council.”... “We will not forget our Alexandros Grigoropoulos roused the in front of prison. Around midnight, imprisoned comrades, nor will leave any sleeping consciousness of the popular unknown persons poured out gasoline in one alone who rebels against the prison class,” the group said in its statement, a line of more than 20 metres in front of system from within. Immediate freedom referring to the teenager shot by the the prison of Sint-Gillis. They put fire to it, for Amadeu Casellas, in hunger strike police. It also condemned official scandals resulting in a high wall of flames. They left from the 20 April. Immediate freedom and corruption, as well as measures a tag saying ‘Burn Prison’. for Joaquin Garces. Solidarity with all taken to deal with a sharp economic prisoners in struggle.” decline. There was no one in the building at the time of the explosion in the busy 1113 Mayyy, Fairoaks Airport, UK - ‘Gypsies’ district of Kolonaki on Wednesday, as smash £5million police helicopter with police had cordoned-off the area after 1110 Mayyy, Madrid, Spain - Militant action axes in revenge for harassment receiving a warning call. The March by ‘Tierra Salvaje’ in solidarity with surveillance flights. A group of travellers bomb exploded outside the building of an anarchist prisoners Amadeu Casellas wrecked a multi-million pound police agency managing state property about and Antonio Porto. Arson against the helicopter which was being used to spy 250 metres from Athens central police offices of Izquierda Unida (political party), on their site. The gang used axes to with slogans painted to remind them headquarters. smash the £5million aircraft, after they they are responsible for the situation of leapt over a 4ft wall surrounding Surrey our comrades, in the same street an Police force’s helipad at Fairoaks airport, excavator was also destroyed. “As long 1119 Mayyy, Ghent, Belgium - A car near Woking in Surrey. After threatening as Amadeu does not leave the prison - belonging to the company ISS Cleaning staff working in the operations room, we will not stop - Until Antonio Porto Services (which has a contract to clean they set about wrecking the helicopter, does not leave - we will not stop - While the detention centres for immigrants) smashing six of its windows and causing there are animals in laboratories and and a car of the Cordelia Press Group tens of thousands of pounds worth of farms - We will attack until everyone is damage. The incident happened at 10pm were burned and completely destroyed. free.” after weeks of aerial surveillance on the travellers’ site. Officers were getting ready to raid the site after collecting 1117 Mayyy, La Courneuve, Parararis, Frrrance - evidence they had filmed from the air. A 7 Mayyy, Erembodegem, Belgium - French police were the targets of an police source said last night: “The gypsies Workers took hostage several managers apparent ambush in La Courneuve, a were furious because they kept getting of the factory Gates Europa while they suburb north of Paris with a reputation buzzed by the helicopter. ‘But no one were negotiating with the unions. The for crime. A witness claims the weapon expected this level of violence.’ ... ‘Before workers blocked all the entrances of the used was a Kalachnikov rifle. French a raid is conducted we will observe the administrative building. The syndicates security reinforcements were dispatched criminals from the air. That way we get disapproved the action in public and to a Paris suburb on Sunday after an idea what we are likely to find, identify made a deal with the bosses about the gunmen armed with a military weapon suspects and locate entrances and firing of 200 workers. The workers opened fire on police officers escorting exits.” The aircraft was the only police maintained the hostage taking a whole detainees. Four police officers were helicopter in Surrey and was used mainly night long, releasing the managers (and escorting the detainees from a hospital, for chasing crime suspects in their cars the syndicate leaders) only in the where they had undergone a routine and pre-planned surveillance operations. morning. medical check-up around 3:00 am (0100 The helicopter, which had a camera fitted

10 7 Mayyy, Thessaloniki, Greece - Prisoners Greetings to the Greek comrades who 2224 April, Brussels, Belgium - Workers of detained in the city police headquarters are in jail since the insurrection of the chemical factory CYTEC took went on hunger strike protesting about December. Greetings to everybody who hostage for some hours the managing their conditions. According to the doesn’t follow the orders of the cops director, protesting in this way against inmates, living conditions in the police blindly and resists. Too many times you the restructuring plans due to the holding cells are terrible, with a total have to pay for this by death (like in economic crisis. The workers threatened disregard for regulations. The premises Schaarbeek). But we won’t forget nor the director that they will pass on to less lack basic hygienic facilities and give up. Fire and flames to State and symbolic hostage taking if they won’t standards and they have no possibility to Capital!” negotiate. exercise or walk in the fresh air in a yard. The living quarters of the establishment house as much as 12 times the designed number of inmates. The hunger strike 30 April, Barcelona, Catalonia - Militant 2221 April, Brussels, Belgium - ATM and comes as the first since the autumn ’08 action in the Barcelonian avenue/area of car set on fire. The ATM of the Bank of deluge of prison action, when all prisons Gracia. “We lose the fear! Actions the Post [which collaborates in the across the country went on an open-end coordinated in the Via de Gracia - At management of the prison’s and closed hunger strike that forced the night there was simultaneous attacks centres’ funds] and a nearby posh car government to promise the release of against an office of the ETT Manpower, was put on fire in the night. more than half the prison population of the office of the Social Security of the the country by the end of April. The district and an ATM teller of the Caixa promises have not materialised, and is Bank. Paint filled light bulbs, hammers unlikely that the current government has and stones were our tools. Broken 15 April, Thessaloniki, Greece - crystals and decorated facades were the Attack against British educational any intention to see them through. consequences. We end with this circus institute. From Greek mainstream and the clowns defend who it. A very media “A masked group caused chaos hard hug to the rebellious ones, to in the centre of Thessaloniki yesterday 7 May, Vigo, Galicia - 10 Anarchists Amadeu Casellas and to Enric Duran.” afternoon. About ten people smashed acting in solidarity with prisoners the windows of an information Amadeu Casellas and Antonio Porto engineering college and damaged attempt to storm a TV channel making computers without being traced by the a live broadcast and stage an 29 April, Ghent, Belgium - Anarchists police. The foray by the masked group intervention. The group was quickly occupied the faculty of Law and more took place at the junction of Tsimiski str. neutralised but the presenter was specifically the Criminology sections of and Ethnikis Aminis str. a bit after 3pm forced to make brief mention of the the University of Ghent in solidarity with in the afternoon, at the school that is situation and banners/slogans the revolts inside the prisons and the on the ground floor of the building which closed centres. Doors were barricaded, accommodates the British Council. displayed. lessons were annulated, posters were Police deem that the college became a put, a banner was dropped and flyers target because of its collaboration with thrown to the people standing outside. a private English institution. The fact 5 Mayyy, Brighton, UK - Banks attacked in The anarchists entered early in the that makes this impression is that the Brighton for EDO-MBM investment. morning and left around 14h in the police that were patrolling the city’s Windows smashed and slogans sprayed - afternoon, surprising the guarding cops center saw the movements of the anti- “Businesses reopened this morning in who eventually were able to arrest 7 authoritarians before they arrived at Brighton with a redecoration, with the comrades but they were released shortly the college but only after the damages message ‘Smash EDO’ thanks to the after. were done they mobilized to chase Mayday actions against the EDO arms them, without catching them, since they manufacturers. Targets included managed to disappear from the Barclays bank, the 2nd largest single surrounding narrow streets of 2227 April, Brussels, Belgium - Cops investor in ITT corporation, as well as Ippodromiou and Navarinou square.” HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland, attacked in Schaerbeek after a person also large investors in the arms company was killed by the cops in Schaarbeek Communique: “The return to normality almost a week ago. Young people were ITT. “ will never ever exist. Daily life in the waiting for the cops to pass by to attack metropolis gains a meaning. It’s the them with stones. The windows of a daily life of the new urban-guerilla patrol car passing by were smashed. Civil warfare. The attacks follow one another, 2 Mayyy, Barcelona, Catalonia - “Attack cops were present by coincidence and the whole city and its symbols are against a Tecnocasa real estate agency. arrested one person (16 years old) with mapped as targets, the plans are Empty light-blubs filled with paint, handled a bag full of stones. A second person (37 alternated, sabotages are organized, with gloves, thrown in the district of Clot. years) was arrested when he was and promises are given that nothing will The action was at 3pm in the afternoon slashing the tires of a cop car parked in remain the same. The strategy of for full visibility - against speculation and front of a house. He declared he acted tension now passes on to our areas. gentrification.” “because he simply hates the police.” There is no time to lose, never there Police declared having to deal often with was, silence and indifference will now attacks, going from throwing eggs at take position. Or they will deny their them to vandalising and burning their selves and become an attack, or they 30 April, Leuven, Belgium - Two police cars. “There’s no respect anymore for will remain dull on the couch of their vans burned. “In the night of Thursday the uniform.” living room being passed on to the 30th of April to Friday, two police vans enemy’s camp. The opponent from its belonging to the railroad police were put side realizes that right across there is on fire next to the station of Leuven.

11 not simply the reflections and the supremacy of the state, orchestrated the bosses succeeded in sneaking out. leftovers of December’s insurrection, with consent of society and with the No agreement was made so far, but the nor dissected moments of optional riot propaganda of fear, remains vulnerable. workers announced further actions! as an expression of youthful dispute. Because we are watching out and are The opponent begins to distinguish searching for passages to attack the more and more clearly the permanent order and the ethic of this world. Even if threat of direct action in all its we don’t find the path of denial, we are 8 April, Ghent, Belgium - Fire was put to dimensions. The new measures, the convinced that with violence we will the building of the trade union ACOD. anti-mask laws, the employment of engrave them in the new map of urban- This national syndicate federates several thousands of new cops, the re-function guerilla warfare, like the deepest scar in sectors, one of it is the sector of the of CCTV cameras, the much advertised the face of captivity.” people working for the State (police, Delta group, the cooperation with the military, bureaucrats, prison guards, secret services of Scotland Yard are for Think Tank for the Overthrow of social education). Damages to the us pleasant reasons to hit them again Existence building are in tens of thousands of and again. We are not complaining euros. The fire spread through the about the scarcity of freedom, nor we ceiling, destroying electricity, computers, are claiming for rights against 1114 April, Brighton, UK - RBS HQ in office furniture etc. repression. We decided to form the Brighton attacked by anarchists. From domestic enemy front against their the claim : “Many windows at the Royal system, undertaking whenever needed Bank of Scotland HQ in Brighton were 6 April, Brussels, Belgium - Flaming the price of our choice. For now, the smashed in solidarity with all those solidarity with Brugge prison rebels. enemy will pay the price of its position. arrested and hurt at the G20. Also, we Communique : “... To celebrate the don’t forget the memory of all those That’s why we claim responsibility for destruction of the high security section in killed by police everyday, nor do we forget the prison of Brugge, the entrance hall of the attack against the British all those imprisoned and in rebellion. educational institution D.E.I. in the the police station close to the North With this action we want to increase the Station in Brussels has been burned. centre of Thessaloniki on the evening of rage against the capitalist system and Solidarity!” Wednesday 15/04. D.E.I. is one of the act in a moment where we dictate the many businesses that are aiming to conditions of conflict, not the police. train the new think tanks of Evident from the G20 is that abiding participation sovereignty in the sectors ‘within’ the law offers no ‘protection’ 4 April, Strtrtrasborg, Frrrench/German of science, technology, economy, from state brutality and repression, and Border - Despite a huge Franco-German marketing and repression. Thus, by also shows how ineffective ‘lawful police operation, costing 150 million producing the new images and models protest’ is. The system will not and euros (£132 million), anarchist & of shining smiles and happy faces, of cannot listen, it’s time to stop asking for autonomic black blocs wrecked havoc at much desired objects and of the change and instead go out and make it. the 60th NATO summit. Fires were set at professional success of graduates, they Free the EDO 2.” an Ibis hotel, a customs border post and consist the proper motivation for the a tourism office around Strasbourg’s lamentable imitators and the equivalent ‘Pont de l’Europe’, a bridge that joins bait for most of the excluded in order to France and Germany. “The hotel and the mortgage their lives for their kids 9 April, Namur, Belgium - A prisoner other buildings were completely engulfed future. We are attacking not only the took advantage of his transfer to the in flames,”said a resident of the city who top British foundations but also the hospital to flee. He asked to go to the witnessed the mayhem. Police fired educational institution on a whole which toilet and escaped through the window. volleys of teargas to try to stop groups of disappears any sense of substantial Police started a big operation with joining forces to rampage across the city. knowledge and multi-shape growth of helicopter and more than 30 police Masked youths threw petrol bombs, the individual by repressing every officers to find him back. The prisoner smashed windows and ransacked shops, personal initiative. Also, behind our idea was condemned for stealing cars and forcing police to retreat until riot officers for the attack against a company of banditry. could regroup to seize back control. British interest is the fact that few Hundreds of people were arrested in the weeks ago in heavily-policed London the two days of the summit. President G20 summit took place. Thousands of Nicolas Sarkozy had instructed police people protested and some chose to 9 April, Brussels, Belgium - A female that he did not want to see any signs of attack. During the clashes, the pigs prisoner escaped from the hospital. Two protest during events to mark Nato’s beaten and brought to death protester accomplices entered the hospital and 60th anniversary. As NATO leaders Ian Tomlinson. Furthermore, on 14/04 neutralised the guard. The three of them departed on Saturday night plumes of in Nottingham, police raided a camp got away safely from the hospital. smoke could be seen rising from many against climate change where 114 points across the city, a sign to the people were arrested facing charges of leaders of the world that they cannot destruction of electricity power units. The only substantial solidarity is the 9 April, Brussels, Belgium - Workers control the streets nor the future. continuation of revolutionary action take three FIAT-bosses hostage. To everywhere and always. Also, with our protest against the announced restructuring of the company, workers of attack, we send our greetings to the 4 April, London, UK - Molotov Attacks sleuths of Scotland Yard, notifying them the car-company FIAT in Brussels occupied the offices of the managing on Turkish Banks in London. In the British that from now on they are on our list. capital of London, the branches of three director and took hostage three bosses, capital of London, the branches of three The many recent attacks, either in the Turkish banks became the target of two of them coming from Italy. The darkness of night, either in the shadow Molotov cocktail attacks in the earlier kidnapping lasted a few hours because of day, prove that the military hours of the morning. Ziraat Bank and

12 Turkish Bank’s two branches in Dalston, operations, showcasing new police which was billed as an event to take Edmonton and Harringey, respectively, equipment, refinement of crowd control concrete steps to resolve the global were targeted in the attack. The buildings techniques, and the by-now expected financial crisis that has hit nations and that house the banks suffered minor raids against convergence centres and peoples worldwide. damage; no one was injured or killed in the anarchist social spaces. Similar to the incident. A police investigation has been shambolic Mayday of 2000, where an launched, and so far, no organization has unguarded McDonalds outlet was left claimed responsibility. under the watchful gaze of the cameras 29 Marccch, Brighton, UK - Direct action to be destroyed, the protesters clashed in solidarity with EDO 2. Communique : “In with riot police in down-town London, the night of 29 March 2009, the prison probation service building of Brighton 3 April, Attthens, Greece - Two Greek breaking into the blatently unsecured Royal Bank of Scotland, smashing its was attacked with paintbombs and Police Officers Shot. A man spraypaint signs “No War” & “EDO 2”. shot and wounded two The HSBC bank next door was also Greek police officers in smashed windows. These actions Athens’ Kypseli residential have been taken in solidarity with district and fled the scene the ‘EDO 2’, Robert and Elijah, that on a motorbike. The two are jailed in this period because officers were taken to a they attacked the factory of arms hospital. One, 30, was EDO in Brighton (suppliers of the critically wounded in the Israeli army). With these energies neck and the other, 26, we wish to extend the fight against suffered light head injuries. the objectives of the judicial and The assailant approached capitalist system. We can only the officers and fired from attack one or two targets this time close range while they but the unique attacks they express were trying to arrest always to us our rage against the another man. The two total network of oppression. Thus officers wore vests and these energies are taken also in the helmets. After the windows, whilst being surrounded by a solidarity and the collective effort with shooting, the two men collected the those that fight the NATO summit in officers’ weapons and cell phones and mob of photographers and media men. Some people spray-painted the side of Strasbourg and those that take the drove away on a motorbike. the RBS building with the phrases “class streets in London against the G20 this war” and “thieves”. Royal Bank of week. Solidarity means attack - For a hot Scotland is held in contempt by many summer.” 2 April, Brugge, Belgium - New prison people because it had to be bailed out isolation unit destroyed. The new isolation by the British government after a series of disastrous deals brought it to the unit, opened since 10 months, has been 25 Marccch, Edinburgh, Scotland - Sir brink of bankruptcy. Despite that, its completely destroyed during an uprising Fred Goodwin, the former chief executive former chief executive Fred Goodwin, in which participated five of the seven of Royal Bank of Scotland bank had his aged 50, managed to walk off with a prisoners locked up in this unit. They first house windows smashed and Mercedes US$1 million annual pension for life, flooded all the cells. In the end, they S600 saloon parked in the driveway while unemployment in Britain now tops started to break down everything. The vandalised. The action was claimed by two million and is heading toward three special unit of the police, COBRA, had to anti-capitalists : “We are angry that rich million by the end of this year. All this intervene to put an end to the riot which people, like him, are paying themselves a was happening whilst Prime Minister started in the early evening and lasted till huge amount of money, and living in Gordon Brown and U.S. President the night. luxury, while ordinary people are made Barack Obama held a news conference elsewhere in the British capital. Earlier, unemployed, destitute and homeless.” the crowd faced off against riot cops 1 April, Chatelet, Belgium - Fire to the outside the Bank of England and some Chilean Consulate. At 3am in the pelted police with eggs and fruit. At morning, a fire erupted on the ground least 4,000 anarchists, anti-capitalists, floor of the Chilean Consulate. The environmentalists and others jammed firemen were capable to put out the fire. into London’s financial district. The There are no injuries. Police are police attacked the people with the investigating. ‘kettle’ technique, preventing anyone from leaving, forcing the crowd into an increasingly tighter space, that eventually left one man, Ian Tomlinson, 1 April, London, UK - Financial Fools dead. The pacifists/reformists had a Day in the heart of London - a mediatic Climate Camp in the city that was theatre of epic proportions. Helicopters broken up by cops early on, leading to a hovered above the crowds and all general melee atmosphere which buildings were boarded up. Many banks seemed to suit the purposes of the had extra security and hundreds of policing operation to apply violent police officers lined the streets. In the pressure to the crowd in an enclosed run up to the G20 this event was a high- space. The protests were called ahead point in a series of set-piece policing of the G20 summit of world leaders,

13 have only to do with the physical attack, Conversation on that which many of us call direct action, but with the whole of our affinity groups, anarchist insurrectionary project. One central question is that this life project is oriented towards the attack intermediate on this world, the generation of insurrectional situations, and this struggles and perspective of attack is obviously in vain if that physical attack doesn’t insurrection exist. This perspective of attack is (A recent text from some insurrection- related to the attempt of breaking ists in Portugal) with the context of submission in which we live and with the creation of contexts of confrontation with power, This talk is born from a need, and with the aim of its destruction. And, in from a wish that we have. A need to put this perspective of attack, we include in common and discuss, in an open way, all the tools that, as anarchists, we a few ideas about the attack on this have at our disposal and that world and the attempt of its destruc- autonomously we decide to use at each tion. And a wish that these ideas flow moment. amongst our comrades and potential accomplices, and that they’re not What we mean with insurrectional structures and institutions, with separated from practice. A separation situations are situations in which exists innumerable realms and concrete that, to anarchists, should never make a social spreading of the physical attacks expressions in our daily lives. It is crucial any sense. on power, of violence and destruction for us to be conscious of the possibility of physical structures that constitute and the existence of the attack. The We desire to re-appropriate our this world, and of the uncontrollability targets are everywhere. It doesn’t take lives, the power to live as we want, as of those attacks. As anarchists, a a big effort to find them; the challenge free individuals, without authority, question that remains in our hearts is is in our imagination and in the neces- without control and without submis- how to potentiate those situations of sary documentation to decide how and sion; and for that to happen we social insubmission, how to open the where. consider it essential to attack the potential of insurrection. We think this institutions and structures that, daily, question has to do with two points: the The attack on these structures can rob us our lives and prevent us from ways of organization that we adopt in and should be done through small and satisfying our needs, our desires, our our struggles, and the kind of attacks simple actions, actions that can be dreams. we propose. carried out by anyone, anywhere, making use, for that end, of the tools We believe the State, capitalism But let’s move in an orderly way. we’re used to, which we know how to and this social order of exploitation and We live in times that many call work with or can rapidly learn. Basically, domination aren’t going to disappear “post-industrial”, in which production it’s a matter of a détour of the objects on their own, nor will they be gradually bases itself fundamentally in robotized that exist in our daily lives and that, in withered away by the building of and computerized processes, in which their normal use, serve to reproduce alternative worlds. We believe that this control finds itself spread all over the and perpetuate this social order. It’s this world of authority will only disappear social terrain, in which reality changes that State and Capital fears, the easy through human destructive action, and itself at an ever encompassing rhythm, and simple reproduction of the attacks, therefore, we want to focus on how to and information flows and is stored in their spreading trough the social organize that attack and destruction. measures beyond our understanding. terrain, carried out with easy and Our concern is to reach that destruc- Science and technology show them- simple tools to which we all have tion, not what we’ll do afterwards. selves, more than ever, as allies and access. propulsive agents of capitalist and What we’re offering ourselves to power relations. We’re aware that this approach discuss won’t be any recipe to follow, can be criticized; first, small actions nor anything pre-determined and rigid. In this way, the existent is com- don’t offer the great spectacular They’re methods of organization that posed and supported by physical moments of other actions that so many can, and should, be in accordance to institutions and structures reachable by revolutionaries admire, but that the situations we find ourselves in, to everyone, because they’re spread and frequently end up falling into a special- the attack we want to carry out, to the present everywhere. It is important for ization and an isolation of those who reality we wish to destroy and a us, revolutionary anarchists, to under- carry them out, preventing from the reflection of the surrealities we desire stand this simple question: the fact that start their spreading and reproduction. to live. power, that so often seems to us so We think that, if they have ever existed, immense and impossible of being today there are no more centers of To be clear from the beginning, targeted, is grounded in physical power, because power is decentralized the attack to which we refer to doesn’t throughout the whole territory. 14 Simultaneously, since some time now, conceived from the quantity of those the basis of a common projectuality we recognize those that are presented who adhere to it, concluding that the that emerges from individual as the centers of power as being mere more the numeric strength, bigger the projectualities and from a will to symbols leading our attention astray obtained results will be and, therefore, potentiate our individual powers to from reality. As one comrade said, “it is better is the struggle. In this case, the attack. possible to penetrate the monster with qualitative value of a real practice of a pinprick”, since the social effects of struggle is absent, struggle as an attack From this we can see that the the apparently smallest and most against the structures and institutions affinity among the comrades that insignificant action can go much beyond of domination and as the re- constitute these groups exists only with of the physical immediate results, appropration of our lives. mutual knowledge and constant becoming a point of reference. discussion, in a context of struggle, and The valorization of the obtained that it emerges from this struggle. The On the other hand, we think that results has to do with the famous , as a means of informal many comrades have a need for expression “by any means necessary”. organization, is born from existent certainty: certainty of the obtained To us, this expression couldn’t be more struggles and projects, it is extended in results, certainty that the efforts made farther away from the way we wish to time only as long as it makes sense, it will have the support of many people, re-appropriate our lives and develop exists as a need and a will, as the certainty that nothing will escape their our struggles. In this valorization of organization, in fact, of the action that control. This need for certainty takes results, what matters is if the end result different comrades carry out; on the many comrades to seek to build and is, apparently, where we wanted to contrary, the formal organization exists maintain, at any cost, formal organiza- arrive, being that the anarchist principle for itself and independently of the tions that, from their ideological purity that the ends should already be in the comrades that constitute it, perpetuat- and perfection, offer stability and means themselves completely ceases to ing itself in space and time, with pre- safety. To others, that need for cer- exist, being that the means (any means) defined programs, in a fixed way, and tainty, and also their own certainty that start serving the ends. This means that that from itself tries to, then, create a nothing will ever happen, leads them to we, as individuals, and the methods and struggle. And, precisely because the give up trying, and we don’t even know tools we choose to use, become activity of a formal organization if we can call them comrades anymore. dependent on the efficacy we expect to depends on decisions taken from time For the first ones, what can be done is see expressed in the results. Victories to time, in periodical congresses, in an limited to the work of propaganda and and failures start to exist, as well as assembleary way, at moments and counter-information, and trying to add winners and losers, at the same time places different from the application of more members to their club, until the that the individuals, the efforts and the the decision, there is a tendency that day that “the masses” decide to insurge relations involved are forgotten. this organization often finds itself themselves. For the second ones, it is a behind the level of conflictuality of the question of waiting for the State and What matters to us is the quality struggle. As one other comrade has capitalism to fall for themselves trying, of the relations we desire to develop said, “the only task that has ever been until then, to live in alternative ways with our comrades and our accom- shown to require formal organization is inside the niches of the system, being plices, in the ongoing of our projects the development and maintenance of a that the most recent economic crisis and attempts at the destruction of this formal organization.” gives them a new excuse. world. Relations that are born from our struggles, that reflect what each The aim of affinity groups is, as we From our point of view, these two individual involved desires and that see it, the intervention in reality in revolutionary perspectives (from the keep the potential of insurrection open. order to destroy that reality, in order to three we spoke of in the lines above) make more probable the possibility of are born from a concept of valorization Anarchist comrades that are destruction than in the moment prior to completely different from the one we developing and experimenting their that intervention. This kind of organiza- think that, from an anarchist perspec- own individual projects frequently find tion among comrades is adaptable to tive, should exist: a valorization of each other. In this encounter it may the different situations that keep spectacularity, of quantity and of happen a deepening of knowledge emerging and intervenes in them results, characteristic of political among the individuals involved, always in an insurrectional direction, approaches and of the social order we knowledge in particular of the analysis trying to take the conflictuality of the want to attack. they make of reality and of how they struggle always one step further, want to attack it, as well as of their own towards breaking points with the Spectacularity has to do with the desires. From this deepening of knowl- different faces of power. Its goal is to fact of it being indifferent if what is edge it may happen that they find out make the attack on power each time being attacked is part of the structure of the affinities they have with each other, more probable, more spread, more domination or is something merely making possible the experimentation of uncontrollable. An “affinity group” symbolic, being that what becomes a common project or, on the contrary, without mutual knowledge has no more important is the recognizing of they may find out that they have no affinity, and without knowledge affinity the action and of whom carried it out affinity, and each will follow his/her has no content, and without action has by the others and, in particular, by the own path. In the case where there is an no reason to be. media. affinity, and if the comrades want, the result may be what we call an affinity These groups can intervene in The quantitative illusion exists group, i.e., a small group of comrades reality in several ways, always in an when the strength of the struggle is that organize themselves informally, on insurrectional direction, as we’ve

15 already said. Their basic activity in the creation of autonomous groups focused revolutionary anarchist movement can on that struggle. Some comrades What shall we do in the course of be related to the critical discussion of already called them autonomous base an insurrectional situation? theory and analysis, to communication, nucleus, or self-managed leagues. In to the proposal of methods of organiza- these groups there may be anarchist As insurrectionary anarchists, and tion, to direct action and sabotage, to comrades and affinity groups, but in no having as a basis the principles of the intertwining with others’ struggles way are they anarchist groups. They are permanent conflictuality, self-manage- with which we see common points, in groups of people, anarchists or not, ment of the struggle and attack, we can solidarity, to the coordination with that coordinate themselves – the say that these are three characteristics other affinity groups and anarchist persons and the groups – with one we should seek to maintain in any individuals in an informal organization. single goal, the aim proposed since the situation, because permanent beginning of the struggle and that gave conflictuality doesn’t end when the This basic activity of affinity origin to that organization. Besides this moment of an insurrection is reached, groups teaches us how to act, through characteristic, a crucial one for these conflictuality shall continue beyond it, it acting; it allows us to experiment, in an groups don’t become permanent is a permanent tension, a need for immediate way, the attack we desire organizations, of synthesis or insurrection that never ceases; in what and the relations we want to live; it can recuperators of the struggle, other concerns the means of organization, we create contexts of social tension with an essential principles from an insurrec- want to think about how, in a situation anti-authoritarian perspective. It is tionary anarchist perspective are: of insurrection, we can organize important to underline that these permanent conflictuality with the ourselves in a way to potentiate and activities within the revolutionary structures of power and against class deepen the conflictuality that should anarchist movement aren’t exclusive, domination and its defenders; au- continue to exist; finally, the attack to and that they can combine in an attack tonomy and self-organization of the any power external to each one of us, is to the reality we know. struggle and of the persons in struggle and will always be our point of refer- – independence from parties, unions, ence, and that to which we propose One or more comrades or affinity other organizations and outside ourselves and where we see concret- groups can also focus themselves on a support, as well as the non-existence of ized, in the physical world, the criti- specific project of power, a project that delegation or representation; and of it cisms, reflections and analysis that we the State or capital may be developing being an organization not for the do at each moment. Maybe, in an or implementing at that moment. In this defense of class interests, but for the insurrection, our contribution should way, the struggle can become more attack on interests of the class enemy, be, once more, that of going beyond: concrete, because the efforts of the refusing negotiation, mediation and spreading and deepening destruction, comrades are focused on a specific compromise. choosing other targets, and experiment- project limited on space and time. It is ing means of organization that coordi- important to underline that, as we see The task of insurrectionary nate, informally, individuals and groups it, this temporary focus has in itself all anarchists is, also in these situations, to of individuals involved in that destruc- the insurrectional characteristics of our be one, and only one, step ahead in tion. anarchist project, always trying to push relation to the level of conflict of the the struggle beyond its limits. This is not most active elements in the struggle, We don’t know if these doubts a question, at all, of modifying our seeking to bring to the other exploited and uncertainties are due to the discourse or our actions so that more new ways of organization and proposals uncertainty of the situation itself, or to people adhere to them; this is not a of attack, potentiating in this way a the lack of maturity or experience; what political, quantitative struggle, but a rupture with power and keeping the we do want is to understand and to qualitative intervention, that has in potential of insurrection open. Obvi- keep thinking and attacking so that, in view the attack on specific State or ously, the other exploited don’t have to theory and in practice that go hand in capital interests, always starting from accept our proposals, the same way hand, our insurrectionary project may our own perspective. We can call it that our paths will only cross each continue developing itself. intermediate struggle because it is on others when and as long as their the way that we, following our methods, even if having claiming goals, This insurrectionary project we’re projectuality, wish to develop. It is in are similar to ours, oriented towards talking about is a project of life and the direction of the breaking point we attack. struggle, of effort, attempts and joy, want to reach, towards a possible oriented towards the creation of insurrectional way out. It keeps our As we’ve been saying, our aim is insurrectional situations that may be anarchist perspective, the same way to propel action in an insurrectional capable of putting an end to this order that we can always develop activities in logic, always trying to walk towards a that imposes us a miserable existence. other situations simultaneously, mass insurrection. These are some of And, as one comrade once said, “it although this focus obviously consumes the points we’d like to debate and requires a method that reflects the time, effort and energy to the involved circulate. world we desire and the reality of the comrades. world we seek to destroy”. It is important to underline that In intermediate struggles in which we’re not interested, at all, in discussing Thank you for your attention! there is the presence of non-anarchist or wondering about what may come exploited, the affinity groups and “afterwards”. individual comrades may feel the need for informal organization, proposing the We have one last question that, from time to time, strikes us: 16 FROM RIOT TO INSURRECTION

(Four excerpts)

Islands of lost men The greatly increased speed of Torn from the factories in a slow and productive operations will more perhaps irreversible process, yesterday’s than anything else give rise to a workers are being thrown into a highly cultural and linguistic modifica- competitive atmosphere. The aim is to tion. Here lies the greatest increase productive capacity, the danger for the ghettoised. only consumable product according to the computerised logic of the centres of production. The atomised (and even more deadly) conflicts within capital itself End of reformism, end of the party will extinguish the alternative, revolution- The party is based on the reformist ary struggle, with the intention of hypothesis. This requires a community of exacerbating class differences and language, if not of interest. That hap- rendering them unbridgeable. The most pened with parties and also with trade generations believed important gains for the inhabitants of the unions. Community of language trans- productive “islands”, their seemingly lated itself into a fictitious class opposi- they could see with such clarity. The greater “freedom”, the flexible working tion that was characterised by a request ‘sites’ and expressions of these collective hours, the qualitative changes (always for improvements on the one hand, and explosions vary a great deal. The within the competitive logic of the market resistance to conceding them on the occasions also. In each case, however, as directed by the order-giving centres) other. To ask for something requires a they can be traced to an intolerance of reinforce the belief that they have language ’in common’ with whoever has the society of death managed by the reached the promised land: the reign of what we are asking for. Capital/State partnership. It is pointless happiness and well-being. Ever increased to fear those manifestations because of the traditional ideas we have of revolu- profits and ever more exacerbated Now the global repressive project is tionary action within mass movements. It “creativity”. aimed at breaking up this community. is not a question of being afraid but of Not with the walls of special prisons, passing to action right away before it is These islands of death are surrounded by ghettoes, satellite cities or big industrial ideological and physical barriers, to force centres; but, on the contrary, by decen- too late. those who have no place on them back tralising production, improving services, into a tempestuous sea where no one applying ecological principles to produc- A great deal of material is now available survives. So the tion, all with the most on techniques of conscious insurrection problem revealing absolute segregation - to which I myself have made a itself is precisely that of the excluded. And contribution - from which comrades may of the excluded. this segregation will realise the superficiality and inconclusive- be obtained by ness of certain preconceived ideas that progressively tend to confuse instead of clarify. Speed & multiplicity depriving them of the The reduction of time language that they in data-transmission possessed in Briefly, we reaffirm that the insurrection- means the accelera- common with the ary method can only be applied by tion of programmed rest of society. There informal anarchist organisations. These decision-making. If this will be nothing left to must be capable of establishing, and time is reduced to ask. participating in the functioning of, base zero (as happens in structures (mass organisms) whose electronic ”real time”), programmed clear aim is to attack and destroy the decisions are not only accelerated but objectives set by power, by applying the are also transformed. They become From irrational riot to conscious principles of self-management, perma- something different. By modifying insurrection nent struggle and direct action projects, elements of productive The mass movements that make such an investments are also modified, transfer- impression on some of our comrades AMB 1985 Milan, Italy ring themselves from traditional capital today because of their danger and - in (mainly financial) to the capital of the their opinion - uselessness, are signs of future (mainly intellectual). the direction that the struggles of tomorrow will take. Even now many young The management of the different is one people are no longer able to evaluate the of the fundamental elements of reality. By situation in which they find themselves. perfecting the relationship between politics and economy, putting an end to Deprived of that minimum of culture that the contradictions produced by competi- school once provided, bombarded by tion, by organising consensus and, more messages containing aimless gratuitous importantly, by programming all this in a violence, they are pushed in a thousand perspective of real time, the power ways towards impetuous, irrational and structure cuts off a large part of society: spontaneous rebellion, and deprived of the ’political’ objectives that past the part of the excluded. 17 A Fighter is Dead but Our Fire will Not Die Out

Early this morning (May 22 2009), our Comrades, we are very clear and know brother Mauricio Morales died. He carried what will happen. We know that the an explosive which detonated in his back coming days and months will be difficult. pack, he died on the spot. It is assumed But we also know that the pain and the that the disgusting Institution of the Prison sadness of the departure of our comrade jailed, tortured and shot to quieten down Guards was the aim of his attack. He died may not paralyse us. Let us insistently their ideas. With the innocence of a 8 as a fighter, without fear, without hesita- remember that he died in struggle, that year old, he went through the “political tion, confronting every form of power. the offensive takes different forms, where transition” era that brought the promise of one form is not more valuable than the bright happiness. He kept growing up and He decided to turn his hatred into action. other. Let us move so that the beautiful the number of questions grew He transformed his life into a constant flame of his anarchist heart propagates fight against the existent. Publications, the irreducible desire to annihilate this - Why doesn’t happiness come to those direct support to imprisoned comrades, reality. His body is now captive in the who live below? spreading of anarchist and anti-authoritar- hands of the cops and their mercenaries, - What does freedom mean? ian literature, spreading of ideas were part but the energy of his life stays with us, - What are they calling democracy? of the daggers he sharpened during his with the comrades that have fought with - Why are those who do the governing life. In this way he wanted to contribute in him and fight in different ways against rich and those who do the work poor? different ways to the destruction of this everything that wants to make us slaves. society based on the logic of power and He enjoyed walking in the streets, talking exploitation. In these moments our hearts We are touched by the sincere support to people, playing with children, sharing are filled with pain, but it is important to from comrades in solidarity. We spit on his food, laughing at misfortune and he not lower morale, to not fall down in the those that make their lives into a static started to discover a taste for reading, for lethargy that the loss of a comrade can critique, hidden behind comfort and fear. past history, which allowed him to engage. We cannot forget that he died understand life in the present. With much with his eyes fixed on his aim. And this Strength, comrades and watch out. economic effort he managed to go to fact must shake us, must help us to open Sooner or later they will come for us, university, he worked as a rural teacher, our eyes. without a doubt. Therefore it is important he met with people to begin building that life breathes into the ruthless critique dreams of better times, where justice We are at war, the strikes will be many, of the established order and that it didn’t have a price tag. He loved people but that’s how it is for a fighter that spreads as the black plague*. for their ideas and the beauty of their doesn’t stop, doesn’t bow his head; that humanity. He travelled to Chile’s south makes her life, among other things, into a The vindictive fire of our comrade gives us looking for more answers, for more constant surmounting of obstacles. strength to make life into an endless questions, and he came across the history struggle. For you Mauri, an enormous of displaced and oppressed indigenous The harshness of death strikes us and is embrace and know that we will continue peoples, came across their history of such a whirlpool that sometimes we can on the path of destruction of power. You resistance against the powerful and he barely believe what is happening. Death are with us, we feel your smile and your saw himself in the mirror, he recognised or prison is not only a slogan, today for strength here. himself. Inside he was one of them. us, those words are tattooed with blood and fire. With the terrible departure of Waylaying from the roof, tracing the He came back to the capital city to keep Mauri, police, magistrates and press rub horizon…never beaten, never repentant. studying. He opened a library of their hands together and make their first ... libertarian thought, worked to open a moves. Two social centres, Cueto con collective space for free creativity. Andes and La Idea were raided. The Why did Mauri go? - What He often visited political prisoners, those violence of these operations doesn’t makes a young, intelligent, healthy, caring kidnapped by the state for thinking surprise us, the war has been unleashed 27 year old, decide to run all risks and differently. In solidarity with the struggles without mercy, and we assume it as such. carry a bomb inside his rucksack in Chile? of resistance before any kind of imposition from power ( arms trade, money, laws, The raided houses are in the same Son of a working mother who struggled to mis-information ) he called himself a free neighbourhood where we are. We saw the give the best to her 2 sons, Mauricio thinker, close to anarchist ideas, always procession of repression arriving at our Morales, a history degree student grew up critical of the status quo. He didn’t drink house. At the same time, comrades and in San Bernardo, a working class alcohol due to his convictions. those in solidarity approach the house and neighbourhood. His mother tells how he demonstrate in different parts of the was curious, inquisitive, independent, Mauri asked himself: neighbourhood, which is now militarised. respectful with his surroundings, cheerful We confronted them, we resisted and until and had a critical mind since childhood - How do you overthrow a “democratic” now, the repressive forces didn’t want to state which uses the force of weapons, enter our house, in spite of the predic- As a child during the Pinochet era, he saw money and mind control to govern? tions. They hide their game and try to the army run armed patrols over his lower our guard. neighbourhood’s streets, and heard the With courage and clarity. whispered stories of people disappeared, (*name of anarchist printing project Mauricio was involved with) 18 - What alternative has a young libertarian person who lives in the heart of a system built with the violence of money, weapons and power?

None. Just to build her own alternatives, fight to make her dreams come true. I. Be clear who the enemy is. The capitalist system and its executors.

