International Reports – Last week Update:
USA:
The situation is really violent. In North Carolina even journalists were forced to lie down on the ground.
In New York 50 businessmen organised a counter protest against OWS. They were wearing masks but that didn’t bother the NYPD.
In Albany, NY the police refused to clear the Occupy camp in a show of sympathy with the protesters.
There are hundreds of camps in US that remain despite the crackdown on some of the major ones. For instance the one at Berkeley university, CA which organised a demonstration for 10.000 people.
Canada:
In Vancouver, which is suffering from a huge housing crisis, with homelessness everywhere, 1 person died on drug-overdose. This fact was used as and excuse to destroy the camp there. There is local election coming up with a few Occupy-movement independent candidates running for the office.
In Montreal, the camp still persits without any threats, the police even brings food to the activists.
In Quebec the camp is going to be cleared. There is a campaing against privatisation and oil exploration going on.
Portugal:
Situation is getting worse by day. There is a diffucult economic situation particularly in the public sector sphere. This includes the police and military – they are on the side of protesters.
People are camping outside of the parliament without any difficulties. There is a general strike planned for the coming weeks.
Spain:
Election is taking place next Sunday. It is a unique chance tto indtroduce real multi-party system in the country this time. There are student strikes throughout the country in the commemoration of the International Students Day. There are occupation camps in Leon and Seville.
France:
There are a lot of arrests happenning. People try to occupy and carry on even without tents.
Slovakia:
The Movement for Direct Democracy organises a petition for new constitution based on principles of direct democracy. In Bratislava, the capital, big demonstration is taking place on the 17th. The referendum for the new constitution could take place next year
Germany:
Last Friday there were 100 people taking part in the Carnival of Indignants, with an impressive comedy acts /using EU sings on SS uniforms/ and people dressed up as flock of sheep. When the flock boo-ingly stopped in front of the City hall /Rotes Rathaus/ to demand the City keys, even the police couldn’t help laughing.
Next similiar action is being planned.
Last Saturday there was a huge Occupy demonstration in Berlin and Frankfurt with some 18.000 people. It was named “Banken in die Schranken” and was coorganized by NGOs – Attac and Campact + the union Verdi. It got a good media coverage.
After Assamblea, there was a try to set up a new camp at Branderburger Tor which was violently halted by the police.
On Monday 50 people demonstrated in front of the American embassy in the support of OWS.
Giant Monopoly game is taking place at Branderburger Tor on the 19th of November.
Our group decided to support the demonstration of the Charite staff on the 19th, beginning at 10.30 at Friedrichstr. A Banner of the International group is prepared which reads: “Prekariat of the World Unite! “Our group is further going to start an Assamblea at the demonstration and express solidarity from our respective countries.
The group is meeting at the tram stop in Friedrichstr. Banner is constructed at 3pm-6pm in Bethanien on the 18th.
Details about the strike:
300 hundred out of 1800 contracted emloyees of the facility management and security staff of CFM are striking for higher wages.
A major German Union Verdi is supporting them.
Temporay work on rise all over the world.
There is a difference between a “Betriebsrat” and a real Union in Germanzy.
In Argentina the whole country went bankrupt in 2001.
Argentinian model of Workers owned – cooperatives disscused.
Next Debate topic:
Church vs Camping
International Group meets next week at the same time and place
follow me ... 