325 nostate
Bristol targets attacked (UK)
26.02.11 Bristol
“through struggle and attack, comrades and rebels everywhere solidarity to you all.
as we self manage our own struggle we stand against everything that exploits all of us, in a(nother) city full of actual physical mechanisms of exploitation and domination, targets are everywhere and in direct accordance with their being, so comes our attack, a ‘smart’ cctv van was paintstripped in broad daylight, later that night internet and telecommunications cables were set on fire.
for comrades who lost their lives in this war we remain in combat together, with the fire we share in our hearts. solidarity in our attack forever.”
Bristol anarchists
Monday, 28 February 2011
SOHAR, Oman - Government buildings and cars set on fire, smouldering supermarket looted. At least two dead in riots
reuters africa
SOHAR, Oman, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Men and women casually looted a smouldering supermarket in Oman's main industrial centre on Monday, after police disappeared in the wake of violent protests in the normally placid Arab state.
"It's a free for all," said one man who watched while people grabbed all they could find -- from food to metal sheets and electronic goods -- and piled their hauls into trolleys at the Lulu Hypermarket at a road junction in the port of Sohar.
The looting followed protests on Sunday night when Omanis demanding jobs and political reforms clashed with police, throwing stones and setting government buildings and part of the market ablaze. A doctor said six people died in the clashes, although the health minister said only one person had died.
All afternoon, women walked in and out of the supermarket taking away food and drinks. One was seen stacking up slightly burned cartons of eggs, powdered milk, orange juice and cream cheese on her trolley and calmly leaving the supermarket.
"There's no security.....I want to live," said a 28-year-old Omani, who identified himself as Youssef, walking away with 10 bottles of juice in his long traditional Arab robe.
Another man dragged a big sheet of aluminium, loading it onto a trolley of food and walking off from the supermarket, next to the Globe Roundabout on the main road linking the capital Muscat to northern Oman.
Security forces and police were nowhere to be seen.
DEMANDS
Plumes of smoke emanated from the destroyed portion of the store on Monday morning, and three fire engines sprayed water to douse a small part of the store that was still burning at noon.
Protesters in Sohar are demanding political reform and an end to unemployment in the oil-producing country, ruled for the past four decades by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. As more people gathered at the Globe Roundabout, some called for an end to the looting.
"Yes, yes to reform. No, no to looting," a group of about 200 Omanis chanted as they marched around the area.
Not everyone adhered to the call. "Yes, yes to looting," one man said as he walked into the supermarket.
Sunday 27 February - (Reuters) - Omani police fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters demanding political reform on Sunday, killing two people, and demonstrators set government buildings and cars ablaze, witnesses said.
Hours after the violence, Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos, gave an order to create 50,000 jobs for citizens in the Gulf Arab state of 2.7 million people, 70 percent of whom are nationals.
All detained protesters were later freed, state media said.
The trouble in the northeastern port of Sohar, Oman's main industrial center, was a rare sign of discontent in the normally sleepy sultanate and followed a wave of pro-democracy protests across the Arab world.
Witnesses said more than 2,000 protesters had gathered for a second day in a square in Sohar demanding political reforms, more jobs and better pay before police tried to disperse them, first with tear gas and batons and then rubber bullets.
"Two people have died after police fired rubber bullets into the crowd," one witness told Reuters from Sohar. A third person was reported in critical condition after being shot.
Another witness said earlier police had used live ammunition, but that could not immediately be confirmed. Troops deployed in the area, but did not intervene, witnesses said.
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Scenes of battle in Tunis, police accuse "terrorists"
juralibertaire
AFP 26.02.2011 - Police fire, police cars burned, vandalized cafes, benches and trees uprooted: Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis at night looked like a real battlefield, with the police pursuing "terrorists" accused of wanting " chaos ".
Friday 23:00: a real manhunt is underway in downtown Tunis, where groups of demonstrators provoked for more than five hours police deployed near the Interior Ministry, claiming the "fall of the government" after a huge rally in front of the Kasbah.
Bursts of warning shots, tear gas, followed by automatic fire, panic seized the people in the capital which had not seen such violence since the fall of the police regime of President Ben Ali in mid-January.
Soldiers, riot police, plainclothes officers wearing balaclavas armed with batons then cross the city. Army helicopters flying at low altitude in the capital for hours.
But nothing stops a handful of brave ones' determination to penetrate the interior ministry, surrounded by barbed wire and tanks of the army police vehicles in the parking lot of the interior ministry on fire.