II. Destroy everything capitalism repre- sents and makes it possible.

III. Resist, support, create and build another possible world.

This is what Mauri, a young 27 year old, concluded when he decided to carry that bomb inside his rucksack with his course towards his targets: the enemy and to run all the risks as long as one day freedom can exist, not for himself, but for all the people like himself who have lived the lie UnUn SaludoSaludo dede LibertadLibertad of this capitalist, neoliberal so-called democracy. He left fighting for this freedom. He is not the first and he won’t be the last. parapara MauricioMauricio MoralesMorales He is not alone, he is not dead. He is not a martyr, he is a combatant. Sunday 24th May 2009 We are here to carry on with this struggle. “Night has already descended. Its not We arrive at our stop. We stop. The air 22 of May, add this new day of the young so cold, mainly because of the clothes is silent. One moment more. combatant to your calendar, and see you were wearing; they obscure our One instant. A wall, the step, my in the streets. appearance, but this is not important. hands, the bicycle, my comrade, The wind pushes us forward. We are on the stony street, the contaminated city, more information: time. Everything up until now has gone the prison order, the nightmare, the to plan. We are alone, alone like silence.. santiago.indymedia.org/ always and never. By shadowy and www.hommodolars.org/ broken streets we approach the jailer’s Then everything explodes”. greetings of solidarity factory. We come closer. The next stop is near again. I run over the plan Those who don’t lower their fists, Corazon Libre y Digna Rabia again in my mind. those who have freedom in their blood, they place no significance on To be here is not easy. Any discussion and have no energy for an eternal about the feeling of going beyond inert theoretical discussion with the state and immobilising discourse is in vain. and its dogs. They have created the To be here is not easy. It is the most luminous histories: the struggles consequence of not accepting the for freedom and a world without world of slavery, the result of long exploitation. All of the rest have been secret conversations and time consum- extinguished. Today, the State, the ing planning. Its not as easy as some police, the economic and intellectual believe. managers of this country make a gala of their ineptitude; attacking our I am happy and I am nervous. A houses, making crude declarations, furious dream becomes a reality repeating the images of the shameless behind us : interrupting the well being political pursuit, democratic or of the corporate state’s lackeys; authoritarian, it yields the same to listen to the voice of men and results. women who, refuse to be slaves, who refuse this murdering order, who They have rained down their arrogant know it is impossible to kill the idea of fear on the body of a comrade, on his freedom. life in insurrection and on those of his comrades: The hunt is on again, the moment needs such absolute cohesion 19 and conviction, silence and voice! Eurobank was also attacked with finishes, here I’ve known the whole molotov cocktails in memory of evil that the jails of the rich do to us, It is again the hour of commitment Mauri. the poor- the mistreatments, blows and voiced so many times before, it insults from the pigs. is the moment to give action to our e convictions, clarity and exigency to There are prisoners with mental our support! problems, that being in this place they end up spoiling more their mind. Here We salute Mauicio, his work and Letter from Cristian there are many persons imprisoned for coherence of rebellion that some being poor, and they have been represent and many criticise. We accused of crimes that they have not salute all of his close friends, Cancino Carrasco committed, in some cases they are those who understand his devotion and increasing the charges unjustly with value it. To the rest, nothing! Cristian is an anarchist who has been lies, but this creates much more hatred kidnapped by the Chilean State during towards this prison system that, suffice Insurrectional Resistance, Direct widespread investigations and to say, undoubtedly, it’s necessary to Attack, Always! repression against the anarchist abolish it. movement over the last 6 months. Fuerzas Autónomas y Destructivas I say goodbye to all of you, hoping León Czolgosz There has been three serious waves of that this our struggle continues, that repression in Chile occuring from the the fear, the police assemblies, Columnas Armadas y Desalmadas 31st December 2008 (date when they investigations and lies don’t paralyse Jean Marc Rouillan evicted and destroyed simultaneously us, on the contrary, they force us to three occupied social centres in the continue forward with more force, Banda Antipatriota Severino Di capital, Santiago), then after the opposing everything that could come Giovanni. death of insurrectionalist anarchist against us. comrade Mauricio Morales, and e lastly, the eviction and destruction of A strong hug for whom supports and the autonomous social centre and helps in every activity and manifesta- Mauri remains present: an explo- library ‘Jonny Cariqueo’ (24 June tion for my freedom and for all the sive device deactivated outside the 09), during the hunt for comrade prisoners. Chilean consulate (Greece) Diego Rios, who has gone into clandestinity. For anarchy and the Down with the investigations! 22 July: The Greek police deacti- destruction of all states... vated a homemade explosive device Prisoners to the streets! in the surroundings of the Chilean consulate in Thessaloniki. There was Dear Friends, a phone warning forcing the police to Cristian Cancino Carrasco evacuate the area and investigate. This letter is principally to be grateful From the centre of extermination, The ‘Conspiracy of Cells of Fire’ is for the whole support that you’ve Santiago 1, Modulo 35. responsible, according to a communi- given me, in this so difficult situation que, and the act was in memory of for me. From here, from this cell, I Mauricio Morales. Also, in May, two continue denouncing the violation of bombs against police stations under the bourgeois press, of the police and e construction in May were claimed for the whole device of the State, with Mauricio Morales. their investigations and pursuit in Attack against Police opposition to us, for the fact of occupying spaces, helping the Station by prisoners and Revolutionary fighting for our ideas of Students freedom. 2.09.09. Stones, Molotovs, bombs As for me, in and paint-bombs against police the Santiago 1 station and police special forces unit State Prison, in Santiago. One comrade was I’m okay, I wounded by gunfire and 2 were continue to arrested. Pablo Carvajal and Jubilo wait for the Matias Castro are accused of facts which attempted homicide and possesion should be of molotov cocktails. They could face clarified, and between 3 and 15 years in prison this lie

20 disappearances) against our people, Our weapons are to prevent the and marked the repressive forces to destroy our beginning of a demonstration. In truth, we expected military that there would be police special dictatorship which forces, however, also present was imposed an the PDI (Police Detective economic model Investigation unit), part of the that has been repressive apparatus of State. We perfected by the do not doubt for a second to address governments of them. The PDI has been the legal characterized by its oppressive agreements and character, as we have seen in the which today has Mapuche struggle, where alongside Communique: plunged our people into misery. police and army have militarized the area and developed a policy to end That’s why we went to the streets to the Mapuche insurgency, we’ve In several towns and areas we have keep the memory alive, remembering known also about their abuse and seen the repressive organs of the the victims of both the dictatorship oppression of minors in Valparaiso State have already begun to act and the model implemented by this - and they are known as being corrupt, against the next September 11th. which the manager is the and many also know that the PDI is Already some people are beginning to corner, to raid houses in the orchestrator, and for us when we say an essential part of the chain of drug “so that never again it will happen”: trafficking, which has the youth of our popular sectors, to carry out mass that means that we are people mired in identity checks, to make tracking never disarmed, so that drugs. We do not possible of demonstrators, and so never again we give our believe in the on. Moreover, the ideological trust to the reformists and white doves that machinery of capitalism focuses on the promises of the ruling show TV the “trauma” of the military coup, class, so that never again programs. repeated over and over, full of we will allow them to With stones, paint speeches and annihilate our bombs and various people, so that never again Molotov cocktails, we face the bullets government in Chile the people accept of the police units and force them to officers that tell us: the domination and stay locked inside the barracks. This “It will be never exploitation by the few. is a taste of what will happen this again repeated in September 11th when the young Chile. We’ll run That’s why this September 11 we left fighters and the rest of the people things forever in Chile, so that never from the Academy of Christian who are routinely exploited and again a popular revolutionary power Humanism. Launched our marginalized by this system, take to grows, so that there is never a demonstration, a detective from the the streets to recover their successful fight against capitalism, Homicide Division populations and so that never again the capitalists will proceeded to attack a demonstrate their resort to the military to maintain the comrade, so we repelled anger against the privileges of the rich.” him with our attacks. inequalities For us, the 11 is much more than Against this, the rest of the generated by detectives came to his capitalism and the overthrow of Allende. On rescue using their those who defend September 11, it symbolizes the weapons against us. them. destruction of a popular revolutionary movement, it With shotguns, We call the people means the end pistols, revolvers, to go out this September 11, with of the illusion submachine guns and the strength and determination of that through the shields, they tried to peers as brothers and sisters - electoral disperse us, but our Vergara, Aracely Romo, Daniel reforms we can revolutionary conviction and Menco, Jhony Cariqueo, Rodrigo win a new courage that gives us the Cisternas, Matias Catrileo, Jaime society, from knowledge that we are Mendoza Collio. Let others think that day fighting for our people and about electoral politics, either for or Pinochet began in the path of all those who have against. a systematic policy of State fallen in the popular struggle, was terrorism (torture, kidnapping stronger .

21 We know that the only alternative left been searched for and pursued by strengthens us. And it is this that to the people is fighting, fighting and the state and its repressive today agitates my spirit and affirms more fighting. apparatus. I learned of this by my convictions, and consequently telephone and then hours makes me proud and dignified. Fallen comrades later learned that the in the struggle are police had gone to the In these days I can’t forget to present! Now and Jhonny Cariqueo Social mention the words of a prisoner who Forever! Centre and Libertarian said “the anarchists carry prison in Library (where I live) under their genetics” and perhaps, in some Don’t light candles the pretext of finding me senses this is true. We all know that for the dead but and upon not finding me prison is a possible consequence for barricades! took all the texts, those that attack the state and publications and propaganda that capital; who are not mere Revolutionary Students they could find. (they must have revolutionary simulations continuing e heard that saying about propaganda on with a comfortable and assured being a weapon!). life; I’m talking of the ones who believe it is necessary to augment So I decided to run. and multiply the attack, taking as A communique by a much care as possible to not fall into I am not guilty of anything but neither the hands of the enemy. I will avoid comrade on the run, am I innocent... I am simply their prison as much as I can. It is because enemy. of this that I accept my mistakes and I make a self critique with the Diego Rios, from I don’t remember the day or a place intention of nurturing my when I decided that I could not live a insurrectional praxis. Today, I see some unknown part of tranquil, peaceful life. I decided to that the affinity group that decides on complicate my life to the point of no action and counts on using the return... Since then I am a declared autonomous infrastructure (in all its the world. enemy of the social order, enemy of manifestations) must develop their society, of all forms of authority and plans with the utmost security and On the 24th of June, the Jhonny exploitation, be it bourgeois or trust. I stumbled with this mistake, Cariqueo Social Centro was proletarian. I understood that the but I believe that anti-authoritarians ransacked by the ‘Grupo de fight for freedom is the war of every must be like salmon, and learn after Operaciones Especiales (GOPE)’, individual for the reclamation of their every fall, continuing firmly against Special Forces of the Chilean State, as lives. It is the refusal to be part of the the current. part of investigations into recent mass, where someone else thinks for bombings against the government and you and tells you how to act. It is the I send my love to all my brothers and capitalist institutions. They were refusal of ideologies, the refusal of sisters who are so far away from me searching for our comrade Diego Rios numbers and roles charged with a now, only you can understand this... because they had found a bag with conformism and passivity that And to my enemies that analyze this material for the manufacture of assures the continuation of the text, be it to locate me or to write an explosives in the house of his mother. system (even with all the academic or ideological response, I The police didn’t find Diego, and were revolutionary rhetoric). feel from you a profound disgust for met with dead silence by the comrades the life I chose and defend. Axel in the house at this time. It is now two In the most important moments of Osorio, Christian Cancino and so weeks since Diego took the decision to growth in my life and in concrete many others.., by way of these words go on the run, refusing to fall in the attacks (material and ideological) I send you a warm greeting and have hands of the enemy, assuming the that I realised against capitalism, I certainty that many outside do not position of an antagonist in society. was always surrounded by people waste their lives but fight daily for the Our comrade, we send our support who did not conceive of horizontal destruction of what today oppresses and brotherly hugs. Our comrade, organisation, it did not just mean a them, but I believe not even the every day you evade the police is a vote, but it was the product of a prison can stop the fight against strike at power! shared confidence and desire to power. destroy everything that oppressed To all the comrades that are in a us. Within this relationship I For the destruction of all jails and position of war because they want to understood that the most effective cages. reclaim their lives: As many now weapon is this qualitative change; to know, the police entered the home of attempt every day to make the whole We will make war on Society my mother in the centre of Sanitago of our lives a propaganda of the where they found two bags with deed; to discover in our everyday diverse materials for building lives that in every destructive impulse Diego Rios explosives. Since that moment I have we create something that e 22 Chile - Communique from Insurrectionist Internationalist Revolutionary Organisations to the World t

11/06/08

On June 4 2008, following unanimous individuals and independent and free We have control of all the sectors in agreement between the organisations communities, the right to intervene which we realize our direct actions. that signed this document, the second directly against the catastrophe Before attacking public places we have Informal International Meeting of menacing the planet every single second, always made telephone calls so that Insurrectionist Revolutionary Anarchism, the right of human beings to think and these places were evacuated. Police and which was held in some place of the act for a free world, the right to live the media tell a lie when they claim that Chilean metropolitan area, has without bosses, leaders, police or we did not. The explosive attack against concluded. authority, in freedom and self-discipline. the Opus Dei University, carried out by the Insurrectionist Federation in the night This declaration is part of the final 5. We identify our direct enemies as of April 23, had been announced with document elaborated to make public the those who govern and defend this telephone calls to the police station in debate and the conclusions expressed by system of slavery, which is based on the Los Dominicos, the 133 police line and to the participants at this meeting. existence of pyramidal and authoritarian the radio 15 minutes before Therefore we publish clandestine words organisations, for example State the explosion. As the comrades already full of violence against the state and structures, business companies, declared, the reason for the attack was dreams strengthened by anarchist churches and also their false critics. not to execute some fascist children of reconstruction of human society. the bosses of this country. If such had 6. We claim the right to exercise been the case a different spot of the From this place we declare: collective and individual abilities towards building would have been targeted, which the destruction of everything that is would have represented only a grain of 1. We recognize that a Social War is turning us all into slaves. the violence that the fathers of these going on and manifests itself in the students and these students themselves different dimensions of human strength 7. We affirm our engagement to carry inflict on us the exploited. and intellect at different levels of on the libertarian struggle. The same Federation claims the intensity. We did not invent this war nor incendiary attack against the Church of did we wage it; it has been actually 8. We claim all the actions carried out in Opus Dei on Lastarria road in Santiago. proclaimed for centuries by the bosses different areas by every organisation This attack occurred at 2.30 of Tuesday and the defenders of political systems present at this meeting.. We made June 3. The police and the media did not that oppress the vast majority of people explosions against police stations, banks, make any mention of it. But the attacks with coercion, fear and ‘reason’. companies and churches. We have will not stop. contributed to stirring up and radicalising 2. We publicly recognize the enthusiasm wild strikes. We have hurled stones and 10. We denounce the creation of a state and efforts of anonymous brothers and molotovs against cops. Yes, we claim our secret structure that tries to criminalize sisters of past and present generations, full and conscious responsibility for these the revolutionary organisations that dare who have dedicated and still dedicate actions. If they want to consider us ‘guilty’ react to institutional violence. This new their life to libertarian struggle. Their we are such. We declare ourselves guilty ‘office’ concentrate the efforts of the ideas and actions take us all the way long. of sabotaging the functioning of this slave State against the wide libertarian forces A warm greeting to all of you. society that reduces people to starvation. by gathering two departments of We declare ourselves guilty of knowing institutions headed by murderers and 3. We declare ourselves libertarian and this functioning in order to attack it. We torturers (Arturo Herrera, chief insurrectionist fighters. We do not serve declare ourselves guilty of illegal investigator, and Jose Bernales, chief of any authoritarian leftist ideology nor do possession of autonomous thoughts of the carabineros) born by the Pinochet we fall into the trap of reading ‘classics’. struggle for freedom. But we know that dictatorship, and by the government What they suffered is different in many the ‘guilt’ we take on ourselves every day repressive services, which since 1990 aspects, though not in all, from what we is the knowledge that the vast majority of are headed by leftist politicians are enduring now. Our idea is people suffer and die under the action of intoxicated with power. From the permanently defining itself, always free the lords of the world, whereas the latter carabineros; Direccion de Intelligencia and ferocious. live in the opulence of a fantasy from Policial (DIPOLCAR), Grupo de which we are waking them up. Operaciones Especiales (GOPE), 4. We are claiming and making concrete Departemento de Investigacion de the right to think and struggle for the 9. Clarification. The authorities of this Organizaciones Criminales (0S-9); from construction of really free societies, led country have said that we act against investigative sectors: Brigada de by supreme respect for nature and property and that we do not want to kill Investigaciones Policiales Especiales characterized by social and individual anyone. We answer that property is our (BIPE), Brigada de Intelligencia Policial behaviour aimed at strengthening the actual target. Property is theft, therefore (BIP), Brigada Contra el Crimen dignity and common wealth of the men to destroy it conceptually and effectively Organizado (BRICO); from the and women who live on the planet. We is our duty. But we remind that property government: Agencia Nacional de are claiming and cultivating the right to is created and defended by individuals Inteligencia (ANI), and the new multiply solidarity and egalitarian armed with laws and soldiers. To prosecutors, especially those of the East practices in every aspect of the existent. eliminate these parasites is inevitable in Area. They meet in secret places in order We claim mutual support between the social war. to investigate details and 23 communications of all the people and in of social revolution as well as political We are human beings who are breaking order to plan the repressive fury that parties (especially the communist one free from chains, bodies full of reminds us of that suffered during the and the organisations that define revolutionary energy that their eyes military dictatorship. They try to control themselves leftist) are. They only want to cannot see, blinded by the ghosts of the everything. Their goal is the same of the alternate in the exercise of power and dead who weigh on their conscience. old and hated landowner: that only the administrate it (as in the case of the They can never stop or silence our idea. boss enjoys the land and that the Chilean communist party). inhabitants do not make trouble. Act inside and outside this space in which We are everywhere you look. We are the Following these events we have we hit at the enemy. Do not listen to pure gardener who watches your moves, the formulated a few questions: critics who block your energy and porter you ignore on your way to work, reflective abilities. The control exercised the shop assistant of the shop you visit, Why do they not employ all these people by this system has its base in the fear the window-cleaner who approaches your to investigate the deaths caused by instilled inside you, a fear of your car when you stop at the traffic light, the police bullets or by this capitalist system? thoughts, desires and actions. Break it. teacher who educates your children, the What about speculation carried out by Anarchy can be reality. What counts is person next to you while you queue at the traders, real-estate agencies, financial that you are its starting point. bank, the football player of your team, the usurers, what about the daily aggression anonymous people who pierce your of Transantiago, what about the 13. We are launching an appeal so that controlled borders, the human beings repressive and unworthy education, the attacks against the centres of power and you look at with disgust and annoyance. existence of armed forces that have social control multiply, spread and Present and alert. We sow the idea that license to shoot on whatever pretext, the strengthen. We stress the collective is eroding your brain and your police oppression against aboriginal people, the proposal to carry out actions in the areas system. We carry a new world in our existence of an impoverished and where you live and where the enemy heart and bombs in our hands, which will exploited population? Are these crimes reproduces itself. The wealthy sectors of destroy your universe of chains and investigated? Are the names of the this society must be destroyed by fire and exploitation. responsible made clear? explosions, and only we, the ever persecuted, excluded, scorned and 16. Next meeting will follow soon. Our Answer: they are not. That is because suspect can do that. direct actions are due when the enemy these criminals and their wrongdoing are least expects them… essential parts of the world they compel 14. We are aware that every single word us to suffer. we are writing will be analysed by the police of various States, especially by Banda Antipatriota Severino di 11. We express our joy at the death of their ‘Intelligence’ offices and by judges Giovanni cop Jose Bernales, which occurred in who waste their days trying to lock up Panama. He was nothing more than a even the air. We are not worried about Columna despicable being, a torturer and that. Probably they will intensify their murderer of the exploited and recourse to classic and technologically Columna Luiggi Lucchenni marginalised. The Socialist Chilean new mechanisms of social control. government mourned his death and they Further funds will be destined to pay the Columnas Armadas y Desalmadas Jean also dared call him ‘general of the cowards and traitors who turn Marc Rouillan people’. But he will be remembered as themselves into infamous informants, General Murderer of the People, as people who are not even worth the Federacion Insurrectionalista stated by his long curriculum of torture bullets that will execute them one day. and the recent assassinations of Rodrigo Further shadowing, cameras, phone and Federacion Insurrectionalista / Cisternas, Matias Catrileo and Johnny internet tapping will occur. However, they Comando Ciudad de Panama - Brigada Cariqueo. We dance on the body torn to are warned that we, revolutionary forces, Barrio de Calidonia pieces of the man who headed the managed to infiltrate their operations, so ‘Special Forces’ and ‘Intelligence Forces’ we will keep on sabotaging the Federacion Revuelta of the police, who ordered the occupation investigations against us. We are already of part of the Mapuche territory, who doing this. Federacion Revuelta-Comando Antonio tried to silence any libertarian voice in the Ramon Ramon continent. But what happened? It seems 15. Do you want to know the names of that he precipitated from his helicopter the members of the local organisations Federacion Revuelta 14F – Brigada while he was asleep, as wished by the that sign this document? The names of Gaetano Bresci many threats against he who used to the brothers and sisters who came to suck the powerful’ socks. this meeting from other areas? As a Fuerzas Autonomicas y Destructivas As we celebrate his death we tell his collective answer we smile and say that it Leon Czolgosz successor, criminal Eduardo Gordon is impossible for them to identify us. They Valcarel, not to fall asleep because he can watch the images on their cameras, Grupos de Ataque Antiautoritario can die at any moment like his examine the phone tapping on the entire Miguel Arcangel Roscigna predecessor, and not necessarily by a population, the traffic of all emails, the Tanmyo Gavilan helicopter crash. register of customs at the borders, the fingerprints on every bomb that explodes 12. We invite the conscious youth to under their nose, investigate everything despise the institutions and any form of they want, but our libertarian cause has social consensus. You have to know that neither names nor numbers to add to it is all a farce. Despise and fight against their controls on the population. servile behaviour before capital, the State and its organised mafia, historic enemies

24 WHY A VANGUARD? The Organisational Question

Nothing is possible without organisation. functionality. If the exploited Human life would stop and everything majority cannot defend would fall into chaos. Organisation is themselves because they indispensable to man to such an extent are dispersed in single units that any improvement in the latter, even (like the cells of organic if carried out by tyrants, is to be tissue), we must put these considered something positive. The very cells together and build a idea of progress would never have come body with a precious about had organisation not been structure (i.e. trades unions essential to man. In this sense, if history and unions in general) suited is the development of anything it is the to the aims in view, to development of something organised. oppose the bosses in the process of On the other hand, organisations of exploitation and to defend the majority. attack do not reproduce the biological The power structure is a fairly refined functionalism of the defensive ones. organisation aimed at attaining ends for The justification for this is the concept These organisational forms have no the benefit of a minority. The majority are that, because the bosses' structure is intention of becoming a great monolithic engaged in bringing about these ends. monolithic, the defence structure should structure, so allow the process of But we cannot deny that the interests of also be so. The biological and breaking up to continue. They do not the minority also hold certain positive functionalist analogy also dominated in want to reproduce the model of the aspects for the majority. The latter would the field of political defence, as party adversary by using the same logic. It is rebel or die otherwise and the former's structures increased in importance true that organisations of defence can aims would not be reached. alongside the decline of absolutist States. also be mobilised to attack but this turns The justification, the monolithicity of the out to be a military-style clash that might The power structure is full of expedients State. look revolutionary but which can have no for obtaining the maximum whilst giving other outcome than the persistence the minimum. It elaborates these This is all quite pathetic. The great irony of the old power or the birth of a new expedients and puts them into effect, of history lies in the fact that it was one, possibly more tyrannical modifying them from time to time in power itself to decide the terms of the than the first. relation to the struggle carried out by the huge defence organisations. These majority, i.e. the exploited. terms were produced on an organic and Organisations of attack, on the other functional basis, often as the involuntary hand, are born on the basis of a social The latter, as a result of various—all consequence of certain modifications logic that takes people's needs, the level dramatic—experiences of struggle, have within the power structure itself. Clearly of exploitation and the extent of developed organisations of their own to an organism of defence is a product of a radicalisation that the clash has reached make the clash more effective. These particular historical period, and nearly into account. have gradually entered the logic of always consolidates in a precise exploitation and become an integral part relationship with the power structure These organisations do not suffer from of it, coinciding with power's discovery of that conditions it and renders it possible. functionalist illusions. They cannot be the untenability of absolutism and the improved upon, they do not hope to idiocy of fascist irrationalism. An incredible number of comrades "grow". Neither do they put themselves in maintain that they are revolutionary yet the logic of a "dialogue" with power. They This is how democratic power was born, insist on the validity of using the defence are for the destruction of all power from an organisation that continues to exploit structures of the exploited. They see the the moment they appear, so in their very the majority to the benefit of the minority latter as instruments of struggle, logic they are already "complete" in but does so using the majority's own unaware of the intimate relationship of themselves. They can of course perfect organisations of defence. dependency that exists between them themselves from the point of view of and the structures of power. tactics, the preparation of their individual Moreover, what has made this possible is components or aspects of the military the fact that the defence organisations of But history has contributed to clarifying clash. But as far as the organisational the majority have nearly always come this question. Each time the exploited aspect is concerned there is nothing to into effect after becoming legalised. have moved from defence to attack and a be improved upon and vice versa. They But organisational activity should not revolutionary mechanism has sprung into are beyond the logic of power. They are necessarily be seen as something that is effect, other kinds of organisational "outlaws". built from the outside by specialists who structure have arisen. The problem of make decisions according to their own the great defence organisations of the Not seeking quantitative growth they aims. This interpretation contains two exploited is not the fact that they exist— have no need for a "head" or "limbs". They basic errors: what we could call the something that is natural and orientate themselves towards the reality biological error, and the functionalist one. ineliminable- but precisely the defensive of exploitation, emerging in their According to this way of thinking an dimension that they have adopted. That is organisational completeness at the organisation must structure itself more why they "copy" the organisations of the moment in which they attack power. They or less like an organism (have a head and adversary and use the same logic. do not have one function among others, limbs, therefore a hierarchy) and fulfil the but have the "definitive function" of essential requirements of efficiency and destroying power. 25 It is not important to describe here what premise that the slavery of one single Objective conditions push the great mass forms these organisations of attack have individual in the world is also my own. of exploited to look for these taken in the history of the exploited organisational models, which are (councils, soviets, committees, etc.), or On the contrary, when is impeded by the power of the adversary. If might take in the near future. Nor are we seen correctly it starts from the concept the heavy power structure starts to show interested in discussing an important that, although simple and basic from the signs of weakness at some point, needs and immediately obvious characteristic of point of view of social dynamics, the and problems must be faced differently. these organisations, autonomy. individual is already a complex Usually, in building forms of attack, the organisation. mass also build forms to solve the On the contrary, we feel that it is problems of survival. necessary to reflect upon two things: a) This organisation can establish precise that these organisations never lose sight relationships with other organisation- The latter are very significant because of the individual (that is also an individuals and is capable of changing or they are based on communist relations. organisation); b) in the destructive regulating them. moment they become a model for the construction of the future society. It can even realise itself in the absolute sacrifice, the conscious negation Now we have acquired a new problem. of itself—death—when this seems INSURRECTIONALIST The single individual is an organisation, or necessary in order to overturn the rather is the fundamental organisation. exploiter-exploited relationship that ANARCHISM Here the confusion concerning an renders the organisation-individual J apparent contradiction between incomplete and unhappy. individualism and anarchist disappears. While the former sometimes Supreme egoism, i.e. autonomy, is the Informal organisation adopts attitudes that are strangely organisational perfectionment of the absurd (the defence of small property, individual, a precise relationship that (An excerpt from the recently translated the will to power, a disdain for communist does not infringe upon other and published book 'Insurrectionalist life, etc.), most of this is no more than organisation-individuals. Anarchism' by Alfredo M.Bonanno, isolated attitudes that have had little printed by Elephant Editions, 2009. In this contact with the reality of the struggles A proper exposition of this problem is text Alfredo attempts, in conflict with his of the exploited. extremely important for anarchism. It better judgement, to set out the leads to a clearer vision of the struggle fundamental elements of insurrectionalist A typical case is that of the humanists against exploitation, even when this anarchism anatomically.) who recognise themselves in anarchism comes about in situations that are but, hindered by their idealistic confusing or in not quite orthodox First let us distinguish the informal interpretation of the vicissitudes of man, organisational forms. When it comes to anarchist organisation from the end up losing the essential foundation of defence it should be said that anarchist anarchist organisation of synthesis. the exploiter/exploited relationship. structures often condemn any form of Considerable clarification will emerge struggle that is produced independently from this distinction. They bring the attributes of the old God of themselves, considering them to be down to earth and turn them into a new individualist in the negative sense of the What is an anarchist organisation of myth, quite similar to the old one that word and branding them "objectively synthesis? It is an organisation based on only served the designs of power. provocatory". groups or individuals that are more or less in constant relation with each other, This kind of individualism is clearly a For individualism, the essential point is that culminates in periodical congresses. distortion of the more rational doctrines that the individual is an autonomous During these open meetings basic of egoism. It denies the concept of organisation that usually reacts against theoretical analyses are discussed, a organisation and tends to see man as what has been established by power, program is prepared and tasks are continually realising himself within an often by working out its own precepts, shared out covering a whole range of animalistic dimension of the struggle for clarifying itself and taking the initiative. At interventions in the social field. The life. It sees the communist dimension as that moment a precise moral event sets organisation thus sets itself up as a point the negation of human development, the in motion: the individual, no longer an of reference, like an entity that is capable sacrifice of the individual to the good unconscious instrument in the hands of of synthesizing the struggles that are society. It fights for the liberation of the power, acquires an autonomous going on in reality of the class clash. The individual outside a communitarian perspective that is of an essentially various commissions of this perspective, avoiding the fundamental organisational character. organisational model intervene in different struggles (as single comrades The other aspect of or groups) and, by intervening, give their the organisational contribution in first person without moment we have however losing site of the theoretical and defined "attack" is its practical orientation of the organisation preparation as the as a whole, as decided at the most destructive recent congress. instrument to act upon the reality of When this kind of organisation develops exploitation, and as a itself fully (as happened in Spain in ’36) it model to build from begins to dangerously resemble a party. once this relationship Synthesis becomes control. Of course, in is abolished. moments of slack, this involution is less

26 visible and might even seem an insult, but would stop its collaboration (if it is in a essence of the class struggle, turns into at other times it turns out to be more minority) or impose the expulsion (in fact, a brake and control (often involuntarily, evident. even if not with a precise motion) of but it is still a question of control). those proposing different methods of The informal organisation does not In substance, in the organisation of struggle. present such problems. Affinity groups synthesis (always specific and anarchist), and comrades that see themselves in an a nucleus of specialists works out Some people might not like it, but that is informal kind of projectuality come proposals at both the theoretical and exactly how things work. together in action, certainly not by ideological level, adapting them as far as adhering to a program that has been possible to the program that is roughly One might ask oneself why on earth the fixed at a congress. They realise the decided upon at the periodic congresses. proposal of the group belonging to the project themselves, in their analyses and The shift away from this program can organisation of also be considerable (after all, anarchists synthesis must by would never admit to too slavish an definition always be adherence to anything), but when this more backward, i.e. in occurs care is taken to return within the the rearguard, or shortest possible time to the line more cautious than previously decided upon. others concerning possible actions of This organisation’s project is therefore attack against the that of being present in various structures of situations: , nuclear power, repression and social unions, prisons, ecology, interventions consensus. in living areas, unemployment, schools, etc. This presence is either by direct Why is that? The intervention or through participaton in answer is simple. The specific anarchist actions. It can occasionally have a point of interventions managed by other organisation of synthesis, which, as we reference in a paper or a series of comrades or organisations (anarchist or have seen, culminates in periodic meetings, but only in order to facilitate not). congresses has growth in numbers as things, whereas it has nothing to do with its basic aim. It needs an operative force congresses and such like. The comrades It becomes clear that participation aimed that must grow. Not to infinity exactly, but who recognise themselves in an informal at bringing the struggle to within the almost. In the case of the contrary it organisation are automatically a part of project of synthesis cannot be would not have the capacity to intervene it. They keep in contact with the other autonomous. It cannot really adapt to the in the various struggles, nor even be able comrades through a paper or by other conditions of the struggle or collaborate to carry out its own principle task: means, but, more important, they do so effectively in a clear plan with the other proceding to synthesis in one single point by participating in the various actions, revolutionary forces. Everything must of reference. demonstrations, encounters, etc., that either go through the ideological filter of take place from time to time. The main synthesis or comply with the conditions Now, an organisation that has growth in verification and analysis therefore approved earlier during the congress. members as its main aim must use comes about during moments of instruments that guarantee proselytism struggle. To begin with these might This situation, which is not always as rigid and pluralism. It cannot take a clear simply be moments of theoretical as it might seem here, carries the position concerning any specific problem, verification, turning into something more ineliminable tendency of organisations of but must always find a middle way, a later on. synthesis to drag struggles to the level of political road that upsets the mallest the base, proposing caution and using number and turns out to be acceptable In an informal organisation there is no contrivances aimed at redimensioning to most. question of synthesis. There is no desire any flight forward, any objective that is to be present in all the different too open or means that might be The correct position concerning some situations and even less to formulate a dangerous. problems, particularly repression and project that takes the struggles into the prisons, is often the most dangerous, depths of a programme that has been For example, if a group belonging to this and no group can put the organisation approved in advance. kind of organisation (of synthesis, they belong to at risk without first but always anarchist and specific) were agreeing with the other member groups. The only constant points of reference are to adhere to a structure that is But that can only happen in congress, or insurrectional methods: in other words struggling, let us say, against repression, at least at an extraordinary meeting, and self-organisation of struggles, permanent it would be forced to consider the actions we all know that on such occasions it is conflictuality and attack. proposed by this structure in the light of always the most moderate opinion that the analyses that had roughly been prevails, certainly not the most advanced. approved at the congress. The structure e would either have to accept these So, ineluctably, the presence of the analyses, or the group belonging to the organisation of synthesis in actual organisation of synthesis struggles, struggles that reach the

27 The most important goal prisoners should pursue is to leave prison as soon as they can. If they don’t succeed in any other way the only possible alternative is to escape. The prisoners of the FIES regime, the damned of Spanish prisons, are among those who face the worst conditions. Far from being discouraged, these prisoners have become aware of the prison world. Long hours of total isola- tion have given them the possibility to reflect on the injustice of a system that destroys the weakest. Some of them have also defied the prison hell by writing and painting.

Juan Jose Garfia was born in Valladolid in 1966 from a family of leftist workers. During the last years of Franco’s regime young Juan Jose experienced an atmosphere of antifascist conspiracy. His fa- ther was a member of the PTE (Spanish Workers Party) and Juan It was clear that I was being moved to another prison. I put my was in the Young Red Guard. At the age of eighteen he was ar- clothes in some rucksacks at random, as I was still handcuffed. rested in Leon for stealing three kilos of explosive material and a Then I had a cigarette, sweating as hell because of the heavy heatt. number of detonators from the mine he was employed at in Leon. A jailer came and said: ‘Listen Tarrio, the orders are that you can He spent three years in prison and got out, to quote his own words, take two bags only and 1,000 pesetas’. ‘poisoned enough’. As soon as he was freed he decided to start a I asked who had ordered that. ‘That doesn’t matter, but you are hotel business and tried to get the money by carrying out a robbery. warned that the Guardia Civil will take only two bags for each pris- But things went wrong, the police intervened and a gunfight fol- oner, and the director said that you are allowed 1,000 pesetas each’, lowed. A municipal policeman, a Guardia Civil (Military Police) and answered the jailer clearly annoyed. a businessman died in the incident whereas Garfia was captured. ‘Okay’, I replied, ‘it’s all right for the two bags but as for the money Back in prison, he started studying and took part in a number of I’m taking it with me because I’ll need to buy food and cigarettes’. revolts. His first successful escape attempt occurred in 1989 but The guy didn’t know what to say and went away tapping his heels lasted very shortly. His second escape took place in 1991, and on the floor in rather a feminine way. ended a few months later when he was arrested by the GEOS Soon afterwards the Guardia Civil arrived. The senior was quite a (police special unit) after carrying out robberies, kidnapping a colo- frightening guy, who shouted loudly maybe to worry me. I was not nel of the Guardia Civil and shooting at another member of the sure but if this was his aim he was to be disappointed. Two other Guardia. He is now serving a sentence of 213 years in Mansilla de prisoners came over, had their fingerprints taken, were handcuffed la Mulas. He loves studying, writing short stories and painting. This and taken to the van. Then it was Juan’s turn and mine. The senior is a chapter from his first book, “Adios Prison: A tale of very spec- guard approached us with an arrogant air. The picoleto (screw) tacular escapes”, now translated into English for the very first time cleared off all my doubts: indeed he wanted to frighten us. He was and available from Elephant Editions. It is a collection of escape one metre and eighty tall and thought he was Romay [a famous stories narrated by several prisoners, in these brutal tales, Juan rugby player]. Finally we were all in the van, four prisoners and Jose Garfia offers a new vision of utopia and presents a vivid de- three picos. One was the monster, the senior, another was a young scription of what prison is like from the inside. This is also a hand- guy about my age, 23 years old, and he looked like a little luxury book of escape. The following story was recounted to Juan for his dog, even if he didn’t seem to like the way his colleague treated the book by the legendary anarchist rebel Xose Tarrio, author of “Huy. prisoners. The third was the driver, the eldest of the three. Hombre, Huy”, an incredible account of his life in the notorious As we drove out of the perimeter of the prison, the other two ‘FIES’ isolation units which humilated the Spanish State when it prisoners I didn’t know were sitting by my side whereas Juanito was released in 1996. Xose Tarrio died in prison, April 2005. was sitting opposite and reading a letter. When we arrived at the Presos a la Calle... harbour I could see the huge boat through the bars of the window: it was a J. J. Sister. The access for vehicles was a bridge linking the road to the garage of the boat. Vehicles got in one by one in single file. The area was watched by five or six picoletos armed A cruise from Tenerife with rifle. I suppose they were there to direct the traffic and, at the same time, to avoid possible escapes. As we arrived at the harbour in Cadice there were the same number of picoletos waiting for us. - We are not going to tell the story together – said number four. – This was the situation with the outward journey and I assumed that Xose, you tell the story, all right? If you forget something I’ll remind it would be the same during the return one. you. – As the van entered the boat we got off two by two, first our com- - Okay, I’ll tell the story – number six started – But don’t interrupt panions and then Juanito and me. We went down a narrow stair- me. - case and left our rucksacks at the end of the path. We were placed in the same cell cabin of the other two. We noticed that another cell - Bet you now exhibit your typical theatrical skills – number six cabin was occupied by two prisoners coming from Puerto de Santa joked. Maria and directed to Salto del Negro prison in the Grand Canary. Two of us were to occupy that cell once these two prisoners had - It doesn’t matter does it? Well, all started when we were in the arrived at Las Palmas. Tenerife II prison. It was 23rd August 1991. After lunchtime, around Our two companions in the cell were foreigners and were been 3pm, a few jailers came to my cell, handcuffed me and took me out. taken to Carabanchel. The one, a French, had to be extradited and 28 the other, a Colombian, had to serve a sen- atmosphere of mistrust in the cabin but I ered my things and went back to my cell. tence in his country for drug trafficking. was confident that everything would be all ‘Stay calm Xose’ I said to myself. But in the Juan started chatting with the two prison- right. In fact we arrived at Las Palmas and cell I couldn’t stop thinking of the pig and ers who were going to Las Palmas through a group of local picoletos came to pick the told Juan about my encounter with the arro- a crack between the two cells. Meantime I prisoners next door, who wished us a good gant picoleto. observed the cell cabin and found out that journey and good luck. After a while we left one of the seats had an iron bar between the harbour heading to Cadice. We were Around 8pm they opened the hole to give its legs. on open sea again and the two guards came us the food trays. We ate in silence. I hardly Later, as we were heading to Las Palmas to move us in the empty cell, after hand- spoke to the boy who was in the cell with the cops removed our handcuffs. We were cuffing us through the hole of the cell. As me, but while eating I observed him and I on open sea and only two guards escorted they opened the door I tried to be together must say that he didn’t inspire trust. After us: the young guy and the monster. with Juan but the monster didn’t agree. dinner the guards came back to collect the The cell door had a hole similar to a ‘You stay with this one, it’s me who gives trays. I watched them through the bull’s eye mailbox, even tough wider and bigger, orders here ‘, he said. and noticed that a gun stuck out from the through which the food trays were let in. It We couldn’t do anything about that. I was belt of my hated guardian behind his back. was closed with a lock from the outside. It put with the South American and Juan with I said to Juan: ‘That’s mine’. He saw the was through this hole that they removed the the French. We were took apart by adver- gun too and we quickly agreed that we would handcuffs from us. The picos told us that sity, it’s the case to say. take one each. I talked with Juan for a cou- later we would go out to fetch our bath kit ple of hours and told him that I wanted to and warned that the cells would be locked The two cell cabins were identical, except kill the bully guard, but he finally convinced for the entire journey after we passed Las that in the second one, where I was staying me that it was not convenient. Palmas. It was a strict rule imposed by the now, there were little ladders made of thin captain of the boat. While my companions iron. The toilet of this cabin was identical to When bedtime came I said to the South talked to one another I started cutting the the other one, both had a bull’s eye on the American to watch out if someone came bar of the seat with a hacksaw, which I had door made of hard thick plastic. Both over- over. I pulled the bar from the mattress and managed to hide in a shoe during the search looked the corridor and you could see the the hacksaw from its hiding-place and I before leaving. The foreigners looked very one from the other. Between the cell doors started moulding a point at one edge of the worried but didn’t say anything. Juan, who and the cabin of the Guardia Civil there was bar. After watching the guard’s gun I just understood well what I was trying to do, an empty room. Through the bull’s eye we wanted to make a good knife. In a couple of checked the opposite cabin of the Guardia verified that the cell doors were locked with hours I had fabricated a wonderful Civil through the bull’s eye on the door. We a thick iron bar, which covered the width of rudimental weapon, whose efficiency was took turns in full complicity in order to com- the door and blocked the door with two little guaranteed by its pointed edge. I hid the plete the job. While one of us was sawing locks placed on each side. I think it was the knife and the hacksaw and I got ready to the other watched the Guardia Civil’s cabin. same method used in medieval times. So sleep. The following day would be another We worked until we managed to cut two of the bar was secured with two locks. How day and we would see what was to hap- the three bars. Then we had only to hope good I am at explaining, eh? In each cell pen. Juan and I were ready to face every- that the guards wouldn’t notice anything there were two berths, a toilet and a fan on thing even if we didn’t know exactly what. when they would come to collect the seats. the ceiling covered by a grating. This little In the morning the South American waked The bars we cut were three flat plates, 35 space of two metres per three was my uni- me up and gave me the tray of breakfast. centimetres long and three centimetres verse for two long days. The cell cabin was He was so kind to collect it for me too. After wide. The job took one hour. It was risky so small that when one of us was standing breakfast, on Juan’s suggestion, I started but we didn’t have alternatives. At a certain up the other had to lay down. making a hole in the door so that the bar point Juan got nervous. He called me at the blocking it could be moved where the lock toilet and said that he didn’t trust the two The picoletos took the seats in Juan’s cell stood. The idea was to make the lock loose prisoners who were with us. He feared that and I realized that they didn’t notice they and eventually open it. The idea was very they could denounce us at any time. Mis- had been cut. I was euphoric. As they went good but the lock was quite thick and we trust among prisoners is a shitty thing, but away Juan passed me one of the plates we didn’t have much time. We were close to it’s there because of the many cowards who had cut, through the hole between the cells, the engine room whose noise covered that sow discord by denouncing their fellow pris- and I hid it under the mattress. Later the of our hacksaw. I think the South American oners in order to gain some reward. The picoletos came back to take us to the lug- was shitting himself as he realized why I prison system also foments this attitude in gage room where we would pick what we had fabricated a knife and what we were order to achieve what it couldn’t achieve oth- needed for the journey. When it was my turn, about to do. By looking at his face I could erwise. This is sad but it’s the reality of the the two guards stood opposite me to check guess he was not having a good time. On prison, as you know. Well, I come back to what I did. I was handcuffed. The monster his part, Juan would make a hole in the the point… addressed me: ‘Hey you, I want to have a ceiling wide enough to let him pass into the - Yes, come back to the point – said tranquil journey, do you understand?’. I corridor. I felt on cloud nine and smiled at number six – then you’ll be awarded the looked at him from tip to toe with contempt. the upset face of the Colombian. I kept on title of philosopher of the prison… see how I was convinced more than ever that he was working and only stopped around 1pm, as it you go on and on… a braggart. That was it: a braggart who was was lunchtime and soon they would bring one metre and eighty-five tall, weighted 100 the food. Meantime Juan had made a hole, - You see? He talks like a telegram – said kilos and had me in his power. The most which was too small but which confirmed number four –‘I come, I take, I saw’… intelligent thing to do was not to answer his our idea: the ceiling was empty. doesn’t he? - provocation. He realized that and tried it I called the young picoleto and said: ‘Lis- - Everyone tells his story as he likes most. again. ten, we run out of cigarettes. Could you I do this way – number ten pointed out. – It ‘Don’t look at me like that. I have met many please buy us some packets?’. He accepted: is as if I am living those moments again and like you and even worse’. As I was supposed ‘Okay, give me the money. Do you want so I tell them step-by-step. Now I carry on to be a dangerous prisoner, the monster was anything to drink? But you know you can’t and don’t interrupt me as I don’t interrupt boasting in front of his young colleague, to have alcohol’. others. Well I was saying that there was an show him off how macho he was. I gath-

