THIS SATURDAY 12 May
come to PICCADILLY GARDENS from 2pm!
We will join our Occupy Manchester friends for a special #12M15M Global day of action - see their video http://youtu.be/N2kVMVeO2Bo
Days after the indignados movement started in Spain in May 2011, some Manchester residents got together too. - - We want a new participative democracy which gives priority to the people, not to the current economic and political powers.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
#12M15M Global day of action
We will join our Occupy Manchester friends for a special #12M15M Global day of action - see their video http://youtu.be/N2kVMVeO2Bo
Friday, 14 October 2011
OCTOBER 15TH: United for Global Change
THIS SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2011
All over the world, people will take to the streets and squares in an unprecedented global non-violent protest to demand a true democracy.
There will be demonstrations/assemblies/camps in 951 cities and 82 countries - see this GLOBAL MAP. If you are in Manchester,
[ Take to the streets. Create another world. ]
All over the world, people will take to the streets and squares in an unprecedented global non-violent protest to demand a true democracy.
There will be demonstrations/assemblies/camps in 951 cities and 82 countries - see this GLOBAL MAP. If you are in Manchester,
Come to PICCADILLY GARDENS AT 11am!
[ Take to the streets. Create another world. ]
OCCUPY / STRIKE / RESIST !
Friday, 30 September 2011
It is finally happening: OCCUPY! Mcr
THIS SUNDAY 2 October 2011
Manchester and Salford will be flooded with the demonstration Manchester for the Alternative organised by the trade unions and other nation-wide and local groups against the Tory Party conference.
It is more generally a protest against the wave of cuts that are ripping up the welfare state in the UK as well as in other countries in Europe. We are facing an unprecedented era of cutbacks to basic social rights like education and health services - or, to name a few more specific and local examples, childcare, pensions, affordable higher education, even libraries!
It has taken more than 150 years of struggles (measured in human lives) to achieve those rights. Are we really going to look aside and wait while they take those rights away from the people?
It is time to remind our governments that their power stems from the citizens that have elected them - that they work for ALL the citizens, not only for the rich and for the lobbies - and especially that they do NOT (or rather should not) work for the bankers, financial traders nor for the opaque and non-democratic institutions that nobody has elected (like the IMF, WB, ECB, or the increasingly powerful rating agencies, which have lately been allowed -by our governments- to have a dangerously high influence on the everyday lives of millions of people in Europe).
It is clearly not enough to vote once every four years or to march from time to time. It is time to diversify and to globalise the struggle.
That is why this Sunday will be an important day here in the UK.
A couple of months ago we were very happy at Real Democracy Manchester to hear about the birth of a local group-of-groups, OCCUPY! Manchester, as it was precisely what we had been waiting for since last May. We have in this way joined forces with many local groups with whom this Sunday we will
- take part in the Education part of the march that is starting from University Place on Oxford Road at 11am and which will join the main march at 12am (see route map),
- OCCUPY! Albert Square after the march, in order to create a space for assemblies and creative discussions (in the style of the square occupations that sprung up e.g. in Spain last May or in Wall Street, New York two weeks ago).
In short - we hope to see you on Sunday, knowing that October 2nd is not an end, but a beginning!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Acampada Sol, the documentary
How did the 15-M movement start in Spain, and why? Who were the ones behind the first protests? What gave rise to camping on the squares? This superb documentary answers all these questions and many more. Watch it and share it!
The version in English of this video is unfortunately no longer accessible, but the original version (in Spanish) can still be found at: AcampadaSol documentary (+ a preview) .
To make up for this, we have prepared a special treat for our English-speaking readers:
A selection of videos about the 15-May movement in Spain. Enjoy!
15-M movement as covered by The Guardian:
Video of an assembly in Madrid in which Joseph Stiglitz took part
Slide show in The New York Times: In Want of Jobs, Protesters Take Over the Streets
The version in English of this video is unfortunately no longer accessible, but the original version (in Spanish) can still be found at: AcampadaSol documentary (+ a preview) .
