[Onthebarricades] On the Barricades - South America, Central America, Caribbean

Mon Apr 4 04:23:53 PDT 2005

LATIN AMERICA
The 3rd Latin American Encounter of Autonomous Popular Organizations has drawn to a close in the town of La Plata, Argentina. The meeting saw the participation of 400 people and over 50 popular organizations from all over Latin America. These organizations exchanged their experiences and discussed concrete proposals for advancing the popular struggles on our continent.

>> FINAL STATEMENT --- of the 3rd Latin American Encounter of Autonomous
Popular Organizations La Plata - February 2005 General Conclusions
Introduction:
The situation in Latin American countries is very similar. Imperialism is producing violations of the most basic rights such as the rights to food, health, housing, education and work. The social-democratic governments are not opposing all this. On the contrary, capitalism is operating as an instrument of change in order to continue applying the neo-liberalist model. Some examples are the creation of imperialist military bases in the region, the FTAA free trade agreement, the payment of foreign debts and the policies of
privatization. Social protest is being criminalized and state terrorism continues. Though there are signs of our class re-organizing itself through the new social movements, we are nonetheless aware of the need to build popular power ["poder popular"] which canface up to imperialism.
The building of popular power:
The term "popular power" is used to denote the fact that it is the people ourselves who have the capacity to resolve our own problems by ourselves without delegating the task to others. Popular Power exists every day wherever we are present with direct democracy, direct action and horizontal structures. Popular power destroys bourgeois power. By building popular power today we work towards building a new society and in order to build this new, just society of equality and solidarity, we must begin by practising these principles now. It is a question of the correlation of forces between the classes and the
irreconcilable class interests can be resolved from a position of force. Islands of popular power can be built, but we must grow on the basis of a united project.
Popular power must be built on five fundamental bases:
* The disorganized must organize in order to combat the disorganization which exists in the class and create the right environment where people can participate with political independence and organic autonomy. This autonomy must be understood as an integral part of a whole project. Organization on the basis of the principles of direct democracy and horizontality will allow us to apply suitable methodologies.
* Unite those who are alone, in order to combat dispersion and the fragmentation of our people and to unify the struggles.
* Create an ideological struggle, in order that the class can discover its role and its existence as an oppressed class. We realize the importance of political education in order to collectively and consciously build from the grassroots.
* Protect our autonomy from political parties, from the church and from the State.
* Work towards re-building social ties and the values of solidarity in order to break away from selfishness and social decomposition.
The strategic accumulation of the strength to build popular power must be understood as part of a framework for empowering people, as ultimately it is the people who will have to make the changes and there is no party or political organization on earth who can substitute the people.
How we will proceed united:
It was agreed that we would engage in the following activities:
* React to the Bush visit to Argentina in November as part of the Americas Summit, with mobilizations in every country with organizations present here today, against hunger and against the FTAA.
* Participate in the activities on 11 October which will be taking place everywhere in the region.
* Promote struggles to obtain the release of political prisoners.
* Publicize the situation of political prisoners in every country.
* Create an e-mail network in order to ensure speedy communication.
Next meeting:
The next meeting will be held during the last week of February in Montevideo, Uruguay. The central theme will once again be the building of popular power. The need to organize discussion by sectors was established and therefore the first day of the meeting will concentrate on general discussion regarding the building of popular power among all those present, while the second day will analyze how to build popular power in each sector and aim to promote coordination between the various sectors.
E-mail: comites_resistencia at yahoo.com.br
The 3rd Encounter saw participation by over 400 people
from the following
organizations:
URUGUAY
Centro Social El Galpón de Corrales
Espacio de Solidaridad
BRAZIL
Comité de Resistencia Popular - Porto Alegre
Comité de Resistencia Popular - Sao Paulo
BOLIVIA
Red Tinku
CHILE
Biblioteca Popular Puel Mapu
Frente de Estudiantes Libertarios
Comité de Allegados Lucha y Vivienda
ARGENTINA
Frente Popular Darío Santillán
MUP, Movimiento de Unidad Popular
MTD Aníbal Verón
MTD La Verdad
MDO, Movimiento de Desocupados y Ocupados
UTL Sur
MRV26, Movimiento Resistir y Vencer 26 de Junio
Centro Popular Agustín Tosco
CTD Trabajo y Dignidad
Aguanegra
FAEA
Santiago Pampillón
Barrios Unidos (Mar del Plata)
Tinta Roja (Mar del Plata)
Unión de Vecinos Organizados (Mar del Plata)
Centro de Derechos Humanos Zaragoza (La Plata)
Equipo de Educación Popular de la Universidad de Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Bs. As)
Equipo de Psicología Social de la Universidad de
Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Bs. As.)
Comisión Techo y Trabajo (Bs. As)
Gran Parlamento Indígena
Grupo Humanidad (La Plata)
Asamblea Angel Gallardo (Cap. Federal)
Proyecto 19/20 (Bs. As)
Libres del Sur (Bs. As)
COPA La Plata (Bs. As)
Colectivo Desalambrando (Bs. As)
Defensorías Populares Autónomas ASE (Bs. As.)
Cimientos (Bs. As.)
Asamblea Juan B. Justo y Corrientes (Cap. Federal)
Repique (Bs. As.)
Nexos, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (Bs. As.)
MTD 1º de Mayo (Bs. As.)
Foro Social de Salud (Bs. As.)
Izquierda Gay Lésbica, Transexual, transexual y
bisexual (Bs. As.)
Fábrica Recuperada Tucuy Paj (Bs. As.)
Organización Barrial Juanito Laguna (Bs. As.)
Asamblea de Bajo Belgrano (Cap. Federal)
Grupo de Reflexión Rural (Bs. As.)
Comisión Independiente del Puente Pueyrredón (Bs. As)
Colectivo de Trabajo de Periodismo (Bs. As)
Indymedia (Bs. As.)
Hoy no se fía (Bs. As.)
CIAJ (Bs. As.)
Centro Cultural Kichari (Bs. As.)
Asamblea por el derecho al aborto libre gratuito y
despenalizado (Bs. As.)
Comunidad Originaria Kilmes (Bs. As.)
Asamblea de Wilde (Bs. As.)
Coordinadora Libertaria (Córdoba)

