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, Assembly at Picadilly Gardens

This is a summary of the points that came out/were brought up at the assembly that took place yesterday in Piccadilly Gardens. We'll try to post some photos and videos as soon as we can too!

1. Reminds our goal is British people to take the streets as one nation solely cannot achieve anything by itself. UK faces the same struggles but they tend to be sectorial organized. How do we join them on and after the 30^th?
2. Expresses solidarity with North African revolutions, explaining how they have spread in Europe and the fact that the success of Spanish and Greek protests relies on the non-party / trade unions nature, just outraged citizens. Suggests spontaneous actions to take place on the 30^th.
3. Says there is a 90% support for 30^th strike and reminds there will be pickets taking place in schools, nurseries... Suggests elaborating banners and posters linking the local issues (Manchester cuts) to the global issues.
4. Makes a brief explanation of the origin of the crisis and the consequences for workers.
5. Reminds this European protests day is against the “Euro Pact” and explains its consequences in the UK as well.
6. States that a general strike, though highly supported, does not imply real changes, especially because they are organized by Trade Unions which are tools of political parties. Regards the importance of acting as citizens, and proposes specific actions which target the responsible of this situation: occupying banks.
7. Says the movement is only in its beginnings and we should connect with other movements already working and with common people outside trade unions. Suggests waking up early on the 30^th to join the pickets taking place and join the march from All Saints Park (Oxford Rd) at 11am.
8. Talks about defeating the cliché of Southern Europe laziness and states we should not pay their debt. Disagrees about the potential of general strikes and relies on the evolution of Greek movements. Suggests carrying banners of Real Democracy Manchester on the 30^th.
9. Reminds the importance of shifting from our current democracy (voting every 4 years and then remain asleep) to politics of direct actions. Recommends to create a network of people and associations and suggests to picket the Tories coming to Manchester (2^nd October??).
10. Proposes to join 30^th march and persuade them to go to the Town Hall and camp.
11. Suggests some specific actions for the 30^th. Occupying and closing banks or other direct actions outside corporations. Bring music, saucepan banging. Sit down outside the Town Hall after the march and don’t move. In some meetings regarding the 30^th the feeling that people don’t want to just march and the go home was present.
12. Speak about the Iceland revolution and reminds not paying the debt is possible.
13. Suggests similar actions as those performed during the Poll Tax Riots.
14. States that we have to convince the sufficient number of British to camp. This has to be a British number and foreigners supporting, not a foreign movement in the UK supported by some British. Our efforts should be directed in working towards the first camp in Manchester. Also says that we should focus on one big thing rather than several small actions.
15. A Syrian representation gives an emotive speech about the Syrian revolts and the government repression.
16. States we are not enough people to camp and it is going to have good acceptance if we are just a few.
17. Suggest marching from All Saints Park to Town Hall and performing a big assembly there. The idea is highly accepted but there is some division about the most appropriate place for the assembly (Town Hall / Picadilly).
18. Thinks we need more diffusion in media and a better image before start camping. Suggests contacting with other organizations, NGOs and charities to create a network with a common goal and ask them at least to inform about our movement among their members.
19. Says we cannot decide who, when and where to camp right now. Instead, we are talking about whether we want to work or not towards a future camp. There is consensus about working towards a possible camp.
20. Believes it is not necessary a big number of people to camp. It is important to have a permanent spot where people can get informed and involved, and the movement will grow with time.
21. Thinks that is not only about the number of people to camp, but the proportion of British willing to take action.
22. A series of interventions giving pros and cons about the best location and date for assemblies (visibility, symbology, etc.). There is consensus about the next and last assembly before the 30^th: Saturday, 25^th, 1pm, Picadilly Gardens. Matters regarding a possible 30^th assembly after the march will be discussed that day. Therefore, assistance is important.
23. Contacts with organizations will be taking place this week to invite them and get more people involved and participating in it.
24. Reminds Syrian protests will be taking place at the same moment /same place, a good opportunity to join forces.
25. UK Uncuts will be creating banners before the assembly. 11pm at Picadilly. Check Facebook event
26. Some specific actions (creation of posters, leaflets, theatre, etc) will be discussed in the general meeting this week. As you know, it normally takes place on Wednesdays at 7pm at KRO2, but several people cannot attend, so it might be moved to Thursday.

All the credit for this summary goes to Paula. Thank you very much! ;o)