To make up for this, we have prepared a special treat for our English-speaking readers:
A selection of videos about the 15-May movement in Spain. Enjoy!
15-M movement as covered by The Guardian:
Video of an assembly in Madrid in which Joseph Stiglitz took part
Slide show in The New York Times: In Want of Jobs, Protesters Take Over the Streets
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Cacerolada against the F1 Grand Prix
Over the last three years the Valencia government has spent around 140 million euros on the F1 Grand Prix celebration.
“Too fast, too ruinous”. This is the text on a huge banner flying yesterday at a short distance to the Valencia F1 urban circuit. There, a group of about 200 indignados (outraged) demonstrated with a great cacerolada (saucepan-banging) against the public money spent on this event. Over the last three years, Valencia´s government has spent about 140 millions euros on the race celebration.
In turn, the autonomic administration reassures that Valencia´s society has got an economical impact of 158 millions euros, although does not specify what the benefits consisted of or how have they been calculated. The place chosen for the indignados to demonstrate was the most touristic entry of the circuit, the one that gets to the race from the maritime promenade and the restaurants of Malvarrosa beach. The time chosen coincided with the massive arrival of the spectators: one o´clock in the afternoon. Therefore hundreds of tourists could take pictures of the protest and listen to the slogans shouted by the demonstrators: “The urban circuit is paid for by the citizens”. There was even place for other demands like the banner carried by a 50 year old woman: “Violence is the education system and the barrack huts”, meaning the pre-built classrooms where thousands of students have to study in Valencia due to the lack of funds for building new schools.
The indignados also took with them to the maritime promenade a collection of cardboard cars used to parody the F1 grand prix. The demonstration is one of the activities organized by the indignados of Valencia´s villages’ assemblies, whom over the weekend celebrated a camping in one of the most diminished squares of the city, a kilometre away from the circuit. Concerts, workshops, and assemblies are celebrated there, as a protest to contrast the race´s luxury against the lack of funding in the area.
The numbers of the circuit.
The European F1 Grand Prix has been taken place in Valencia since 2008. The government built a circuit in the harbour which cost around 85 millions euros. The Valencia government specified that the cost would be none as when the area would be built up, development companies would pay a plus in order to build houses. The government also accepts the annual cost of the canon which is around 18 millions euros, according to Jorge Martinez Aspar (Valmor partner; private company in charge of setting up and dismantling the event).
According to the government, the grand prix means “a global impact ( building industry + running the event) greater than 158 millions euros for Valencia in only three years. It is also worth mentioning that 6.284 jobs have been created between the building and the celebration of three editions of this event, witnessed by almost 285.000 espectators”. Valencia´s administration emphasizes the powerful advertisement for the city: “An F1 grand prix has an average share of 600 millions espectators. 150 TV channels of 188 countries of the 5 continents live the races. Around 1.000 journalists from all over the world, come to Valencia to cover the event”.
The Valencia government declare that the economical benefits data have been thoroughly studied by the IVIE (Valencia´s college of economical research) although from the Economical department state that it is not possible to publish the document with the detailed breakdown of such benefits.
The original article can be seen here.
“Too fast, too ruinous”. This is the text on a huge banner flying yesterday at a short distance to the Valencia F1 urban circuit. There, a group of about 200 indignados (outraged) demonstrated with a great cacerolada (saucepan-banging) against the public money spent on this event. Over the last three years, Valencia´s government has spent about 140 millions euros on the race celebration.