CLAC (Canada)
La Boatella (Spain)
CNT (France)

Translation by FdCA-international relations

BRAZIL:  REPRESSION OF OCCUPIERS CONTINUES

Brasil - 16 Feb 2005 
VIOLENT EVICTION IN GOIANIA, BRAZIL 

A large military policy operation with 2,500 men has started 
this morning (February 16) for the eviction of the land occupation 
Sonho Real (Real Dream) in the city of Goiânia, Brazil. 
Two people got killed, over 800 people got arrested 
and several people are wounded (five were very seriously wounded). 
Among the arrested, two Indymedia volunteers, one from Goiânia 
and one from Indymedia New York. 

The occupation started in may 2004 in an area which has been abandoned 
for years and quickly gathered 3,000 families. In January, Justice 
ordered the eviction of the families and since then police have been
terrifying the families with death threats and sudden attacks. 
In February 11, police showed up suddenly and shot gas 
and concussion bombs and fired rubber bullets against the people. 

One child got hit by a concussion bomb. On February 15, 
in another attack, police shot bombs and fired with guns. 
Two people got hurt. After pressure from social movements 
and human rights groups, state of Goiás Governor Marconi Perillo 
committed himself not to send police to evict people in a violent way 
(you can hear his commitment in this recorded audio. 

Today's attack and the so far confirmed death of 2 people showed 
he did not stick to his words.

State Repression Showers Goiania with Mourning, Protest 
After the violent eviction suffered this Wednesday, the 16th of February, many of the families from the occupation Sonho Real spent the night at the Catedral of Goiania. Others stayed in a Gym, because no other space was provided for them after their eviction. IMC reporters are now hearing a great number of reports of police violence and authority abuse. Even neightbors from the occupation have made reports about being attacked by the police. Some have sought medical attention. A rally was called for today, the 17th of February at 9 AM in front of the Catedral of Goiania to protest against the violence and to demand punishment for the perpetrators. During the rally the homeless held a funeral for the two 2 militants killed in Wednesday's raid, Pedro Nascimento Silva and Wagner da Silva Moreira. During the demonstration some undercover cops were identified by the squatters while they were trying to arrest of one of the leaders of the Occupation. Trying to avoid prison, the homeless surrounded the police officers who shot many times in the direction of the crowd. In as attempt to escape, they ran to a square near the Military Police who proceeded to set up a police line and protect the undercover cops. Still coming in are many uncomfirmed reports of murders and extreme police violence, in addition to the reports about the missing bodies. A recent post to IMC reports bodies that had been hidden in tanks or burned by the police). At this time, some of the arrested remain in jail and it is estimated at least 50 people missing, based on the various eye witness reports. 

