International call for an Anti-Capitalist Action Block during ESF 2008, Sweden

from email, 8 September 2008:

Who are the Action Network?

During 17th - 21st September 2008 the European Social Forum will be hosted by Malmo, an event planned to give social movements and radical organizations all over Europe the opportunity to enter into dialogue with each other. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this five-day Forum which will offer seminars, workshops, and art events, including music, all with the slogan 'Another Europe is Possible.'

Simultaneously, various kinds of demonstrations, mass activities and street events will take place, some as part of the official ESF, but others outside and independent of this. The ESF 2008 Action Network is intended to co-ordinate these organizations – from other parts of Sweden and Europe – that wish to work independently and get involved in mass activities and other events in Malmo during the ESF period.

The purpose is especially to help different groups communicate, and to help organize their mobilization. The ESF 2008 Action Network is independent of the official ESF, politically as well as economically, and all participants in the Network will little by little shape its slant and aims.

The mass activities won't take place in opposition to the official Forum, but on the other hand, they won't be in the least committed to that political agenda or social practice which the wealthiest and most powerful forces no doubt will express through the official ESF.

Quite the contrary: we know that many of the thousands of activists expected to travel to Malmo because of the ESF will welcome the chance to turn their own political opinions into action through mass activities. Within the Network, there will be time and place for a wide spectrum of different kinds of practice. Respecting each other's methods, but without compromises, people will act together, or at least during the same days, towards our common goals.

Invitation for participation in the Anti-capitalist Action Block run by Action Network on September 20th 2008.

The major demonstration during ESF in Malmo will take place on Saturday September 20th at 12.00. The demonstration will be divided into different blocks, where Action Network has organized the Anti-capitalist Action Block, which has a freedom of tendencies. It means that the block is open for participation for all groups who consider themselves anti-capitalist and revolutionary.

Why an anticapitalist block?

The Nordic countries have a long tradition of a mutual agreement between the state, the political parties and the unions. This has caused us to forget the political disobedience that characterized our movement one hundred years ago. We have chosen to organize an anti-capitalist block because we do not believe in parliamentary reforms or lobbying as a strategy for change.

The cooperation between states and major corporations to keep the capitalist order in place needs to be overthrown by unity and cooperation between the oppressed peoples of the world. Change does not come from above- It´s organized from below.

For more information about the planned activities by Action Network during ESF 2008. See further on our homepage http://www.esf2008action.net

Resources needed

The five days of action will need a lot of resources. We ask for support to make the make the best possible out of the actions. Do you have a travelling kitchen that can provide food for many people? Have you worked with Trauma Support/Out of Action areas? Do you have ideas for cultural events in the evenings?

Practical information

Due to a shortage of facilities we have to direct you to the official ESF who will provide sleeping places for the participants of the forum. We will focus our resources to provide accommodation for people with children or other special needs. There will also be an area close to Malmo where sleeping places for a limited number of people will be available. This place is also recommended if people need to take a break from the actions for a shorter time.

Hope to see you in Malmo in September!

Contact address:
koordination@esf2008action.net

See: http://www.esf2008action.net/en/node/30

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Street Party ESF 2008 - We are taking it all back!

We're sick of working for a ridiculous wage with only tendon-stretching, muscle-ache and early retirement to look forward to. We're sick of women getting a lower wage than men and we are really goddamn sick of the politicians that are supposed to be on ordinary people's side having long since turned into pseudoliberals and sent those of us who can't find a job to Malmö's own daycare center for adults: the employment office.

Politics to us isn't something that mainly happens in dusty buildings of parliament or dull TV-debates. Politics is about power, and now we are going to use our strengths! By taking over the streets and filling them with what we stand for we want to focus on a Malmö that is far from the politicians polished facade.

We want to focus on a Malmö of conflict where union activists are peppersprayed by police, where homeless people freeze to death on the streets while politicians pay millions for christmas lights, a Malmö where police force kids up against the wall for hours without reason and then have the nerve to lie about it afterwards. A Malmö where we stand up for one another and realize that only by working together can we ever change society!

This will be a creative action where you aren't relegated to being a spectator but is rather welcomed to take place. Do you want to write out your crappy boss name in pink all over the street? Are you in a band who want to arrange something? Do you want to tear open the asphalt to plant seeds and grow crops? Do you want to bring your couch? Do you want to rap? Do you want to dance to your revolution? Do you want to meet new friends? Do you want to have a political discussion? Do you want to hand out crayons for drawing on the streets? Do you want to shout poetry in a mike? Do you want to sit at home and wait for the politicians to do something for you, or is it time to take back what is ours?

We're going to challenge the power at it's core and the entire world is invited!

Friday night during the European Social Forum
19th September 2008

check out the promo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2YByUNM4Qc
or
http://www.esf2008action.net/en/reclaim

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