Avenue Bourguiba is sinking into thick columns of black smoke from several fires lit by protesters. The air, loaded with tear gas and smoke from fires, burns the eyes and is unbearable.
Armed police wearing masks approach AFP journalists. Their attitude is almost menacing, thinking they are demonstrators who sowed unrest.
Nearby, two police motorcycles are still burning. Some yards away, the facade of a police station near Yugoslavia street, is black with soot. The slabs of marble at the entrance were torn out and windows broken.
"They (protesters) were numerous, about 200 or more, want to enter the building, first they burned two police cars parked near the station. I was scared for my life especially when they tried to catch me after threatening to burn me alive," said one policeman, Saleh, 30, still in shock.
These "terrorists conducted a coordinated action," said another officer, "they told us: You have been increased, you soldiers of Ben Ali, but you will always be losers'."
Two carcasses of police cars and two motorcycles are still smoking nearby.
"I really thought it was my last day there was so much hatred in their eyes and their words," said another officer, baton in hand.
Further still, while still echoing explosions, a Monoprix located near the Embassy of France, sacked, finishes burning up.
The security forces arresting protesters at any cost, carrying out muscular beatings, some did not hesitate to throw to the ground and arrest a man screaming in terror.
Then suddenly, they stop a tram to get out the men inside by force. The blows rain down. The arrested men are rushed into police vans.
While the centre of Tunis is only desolation and cries resound.
Tunis plunged into a night rocked by explosions.
AFP 26.02.2011 - Police fire, police cars burned, vandalized cafes, benches and trees uprooted: Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis at night looked like a real battlefield, with the police pursuing "terrorists" accused of wanting " chaos ".
Friday 23:00: a real manhunt is underway in downtown Tunis, where groups of demonstrators provoked for more than five hours police deployed near the Interior Ministry, claiming the "fall of the government" after a huge rally in front of the Kasbah.
Bursts of warning shots, tear gas, followed by automatic fire, panic seized the people in the capital which had not seen such violence since the fall of the police regime of President Ben Ali in mid-January.
Soldiers, riot police, plainclothes officers wearing balaclavas armed with batons then cross the city. Army helicopters flying at low altitude in the capital for hours.
But nothing stops a handful of brave ones' determination to penetrate the interior ministry, surrounded by barbed wire and tanks of the army police vehicles in the parking lot of the interior ministry on fire.
Avenue Bourguiba is sinking into thick columns of black smoke from several fires lit by protesters. The air, loaded with tear gas and smoke from fires, burns the eyes and is unbearable.
Armed police wearing masks approach AFP journalists. Their attitude is almost menacing, thinking they are demonstrators who sowed unrest.
Nearby, two police motorcycles are still burning. Some yards away, the facade of a police station near Yugoslavia street, is black with soot. The slabs of marble at the entrance were torn out and windows broken.
"They (protesters) were numerous, about 200 or more, want to enter the building, first they burned two police cars parked near the station. I was scared for my life especially when they tried to catch me after threatening to burn me alive," said one policeman, Saleh, 30, still in shock.
These "terrorists conducted a coordinated action," said another officer, "they told us: You have been increased, you soldiers of Ben Ali, but you will always be losers'."
Two carcasses of police cars and two motorcycles are still smoking nearby.
"I really thought it was my last day there was so much hatred in their eyes and their words," said another officer, baton in hand.
Further still, while still echoing explosions, a Monoprix located near the Embassy of France, sacked, finishes burning up.
The security forces arresting protesters at any cost, carrying out muscular beatings, some did not hesitate to throw to the ground and arrest a man screaming in terror.
Then suddenly, they stop a tram to get out the men inside by force. The blows rain down. The arrested men are rushed into police vans.
While the centre of Tunis is only desolation and cries resound.
Tunis plunged into a night rocked by explosions.
Tunis - police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators
bbc
26.02.2011 - Thousands of Tunisian demonstrators gather near the prime minister's office in Tunis, 25 February 2011 Mass protests forced out veteran President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last month
Security forces in the Tunisian capital have fired tear gas to try to disperse hundreds of demonstrators outside the interior ministry.
Police and masked men in civilian clothes, armed with sticks, moved through streets looking for protesters.
The renewed protest comes a day after police cleared huge crowds from the streets demanding the resignation of the interim prime minister.
That was the biggest rally since the president fled after weeks of unrest.
On Friday police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators.