In turn, the autonomic administration reassures that Valencia´s society has got an economical impact of 158 millions euros, although does not specify what the benefits consisted of or how have they been calculated. The place chosen for the indignados to demonstrate was the most touristic entry of the circuit, the one that gets to the race from the maritime promenade and the restaurants of Malvarrosa beach. The time chosen coincided with the massive arrival of the spectators: one o´clock in the afternoon. Therefore hundreds of tourists could take pictures of the protest and listen to the slogans shouted by the demonstrators: “The urban circuit is paid for by the citizens”. There was even place for other demands like the banner carried by a 50 year old woman: “Violence is the education system and the barrack huts”, meaning the pre-built classrooms where thousands of students have to study in Valencia due to the lack of funds for building new schools.
The indignados also took with them to the maritime promenade a collection of cardboard cars used to parody the F1 grand prix. The demonstration is one of the activities organized by the indignados of Valencia´s villages’ assemblies, whom over the weekend celebrated a camping in one of the most diminished squares of the city, a kilometre away from the circuit. Concerts, workshops, and assemblies are celebrated there, as a protest to contrast the race´s luxury against the lack of funding in the area.
The numbers of the circuit.
The European F1 Grand Prix has been taken place in Valencia since 2008. The government built a circuit in the harbour which cost around 85 millions euros. The Valencia government specified that the cost would be none as when the area would be built up, development companies would pay a plus in order to build houses. The government also accepts the annual cost of the canon which is around 18 millions euros, according to Jorge Martinez Aspar (Valmor partner; private company in charge of setting up and dismantling the event).
According to the government, the grand prix means “a global impact ( building industry + running the event) greater than 158 millions euros for Valencia in only three years. It is also worth mentioning that 6.284 jobs have been created between the building and the celebration of three editions of this event, witnessed by almost 285.000 espectators”. Valencia´s administration emphasizes the powerful advertisement for the city: “An F1 grand prix has an average share of 600 millions espectators. 150 TV channels of 188 countries of the 5 continents live the races. Around 1.000 journalists from all over the world, come to Valencia to cover the event”.
The Valencia government declare that the economical benefits data have been thoroughly studied by the IVIE (Valencia´s college of economical research) although from the Economical department state that it is not possible to publish the document with the detailed breakdown of such benefits.
The original article can be seen here.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Article from El Pais on 19th June - March against Europact
Article published by elpais.com and translated into English by Sophie. See the note at the end of the document to know more about the original article.
19th June - The 15-M movement takes to the streets of Madrid once more, protesting against the negative impact the “Europact” measures could have on social welfare.
If anyone had any doubts about how the 15-M (May 15th) movement was going to progress after the decision to lift the camps, today they have been dispelled.
Tens of thousands of people, streaming from all directions, flowed into the Plaza de Neptuno, next to the Cortes building where politicians make important decisions, with a cry that has been universal since the beginning of the protests: “Que no, que no, que no nos representan,” meaning “They do not represent us.”
In an organized and celebratory manner, with no police involvement whatsoever, the “Indignados” (Outraged) occupied the square. At least 37,742 people (the margin of error indicates that there could be up to 42,271) have participated in the Madrid mobilization, according to a survey done by the company Lynce at 2.20 this afternoon.
Young people, old people and children, synchronized almost to perfection through messages and plans made on social networking sites, came together in a movement that has already made a deep impression on the system. Chants sang by the demonstrators, who streamed into Plaza de las Cortes from all corners of the Spanish captial, included: “Vuestra crisis, no la pagamos” (“We will not pay for your crisis”), “lo llaman democracia y no lo es”,(They call it democracy and it’s not), “el pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” (The people united will never be defeated).
All came prepared for a day in which the spirit of weariness and social discontent that has generated this global movement would be demonstrated. With the departure of the Templo de Debod march in the east of the city at 11am, the six sections of the Madrid demonstration were all in motion. The earliest departure had been from Leganés at 9am. Not long afterwards, huge groups began to set off from other parts of Madrid, with people joining them on the way. At all the starting points, there were hundreds of protesters from many different parts of Madrid. At 10.45 there were nearly a thousand people present at Templo de Debod. At 11.15, when the march began, the figure had more than doubled.