29 I gave him the money and he brought us The following day Juan had temperature, break at any moment. The opposite door four cans of coca-cola, the food and the ciga- probably flu. The pig of the escort denied might open at any moment too and the rettes, which I shared with my companion. him the medicine he had in his luggage. He picoletos come in. We were sweating as hell After lunch the picoletos took the trays away thought it was a drug and asked the doctor and our excitement grew as we went on. and went into their cabin. to examine it. As for the Colombian he Our position was quite uncomfortable but I had a cigarette while assessing what I looked very happy because he understood we tried to force the board as much as we had been doing in three hours. I realized it that our escape plan had failed. could. After a number of attempts, the lock was impossible to finish the job in time and However, as soon as the guard left us broke down. Juan removed it, then he kicked Juan let me know that he couldn’t do the alone, I took my knife and started cutting the door, went out of the cell and came to ceiling in time either. We didn’t have tools the ceiling. I uncovered square intertwined break the lock at my door. I got out and we apart from a small old hacksaw. I passed rafters but the problem was still there: the both reached the cabin of the Guardia Civil him my knife and he gave me another plate hacksaw was too small to cut them quickly to make sure nobody was inside. We placed so that I could make a point on it. I asked and in the right way. After hiding the cut ourselves in a strategic position and, crouch- the Colombian to watch out. Juan did the pieces in the toilet I spoke to Juan. Mean- ing down, we waited for the guards to come same with the French, who seemed much time they brought the lunch and the medi- back. I was armed with the board and Juan more collaborative than my companion. - cine for Juan. While eating I hoped some had the knife. While waiting we decided a brilliant idea would come to my mind. Juan tactic of attack. Meantime our Colombian - Yes, he was a good guy – added number said he wanted to try to burn the plastic of friend grew from pale to grey and decided four. the bull’s eye by using a lighter. This gave to close his door and that of the French. me the idea I was looking for. The picoletos Juan made a mess in the cabin looking for - That’s true. As for the Colombian he took the trays away and I noticed that they weapons that, unfortunately, were not to be helped me only because he was frightened were more relaxed because we were ap- found. We had to accept the idea that the – number ten continued. – So I made the proaching the harbour. I exposed my plan guards were armed and just be ready to as- point at the edge of the plate and hid it un- to Juan: we had to warm the knife up and sault them as soon as they arrived. The door der the mattress. Juan and I went on work- use it to make a little hole in the bull’s eye was half opened. We knew that the picos ing with determination until 8pm and by then of the toilet. Then we would pass a wire would be there as soon as the door opened we both had blisters on our hands. We had through the hole and try to open the bolt by completely. That happened in a short while. managed to complete half the job, so it was hooking it with the edge of the wire. We also We both hurled ourselves on the guard com- clear we wouldn’t finish it off in time. needed a board, so I cut a piece of the lad- ing him. He screamed in terror, just like in a When they brought us the dinner I had pain der that was in the berth. Then I cut our two horror movie, and then he tried desperately in my hands and arms. I could hardly hold knives into four pieces and put three of them to free himself. But we were quicker: we the spoon especially as I had blown up my into the piece of ladder, which was empty, flung him to the floor and pointed the knife blisters and I was in such a pain. I wished in order to made it heavier. I passed the at his throat. As he was immobilised, I we had a good hacksaw! I had spent the fourth piece to Juan. searched him but he was unarmed. We entire afternoon cutting iron for nothing. And handcuffed him and tied him to the chair. now I couldn’t keep on because my hands The plan seemed to succeed better than He couldn’t move. We took the money off were aching so much. we imagined. Juan took a long wire from his wallet and then put the latter back where under his mattress and showed it to me with it was. Juan questioned him about the weap- After the guards took the trays away I a very naughty expression. Then he started ons and he said that they were in a cabin started talking to Juan. We agreed that we warming the knife up and making a hole in upstairs. could get out only when they opened the the bull’s eye. The Colombian grew pale and door. It was not easy but none of us wanted worried about the frenetic activity surround- I went to the other prisoners and proposed to let it go without achieving some results. ing him: pieces of iron were being cut eve- them to escape with us. The French said We discussed about pointing our knives at rywhere. The French, who was more realis- he had little time left to serve and the Co- their throat when they opened the door. The tic, checked the cabin of the Guardia Civil lombian said the same. I gave them some handcuffs were not a problem as we could and assured us all was quiet, maybe there cigarettes and a lighter and went back to open them with a hook. The real problem was nobody inside there. our war prisoner, the younger guard. It was was that the Guardia Civil would stand at around six pm. We also found our dossiers the harbour waiting for us prisoners. Going I passed the board to Juan and kicked the (which travel along with the prisoners on out like that would be spectacular, let alone door. In fact, nobody was in the cabin of the transfer) and read all the bullshit they had impossible. If we forced our way arms in Guardia Civil; they must have been on the written about us. As we were there, we de- hand we would be killed almost certainly. deck. That was our chance and we had to stroyed all the photographs in the dossiers. As for getting out of the harbour it would be act. Finally Juan cut a hole in the bull’s eye We laid in wait, ready to immobilise the other hard with the Guardia Civil and the Policia and I was confident he would manage to picoleto as soon as he came. I couldn’t wait Nacional on our heels. To be short, we didn’t open the bolt even if it was no easy job. I to face that motherfucker but the time ticked come to any conclusion. So I laid down observed the wire sliding out of the hole. away and he didn’t turn out. By then it was smoking a cigarette and trying to relax. The closer it got to the bolt the more my nearly 8pm and I had smoked an entire All our efforts led to nothing. And in the excitement and happiness grew. Finally the packet of cigarettes in the space of two end that picoleto motherfucker would deposit wire reached the bolt and made it move. It hours. In another couple of hours we would me in the next prison as if I was a parcel. hooked it and then unhooked it, then hooked be in Cadice. This made me very angry and I spent the it again and again unhooked it… until it night awake, thinking of imaginary revenges made it! Juan and I went to the door. He As the other guard didn’t come we sus- and suffering from my impotence. It was 25th put his hand into the crack and opened my pected that they had guessed something August, our last day on the boat. We would little window, then he placed the board in and were waiting to arrive at the harbour reach Cadice soon, where a cold dungeon the lock of his door and, by grabbing each before acting. We were considering all this was being prepared for us in the harbour of of us an edge of the board, we forced the when the door opened, the motherfucker Santa Maria. big lock. We stopped one moment. I came in and we hurled ourselves on him watched through the bull’s eye of the toilet like wolves on the prey. I grabbed his hands and verified that the lock was folded. It would to prevent him using the gun and Joan

30 grabbed his throat. We handcuffed him and Finally the gangway was lowered. It was placed him in my cell after moving the Co- linked to a bridge leading directly to the cus- With the Rebels... lombian with the French. I would have liked tom. A voice through a loudspeaker warned to kill the guard, but now he was a poor that it was not possible to get down yet. Always! coward who had lost all his arrogance. Nev- Then a group of guards turned out suddenly ertheless he still had a bit of courage to and came towards us. I didn’t move nor did o address us: ‘I’ve got a proposal: if you untie I make any sign to Juan, who I guessed Us, anarchists, we shouldn't forget, not me I put you back to your cells with no other was feeling the same as me. The guard went even in those moments when a black consequences’. It was Juan who answered to the reception, bypassing us. Now the defeat called us towards prudence, the sharply: ‘Shut up bastard, or we do you’. loudspeakers said it was possible to disem- valiant man or woman who fell for Then we took the young guard to the cell bark. Juan and I headed together to the Anarchy. along with his colleague, by now a defeated bridge, at the end of which a guard was hero. Now they were our prisoners and we searching a suitcase while another one was We can't take from their fall nothing else understood how easy it is to abuse harm- asking passengers for their documents. We but will power and solidarity. less handcuffed men. I think they were re- watched them. If they asked us for our docu- alizing the same thing, for the first time in ments, Juan would point the knife at his To say they fell because they were their life. Their life was in our hands and we throat, I would disarm him and then we dreamers, or because they were absorbed could have taken advantage of our position would force our way out with a hostage. in an illusion like a theatre act, because and inflict abuse on them. On the contrary, The harbour was full of picoletos. I counted they held out their fist or chest further than we left them alone. six of them boarding the boat and three allowed, this experience, doesn't only sing going to the garage, presumably to pick us towards disorientation, but something Juan questioned the pig about the guns from the cells. Then there were the two cops worse: It declares us superior. That would and we learned that they were in the cabin at the bottom of the bridge searching suit- be like beating them after their fall. 77 on the second floor and that the key of cases. We bypassed them and, surprisingly, that cabin was kept by the girl at the recep- nobody told us anything. We went through We shouldn't do this. Not only for this tion, who was in charge of all keys. We also the area and ended up in a big hall where man or woman, but for all the multitude. took the money of the monster. By then we the passengers deposited their bags in or- This happens too many times and creeps had 30,000 pesetas. The young guard asked der for two guards to search them. Juan was up over us. Games of freedom and life for us to leave him some money for his return ahead of me. As he didn’t carry any lug- causes that seem like inopportune labour. journey. As he had helped us with our drinks gage they left him go and he headed to the we gave him back 5,000 pesetas while we exist. I was following him when a guard For the triumph of a strike that left things didn’t give anything to the other, not even called me and said in a polite tone: ‘Your as it was. water. We shared the money, just in case, bag, please’. I saw Juan taking position 13,000 pesetas to Juan and 12,000 to me. behind him, ready to intervene in case of Go to the cemetaries and say they were The boat would dock in a short while and necessity. ‘Oh yes’, I said ‘sorry, here it is’. crazy or to prisons and dictate to the cons we needed to study a strategy: we would I put the bag on the table and the guard some sanity, that is even worse, it's go out on the gangway mingled with the pas- searched it quite superficially. As the guard repugnance. sengers and pass the custom. Just like that. verified I didn’t carry illegal items he marked The simpler the better. my bag, gave it back to me and said: ‘Thank The individual rebellion, or the towns I went to the toilet in order to shave while you, sir’. I couldn’t help answering: ‘You’r rebellion, will not be, and we all agree, the Juan had a shower. I put on velvet blue trou- welcome’. revolution, but it is it's nerve and it's sers, a black-and-white-squares shirt and a essence. sailor beret. I also put on the young guard’s I took my bag and went decidedly towards shoes, which fitted my sailor man outfit. Juan the road, towards freedom… It's the feeling of this, that without it there was dressed like that: green trousers, a wouldn't be any anarchists now or stripe of bed sheet as a belt, a long-sleeved This is the end of the story. - anarchy. blue shirt, white trainers and a baseball be- ret on his shaved head. We resolved not to Fuck! We have to learn from our defeats, force the cabin of the guns because it was but not from it's possibilities and signs but too risky. - Bloody hell, you are a real storyteller – from will power and conscience. For more number eight said. – It was as if I was in firm solidarity for the fallen and for more We went out of the cabin and upstairs. I your story myself. – action for those who are still on their feet. felt strange as if it was the first time I could Not so we can be their leaders, but to be, move around without restrictions, as if I had - You told the story very well – number more than ever, their comrades. never been free before. But we were calm. four assessed. – I didn’t need to intervene. We ended up in the garage and I start shat- – Always with the rebels! tering as soon as I was among the people. All kinds of sensation were going through - Yes, he also expressed your own impres------us liked gusts. We asked a couple where sions and sensations while telling the story the exist was and they pointed at a stair- – number six pointed out. – I don’t know if From “Carteles I” by Rodolfo Gonzalez case. We went up mingled with the passen- you realized that we are becoming good Pacheco (1882-1949) , a series of Spanish gers and reached the disembarkation area, orators. language anarchist texts which are attended by a wonderful blond. The tension circulating in the Spanish prison system was huge. I felt as if I was at the centre of We’ll need that when we get out in order to and beyond. Translated into English by everybody’s attention. Juan was animated convince people! Right now, it’s your turn, anarchist prisoner Rafael “Jon-Bala” by the same impatience. I watched him ask- Carlitos, go on... – Martinez Zea. ing a girl on his side a sip of water from a ... bottle. a

31 Texts from the Greek Insurgency - letters to rewrite the world

Nothing is over - Everything continues...

Insurrection is permanent, everywhere, and inevitable. apathy ever more. With an increasing amount of security and surveillance Insurrection does not wait for the measures, they try to alienate reality more masses, the vanguard or the moment. and more from its rebels in high speed and it speaks proudly of clean streets and Though December will come again every sweet dreams, of law and order. Letter from anarchist year, nothing will ever be the same. It is war; paths of ashes leave the past But nothing is over, A.Kiriakopoulos behind, towards the total dismantlement of Everything continues. this old dead world, against which the attack accelerated in the past months, As long as the world of authority and (Note: A.Kiriakopoulos has now been that will never be over; there is no going exploitation builds roads of dialogue and released on bail) back from it. This war knows no inno- content, there will be holes smashed in cence, while living in this reality makes us them. As long as they hand out candy of Five months after the explosive events all a hunter for life: the ones that cry; the dependence and devotion, it will be of December, the mass arrests and the poisoned. As long as they build their high ones that sleep, the ones that sigh; the prosecutions that took place, six of us walls of separation and punishment, they ones that spit in its mouth, the ones that remain captives in the claws of the build; the ones that break out. Once will be burnt down. As long as we are all state. Recently, the so called “justice ignited the revolt continues in a dynamic prisoners; nothing is over, and the of tension, recuperation and attack, by insurrection will continue. 6 People were state” and its servants decided to many, by few, by dark, by light; for as taken out of the negation in practice extend my pre-trial detention (remand) long as our time, our bodies and our during December, and now, 5 months stating that what should come first is freedom remain stolen from us. There is later, the state is trying to use their the extermination of my person and of no counting on where the revolt begun or freedom as an example for its revenge on my “criminal” activity and the protec- where it will go to, the open unknown is in all those revolted. tion of society. According to their the hands of the ones with the eternal characterization, I am a reckless and Not one fitting key coming from the youth, the stones, the passion and the fanatical person. To sum it up they gasoline. It will all continue. politicians, the judges, or the guards will be able to unlock the door of their characterized me an enemy of society. Smelling the fire, the state took hundreds confinement. But the enemies of society are all of people off the streets in a fearful those who after the cold-blooded attempt to maintain its fragile power, to Only a sledgehammer will be able to murder of comrade Alexis weaken the attack. But rebellion cannot liberate by tearing down the entire facade Grigoropoulos tried to repress the be outnumbered, cannot be softened. As of the prison. Therefore we will not make social phenomenon of the violent long as the prison society holds a grip on any demands to those in power, nor will insurrection in December with the we put any pressure on them to do “the lives inside and outside, there is no desire reckless and mass use of teargas to the right thing”. We are simply digging holes to wait for a “second December”, because extent of torture, the beating of if waiting in the streets takes a long time; in its fortress, undermining its foundations, protestors, and their swift imprison- waiting in the prison takes eternity, while until we’ve reached our beloved rebels. the state, the capital and their dominion ment. Anyway, it is known for years find their space to root in the normality of ANARCHISTS. now that the cops, especially when

32 dealing with anarchists demos, unleash Incarceration is an everyday psycho- chemical warfare with the slightest logical warfare enforced upon you by pretext so they can torture people. the system when you are in prison. On Despite the vicious repression of top of this you also have the screws December’s insurrectionary violence, usually treating prisoners who take it continues to persist and is proof that part in struggles (hunger strikes, the fire that was lit cannot be put out. refusal of prison food, demanding After all Alexis’ murder was the cause their printed material from the censor- and at the same time the pretext for ship) in a derogatory and sly way. One the outbreak of social rage. typical example is the last time Fire to cleanse the prisoners were refusing prison food as Fire to cleanse the As always, a special role was taken on a protest for the murder of Alexis, the earth by mass media warden of the wing and the lowlife came in together with ‘A movement that is not capable of journalists other screws and looking after its comrades in prison is brought their threatened the destined to die, and that at a high propaganda to prisoners taking part price under atrocious torture.’ the limit of in the protest with Daniela Carmignani - vileness. After disciplinary prison Revolutionary Solidarity the state murder transfers. of Alexis, they The insurrection in December was a reported about the widespread de- Generally, when you are not subju- visible and mass expression of the struction in the whole of Greece and gated to their correctional system they social war that rages at all times and that the police made no arrests. I try to create a climate of fear. Anyway will continue until the destruction of all believe that the fact that all of us prison is like a large melting pot of domination. Thousands fought in the imprisoned for the insurrection face souls. If you are a coward it will re-appropriated streets of the the same charges is no coincidence. mince you up and make you even necropolis. Hundreds were arrested The line from the state was exactly the more of a coward but if you are tough and, with exceptionally swift proce- same for nearly all of us. it will make you even tougher and dures, several were thrown in prison. colder as a person. The cell makes the Six of them still remain imprisoned up Inside prison, time is the worst enemy. prisoner suffocate. Outside in the to this day. Because for those in Especially when you are in custody prison yard is the illusion of free- power someone has to pay the price awaiting trial there is a continuous dom… for the negation in practice shown by uncertainty as you never know exactly all of us against this decaying world. when you are going to be released. Still through all of this nothing has This is a situation that definitely wears ended, the struggle continues Within the first two weeks of June the you down psychologically. This is remaining prisoners of December, also an effect of being locked up Those who are right are the rebels amongst them the anarchist against your will with four people for not the snitches and those who bow A.Kiriakopoulos, came in front of a 14 hours a day in a 9 square meter cell down* board of judges who determined designed to fit only one person. It is whether their imprisonment would be especially felt when relationships of A.Kiriakopoulos extended. They were all eventually camaraderie or even of understanding released. Days of action took place are rare as they are outside the prison (*a popular greek anarchist chant) between the 12-15 of June in solidar- bars. Of course there are always those ity across Greece. who choose to stand in dignity and struggle. Prison is a direct and violent tool that power has at its disposal to use against those that are not able or refuse to follow its rules. Especially in moments of intensified struggle or revolt, prison plays the role of isolat- ing the “troublemakers” to weaken our collective attack and instill fear in those who may be willing to join the fight. In this way, prison and the justice system are structures that aim to inhibit the generalization of social conflict. Therefore, solidarity with all those imprisoned for the insurrection in December is necessary for the furtherance of the revolutionary

33 project. Solidarity should not be hoods and helmets opened fire on the age; they just have a rank and their viewed through the lens of duty, police station in the suburb of number. And so like the doughnuts they obligation or charity nor does it Korydallos. They also threw a hand scoff down, they’re no good without a require a personal relationship or grenade that did not explode. The attack hole in the middle. absolute political identification with came nearly two months after 15 year- old Grigoropoulos was shot dead in To those who ask why we chose some those imprisoned but is a means to central Athens by police, sparking the random cops and not some high ranking strengthen our ties as collaborators in worst wave of anti-authoritarian violence officer, a big-shot journalist, a state a conspiracy against the existent. Greece had seen in decades. Although executive or even a capitalist, we reply... Solidarity is our weapon by which we the rioting subsided before Christmas, their turn will come. Moreover through attack not only the prison but all the attacks on police targets have in- our act we begin a long term plan structures of power in a continuation creased. Here is a translation of the utilising the tactic of permanent threat. of the social struggle as a whole. At communique: The bullets against random cops deliver the same time, solidarity is a tool < an ultimatum to cops of all ranks. Now used to obtain the immediate practical every faceless cop should know they ‘Those who remained unarmed die. The may be the next target of the Revolution- result of freeing our comrades in ones who don’t die are buried alive in ary Sect. Perhaps right this minute as he prison. This is a call to comrades the prisons, in the reform schools, in the is reading these lines the barrel of a gun wherever they may be to start a wave cement coffins of the new housing may be pointed at him. These are the of solidarity that sends shudders projects, in the suffocating schools, in ‘benefits’ of his job. ‘When you carry a down the spine of the bastards in the newly decorated kitchens and gun you have to accept the risk. power. Let’s prove to them that the bedrooms, so prettily decorated on However cops want to receive their Athens syndrome is indeed a conta- credit’ (RAF) paycheque without paying the conse- gious disease. quences.’ Start giving in your notice or Following the recent visits of the deputy start counting the graves. minister of public order Marcoyianaki Inside and outside the prison bars, and the president of Pasok George Perhaps some are shocked by our the insurrectionary perspective is a Papandreou to various police stations cynicism and they talk of a ‘lack of permanent condition which does not for the purpose of raising the morale of political and ideological foundation’. wait for a specific moment, does not the cops, we decided for the same accept charity but attacks directly, reason on early Tuesday morning to However we do not feel the need to everywhere, always. surprise visit a not at all random police justify or even explain our action. We are station, the one just 500 metres from not in politics, we are in armed struggle. Until the destruction of all prisons the prison hell of Korydallos prison, and In all these decades political parties, attack some random cops. Our goal was judicial and executive powers have to execute them. We knew that around exposed the interests of the status quo FREEDOM TO THE COMRADE the corner of the police station were they work for. The time for analysing is A.KIRIAKOPOULOS AND TO ALL situated a special guard and often two over... THE PRISONERS OF DECEMBER or three of his colleagues. For this attack we used a sub-machine gun type We are already aware of the fact that a SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE PROS- scorpion 7.65 mm, a 9 mm gun and a few dozens fighters, men and women ECUTED defence grenade which didn’t go off are preparing to come to the frontline of when we threw it at them. Lucky them, armed resistance. We welcome them For the generalization of the insurrec- unlucky us, next time luck will not be on tional clash their side. P.s. We are in accord with the fighters of the Revolutionary Struggle in their Our bullets clarify things. ‘Organised choice to target the police. urban guerrilla offensive is the only road ‘Revolutionary Sect’ revolutionary forces can take in order to We disagree however in their choice of claims attack on Greek overthrow the state’ It’s a clear act that the battlefield between them and the doesn’t need much explaining. pigs. A basic principle of urban guerrilla police station warfare is that we do not attack from the Did you really think that we would be grounds where the diverse forms of Athens - 5 Feb 2009. Greek authorities talking about struggle without at the resistance develop, thereby transform- said a previously unknown group has same time taking up arms and being ing them into vulnerable zones of claimed responsibility for a gunfire and ready to give everything to the struggle? repression. On the contrary we attack grenade attack on an Athens precinct. Perhaps the fucking pigs in the police the enemy’s impassable ground. In this The statement was found in a computer who kill with impunity thought that we way we gather our strength and avoid a disk left on the grave of a teenager would allow them to slaughter us like situation of a police occupation. The whose shooting by police sparked sheep? second round of the armed struggle has massive riots last year. A group calling begun... itself ‘Revolutionary Sect’ claimed it In our first act as Revolutionary Sect we carried out the pre-dawn attack, which targeted the police. Now it is our militant A hundred flowers blossomed... a caused no injuries. Police spokesman forces against the mercenary army of hundred revolutionary groups. Panayiotis Stathis said the disk was the regime. From now on every cop’s life found on Alexandros Grigoropoulos's is worth the same as a bullet, their Revolutionary Sect < grave in Athens. Officers found it after bodies a perfect target for shooting an anonymous call to an Athens practice. No tears for the parading < newspaper. Three unknown assailants in coffins to come. Cops have no name, no <

34 police investigation Fascist para- concluded that: state emerges 1.1.1. Chrysi Avyi had very good relations and contacts with officers of Sparks (& Molotovs) fly, as the force, on and off duty, as well as with Police-Nazi collaboration common policemen. stokes the Flames of Greek Resistance 2.2.2. The police provided the group with batons The sun is setting over central and radio communica- Athens as 3000+ protesters gather in tions equipment during Omonoia Square in opposition to the mass demonstrations. treatment of immigrant workers by the Greek state. No police can be seen 3. The connections as the crowd gathers, yet the mood is between the neo-nazi tense with grim determination and group and the Greek anticipation of the real possibility of police force, helped extreme violence from the state. We delay the arrest of march slowly down-town towards the 'Periandros', a promi- Saint Pandeleimonas district, a nent member of Chrysi Avgi, wanted They then left Agios suburb mainly inhabited by immi- for the attempted murder of three left- Panteleimonas and attacked the grants. A thunderous chant echoes wing students. squat. Attacks on squats are not that through the darkening streets, as uncommon in Greece but this is the CCTV cameras and cash machines 4.4.4. The brother of "Periandros", also a first time since the Junta dictatorship are smashed, shop fronts graffitied member of Chrysi Avgi, was a that a Minister has openly met with and hundreds of leaflets tossed security escort of an unnamed New fascist combat groups. Two days later across the pavements. The flanks of Democracy MP. three immigrants (2 Iraqi and 1 the mass are defended by helmeted, Nigerian) were shot in a drive-by pole-wielding marchers, as heavily 5.5.5. Most Chrysi Avyi members illegally shooting in Omonia square. The same armored riot police can be seen carry weapons. day the squatted former Court of through side streets, moving down the Appeals building in central Athens, parallel road. The crowd slows as This investigation only exposed a that accommodated hundreds of orange flashes of fire can be seen far small, nasty taste of what was to homeless immigrants, was hit by an off at the front line, suddenly followed come and since it was leaked, this co- arson attack. The police have at- by the deafening boom of stun operation between Chrysi Avyi and tempted to evict the squat numerous grenades, and plooms of tear gas. the police has increased dramatically. times in the past and it has for a long Fear spreads through some sections Even the biased mainstream media time been the scene of constant nazi of the crowd as it surges back in has had to accept and shamefully and police harassment and violence. retreat. Burning barricades protect our report this widespread collaboration. Yesterday (21 July) the last phase of route to the ASOEE university and Two days after the rally (09 July), the eviction emptied the building. Of relative sanctuary. We are told that as we were sat on the street corner the hundreds of immigrants living in the front was attacked by moltov where Alexandros Grigoropoulis was the squat, many have been arrested hurling nazis working within the police murdered last December, word and will be imprisoned in one of the front line. quickly spread round that Villa eleven disused army bases that have This co-operation between Amalias, the 19 year old anarchist just been converted into detention militant neo-nazi groups and the squat, had just been attacked by camps. Greek police is nothing new, but in fascists with molotovs and projectiles. Recently, on the July 12, the the last six months it has become The squatters fought them back and largest refugee settlement in Greece, increasingly frequent and audacious. the fascists retreated back behind outside the city of Patra, was brutally The most dangerous neo-nazi police lines, which protected them. evicted, bulldozed and 'mysteriously' group is Chrysi Avyi (Golden Dawn). The attack was undoubtedly prear- burned to the ground by police. More Although they have relatively little ranged between the nazis and the stark evidence of the rising totalitari- popular support (23,000 votes in the police. anism in the treatment of refugees, a last European elections), they are Twenty minutes before the trend that is currently growing, in powerful due to their deep running attack, in the suburb of Agios Greece, as well as most of Europe. relationship with the state, particularly Panteleimonas, the Minister of Public In the recent European elections, the connections and widespread Order, Markoyannakis, met with the extreme-right party LAOS made a support within the police force. In fascist vigilantes, headed by an army political breakthrough, with 7.2 per 2005 a leaked confidential internal officer, Pipikios. cent of the vote. Desperate for

35 support, the ruling, conservative New mobile phones. The British state have Democracy party has taken to proven to be experts in these tactics Thessaloniki: arson increasingly far-right behavior: the of surveillance and intelligence attempt against moronic scapegoating of immigrants, gathering, and of course the informa- squatters and anarchists, fear mon- tion gained using these techniques, is Fabricka Yfanet gering propaganda and constantly falling into the hands of neo-nazis. pleading for "national unity" squat thoughout the population. The Greek Despite the savage rise in right press and television have recently wing violence, the anarchist move- Fabricka Yfanet is an former 19,500 taken extremely xenophobic views, ment is still gathering more popular m² factory in Thessaloniki (Greece) fully supporting the government's support, and now even the main- that was abandoned by its owners in attempt to unite people in an ugly stream media have acknowledged it 1967 and since 20 March 2004 has wave of nationalism, and to drive as a legitimate political force. It seems been occupied by people demanding people's attention away from the unlikely, that the ruling government their freedom from political and economic crisis. can maintain its treacherous course economic oppression. On Saturday for long. Urban guerrilla insurrectionist morning, 25 July 2009 at 5.05, arson- This increased police-nazi groups have kept up a constant ists attempted to put our squat on fire cooperation brings the counterinsur- stream of attacks on the state and by lighting barbecue tanks at the main gency strategy of the State into harsh, corporate businesses. Some of the iron gate. They left a bag containing new perspective. The government has attacks so far this month alone, six gas cans, one 4-litre petrol previously said that the "terrorist" include a bomb attack on the Athens canister, and a box of fire-starters. harboring squats will be evicted this home of a former deputy minister, a summer, between the middle of July firebomb attack on a tax office, a The explosion could not escape the and the middle of August. Tactically bomb attack on a McDonald's attention of squatters on standby this makes sense, as a lot of people causing "extensive damage", a bomb inside the occupation for its protection have vacated the cities to escape the attack on a prominent Judges car, a (such measures were taken after the choking summer heat, leaving the failed bombing attempt at the Chilean government threats against free squats more vulnerable to attack or consulate and there have been a spaces). With the help of neighbours eviction. This week a squat in string of strategic arson attacks on we put down the fire, and fortunately Thessaloniki, where the local pirate offices and vehicles. This month a absolutely no damage was done at radio station operates, was also police bus has come under fire from a all. Of special interest was the ‘quick attacked with molotovs. The tension is masked gunman and last month an mobilization’ of the police: just six high, defenses are being built and a anti-terrorist policeman guarding a minutes after the explosion they came lot of squatters have stayed in the city witness was shot dead by two with three patrol vehicles, a car with and are organising resistance strate- gunmen. civilian number plates, and a jeep. gies. The threat is uncertain, but there Cops came out from the latter with is no doubt that mass evictions would Different anarchist and leftist guerrilla hostile intentions. 20 minutes later two result in a massive flare up of resist- groups have claimed responsibility for riot police squads, attempting to ance. The authorities are aware of most of these attacks. provoke us, were seen at the corner this and are apprehensive to fulfill of Katsimidi Str. and Egnatia Str.. their desired plan. The movement has learnt a lot Comrades were called and came from the December insurrection and quickly to help defend our squat in Instead they have been while support for the guerrilla groups case of attack. focusing on the easy targets of is widespread, many feel that without immigrant squats and so not to lose more widespread social change, the This was the second attack against a face. revolution is distant. Yet resistance is free space in Thessaloniki within the stronger then ever and stands last four days (the first attack was Another dangerous organisation resolute in the sinister face of fas- against Radio Revolt, a radio station co-operating with Greek police is cism. It is also worth noting, that in a retired railroad car within the Scotland Yard. In March this year during the recent upsurge in molotov city’s major university). British "anti-terrorist experts", includ- use by neo-nazis, no one has been ing Sir Ian Blair, ex-head of Scotland injured by the bombs, except on two Nothing will overcome our determina- Yard; as well as American "security separate occasions when the fascists tion to defend our squats - the places advisors", were in Athens giving managed to set themselves on fire. where we live and breathe. advice on the tactics of oppression. The Greek government is desperate Postscript: Just before posting this The squat’s website is: to upgrade its social control and piece, one of the squats, where we surveillance apparatus, Greece's have been staying, the big squatted http://www.yfanet.net/ parliament has just approved meas- factory space called Yfanet, was ures allowing police to use surveil- attacked at 5 in the morning (25 July). lance camera footage, create a DNA The bomb containing 6 gas cans, a database and banning anonymous four-liter petrol canister caused no damage. The struggle continues... 36 Translator’s note: Yorgos Voutsis- Here is another short letter sent from should know what kind of criminals Vogiatzis is an anarchist prisoner in an anarchist held in the Spanish work for him. Also to be a cop you Greece, held over an unsuccessful prison system, written in solidarity have to go through a psychological robbery. The short letter translated with the Greek insurrection. test, which leads us to another and published in response to an question- How did the cop that kill inmate’s death that Yorgos eye- Alex pass such a psychological test? witnessed. Open Letter from Or what kind of psychological test do the cops have there in Greece? The "law" says that cops are in the streets A Night in Rafa ‘Jon-Bala’ to to serve and protect. They didn’t protect Alex. Did they? No! they shot the Prison Cell the Greek Comrades him down dead. So the cops aren't on the streets to serve and protect. If Death rattles follow one another; The World's a Heap of Shit anyone says something different to blood coming out from the mouth and this, tell them to ask Alex's family and nose. Pulses drop, the heart stops To all Greek comrades... Firm fist for friends what the cops are doing on the giving a signal. Kicks on the cell’s anarchy! streets. door, shouts. For ages we shout to the prison guards to open up - to no I’ll start this open letter introducing How long do we all have to stand for avail. The first one to arrive, a cold, myself. My name is Rafa (nick-name these killings? Do you imagine what cynical, prisoner of his constant fear Jon-Bala) and I’m 42 years old. Right would happen to anyone of us if we of prison breaks via staged incidents now I’m doing time in the Spanish shot down a cop just because the cop and the many films that he’s been extermination campo of Puerto III used his freedom of expression? It’s watching: he flatly refuses to unlock (high classed macro security prison) called... Life Sentence!! the door. Not even the sight of the cause of expropriations. I was born in bleeding person in a coma touches a small town of this Spanish state In a fucking prison until you fucking him. He had, he said, to inform the called Algeciras-Cadiz but I was drop dead!! director first. Another ten minute delay brought up down under in Australia and the heart of Spyros Gardiklis lasts (Brisbane Capital). Or in other cases on a fucking electric no longer. The gates of the peniten- chair!! tiary house become synonymous to Apart from what I have been watching those of the Underworld. There is no on the stupid box (TV) I have also That is what would happen to us if we stretcher to carry the dead, while it is received some info about the last kill a cop because he used his freedom a well know fact that once the cells Greek revolt. A lot of things has been of expression. are locked up, the medical staff said about this revolt; some agree with disappear. The counting of the it, some don’t but the truth is that a Now I ask everybody. Is this justice inmates is the final act. Today, young underage man (Alex) has been for all? If anybody says yes to this Spyros was missing. The rest can shot down dead by the hand of a question - Fuck off!! only count our dead and some of us Greek cop with no reason what so swear revenge. ever, only because Alex was a free Also; how can the Greek state or any individual person, and stood up for state admit these kind of cops that kills Let’s tear down all prisons. what he (and many others) believes in. our children? The only thing Alex did was to use his Goodbye Spyro. freedom of expression, and because of I’m only another imprisoned anarchist this, he is dead!! But the "funniest" who knows fuck all about "Law" and thing is that after his death, everyone "order" but... the world's a heap of Yorgos Voutsis-Vogiatzis involved in the Greek Revolt was shit!! called... violent. But what about the Rural prisons of Kassaveteia, cop? Didn't he act in a violent way or Down with all capitalist states Volos, 4/6/09 what? What did the Greek state expect the people of Greece to do? Amor y Rabia/ Love and rage´

To smile to the cop and give him their hand? Cago en dios! For fucks sake!! Jon-Bala He killed a boy. For Anarchy/ For ALF He's the fucking violent one and not us. But let's go behind the cop that Rafael Martinez Zea assassinated Alex. Who else's fault is C.P Puerto III it? Well, in my opinion it's also the Crta Jerez-Rota km6 Chief Inspector's fault because he 11500-Puerto de Santa María-Cádiz Spain

37 Greek capitalism. Loans for new living as military exercises against social The Unanimity room couches and electrical polarisation. The times at which they appliances became a routine. are tested are very carefully chosen. of the Fearful Because they are not limited to one And so the bourgeois got to acquire state, especially the economic crisis, (communique for the bomb at the all the characteristics of a class. They they acquire different versions ministry of Macedonia and Thrace in have common desires, common between them, so as to act more Thessaloniki) aspirations, common language and no efficiently. consciousness. Yet they also have On September 2 2009, the same day something else, something that in For example, the current economic that a bomb detonated outside the times of crisis becomes the strongest crisis in the USA as a response of the Athens Stock Exchange, another one negotiation strategy for its conservative “white” republicans to went off at the ministry of Macedonia administrators: They have common the established democrats and the and Thrace in the city of Thessaloniki. fears. Fear of loss of all these restructuring in the health system As expected, the “Conspiracies of material “ideals” acquired with so serve different purposes to the crisis Cells of Fire” claimed responsibility. much compromise, tolerance and in Greece after the revolt of What follows is the communique, humiliation. The peaceful bourgeois is December. And also, the crisis with released on September 5, with which capable even of killing someone the outbreak of the new flu also the attack was claimed. should they threaten their property. comes to serve other purposes. Because in this very property they have invested everything they are. The politics of crisis proves to be a The Unanimity of the Fearful. When someone loses their illusions, rather successful technique because they become worse than him who has except for the “wise ones” (political Throughout history, leaders of all consciousness of the real loss. authority, journalists, analysts, kinds of totalitarian regimes aim at “experts” of all sorts) who propagate social cohesion. Through this In illusions all hopes for a future that it, there is also a stupid audience of cohesion the mass-human is will never come are placed upon; faithful (society) ready to accept it and produced - more flexible, more daily humiliations are soothed, take orders. disciplined and more conservative stressed micro-egos get to rest. toward the prevalent social Leaders invest in the politics of crisis In Greece after all the technique of behaviours at all given times. It is the and fear once social cohesion of the the crisis is a rather usual method. contemporary class of these socially common dream collapses, as a Often after social tension and clashes integrated citizens who then discover natural malfunction of the capitalist or ruptures caused by the enemy their common identity and crouch machine. within, such crises of national around the common interest, common unanimity make their appearance. aspirations and desires. All the First of all, the notion of a crisis as lonelinesses of the western world constantly bombarded upon us 1991 was the year of the mass school meet for a moment in the snap-shot of through the media is in itself a military occupations and the assassination of consumerist frenzy. order, an order dictating social alert. teacher Nikos Temponeras while the The social fear parading in front of the next year saw the crisis with Skopje In Greece during the 80s social unknown of the crisis has its own, and the Macedonian demonstrations. cohesion was inspired by the dream very distinct smell. It is the smell of 1995 was the year of the largest mass of “change” and invested in the the cowardliness of all that the arrest - 500 people in the Athens owner-mania of house-building. Multi- bourgeois has accepted, all the Polytechnic - while 1996 saw the Imia storey flats in Athens and desires they never discovered, all the crisis (skirmishes between the Greek Thessaloniki were built one after the humiliations they never reacted to, all and Turkish army over an other in order to accommodate the the roles they played in front of the unpopulated rock -trans). 2008 saw absence of life emerging with the empty stage of their bourgeois the revolt of December and 2009 was appearance of family ownership- fantasizing. Social fear also has its the year of the migrant crisis, property. Everyone was seeking their own expression - it is vengeful, stingy pogroms, concentration camps, own property as recognition of their and conservative. Turkish airspace violations and the social value in the social class of the revealing of the execution of missing “neo-Greek”, which required owner- Social cohesion is reclaimed by fear. Greek-Cypriots by Turkish-Cypriots. property status. From the religious time of crisis by This does not mean to say that events some “god” to the national crises, were “produced” in order to In the 90s came the swoop of micro- even their breaths are tuned in disorientate the zombified public electrical appliances of mortgaged joy military style. The entire society of opinion. Imia did not happen to cover and the second car. The Neo-Greek zombification dances along the the Polytechnic arrests, nor was the bourgeois were parading around their rhythms of the crisis, incapable of supposed migrant issue highlighted to absence in a new environment of even realising what has happened. cover for December. Plus the fact that technological comfort and digital the economy is damaged and pleasure promised by the delayed These artificial conditions of alert act collapsing is a reality. The technique