26.02.2011 - Thousands of Tunisian demonstrators gather near the prime minister's office in Tunis, 25 February 2011 Mass protests forced out veteran President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last month
Security forces in the Tunisian capital have fired tear gas to try to disperse hundreds of demonstrators outside the interior ministry.
Police and masked men in civilian clothes, armed with sticks, moved through streets looking for protesters.
The renewed protest comes a day after police cleared huge crowds from the streets demanding the resignation of the interim prime minister.
That was the biggest rally since the president fled after weeks of unrest.
On Friday police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators.
Cairo, Egypt - Masked Egyptian soldiers fire in the air and use batons and tasers against demonstrators in Tahrir Square
reuters
26.02.2011 - Egyptian soldiers fired in the air and used batons in the early hours of Saturday to disperse activists demanding the cabinet appointed by Hosni Mubarak be purged by the country's new military leaders, protesters said.
Thousands had gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square to celebrate two weeks since Mubarak's removal and remind the country's new rulers, who have promised to guard against "counter revolution" of the people's power.
Egyptian protesters gather to demand Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi step down during demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.
In the gathering in the epicentre of the uprising against the president, activists urged the military, who had promised there would be "no return to the past" of the Mubarak era, to overhaul the cabinet and install a team of technocrats.
But after midnight, protesters said the military fired in the air, shut off the light from lampposts, and moved in on protesters to force them to leave the square, in an unusual use of military force against protesters since Mubarak's fall.
"Military police used batons and tasers to hit the protesters," Ahmed Bahgat, one of the protesters, told Reuters by telephone. "The military is once again using force. But the protesters have not responded."
Protesters left the main centre but many had gathered in surrounding streets, another protester, Mohamed Emad, said. Witnesses said they saw several protesters fall to the ground but it was not clear if they were wounded or how seriously.
"I am one of thousands of people who stood their ground after the army started dispersing the protesters, shooting live bullets into the air to scare them," said protester Ashraf Omar.
Black masks
The army officers who moved in on protesters in Tahrir, donned black masks to cover their faces to avoid being identified by protesters, Omar said.
Military buses were parked in the square to take in protesters that were caught, Mohamed Aswany, one protester who had decided to stage a sit-in, told Reuters by telephone.
Protesters were heard yelling and shouting as they were chased down side streets to Tahrir.
"It is a cat-and-mouse chase between the army and the people," Omar said. "There is no more unity between the people and the army."
"They were using tasers and sticks to beat us without any control. I thought things would change. I wanted to give the government a chance but there is no hope with this regime," Omar said.
26.02.2011 - Egyptian soldiers fired in the air and used batons in the early hours of Saturday to disperse activists demanding the cabinet appointed by Hosni Mubarak be purged by the country's new military leaders, protesters said.
Thousands had gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square to celebrate two weeks since Mubarak's removal and remind the country's new rulers, who have promised to guard against "counter revolution" of the people's power.
Egyptian protesters gather to demand Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi step down during demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.
In the gathering in the epicentre of the uprising against the president, activists urged the military, who had promised there would be "no return to the past" of the Mubarak era, to overhaul the cabinet and install a team of technocrats.
But after midnight, protesters said the military fired in the air, shut off the light from lampposts, and moved in on protesters to force them to leave the square, in an unusual use of military force against protesters since Mubarak's fall.
"Military police used batons and tasers to hit the protesters," Ahmed Bahgat, one of the protesters, told Reuters by telephone. "The military is once again using force. But the protesters have not responded."
Protesters left the main centre but many had gathered in surrounding streets, another protester, Mohamed Emad, said. Witnesses said they saw several protesters fall to the ground but it was not clear if they were wounded or how seriously.
"I am one of thousands of people who stood their ground after the army started dispersing the protesters, shooting live bullets into the air to scare them," said protester Ashraf Omar.
Black masks
The army officers who moved in on protesters in Tahrir, donned black masks to cover their faces to avoid being identified by protesters, Omar said.
Military buses were parked in the square to take in protesters that were caught, Mohamed Aswany, one protester who had decided to stage a sit-in, told Reuters by telephone.
Protesters were heard yelling and shouting as they were chased down side streets to Tahrir.
"It is a cat-and-mouse chase between the army and the people," Omar said. "There is no more unity between the people and the army."
"They were using tasers and sticks to beat us without any control. I thought things would change. I wanted to give the government a chance but there is no hope with this regime," Omar said.