MORE ON GOIMBRA:

http://www.brasil.indymedia.org/en/blue/

Background to the massacre
http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/2005/384/index.html?id=pp9.htm

BRAZIL: 35000 women march on International Women's Day
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/03/113381.shtml

Rubbish collectors strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m08.shtml
Construction workers strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/wkrs-f22.shtml
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m22.shtml

ARGENTINA:  Metro workers strike and win

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=42&ItemID=7229

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4249371.stm

Truckers win deal after clashes with riot cops
http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt.jsp?cat=USMARKET&src=704&feed=dji&section=news&news_id=dji-00096520050304&date=20050304&alias=/alias/money/cm/nw
Teachers strike in Salta and Santa Fe
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m08.shtml
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m22.shtml
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m29.shtml
Air workers strike for back pay
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m15.shtml
Construction workers block roads
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/wkrs-f22.shtml
Protests against price rises

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={8304C588-FFED-4461-B6ED-7ECA06141720}&language=EN

COLOMBIA:  Mass jailbreak:  20 flee as rebels storm the prison, seven are shot by guards

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4210913.stm

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-briefs27.2jan27,1,5775428.story?coll=la-headlines-world

Colombians protest after landmine kills children

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/02/15/colombia.mine.ap/

Free trade area negotiations protested

http://www.ww4report.com/node/284

VENEZUELA:  Squatters hold tight as land reform struggle escalates

http://www.guardian.co.uk/venezuela/story/0,12716,1397833,00.html?gusrc=rss

Workers' control in aluminium factory
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1407
Indigenous people fight coal mine
http://www.enrager.net/newswire/stories.php?story=05/03/07/8850822

http://resist.ca/story/2005/3/5/171818/3493

Workers call for solidarity at university

http://www.marxist.com/Latinam/venezuela_sutrauft.htm

Manufacturing workers also call for solidarity

http://www.marxist.com/Latinam/venezuela_cnv_workers.htm

ECUADOR:  250,000 march against corruption and for welfare services

Mass demonstrations oppose President's stitchup of Supreme Court
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m22.shtml

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/615/615p16.htm

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/616/616p18b.htm

Protests against president over stuffing of Supreme Court; supporters also march (bugmenot login: nomail at juno.net password bugmenot)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10919746.htm

School students protest to call for concessionary prices

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/615/615p19i.htm

Doctors strike over unpaid bonds
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={F346004B-E87A-48C1-8343-1D1832146776}&language=EN
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={AE491329-1ABF-4222-9CA3-A985B91A17D6}&language=EN
Ecuador tribes vow to defy oil plan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4308537.stm

Doctors, tire workers strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m08.shtml

Court workers strike as crisis continues
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m29.shtml

BOLIVIA:  Government oust water company after mass unrest

http://www.waronwant.org/?lid=9366&cc=1

CHILE:  Fisherfolk strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m01.shtml
CHILE: Farmers protest Barrick mining ecocide plan

http://www.tcgnews.com/santiagotimes/index.php?nav=story&story_id=8693&topic_id=1

PERU: Doctors strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m08.shtml

O.A.S.:  US indigenous rights event snubbed by indigenous people in protest at US policies

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10851098.htm

(bugmenot login: nomail at juno.com and password bugmenot)

MEXICO: Voice actors strike over union
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m01.shtml
Mass march against privatisation
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m15.shtml
Water system workers strike over layoffs, pay
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m29.shtml

MEXICO:  Cuntaleeza gets tomatoed

--- In TheLies at yahoogroups.com, "Al" <atlatlal at y...> wrote:

--- In Aztlannet_News at yahoogroups.com, tlacayaotzin at a... wrote:
  Condalezza Rice, receives tomatoes as departing shot in Mexico!!!   
From 
Proceso.com of today..