38 of the crisis is simply the director-like time bombs and 8 kilos of explosives ability to highlight certain scenes at in the back entrance of the ministry of the right moment, so to direct the Macedonia-Thrace. In order to avoid viewer’s gaze. injuries we notified one tv station and Letter from the police. Air-space violations and incidents with Greek rocks have happened many The selection of that particular target times, and yet in the case of Imia they was more of a challenge for the police were particularly promoted. protection plans devised for the Spain v (Undocumented) migrants have been particular location. The policemen by living in the centre of Athens for the entrance, the riot police unit in the years, and yet it was now that they courtyard, the police blocks on the had to be “revealed”. Illnesses and adjacent Ayiou Dimitriou str, the Comrades, epidemics exist or are created patrols around the building were all a constantly, yet once their usefulness good opportunity for us to send them I want to tell you about the period is over they disappear without run panicking. success of the metal strike in Vigo in June anyone knowing their ending, like in and July. 25 days of strike, with some the cases of the mad cow disease Each time that we emphasize on the riots. The best days was the next two and the Avian flu. operational part of a plan we do not weeks after the anarchist bookfair in do so in order to claim some credits Lisboa (Portugal, 22-24th May, 2009). Economy is constantly in the red, yet for operational flawlessness and That Wednesday and Thursday was now this has to be emphasized. bravery. That is nonsense. Whatever amazing. The syndicate lost control of the workers and they burned buses, Tables of statistics have no we do, we do simply because we feel containers, banks and made barricades all importance whatsoever, nor do the it and it fills us with the meaning of over the centre of the city. 300 policeman facts by financial authorities or our existence. These references to can not do anything against 3000 people financial analyses. What needs to be some operational parts take place as with molotovs, stones, and fireworks. understood by the revolutionary force an invitation to new comrades in order and the new urban guerilla tendency, to share with them our belief that The unions started to talk about police is the social value of the financial responsibility, good organising, inside the demonstration, and police crisis, the social value of fear - we trustworthiness, comradely feelings “provocadores”. But the workers, didn’t need to proceed to our counter- and decisiveness can attack that listen to them. The older workers have very anarchist thinking. analyses and to launch an attack on which until yesterday seemed all fronts. unapproachable. Then the third week the syndicates tried not to make a demonstration because they Economy is not a mere maths After all, the consecutive attacks that were afraid. Then in this week more than equation, it is a factory of production took place in our city during the ten bombs appeared, in the houses of the of relationships. The coming elections summer by different groups prove that bosses and syndicates in Vigo alone. offer the visible exit from the crisis. the new urban guerilla tendency is They are the diffusing of the amassed already under way and prepares its Now the unions are in trouble, only the social fear and its replacement by the own charge. Broken doors, smashed most radical (CIG) continue with the support of the workers. This union is our hope for reconstruction of the shop fronts, smoke from the torched worst enemy. Its bosses are workers, and bourgeois dream. We know that even buildings, the chaos of the sabotages, have the respect of thousands of people. sad people who carry as a badge of is a network of communication But maybe in a few days they will sign the honour the title of the citizen, think of beyond and outside the foreseeable. negotiation and they could lose this elections as outdated - and yet they It is a way to tell our losses, our respect. are the only thing they have. After all contradictions, our desires, ignoring as we said, illusions and idiocy are the registries of authority and They are talking about doing a new strike near-totally unbeatable, but not laughing at its established rules. No in September. Now a lot of young people without their weaknesses. respect to the authorities of this city want to fight alongside with the metal workers and the workers are very happy and its obedient citizens. with the people that came from other cities Because we, like other comrades of to help them. the new urban guerilla tendency, do We shall return… not participate in fixed games, nor do We’ve got only 20 anarchists but now we we participate in the official fiestas of Coalition of the Cells of Fire know there a lot of new companeros. demonstrations, in called-for marches Now police are doing a few arrests but not such as that against the international too serious. I will send you some articles expo in Thessaloniki, we chose our that we do in our magazine about this. own time to act. x First, a friend will translate them. Kisses and salud... And so at the dawn of Wednesday September 2 we placed a self-made ... xx exploding device comprising of two

39 AGAINST CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES

AGAINST THE PRISON SOCIETY

PIRATES m barrel, whereas if it is done illegally it only trafficking following the assassination of costs 2,50 dollars per barrel. Italian journalist Ilaria Alpi. Someone in the Italian government was selling weapons to Moreover merchant ships are regularly filled the Somali government as well as to the with toxic waste, then they are sunk just rebels. Guess how the ‘brave boys’ of the opposite the Somali coast after lucrative Folgore [parachute unit of the Italian army] insurance policies have been secured. In felt when they knew that the Somali rebel this way toxic waste disposal, the ship forces engaged in fights against them were disposal and a considerable income are using weapons sold by the Italian achieved at the same time. government. Before celebrating the return of the cool sailors of the Bucaneer, The fishermen of the Somali Sea Fish therefore, we should think of what these The sailors of the ‘Bucaneer’ have come Company have denounced that at least sailors do, of the damage they continuously back home sound and safe amid general seven ships went aground off the village of cause to the environment with the praise for the government, the Navy and Igo, along with a number of containers and complicity of the States that give them various special forces (including the steel barrels that pour their content into the military aid. notorious Carabinieri Special Intervention sea and on the beach, with the result that Unit); the sailors are all safe, good cool the food chain, the health of local people Solidarity must not be for the cool sailors boys… and the environment in general are but for the populations who try to defend irremediably compromised. Since 1990, their environment and their own life, which But what was the Bucaneer doing in the the year of the war in Somalia, that piece of is being put at risk by a system ready to waters of the Aden Gulf just off the Yemen ocean have become the damp of the destroy everything in the name of profit. peninsula, where many dirty businesses industrial world, with the complicity of the are being carried out also by the Italian western countries. Not by chance the latter The media call these populations ‘pirates’. State? It is very likely that its cargo was not draw up their troops in defence of the dirty If those who take arms in hands against the exactly safe. The Aden Gulf, which is businesses of big multinationals besides power of the States to defend themselves situated in the Indian Ocean opposite the promoting the services of military and their environment are called ‘pirate’, Somali coast, has become in the last years companies in the local area. then yes, we will be all pirates. a damp for toxic waste coming from Europe. This waste is poured into the sea, Just think of the 21 Oktober II, a ship that SOLIDARITY TO THE SOMALI PIRATES

with no regard for the forms of life living was in Somali waters during the Italian a there. If waste disposal is made following military occupation in 1991, and which was An anarchist from Livorno (Italy) the rules it costs about 250,000 dollars per later involved in the investigation on arm

40 terror personnel looking for co-operation thing with impunity but it isn’t like that and LetterLetter fromfrom in exchange for liberty or money. won’t ever be like that, it only needs a little bit of courage that gives us coherency to The result: Nothing unite words and actions. How many immigrants must be mistreated and killed, FrancescoFrancesco GioiaGioia I want to record another act, before our houses evicted, comrades arrested, arrest it was only one month since I had families reduced to misery, mountains, Sunday 12 of July 2009 gotten out of jail and I, like my comrades, valleys and fields destroyed, before we was always followed, even when I went to wake up and decide to give all of ourselves Loving compañeros: the market. Therefore, according to them, to stop this? how was it possible to make this robbery It is more than two years since my friend without them realising? It astonishes us I have may interests and millions of things and comrade Daniele and I were made that they admit their own imbecility by to do in life, but to oppose all this is the prisoners by the democratic- bourgeois default. After one year you would think we most sensible thing I could do, if I care dictatorship. According to witnesses on would be close to expiry of the acts, but about my life and the life of others. the morning of July 12th 2007, in the another order of capture for subversive Pacifism is the pacification of the small village of Terrina in the Lucca association with intent of terrorism movement and converts people into willing province, a person dressed in black with arrived for us, moreover, with us are lambs to be the pasture of the wolves. full helmet and black sunglasses, of 1.6- accused Leonardo and Paola, other 1.65 metres in hight, skinny and with an comrades are investigated but fortunately We support and distribute counter accent that was not Italian took 3460 there is no order for arrest. information, that supports Direct Action, Euros from the Director of a Bancaria not only within the movement but directed Bank. Afterwards the person left without Many investigated comrades were under at all the exploited. Our words will be leaving a trace. house arrest in the month that I was out always based in action, that is the one and unfortunately I did not get to see thing that gives credibility to ourselves and This happened at 12:15. At 18:00, 15 to them... We figured that it would mean they our words. 20 kilometres from there, myself and could be implicated in robbery. Moreover Daniele were taking the sun at the foot of the logic says that the people that should Our enemies have television, newspapers, a mountain. Near the only principal be behind the current of direct action lies, blackmail. We have love, truth, motorway in the region four persons with (whoever that is) are only only those that courage, creativity and intelligence to pistols drawn arrived, without identifying are strictly necessary and no other, to qualify the revolutionary action. There has themselves, they captured us and started carry to the end said action. It seems been millions of books, fanzines, theoreti- asking us questions that went unan- ridiculous to me that someone could really cal journals, anarchists and communists swered. They confiscated the money that think that we could organise a robbery of have analysed our ideas, there exists was in our bag saying it was robbed, but 3400 between 12 people, that would be thousands of books about the ills of the figures don’t add up at all. It would delusional. industry, of pollution, about the corruption require magic to make them coincide. of government. Our words and our I wanted to tell this story to make a isolated writings, they don’t make us less They say they have found a motorbike on complete picture of the situation. I don’t complicit in this misery. To acquire the the other side of the mountain that care for the concept of innocent or guilty, anarchist aesthetic does not make us less according to them, we have abandoned. or for the justice of the judge. At the same complicit. See now that freedom is not a They forget to mention that to have done time none of us wants to distance thing of this world, I always feel free when I that, we would have had to scale a ourselves from the individual or collective act against those that want slaves, mountain of 1200 metres and come expropriation of goods and money from against him, his instruments or his goods. down the other side. Near the motorbike the rich and capitalists. It was already they found a helmet, but it is not a full called robbery or proletariat expropriation To live, to fight, to enjoy, suffer, to die in helmet. They haven’t found a fingerprint, that serves to finance the revolutionary the conquest for freedom is worth more or a fragment of our DNA on any activity, help for who needs it or to avoid than the most comfortable and quiet life incriminating object. I am 1.78 metres tall the slavery of the salaried work, I couldn’t an exploited person could imagine. and I weigh 93 kilos, I practice Thai kick- support more this type of revolutionary boxing and lift weights, and so I have a very practice as an anarchist. That the more A greeting to all the comrades, anar- recognisable complexion. Daniele is 1.85 pacifist of the movement doesn’t turn his chists, communists, and anti-imperialists metres tall. The descriptions don’t fit that head for these words of mine, there in the who fight against the state and exploita- of the suspect at all, but that doesn’t glorious history of the anarchist move- tion. seem to matter. We continue as prison- ment there are hundreds of anarchist ers of the enemy. expropriators, like Jacob, the Bonnot A greeting and a hug to all the compan- Gang, Durruti, etc. ions, a greeting to Leo especially: Something else that has come to our Sabiéndote en libertad, when I remember attention is that in the cases that are With that I have completed four years of you I feel a little freer. Every day that you taken against us we are always in front of jail and revolt seems to me what I must are free is a slap in the face of these the same magistrates and the same do more of, I will never stop fighting jailers who want to see you a prisoner and judges, moreover those responsible for against the State, the Democratic this makes all the lovers of freedom the investigations are always the same Dictatorship and exploitation. happy. Carabinieri and police that have followed us for the last 12 years. There is nothing I am happy and proud of all the support For the Revolt- For Anarchy more to say: its a real theatre, a circus. that comrades have given me from outside, with letters, help, demonstrations, Francesco Gioia In the following months there were paintings on walls, but maybe the situation Via casale 50/A investigations, interceptions and registra- we are suffering serves to stimulate may 15040 Michele (AL) h tions against many companions from to stop their action. Minions, fascists and Italia Toscana, as well as many visits from anti- exploiters believe they can do whatever 41 survive, living off the leftovers falling down the State hands.

This contributed in smoothing (at least for a large part) the social conflicts which might develop towards a radical outcome. An example of such a “social” politic has been adopted after the fall of the wall, when the city management regulated the rent market, by restructuring the houses, especially the ones lying in the former eastern part of the town, with public money and defining a maximum rent-roof for specific areas, so to avoid crazy rent-ups and the Attacking capitalist city building speculation: the property prices consequent forced displacement of here remain probably the lowest in restructuring and its former inhabitants and poor people, comparison to other western European permitting many people (surely not all) agents: a few experiences capitals. The same can be said for the to remain in their original houses. from Berlin. rent. This has been slowly and constantly That is why since many years, particu- In the last two or three years, Berlin has eroded district by district, especially larly drastically after the fall of the Berlin seen a resurgence of radical, confronta- during the last ten years following the wall, this city became a grassy field for tional activities directed against State constant rise of public debt, so that building companies and investors of any and Capital. Hundreds of direct actions such “social” measures have been sorts. of different nature take place regularly almost completely cancelled and certain against a wide range of symbols and districts have become even “Hartz IV The city is suffering for many years a representatives of exploitation and free” (Hartz IV describes the dole in debt amounting to several dozen million. oppression which try to annihilate our Germany), because the rents are too The city chiefs have tried to cover the attempts towards a full reaproppriation expensive or landlords won’t rent to debt up by selling public properties to of our lives. Meanwhile, the more usual such candidates. rich investors, so to get some coins in type of actions like demonstrations and the pocket and attract a certain kind of similar, do not decrease, offering Districts like Prenzlauerberg have seen population into the city. Entire districts sometimes also a place where our anger an almost complete change of the have been bought up, its former can outburst. Yes, even here, with one of population character, since most of the inhabitants slowly displaced by rising the most organised police forces of former Eastern Germans inhabitants had rents and the change of the Europe - it boils. to make place to trendy hipsters and neighbourhood’ s structure, the alternative looking new-economy type of developers made space for trendy lofts The famous crisis, at first declared as business men and women. and condo-projects, slowly beginning relative innocuous for Berlin’s economy, the path which is transforming Berlin is coming. It is there already, although Of course, this process could not take from a city based on renting to a one many refuse to recognize its presence. It place without a full cooperation moving towards ownership: in fact, is written in the faces of the many who between the city management, investors opposed to the situation of many wait in front of the dole office. It is the and building companies, all responsible southern European countries, relatively story of a 51 year-old man, who on the for a process of displacement from few people own a house and normally 25th of June filled a bucket with which alternative artists and hipsters are they rather rent. gasoline and lit it in the entrance of one only a smaller cog within the machine of these institutions: if the newspapers although certainly a nasty one. For a certain amount of time, the city declared unknown the reasons hidden administration tried to regulate the behind his gesture, we can only imagine Under the slogan “Berlin: poor but sexy”, situation and avoid – as far as possible a history of misery dictated by Capital the city built up an image of a young and – dramatic scenarios, possibly also to as the probable motivation which lead attractive city, keen to host financial and not give an opportunity to radical social the man to such a desperate act. building investments major multination- protest to develop behind our usual, als such like the ones who reside little circles. Tourism in the city should collapse, around the area of the Spree river, working places should get lost. The between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, One does not have to forget how good quote of unemployed people in the city a project known under the name of the German state has been – and still is rises steadily. According to the newspa- “Media Spree”, which sparked a lot of – in implementing a certain social politic pers, one of the only branches who resistance during the last years among based on an efficient social state (in keeps on making some profits here the population (MTV, Universal and the comparison to countries where one should be the building sector. In fact, O2 Arena among some of the most does not even have it) which takes care Berlin remains a very profitable place for notorious residents). that people do not touch the real bottom domestic and foreign investors, but have always something little to especially for what concerns the There one has a clear example of how

42 this cooperation produced a massive itself does not look as attractive as they unhappy of letting their children be too displacement and gentrification process would like it to be. close to heroin dealing and syringes left in those areas, showing who the real lying around, remembering how in the enemies are, besides the mostly Another area heavily met by 80’s heroin invaded the poor harmless hipsters who nowadays infest gentrification is Neukölln, where many neighborhood of Kreuzberg making a lot the streets of those districts. migrant families and other people who, of victims among the Turkish/Arabian in general, gain a lower income, live in. It youths (and in the movement like But it also showed how such a project is now also a stage for the theatre of everywhere else). can be attacked on different levels, as capitalist restructuring: on a day to day the massive resistance of Radicals tried to show with a presence the last years against it on the square and other interventions showed, from demonstra- how the answer to such a conflict can tions to direct actions and not be the militarization of the square as informative events. it is happening recently. Indeed cops and securities of different sorts patrol Talking about districts like the area, with the aim to clean it up from Kreuzberg and the “scum”. Friedrichshain, historical “fortresses” of the The latter becomes now the excuse movement and used to justify the upcoming project of radicals of different sorts, Kottbusser Tor underground as best as of lumpen and migrant complete video-surveilled underground youths, one can see how of the city. they change their shape day after day: one walks the streets level this means that within the last In Neukölln, the answer for violent which once hosted nice, old buildings while, rents have risen dramatically conflicts inside certain schools with high full of graffiti and discover a new fashion pricing people out of their homes and presence of youth of Arabian or Turkish store in them and how they mutated the their area. background, is to put private securities facade into some ugly, fluorescent color, in front of them. shiny like certain toothpastes from the If until two years ago there would not be supermarkets. a problem to find an affordable flat in Meanwhile, the “Ordnungsamt” (a this area, this is not any longer the case. specific type of state forces, they do not Surely here it is not about what kind of The attempt of displacement of migrant carry lethal weapon and are responsible taste one has in regards to facade’s families is also being enforced by local for minor offences) patrols the street colors, neither about wanting to live in authorities, although until now with making salty bills for bikers without fucked-up houses living in squalor and relative low results, since many own lights or undertakers of minor offences eating shit, as many self-proclaimed their houses or have contracts which such as letting your dog shitting in the squatters everywhere in the world try to have been stipulated many years ago, wrong spot. sell as a revolutionary act. under good conditions and legally difficult to be broken. Meanwhile, Friedrichshain and It is about a general picture given when Kreuzberg are invaded by an incredible one can present clean facades which A wave of alternative artists opened up number of police forces of every kind: can attract a certain type of inhabitants art galleries, alternative bars and pubs above all, one like to try to intimidate but above all about our possibility taken appeared: the area begins to become inhabitants by sending a huge number away of being able to redesign the attractive for a young public, surely one of plainclothes police forces. People image of the neighbors we live in by who also often could not afford the rent have to feel their breath on their necks ourselves and not letting this undergo- in some other more posh districts, many and rather think twice when undertaking ing the interests of an estate agency, a of them being the so-called, beloved actions of attack. landlord or the police. “creatives”. People have to get fear, feel that they Not forgetting also how on many of One of the first way capitalist are under control, that they have their those buildings they installed video- gentrification likes to manifest. eyes open, pointed at you. Despite the surveillance in order to discourage situation, or probably exactly in re- certain acts. At the same time, the repressive sponse to this, the social conflict in the authorities try to employ the usual city does not seem to decrease. Graffiti can show a sign of an active weapon of social control in order to refusal of society’ s greyness and need establish order in turbulent areas: in Rather the opposite. of order, often messages left for our vary Kreuzberg, the Kottbusser Tor, historical enemies on the walls, paint-bombs can meeting point for junkies and other The last months there have been reclaim that specific area as one which scallies, is getting heavily criminalised. protests of various natures crossing the is not yet pacified. Angry citizens organised themselves in city surface: as example, the recent order to push out drug-dealers and national strike of students and pupils And such image also contributes to junkies out of the square, some with and against the situation of schools and discourage certain investments or some without the help of state forces. universities, the enforcement of the so- people moving in, as a few example Radicals tried to intervene in this conflict called “Bologna” plan¹, brought show up here where expensively showing how State and police try to thousands on the streets. Demonstra- renovated houses or freshly built condo- capitalize this conflict which can be tions took place, occupations of the projects do not find tenants or buyers seen as a typical “war among poor”: universities, banks got occupied also because the area and the building surely many residents are in fact temporarily in order to protest against 43 their finance by the State while it cuts being on the mouth of large parts of the year ago but lasted only a week, the money for public education. population and source of eternal gathering a large number of confronta- The city is not yet as completely pacified disputes in forums or bourgeois press, tional actions against State and Capital as they would like it to be. but also in the bakery on the street and forcing Berlin’ s police chief to invite corner. Porsche drivers not to park their jewel in One terrain of struggle which, Kreuzberg because one can not even if often a bit too limited in guarantee that the car would not perspective, has steadily be torched. developed and widened during the last years, has been the So this year we wanted to repeat topic of anti-gentrification and the good exploit but, at the same for creating and defending time, try to not reproduce exactly free-spaces. the same: therefore one called for two weeks instead of one. Berlin knew a huge wave of squatting during the last The action weeks pointed a lot twenty years, which got about the concept of self- stopped by a heavily organised organization (by using this police force mixed with a concept we mean here the will to recuperation of the struggle by take your present into your hands local politicians offering and self organise yourself towards contracts to squatters. its destruction and not its reproduction, The widespread and confrontational for a liberated society) of all the ones Actually a story which repeats itself in nature of certain acts of attack force the who would have come to Berlin: the many other countries and European autorithies to recognize again an enemy campaign produced a structure cities and was actually an example for they thought they would have beat comprised of info-points, food, sleeping many other countries for what concerns down long ago. places, info-ticker (where reports of the fight against squatting. actions were published) and a pirate They talk these days on how they radio. The ticker and the radio have However, since the situation began to undervalued the “left terror” and thought been two of the best functioning become dramatic in more recent times, the only serious threat would have elements of the weeks structure: one so the resistance and attack against the remained the “Islamic one”. Pearls of could send in real time also by SMS various projects of capitalist city mainstream media creativity have been (when one has a so-called “clean” restructuring and planned eviction grew falling down lately: above all, active mobilephone) informations and updates up. opponents to the gentrification process about spontaneous actions taking place have been defined as “kiez talibans” on the online ticker, so that people could A blossom of autonomous, anarchist, (kiez is a popular way of calling “dis- know what was going on and eventually radical or also more reformist initiatives trict”) or “red khmer”. join in, as also sending claims for exploded: many began again to show militant actions. their anger against their and others Such social conflict, although when displacement from a city which aim to often way too limited to anarchists and The pirate radio was broadcasting in integrate everybody under its “alterna- autonomen, try and sometime manage Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, also tive” image. to connect with other ongoing giving out information and updates but struggles: during the last action weeks also deepening some themes related or But not all city inhabitants are willing to against eviction and gentrification, many not to the topic of those days, quickly play this game and they are showing it other themes have been touched, such becoming a thorn in the back of during the last years. like active anti-militarism or against the autorithies. deportation of refugees. From direct actions against luxury Indeed it became the center of a projects within poor neighborhoods, to In the interconnection of these different scandal, since authorities called for its the self-organization of tenants against fields lies the potentiality towards the eviction after she had been broadcast, their displacement, often against affirmation of the totality of our attack while the cops showed their disinterest specific luxury projects, passing through against the existent. to try to break into a famous social usual demonstrations to finish with the center (Köpi) and further escalate the ever growing phenomena of torching Action weeks we said. A recent event mood. Noticeable has been also how expensive cars, a wide range of acts of which animated Berlin’s nights and people contributed to gather the number resistance makes clear the will to have a days, which for its importance within the plate of civil cars spotted at actions, say on what is going on in the city. city’s political chessboard needs a little information which seems clearly to have introduction. been used afterward since a number of The press, the politicians and the police them got recognized and attacked are seriously concerned about this real Between the 6th and the 20th of June, during July and August. threat: everyday there would be several the self-organised Berlin’ s based articles spent on the conflict in regards campaign called “Wir Bleiben Alle” (“we So, as said, one pointed on the self- to city restructuring, burning cars, bad stay all”, self-organised libertarian organization of participants. autonomen, violent ones, intolerants and campaign born over two years ago)) A few info-events got organised, some so on. called for two weeks of decentralized, more public happenings and the last day self-organised direct action against the occupation of the Tempelhof airport Such a conflict can not be ignored and capitalist city restructuring. (a huge empty area encircled by a fence fast became a major theme in the city, The action weeks took place already a and due to become a playground for

44 speculators soon) was due to take for the lack of success in terms of not take action yet, but at least show place. arrests (although one person from the understanding and sympathy for targets Netherlands currently sits in pretrial they also have a problem with. During all the two weeks, a wide range detention accused of torching a car). As also the police declared, their of confrontational actions took place. biggest problem in terms of finding Spontaneous demonstrations, window The weeks finished with the squat responsible for the arson is the fact that, breaking, arson, paint-bombs and so on attempt of the airport, which brought although they invited citizens to become colored the days of a summer, which 5000 people in the area for all the day, witness of “strange movements in the was not yet there. The police, as giving life to a few serious attempts of areas”, nobody went yet to them to declared beforehand, occupied in a tearing down the fence, a lot of sponta- release any declaration. As they massive way the well-known turbulent neous demonstrations and some attacks declared, they also fear that there is a districts, mostly with plainclothes police. on the cops, who were massively silent acceptance from many because present to protect the area and proved the actions are directed against either This did not prevent people to take once again their known brutality. rich people of powerful companies. action (and mostly getting away with it), a positive sign that despite It is up to us to transform such a their apparatus the attacks do not silent acceptance into a practical seem to decrease. complicity. Some people are trying to make an effort in this direction by The wideness of the action targets producing a flyer for the neighbors in positively prove the fact that many the northern part of Friedrichshain, people are not willing to limit their where they explain the necessity of range of intervention exclusively on the attacks and why these happen: the anti-gentrification/anti-eviction distributed in several thousands of struggle but are determined to make postboxes, it gathered already quite a clear the totality of their revolt. lot of answers, ranging from “i can help in different ways but not yet with Through two arson attacks against burning cars” to one of complete the DHL (a sister-company of the condemnation of acts. Common interest German post, “victim” of an ongoing One could see their will to revenge for was found in entering within a campaign since almost a year which the past weeks which, from their side, communication process with people one runs under the motto “comprehensive has proved rather like a hole in the lives so close but mostly so far with, due resistance”: their involvement with the water. to atomization and a steady skeptical German army, for which they undertake attitude against each other. An delivery services, it the reason behind The state threw off the mask and it interesting project which can bring the high number of attacks and public came out that it spent 2.5 million euro to some good fruits in the future. actions, during the action days 9 of their protect an empty field. Clever. vans got torched) made clear the link to However, as the action weeks showed, the anti-militarist struggle, an attempt to But what they actually were protecting the problem still remains how to stop the deportation of 100 Vietnamese was the concept of legality, sacred in generalise more such practices of attack people from the airport Schönefeld and this country, which is slowly collapsing in the rest of society or, better, how to an arson attack against the company in the minds of many, besides of the light the spark after which the other Bärenmenu (10 vans torched), sister- ones who already spit on it since longer. exploited and displaced ones will make company of the giant Sodexho, respon- Even though the Tempelhof event was those practices theirs. sible for making profits with detention rather focus on a spectacularization of center for refugees and prison, ex- the action, it managed to raise a lot of The action weeks brought again a plained the will towards an active anti- attention about the problem of privatiza- known problem: on the one side, they racist intervention beside its often tion of spaces as also awareness in the were decentralized and self-organised, charitable aspect. neighborhood of Neukölln, where a part probably mostly undertaken by people of the airport is and where one made who are not really beginners and are The arson attack against some vans of attempts to connect with the inhabitants already organised to a certain extent, the afore mentioned “Ordnungsamt” by different means, like spreading which brought to a conspicuous number showed the refusal towards social propaganda in German and Turkish, for of direct actions, with a more or less control, a decisive mean within State example. secure outcome and a (also more and struggle against freespaces and an less) low repressive consequences, but uncontrollable life. To the writer it looked clear how in this this at the price to not having many day no occupation of the airport would moments of outburst of collective anger Of course, many luxury building projects have been possible and that the attempt as also of producing the involvement of like lofts got also victim of either arson, would have remain rather symbolic, a wide range of people, especially of property damage or paint-bombs, as facing an armada of cops and giving those who are not yet that experienced also some expensive cars kept of many possibilities to our enemies to but willing to become such, only they getting torched. Two squatting actions demoralize us. need often some links and comradely took place, quite fast and brutally down advices which are not always coming. with the usual number of riot-cops. In general a lot of people expressed On the other, mass actions like sympathy towards different forms of Tempelhof which bring many on the For two weeks, the public discourse has militant actions, especially burning cars, streets, involve new people ready to been dominated by the militant re- as also some documentaries and fight, can create some moments of felt sponse against the process of displace- interview produced by the bourgeois collectivity, but are mostly totally ment, while authorities sweat off anger press showed lately: one perhaps does controllable from State side since a lot

45 of thing are predictable and follow a This year the senat of the city, a coalition street next to Schanzenpark a mob of known scheme. of conservatives and greens, tried to 50 activists formed moving in direction take over the Schanzenfest with some to Pferdemarkt. Convoys of the pigs A huge dichotomy indeed which ›citizens initiatives‹ and temples of approaching were forced to turn around represents us here in Berlin as in other consumption, which are increasingly with large amounts of flying stuff, the places in the world often. popping up in the Schanze neighbour- streets were blocked with numerous One possible answer remains the try to hood, that is plagued with gentrfication. barricades. Another group in the spread and general awareness both This attempt was not successful, a meantime attacked the police station in about possible confrontational praxis planned ban failed as well. So every- Lerchenstraße and burned a cop car in and also about the importance of self- thing seemed to be like it ever was, a front of it. organization itself, while at the same big party between the Metro station moment avoiding a specialization Sternschanze and the autonomous At Pferdemarkt the groups active there towards specific way of acting and keep centre ›Rote Flora‹. made one of the typical tactical on creating collective moments where mistakes: They remained in the same our anger and unsatisfaction towards Few days before nine luxury cars & place for a long time, and as the police the present can unleash and represent a vehicles of the company DHL [which approached from three sides, the threat for this system of exploitation. provides services to the german army] arriving police lines were attacked, while were set on fire, an accumulation of the people still kept standing there. This END broken windows of shops unwanted in gave civil police the opportunity to the area lead to the installation of infiltrate the group and prepare the — cameras in private appartments in the ground for arrests. A static situation has neighbourhood. In the early morning to be avoided! What is missing here is a ¹The Bologna Plan was born from the hours a house was squatted in structure that is able to get through with Bologna Declaration, an agreement Rosenstrasse, which is situated in the its proposals to get the mob on the signed in 1999, in the Italian city, by the move. But still some cops and their Ministers of Education of the members of middle of the Schanzenfest. In the the European Union. The main goal of this afternoon a lot of people gathered at the vehicles got heavily battered. In parts Plan is to form the Superior Education stage in front of the Flora and in the park this was due to the traditional appear- European Space, which should be behind it. By 8 o´clock in the evening ance of the Hamburg police: Carrying effective by 2010. The idea behind is to the police started to provocativly walk baton and shield it is not possible to renew the contents of the Universities through the Fest in larger groups. The make arrests, so they were just targets. Education programs, graduate and order of senator of the interior Ahlhaus postgraduate, in accordance to the new was clear: The riot was supposed to As more and more civil cops and snach social and economic demands, pushing start and end during daytime. Unfortu- squads move in, we decided to more and more universities towards an nately we made the mistake to take on withdraw. Others kept going, the pigs Anglo-Saxon model based on bachelor this offer. It would have been better to then stormed the St.Pauli faclub bar and specialization courses with a strict wait and start from a different, from a ›Jolly Rogers‹. According to the press a control on the attendance of pupils at the moving point. So the first contacts with civil cop car was also set ablaze. All in courses. Above all, this reform fully the enemy were made before sunset all there we left 72 pigs wounded, which undergoes the needs of the economic upon the most camera surveilled spot in is a good result considering the capitalist market by forming the adaptable, town: in front of the Rote Flora. Police permanent shortage of stones. The riot flexible workers of tomorrow, also due to immidiately stormed into the crowd of went on for six hours, 86 persons got the even more than before strict intercon- arrested, but all of them were released nection of market’s needs and study 3000 people with special arrest units the next day. The police made them- programs. and water cannons. After some short attacks with bottles and small chase- selves a lot of enemies, even amongst away-the-birds noise ammunition the the normal Hamburg people. To protest ------police gained control over the situation. police violence there will be another It should be noticed here, that in Shanzenfest. Hamburg, different from Berlin, stones are very rare. A deposit in the park was Schanzenfest at the 12th of Septem- found and immidiately closed off by the ber 2009. The Schanzenfest Riot police, lots of people fond themselves incircled. We then moved right into the A ‘Reloaded’ fest was held again on the 4th and 5th of July 2009. The Schanzenfest where the police created 12th of September to assert the self- Schanzenfest in Hamburg-Altona exists themselves new enemies through their organised resolve to refuse the since 1988. It all started with a constant deployment of water cannons, legalisation of the fest and also against fleemarket, several stages and info- pepperspray and batons, also against the police and council repression, and tables of left and radical left initiatives, lots of people uninvolved. those who wish to see the fest cease. that became more more commercial After a sunny and positive day featuring over the years. Traditionally the In front of the squat we managed again sounds of deep techno, punk, dub and Schanzenfest is not getting registered to engage in a frontal situation, then the ragga, the fest stretched into the night, with the authorities, and especially as police had finally destroyed the street with the pigs taking a ‘de-escalation’ some smaller confrontations with the party, not without suffering losses. Now tactic and staying well clear, a victory. police occur there since the 90s it they protected a space that was Later on in the night the police station of happens to be a thorn in their side. Even constatly attacked from the edges. As the area was attacked by a large mob of right-wing senator Roland Schill did not our tactics was increasingly based on around 50 people and fires were set on manage to eliminate it, but since his small groups attacking, it became more the streets. An apple computer shop attempts to get rid of it, confrontation and more impossible for the pigs to was looted and a burning barricade was with police in the evening became more maneouver in the narrow side streets. put on a main road to the harbour. intense. After a two hours confrontation in a Against commercialisation, law & order!

46

Agitations inside Italian prisons a summer of resistance conditions in general by undertaking a back then. The forced isolation gets staggered hunger-strike which, however, temporarily broken during such could not reach any of the goals wanted moments. There has also been a few but built up a feeling of solidarity and other pieces of good news, such like communication among the prisoners, as escapes from the prison of Imperia (for well as also with the people on the the fourth time from the same window...) outside who were supporting them, now and Forli, as also well as other very the dissatisfaction of the imprisoned depressing ones, like the various manifests in a different way: everyday “suicides” which during the summer are one can read about how the prisoner X getting much more due to the extremity in the prison Y attacked a screw. of the situation. This enduring protest wave is also directed against the The heat produces its first results. massive overcrowding of Italian prison: over 65.000 people are From northern to southern Italy, many imprisoned, despite a capacity for are the prisons where such acts took maximum 55.000. One believes those Summer. Sea, heat and having fun. and take place. Acts directed against numbers to increase up to 70.000 until Surely the people who are having a few those who are largely responsible for the end of the year. weeks holidays from their grey working the imprisonment and are understood as daily life are happy to experience those the very first manifestation of State Therefore the heat can only further things. The –extreme heat during the power, since they open and lock up the animate the self-consciousness over months of July and August, inevitably doors everyday. As somebody wrote such conditions and provoke continu- lets one think about the many people already, this is a feeling that one brings ously such acts, who, sadly, met with who at that moment are spending with her/himself for all her/his life. little echo on the outside: many com- hours in their cars on the highways, in rades are in holidays or busy with their order to move from point A to point B But there have been also some other own problems with repression, the and enjoy the fun Capital dictates them kind of acts which expressed such a others remain in silence. within prescribed boundaries. They must refusal: moments where many prisoners cook in the sun right now, one imagines, hit the bars with different objects, in Surely there is the usual press, which as soon as one sees certain pictures order to produce noise (a very beloved tries to put such protest under the usual passed on the television. But they are form of protest known in Italian as bad light: but since this time it is about not the only ones who suffer under the ‘“battitura’”), like in July inside the “acts of violence”, they are reporting heat. women section of the Rebibbia prison in more extensively, especially to make a Rome, or the shopping-strike in the place for news produced by the trade Moreover, they are surely the last ones prison of Enna, Sicily. union of the screws. But one should not who suffer at most. Inside our heads are believe also that the government would coming rather the pictures of people The latter has been undertaken in remain absent under this scenario. who have to spend almost their entire several Italian prisons and produced day within a few square meters together about 10.000 Euro of losses during the Rather the opposite: these protests with 10 or 15 others. People who have first week only inside Enna’s prison, it shake it, because such a form of protest been robbed of their freedom and are was also directed against the specula- did not happened since a long time. imprisoned inside the dungeons of the tion of private companies inside prisons They represent a new quality, after the Italian state (and of all the others), (in fact private companies would not get last two years where prisoners under- having to cope somehow with such any income, surely a good way to create took peaceful hunger-strikes. heat. A situation which repeats every some problems inside the prison The latter have been organised under summer and carries often dramatic machine). There have also been revolts, the dictate of some external associa- consequences, such like the growth of like in Bergamo, Genoa or recently in tions, which contributed to organise “suicides” shows. A miserable present Lucca and Florence: mattresses, sheets them and followed a line which pro- which leaves the majority of the people and similar objects have been lit up with claimed a clear rejection of acts of indifferent. fire and the screws who were showing violence or of forms of actions directed up to sedate the revolt have been explicitly against the ones who repro- However, during this summer it seems attacked by prisoners, who threw duce the prison system. as if the answers of prisoners in Italy in anything at them. response to this heat would be different The prison population tries now other than during other times. In fact, as one The screws are complaining about how (older) ways, probably since they did not knows, the heat warms up the brain and small gas canisters, normally used for reach any goal within the last years by the heart, therefore this can lead to cooking, are being often used as undertaking such peaceful protests and dangerous and rash thoughts and Molotovs in order to attack them. also because some anarchists on the reactions. And that is exactly what is The protest inside the prison of Genoa, outside formulated a critique on the way happening. which has rioted twice, has been a such protests have been organised, a moment of solidarity directed towards critique shared by many prisoners, as After a winter where thousands fought the ongoing protest of the women one can read in the many contributions against the life sentences and their section in Rome, which was beginning by them published in the anti-prison