East Jerusalem, Silwan - Molotovs against teargas of Israeli soldiers
imemc
25.02.2011 - Confrontations erupted on Thursday evening between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents of the East Jerusalem village of Silwan,
Violence was concentrated in the Baten al-Hawa area, where Israeli soldiers have been occupying the roof of a Palestinian residence for over six months now.
Dozens of residents suffered the asphyxiating effects of tear gas inhalation when fired by Israeli troops. Youths threw Molotov cocktails at soldiers in response.
This makeshift military base has been a point of contention and scene of violence on many occasions, with clashes erupting in the past when it had been previously set on fire.
Meanwhile in the Bir Ayyub district, which is also in Silwan, an Israeli military jeep was torched during clashes. Live ammunition has been used by Israeli forces and the atmosphere throughout the village is extremely tense.
Palestinian villagers attacked by settlers
For the second day in a row, a group of fundamentalist settlers of the Yitzhar illegal settlement, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, invaded on Saturday at dawn Burin Palestinian village, and torched a vehicle that belongs to a local resident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers torched the vehicle of resident Bashir Al Zibin, and also torched his front yard.
On Friday at dawn, the settlers invaded the village and torched a bulldozer that belongs resident Ibrahim Eshtayya.
The two attacks are part of a series of attacks carried out by Jewish settlers against several villages in the Nablus district.
Yitzhar settlement was built on Palestinian lands in southern Nablus, and were illegally expropriated by the Israeli government in 1983.
The settlement of Bracha was also built on lands that belong to residents of Burin village, north of Nablus. Israel confiscated 300 Dunams owned by residents of the village in order to build the illegal settlement.
Iraq Burin is subject to frequent attacks carried out by the settlers [often children] who are frequently protected by the Israeli army. Most of The village’s lands are off-limits to the residents due to illegal settlements and settlement outposts.
25.02.2011 - Confrontations erupted on Thursday evening between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents of the East Jerusalem village of Silwan,
Violence was concentrated in the Baten al-Hawa area, where Israeli soldiers have been occupying the roof of a Palestinian residence for over six months now.
Dozens of residents suffered the asphyxiating effects of tear gas inhalation when fired by Israeli troops. Youths threw Molotov cocktails at soldiers in response.
This makeshift military base has been a point of contention and scene of violence on many occasions, with clashes erupting in the past when it had been previously set on fire.
Meanwhile in the Bir Ayyub district, which is also in Silwan, an Israeli military jeep was torched during clashes. Live ammunition has been used by Israeli forces and the atmosphere throughout the village is extremely tense.
Palestinian villagers attacked by settlers
For the second day in a row, a group of fundamentalist settlers of the Yitzhar illegal settlement, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, invaded on Saturday at dawn Burin Palestinian village, and torched a vehicle that belongs to a local resident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers torched the vehicle of resident Bashir Al Zibin, and also torched his front yard.
On Friday at dawn, the settlers invaded the village and torched a bulldozer that belongs resident Ibrahim Eshtayya.
The two attacks are part of a series of attacks carried out by Jewish settlers against several villages in the Nablus district.
Yitzhar settlement was built on Palestinian lands in southern Nablus, and were illegally expropriated by the Israeli government in 1983.
The settlement of Bracha was also built on lands that belong to residents of Burin village, north of Nablus. Israel confiscated 300 Dunams owned by residents of the village in order to build the illegal settlement.
Iraq Burin is subject to frequent attacks carried out by the settlers [often children] who are frequently protected by the Israeli army. Most of The village’s lands are off-limits to the residents due to illegal settlements and settlement outposts.
Baghdad, Iraq - Demonstrators clash with anti- riot police in attempt to reach government offices and US embassy. 15 dead
AFP
BAGHDAD (AFP) – Security forces used water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands of angry protesters in Baghdad on Friday as a "Day of Rage" across Iraq left 15 demonstrators dead in clashes with police.
Around 5,000 people thronged Baghdad's Tahrir Square, with angry crowds throwing stones, shoes and plastic bottles at riot police and soldiers blocking off a bridge connecting the site to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, home to the US embassy and parliament.
The protest was the biggest of at least 17 separate demonstrations across the country, some sparking clashes in which more than 130 people were wounded, according to an AFP tally based on accounts by officials.
Four government buildings were also set ablaze and one provincial governor resigned.
By evening, most of the crowd in Baghdad had left and security forces refused to allow anyone to enter the area surrounding the square.
25.02.2011 - peopledaily - Late on Thursday, Baghdad operation command, responsible for security in the capital, imposed traffic ban on all kinds of vehicles, motorcycles and bikes until further notice as part of the security measures for fear of chaos during Friday's demonstrations.