Before setting out, a spokesperson explained via megaphone what should be done in case of violent behaviour: “If someone begins behaving violently, we must attempt to dialogue with that person in order to stop them. If they do not listen to us, we will sit peacefully on the ground and point them out.”
Seconds before leaving, Jon Aguirre, spokesperson of Democracia Real Ya (Real Democracy Now) explained the reasons behind the march: “We want to show financial institutions that citizens do not agree with having their rights compromised”.
People of all ages carried home-made banners protesting about the welfare cuts, job insecurity (which is rife in Spain, partly due to the abuse of the becario system), and against politicians and bankers. “There is nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose” said one demonstrator at the front of the protest. The march, which kept growing and growing, moved slowly and arrived with time to spare at all of the points on its route.
“Queremos un pisito, como el del principito!” (We want a little apartment, like the little prince’s!) chanted some demonstrators as they passed the Royal Palace just before midday. The atmosphere all the way through the march has been celebratory. The most exciting moment was when the marches coming from the Templo de Debod and Leganes, another Madrid neighbourhood, met and united in Puerta de Toledo minutes around 12.30.
The thousands of people in this group arrived at Embajadores before the appointed time, where people began playing drums and musical instruments. And many of the participants danced their way to Plaza de Neptuno, where thousands (1 million according to the popular organization Democracia Real Ya [Real Democracy Now]) were waiting near to the lower chamber of the Spanish parliament, which was heavily protected by police presence.
More than 500 “antidisturbance” officers ensured that there were no altercations. The security measures were much greater around the Cortes building. A government body has confirmed that, as well as special Police Intervention units, there were 2 helicopters keeping watch, members of Citizen Security and further security forces. Up until now, there have been no notable incidents.
Inhabitants of Madrid neighbourhoods Malasaña and Chamberí marked passing the Partido Popular’s headquarters (the Spanish conservative party) with shouts of “Espe, Espe, especulación" (“Speculation!”). Holding banners with slogans such as “Caminemos juntos contra la crisis y el capital” (Let us walk together against capital and the crisis) “Escuchad la ira del pueblo” (Listen to the wrath of the people), or “No seas violento” (don’t be violent), the demonstrators - people of all ages from all walks of life - sang the 15-M chants such as “Lo llaman democracia y no lo es” (“They call it democracy and it isn’t”.)
After 3 in the afternoon, the majority of those who attended began to leave Plaza de Neptuno, which slowly returned to normality. Cleaning services began to clear the square although there were still some groups sat on the floor in the shade, due to the intense heat. Some participants are heading towards Puerta del Sol, where a public assembly has been organised for 8 o’clock.
But the protests are not limited to Madrid, the nerve-centre of the movement. In the course of the day around 98 demonstrations have taken place, not just in Spain, but in other countries, including Manchester.
Translator's note: Article taken from here. The link has now been updated so the original text is not available. The headline is my own approximation of the original, and there may be some inaccuracies due to the hastiness of the translation.
ST
Thank you Sophie!!
19th June - The 15-M movement takes to the streets of Madrid once more, protesting against the negative impact the “Europact” measures could have on social welfare.
If anyone had any doubts about how the 15-M (May 15th) movement was going to progress after the decision to lift the camps, today they have been dispelled.
Tens of thousands of people, streaming from all directions, flowed into the Plaza de Neptuno, next to the Cortes building where politicians make important decisions, with a cry that has been universal since the beginning of the protests: “Que no, que no, que no nos representan,” meaning “They do not represent us.”
In an organized and celebratory manner, with no police involvement whatsoever, the “Indignados” (Outraged) occupied the square. At least 37,742 people (the margin of error indicates that there could be up to 42,271) have participated in the Madrid mobilization, according to a survey done by the company Lynce at 2.20 this afternoon.