48 newspaper “La Bella” (a newspaper protest) goes on in the womens section produced by anarchists which has of Rebibbia, and some gas canisters are covered a very important role as a mean exploded. Prisoners demand that cells of communication among prisoners get open all the day long because of the during both hunger-strikes, –also unbearable heat. especially since it was almost the only one). Therefore the alarm goes off for 21.08.09: Venice, revolt in the prison, the government and one has to bring furniture set alight and cells destroyed out a rabbit out of the cylinder, other- by the prisoners. wise the situation can become uncon- trollable. 21.08.09: Trani, 270 prisoners in such developments in a consequent protest, they undertake the “battitura”. This time one has had the wonderful way. The agitations inside prisons are a idea to widen the usage of the army for good sign in this direction. 20.08.09: Monza, a prisoner escapes. what concerns prisons. In fact since longer time there is a proposal which We salute them and we wish their 19.08.09: Prato and Pesaro, “battitura” foresees the employment of the army further extension, and also resolute three times a days. inside prisons. The responsible unit of support on the streets, on the outside. Berlusconi’s political party, the Popolo 18.08.09: Firenze, a revolt explodes della Libertà, (PdL), for matters related In order to finish with prisons and their inside Sollicciano’ s prison. At least 500 to the sphere of Justice, proposed its world. prisoners took part in it, setting alight own way within the fight against the anything which they could find, then insecurities provoked by the immanent ABC Berlin screaming and undertaking the overcrowding of Italian prisons: the “battitura”. They were screaming employment of the Army for what ”Freedom”. Cops needed a few hours in concerns duties of surveillance and order to restore the order, many days securing the area around the prisons. A small chronology are foreseen in order to repair Since Italy imprisons over 65.000 the damaged prison. The prisoners people at the moment and the of the agitations started burning mattresses and surveillance over them all is difficult, one bedsheets after the weekly visits had thought that if one could temporarily been denied. The jail was built for 460 employ the army to take over the 5.09.09: Demo outside the prison of people and now hosts more than the aforementioned duties, there would be Sollicciano in solidarity to the mutiny double. 3-4 people sleep together in more forces to be used to bring order which took place in the jail on the 18th single cells, up to 6 people in cells for 3. inside prisons. It is not yet known how of August. There aren't many activities available in this plan will exactly look like and if and the building, and not everyone is under which conditions it will be 27.08.09: Teramo, four prisoners attack allowed to work. Most detainees spend applied. But what is clear is the will some screws. 22 hrs a day in their cells. Women are towards a further employment of the not even allowed the few activities Army for operations of inner security, as 26.08.09: Pisa, half of the 400 prisoners available in the building with the excuse also its growing presence in most Italian set furniture and private properties on that "there aren't enough women", even metropolis’ shows. Therefore it seems fire, while throwing some gas canister though there are more than 100. rather a “normal” consequence that and bottles in the corridor. Overcrowding, rancid under such a situation of state of meals, reduction of the exception which became now “normal” 22.08.09: Vibo Valentia, amount of showers, one is ready to send the army to the some prisoners set request of a second prisons. furniture on fire. kitchen - these are some of the detainees' Nothing seems any longer impossible in 21.08.09: demands. The authorities have this country from a repressive point of Rome, the warned the detainees to stop their view: we can only hope that the people “battitura” protest and have charged them with met by these measures and the people (noise damage to the prison. More than 50 who feel in solidarity with them will find people have also been charged with their own way in order to fight back having taken part in a solidarity demo outside the prison on 29th August. The 11.07.09: Salerno, a prisoner attacks a hand also repress with great strength protest has spread to other prisons - screws inside the maximum security those who do not submit, who rebel, who Pisa, Naples, Milan - in the following section. revolt. On June 10 six people are arrested between Sardinia, Rome and Genoa only days. 10.07.09: Rome, the prisoners of the because they are suspected of ‘preparing some big coup’ against the G8. All of them 18.08.09: Bologna, two prisoners women section of Rebibbia’s prison begin their protest- –a shopping strike are accused of belonging to a criminal escape during the yard time from association with terrorist aims. On July 3 between the 10th and the 19th of July, the juvenile prison, after attacking a at dawn 40 houses of anarchists mainly also a daily “battitura” between the 10th screw and jumping over the prison wall. from the Lazio and Abruzzo regions are and the 15th. searched by the ROS (Special anti-terror 18.08.09: Reggio Emilia, Pistoia and S. unit of Carabinieri). All anarchists are Gimignano: again a screws attacked. 08.07.09: Imperia, one prisoner sen- charged with article 270 bis. Sergio and tenced to 10 years escapes from a Alessandro, two comrades from Perugia, Until mid of August: Bologna, the window. are taken to prison and accused of having women imprisoned inside the women’s attempted to sabotage a high speed section of “La Dozza” protest against 23.06.09: Genoa, the prisoners begin railway line. On July 6 twenty one their conditions through the “battitura” their “battitura” and set their sheets students engaged in struggles all over Italy three times a day. Bologna’s prison alight on their windows. Only a few days are arrested and accused of having taken part and organized the clashes occurred in imprisons over 1.200 people (76 later a similar protest takes place again, Turin in May during a demo. In the evening women, one child and 1.180 men), where one set also mattresses and other objects alight. of July 10 a road in Bologna is blocked despite the fact that it could contain with burnt tyres whereas in the surround- only 480 people. ing streets two banks are damaged and writings are left on the walls. Soon 17.08.09: Como, prisoners undertake afterwards two anarchist comrades, the “battitura” and then let their gas Robert and Mattia, are arrested and taken canisters exploding creating chaos and to La Dozza prison. Simultaneously an damaging the light-system. They threw ‘anarchist hunt’ all over the town leads to water and soup in the corridors so to dozens of anarchists been seized in the slow down the run of the screws. In fact streets and taken to the police headquar- some of them fell down and one went to ters for hours. the hospital. These attacks are just the latest act of a 17.08.09: Udine, prisoners undertake a very heavy repressive atmosphere: at the three-day hungerstrike against over- end of May an anarchist comrade in crowding. Bologna was sentenced to six-month imprisonment only for reacting to the nth 05.08.09: Ivrea, five algerian prisoners stop by the police and other comrades protest through acts of self-arm. were denounced for having fly posted posters (only to mentioned a few exam- 05.08.09: Treviso, a screw gets ples). In Ferrara, meanwhile, arrests, stop- attacked. Only a few days before there Italy - The Dark and-search, intimidation by the cops are had been a similar attack. everyday events. For example, on July 9 in Heart of Europe Ferrara six comrades were kept for hours 04.08.09: Lucca, a revolt explodes in in the police headquarters simply for some the prison, furniture is set on fire and What follows is the translation of a leaflet writings against the G8. It is imperative to objects are thrown against the screws. distributed in Bologna, which exposes the place the latest arrests in a wider context latest repressive episodes against of social sterilisation so that along with the 03.08.09: Screws get attacked in the anarchists and dissidents in Italy. arrested comrades we can defend the prisons of Neaples and Cuneo. practises for which they have been SOLIDARITY IS A WEAPON! LET’S arrested. To hold back means to smooth the way for the advancing of the enemy; 01.08.09: Venice, a prisoner attacks a POINT IT AT THE ENEMY! on the contrary to diversify and spread screw and send him to the hospital. A public opinion moulded by the media, solidarity is the best way to re-launch the struggle. Not by chance these arrests 01.08.09: Prato, a prisoner attacks three mirror of a society modelled on the needs of a market in crisis. A mass of people came just before the G8 summit in screws, one gets his hand broken. indifferent to the horrors of war, to which it L’Aquila: those who govern us are sending is so sadly accustomed that it applauds at an obvious intimidatory message: ‘Trouble 29.07.09 : Benevento, a screw gets the diffusion of military strategies on the to those who dare overstep the barrier of attacked. internal front. The rubbish dumps in what is permitted’. And cynically they add: Naples, the piazzas of various Italian ‘You can express your dissent within the 24.07.09: Milano, a prisoner attacks a towns, the camps in earthquake stricken constituted power’. It is therefore quite screw and a prison doctor. L’Aquila, the concentration camps for clear what they fear. immigrants without stay permit, the 15.07.09: Enna, the prisoners begin their ‘protection of international leaders’: these ON THE SIDE OF THOSE WHO, shopping strike. are all emergency situations controlled by CRUSHED UNDER AN OPPRESSIVE the army ‘engaged in functions of public 14.07.09: Forli, a prisoner escapes order’ and are also clear signs of a society SKY, CHOOSE TO SOW TEMPEST during his moving in the hospital, that is heading towards a totalitarian FREE EVERYBODY! FREE NOW! despite being handcuffed. scenario. It is not surprising that those who defend this desolate reality arms in Anarchists from Bologna

50 military. Not by chance all the refugees don’t need it’!). If you ask these individuals were them to place chemical toilets at the the protagonists of bottom of the camps, where there is less antiterrorism exercises control, or if you simply ask for some toilet that prepared the big paper, they say to ask the fire brigade. And towns to deal with war then there is the plethora of paid volun- (here we are again). teers, including those of the Red Cross. In The civil protection each camp occupied by 160 refugees holds the power to there are at least 200 cops. And of course manage not only the there are police in plain clothes and Digos emergency but also the scattered all over the territory. reconstruction, which is a temptation to many These camps are concentration camps. It and will certainly make is not allowed to keep pets (with rare the usual guys exceptions that are trumpeted on televi- wealthier. The Abruzzo sion), it is not allowed to go in other region is a big slice of cake to be shared camps to visit friends and relatives without A boom in the night changes the life of a and the civil protection represents the being identified, it is not allowed to cook, tranquil western town: three hundred faithful guard dog that watches everything to wash oneself, to self-manage oneself. people die in the earthquake while houses, just as happened with the rubbish When the trucks of provisions arrive shops, offices, a number of monuments emergency in Naples. Rubbish and people people fight to secure the best stuff. They and many other buildings get destroyed. hit by the earthquake are dealt with in the treat us like brainless people. Hundreds of people have lost everything. same manner by the State. The State sets up tents and camps for the They invaded, colonised and misinformed people left homeless. People are scared Even in the organisation of the G8 the us. Newspapers do not arrive in the especially as tremors don’t seem to stop. civil protection servants are in the first row, camps. If you want to buy one you need to Therefore Someone decides that those as they will escort the powerful of the get out early in the morning after being people and those camps can be used as a earth in a tour among the ruins of L’Aquila identified and try to reach the nearest test to experiment military control over an ‘Yes, to the G8’. While people are in the newsagent (we have the mark of the entire population without anybody tents, isolated and carefully watched, not earthquake victim: a card to be well knowing. A NATO report on metropolis far from there the most powerful will exposed when you collect the food or you issued in 2000 already depicted such a decide, between aperitifs and dinners, want to have a shower or go to the barber scenario. how many crumbs to concede so that the every 15 days). For women, especially the system does not sink or at least sinks as elderly, to have a shower is a tragedy, they As the media transform death and late as possible. need to go to Rome and come back destruction into a show and the funerals before the gates are closed otherwise they are over, the time comes for propaganda A poet said that when the truth is buried have to take cold showers in the camp and misinformation. Proper check-points underground it acquires such a big under the sight of cops and men in are set in the camps for anyone who strength of explosion that it will make general. In many camps, in fact, showers wants to go out or come in, searches are everything blow up. May the truth start to are not in containers but in the open air. made on the refugees, who cannot cook, accumulate strength then, the strength of The elder and the disabled are compelled receive visits from friends or keep their the exploited, the rebels, those who are to piss in the tent because there are no pets with them. Nothing can be self- tired to suffer, and may it be unleashed chemical toilets at the bottom of the organised, everything is managed by the against the exploiters of all nations. camps, where there’s less surveillance. civil protection even including what people The toilets are at the entrance of the camp, in the camps have to eat and drink. No Anarchists where stand the civil protection and all the internet, no leaflets, no kitchens, no space - cops, and they also have electronic for discussions. Instead, night patrols barriers. while people try to sleep, showers in the A testimony from the Abruzzo camps open air, toilets unfit for use. For the Many tents are unfit for use (rain water weakest, like the elderly, everything is L’Aquila is a war scenario, murderer comes inside and the refugees have to dig incredibly more complicated. It looks like a bosses give us back our earth! canals to collect the water in a bucket that war scene, it looks like Gaza, and maybe it they will empty the day after); others have is not so different. … We still can’t understand what they buttons and ropes instead of zips and want to achieve. Certainly they are even a strong young person takes 10 First the army in the Italian towns, now experimenting with war and total dominion minutes to open or close it. In the night the militarisation of L’Aquila. Meantime a over the population. you try to sleep and forget all this mess, law on security is approved, which turns you try not to think of the future, there’s no the desperation of thousands of foreigners Secret services, cops of all sorts, the future: we didn’t have a job before, and into crime, crushes their human dignity mafia, the camorra and now the G8 are now we don’t even have a place. And and legalises the racism of those who concentrated in the area of L’Aquila. Along while you try to feel asleep in the middle of want to exploit them. The Italian govern- with the fire brigade and 60,000 inhabit- this horror, the men in uniform get into your ment becomes the vanguard of the ants, of which half accommodated in tents, tent and point the lights on your face to realisation of war everywhere, not only in there are more than 70,000 men and check who is in and if you are using a distant countries. The economic downturn women in uniform in L’Aquila: army, computer or the television (it is not has increased poverty and precariousness carabinieri, police, finance guard, etc. And allowed to do that in the tent). There’s the even in the rich nations, but along with then there are the eco-guards with their curfew. They arrested a Romanian for them discontent and dissent towards beautiful uniforms, who, instead of helping stealing some copper from the collapsed those who hold power might increase too. the refugees, patrol and check the houses whereas the real looters are those Therefore here are the instruments to documents of anybody getting in and out who are paid to keep us inside the camps. prevent this from happening: control and of the camps. There is also Berlusconi’s And with the G8 it’s going to be even repression. L’Aquila is the most outstand- civil protection, who prevents any expres- more awful. ing example of this experimentation. sion of solidarity and does not allow the refugees to install the internet connection Only the powerful will gain wealth from In this scenario the civil protection plays (they say: ‘We’ve got it for ourselves, after this earthquake. a very important part along with the 51 Attack the arms factories - Solidarity with the EDO defendants (by some anarchists)

We thought this article interesting invasions of the premises and every tion units were smashed to pieces because it highlights problems that week with out fail, there are ‘noise’ causing £40,000 worth of damage exists for many comrades trying to work demos at the gates of the factory. to the factory. Since this action inside single-issue campaigns, due to These actions are repeated many EDO have fortified their premises the underlying statistic logic of legalistic times and often result in the short with high fences, razor wire and 24 ‘rights-based’ organising. To succeed term closing of EDO MBM. Ulti- hour security. Regardless of such against our enemies, our comrades will mately these acts are committed as high fortification EDO has still been have to ask themselves the question “is a media stunt, but usually they under attack. Windows have been result in some delays in work repeatedly smashed, as well it possible to develop these struggles in productivity. The managing direc- as graffiti and paint bomb attacks. a more profound direction?” tor has been forced to damage his own property on many occasions, Brighton used to be home to two by cutting through his own fortifica- EDO MBM factories, one of which EDO MBM is a daughter company of tions, or smashing his own windows was shut down in November 2008. ITT America. ITT are one of the top to enter the building. The company has been subjected to ten manufacturers of weapons in such high pressure that many the world, currently supplying the Individuals doing these kind of employees have left, five managing US military with electrical equip- direct actions usually hold them- directors have resigned and a large ment designed and used for war- selves accountable in this context amount of regular workers also. fare world wide. In recognition of and act within a framework of Since the campaign started in EDO MBM’s implicit role within the democratic legitimacy, ie. using 2004, EDO MBM’s employment global industrial military complex, their ‘right’ to protest. numbers have reduced by half, the platform ‘Smash EDO’ has leaving them currently with a work formulated a campaign which has It is clear that many who act under force of only 100. persistently and relentlessly acted the name Smash EDO believe in against weapons components being their ‘right’ to challenge and/or In June 2008 a ‘Carnival against produced in Brighton, UK. Smash uphold certain aspects of the Legal the Arms Trade’ presented itself as EDO participate in an intermediate system. The campaign has fought a march through the streets of struggle, they wish to intervene it’s way through the High courts in Brighton. The demonstration ended and remove EDO/MBM from their order to protect British protesting with clashes erupting outside of the local area whilst keeping an inter- laws and has supported countless EDO premises. The car park was national anti-war perspective that other court cases relating to Media invaded- as well as spray paint, sees the campaign as only one part Stunts and attacks directed at the windows were smashed and the of the fight against the arms trade Factory. An admirable effort within managing director’s car was at- and militarism. this framework, however, the tacked. There was another demon- framework must be critiqued. Later stration in October 2008 - ‘Shut ‘Smash EDO’ have taken blue prints this will be addressed. ITT’. There was a tense stand-off from the UK Animal Liberation with the police several times during movement (for example: ALF, It is fair to say that Smash EDO the demo, and small groups of SHAC) The chosen method focuses has inspired individuals from all people split off from the demo to on one specific target, over the UK and beyond, this has cause damage with paint-filled downsizing the ‘enemy’, and given birth to a real diversity of bottles against the arms factory. attacking persistently. ‘Smash EDO’ direct actions. Individuals and The demo spread into the centre of is a single-issue campaign with a groups have autonomously acted in the city with many places being strong anarchist tendency. EDO defiance generating an attack that caught up in the tumult. has been a target for over five crushes socially imposed ideas of years by some of Brighton’s activ- acceptable and accountable action. In the early hours of 19 January ists and anarchists, as well as 2009, EDO-MBM was attacked by 6 others who came from across the Acts of sabotage have been relent- people in an accountable direct UK and beyond. lessly aimed at the EDO compound action against militarism. Over in Brighton. EDO have been hit £300,000 worth of equipment was A variety of direct actions have hard where all large corporations smashed, including computer been applied, including ‘lock-ons’, feel pain most harshly, via eco- systems, electronic work stations, roof top occupations, ‘die ins’, nomic damage. In 2006 air ventila- as well as windows and general

52 damage to the property. The gained from these wars helps to and walked through busy streets, perpetrators of this action called uphold the social order. War is a with no attempt to make it to the themselves ‘The Decommissioners’ money making business, one of the factory gates. Maps of Brighton and held themselves accountable largest and the capital gained with marked targets of investors in for the damage caused. The reinforces State power and control. the arms trade and EDO were Decommissioners have stated in Control which tightens its grip on handed out to all participating (and their own video communiqué that every soul which tries to anyone else who would take one)- this specific action has breath an independent breath. Bridging the gap between the single arisen out of anger over the occu- Power that wages wars under the issue of EDO and the capitalist pation and subjugation of Palestin- trickery of ‘defence’, in the decep- enterprise surrounding everyone’s ians. It was a direct response to the tive name of ‘democracy’. daily reality. A banner was dropped killings of thousands within the from Barclays bank, McDonalds was Gaza strip, January 2009. EDO The fight against EDO transcends attacked, various banks and army manufacture key components for wars legitimised by the State, the outlets were paint bombed. Cop the F15 and F16 fighter jets, The struggle touches everyone, this is vans and cctv units were spray Israeli States weapon of choice for social warfare. It is counter- painted, and stones thrown at their air bombardment. It has been productive to create a legitimate windows. Throughout the entire stated by The Decommissioners theory to frame ones actions demo the cops had to defend that “the time for talking has gone within, what is important is to defy themselves, as the crowd were on too far” - The Decommissioners all attempts of legitimacy, to act the offensive. The day continued actions certainly speak louder than out against State oppression, to with various clashes and confronta- any words could in the context ignore State imposed reasoning. tions. Pressure on the city was provided. They justified their The smashing of EDO, the act itself maintained throughout the night as actions in the context of preventing does this, it defies all social condi- a variety of attacks continued. KFC a ‘war crime’, using reference to tioning and assumed logics, the (junk food outlet) was attacked, international ‘laws’ and action itself is the theory. two banks got smashed and there ‘rights’ which carries a belief in were more paint attacks all over democracy and an individuals ‘right’ It is our desire to widen the pro- the city. It is yet to be seen to uphold the ‘law’. Their belief is vided context, to crush the decep- whether the apparent evolution of that domestic English law is corrupt tive language of the State. ‘Law’ the SmashEDO towards anti- and not in compliance with interna- and ‘democracy’ are false ideas capitalism at Mayday!Mayday! is tional laws and therefore should be propagated by the ruling classes, the point from which the campaign challenged. the violent brutal repression on one is able to move beyond its self- hand, and on the other, the whole created remit; the cage it has long The language used to ‘justify’ the means of pacifist legal recupera- outgrown, or whether it will decommissioning of EDO offers a tion, representative politics, trade continue to be suffocated by its legitimate face of the law to the unions, reformism. It is time to appeal to legitimacy. general public. However, this face is offer a perspective which is lacking misleading, this façade implies that within the narrow scope generated “The structure that exists for the there is a society worth reasoning by British politics since the 2002 sole purpose of taking action, lasts with, that democratic legitimacy anti-war movement picked up. It is only as long as is necessary and itself will bring about social change time for our unbounded anarchist then disbands so that the struggle and ‘justice’, that adhering to some attack on the entire capitalist can continue in other forms” - laws while others are manipulated system without recourse to com- ‘Anarchists, Base Organizations and by the State will gain a eventual promise. Intermediate Struggles’. positive outcome. This is in compli- ance with State imposed hierar- Our only justification is that we There are nine individuals facing chies that exist within capitalist hold a free society within us and potential charges for the destruc- framework and it is flawed and are willing to do whatever it takes tion of EDO. The Six foolishly misguided. Any action to destroy everything that prevents ‘Decommissioners’ and three others that attempts to justify its means its realisation. who are held in ‘connection’ with using laws which were created only the action. Eight out of the nine to protect the State, will never The above critique focuses on the arrested were held on remand for appease or rise to meet the brutal decommissioning of EDO as an one week in Lewis prison. One of fist which relentlessly punches the example, however, is relevant to which is still inside now and are excluded. many aspects of British activism. It likely to stay inside up until and is not meant to detract from the throughout the trial. The charges Corporations like EDO-MBM legally absolute solidarity felt in regards to faced for all are Conspiracy to facilitate the deaths of millions those currently facing State oppres- commit Criminal damage. The trial worldwide. They profit from war sion due to the mentioned act. date will be in May 2010. and the terror of capitalist accumu- lation. To act in solidarity with Since the decommissioning of EDO Please write using the following those who suffer directly under Brighton has seen its largest address: military occupation, whose daily mobilisation in years. On May 4th. reality receives the physical effects MAYDAY MAYDAY! was the event Elija Smith of the weapons manufactured in and over 1500 took to the streets. XP 7551 Brighton, those who feel the brunt The slogan – SMASH EDO SMASH HMP Bristol of the sword, is all well and good, CAPITALISM – Smash EDO’s 19 Cambridge however, the sword slices its way underlying anti-capitalist critique Horfield. through many aspects of society as finally found form, with a demon- BS7 BPS it reaches its supposed target. The stration whose focus was not UK profit generated by EDO maintains directly on the EDO factory. The an occupation of capital. The capital Demo started by Brighton’s pier

53 About the prison revolt in Caxias, Portugal

In 1996 a revolt disturbed the prison of provoked by the interests of the State, Caxias, close to Lisbon; it was the fire with the aim to finish the diverse prisoner that sparked after an ongoing struggle, struggles that were taking place. The riot strikes and tensions in prisons all over the passed the prison walls and installed itself country since 1994. On the 23rd of March in the public opinion, generating a debate Against such “whitening”, individuals and 1996, one wing, that was divided in two, where some opinions went so far as to diverse groups have decided to make this revolted fiercely against the guards, the question the existence of the prison itself publication, with the intention of remem- abuse, the torture, the 200% overpopula- and it’s role in society. tion and the suffocation behind bars. bering the events that happened between 1994 and 1996 in almost all the Portu- Of the 180 arrested, accumulated and guese prisons, to show our repudiation 180 people fought that day, many ended defenceless -between the left and right before such an absurd process, disman- up in the hospital after being shot by the sides of the third floor of the jail- the big tling the farce of the accusation, and to guards and several bone fractures. The majority suffered wild beatings for several denounce the repressive performance of Portuguese bourgeois press and the days. The result of this terrifying practice the state organs, which had an active role justice like to speak of a “motim”, mutiny, ended with multiple fractures and cerebral in the increase of the terror lived in the but as one of them refers it was more a 30 commotions, and a prisoner that got blind Portuguese prisons in the 90s – and that minute rebellion, unorganised and as a consequence of one of the many even today, sadly, continues – with the undeliberated. shots of rubber bullets shot by the frightening and sadly true number of mercenaries of the State during the “riot”. deaths, patients without the due treat- Never was there a reform bill presented The State doesn’t even respect its own ment, prisoners carrying out disguised life after this day, no differences, no repercus- law. It is known that always it has been imprisonments… etc, supporting this sions, no real discussion. Today Portugal the master, violating the rules that it has scandalous situation in a camouflaged speaks about the prison again, in the created, not hesitating to practise any and invisible limbo. media, in the parliament, and shows its crime in its own interest, to be as horrible ‘free’ mask, wants to listen to the stories as it can be. of ‘96, to bring change to the modern, Government, Federal Prosecutors and the DGSP (General Direction of Penitentiary clean and democratic prisons, ‘where In the case of the “prisoners between Services) were and are responsible of there is no space for torture and mutiny’. walls”, from 1994 to 1996 it is enough a what happened and keeps on happening So they decided to put 25 men, who were simple glimpse of the press at the time to with their entire silence and hypocrisy imprisoned in that wing at that time, to verify the scandalous systematic violation inside the prisons. What went out in the trial. 13 years later. The charges are riot, of the “prisoners rights”. Hunger strikes, mass media is only the top of the iceberg. destruction and arson. strikes of work, letters and bulletins Of there being a judgment with the rules opposing and resisting to such a cruel of the Constitutional state, it should be the The first trial date, Thursday March 6th reality… were a part of the everyday-life State itself sitting down at the defendant’s was a mess. Only 11 of the 25 men of the arrested in this times. It is in this chair and never those who suffered this appeared, knowing that some are even environment in which, by superior orders, premeditated, systematic and immeasur- currently unable to be found, but some there has been a provocation to the able violence. If the people could fully had to come from where they are living prisoners, who had a spontaneous know the reality of the interior of the these days; Spain, Germany, Italy, or reaction. another hell hole from the state. prisons, although only for one hour, would certainly get up in mass to repudiate this Psychotropics were distributed in the “new holocaust”, as the dissident crimi- Nobody really seemed to know what they habitual “diet”, and the temporary director nologist Nils Christie says. were doing there, and the judge abso- of the Direction of Penitentiary Services in lutely not. The chaos resulted in the a “dialogue” with the prisoners legiti- Recently, in Europe, several struggles interruption by the judge for a postponing mately, indignantly demonstrated his took place and some of them still con- to the 2nd of April. What will be presented entire scorn for them. This would be the tinue: in August, 2008, about 550 prison- and talked about then is a big question to spark that would light the wick. everyone, but for sure the freedom of 25 ers were in hunger strike in the German prisons demanding “improvements” in the men are again at stake in this ridiculous How is it possible that, with entire penitentiary system; in November almost case. rudeness, thirteen years later, the State the totality of the penitentiary population tries to blame 25 arrested at the time, of Greece was also in hunger strike – Some comrades made a publication, that accusing them in a judicial procedure of information and solidarity actions took is being distributed in the prisons of riot, fire and damages?! The Public place in whole Europe-; in Italy, where, as Portugal at the moment. Ministry allege that the prisoners started in Greece, life imprisonment exists, almost organizing themselves with hunger and all the prisoners condemned to this Solidarity with the 25 work strikes, two weeks before March 23. maximum penalty are in struggle since They try to silence this way the context of December 1st, 2008 (restarting another (Translated editorial from the brochure) corruption, impunity and of serious struggle that they began in June of the violations of the human dignity, as well as rdobaףsame year); several prisoners of C On March 23, 1996 a “riot” took place in the struggles of resistance of the two and of other parts of Spain initiated a the Fortress of Caxias (Portugal), previous years!… hunger strike in solidarity with the

54 prisoners of Italy, claiming at the same population in general, others, personal mattresses on the ground. This excess time a series of improvements in the reasons: transfer to prisons near their had consequences in all the other parts of Spanish penal and judicial system; in the places of origin, health problems, protests the jail, from administrative services to summer of 2008, Amadeu Casellas, against the ill treatment received by the medical assistance, passing through prisoner in Catalonia (Spain) was 78 days persons in charge of the prisons and visits, to the prison exercise yard. The in hunger strike. In Portugal, in Monsanto mobilizations to press for the approval of one known as the prison of the political – one of the Guantanamos of the country amnesties. prisoners of the dictatorship, being the – several arrested were, in October, in stage for the liberation of hundreds of hunger strike protesting against the Of all these struggles it is the case to them in the days following the 25th of April tortures of which they are target and emphasize the riot of 1985 in Vale de (military coup that ended the dictatorship), against the entire impunity with which the Judeus, that originated in the systematic was on the point of collapse. In this prison guards of this prison act. beatings inflicted on prisoners by the atmosphere, the riot was increasingly guards; the riot of the Lisbon prison in taking form. The struggle for dignity and for freedom 1987, provoked by the spontaneous will never be able to be contained, neither reaction of the prisoners, after the beating Meanwhile, when we were preparing the in prison or in the street.! of a prisoner by the prison guards in the “initial declaration”, which would serve to “redondo” (central control-tower, in which spread the struggle beyond the walls, and Solidarity and absolution for the 25 of is based the panoptical prison system) when were discussing the “basic prin- Caxias! fifteen minutes after the movie Terminator ciples” with which all the strikers would be had been shown across the internal guided during the hunger strike, all the television circuit, in an epoch in which it prisoners of the starting group were 1994 was forbidden to have TV’s in the cells; preparing the availability of the remaining Agitations began in the Portuguese and the conflict that would lead to the ones in the participation in the struggle. prisons in the form of struggle and protest. removal of the director, vice-director, doctor, all the chiefs and several prison The week previous to the explosion of the With a simple observation of the first strike a manifesto promoted by those who episodes nobody would have thought that carried infectious contagious illnesses, the agitation was going to reach levels denouncing the absence of treatment, unknown till then in the Portuguese prison was signed by almost all the prisoners of universe. this jail. It was tactically decided from the In January, 18 prisoners in the jail of beginning not to involve all the available Coimbra started a hunger strike asking to prisoners to take part in the strike, to be transferred to prisons near their places resist the effect that this type of struggle of origin and denouncing the treatment had had till then : a numerous group the received from the persons in charge of the first day, half the following day, and at the prison, without any practical results. As a end of the next week the strike had gone result of this, seven of them were forced down to two or three of the prisoners who to start the strike again, on the 1st of had initiated it. Entries into this hunger March, with the same revindications. In strike would be progressive: 30 prisoners parallel, some of those implicated in the first, another 30 two days later, and so on. “FUP-FP25 ” case (political and legal trial against the radical left wing revolutionary Making use of the media dynamic arisen group called FP25, in which most of it’s with the appearance of private TV members were accused of terrorist channels for spreading news of the crimes) maintain another hunger strike protest, the group of 30 prisoners of the after the Fortress of Caxias that initiated the ,ףwhich had been begun the previous guards of the prison of Linh Christmas, until February, demanding the death in 1989 of a prisoner in 111 module hunger strike, rapidly announced to all – rephrasing of their charges. (special reclusion for “dangerous” especially to the prison population – who prisoners, equivalent to FIES module in were not taking part in the struggle but In the 20 years passed since the end of Spain); and many other riots. who were consuming television 24 hours a the dictatorship –April 25, 1974 – many day – the main lines of the process that struggles took place in the Portuguese The sum of these experiences of struggle was beginning. It should be pointed out prisons motivated by the prison condi- - in a moment in which the penitentiary that during this period the news, without tions. overpopulation was reaching breaking exception, opened with the recording of point - manifestated itself with an innovat- the voice of a prisoner reading extracts of Those which reached major public impact ing form, the fifteenth of March 1994 with the declaration that explained the motives had as protagonists the accused in a a “hunger strike in protest against prison of the struggle (the cassettes had been political/judicial process– prisoners of the conditions and a fight for the rights delivered hours earlier to the studios of cases PRP and FUP/FP-25 – separate granted in the Constitution of the Portu- several TV channels and of the principal from the rest of the prisoners, and saw guese Republic not respected in the radio stations). their conditions of reclusion substantially prisons of the country”. improved as a result of the above- Two days later, the General Direction of mentioned hunger strikes. Meanwhile, The North Stronghold of the Fortress of Penitentiary Services admits that the during these years, there were innumer- Caxias was one of the Penitentiary prisoners in struggle exceed one hundred able struggles carried out by prisoners Centres where overpopulation was in several penitentiary centres of the designated as “common criminals”. reaching the highest proportions. Indi- country, while actually for this date they Although less spread – almost always vidual cells were holding three prisoners, were many more. Meanwhile, after the silenced – some of them took as a motive in cells constructed for six, fourteen were entry into strike of the second group of 30 the defence of the interests of the prison piling up – two of which were sleeping on prisoners of Caxias, the movement

55 reaches significant proportions, giving The prisoners who met with him made the undermining the position of the few who new impulse to the undecided ones and decision not to end the struggle, but to on April 26 had started the hunger strike spreading the struggle to the regional suspend the hunger strike until April 25. again, since most of the conditions that prisons. The prisoners believed him, but were led to the struggle had not been modified. being cheated because the director had On May 13 four strikers at the Caxias It is not known for certainty how many no power to fulfil the promises made, and Prison Hospital sent a message to the prisoners were involved, but it was they also ignored some of the basic Fortress of Caxias putting an end to the confirmed while the struggle was taking principles of the struggle - those that actions of protest and struggle: “The place that in the prison of Vale de Judeus, probably gave more guarantees of silence of the press is total and in these for example, a system of turns was success - “In all the negotiations everyone circumstances it was not fair to prolong making it possible to maintain a hundred has to be heard, if we are not allowed to the struggle. What has been achieved has permanently in the number of hunger meet don’t stop or negotiate” and/or been achieved and can’t be said to be strikers. It’s in this Penitentiary Centre “deliberative functions have no represen- little” The General Director of Penitentiary where the only relevant incident happens: tatives and in the decisions we all must be Services is replaced from office days later On March 17, the strikers prevent the heard and we all have to participate.” by a judge, Marques Ferreira. entry of a meal delivery van into one of Those who remained on hunger strike in the wings . other prisons eventually heard the 1995: The prison system goes down. decision to suspend the strike and the Recovered from the surprise, the persons agreed terms via radio and television. In 1995, more than by prisoners struggles, in charge of the Penitentiary Services the Portuguese prison world was marked decide transfers, isolate the remaining With this suspension prisoners start by deep conflicts inside the institution and striking prisoners in several centres, make preparing a second phase in the protests. by the denunciation of unaccountable visits difficult and try to turn attention To refocus public discussion on the topics irregularities practiced in the prisons, away from the motives of the protest of the initial declaration of the struggle, for made public by several international through false public declarations. But they the time being lost in favour of the institutions. went much further: Carlos Pereira – better amnesty, they decide to develop known as Carlos da Malveira – is moved “Avisos(alerts)” that dealt with the The coming of a new general-director of while on hunger strike from Vale de designated points separately and are a the prison system, with no previous Judeus to the prison of Coimbra on March major description of the appalling condi- known connections with the hidden world 18, and the next day he turns out to be tions of detention in Portugal. Never had of prisons, who pushes the prisoners to dead in a cell in the cellars of this jail (up the prison population proceeded to such a denounce “irregular, corrupt and unfair” to today the conclusions of the judicial detailed and disturbing study in the form situations inside the prisons directly to investigation of the circumstances of this of alerts concerning the conditions of him, promoting at the same time changes death have not been made known). detention in the country: in these are in the structures as well as in the prisons’ treated separately, overpopulation, functioning under the theme “moralizing At the beginning of the struggle initiated in unconstitutional themes, health, prison crusade”. the Fortress of Caxias the keynote of employment and occupation of time, “respecting the order and the discipline of justice and right to love. All this provoked a shock wave in the the jail” had been underlined, and not Prison Services lobby propagated to its stopping the strike before admission in the The various “Avisos(alerts)” are sent one connections in the State apparatus. The prison Hospital: ””the sooner they move us by one from April 6 to organs of State lobby reaction was fast and Marques to the Hospital, the sooner solutions will sovereignty, parliamentary groups, Ferreira wouldn’t survive in his post due to be found for the strike” it was written. political parties, religious leaders, trade the “conspiratorial movements” he had unions and the organs of social communi- provoked. The target was the collapse of the cation in general: newspapers, maga- penitentiary Hospital, hoping to force the zines, radios and televisions… Contrary to his predecessor - Fernando inevitable later admissions to be carried Duarte had 19 years career as Prison’s out in civil hospitals, pressing the opening Only one newspaper and a radio reported Services’ inspector when he took the post of negotiations. Eleven days later the first the first “Aviso(alert)”The remaining in 1986 - Marques Ferreira took the post prisoner on hunger strike is moved to the notices were completely silenced. Already free from the net of self-addiction of a Hospital of Santa Maria due to lack of at the end of the struggle in mid-May, a prison system that had only known one beds in the prison Hospital. Some hours facsimile edition of the “Avisos(alerts)” brief break in the lobby’s management in later the internee escaped. On the was issued by prisoners’ solidarity groups. the 70’s, when Carlos Meira was general- following day the Director of Prison The last of the alerts, dated April 13, director, starting a modernizing process in Services, Fernando Duarte – who had entitled “Synthesis”, consider this stage of the prisons that had been suffocated by arrived 8 years earlier, after his predeces- the struggle and emphasized “before 48 years of dictatorship. This net would sor had been shot to death – much anything else, the dead silence surround- soon make him disappear, bothered by pressed by the political figures in charge, ing them”. A work stoppage, with the opened policy of prisons of society and meets in the Fortress of Caxias the rejection of food, was announced on April other changes started by him. The escape strikers of this prison. Not only does he 18 and the rejection of visits with a silence from Vale dos Judeus in 1978 was the promise them satisfaction of all the strike outwards for April 25, “so the need pretext to dismiss him. demands of the movement and the return for this debate to be held again within of those transferred during the struggle, Portuguese society” . One fast reading of a graph concerning but also the approbation in parliament of a the evolution of the prison population commemorative amnesty on the celebra- Despite the massive rejection of work in between May 1994 (when there was an tion of the twentieth anniversary of the prisons and the refusal to eat, the debate amnesty) forced by the struggle, that had 25th April which, with the effect of would be virtually buried. Days later an relieved the overcrowded prisons of about reducing the penalties, would reduce the amnesty is approved, leading to the 2.000 prisoners, reducing their total to overpopulation of the prisons to normal liberation of over 1,500 from prisons, 9.750) and December 1995, shows that levels. 56 prison population had grown to Portuguese prisons. The New Year’s The second moment of protests happens 12.250 prisoners. We shall say that wishes exposed old revelations of a in March. As we will be able to confirm Marques Ferreira took up post in June 94 penitentiary system that shamelessly ahead there are numerous work-strikes as general-director, leaving in January 96. attested the assault on human rights nation-wide. All prisons go on strike and In those 19 months the prison population in Portugal. many of them with growing adhesions to grew by 2.500, 500 more than the 11.750 hunger strikes and other refusals; and all that were released in May1994, before the This time, the straw that broke the camel’s these thousands of men and women non- amnesty, when overcrowding had been back was the non-attribution to the hesitating in signing petitions, giving face the main reason for the starting of the remaining prison population of an amnesty to a protest which will rapidly be assumed biggest prisoner’s struggle in Portuguese aimed at the prisoners of FUP/FP25 (a as a national problem. jails until then. This exponential rise leftist urban guerrilla), alongside the doesn’t have any link with a rise of first and historical denial of a presidential And it is then, when protests were criminality in this period, but in fact with amnesty since the 25th of April 1974. reaching an undesired dimension, even the heavy-handed police, Public Ministry for those who used prisoners as political magistrates and judges, in an undoubted The year of 1996 was forever marked by a weapons ( the right-wing opposition, and demonstration of the lobby installed in the great movement of peaceful, spontaneous prison-guards’ unions), that the arrogant State apparatus, that wouldn’t make the and collective Portuguese prisoners’ Portuguese state decides not to lose any life of the impetuous general-director protest movement; aiming for an amnesty more time in inverting things. The easy. Also, for the first time in the or partial pardon, and for better and more moment, 23rd of March, turns against the Portuguese Republic’s history the election dignified prison conditions, which led to legitimate protest of 180 prisoners of the of the new president, Jorge Sampaio, simply claiming what was already Northern Sector of the Caxias prison wasn’t celebrated with the traditional consecrated in the Prison Reform. An when they claimed the simple fulfilment of presidential pardon taking one year off unstoppable protest, spreading in work law 265/79 forbidding overcrowding, and each sentence. strikes and even hunger strikes, accompa- trying to peacefully expose it on the nied by thousands of signatures in protest media. Marques Ferreira will not handle the collected all over the country. strong resistance made by this prison’s These protests have two main moments. The answer: charge the prisoners with lobby for long and unexpectedly abandons From January to February we witness a batons, rubber bullets, and tear gas. The his post, not before making a public rise in restlessness, primarily pushed by operation’s chief in-loco: the head-chief of diagnostic: “the prison system has reach the declarations of Marques Ferreira (at the General Direction of Penitentiary the bottom and needs total renewal”. the time director of the prison services) Services (D.G.S.P.) Celso Manata. A that cracked the stability of the Prison sadist that wasn’t satisfied with only one Some days before leaving, Marques Boards; at the same time that there is a repressive charge, but continued in other Ferreira says everything he knows in multiplication of petitions directed at many individualized reprisals over the press declarations, where he reveals the several State organs aiming at amnesty or following days. And of course, yelling in a death threats he received because, while partial pardon. This movement, more than police choir together with the eager being the Prison Services’ General having claims of adhering to the ongoing journalists of the occasion, the shout of director, he had publicly denounced the FUP/FP25 case, results in a critique of “Riot!!!”, soon the law-enforcement agents existence of one or more criminal the judiciary and penal system, and of the proclaimed themselves defenders of the organizations able to make their own laws Portuguese prison reality, starting “democratic order”. The same order that respected inside prisons, alongside and promptly by the simple rhetoric that are with full “proportionality of means” had over the top of the General Direction’s “Prisoners’ Rights”. From then on, just as been restored; costing some bruising, commands. in 1994, there’s an exposure of the fractures and dislocations to prisoners that overcrowding situation, of the unhealthy were randomly beaten. Prisoners and In the last press conference, days before food and living conditions , the exploita- protesters were immediately put under his leaving, 19 months after taking up the tion of prisoners’ work, the health and security measures, out of sight, far away post, he would impotently resume: “we treatment questions of a prison reality from the restitution of truth. reached the point that we realized that we where drug-addiction reigns, and of were in a bog”. He would be substituted several aggressions and violence from The case of the “25 of Caxias” starts here. by Celso Manata, his General-sub prison guards and its directors towards Immediately the then Justice Minister Vera director, Attorney General before being prisoners and their families… Jardim, starts talking of “masterminds”, a put in this post. terrorized speech confronting protests and Celso Manata, acting president of the collective movements, that demands the The new General director never related D.G.S.P. at the time, reacts with normal- existence of some scapegoats. The trial, the tasks denounced by Marques Ferreira ity. For example, considers “a pure waste brought to court after more than a decade, and strongly assumed the defence of the of time” a national scandal about health aims at misrepresenting the struggle of lobbies and politics that had always been inside the prisons, being that “they the many who felt and still feel the daily installed in the Portuguese prisons. already come inside sick” so why treat abuses upon themselves and fight for them as human beings?… their rights. Yesterday, like today, justice 1996: From protests to the truth about once again reflects those who the riot of Caxias. inside the prison system (guards of all ranks, provoca- The continuous increase in teurs and snitches, claimed the protests we are Representatives of the referring to between prisoners) run, tuning their 1994 and 1995 will speech with the repressive reach its climax in 1996 democratic order. It should be with an explosion of the pointed out that this inquisi- contained revolt inside tive trial, opened in Novem-