The demonstration is part of nation-wide protests called by Iraqi groups on the social networking website Facebook to be held on Feb. 25, asking Iraqis to hold what they named "Revolution of Iraqi Rage," or "Day of Rage," across the country, in a move widely seen inspired by the protests in Tunisia and Egypt.
Recently, several thousand of Iraqis sporadically took to the streets in several provinces across the country, protesting unemployment and a sharp rise in the prices of food staples, as well as demanding better public services.
London, UK - Haringey council chambers occupied, riot police called. Two arrested
uk indymedia
February 25, 2011 - Several hundred people protested outside the budget meeting at wood green civic centre tonight. The building was occupied, and more than twenty people managed to break through a small police line and enter the council chamber, where they delayed the council meeting by nearly two hours. Two were arrested after 3 van loads of TSG officers were called in to clear the building. A solidarity vigil was quickly organised outside hornsey police station where they were taken.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7575
on February 23, Lambeth town hall in Brixton was taken over and occupied by protestors as the council met to vote through budget cuts of tens of millions of pounds. Hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall (as they'd done previously two weeks ago) and at around 7pm took over the chamber chanting "This is what democracy looks like" and "No ifs, no buts, no public services cuts!", before holding a people's assembly.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7548
February 25, 2011 - Several hundred people protested outside the budget meeting at wood green civic centre tonight. The building was occupied, and more than twenty people managed to break through a small police line and enter the council chamber, where they delayed the council meeting by nearly two hours. Two were arrested after 3 van loads of TSG officers were called in to clear the building. A solidarity vigil was quickly organised outside hornsey police station where they were taken.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7575
on February 23, Lambeth town hall in Brixton was taken over and occupied by protestors as the council met to vote through budget cuts of tens of millions of pounds. Hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall (as they'd done previously two weeks ago) and at around 7pm took over the chamber chanting "This is what democracy looks like" and "No ifs, no buts, no public services cuts!", before holding a people's assembly.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7548
Vauvert (Gard), France - Persons unknown enter the police station and burn several vehicles
cette semaine
Midi Libre, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - Tonight, several individuals entered the precincts of the police barracks Vauvert. They set fire to a stolen vehicle. The fire spread to a vehicle of security forces and several mini-motorbikes, which had been seized in another case. A policeman was intoxicated. The robbers fled.
Paris: A sealed car stolen at 36 Quai des Orfevres
Le Parisien | Posted 23.02.2011 - The case is described as "embarrassing" in the prestigious Parisian judiciary police ... A car seized as part of an investigation into international drug trafficking and placed under seal at the famous 36, Quai des Orfevres in the I district, home to the elite of the Parisian police, was stolen from under the nose of officials.
Reportedly, five cars had been recovered by the police drug squad during the dismantling of a trafficking network. A file followed by the investigating judge in Paris, Alain Nguyen The vehicles were subsequently parked, on January 4, at the entrance to the building housing nearly 2,000 investigators, waiting to be examined by experts.
Midi Libre, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - Tonight, several individuals entered the precincts of the police barracks Vauvert. They set fire to a stolen vehicle. The fire spread to a vehicle of security forces and several mini-motorbikes, which had been seized in another case. A policeman was intoxicated. The robbers fled.
Paris: A sealed car stolen at 36 Quai des Orfevres
Le Parisien | Posted 23.02.2011 - The case is described as "embarrassing" in the prestigious Parisian judiciary police ... A car seized as part of an investigation into international drug trafficking and placed under seal at the famous 36, Quai des Orfevres in the I district, home to the elite of the Parisian police, was stolen from under the nose of officials.
Reportedly, five cars had been recovered by the police drug squad during the dismantling of a trafficking network. A file followed by the investigating judge in Paris, Alain Nguyen The vehicles were subsequently parked, on January 4, at the entrance to the building housing nearly 2,000 investigators, waiting to be examined by experts.
Albertville, France - Three severed cables block 40,000 passengers
cette semaine
JDD, February 26, 2011 - About 40,000 passengershave suffered delays in the Rhone-Alpe after cables were cut near Albertville. Delays of three to five hours are expected.
This weekend the busiest holiday of February. This did not discourage the vandals who cut three power cables and signals near Albertville on the Chambery Bourg-Saint-Maurice line. Result: disrupted train traffic throughout the Rhone-Alpes region, with delays of three to five hours. According to the SNCF, 40,000 passengers would be affected.