Avientan jitomates al auto que condujo a Condoleezza Rice
"tomatoes thrown at car transporting Condoleezza Rice"

Autor: judith amador tello/apro
Fecha: 11-Mar-2005

*Protestan por la presencia de la secretarÃa de Estado de EU
* Frente a la SRE le gritan â€œasesinaâ€ y â€œterroristaâ€
*******************

They protested the presence of the Secretary of State from the U.S., 
in front of the SRE, as they shouted "assassin and terrorist"

*******************
MÃ©xico, D.F., 10 de marzo (apro).- El grupo Iniciativa Mexicana 
contra la Guerra â€œNo en nuestro nombreâ€, expresÃ³ su repudio por 
la visita oficial de siete horas que la secretaria de Estado de 
Estados Unidos, Condoleezza Rice realizÃ³ hoy a MÃ©xico y aventÃ³ 
jitomates al automÃ³vil que la transportÃ³ de regreso a 
su paÃs.
*******************

Mexico City, March 10 - The group "Initiative against the War, "Not 
in our name", expressed their protest for the official visit of six 
hours that the Secretary of State for the U.S., Condoleeza Rice, 
realized today in Mexico and they threw tomatoes at the her car as 
she passed by the group.

******************* 
Desde su llegada al Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de MÃ©xico, 
los activistas llegaron a manifestarse al hangar presidencial con 
mantas y una mojiganga cuyo rostro representaba a la funcionaria del 
gobierno estadunidense.
*******************
Since her arrival at the International Airport of Mexico City, the 
activists have been able to make their presence known at the 
presidential hangar with slogans and "a giant war monger puppet" that 
represented the secretary and the United States government.

*******************
Posteriormente el grupo, formado por alrededor de cincuenta personas, 
se trasladÃ³ a la sede de la SecretarÃa de Relaciones Exteriores en 
Tlatelolco, donde presentaron un desfile de modas. Una de las 
integrantes del grupo, quien prefiriÃ³ no dar sus datos personales, 
explicÃ³ que la colecciÃ³n se llamÃ³ â€œDiseÃ±os 
Condoleezzaâ€ o â€œEl mundo segÃºn Condoleezzaâ€.
********************

Behind the group, that formed around the 50 persons, of the Secretary 
of External Relations in Tlatelolco, where they presented a parade of 
puppet models.  One of the group leaders, that didn't want to give 
her data, explained that the group collected was named "Diseatos 
Condoleezza" (Condoleezza Disaster) o "El mundo sega Condoleezzaa" 
(The world following Condoleezza) 

********************
Dos travestÃs condujeron el desfile que tuvo como objetivo 
â€œreivindicar la diversidad y los derechos para todosâ€. Se 
presentaron tres modelitos: un vietnamita de Abu Graib, un campesino 
a punto de la muerte por las polÃticas econÃ³micas de la 
OrganizaciÃ³n Mundial de Comercio, y un cadÃ¡ver que es â€œla 
propuesta que el equipo de Bush estÃ¡ haciendo para todos los paÃses 
que tienen materias primas y en particular petrÃ³leo, agua y 
biodiversidadâ€.
*********************

Two protestors paraded with the objective to affirm the human rights 
and diversity of all.  Three puppet models were presented, one a 
Vietnamese in Abu Graib, one a farm worker near death due to 
economicy policies of the World Trade Organization, and a skeleton, 
to indicate what Bush's war in Iraq is doing to all the worlds 
peoples and that in particular the interest of oil supplies, 
pollutted water, and biodiversity destruction.  

*********************
A la misma hora, pero frente a la Embajada de Estados Unidos un grupo 
de AmnistÃa Internacional protestÃ³ tambiÃ©n contra la polÃtica 
intervencionista y bÃ©lica del vecino paÃs del norte.
*********************

At the same time, but outside the U.S. Embassy, a group of "Amnesty 
International" protested also against political intervention of the 
neighbor to the north.

*********************
El grupo Iniciativa Mexicana contra la Guerra esperÃ³ afuera de la 
CancillerÃa mexicana hasta que Rice saliÃ³ para despedirla con los 
gritos de â€œFuera tropas de Irakâ€ y â€œCondoleezza, asesina, tu 
eres la terroristaâ€, y aventaron jitomates al automÃ³vil que la 
transportaba.
*********************

The group indicated the Mexican sentiment against the (Iraq) war 
outside the Mexican Counsulate as Rice came out to leave, they 
shouted "American Army out of Iraq", and "Condoleezza, 
Assassin", "Condoleezza, you are terrorist", and they threw tomatoes 
at her car that transported her.