57 ber 1997, is resurfacing now after all permanent stress, in tachycardia; where kidnapped person of the State, a reflexion prisoners denunciations have discreetly one is submitted to incubation of the which is a deep scream of rebellion been filed, leaving their versions aside; to germs of infectious diseases that lead to against prison: proceed in transforming the victims in extermination, where life is subjected in a accused, based on the “proportionality” of calculation of probabilities, to the high risk “The jailers want risk subsidies. And we, the D.G.S.P. of mortal infection; where we can feel and prisoners and families, shouldn’t we present the horror of death approaching, receive risk subsidies? Who that appears 25 accused people, supposed mutineers where there is slow and painful hanged in the prisons? The prisoners. and charged with breaking order death of human beings Who constantly dies in the prisons with and security, that should now find condemned to the absolute AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, leukaemia, our solidarity so that, concerning ferocity of indifference and etc..? The prisoners. Who gets serious the protest, they manage to undo ostracism; where one acquire diseases in the prisons? The prisoners. the farce of these accusations, but phobias, psychosis, neurosis, Who is beaten and tortured in prisons? more important, to undo the bigger schizophrenia; where one The prisoners. Who is constantly driven to farce of the penitentiary system: becomes apathetic, depres- suicide? The prisoners. Who appears the prisons’ end. sive; where individuals are suspicious hanged? The prisoners. Who is constantly induced to submitted to poor and miserable feed, the suicide!… and a long etc. .. most of the times inedible, causing As an epilogue disease? The prisoners. Who suffers The prison, as a mega- medical negligence? The prisoners. Who The law is the tool of the State/ inhumane institution - is continuously humiliated and suffers Capital to defend the existing order repressive element of social unspeakable attacks to human dignity? so that some rule and exploit others control - is the last strong- The prisoners.” in this miserable and rotten world, hold of power’s domestica- organized by the ideas of domination. To tion mechanism, for the excluded, for the “I don’t want any subsidies! I demand only pretend that the rules and the standards subversive, to all who in some way what power has stolen to me: my free- of those who imprison us would be in any bothersome domination and social order. dom, inalienable, because i didn’t way beneficial, is like a suicide. Those The prison is the indicator of errors of the delegate anyone to decide for me! I claim who imprison people, and in addition in system, and trying to humanize it, is what belongs to me: my freedom!” extremely cruel conditions, subjected to impossible, due to its own nature. Only swell the statistics of mortality, cannot we can say that some reforms may “The struggle for amnesty or extended expect less than continuous revolts of any become less cruel. The prison is intrinsi- pardon that is being claimed formally is kind. cally an enemy of life, and its existence very poor compared with the content of shows the system that built it, and it is the generality of the revolt. In the perma- Those moments of protest, with their clear to us about its “humanity”. nent open revolt in the face - even with claims, those moments of resistance, that the coactive techniques, drugs provided disobedience to the management of We don’t pretend to mystify prisoners, but by the State to prisoners, sophisticated death, which is prison - a centre for to express our deep repudiation to this pavlovian constraints and draconian extermination, are moments that we terrible institution, and criticize the reprisals - with remarkable invectives consider to have great human value! theories - advocated by this hypocrite and against the prison institution itself, is the civilized society-prison - that states social beautiful poetry and wealth of rebellion. Revolt is always noble, beautiful and life is impossible without the existence of The requirements not formalized, but fascinating as the sense of dignity and this execrable institution. deeply felt, is the refusal of prison itself. desire to live greater than the fear of Unfortunately, the natural feeling of repression. Therefore, those of us who We want a world without prisons and it is refusal of prison, that deep hate against are in a “prison without walls” and desire a possible, but for this, obviously, we need prison, constantly expressed with strong world without visible and invisible shack- to break with domestication, think by our invectives against prison, and by gestures les, we can no longer avoid solidarity with own, subvert the rigid minds populated by of direct action - like set fire to cells, all the riots that occurred in prison: a the germs of domination, and fight against constant self mutilation, hunger strikes, locality of extreme bestiality where people existing order, so that a radical change painful screams and other acts - not have are exposed to the judgement of hench- take place and goes to the roots of social yet been enough discussed to be required men, where reigns the nepotism, personal problems. What we cannot admit is this with the words “the abolition of prison” or favouritism, outrageous discriminations, system with all its wars, ecocide, exploita- “prison abolition!”(like it happens for a where solidarity is offence, where they tion of man by man, theft of our lives, long time in other countries of Europe)! use inquisitorial techniques, cruel cage social inequalities that create starvation, and wise in the art of punishment, to inflict misery and many other atrocities, prison “April 26, 1996” torture and pain (besides the arsenal of included. “normal” horrific punishment inside wet A kidnapped person of the State and frozen disciplinary cells, the 111 Fighting for the end of prisons involves regimen and others); where we see fighting for the end of this rotten system in systematic suffering and the premeditated general, that builds the prisons. Courts, revolt and Caxias political intent of physical and psychologi- cal annihilation of personality and We hope that this publication serves as a This description could be much shorter, individual identity, under the false speech contribution for reflection and to add to all but we feel too inspired by the events to of rehabilitation and re-socialization; the respective battles to take back our summarize them, and we want others to where one “lives” in isolation, in boredom, lives and consequently act for a world feel inspired too. Among other events that in solitude, in uncertainty, in anxiety, in without prisons. were keeping our minds and our time atrocious agony, in a total state of busy, there occurred on the 20th of May defenceless, in fear, in desperation, in We finish with a elucidatory piece from a one more session of the trial against 25

58 ex-prisoners in the prison of Caxias, FORTE QUE AS PRISOES” [“the passion Finally - A Victory! charged with damage, arson and mutiny. for freedom is stronger than the prisons”] About 15 anarchists gathered outside and “A LIBERDADE ESTA NOS NOSSOS With a sentencing that recognizes that no Oeiras court where, from the morning, we CORACOES. ABAIXO OS MUROS DE proof has been produced in trial were handing out leaflets against prisons, TODAS AS PRISOES!” [“freedom is in our against the twenty-five (twenty-four, as Law and Justice, and papers (“Presos em hearts. down with the walls of every one was already dead) accused of Luta”) to passers-by. In front of the court prison.”] It was a beautiful moment, the "riot" in the Portuguese prison of main entrance there were some spray- seeing that the cops didn’t know what to Caxias on the 23rd of March of painted messages: do, when at the same time, without fear, 1996, we can celebrate the total absolu- the shouts of some of the accused joined tion of all the defendants in this process. “SOLIDARIEDADE COM OS 25 DE our own. Our fight doesn't stop here, but we would CAXIAS!” [“solidarity with the 25 of like to thank everyone who, directly or Caxias”], “DESTRUAMOS OS MUROS There was still time to insult the public indirectly, gave an indispensable support DA PRISAO, PARA LA DA AMNISTIA E prosecutor, who left the courthouse in a against this farce-process. With an DO PERDAO.” [“let´s destroy the prison hurry. In the afternoon, from inside the attentive olfaction and waiting for the walls, beyond amnesty and pardon”], and courtroom, we heard the shouts coming smell of the ashes of the last prison, here “LIBERDADE PARA TODOS. FOGO AS from the outside against the trial, prisons, we are and here we stand! PRISOES. (A)” [“freedom for all. fire to the judges, and in solidarity with the accused. prisons. (A)”]. At one point, the president-judge com- More information: presosemluta.tk plained that she had no power to stop the In the surrounding area, other messages shouting that was disturbing the hearing. had been spray painted in a rich neighbourhood: “FOGO AOS TRIBUNAIS Some of the accused, sick of the close E AS PRISOES. (A)” [“fire to the courts vigilance and intimidation by the fucking and to the prisons (A)”] and “1000 assholes known as “prison guards”, stood PRISOES, 1000 FUGAS” [“1000 imprison- up and started shouting that they didn’t ments, 1000 escapes”]. have to put up with that and demanded that the guards move away. Shouts from Posters had been put up all over the the public joined theirs. Later, one of the street of the court (as had already guards approached the public gallery and happened in previous sessions), with the whispered that he wanted a copy of what following text: one of our comrades was drawing. Immediately we stood up and started “Prisons, revolt and Caxias” shouting that the guards were trying to intimidate us as well as the accused and, 13 years after a wide struggle by Portu- also immediately, many of the accused guese prisoners for the improvement of stood up and started shouting against the the conditions to which they were guards and not only. Amidst the various subjected inside the prisons, the State insults shouted in all directions to the Illustrations (drawn by a comrade in the decides to put 25 of the then prisoners in several authorities present in that court during proceedings):):): the prison of Caxias on trial, charging infamous room, the judge ordered the them with mutiny, damage and arson. We cops to remove the public from the 1. Cadela - The judge (it means ‘bitch’ in don’t care if they did it or not. We care courtroom. Already outside the court, still Portuguese). about the love for freedom, that which shouting, 2 comrades were checked for persists in not letting itself die, in not ID. 2. Defendants (Aderito is on the right). letting itself be suffocated by the courts, nor by the bars, nor by the guards. Half an hour later, the session ended, with 3.3.3. The prison guard Jose, who accompa- They’re joyful moments, those in which some of the accused telling us that they nies some of the defendants from prison that love expresses itself. could hear our shouting in other parts of to the court. Jose came over and the court, and that the session had been demanded copies of these drawings, Moments in which we communicate closed because the lawyers were all then a comrade accused him of intimidat- among free hearts. Moments that no talking to each other and the judge wasn’t ing the audience, and the whole court authority can take away from us. able to impose order in the room any- including the defendants became unruly, more. as minutes earlier the other guard was Solidarity with those who struggled. threatening one of the prisoners. Solidarity with those who struggle. Our strength and our joy explode and grow with each attack on authority. 4. The Public Prosecution, a sour old Anarchists for the cutting off of the hand The enemy isn’t only in that court, fruit. that imprisons us, and for the expropria- solidarity doesn’t need to be there. tion of the key... 5. Court Dog, the miserable worker who Solidarity with those who struggled. opens and closes the windows of the court. When the accused went out for lunch, we Solidarity with those who struggle. unfolded a banner (“CONTRA O ROUBO DAS NOSSAS VIDAS, NEM TRIBUNAIS Fire to the courts, the prisons and the NEM PRISOES” [“against the theft of our world that creates them. lives, neither courts nor prisons”]) in front of the court door and started shouting “A A Few Free Hearts PAIXAO PELA LIBERDADE E MAIS

59 A Tale of Sand, & Those Who Feed From It: History and Ethnography of Kulon Progo’s Village and Resistance

Sand defines the life story of those decades, the combination of the Moments like these are embryos from who live along Kulon Progo’s sun’s heat and strong blasts of wind which the farmers’ motivation can southern shoreline in Indonesia. meant that many inhabitants grow, the will to persevere and Up to the present day, this sand has experienced diseases of the skin, enhance their lives. These ‘endong- nourished thousands of souls along respiratory system, stomach or eyes. endongan’ are meetings of friends, the coastal fringe of Kulon Progo tend to be non-hierarchical, and they regency, Yogyakarta province. The The coast dwellers farmed land happen spontaneously and habitually story starts before 1942, when without soil, only sand, hoping that each evening. They are a moment to coastal dwellers were already trying the rainwater that falls for free onto take heart and to find new ideas to turn the sand into a source of the earth would be make the land together. sustenance. Notes taken from the fertile; their living conditions were oral history of Arjo Dimejo, a villager always precarious. Until the 1980s On the positive side these heart-to- from Karang Sewu, reveal that before agriculture along the coastal zone heart meetings to support each other that date many of his fellow villagers remained extremely marginal. All that and share experiences came from an survived by planting rice, sweet would grow on the sand were certain idea of three villagers (Iman Rejo, potatoes, potatoes and beans on the vine plants. And then only in the rainy Pardiman, Musdiwiyono) to try to find coastal sands. season; in the dry season they would different techniques and systems to all die. Drought forced many farmers make use of the extremely marginal Yet when the Japanese colonisers to instead look for work as wage sand lands.” (2) arrived, the inhabitants were labourers in other places, even if it forbidden to use the sand as meant leaving Java – usually they Nightly endong-endongan meetings agricultural land, as the Japanese would return 6 to 12 months later. in different people’s houses create suspected that they were secretly Until the 1980s the term ‘cubung’ relationships of trust between making sea salt. But after Indonesia was still being frequently used. individuals in these difficult was proclaimed an independent However, during those years the conditions. They start to speak nation, as soon as Japan no longer inhabitants greatly increased their together about the problems they stood watching over the sand lands, a effort to find natural ways that the face and look at ways to solve them few villagers moved back to once sand could provide food, every day together. Before each farmer would again look for sustenance from the inhaling sand too for the sake of cultivate the land on their own, but sand. Arjo Dimejo relates that in survival. later they felt the need to work 1948 President Soekarno made a together instead to find new ways of visit to the coastal strip, and invited Visiting your neighbours breeds cultivation. It also turned out that their the people to make use of the land. collective wisdom. experiences from other places when So the local people, most of whom they were working on the land or as were farmers, thronged to work this Nearly every evening, the people skilled labour gave them new points land whose soil was merely sand. At mocked as ‘cubung’ greatly enjoy to share and discuss. one point in the 1970s storms ‘Endong-endongan’. This is a custom wreaked havoc on the land and the of the villagers to gather together at Various ideas also emerged from the homes built upon it. Yet despite these neighbours’ houses, and relate their meetings of individuals and from bad conditions the farmers managed experiences to the others present (1). farmers’ groups to study the nature to survive, still determined to eat from According to Iman Rejo, a villager of the land and the possibilities it what the sand could provide. from Bugel, this is their way to strive offered. In 1984 a group of farmers to fulfil all of life’s needs, whether helped each other out to build simple Those that live from the sand are material or spiritual, and whether they wells in the fields. Because sand called ‘cubung’ by other people, a are directly conscious of doing so or moves so easily, they dug very wide, derisory stereotype which means not. When the inhabitants meet each with a diameter of up to 5 meters and backward or inferior village people, evening they create the feeling that a depth of 5-8 meters and inserted a prone to sickness. And in fact, in past they are no longer on their own. tube made from bamboo. The well

60 was completed with a bamboo hoist. farmers tried building a principal well As soon as each well was completed with a water pump, connected by in turn, the farmers started to prepare bamboo to tanks made from a the land: hoeing, building dams, concrete box/pipe. As this was still fertilising with manure, and then later inadequate, the bamboo canalization planting. All this technology and land was later exchanged for PVC. preparation was carried out by the Although the products used may be community themselves, working modern, they are used with an together. understanding of the natural characteristics of the coastal zone. The farmers experiments are always based on close observation of nature. The problem of strong winds is They tried planting corn using tackled by using plants that act as custom of meeting together, different methods of watering, and wind-breakers around the cultivated discussing and sharing, they found different ways and locations to grow plots, such as castor oil plant, bitter they were no longer buried by the acacia trees - each careful attempt in gourd or aubergine. They also plant sand, emerging to find new survival accordance with their observations of coconut near the fields to help strategies and share their strengths the nature of the land. Until one day breaking the wind so the plants are with each other every day. when one farmer walking in the field not blown away by strong gusts. noticed a chilli plant growing well Before cultivation, the land was For a long time the farmers have had near a coconut tree. This discovery terraced sand dunes which looked difficulties to face, yet they have prompted other farmers to start like a desert strewn with bushes and always been able to resolve their planting and tending chilli, building up thickets, always moving around problems in an independent and their experience as they went. whenever the waves hit. But this autonomous way, without the help of Eventually they built up an in-depth natural condition can be managed by outsiders, especially the government. knowledge of how to cultivate the the farmers co-operating, flattening Even the roads to the fields, which land, without the need of any the land and removing the previously were difficult to pass, they teachers – the impetus came from undergrowth, making sure to leave built on their own. First they built their initiative to organise the farmers’ one row of sand dunes between the simple roads by laying stones, but groups. Nowadays the number of ocean and the cultivated land. eventually laid asphalt – working farmer’s groups has expanded together to build the roads greatly, currently there are several There are many ways in which their themselves, pooling their money to dozen. experience leads to knowledge worth meet the costs, all with no help from relating, but they do not need to be the government. That is how the The farmers solved their shortage of mentioned one by one. What is sure farmers will always explain it when water by building wells. These were is that the farmers have undergone a asked what’s the role of the originally very simply made, making long and dynamic process, where the government. Moreover they never holes 5 meters deep and retaining key to survival on the land was never experience conflict over who can them with bamboo. Later the bamboo obvious. They had been forbidden to work which land. The farmers know was exchanged for cement and finally farm, battered by wind every day and that the right to farm is something concrete. Previously they dug each sometimes by storms, their land they hold in common, and there are well very deep, and needed a bucket dominated by sand dunes, and never disputes about the status of the for watering. However the farmers felt troubled by sickness. Yet by the land, they just sort it out between this method was not effective. Later themselves. The relationships of trust between individuals and the farmer’s group is a long way beyond that of businessmen who have to sanctify everything with legal contracts, stamped and sealed.

The careful efforts of more than 40 years have made the wasteland a fertile and productive zone. All sorts of plants can now thrive due to the hard work and care put into their cultivation. On the sand a range of horticultural crops can grow in both the rainy season and the dry season. Chilli, aubergine, bitter gourd, castor bean, green beans, rice, corn, watermelon and many other types of vegetables are grown along the 25km stretch of shoreline; the hands of the farmers have turned the landscape green. The key to their success is

61 collective knowledge, whether it be D. Provide services in the mining knowledge of modern technology or sector. local wisdom about when and how to plant, tend and harvest the crops. E. Undertake transportation of the products of mining activity, by means The chilli has become the prime of truck. (4) commodity for farmers in the area. However they also plant other crops From the sound of the document, PT according to the season. Each group JMM appear to have been granted of farmers continues to discuss which legal authority by the state for the crop to plant first, followed by which total exploitation of the land through other crop. Every year farmers in each academic report, then read by a land their mining enterprise. But this group discuss when to plant. Their owner and passed on to corporations. company, PT JMM had only just been discussion takes in various Just as the land started to become formed and was still new to the perspectives, from their belief in the fertile, provide food, and even allow mining business. They needed Javanese calender, to the condition of farmers to be able to send their experience in mineral exploitation and the land, sea and sky, and the children to higher education, was also additional capital (5), and so needed possibility of clashes of harvesting the moment when a stroke of to join with another company as time with other plants they may want enlightenment suddenly shook the business partner. In an interview with to grow on the land. brain cells of a certain entrepreneur Lutfi Hayder (6) (commissioner of and those that claim authority over Jogja Magasa Iron) the company Businessmen and landowners can the land of Kulon Progo. They want joined with an Australian company, also consume sand. the sand to nourish their needs as Indo Mines Limited (7), and the well. The partnership they created corporation Australia Kimberly In 1964 a study analysing the was given the name of PT JMM (Jogja Diamond also made capital composition of the sand was carried Magasa Mining). investments, as did other investors. out by the geology faculty of ITB The collaboration between the university. Led by In Junas, it On Thursday, 6 October 2005, at companies PT Jogja Magasa Iron, measured the iron content of the 20.15 West Indonesia Time, an Indo Mines and the other investors sands and ground water depth. They imaginary voice ripped through the was called JMI (Jogja Magasa Iron) made boreholes in the sand to a dreams of the farmers. “There is iron (8), although recently this name depth of 4-7 metres. Some local within the womb of the sandy changed again to JMI (Jogja Magasa people were asked to work on this shoreline, and it is time for it to come International). study as manual labour, and they out, to be exploited, to be enjoyed not remembered that below the sand lay only by farmers, but by us all, for the Systematic steps have already been iron and water. (3) sake of our society at large, for the taken by the business partnership race and for the nation” is more or and those who claim authority over This memory was what the farmers less how the voice in the imaginary Kulon Progo to ensure the success of would eventually use when they meeting room sounded, a moment their iron mining venture. Lufti Hayder, started to make changes in their lives before the arrival of a document from acting as commissioner for Jogja 20 years later, almost as if they were PT Jogja Magasa Mining. Magasa Iron claims they have already stealing the knowledge from the found considerable financial backing, outsiders’ research. Iman Rejo, To attain these aim and objectives the although the world economy is hit by Pardiman and Musdiwiyono took the company can carry out business recession. Funding to complete the initiative to get people together to activities as follows: feasibility study is already available; it build wells to sustain life. Under the is estimated this is sufficient for 12- soil they found fresh, clear, not salty A. Business activities in the sector of 18 months. water, although they were only a few general mining, including the mining metres from the beach. With the wells of iron sand, iron ore, sea sand and Farmers fight the corporation. built, the villagers work brought life to coal. the wasteland. At the start of 2007 the shoreline B. Carry out trade, including import, residents were becoming restless But this memory becomes very export and domestic trade, acting as about the planned mining project. different when it is written into an a representative agent, sole agent, This nervousness soon spread, as distributor, supplier of the products of mining such as iron sands, iron ore, sea sand and coal, whether on its own account or on another’s account, by means of commission.

C. Establish industrial facilities for the obtaining and processing of mining products such as iron sand, iron ore, sea sand and coal.

62 farmers worried about losing the land each household along the coast is a Between the sand and the iron it that had supported them for so long. space for coordination. contains there is a raging fire, a fire They shared their fears from one to that can not be subdued, resisting another and also within their farmers’ PPLP henceforth started organising exploitation and dehumanisation in groups. Finally different farmers’ many actions. Initially they undertook whatever form it takes. groups, from various villages along traditional forms of struggle, involving the coastal strip, decided to meet and old and the young in local traditions SAKSI (free association of anarchists discuss the problem. So one night in such as mujahadah, casting magic and friends of Kulon Progo’s Brave April hundreds of farmers, delegates spells, farmers’ rituals and night Peasants) of their groups and villages, got watch on the land. But neither their together to determine attitudes attempts at dialogue, nor their towards the plans. That night farmers movement which declared itself anti- exchanged opinions and analysed mining was considered well behaved WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR their fears about the news of the by the corporations or the local INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY? mining plan. Clear evidence of the government (who are also involved as problem this iron mine would have on they administrate the local budget). 1. Boycotting every corporation or their livelihood was revealed that On the quiet, the villages were organization that is involved in the night. infiltrated by intelligence agents and project. paid thugs to intimidate the people. The discussion revolved around 3 2. Send letters (+ make direct possible approaches. Firstly, farmers Before the Ramadan fast, 24 August actions?) to the Indonesian Embassy could unconditionally accept the 2007, farmers agreed to attack the regarding the issue to end the mining plan. Second, that they could local authority of Kulon Progo. They Megaproject. accept but with certain conditions were annoyed at this symbolic and stipulations. Thirdly, they could existence of authority over a land 3. Boycotting Jogja National Museum: unconditionally reject the proposal. In where there was never any justice or which is a big art-space owned by the the end it turned out that not a single understanding of the people’s Sultan and has been a space for individual was in favour of the first aspirations. That day the farmers were many artists, local and international, option, and not a single individual able to fight the police and in the end to do exhibitions—and of course was in favour of the second option. thousands of people were able to ensure the Sultan’s hegemony over enter the grounds of the symbol of cultural production. And for All the farmers present that night power of the government of Kulon information, many international radical made clear their unconditional Progo regency. The farmers tore artists connected to Taring Padi - opposition to any plan to mine iron down the fence and forced the police which is a “so called” radical artists sand from their land. to back away from the mass action. group who benefited from that space That day, not one key local official and never have any position towards That night the farmers also started would meet with farmers, least of all the issue - that is grossly collaborated planning their strategy to resist the the mayor. The farmers from PPLP blindly and ignorantly in that space. iron mine. Their first act was to threatened the mayor 5 times that day Many of whom even call themselves establish an umbrella organisation, to come out with a declaration “anarchists!” (which is of course the which they named PPLP (Paguyaban cancelling the mine project. anarchist from abroad still assumed Petani Lahan Pantai = Association of that JNM in the 90’s was a squatted Shoreline Farmers). The organisation The farmers actions and space inhabited by leftists and had an unusual structure. Aside from demonstrations continue until now. socialist realism artists) a chair, secretary and treasurer and They plan their strategies and tactics their deputies, they also appointed to foil the plan to mine iron from the We are calling for an international older farmers as advisers. There is coastal sands of Kulon Progo. The boycott of Jogya National Museum also a field coordinator in each case of the farmers’ resistance in and those radicals who shamelessly village, who acts as a delegate, Kulon Progo is an authentic example collaborated and benefitted from that uniquely this coordinator is only ever of a struggle against power space. The tension must rise by any one person, and they often rotate in a characterised by anti-politics, means necessary! quite flexible way. Each village also autonomy and self-organisation. With has an autonomous PPLP unit, each regards to politicians and NGOs that with its own structure. What is clear want to get involved, we can say that Art is dead, don’t consume its is that there is no-one that holds there is an agreement between the corpse. SI authority in the PPLP structure. The farmers that the struggle should not whole coastal community are become dependent on anyone. They members of PPLP and their feelings reject all forms of political about new information in the mining agreements and NGO intervention. Notes: plan is always discussed at the Fortunately this strong will of meetings of each PPLP unit as well becoming independent and self- 1. Quote from Iman Rejo as the umbrella meetings. One more organised have made their struggle 2. “ unique feature is that there is no undisturbed by intrigues and external 3. “ office for either the umbrella intervention and makes their 4. Document Founding Limited organisation or for each PPLP unit, as community intact more than before. Company PT. Jogja Magasa Mining

63 No. 40. Buntario Tigris Darmawa NG, Kulon Progo (Central Java These pictures show a SH, SE Yogyakarta) repressive attack 5. In the document is noted the total against the Kulon Progo start-up capital of Rp 600,000,000 - Community of peasants community, which was 6. Interview 12 March 2009 struggling against reclamation of their 7. Application For Contract of Works land by feudal landlords and local approved by the police. This from Government of the Republic of government to create Iron Ore was an act orginating from Indonesia Mining. the authorities of the area 8. Plan of Work 2009 JMI, Jogjakarta and the mining corporation. 12 March 2009 PATI (Central Java)

About SAKSI (Solidaritas Anti- - Community of peasants Kejahatan Korporasi) struggling against the cement industry project that will take over SAKSI is a network of solidarity that their water resources land and was initiated by collectives and environmental health. individuals since the beginning of 2009. Its focus and aim is not to Porong (East Java) mediate between grassroot struggles, but how to connect them directly - Communities that was through shared experience of evicted from their land by mud struggles and without involvement of disaster caused by Lapindo NGO’S or any form of institutional Corporation, which is owned by political organization. As a network of Bakrie Group. It has caused solidarity SAKSI don’t have any fixed enormous damages on the vast land programs to impose, instead it is of Porong and have made thousands worked out through consensus of people losing their homes and meetings between SAKSI properties. participants in which different struggles can apply their own [email protected] methodes locally. The only basic structure and foundation that was SAKSI appeal agreed upon is that SAKSI, as a for urgent network, and community of struggles, financial aid to is should be horisontal and maintain an autonomous autonomous in a very loose and close space in Kulon to the concept of Free Association. Progo called Up till now SAKSI have connected “Gerbong struggles of peasants and other Revolusi” Library opressed communities in three areas: and Community space.

64 “Insurrection disorientates all political parties. Their doctrine, has indeed, always affirmed the ineffectiveness of any test of strength as their very existence is a constant denial of all insurrection” Franz Fanon Les damnés de la terre, [The Wretched of the Earth] 1961. # p Black Bloc communiqué,

Strasbourg point, banks, a petrol station, tourism 5. The press and politicians try to office, Hotel Ibis, etc.); If we destroyed portray the black bloc as nihilistic and video cameras and advertising hoard- bloody vandals. But the praxis of the anti-NATO, ings; if we attacked the police, it is not black blocs are not limited to acts of because an occult organisation told us to destruction (just as our lives are not do so, but because we deliberately chose limited to the black bloc, which is just a it ourselves. momentary and contextualised form). April 2009 Black blocs practice mutual aid and 3. If we were able to act in this way, it is complicity with all demonstrators in not because the police allowed us to, it is confronting, defending ourselves, and because we were several hundred, or running away from the cops. In a riot a 1. Events in Strasbourg were relatively even thousands: the infamous “interna- spontaneous and anonymous solidarity is easy to predict and probably unavoid- tional black block”! It is because the cops created, authentic in the sense that no able. Nevertheless, as in the aftermath are not totally robots, they are human gesture requires anything in return. of every counter-summit where people and they can feel fear too. The police There are are two worlds that oppose have had a good riot, the great and the probably could have tried to stop the each other in their choices and behav- good on both the left and right cry foul. riots faster, by shooting more at the iours: on the one side the determined Accusations fly that someone must have people than just gas, baton rounds and demonstrators who are here because of let the rioters get away with it or incited concussion grenades. However, even in their convictions, desires and rage, living them. Some even go so far as to suggest the Sarkozy-esque democracy of France truly and freely. On the other side, cops that someone Machiavellian was the today, it is not yet the done thing to kill under oath who are here out of a duty to organising mind behind their actions. All demonstrators. On the 8th April 2009 orders and money, who are paid to political parties, even on the far-left, are Luc Chatel declared that “the govern- repress and trained to think as little as suddenly competing to become the ment’s priority was to ensure no one possible about what it is that they do (the mouth piece for the most disgusting died”. We are not yet a sufficient threat risk of them resigning would be to high). security-orientated discourse. Explicitly or to their regime for that. implicitly they regret the powerlessness 6. We are all concerned by what was of the police in the face of riotous acts. 4. If we only acted in poor neighbour- discussed at the NATO summit in Finally it is always the same old story, an hoods around Strasbourg’s industrial Strasbourg. The post-colonial war led by idea that is, at heart, shared by all of port it is because we lacked the strength the Western superpowers, and their them, from the UMP to the Socialist or finesse necessary to reach the town internal war against the “enemy within” party, from Attac to the National Front: it centre. The police and the army were make us sick. Social control, manage- is impossible that people could be angry fiercely protecting the infamous red zone ment of migration flows, reinforcement enough to start a riot themselves. These (the town centre and the bourgeois of the police, improved intelligence and people must have been manipulated in areas of the city). However, no one can registration of the population... that is some way. seriously believe that we would not have what we rose up against. been a lot more formidable if we had 2. We repeat what was already said in made it to those richer neighbourhoods. 7. Those in power aim to continue the July 2001 following the riots in Genoa Despite the media hype, only institutional imposition of capitalist democracy on during the G8 summit: we don’t need or commercial buildings were attacked, everyone as the only possible form of leaders to provoke us to revolt and in the poor areas, things belonging to the social organisation. Despite the shitty struggle. On Saturday 4th April 2009 in local population were left untouched. Our lives we live, despite the tottering of the Strasbourg, if we broke shop windows; if fight is against power, not against those capitalist empire in recent times, we set fires in buildings that serve the who suffer as a result of power. revolutionary perspectives seem so far State and capitalism, (border control away that we can only even imagine

65 them with difficulty. And yet, the deeply counter-revolutionary resignation of our times is not an inevitability. It is a big challenge to manage to emancipate oneself from capitalism, through struggle and mutual aid, and that emancipation cannot coexist with capitalist and state power.

8. Knowing that another world cannot be possible without the total collapse of the globalised capitalist democratic system; knowing that “all the dominant classes will continue to defend their privileges to the bitter end with dogged perseverance and energy” (Rosa Luxemburg: What does the Spartacus League Want? 1918), it seem to us that sowing the seeds of chaos and destruction (to cite the sensationalist terms used by the media) at the heart of this world of 10. Although we are clear that over- oppression and social control is not so throwing power will take more than problematic. In fact, it seems to me that Support the being content to peacefully demonstrate, it is not nearly enough. There is no however many millions of people we may possibility for revolutionary transforma- be, we are equally aware that a few tion of this world without a tangible Strasbourg thousand people attacking the police and power struggle. It is the task of the vandalising state or capitalist property dominated to build new bases for social will not be enough. If we were several life with out waiting for the consent of millions it might look a bit better. All the Prisoners our dominators. technologies of repression and control might be not enough to contain the 9. Recent years have been dotted with In early April the NATO celebrated their generalised rage. uprisings that have clearly worried those birthday with a summit in Strasbourg, in power: riots in poor neighbourhoods in France, and thousands of people came But until then, what we do is put in place November 2005, the anti-CPE move- to protest 60 years of warmongering.. and spread common practices of ment in spring 2006, anti-Sarkozy riots The state was keen to punish protestors resistance, specific kinds of solidarity around the presidential elections in for marring their spectacle and made and forms of struggle that are illegal and 2007, the high-school student hundreds of arbitrary arrests. Ten have a revolutionary perspective... mobilisations of 2007-2008, and lately people, from France and Germany, were the French state expressed their convicted to 6 month sentences in A full kit of ideas for bringing an end to growing concern over the Greek uprising speedy trials for criminal damage and the old world with its technologies from a that verged on insurrection. Just as with rioting, a few more later on. A young future that is already rotten. the Black Bloc in Strasbourg, the media local man has also been sentenced to 3 focused on how young these movements years for allegedly handing someone a lighter to light a firework which was then were, as though trying to reduce revolt A few “rioters” from an affinity group thrown at the police. to a generational phenomena (with all that was active inside the Black Bloc the condescending remarks along the on the 4th April 2009 in Strasbourg. You can help them financially by lines of: “ just you wait, in ten years, you Somewhere in France, 8th April 2009 donating to their support account: will have forgotten all that and you will be Name: “Spenden und Aktion”, resigned to your fate like the rest of us”). Account number: 928 818 06, We believe that there is an inherent Sort code: 513 900 00 danger in this attitude that needs to be IBAN: DE29 5139 0000 0092 8818 06 overcome. An insurrection (not to BIC: VBMHDE5F mention a revolution) cannot be Ref: Strasbourg undertaken by the youth alone. Like the class struggle, it or you can write to the prisoners via their should be support group: transversal and lived by all, beyond KKH differences of c/o Infoladen age, skin colour, Liebigstrasse 34 gender, trade, 10247 Berlin, Germany etc. In full consciousness of See also: breakout.blogsport.de the dominations and oppressions. The following is a statement written by the prisoners at the end of April:

66 A Statement from Prison woods were attacked with rubber The sentences and their severity bullets. The minimum safe distance of 5 surprised our solicitors, since they were metres was ignored, which can have many times harsher than the usual The NATO summit was now over a fatal consequences. In many cases, sentences - even if all the accusations month ago and hardly anyone remem- wounds sustained were only tended to had been true. Three people were bers the protests never mind their the following morning. The next few days sentenced to prison with immediate critiques. During the summit many were similar: over 350 people were effect. Two people went to appeal. A participating demonstrators were taken taken into custody at random, many of few others were given custodial into custody. A few of these were put which had to spend multiple nights in sentences. One German who had been through fast track trials at random and overcrowded cells, without food and sentenced to an unenforced 3 months given prison and suspended sentences. some with injuries. Most were let out was held for 48 hours for no apparent According to statements from Sarkozy, again, just a few fell victim to arbitrary reason in a deportation prison to then these sentences are meant to serve as police action: 9 people have now spent be handed over to the German police at precedent for condemning and a month in prison. We who are writing the border, a few miles away. The other criminalising the anti-militarist and peace this are a few of them. 6 who are inside here have not had trials movements. Over a month later, some of yet. Four of these will be in court on the the imprisoned summit opponents have Justice in service of the President 5th May — we are expecting another managed to draft a collective statement, That it’s us who are in here is pure case marked by political prejudice. Two in which they explain their motivations to coincidence — it could have happened people are currently on remand for 4 protest the NATO summit and their to anyone. The media got excited about months. In the popular Strasbourg daily situation in prison and the solidarity they rioters. President Sarkozy publicly newspaper that we get to read in here are receiving. Warmongering is cel- demanded that perpetrators should be called ‘DNA’, it’s insinuated that those ebrated - those who resist are impris- punished as severely as possible. Police ‘guilty’ of the riots on the 4th April oned. and judiciary were under pressure to have got what they deserve. For present ‘results’ when fast track trials example, they deliberately leave out Statement by some prisoners took place two days after the summit. certain facts, such as the fact that three after the Strasbourg NATO summit Actual, concrete accusations were not of the accused had already been the focus of the trials. The sentences arrested two days before. They also Things are not done quickly in prison. If were influenced mostly by the state reprinted quotes from the trials out of you want to write a letter, you first have prosecution’s speech which largely context. The newspaper printed the full to order stamps and paper. For this you relied on assumptions and statements names and hometowns of those need money. And when you have the with no hard evidence. They didn’t even sentenced from Germany. In another money, it takes time for the items you try to create the illusion of a fair trial. The case they reported about a defendant ordered to arrive. All letters are opened state prosecutor even claimed about who supposedly bit a policeman and and probably read, this takes time too. one of the accused that they were claimed they had AIDS, alongside a Information only gets in and out very ‘professional’ and were ‘giving speeches photo showing another defendant from slowly. And so we are speaking out only in court’. As sufficient proof they pointed the trial the day before, who had nothing now. to their no comment interview at the to do with these accusations. Basically police station and the long distance libellous, especially considering 90% of 1,2,3 and you are no longer free! the other prisoners here read When the NATO wanted the DNA. to celebrate its birthday on the 3rd and 4th April Incendiarists as 2009, they were not Peacemakers alone. Tens of thousands As far as we were able to tell of people travelled to from the media coverage of France to take to the the protests, the critiques of streets against the war NATO policy did not get any alliance. Thousands of attention or were deliberately German and French left out. Instead, the partici- police were deployed. pating politicians were The Schengen Agree- portrayed as conciliators. ment was temporarily The war alliance’s 60th suspended, and the city birthday was celebrated in a centres of Baden-Baden media friendly manner and and Strasbourg were declared to be some sort of closed off. Many people gala of the philanthropes of were stopped travelling the Western world. However, into France and neighbouring countries. they had travelled to come to the nearly two decades after the end of the Already two days before the summit protests. Another person was accused cold war, the NATO stands for the build started, an entire demonstration in of membership in the ‘Black Block up of arms like no other military alliance, Strasbourg was surrounded and Organisation’. It had to be explained to for the production of more and even arrested, that had been called against the court that no such organisation ‘better’ weapons and for increasingly the deadly police violence during the existed. It was obvious that this was all mobile armies that can enforce the G20 protests in London. Before the about setting an example in a way that interests of those in power anytime and mass arrest, people were being chased would resonate in the media and anywhere. The current excuse may through woods with tear gas grenades intimidate. Sarkozy’s statements had us change, it ranges from asserting human and rubber bullets. For example, two fearing the worst already beforehand. rights, the war on terror, or currently the people behaving entirely quietly in the struggle against Somalia’s pirates. The

67 true reasons for interventions remain the equipped just like the cops on the street on the 1st April you had 63 521 people same: widening the free markets, and at demonstrations with tasers, in 200 prisons. However, total capacity resources and securing access to them, batons and tear gas. Most of the is only 52 535. This seems to be similar as well as geopoliticial power considera- prisoners we meet here are inside for in Germany: In March this year for tions. Some of minor offences. Using false example, the minister of justice in the those who papers to avoid deportation or state of NRW had to admit that due to participated in the to get work. Drinking and the overcrowding amongst other things NATO summit are driving. Theft and label scams, prison conditions were at times responsible for possession of small amounts of degrading. the deaths of drugs. Many ended up in thousands all prison after fast track trials like around the world. us, for months or even years. Solidarity Yeah! Iraq and Afghani- Most of them are young, with a In here we can really experience how stan are just the migrant background and from solidarity helps. Not only the prisoners tip of the iceberg. the Banlieus. Many tell us from the protests but also the many The strategy about how ‘foreigners’ always others here help each other out: with paper that was receive harsher sentences. As information, with sweets, by listening, very probably a prisoner, your life isn’t too with advice and action, and that is good. discussed at the bad. The basic needs such as We are happy about the many calls of summit called ‘For food, warmth, exercise, contact solidarity from different cities. About all a coordinated with other people as well as the people who are backing us publicly, strategy in an medical care are more or less privately and practically. If the arbitrari- insecure world — met — as long as you behave. ness and violence we have experienced Renewing the transatlantic partnership’ Everything here is divided up into brings people together and onto the clearly shows not only the future arenas portions and rationed. It starts with your street across borders, then the example of war for the North Atlantic pact but food, continues during your exercise and the powerful wanted to set by punishing also unashamedly the economic reasons doesn’t stop with the little bits of us backfires. We are excited if longer for military presence mentioned above. information you are given. Some screws term networks are developing now in You don’t need to look far to show up are shit, others less so, but you are France and Germany and perhaps the NATO as warmongerers posing as always dependent on them, they always beyond against repression. So it’s as world police. have unrestricted access to you, there is important as ever — solidarity must turn always the possibility of being watched, into deeds and become practical, in The more bizarre the picture the media there is always the threat of disciplinary future though especially across bor- has been presenting. Distorting the measures for unwanted behaviour. This ders!! facts, the NATO states are portrayed as totalitarian system inherent to all prisons the ‘peace makers’ while the demonstra- is based on the power of the screws Some prisoners from Strasbourg tors are labeled violent. The issue of the and the disempowerment of the 29th April 2009 structural violence of a war alliance is surveilled. Our freedoms here entirely disregarded. It’s not surprising consist of for example deciding that wars are relativised and compared whether or not to go to the to the riots in Strasbourg. Burning church services, to exercise in barricades can then be equated with the yard. These freedoms already pictures of a destroyed Beirut. This is stop in the shower. If you don’t how freedom of reporting turns into a go for a shower at the prescribed farce. Regardless of what you think time 3 times you’ll end up in the about the riots, considering the media’s basement in confinement. behaviour leads to the only conclusion, that they are distracting us from the real You can’t even choose the incendiarists, NATO. temperature of the water which is just down to luck. If you have In Prison... money, you have a few more Somehow we are far removed from the freedoms: i.e. the choice to world in prison, and yet in the middle of purchase some of this or that to it. This sounds paradoxical, however supplement your diet or to buy especially in here we notice the negative other consumer goods. At least aspects of our society. State racism and 100 prisoners have no money total control are not only phenomena and can’t even buy stamps or inside prison walls. Deportation, soap. They are dependent on the recording biometric data, CCTV alms of the social workers and surveillance and attacks on privacy are pastors. But this too is almost just a few examples that are also nothing. In the prison in Stras- ubiquitous in the so-called free world. bourg, there are over 700 There are also ways to resist inside. The prisoners at an actual capacity of police unit ‘IRISSE’ was founded solely 450. To enable the chronic to deal with prison uprisings. The last overcrowding, bunkbeds are time they were deployed was in early placed in single cells. This means April in Mulhouse Prison. There, the 2 people are sharing about 9m2 prisoners refused to return to their cells — including toilet. It’s not just after their exercise. The officers are Strasbourg. Throughout France,

68 In Gaza like In Europe, with another intensity but TERROR following the same logic, thousands elsewhere... of undesirables are swept off the WAR streets, jailed and deported accord- ing to the needs of the economy or From Gaza in Palestine to Nasiriyah the needs regarding social control. “You are in a place that is out of the in Iraq, from the Kivu region in the Thousands of people perish at their world. No one knows where you are, no Congo to Grozny in Chechnya, the workplace or due to the conse- one is going to defend you.” massacres of thousands of human quences of exploitation (cancer, CIA agents to detainee during “extra- beings take place on a daily basis. ordinary rendition”. depression, etc). In the neighbour- This capitalist and authoritarian hoods, where conditions get tougher “I never see the sun, I never have shower system, under the varied disguises it and tougher, there are only cops like a human being, I never have soap, I uses throughout the four corners of who beat and assassinate; but there never have a cup to drink, I am never the world, devastates whole areas is also the ever stronger expansion treated like a human being” through famine, deprivation, pollu- of the war between the poor. The Former Guantanamo detainee, tion, war. Whether they serve to tie logic of competition reigns, embod- Mamdouh Habib. down the workforce or deport ied through the various religious, workers, camps are by now the “I am a hostage and traded commodity. nationalist or mafia rackets: ripping condition of life for millions of off, selling drugs, allying oneself with No matter how long it takes, the days of people: refugee camps, "free the sale will come and the market will the first gang leader to come along zones", deportation centres, shanty close its doors... and only the anecdotes zones", deportation centres, shanty in order to better survive in the and the memories will remain” towns... capitalist jungle where rape and Ahmed Errachidi, British resident in other brutalities are an integral part Guantanamo Bay. Like in Gaza: this camp which is of the misery which makes this world bombed and surrounded by the unbearable. “A military lawyer took me into a cell and Israeli army, dominated by religious said it would be for me, as he alleged I and nationalist authorities, subjected was behind the hunger strike. They have In this world it is in the interests of to misery and despair. To oppose the powerful and of the exploiters to been making stuff up about the clients the Isreali state’s terror with a logic and now they are making it up about me” have a civil war exploding every- of war against a whole "people" Lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith about his of war against a whole "people" where... This war between the poor clients in Guantanamo. serves only to make the rejected of suits them very well, because it Gaza and the exploited of Tel Aviv helps to make us forget that another “For now everyone in all Muslim Commu- forget that they have but one chance war is possible: the one against this nities should be prepared for more raids, to bail out and pull through: the fight world of cash and authority, the one arrests and harassment from the against all authority, whether it be for everyone’s freedom. authorities and this will include British, that of the Israeli soldier’s or Pales- working professionals” tinian policeman’s uniform, or that of Babar Ahmad, British political prisoner. It is urgent to contrast the war the religious leader’s camisole (that between states, between religions, old enemy of freedom), or that of the “Our interrogators would stand on the old enemy of freedom), or that of the between ethnic groups, with the Quran and they would ask, ‘Call your God suits of democratic capitalists and social war against all exploitation and ask him to rescue you.’ They would usurers who, within the camps and and all domination. throw the Quran in a bucket of urine. elsewhere, speculate on the misery. They would tear the Quran and throw it DESERT THE WARS OF THE at our faces” Like in Chechnya, where amongst STATE AND THE POWERFUL, Hafiz Ahsan, Pakistani released from the ruins caused by the Russian Guantanamo. REFUSE THE WAR BETWEEN THE army’s bombardments, a regime of POOR! warlords adds to the terror of the “I would rather be dead than treated like Russian state. this . . . if the death penalty was offered to Russian state. LET’S ARM OURSELVES AGAINST us, we would jump at it” THE NATIONALISTIC, DEMO- Asif Iqbal, British detainee at Like in the Congo, where the hunger- CRATIC AND RELIGIOUS MANIPU- Guantanamo Bay, in a letter to his stricken work in the precious metal LATIONS! family. mines with capitalism’s advanced technologies and die in conditions of “If there is one thing I have painfully ATTACK HERE AND NOW ALL slavery. These same miners and THAT WHICH KEEPS US learned in this place and about this place, their families are massacred with it is that words like justice, fairness, ENSLAVED! guns and machetes by armies (both respect, values and principles really dont official and unofficial ones) fighting to seem to exist here. Everything here is official and unofficial ones) fighting to Anarchists. about destroying the detainees, mentally, guarantee the profits of their mas- ters. While the Belgian banks physically and psychologically through [Poster found on the walls of systematic oppression, humiliation and finance the two rival parties in order numerous cities in France and degradation” to lower the costs of production. Letter from Guantanamo detainee Belgium, January 2009] Bisher Al Rawi to his US lawyer.