Young people, old people and children, synchronized almost to perfection through messages and plans made on social networking sites, came together in a movement that has already made a deep impression on the system. Chants sang by the demonstrators, who streamed into Plaza de las Cortes from all corners of the Spanish captial, included: “Vuestra crisis, no la pagamos” (“We will not pay for your crisis”), “lo llaman democracia y no lo es”,(They call it democracy and it’s not), “el pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” (The people united will never be defeated).
All came prepared for a day in which the spirit of weariness and social discontent that has generated this global movement would be demonstrated. With the departure of the Templo de Debod march in the east of the city at 11am, the six sections of the Madrid demonstration were all in motion. The earliest departure had been from Leganés at 9am. Not long afterwards, huge groups began to set off from other parts of Madrid, with people joining them on the way. At all the starting points, there were hundreds of protesters from many different parts of Madrid. At 10.45 there were nearly a thousand people present at Templo de Debod. At 11.15, when the march began, the figure had more than doubled.
Before setting out, a spokesperson explained via megaphone what should be done in case of violent behaviour: “If someone begins behaving violently, we must attempt to dialogue with that person in order to stop them. If they do not listen to us, we will sit peacefully on the ground and point them out.”
Seconds before leaving, Jon Aguirre, spokesperson of Democracia Real Ya (Real Democracy Now) explained the reasons behind the march: “We want to show financial institutions that citizens do not agree with having their rights compromised”.
People of all ages carried home-made banners protesting about the welfare cuts, job insecurity (which is rife in Spain, partly due to the abuse of the becario system), and against politicians and bankers. “There is nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose” said one demonstrator at the front of the protest. The march, which kept growing and growing, moved slowly and arrived with time to spare at all of the points on its route.
“Queremos un pisito, como el del principito!” (We want a little apartment, like the little prince’s!) chanted some demonstrators as they passed the Royal Palace just before midday. The atmosphere all the way through the march has been celebratory. The most exciting moment was when the marches coming from the Templo de Debod and Leganes, another Madrid neighbourhood, met and united in Puerta de Toledo minutes around 12.30.
The thousands of people in this group arrived at Embajadores before the appointed time, where people began playing drums and musical instruments. And many of the participants danced their way to Plaza de Neptuno, where thousands (1 million according to the popular organization Democracia Real Ya [Real Democracy Now]) were waiting near to the lower chamber of the Spanish parliament, which was heavily protected by police presence.
More than 500 “antidisturbance” officers ensured that there were no altercations. The security measures were much greater around the Cortes building. A government body has confirmed that, as well as special Police Intervention units, there were 2 helicopters keeping watch, members of Citizen Security and further security forces. Up until now, there have been no notable incidents.
Inhabitants of Madrid neighbourhoods Malasaña and Chamberí marked passing the Partido Popular’s headquarters (the Spanish conservative party) with shouts of “Espe, Espe, especulación" (“Speculation!”). Holding banners with slogans such as “Caminemos juntos contra la crisis y el capital” (Let us walk together against capital and the crisis) “Escuchad la ira del pueblo” (Listen to the wrath of the people), or “No seas violento” (don’t be violent), the demonstrators - people of all ages from all walks of life - sang the 15-M chants such as “Lo llaman democracia y no lo es” (“They call it democracy and it isn’t”.)
After 3 in the afternoon, the majority of those who attended began to leave Plaza de Neptuno, which slowly returned to normality. Cleaning services began to clear the square although there were still some groups sat on the floor in the shade, due to the intense heat. Some participants are heading towards Puerta del Sol, where a public assembly has been organised for 8 o’clock.
But the protests are not limited to Madrid, the nerve-centre of the movement. In the course of the day around 98 demonstrations have taken place, not just in Spain, but in other countries, including Manchester.
Translator's note: Article taken from here. The link has now been updated so the original text is not available. The headline is my own approximation of the original, and there may be some inaccuracies due to the hastiness of the translation.
ST
Thank you Sophie!!
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