*********************
El grupo activista anunciÃ³ que estÃ¡ preparando una gran 
movilizaciÃ³n para el 19 de marzo, cuando se cumplirÃ¡n dos aÃ±os de 
la invasiÃ³n de Estados Unidos a Irak.
*********************

The group of activists announced that they are preparing a grande 
mobilization for the 19th of March, when the 2nd year annivarsy of 
the invasion of the United States of Iraq occurs.

EL SALVADOR:  University occupied in flash protest against budget

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/613/613p20c.htm

HONDURAS: Civil servants strike for pay increase
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={B313CB6A-A9D3-4F46-937A-271EA6E952D4}&language=EN

NICARAGUA:  Teachers’ strike continues

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={0BE1BAAB-F243-4EBC-A36F-DE151AE35565}&language=EN

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={87BD3B46-5AE8-41B1-816C-81FDF6816D76}&language=EN

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={8DB1EAAD-F443-49A2-BE27-DBEE6EF78E1B}&language=EN
http://www.themilitant.com/2005/6907/690754.html

http://www.periodico26.cu/english_new/world/strike080205.htm

Teachers end strike but threaten re-start
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={B2473277-FE80-41C6-93AB-E8C7E07B7C4A}&language=EN

Teachers' strike ends in victory
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/wkrs-f22.shtml
Poisoned workers set up protest camp
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=54&ItemID=7553

BELIZE: Trade unionists once more turn out to demonstrate
http://new.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=13695
http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?story=539&PHPSESSID=68c687a6e75d60c4a5e7d995f0c1f188

CUBA:  Wives of political detainees march to demand their release

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050218/480/hav10302182150

Wives of dissidents continue protests

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/03/29/2003248238

HAITI:  Partial victory for FTZ workers

http://www.labournet.net/world/0501/haiti1.html

Oppositionists escape jail – but recaptured

http://resist.ca/story/2005/2/20/23119/4133
http://resist.ca/story/2005/2/21/18577/7021

BAHAMAS:  Teachers occupy school in protest over transfer of counsellor

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=2356

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/337046907263132.php

Nurses stage sick-out over poor conditions
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=2909&sid=10c4fd8b1ee0b542fbef71811b3f9b9b
Communication workers strike
http://new.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=13666
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/282892640147909.php

DOMINICA:  Caribs protest film depiction as cannibals

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/02/14/Arts/pirates050214.html

Doctors demonstrate

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={60DF85AE-D08E-4A39-8442-732A82AEB81D}&language=EN

JAMAICA:  Sugar workers end strike in return for inspection
http://www.radiojamaica.com/news/?id=15437

Students blockade university gates in results protest

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050312/cleisure/cleisure1.html

TRINIDAD:  University of West Indies shut down by lecturers’ strike

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=58459106

Sanitation workers protest

http://www.i955fm.com/applicationloader.asp?app=newsarticles&cmd=view&articleid=5757

Retired port workers picket PM

http://www.i955fm.com/applicationloader.asp?app=newsarticles&cmd=view&articleid=5773

Workers demonstrate for unpaid wages
http://www.newsday.co.tt/stories.php?article_id=25256
Health workers and hospital cooks protest
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=66550115
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=66550112
Linden hospital staff strike for pay increase
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=14138861
Lifeguards' protests continue
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=65060007

Lifeguard strike ends with agreement
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=68916105
http://www.i955fm.com/applicationloader.asp?app=newsarticles&cmd=view&articleid=6078

Doctors end overtime protest

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=65951188

Prisoners revolt in court over excessive bail and adjournments, take magistrate hostage

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=67753824

BARBADOS:  Students protest against new amenities fees

Student strike and demonstrations greet the planned fee

http://www.nationnews.com/StoryView.cfm?Record=57887&Section=LO&Current=2005-02-15%2000%3A00%3A00

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=20445

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=20411

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=20433

http://www.nationnews.com/StoryView.cfm?Record=57892&Section=LO&Current=2005-02-16%2000%3A00%3A00

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