69 SECRETS & LIES

This next text was written by an guise of necessity and comrades are are letter designations on badges. anarchist comrade involved in direct removed in whispers from the com- There are in-groups and out-groups. No wonder, then, if the codeword action and informal organisation. In pany of the uninitiated, or in silence relationships of insurgent affinity, from the company of the initiated. A compartment has unintended where desire and love fuses with the world where only the ‘fittest’ survive, psychological effects.” sincere urge to attack together this and the others discarded, friends and From a March 1977 report “Critique society, we have to pay attention to lovers as well as foes. One sees the of the Codeword Compartment in the the consequences of our actions and eyes of an intimate search for the CIA” the people we involve ourselves with. right word, for passage around the To understand the line of domination truth, and one does the same to Do we think the State isn’t as much an as it is written. When things break- others. Sometimes one does not see expert in secrecy as it is a master of down, as all things are caused to, the eyes at all. One can see the war? The people working in the secret there must be ways to hold each mechanics but one cannot speak what departments of every country in the other together, to prevent the kind of one sees. One trusts the other in so world have first-hand experience of fragmentation that destroys people many ways, but cannot speak what the stressors and impact of secrecy on and their aspirations to continue the one knows. This is the place in which the psychology of secret-keepers and struggle. the question is crime. In which you those not privileged to secret informa- are made voiceless. Where truth is not tion. Do we think that with millennia possible. Where one must – especially spent sharpening the knife, it does not “The psychological dimension of if one is not classified, if one is know what flesh it slices, at which conflict is as important as the excluded – exist on a plane of angle, for the best meat? To build physical. Conflict is a struggle of Tourettian guesswork, denial, insecu- secrets is to build walls, to build wills, which takes place in people’s rity, frustration and paranoia. judgements, to divide us from one minds as well as on the battlefield. Through this sieve of secrets and lies, another, to sow discontent, distrust, Conflict is a struggle for power. The through the thousand holes punched paranoia, to isolate those who have power may be political (ideological), into the fabric of our social relation- something to say about the way things military or economical (material). ships, we can lose ourselves. We can are from those who might hear. And so There is hardly a more merciless lose one another. In the place where the State writes another chapter in conflict as that based on ideology. honesty has ceased, we become our psychological warfare. To create a The attitudes and behaviour of own prisons. garden in which secrets are sown is to people (friend, foe and the unde- sow power and corruption. cided or uncommitted) may ulti- “We know that secrecy by its very mately determine the outcome of nature may affect the personality of In other times and somewhere in this conflict.” its practitioners. This is true of all one, necessarily secret activity was From - Psychological Operations forms of secrecy from the primitive taken under oath. The State murdered Joint Doctrine, Canadian Forces secret society to the codeword people not only for taking action, but compartment. The latter is a simply for swearing an oath of secrecy I have lived sometimes in the heightened form of secrecy that to a group engaged in action against penumbral world. A world of secrets resembles the former in many the State. And within the secret and lies. Of the not-spoken. A place in ways. It has the aura of a secret organisations - Captain Swing, the which the question may not be asked. society. It has its initiation, its Luddites, the Molly Maguires, the IRA A space where slow response latency, oaths, its esoteric phrases, its - to name a few, the parameters were intrigue, and subterfuge exist. Where sequestered areas, and its secrets clear. There was process, there was the gang consolidates itself. Where within secrets. And in place of ritual, there was initiation and un- power games are played out under the passwords and hand signs, there initiation, not only for the fighters, but

70 for their families and their communi- inclusion of those around them. The dynamics and no possibility of ties. Accountable action may not be secret-keeper and their selection of mediation by a third party to mitigate what we choose to fight the State, but other secret-holders is not neutral. It abuse of power when interpersonal or to choose secrecy is not strength in is powerful. And if we really believe political problems arise. Because of itself. It is a regrettable necessity and that power corrupts, we must be security considerations, when some- a state of being which the State careful with our secrecy. one is excluded, there is no one creates because it suits it just as well outside those groups for that person to as accountability does. Often, because of the extremely process this with, leaving them in informal nature of our political doubled isolation - cut off once from In a world of secrets and lies, there is networks and interweaving of the society at large by their political a world of shadows. The shadows are political and the social worlds, our perspective and life, and now from the black, cold, flat. They do not bleed or use of secrecy means that we can be gang. cry. They have no texture. No colour. confused about what is classified and They have the outline of humanity, but what isn’t, who is classified and who More than anything other political they lack soul. There is a simulacrum isn’t. And because the political gangs form, the concept of the affinity group of strength in this parade of shadows. co-exist and mix with the social gangs so prevalent in militant circles brings There is de-individuation at the same and living collectives, between which up the issue of the personal and the moment as the individuals attempt to there is a great deal of cross-over, political and it is a complex and realize themselves through the sudden behaviour indicating secrecy is delicate one that many of us are ill- half-formed rites of initiation they frequently blindingly obvious and, equipped to deal with. have stumbled upon and which the added to the requirements of ego, can State has provided them by often devolve into performance and a The cost of secrecy and lies is high, criminalising every human instinct we show of strength and interpersonal requiring the use of denial, splitting have, including the instinct to be preferences amounting to little more and dissociation, both on the part of open. than a crude gang mentality. We the secret-keepers and the excluded pretend neutrality and seriousness, who may include former secret- On some level and in the absence of but compare our behaviours and our keepers. I usually think of a culture of true intimacy and emotional colour, processes with a group like the turn of secrecy as being about security: a the shadows become one another. In the twentieth century Polish anarchist necessary response to repression. But this dark mimicry, this uniformed group The Revolutionary Avengers I also have the feeling it is about escape from loneliness, from isolation, whose members were prohibited from something other than this. That the shadows become one. And are a even expressing a political opinion in without full consciousness, it can also wall against the ‘others’. their workplace so as not to jeopard- become somehow an end in itself. ise the group’s secret activities. Studies have shown that the effects of “Larson and Chastain (1990) found Perhaps they would be accused of secrecy on adults are overwhelmingly that the dispositional tendency to vanguardism, but they also have negative, leading to feelings of keep secrets, also called self- something to teach us. Often we isolation, depression and physical concealment, contributed to choose other secret-keepers because complaints (for secret-keepers and physical complaints and depression, they are attractive, desirable, have non-secret-keepers alike. A secret- above and beyond other stress status, reputation,wear the right keeper may be a gate-keeper, they are factors associated with physical clothes, read the right books, behave also the prisoner of their own knowl- and psychological problems such as in the right way, have certain connec- edge). The negative effects of a traumatic experiences or lack of tions, and because they are our culture of secrecy and gang mentality social support. Based on these friends. And we can isolate people on are blatantly visible in any politically findings, Larson and Chastain the same grounds: because we militant scene. (1990) concluded that secrecy, stopped liking them, stopped being independent of the type of secret intimate with them, because someone Interestingly, however, studies on that is kept, “exacts a price and else was more exciting, because adolescents have revealed that functions as an internal stressor” someone else has more status and secrecy can be a positive factor in the Research and theories on secrecy reputation, because we can - if we are transition between child and adult, among adults suggest that the adept at manipulating social net- between dependence and self-actuali- physical, psychological, and social works. The affinity group has its sation. If we take this as a metaphor disadvantages of secrecy may be function and its strengths, but it also for some contemporary resistance substantial.” has its drawbacks and one of those is groups, then we can understand a lack of personal-political account- secrecy as this kind of a choice. In a By it’s very nature, secrecy separates ability, a plethora of loosely con- world in which we are stripped of any the secret-keeper(s) from those kept nected groups, the members of which feelings or possibilities of self- ignorant of the secret. The secret- may or may not feel affinity or mastery, and of meaning, then a keeper is the gate-keeper. And by their responsibility towards individuals in culture of secrecy can represent not very nature must make judgements other groups, and the danger of simply a tactical necessity, but a and valuations on the qualities, leading to a lack of respectful process, psychological one. Just as the adoles- trustworthiness and desirability of the proliferation of unspoken personal cent chooses secretive behaviour to

71 individuate themselves from the The human being will struggle for our motivations and the way we act authorities in their lives – their freedom, for strength, for self-realisa- towards each other and the world at parents, teachers etc – and to begin to tion against all the odds. As adoles- large. assert themselves as different and cents we do this through the formation Because of the very informal and autonomous, it is also possible that, in of gangs, initiations, uniforms and sometimes haphazard way we stumble addition to being a response to clothing indicators and of shared into ‘militancy’, we do not always repression and the need to protect standards, identities and an arcanum come to it with full consciousness, oneself from the surveillance and peculiar to itself. Sub-cultures. These discussion, mindfulness or formal legal consequences of action, cultures hold within them the danger of being introduction. Inside or outside of the of secrecy in certain political groups inherently reactionary and in terms of secrets, there is a tendency towards are also an unconscious process political groupings, unless we want to tension in interpersonal relationships, resembling that seen in the adoles- remain tiny and reproductive of paranoia, feelings of inclusion and cent. insidious power structures, we would exclusion, lowered morale, a sense of do well to be aware of the psychologi- isolation or privilege, hierarchies and cal impact of these structures and “...secrecy is a powerful mechanism personal insecurity. It can be destruc- behaviours. in adolescent well-being and psycho- tive and paralysing. The first question social development....It independ- Living in a state of arrested develop- we need to ask is, in any other world ently contributes to adolescents’ ment is not reclaiming one’s full would this life of secrecy, essentially psychosocial well-being and ap- humanity. this way of relating to others, be what pears to be a central factor in we would choose, and if yes, why, and The three basic aims of PSYOPS adolescents’ feelings of autonomy” if not, then how can we minimise the [Psychological Operations] are to: damage done by a situation we are As these groups struggle to assert 1) Weaken the will of the forced into and rationalise the their personal and ideological enemy or adversary by process? What world do we want, and autonomy against the repressive lowering morale and what worlds are we creating now authorities of the State, the Judiciary, reducing the efficiency of because if we continue to damage the corporate-industrial world and this force through the each other in the present, at one military dominance, as they struggle creation of doubt, dissi- future point of liberation do we think “to distance and disengage them- dence and disaffection this is all miraculously going to selves from their primary caretakers within the ranks. change!? [the State and the familial, educative, 2) Reinforce the feelings of and normalised social structures] and friendly target audiences. establish boundaries between “self” 3) Gain the support and Today I cannot speak. My heart is in and “nonself” (Kaplan, 1987) and to cooperation of my mouth. I am paralysed from the “establish and consolidate their uncommitted or undecided neck up. My throat. My mouth. My capacities of self-regulation and self- audiences.” tongue. My lips. My words. My determination (e.g., Allen et al., 1994; From – Psychological Operations thoughts. There is no communication Larson et al., 1996; Steinberg and Joint Doctrine, Canadian Forces anymore. Honesty has ceased. In its Silverberg, 1986).”, these political place, there are looks, allusions, circles choose secrecy, not only as a guesses, sly smiles, gestures, people reaction, as a means to avoid detec- All cultures of secrecy come up pulling other people to one side away tion and punishment for their attacks against problems. If they are about from other people who may or may against the State but also as a means effectiveness and security, then they not be included in disclosures. I am of defining their difference, of creat- need reviewing from time to time. never sure if I have understood what ing a gang. Even the CIA acknowledged the is going on and there is no way to psychological and effective problems Repression has many faces, only one check. There is the spreading of of high levels of secrecy. One report of which is physical brutality and confusion. Security put through a even suggested that secrecy actually threats of incarceration. The other scrambler and shuffled. There is no led to insecurity and an inability to be impacts of repression and the capital- logic. There are places it is acceptable affective: non-sensitive information ist, totalitarian system in Europe is a to talk openly but they seem to be no was withheld along with top secret process of institutionalised safer than the places that aren’t. There information, leading to failures in infantilisation and dependency. From are the people that decide which is action for example, dissaffection and the very basics, that is the ability to which. There is no structure. There is unnecessary power dynamics. eat, be warm, move around, educate no clarification. There is paranoia. ourselves etc, we are dependents – When we begin to allow pathological There is confusion. There is the fear of whether we are 3 years old or 67 cultures of secrecy to develop, then if exclusion. The relief of inclusion. years old. what we are striving for is some There is power and ego. Every time I measure of human health, mutual say something I feel waves of panic. We are rarely able to realise who we respect and solidarity, self (and this Every time I open my mouth I can feel are, and our dreams and desires are also refers to the wider self of com- my face flush with fear. Every time my never free to live. This state of being rades) realisation and autonomy, then mouth closes having dropped the results in a condition of perpetual we need to be constantly vigilant as to words on the air, every time I speak to immaturity. 72 someone on the phone, every time I and a different complicity reeks cycle of dependence on the secretive press send on an email, I can feel the between us and friendship cannot unit is increased. Everything that adrenaline surge. I can no longer say cross it. troubles you about the secrets or the simplest things without these about the abusive unit cannot be I do not want to be part of the gang sensations. My tongue dries up. My talked about, leading to a greater any more. I only want to be included thoughts scatter. My mouth grows stiff sense of isolation - except with the again. There is no sense of solidarity and I close the curtain across the other secret-keepers who are the nor of affinity. There is anger and window of my eyes so that they match source of the discomfort. Cut off in impotence. There is isolation and yours. This is called mimicry, and it this way from the rest of the world in depression. There is exhaustion. There occurs subconsciously in instances of which everyone else is deemed not to is pride. There is frustration. The social exclusion as an attempt to be trusted, at times then you are led to secret-keepers’ laughter is brash with pacify or ingratiate the excluder. wonder, then what exactly are you secrets, their bodies arrogant with Every interaction is tainted with the fighting for? lies. Their eyes look everywhere but same suspicion, self-consciousness mine and, for the first time in my life, and fear as the court appearance. through prison, through arrests, For the first time in months, you ask Every friendship becomes a prison through attack, through riots, through me to turn off my phone so that we where we stand on opposites side of discussions, I have no comrades. can talk freely and my gratitude the walls. Friendship too is ceasing. makes me want to throw up. I imagined we were rebels. Instead, I What are we feeling when we are am a decades old teenager standing In research studies, it has been keeping secrets? Militant, bonded, on the edge of a schoolyard wonder- observed that people who experi- closed, awkward, confused, powerful, ing why no one will play with me any enced exclusion from groups during included, privileged, strong, paranoid, more. Across the yard is the gang I the experiment literally felt colder. stressed, exhilarated, endangered, used to be a part of. Everything is as When asked to assess the tem- deceitful, needy? How we do deal with it was. Except I am not there. I am perature of the room, they reported all these feelings, how do we live our here. On the outside. On the other the temperature on average to be lives around them? How do we keep side of the wall of the people who colder than those who had been vigilant over the myriad consequences were recently my friends, lovers, included. When asked to choose of living that kind of life and the comrades. Because I am no longer from a range of food and drink, subconscious reasons behind the considered fit. Because my lover left those who had been excluded choices we make? What is our me, because my friend left me also, overwhelmingly requested more hot relationship to others who aren’t also because I felt I had to leave the house food and hot drinks than those who secret keepers? And on what grounds we all shared and I don’t really know had been included. are we basing our choice of other where else to go and I am in a strange secret-keepers? What are we keeping country that is not where I grew up Even when I am inside the secret, even secret and when are we keeping with a language I do not speak. And when I am included, I feel discomfort. secrets simply for the form and the because I fell apart a little under the It is like being in an abusive family pleasure of it rather than the neces- strain, I am no longer considered fit where everyone outside the family is sity? for action. I have been judged by a someone to whom you cannot divulge few without due process, in secret anything important. In a world of The world of secrets is a world of conversations behind my back and secrets and lies, everyone else is the lovers, exclusive. It is intimacy and which I am not told about until I ask. I other. Everyone else is a person who complicity. It is the political and the know the signs, the looks, the constel- is not included, not trusted, not personal. To be on the outside of lations. Only none of these are desired, not privileged. Everyone else lovers like this can be torment. directed at me anymore. And what is someone to fear. Everyone else is Especially when they were once your used to seem to me as one of the not, by definition, worthy or trustwor- lovers too. To be on the inside of included as a necessary part of thy. From everyone else you are lovers like this can be torment. struggle begins to seem more like a fundamentally split off, disassociated. Especially when other lovers are on performance. A spectacle of secrecy Your conversation is grey and cum- the outside. for which one of the motivations bersome with what is not being said, I know I will find other lovers and seems to be to display to others their what cannot be said. You are too close other secrets. But I will try to do it condition of exclusion, and the and not close enough. You are differently. With respect to those that peacock fan of inclusion. And isolated and yet not isolated enough. have fought before us, with respect for suddenly, in this world of rebels who You live in a world characterised by the struggle for maturity, in full usually hold an opinion about every- anonymity, but not anonymous enough realisation of the breadths of damage thing, no one has anything to say: not, that the impact of the secrets you hold, done to us and that we do to each what happened, who decided this and and share, and the conspirators you other, we need to combine secrecy why, where are you, are you okay, do esteem, are hidden from the excluded with humanity and the strength to you have another group, how do we who might be your closest friends. constantly be vigilant of the system deal with this? The question is not The exchange with others outside the within us as much without. allowed. And although some remain secretive unit, the miniscule informal ‘friends’, the quagmire of betrayal party, is no longer free and so the ------

73 Postscript behaviours and responses you don’t understand and (practical): don’t feel comfortable or safe with, how do you I wrote “Secrets and Lies” a know they won’t do it year ago. In that year, I took when terrorised by the myself out of the political police in a more intimate scene entirely, spent time way? State repression is away from everyone and designed to divide, everything I knew and which overwelm and destroy us - I felt identified with. I reflected a lot on the what are the threads in situation and the political your life which keep your scene that prompted comrades tight? How do “Secrets and Lies”: on what you deal with each other’s my part was in it all, as well weaknesses and limita- as what other people’s part tions as well as strengths? the need to be clear about what others was. We are of course all within our Who do you have affinity with and on think and where you stand, agree who it rights to decide we no longer want to what grounds? work with someone and we have to is ok to talk about it with. You might have to take the initiative as others learn how to deal with this from both Be discerning about secrecy: Is it might be embarrassed, unsure whether the position of excluder and excluded at really necessary or is it about something it’s okay to talk about it, or prefer to some point, so these are just a few else e.g. power and ego trip? thoughts about things that could have stick their heads in the sand. If possible, safely get someone from an been done better in such a situation. Do not dismiss power dynamics: affiliated affinity group or another People can be in stronger and weaker outside agreed trusted person to be an When the relationship between me and positions at a given time, and if ear. Patterns of abuse and power thrive my comrade began to disintegrate, we someone seems to be or feels them- in closed groups (nuclear family units did talk things through regularly and an selves to be in a much weaker position for example). Also, be cautious of attempt was made to keep doing for whatever reason, try and understand working with couples or at least be very projects together, just not highly why and consider cutting them some sure that you all can deal with it. On a ‘sensitive’ ones. In this way, we slack. attempted to rebuild our trust, confi- long term security basis, be careful with each other and how you behave. All of dence and knowledge of each other. I We are not robots: The personal and us think and hope our friends and recommend this, even though in this political are not always so easily ourselves wouldn’t talk, but looking instance it didn’t work. detached, especially in groups/scenes over the Atlantic at the repression based on affinity and informality. against the ELF/ALF in the USA, Do not assume neutrality: If you need However, we are all different. Some known as the “Greenscare”, it shows to seek advice in an emotionally fraught people need to be more accepting of the that you don’t know how people and situation with lots of characters, think emotional and others need to learn to situations can change, to the extent about the relationships involved and manage their emotions better. If you where former comrades are willing to also the kind of values and judgements know you are an ‘emotional person’, sell out their friends and loved ones to you are giving to certain kinds of prone to insecurity, jealousy, pride and prevent long jail terms. behaviours/responses over others (i.e. other deadly sins, then you need to be manipulative and/or exploitative ones) responsible for keeping on top of this When, if, the police suddenly come on in the choices you are making. Be as and making sure situations are dealt top and drag you off to a cell on your open as safely possible with the with before they explode. If you are not own and tell you that so-and-so said this excluded person and acknowledge the an ‘emotional person’, it is probably about you or talked or whatever, your impact of their exclusion. Unless there best not to deny that this exists in others past experience of people and their is a very good reason not to, inform the as this will mean lots of issues are behaviour will affect how effective the excluded person of any discussions had brushed under the carpet only to come state’s psychological warfare is. If about them or even better allow them to out later. Interpersonal problems like the someone has dropped you or a good be present so that they can participate in one I experienced are part of the friend and comrade suddenly or gone the decision-making and challenge rebellion: a chance to create/experiment behind your back before or you have things if they need to. To exclude with new social relationships and to see witnessed them going behind someone someone from action is hard to do and how the system plays itself out through else’s, under great pressure, how do you to be excluded and then left feeling us in our behaviours and dynamics. If know they won’t do the same with the stranded in a situation that is fraught we look at all these things with courage cops? How do you know you won’t with security issues is irresponsible, not we can deepen our rebellion and fight doubt them? only for emotional well-being but also longer and stronger. for everyone’s security. Similarly, if you have witnessed a Good luck, take care of yourselves and comrade crumble under the pressure of If you are excluded and feel you need to each other, and don’t get caught! communicate over the closure including the struggle during their life and exhibit

74 WE WANT TO WATCH SHINING STARS...

A net serves to capture and to immobilize life, to assas- sinate or to enslave. The centralised electrical network is no different: the dependency that ‘progress’ and ‘freedom’ imposes on us is a disguised form of slavery, the production and consumption of energy bring about disease and death.

“Necessities” of electrical energy are Outside the place of work: widespread the existent; As well, the invention of the not, perhaps, needs induced by the poisoning, democratic, generous. ‘Holiday’ a little more of a century ago system? has not been, will not been able and It is the electrical mains that allows the could never be more than a simple What are these famous benefits which operation of the industrial estates, the outlet of relief (also fed by electricity) to we enjoy thanks to the electrical energy production and transport of unneces- maintain in such a way the pacifist and and to its omnipresent network? sary consumer goods and commodities, productive slaves. raw materials often from destinations The alarm that shortens the sleep and subject to predatory wars and those To take apart this electrical network - mutilates our dreams, announcing the masked as religious/regional/ethnic comprised of slavery and death - is to sentence of another day of forced work? conflicts. attack the basis of the system.

The radio that indoctrinates our While still alive it is the same network In fact, electrical energy serves to unconscious while we have breakfast that maintains state and international maintain this technological society. quickly, shaken by the thought to arrive apparatuses, the bureaucracies and behind schedule, to make rage - accord- their ramifications, the systems of We have the sun, we have the fire... ing to the case - to the landlord or the communication, the banks, the factories, professor? the laboratories, the schools and the Certainly, a revolution will not be devoid other means of propaganda... of pain, but, against the impossibility of The metro, the trams, the “ecological” an “improved” system founded on the electrical buses or the trains that The same electrical energy that feeds dominion and death, does there exist a transport us to and drag towards the the repression originating from the more effective alternative? places of operation and imprisonment police stations and their computer that to us are like rolling floors in an science systems, criminal archives, We want to watch shining stars, enormous slaughter house? databases etc. throughout.

The traffic lights that regulate and limit The same that illuminates the class- And if this year really must have a our displacements, in cars or walking? rooms of the courts, that powers the Christmas tree, it will be illuminated like metal detectors and so on. The same the one of the parliament square in The video cameras that, like an army of energy that helps to keep the undesired Athens. gargoyles, watch each of our move- inmates in the jails, the detention ments and try to induce the fear in us to centres for immigrants or the psychiat- Until soon... act to maintain the status quo? ric hospitals... Some enemies of the electrical This electrical network is consecrated in Meanwhile, being part of the “fortunate” network the passage from the medieval Chris- means you are automatically imprisoned tian-centric universe, to an anthropocen- in other knots of the electrical network: Iberian Peninsula tric renaissance, to the now total supermarkets, stores, gyms, places of dehumanizing and life-destroying techno- “art” and “culture”, restaurants, bars, For a hot summer of 2009 centric present. discotheques - all equal in maintaining the illusion of “life”, day and night, whilst Do we simply need to put a stop to the for many there is still a uncomfortable benefits of the existence and expansion conscious feeling deep down inside that of industry? something is not well.

We die working, in the same place of The sensation of a life lived is cleaned slavery, or die later in slow agony neither with a shower one warms up nor because of the diseases generated by with an immersion into the dusk of the work (without forgetting about the spirit sparkling waters of the television. squashed by submission or the neckties that, dividing the head from the body, There is no Playstation (and no other chokes until death). drug) that will solve our malaise against

75 who have gone into clanestinity in the Halandri hideout. More arrests are likely to follow and also the police speak to the media increasingly about the likelihood of the ‘fugitives’ hiding in the Universities or the squats, preparing the ground for the repression to come. These sweeps are part of the overall attack against all those who wanted a different outcome to the December insurrection, those who will not stop fighting until the government is overthrown and the people themselves decide their future, without exploitation, without racism, without fascism. This is the way that we will prepare for ourselves a different outcome, with conflict and self- organisation, and with our strengthened solidarity of revolutionary impulse, with which we hope to free our comrades and break all jails, borders and houses of law forever. The Greek rebellion needs fuel for the fire, spread and fan the flames of revolt UK - 1 in 78 people under surveillance anarchist movement, the media has and insurgence. Source: Various by the government. More than 500,000 intensified its propaganda to the desires of requests to access phone and e-mail the bosses, fascists and police. Four records were made in 2008, a report by young comrades up to 21 years old are the Interception of Communications already in detention and another 6 have Italy – More details about the anarchist Commissioner showed. An average of gone into clandestinity at the time of witch hunt in Central Italy. New wave of about 1,500 surveillance requests were writing. They are accused of being repression against anarchists. On July 3 made every day in Britain last year, members of “Conspiracy of Cells of Fire – 2009 Operation “Shadow” brought two according to figures which have emerged Nihilist Splinter”. The attorney general comrades to prison and made another 40 from an annual report by information issued an order allowing for the house searches against “anarchist- commissioner Sir Paul publication of the insurrectionalists”. Two anarchist Kennedy. That is the names and comrades from Perugia, Sergio and annual equivalent to photographs of the Alessandro, were arrested and accused of one in every 78 adults four arrested, who “complicity in attacks on transport safety, being targeted. deny all charges. exacerbated by the purposes of terrorism Although slightly The names of the and subversion of democracy”. The down on 2007, the comrades on the comrades have been allegedly stopped in total number of run have also been a stolen car while about to place hook- requests last year was released. The claws onto the train-line Ancona-Orte, the up by more than 40% charges they face incident apparently happened in March on 2006. It included include 2008. . They were also charged with 1,500 approved applications from local participating in bomb attacks, membership article 270 bis (conspiracy or subversive councils. Senior officials within these and in a criminal organization and the illegal association for terrorist purpose). The other public authorities have the power to possession of explosives and chiefly house of another 40 anarchists were also authorise surveillance. Among widely concern two attacks – one on the Kolonaki searched, some were put under reported examples of the use of home of opposition PASOK deputy Louka investigation, others were already being surveillance powers, In Bury, Greater Katseli on Wednesday and another in July investigated for “organizing and Manchester, the council used secretly that targeted the home of former Deputy participating in a subversive inspiration filmed footage to justify the sacking of Interior Minister Panayiotis Hinofotis in anarcho-insurrectional devoted to the three refuse collectors it accused of Palaio Faliro. No one was harmed in the completion of criminal activity for the collecting 2 bags of trade waste - and attacks. The attack on Hinofotis, for which purposes of terrorism and subversion of accepting a bottle of strawberry-flavoured ‘Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire’ claimed democracy”. Many of them had been fizzy drink in payment. A survey of councils responsibility at the time, was carried out raided already in the past 18 of February in last year uncovered the widespread use of using a bomb planted in a cooking pot, relation to a FAI {Informal Anarchist covert surveillance to combat littering, fly- almost identical to a device used in the Federation} attack from 2007), mostly in tipping and dog-fouling. The sheer number attack on Katseli’s home and another, Lazio, Umbria, Piemonte and Abruzzo. and nature of these operations carried out intact, device was discovered by police at ROS, the infamous special investigations by the police and security services is the suspected ‘safe’ house in the Athens department from the Carabinieri, is like daunting. It cannot be a ‘sane’ justified district of Halandri which the group is usual, the main head of the operation. In a response to the economic problems faced believed to have used. As police forensic display of their obviously theatrical in this country that the state is spying on experts continue to examine explosives temperament, the ROS presented to the half a million people a year. Britain is a and documents found at the Halandri media, via the investigation coordinated by surveillance state. Source : Various property, police sources said that they the Public Prosecutor’s office in Perugia, believed the group had maintained a the ‘clandestine manual’ “To each his own. second hideout in the district of Galatsi, 1000 ways to sabotage this world.” One Greece - Anti-terror raids against which was also raided. It is thought that of the state attorneys at the head of the suspected members of the ‘Conspiracy the bomb used in the attack on Katseli’s th inquiry is well known as the one who of Cells of Fire’. On the 24 of home was manufactured at the Galatsi brought 5 comrades in prison 2 years ago September two suspected ‘safe’ houses property, as police had been monitoring in relation to their alleged “membership” in used by the prolific subversive group the Halandri residence for several weeks. the FAI (the so-called Operation ‘Conspiracy of Cells of Fire’ took place. In Police said that they had found the “Brushwood”, the trial of which is taking a repressive move aimed at the whole fingerprints of all the wanted six suspects place right now in Terni, Umbria, and is

76 falling apart, since the cops cannot really happened to him in the past’. Two UK - Spy-in-sky patrols over British give “secure” information about deeds episodes in particular affected very badly cities in hunt for Taliban fighters. MI5 is committed and the relation of the accused Francesco’s relationship with the armed using a fleet of sophisticated surveillance people to those others) and the rest is forces. The first episode occurred on July aircraft to maintain spy patrols on British done by the Rome state prosecution. 7 1972, when young anarchist Francesco cities. One reason which has been There has been already a widespread TV Mastrogiovanni was involved in a fight reported for the surveillance flights is spectacle about their arrests with pictures against a group of fascists who, armed named as the search for unidentified and videos taken by the cops while with knives, had attacked him and another Britons who the government believes following them. The addresses of Sergio two comrades. During the fight a fascist fought alongside the Taliban in and Alessandro: was killed with his own knife by one of the Afghanistan. The manhunt has been comrades. Francesco was wounded but ordered because it is feared the fighters later acquitted, whereas the comrade may have returned home to plot attacks in Sergio Maria Stefani involved in the killing was sentenced to the UK. Planes with eavesdropping Alessandro Settepani nine years. The second episode equipment are now flying over British happened in 1999, when Francesco was cities searching for returning Afghan via casale 50/a arrested and accused of resistance to fighters. They are attempting to identify public official only because he was suspects using ‘voice prints’ of fighters San. Michele (AL) challenging a fine. On the occasion he with British accents picked up by RAF Italy was severely beaten by the cops and Nimrod spy planes monitoring Taliban sentenced to three years thanks to a battlefield radio signals. This comes after a frame-up orchestrated by the cops. Three former SAS commander in Afghanistan years later he was completely acquitted on confirmed that British Muslim extremists Italy - In Salerno Francesco has been the appeal trial, but the time spent under were actively supporting Taliban and Al murdered by psychiatrists and cops. house arrest, the beating and the Qaeda attacks on British troops. He said Francesco Mastrogiovanni has died tied to continuous harassment by the cops there was also evidence that these people a bed in the psychiatric section of the San marked him for ever. He became were then returning home to plot further Luca di Vallo hospital near Salerno at 7:20 traumatised by the mere presence of attacks in the UK. Brigadier Ed Butler on Tuesday August 4 2009. A 58 years police officers: once he abandoned his car warned: “There is a link between old primary school teacher, he was known with the engine on and run towards the Kandahar and urban conurbations in the to his pupils as ‘the tallest teacher in the countryside after watching cops regulating UK.”. The real reason there is a link world’. His height of 1.90 metres didn’t go the traffic during a religious procession; between Kandahar, Afghanistan, and the unnoticed as it is unusual in people another time he was found bleeding in inner city urban estates of the United coming from his area. He was also known brambles where he had taken refuge after Kingdom has less to do with Islamic for his kind attitude especially towards spotting a police patrol. But Francesco extremism, and much more to do with children. On the morning of July 31 a had succeeded to get over his trauma by militaristic contingency and exploitation. In massive deployment of armed Carabinieri becoming an excellent primary school 2008 it was revealed that West Midlands surrounded the house where Francesco teacher and, even if he was occasionally Police had used the aircraft, which can was spending his holiday in the Club under psychiatric treatment, he was about monitor wireless computer and mobile- Costa Cilento tourist resort in the to put an end to it. On the morning of his phone communication and radio, to track Basilicata region, southern Italy. Such a arrest, as he was being taken on the suspects connected to the alleged plot to deployment, which would make think of ambulance, Francesco said to a woman kidnap and behead a British Muslim the arrest of some big Camorra boss, was working in the tourist resort: ‘If they take soldier. Government sources have never carried out in execution of a TSO order, a me to the Vallo hospital I’m sure I won’t officially confirmed that the three Britten- compulsory sanitary treatment order that get out of there alive’. And this is exactly Norman Islander aircraft based at RAF establishes when a person needs what happened. As he was hospitalised Northolt in West London are being used psychiatric treatment following not well- on July 31, Francesco resulted positive to for covert surveillance by MI5. The Islander defined ‘behaviour abnormalities’. Sadly, in cannabis and was tied to a bed for four aircraft’s role with the Security Service a country governed by fascists such as days. The episode does not appear in any was seemingly confirmed by a photograph, Italy, recourses to TSO are quite common medical report but has been witnessed by obtained by the mainstream media, of an in order to eliminate all possible relatives and proved by the result of the MI5 surveillance officer, Steven Lanham, expressions of ‘abnormality’. It is not known autopsy. The death is said to be due to who died on duty in 1999, dressed in a why Francesco was subjected to the pulmonary emphysema. Seven doctors in flying suit alongside one of the aircraft. The order. The cops said that a few days charge at the psychiatric unit of the Islander aircraft regularly patrol the skies earlier he had been seen driving on the hospital are under investigation but their over Birmingham and Coventry, Leicester, wrong side of the road and running into vicissitudes do not really interest us. At the West Yorkshire and the bordering Greater four parked cars. But Francesco was very best they will be prosecuted by the Manchester areas, flying at between never charged following the incident nor same system that ruin people’s life with 12,000ft and 15,000ft. They can be seen has anyone reported it. So why was his forced psychiatric treatments. Francesco, constantly flying over the housing estates house raided that way? Francesco himself ‘the tallest teacher in the world’, yet and urban areas and have become quite a didn’t know. In fact, at the sight of the another victim of the TSO, is now dead. noticeable feature in the sky with their low- cops outside his house he panicked, Source: Informa-azione.info noise engines. ‘Traffic’ intercepted by the jumped out of the window, started running equipment on board is analysed and through the village and eventually dove processed, probably at the GCHQ spy into the sea. At that point the centre in Cheltenham, searching for coastal guard warned the voice matches with those overheard bathers through a loudspeaker : in the Afghan war zone. Voices heard ‘Man hunt under way’. The cops in Afghanistan and the suspect tried to capture Francesco for voices in the UK are computer- almost three hours. By the time analysed looking for a match. It is he was taken Francesco was understood that, in some cases, it completely out of control. ‘This has been possible to determine the was inevitable’, his brother-in-law true identities of the Taliban fighters explains ‘considering what from the UK. Government sources

77 Autonomous Movement)“. Some of them are accused of “transport and possession of explosive or incediary products”, others of ”attempt at destruction of property”. Bruno and Ivan made four months and half of prison (into preventive, from mid-January at the beginning of June 2008) and were placed thereafter under judicial control. Farid made a little more than four months of prison, into preventive also, from mid- January at the end of May 2008, and was put back into prison on March 11, then released on May 7, 2009 with a more strict judicial control still. Bruno decided, at the beginning of July 2008, to withdraw itself from this control and is always in escape. Ivan made a similar decision, in March 2009. Isa, also imprisoned in January 2008, was released under judicial control on February 10, 2009, after more than one year of prison. Her brother, Juan, was imprisoned June 2008 and was released eleven months later, on May 25, 2009. refuse to directly discuss MI5 surveillance that he could escape the country before Damien, imprisoned in mid-August 2008, methods but this information is frequently trial. As his comrade Alex, he serves as was released, under judicial control, on leaked via the media during legal example in Berlin to warn potential March 27, 2009. Source : Various processes, investigations and trials. One arsonists about the possible of the main reasons the British State consequences of their action: to sit wishes to keep covertly gathered without even the trace of a “legal proof”. information secret and out-of-court is to Italy - Arrests against alleged New Red protect the methods used to gather the Christoph Teitge Brigades G8 attack suspects. In the evidence. Source : Various JVA Moabit usual media operation due before every anti-G8 exercise, Italian police have Alt Moabit 12A arrested 9 people on suspicion of planning 10559 Berlin an attack on the G8 summit in L’Aquila 8- Germany - Arrests in Berlin for car Germany 10 July. The area was badly damaged in burning during the autonomous days of an earthquake that shook the central action. During the end of the weekend a region in April, leaving some 60,000 Niels Veldhoen, who is from Holland was person got arrested in Friedrichshain people homeless. Among those arrested also arrested and imprisoned in Berlin (district of Berlin) because of torching a was Ernesto Morlacchi, son of one of the since the action days awaiting trial. He car. Some plain-clothed cops saw a founders of the Red Brigades. The was arrested with another comrade and person next a luxury car, when they made a suspects were detained in several cities accused of having set an expensive car round in their car, as they came back they and accused of criminal association for the alight in the district of Kreuzberg. Niels saw a fire burning. They put it out and purposes of terrorism and possessing was released due to lack of evidence, the made a search for the person. Some weapons. Also among those reportedly streets away they arrested a 21-years old prosecution will appeal the decision. arrested was Luigi Fallico, who was close girl and took her to the police station. The to the terrorist group the Red Brigades in next day she came out, because the cops the 1970s and accused of wanting to Niels Veldhoen (Stop Press-Released) did not actually see her starting the fire resume an armed struggle. Material seized directly, but the press fume with rage JVA Moabit included a bomb in searches carried out in about the release because it was the first Alt-Moabit 12a Rome, Milan and Genoa following a two- year investigation. The probe began two arrested person after more than 120 10550 Berlin burned cars this year. So after some time years ago when the summit was set to be the cops arrested her again, today there Germany held at the Sardinian island of La was the arraignment and now she is in Maddalena. Five are in custody while a custody before trial, her name is Alex. sixth is a minor and was placed under France - The alleged “French Anarchist- house arrest. Source : Various Alexandra Remus Autonomous Movement” & Tarnac “Invisible Cell” repression. In the JVA fur Frauen situation of the Paris-suburbs and of Arkonastrasse 56 Tarnac, no more accused are in prison: all France - Terrible accident leads to anti- terror investigation. 13189 Berlin are outside and subjected to very strict In the night of the 1st juidicial controls, but two of them have May in Cognin near Chambery, two French Germany gone on into clandestinity. No date of trial comrades, Zoe, 24, and Mickael, were for the moment is fixed. Bruno, Ivan, Isa, severely injured whilst experimenting with Another comrade, Christoph, sits in Farid, Juan and Damien [Isa, Farid and various chemicals that are potentially pretrial detention accused of having burnt Juan are pseudonyms, these three people explosive. Zoe died, and Mickael is a luxury car during a squatting action in wishing to keep anonymity] were currently in a coma with police and media Berlin while the action days for successively imprisoned, put in eagerly awaiting. On the 4th May, the autonomous spaces were taking place in examination for “criminal association with nearby squat Les Pilots was raided by 130 June. Arrested and released to begin with, a terrorist enterprise” joined together cops including anti-terror units, who he has been kidnapped and placed again within a group invented by the police arrested 11 people inside. Raphael is still in jail a few weeks later because of the risk force: the “MAAF (French Anarchist- in custody for alleged connections to the 78 two in Cognin, and is being held in Paris. Alfonso - 14 July marked the first political themselves activists abandoned prison A support committee has been found a demo outside Barcelona’s Ciutat Judicial, support which is the most basic part of a first solidarity demonstration in Chambery the new mega-complex for trials and other movement. We will remember this lesson drew 200 people. Source : crap like that. A Barcelona squatter, and prepare for a new advance. www.lesinculpes.over-blog.com Alfonso, went to trial for breaking a cop’s Yamamoto-san does not speak any nose at a demonstration in which the language but Japanese, so please send police were viciously attacking the crowd any mail to the FWF/ABC Osaka and it with the kubotan, an illegal crowd control will be translated and sent to him. People Barcelona - Update about the situation weapon. Legally they had a very strong wanting to contact Yamamoto-san of Nuria and Alfonso. After four years of case against Alfonso, a video recording (Nickname of Urata Keisuke) in prison repression since the Mossos d’Esquadra with his face on it, the comrade was understanding Japanese may contact him : (Catalan Police) initiated a comprehensive sentenced to 3 years in prison and a fine repressive attack against the anarchist and of 5000 euros. The support campaign has Hyogo-ken Kagogawa shi Kagogawa-cho anti-system movement in Barcelona and been interesting because it has focused Ooya 1530 Kagogawa Keimusho (Japan) across Catalonia, in the streets since May, on delegitimizing the police tactics, Name: Urata Keisuke there has been a marked increase in a challenging police attempts to win certain type of solidarity action. There themselves a new crowd control weapon, were at least four actions in broad daylight and making the police attack on the 530-0016 ABC OSAKA/FWF in Barcelona in solidarity with Amadeu and demonstrators the major focus. They’ve Osaka-shi Kita-ku Nakazaki-cho 3-3-1-402 made lots of protests and lots posters, Joaquin Garces (the latter recently won his Jiyuu Roudousha Rengou (Japan) lawsuit and will be released from prison). stickers, articles, expositions, and These actions included medium-sized presentations, all focused on spreading groups taking to the streets for a short information about evolving police [email protected] period of time, constructing a barricade on repressive tactics, and trying to build a large street and setting it on fire, locking popular support against these tactics. construction fences together across a Source : ABC large street and puncturing the tires of two Italy - Solidarity with the Torre Maura police motos that happened to be parked squat. 17 years of self-management nearby, throwing paint-bombs at a tourist without any compromise with the bus, and smashing the windows of two Japan - Communique from the Free institutions. Torre Maura squat was born in banks. In most cases the actions were Worker’s Federation & ABC Osaka. This Rome in 1992. 17 years of struggle and accompanied by flyers, and the barricades Monday July 6th at 3 pm, as observers events of all sorts, which have always were accompanied by banners. This crowded the Osaka municipal court, been extraneous to any form of dialogue seems like the beginning of a reversal of another protestable sentence was handed with the authority. On the contrary, Torre the tactical pacification of the movement in down. Last year, Osaka bore witness to Maura is one of the few Italian squats that Barcelona evidenced over the last several Kamagaski’s June resistance struggle absolutely refuse the infamous practise of legalisation of occupied spaces; a practise years. which lasted five days starting from June 13th and involved Kamagasaki day which has been unfortunately adopted by workers aggressively standing up to a a number of so-called ‘social centres’, now Nuria - On July 13, Nuria Portales went to state- sponsored gang, the Nishinari run thanks to the financial help of local trial in Madrid for terrorism related police force. One worker arrested on the councils. This means that all potentialities charges- being part of an “armed group.” 14th, Hiroshi Naruse, was accused of of subversion of the system are She is very active in prisoner support, and stealing the shield of a riot policeman and suppressed. For subversion can only come before her arrest in Girona (Catalonia) she for this given 8 months in prison and 3 when occupied spaces are really self- was supporting her comrade Juan years parole. Absurdly, the court referred managed and stand against politicians (no Sorroche who had previously been to this as leniency. Naruse was beaten matter their colour), institutions, arrested by Spanish police and sent back badly inside the Nishinari police governmental and non-governmental to Italy to serve out a prison sentence department and made to sign a organisations. Torre Maura is a truly self- there. People went from all over Catalonia ‘confession’. However, thanks to the managed squat, always on the front line in and other parts to the trial to hold a efforts and support of his lawyers Shisen the struggle against this system of death support rally, which was attacked by and Nakamichi, Naruse resolved that and exploitation, always engaged in police without provocation. 6 people were “police violence is not just my problem, activities of liberation and of solidarity arrested and many beaten. This isn’t to say but was a problem and will remain a towards those hit by repression. Torre anything bad about provocation, only that problem” and therefore that he would Maura itself has been the target for no one was expecting that. The state has a “fight this to the end”. His trial lasted for a repression on many occasions. The latest lot of political capital invested in this trial, year, in which he was able to demonstrate episode occurred a few months ago, as reflected also by all the importance the clear proof of wounds sustained in the the Carabinieri raided the squat and cut media gave it. It seems the state has not police interrogation rooms. Despite this, the electricity supply. This has not quite succeeded in applying a full terrorist the police, prosecutor and the courts, i.e. stopped the Torre Maura squatters’ aura of fear to Catalan anarchists like they the justice system ensured a sentence in projects of revolt and self-management. have with Basque independentistas— the which this evidence was covered up. How They now rely on a generator but need our newspapers largely had a mocking tone far will state power debase those who help to sort out their electricity problem in rather than a fearful one. Nuria was found stand up and resist it, and commit injustice a more efficient way. That’s why we held a guilty and condemned to two and a half as if it were perfectly natural... However, benefit that will help to install solar panels years of prison. It’s a bit of a shock, we will protect the repressed and prepare on the roofs of the squat and will also consider the prosecution had such a weak new struggles together with our contribute towards the legal expenses case, but apparently the defence lawyer is imprisoned comrades Yamamoto, and related to the recent raid. Solidarity to still confident that they’ll win on appeal to others recently released/put on probation. Torre Maura! Against the legalisation of the supreme tribunal. Nuria is out of prison We will also remember the roles played by occupied spaces : self-management and awaiting the decision on the appeal. many Marxist activists who served as revolt! Source : Anarchist Punx extinguishers of the rage of the workers who stood up during this struggle, and the fact that these weak people who call

79 UK - Ronnie Easterbrook died on 21st if April 2008 ELF claimed killed 85 people, including two British hunger strike 10th May. Ronnie responsibility for three actions in Almhult/ tourists, Catherine Mitchell and John Easterbrook was convicted in 1988 for the Sweden. A communication tower Koplinski, and left over 200 wounded. It attempted murder of a policeman during connected to the Department of Defence was the biggest postwar terrorist attack in an armed robbery that was set up by the infrastructure was sabotaged with a fire- Europe. Fiore became an MEP after police and a police informant. The only bomb, a building crane in a urban-sprawl- Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of person who died was his fellow would-be project was sabotaged and a logging the Italian fascist dictator, resigned her robber who was shot dead by the police. truck got its security ropes and hydraulic seat to take up a post in the Italian Police had lain in wait, with a TV camera cables disabled. Nearly at the same time government. He has been a friend, crew in-tow and ambushed the gang. The another ELF-cell has claimed responsibility financial supporter and political mentor to man shot dead by the Police, Tony Ash, for destroying a new luxury villa under BNP leader Nick Griffin since 1980, when was unarmed and already surrendering to construction in the forest by arson. This Fiore arrived in Britain on the run from them. Ronnie campaigned relentlessly action Jonatan was accused of, too. But justice in Italy. Fiore helped Griffin run the since then for his conviction to be the case was dropped. Especially when National Front “political soldiers”, overturned, refusing to become involved in comrades take action on their own, described at the time as a “proto-terrorist applications for parole or early release. He without a group or community around organisation”. When the political soldiers had wanted to mount a political defence at them and are faced with repression its collapsed, they went on to found a new his trial, arguing that the infamous ‘shoot more important then ever to show them fascist group, the International Third to kill’ policy adopted by the British state that they are not alone! In this and other Position. Alongside his political activities in Northern Ireland had then been taken cases, for example in the case of Michel Fiore amassed a huge fortune through up by the Met. Police in pursuit of criminal Sykes, a 17 year old North American business interests in London gangs. His barrister at the time refused to anarchist comrade sentenced for different (“EasyLondon”) and later around the follow his instructions so he was forced to ELF actions against urban sprawl to up to world. They included operating as a slum defend himself in court, without legal 10 years in prison, we have to be there, landlord and exploiting people brought in representation. Although he wanted to not just waiting on the outside. We have to from eastern Europe, Italy and Spain, focus on police tactics as part of his show that attacks by the state wont crush whom he passed on to gang masters to defence the request was refused on the our ideas and break us. It just gives us work on the land and in food processing grounds that a political defence was not more rage and strength! But solidarity is plants. Source : IMC permitted. Handed down a Life sentence not just mutual aid! Solidarity is a way to (originally with a whole-life tariff, itself be a partner in struggle and crime, a way highly unusual given the circumstances of of showing your happiness about an his case), Ronnie held one of the longest action and deep affinity with a hostage of Italy - Once Again: Fire to all dirty protests in the British prison system the state. Its not just about giving a Immigration Detention Centres. After the and undertook a 60 day hunger strike 10 comrade infrastructural help. Its about fire in the immigration detention centre of years ago to try to force the authorities to showing the incarcerated that she/he is Lampedusa in February, protests and review his case. At 78 years old and after not alone and that her/his struggle was hunger strikes are taking place in similar 20 years fighting the system, this hunger just the beginning and will be continued centres in Turin, Bologna, Bari and strike was to be his final act of resistance on the outside. Build up Revolutionary Gradisca d’Isonzo. Migrants in the to the unfair trial and unjust treatment he Solidarity! Let us make the time in prison detention centre of Bari (Puglia region, had received. Those who knew and for Jonatan and all the others as short as southern Italy) have been on hunger strike corresponded with Ronnie will miss him possible and fight for the freedom of all for a week and some of them have sewn and against every kind of oppression! For greatly. Source : Brighton ABC their mouths. On March 14 a social war, anarchy and total freedom! demonstration in solidarity to the migrants Information and contact: in struggle was held outside the centre of Bari, which is strategically placed in the extreme outskirts of the town so that any Sweden - Solidarity with Swedish noprisonnostate.blogsport.de anarchist Jonatan. On the 14th of contact with the outside is almost supportmichael.wordpress.com October 2008 the Swedish secret police impossible. Meantime the good citizens of SAPO raided 3 houses in different places [email protected] Bari appeared totally indifferent to the migrants’ struggle and the local press also in Sweden. They arrested the green [email protected] | anarchist Jonatan and took different tools, ignored what was going on in the political pamphlets, his computer and detention centre. After the demo, the other personal stuff with them. After two comrades moved to a busy shopping area months in custody he had his trial and was of the town in order to inform people about UK - British National Party links with the hunger strike in the detention centre. sentenced to about 15 Months in Prison, international extreme-right groups. which he begins in October ‘09. He is They unfolded a banner and started Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the distributing leaflets. After a short while the accused of three ELF-Actions. British National Party has spoken at an metropolitan police intervened and international fascist rally alongside a man ordered the comrades to stop the “Urban Sprawl is the destruction of the convicted of a terrorism offence and a gathering because no permission had natural world in order to expand the cities convicted Holocaust denier. Simon Darby been requested for holding the demo. As according to the ever-increasing mode of claims he addressed a 400-strong the comrades refused to hand in their development and progress. Middle class audience in Milan, 5 April. Representatives banner and leaflets, a fight followed. Five villas, luxury mansions and industry are of extreme-right parties from Germany, comrades were taken to the police station. threatening wildlife and endangered France, Romania, Hungary took part in the Two were released in the evening and species, as this is present on a global meeting. The meeting was organised by three were kept in custody and accused of scale, in every major or minor city, it is a Forza Nuova, whose leader Roberto Fiore, violence and resistance to public officials. threat to the continuation of life in this was convicted in Italy in 1985 for Their trial is due on March 18. Needless to planet. It must be therefore be met with “subversive association” for his say that we despise those who assault no-compromising resistance! It must be involvement in the Armed Revolutionary and arrest for a simple distribution of destroyed!” Jonatan. Nuclei. Two members of that organisation leaflets and who prevent all kinds of were convicted for the Bologna railway information that do not follow the regime station bombing in August 1980 which On the night between the 20th and the propaganda, whereas in the concentration

80 camp of the same town migrants arrested inside the centre (rotten food, very poor want to be weighted every day. As the without reasons have been on hunger standards of hygiene, continuous abuse doctor of the detention centre refuses to strike for days and some of them have and mistreatment) and against a new law satisfy their request, the immigrants keep sewn their mouths. A society based on of the Berlusconi’s government that on the protest for one hour and a half until bureaucracy, ignorance, indifference and extends to six months the minimum term of a nurse intervenes to weight all prisoners. racism deserves all our hatred and must detention in immigration centres. No On their part the immigrants detained in be attacked! Solidarity to the migrants, to sooner have the immigrants reached the the centre of Turin are on their second day our comrades and to all the prisoners in roofs than the police intervene in great of hunger strike and are determined to join struggle! Hatred to the defenders of the numbers. The cops surround the the Via Corelli prisoners’ protest. law! immigrants and start beating them with Immigrants detained in the centres of truncheons. An immigrant suffers serious Rome and Gradisca also join the protest. injuries to the head and is taken away by Two elements have emerged in the space February 18 2009. Three hundred an ambulance. One hour later the of one week in the world of Italian Tunisians detained in a detention centre prisoners are taken back to the dormitories immigration detention centres: on one on the isle of Lampedusa (Sicily) revolt where police and Carabinieri (military hand evasion, an individual and habitual against the deportation of about one police) keep on beating them. The practice that has turned into a moment of hundred compatriots. A fire set by the immigrants, however, declare that the collective struggle claimed with pride even prisoners in revolt destroys the building protest will go on and call on all anti- by those who didn’t succeed; on the other and causes a number of injured among the racists in Milan to support their struggle the coordination of the struggle of immigrants, the cops intervened to against a system that locks them up only immigrants detained in centres hundreds suppress the revolt and the fire brigade. because they don’t have a stay permit. of kilometres distant from one another. Everybody’s freedom is under threat as Source : Anarchists from Trento and long as there exist places like Via Corelli Rovereto February 19 2009. Twenty-seven and racist laws that allow the State to Tunisians previously detained in the centre imprison people because of their place of of Lampedusa are moved to the detention origin, people who risked their life to cross Turkey - Istanbul facial recognition centre of Corso Brunelleschi in Turin. All the Mediterranean Sea only to be inflicted the women locked up in that centre are tracking system goes live. Istanbul’s freed to make room for the new arrivals. racist violence by the Italian democracy. popular (and crowded) Istiklal shopping, The twenty-seven, some of them wounded, cafe, and restaurant street is being start a hunger strike, and the other Turin, April 6 2009. Twenty immigrants try outfitted with 64 wirelessly controlled, prisoners of the centre join the protest. to escape from the Corso Brunelleschi tamper-proof face-recognition cameras Dozens of anarchists and anti-racists immigration detention centre in Turin but attached to a computer system capable of gather outside Corso Brunelleschi in order are soon recaptured and severely beaten. scanning 15,000 faces per second in a to give solidarity to the immigrants in Some of them end up in hospital. The moving crowd for a positive match. 3 revolt. The demonstrators shout, play loud Italian Red Cross, which is involved in the cameras are in place so far and that if music and launch firecrackers management of the detention centre, trials are successful, this will mark the first encouraging the prisoners to throw the refuse to distribute food as a form of time such a system, previously used by rubbish skips in the courtyard. The voices punishment addressed to all the Scotland Yard and normally reserved for of the protest inside the immigration prison indoor security use, will be put to use in a immigrants. are broadcast all over Turin through the public outdoor setting. It also notes that microphones of Black Out radio. The each camera controlled by the system is prisoners tell their stories of absurd April 8 2009: Four immigration capable of ‘locking onto’ the faces of arrests, raids, abuse, humiliation, forced detention centres are in co-ordinated known criminals and pickpockets detected administration of psychotropic drugs and struggle. Two days after the revolt and the in the crowd and ‘tracking’ their vent their strong desire for freedom. beatings the prisoners in the Via Corelli movements for up to 300 meters before Before leaving the demo in the evening, detention centre in Milan start a hunger the next, closer placed camera takes over. the demonstrators set wood and tyres to strike and call on the immigrants detained Istanbul will be the European Capital of fire and compel the cops to call in the fire in Turin, Rome and Gradisca to join the Culture in 2010 an ‘honour’ that only ever brigade. But there are fires that cannot be protest. They go to the courtyard and seems to result in more crowd control technology, urban “development” and extinguished! refuse to move until they are all weighted on the first day of the hunger strike. They state power. Source : Various “How many times have we shouted ‘Fire to all immigration detention centres?’ Now that they are burning for real we must Greece - Theodoros Iliopoulos is free at show that we are the accomplices of last! those who struggle with desperation and The Greek government could not courage. May the fires of Lampedusa ignore any more the massive movement lighten this social hell which more and formed in solidarity with innocent detainee Theodoros Iliopoulos and set him free at more poor people are condemned to.” last! Theodoros Iliopoulos is free after 49 days of hunger strike. He was arrested in February 19 2009. A group of anarchists December and detained with fabricated carry out actions all over Trento (northern Molotov-throwing charges. His innocence Italy) against the raids on immigrants and was defended by witnesses, but the only the security laws and in solidarity to the witness reports considered by the ‘justice’ authorities were those of two police prisoners and rebels in Lampedusa. officers. He went on hunger strike on 10 July and for more than a month the Milan. April 5 2009. Dozens of immigrants authorities refused to provide him with detained in the Via Corelli immigration proper medical support at a public detention centre in Milan go up to the hospital and instead kept him in the under- roofs in protest at the appalling conditions funded and under-equipped prison’s medical room. Anarchist comrades in 81 Greece and abroad quickly UK - Update on Casey Hardison, LSD mobilised in solidarity, and Chemist. The imprisoned radical chemist later leftist and communist doing a 20 year jail term for possessing political parties also made and manufacturing LSD and other announcements in his entheogenic substances like 2-CB and support. As the voices DMT had his appeal against conviction demanding his release were refused by the authorities. This decision becoming more and more, was made on the basis he had exhausted and as his case was being his allocated legal means (he had picked up by progressive previously unsuccesfully made an appeal). media (due to massive This means that Casey has only a chance protests and other solidarity through the judicial review body which actions that couldn’t be left looks at refused appeals. There could be unreported) the government at least a year wait before another legal couldn’t ignore the protests round begins. Until then we wish Casey any more and set him free at last. wherever they go.” The cameras are yet the best! Source: Freecasey.org Considering his hunger strike went on for another extension of state surveillance in 49 days, it makes you think what would what is already the world’s most spied happen had there been no solidarity upon country. There are 4.2 million CCTV Cyprus - Mobile biometric fingerprint movement. Free, but he isn’t allowed to cameras in Britain - a fifth of the world’s readers being used. In a further disembark from the country and every bi- total. Earlier this month the Home Office development of the external and internal weekly period he should report to the local announced plans to extend the use talking borders of Fortress Europe, the Cyprus police station. He was set free without the CCTV cameras that order passers-by to National Police Force is using an AFIS need for bail payment. Comrades in pick up dropped litter. Stuart Thompson, [Automatic Fingerprint Identification Greece had planned a solidarity march, managing director of the Kent based System] supplied by Motorola and mobile which will go on as planned. In London company ‘Viseum’ that developed the live-scan fingerprint readers at asylum there were several leafletings and banner Bug, said the innocent had nothing to fear centres and police stations throughout the drops, for example, one hung at the from the device. He said: “It may mistake country. The system provides the police national gallery whilst a Greek cultural someone window-shopping for someone and immigration authorities with an event happened, one hung from a bridge loitering, but on every occasion that a electronic link between the AFIS system on the Thames river and one hung from the crime has been committed the system has and the EURODAC (the EU asylum side of a boat travelling down the Thames. always caught evidence.” Several police applicants fingerprint database) allowing It should be made clear that Theodoros forces are also considering another police to capture the fingerprints and facial Iliopoulos won thanks to his determination intelligent camera attached to unmanned images of individuals that have been and to the Greek and international drones that fly stealthily above cities to spy stopped and found to be without valid solidarity movement in his support. on people below. The camera can zoom in visas or identification documents, or those Meanwhile, in Naxos, an island in Greece, on and track a single face from 500 feet. that are claiming asylum. This information immigrants went on hunger strike to These can then be scanned and matched is transmitted to a central server at the protest about the denial of their human against a database of known criminals or national law enforcement headquarters in rights. The social war continues... Thanks terror suspects. The camera is fitted to a Nicosia and searched against its to everyone who supported Theodoros drone made from lightweight plastics and database. The EU is funding countless Iliopoulos. Source : Solidarity is our carbon fibre called the ‘Casper 250’, programs to design and manufacture weapon! which was originally created for the Israeli surveillance, database and biometric army to attack the Palestinians with. The technologies for social control. Wireless ‘Caspar 250’ has a wingspan of 8ft and a biometric readers are one of the first top speed of more than 50mph, but is control technologies they wish to force UK - New Developments in ‘Smart powered by an electric engine, making it upon everyone quickly without resistance. CCTV’ CCTV cameras that detect almost inaudible. Police will use it to Source: Various potential offenders and then “tail” them are control traffic, public order situations like being tested in British shopping centres. demos, carnivals and The £7,000 “Bug” is fitted with a ring of also in so-called eight cameras that gives a panoramic view ‘sensitive’ operations of a street. The footage is scanned by against organised crime sophisticated software which can identify and ‘terrorism’. The rise in 50 behaviour traits that indicate whether methods of technogical somebody is acting or loitering in a control are one of the ‘suspicious’ way. When a suspect is greatest threats to liberty spotted, a ninth camera automatically and freedom that human locks onto them and follows their beings are encountering. movements. It means town centres can be The only solution is to monitored without the need for human attack the points of operators to watch screens. The device production, not only has been tested in Luton for the last 18 manfacturing and design, months and Chester and Exeter city but also the entire culture councils are due to install the “intelligent” that demands such camera system. Jason Butler, head of devices for the easy CCTV at Luton council, said: “The camera passage of finance and picks up on unusual movement, zooms in maintainance of class on someone and gathers evidence from a rule. Source : Various face and clothing, acting as a 24-hour operator without someone having to be there. ... We have kids with ASBOs (Anti- Social Behaviour Orders) telling us they hate the thing because it follows them

82 Icelandic Squat Evicted Three Hours of Resistance Against the Special Forces

After a whole day of the threat of an eviction, solidarity demonstration and "In this society, the most support, the police finally showed up at easy thing is to be silent; to the recently opened squat in the center stay behind the yellow of Reykjavik. At 08:00 in the morning police line and stand still; to between 40 and 50 policemen, stay at home and obey to including many members of the special authorities' orders. That force, came towards the house, behavior leads to personal attacked and arrested three people who comfort. And isolated and were standing outside, sweeping the personal comfort seems to ground around the house. The squatters be the main goals of many inside were told to leave the building people's lives. and if not, they would get arrested. Of course, they refused to leave. The financial crisis are not the problem. The period of The police authorities might have prosperity is the problem! It believed that by coming early in the spoiled and silenced the morning, the eviction would not get any public; it killed every sign of attention and support. But they were resistance. wrong. Very soon, the neighborhood The squatters were driven to the police was crowded with people who came to We squatted this house as an act of station were they were interviewed and follow what was happening and to show resistance. Do the same – again and kept there for up to 5 hours. Many of the solidarity with the squatters. Many of the again and again. That's how we change arrested had breathing problems neighbors had already announced their this society." because of the pepper spray and one of support with the squat and denounced them had been brutally attacked by a the plans to build shopping and office The police's struggle became harder policemen. When being carried out of spaces on the spot. and harder, since the resistance was to the squat, one of the policemen who heavy for them. Every time the chainsaw was holding the squatter by her throat, The police closed the nearby streets became visible to the squatters, it was kicked her head heavily to the door. In and started attacking the house but the immediately attacked; every time it the police station the squatter was squatters had built proper barricades on looked more like the police was getting refused medical treatment if she would all floors. When the police tried to enter on to the second floor, the heavier did not give out her security number. Well, the house from the back, they were met the barricade become. this is not a surprise; in the capitalistic with expired dairy products that were democracy one does not deserve thrown at them. After a bit of a struggle After almost three hours of struggling medical treatment except fitting to the they finally got on to the first floor were the police finally managed to enter the regulations of this system of nobody was. The squatters had second floor. The squatters resisted but surveillance. barricaded the second floor extensively, were attacked with peeper spray and so well that it took the special force two violent behavior by the police. They were At the same time people had gathered hours to get through, by using chain all handcuffed and put on the floor, while by the police station to protest against saws. All of the police's attempts to get the police broke every second window the arrests and to show solidarity with through were met with resistance; more of the house without any noticeable the squatters. A black flag was pulled up things and liquids were thrown at them reason. The squatters were carried out on a flag pole in front of the police and sticks were used to push them and thrown into police vans, which were station and music played from a ghetto down the stairs of the building. supposed to drive them to the police blaster. After several hours the arrested station. But supporters from the outside started to appear out of the station and During the police's entry attempt the sat down and blockaded the street, with were welcomed by the crowd, squatters held speeches through the the purpose to stop the cars from interviewed by the the media and fed by windows. Statements against capitalists getting their way, but were removed their supporters. and authority were read out and the quickly. public was encouraged to take direct One of the squatters had a photo action against these violent forces of A photographer was pulled out of the camera inside during the eviction, which corruption. crowd by the police, dragged on the was taken from her when she was ground and half undressed. When he arrested. She was refused to get it back asked the police for the reason of his when she was released but finally got it arrest he was told that it was the day after. Then, the police had because he had spat on a policeman deleted all the photos from the camera. in a protest by the parliament in But the policemen are more stupid then January. Witnesses say it was they look like... and the photos are back. obvious that the photographer was Many of them decorate this article. arrested because of how closely he photographed the police actions and The squat and all the public attention how loudly he protested against it. around it has brought up the necessary discussion about the conflict between

83 Originally anarchism rebelled against Community capitalism. It appeared around the same time as capitalism and as capitalism’s without Authority war on community grew, so did anarchism. The philosophy it is based on is much older, but as a political An Icelandic anarchist explains his movement it is a product of the changes ideals communities went through with the appearance of capitalism and the I am an anarchist and I know that the nation-state. individuals who have placed themselves in power are dangerous to my The power of governments and other community and me; therefore I consider hierarchies is based on the agreement them my enemies and I feel it is my duty of the ruled. Fear of authority is not the to push them away and use violence if only reason but the fact that the ruled needed, because love does not imply have the same values as the rulers. Both pacifism. The nature of power tells that it take for granted the principle that some will not be given back voluntarily, that’s few should rule and others should obey. why it needs to be removed. This is not The oppressive power of the modern necessarily a call for bloodshed. There state is not only based on political and are other ways. economic power. The real horror is its property rights and the right to use. In ability to establish a certain the current atmosphere in Iceland, after I am an anarchist because I recognise understanding of the world. the collapse of the economy, this my own fallibility and the fact that I make discussion is way more positive than mistakes. Because of my human frailty I The anarchist critique is about finding one could have believed. should never have power over others. I power structures and hierarchies in all should never make decisions for others; parts of life and work against them, The banks own most of the empty only participate in consensus-based because they are unjust and should be houses and the banks are for sure not decision-making. dismantled (there are examples of the most popular right now. justifiable use of force). This applies to The anarchist is not a utopian. There is politics, property and managing, the The squat got heavy support from all no perfect society, no one truth and no sexes, children and the future directions, likely and unlikely, and utopia but we know that social (defending the ecosystems). This showed that this is the time to start a engineering based on oppression is includes participating in and squatting movement. The squatters of unacceptable, even though the system encouraging direct action against what Vatnsstigur are far away from retiring. that oppresses is called democracy. The oppresses as well as benefiting and majority vote can be just as wrong as supporting social factors that already More to come... anything else. Ask the slaves, the exist and are anarchist in nature. This is women, the gays, the immigrants. There not everything, but it’s a start. is always power struggle in all communities. That is natural. We now --- have built-in hierarchies that allow power greedy individuals to place Direct Action in Iceland themselves above others. http://aftaka.org

All human systems collapse at some point. Systems that are based on the responsibility of a few individuals collapse faster. The bigger the units are, the more people depend upon them and the more disastrous the consequences. The smaller units we organise and the more horizontal we keep our systems, the less risk there is of disaster; this applies both to politics and economy. The longer people are stuck with being only voters and consumers, more stand to die helpless when there is scarcity. The more individuals in a community that think like anarchists – that our community is safer when organised without authority – the less chance manipulators can have their way with us. That’s what the words “an-“ and “archy“ mean in the old Greek: “Without authority.“

84 FREEDOM FOR ALL

Burning border post in Strasborg, France, April 2009 DESTROY EVERY PRISON & BORDER For a world of self-organisation and mutual aid into. They declare that ‘to get organised all contemplated. On the contrary the Random notes means: to start from the situation and not authors are convinced that ‘the end of to dismiss it. The name we give to the capitalism’ will come after a link is situation that we are in is world civil war’. established between what one lives and on ‘CALL’ First of all I wonder why they say world what one thinks, and that this link is not civil war instead of calling it social war, an individual issue but it depends on ‘the then I still don’t understand what they construction of shared worlds’. I find it A review written by an Italian anarchist mean for starting from the situation and hard to follow this reasoning as I think the in London, of the ‘anonymous’ book of not dismissing it. desire to put an end to ‘the catastrophe’ is Tarnac which is circulating in a few entirely an individual issue. It starts from languages. Seemingly owing more to The answer is maybe what they later call individual inner rage and its ability to find Hardt and Negri’s ‘Empire’ than ‘secession’, secession from the capitalist accomplices along the way. I don’t think anarchist theory and practice, it has valorisations and secession from the left that the starting point is organisation and charmed and confused many people identified with Tute Bianche, Attac, social ‘shared worlds’: this only leads to the involved in anarchist & left-radical forums and other species of activists. production of abstract words, which can politics, spreading some illusions and be seductive and glamorous but which will ultimately reactionary consquences. I wonder once again why they talk about never end up in any really revolutionary ‘secession’ and not about ‘refuse’. Refus- transformation. ‘Call’ is a critique of, amongst other ing the capitalist valorisations and the things, the anti-globalization movement world of the leftist activists (which is a Finally, what on earth does it means: ‘On and the squats/social centres network; it product of the latter) means to act accord- the one hand, we want to live communism; also contains suggestions for the future, ing to a revolutionary project. ‘Secession’ on the other, to spread anarchy’? The eg. material left infrastructure, more implies the negation of any revolutionary authors of ‘Call’ suggest that communism social centres, a political party, - is this break. The authors simply constitute is not a political or economic system, has a situationist joke in poor taste? themselves as an ‘autonomous material no need of Marx and has never had force within the world civil war’ and as anything to do with the USSR. They say such they ‘set out the conditions’ of their that communism means to elaborate one’s My first impression after reading ‘Call’ call. What is this autonomous material relationship to the world, to the beings, to was that it really did not say anything to force intended to do? And does not this oneself, and that it starts from ‘the me. Since the beginning of their booklet ‘setting out the conditions’ sound experience of sharing’. the authors use quite an abstract vanguardist? It does, in my opinion, and I language, which is perhaps intended to found other statements in ‘Call’ that seems They go on: ‘The practise of communism, go beyond the banal words that are to be imposed from above. as we live it, we call the Party. When we employed in every day conversations and overcome an obstacle together or when we by the media, but which fails to achieve If on the one hand their analysis of the reach a higher level of sharing, we say that its purpose. So they talk about ‘evident’ present catastrophe and of the way vari- we are building the Party’. If this kind of and ‘worlds’ but me, quite a humble ous species of leftists try to cope with it is communism needs the building of a party reader, do not catch what they mean nor good, on the other hand the authors of (exactly as Marxist communism) it cannot do they further explain these exotic ‘Call’ do not propose anything concrete. be associated with ‘spreading anarchy’. concepts. On the contrary they launch their ‘call’ The authors of ‘Call’ are very careful in (from above of course): ‘This is a call. That depicting their ‘Party’ as a captivating Their Proposition I states: ‘Faced with the is to say it aims at those who can hear it. ‘formation of a sensibility as a force’, in evidence of catastrophe there are those The question is not to demonstrate, to which everything is shared on equalitarian who get indignant and those who take note, argue, to convince. We will go straight to basis and in which formalisation is those who denounce and those who get the evident’. Here are some people who minimal. They almost succeed in organised. We are among those who get propose themselves as those who know the presenting ‘the Party’ as the only effective organised’. truth (what they call ‘the evident’) and instrument of struggle against the system, make a ‘call’ at those who can hear it. as the most wonderful achievement of any They do not mention another category: antagonist movement, but still their asso- those who struggle and attack by deeds and Furthermore throughout the booklet great ciation between ‘anarchy’ and ‘commu- by words. They do not mention hundreds emphasis is made on ‘community’, ‘sect’ nism’ and its ‘Party’ is unconceivable. of comrades all over the world who attack and ‘collective experience’. No mention and sometimes are imprisoned but still is ever made of individual action. In fact As far as I know anarchy does not need continue to attack. They do mention the the authors of ‘Call’ say clearly that they any Party. And if it can express itself also Black Panthers, the German Autonomen, prefer ‘collectivity’ to the individual. In through collective activity (between two the Italian Autonomists, the British neo- nd their ‘Call’ the individual disappears under or more people) it cannot be disconnected luddites, radical feminists, the 2 June the predominance of the ‘material from the individual. It is the individual movement but they seem not to be aware collective force’. The individual is only desire for freedom, the individual disgust of recent facts, from the struggle against mentioned in a derogatory way, as the towards exploitation. the immigration detention centres and the ‘liberal individual’, the pacifist, the world that produces them to the solidarity advocate of human rights. The existence I wish the authors of ‘Call’ all the best. that expresses itself by all possible ways of individuals animated by rebellious May their call reach those who ‘are build- every time repression hits hard. thoughts who act according to a ing the Party elsewhere’, but certainly it revolutionary project either on their own will never reach my ears. It has to be seen, then, what kind of or- or along with other individuals animated ganisation the authors of this booklet are by the same rebellious thoughts is not at 86 Distro Black Hoodies

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325 Distro > On our website you can download issues of 325 and there are more than 30 booklets and posters to download as PDF, for printing and Some musick that entered the making of this zine: reproduction. We recommend to replicate and create your own distro, alter the area you are in; subversion is much easier and more fun when done with Javaspa - Greek hip hop crew rocking it in fine style, classic breaks a few trusted friends, link up with other safe groups and organise, but even and sweet delivery. (DIYmusic.org) alone, it can be more secure and rewarding. Ideas are weapons, sharpen up and fight back - Read. Beware of politics - Educate yourself with reading, Atomhead - Spiral Field Velocity - Astonishing shifting tech & kore learning and training. Spread the realisations and resistance - we are defined of immeasurable delight. Play breathtakingly loud. by our actions - Fight back. Trakma III - Les Trolls, LFO Demon, Caterva, 5XPI + more - Our Distro also stocks a small selection of anarchist, anti-capitalist and anti- Ghostly brokencore and network breaks demanding high volume. industrial books, pamphlets and magazines, plus CD's, DVD-R's etc. Check out our catalogue online. Bundles of 325 magazine are £1 each in multiples, MC Madu & Vibronics - Live session - Seriously heavyweight UK i.e £5 = x 5 (postage extra). If you run a distro or produce a zine that you dub riddims with uplifting and conscious lyrics. Rewind Jah Lion! think we would be interested in, please contact us and arrange an exchange. Lionel Ritchie - Greatest Hits - “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?” We want to especially thank everyone that has made this project their own, (an anthem for the clandestine and fugitive) all those known and unknown to us, without you this project would be nothing... Kopy and Replicate!!!! 325#7 is dedicated to all those who lost their life in the Anti-Copyright Network: (Nameless Hardcore Unknowns...) struggle or took their own life, or tried to... and for all those who know the anguish... never give up xxx he he qk bre qu PARTIES 3 [cutup] he quick brown

realise potential - - unpremeditated combinations - music contains stirring and feeling alive once messages here - more - realise freedom - opera- harmony rhythm and tion big picture - future arriv- discipline - no ing via cutup - expectations to fulfil - equal how to get outside the game of footing into the picture - release out of condi- unknown - merge tioned reality - leave our into the music and territories - ready forces - the enemy - pure community nature schemes - light coming out of potential become purposeful the speakers – action? - cobwebs cleared - dawning of future arriving via be anything - release out of present - nature conditioned patterns by not fierce and precise being here - new language coming music gives a boost of energy - - parties have become codes of out of nature - the resistance ever-shifting groups - nomadic chaos - rhythm - tools up - unpremeditated forces insurgency - developments in - the shape of nature fierce and communication technology - meet on neutral ground - emerge precise - move the mission along cobwebs cleared to comprehend from the frontlines - something - resistance moozik breaks edges what’s possible - history deter- coming out of nothing - we are of personality and solid sense mined by war - new activity to direct action resistance tech- of this picture - see the game emerge - crisis times to sort niques - stories create space more clearly - present waveforms things urgently - adapt to for other material - edges of - harmonics - dark cloud lifted circumstances and disappear to harmonics - resistance waveforms outside the game of lie – reveal nature - resistance - 87