Repairs have started but are still ongoing. SNCF is frequently the victim of theft of cables and vandalism. In this case, the rail operator refers to "an act of malice."
JDD, February 26, 2011 - About 40,000 passengershave suffered delays in the Rhone-Alpe after cables were cut near Albertville. Delays of three to five hours are expected.
This weekend the busiest holiday of February. This did not discourage the vandals who cut three power cables and signals near Albertville on the Chambery Bourg-Saint-Maurice line. Result: disrupted train traffic throughout the Rhone-Alpes region, with delays of three to five hours. According to the SNCF, 40,000 passengers would be affected.
Repairs have started but are still ongoing. SNCF is frequently the victim of theft of cables and vandalism. In this case, the rail operator refers to "an act of malice."
Wales - Approx 150 held noisy demo outside Welsh assembly building to show support with the people of Libya
UK indymedia
There were also Egytians, Tunisians present .
This was received by one of the Libyans present and translated for me.
Tripoli friday 25-2-2011
I am trapped in house in Tripoli' no one is allowed to leave the area. Yesterday and today soldiers and mercanaries were clearing the streets of dead bodies and kidnapping the injured from hospitals and moving them to somewhere near Metiga.
A cleaning campaign has begun inTagurau and bloodstained wall are being painted to hide Gaddafi's crimes from the eyes of the world media, thousands of of peaceful unarmed have been killed or injured by french speaking mercanaries using heavy weapons. Gaddaffi has promised to clean every house of dissent against him in evey part of Liya. This will mean executions and thousands of injuries to people of Tripoli and rest of country. We will not back down or be repressed and thankful for support from demonstraters in uk to keep strong.
There were also Egytians, Tunisians present .
This was received by one of the Libyans present and translated for me.
Tripoli friday 25-2-2011
I am trapped in house in Tripoli' no one is allowed to leave the area. Yesterday and today soldiers and mercanaries were clearing the streets of dead bodies and kidnapping the injured from hospitals and moving them to somewhere near Metiga.
A cleaning campaign has begun inTagurau and bloodstained wall are being painted to hide Gaddafi's crimes from the eyes of the world media, thousands of of peaceful unarmed have been killed or injured by french speaking mercanaries using heavy weapons. Gaddaffi has promised to clean every house of dissent against him in evey part of Liya. This will mean executions and thousands of injuries to people of Tripoli and rest of country. We will not back down or be repressed and thankful for support from demonstraters in uk to keep strong.
Friday, 25 February 2011
Athens, Greece - Regarding the arrest of the anarchist Lida Sofianou at the general strike demonstration of February 23
fromthegreekstreets
25.02.2011 - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Athens on the day of the general strike on February 23 and headed to Parliament, flouting police repression and control. In a society crushed daily in the cog-wheels of increasingly intensified repression enforced by the state and the bosses, and under the pretext of the memorandum of co-operation with the IMF, the EU and the ECB, the determination of the thousands to march to Parliament signals a refusal to bow or to fall for the fright that authority wants to give. The demonstration blocks of the anarchists/anti-authoritarians, of the class base unions, of the neighbourhood assemblies, of social resistance against price increases etc. all carried a clear message: the message of collectivisation and self-organisation of social struggles from below, against mediation, party conduct and the class surrender of union bosses. The fighting spirit of the thousands who besieged Parliament and the insistence of those who stayed at Syntagma square for hours, facing the army of police, reveal the conviction that bosses are not unshakeable, that this is the time of social and class strike-back.
Almost from the beginning the demonstration came under police attack – the aim being for it to lose in numbers. During the arrival of many blocks at Syntagma square these attacks became fierce, with the murderous throwing of tear-gas, asphyxiating gas and stun grenades. The result was for demonstrators to be chased, tens to be injured, detained and arrested in a terrorising attempt aiming at the breaking up of the demo and that would in turn make sure there was no coherent, mass presence of people in front of Parliament. One of the blocks that were attacked and dispersed as soon as they arrived at Syntagma was the block of the Assembly of Resistance and Solidarity of the Kipseli/Patision area. A large part of the demonstrators were violently pushed toward Ermou Street, while some others were encircled by DIAS and DELTA forces and were beaten at Nikis Street by the entrance of the Technical Chamber.
This is where comrade Lida Sofianou, who participated in the demonstration with the block of the Assembly of Kipseli/ Patision, was arrested. Policemen of the DELTA force threw her to the street, dragged her toward the finance ministry, and tried to set up a fabrication against her, in order to frame her up her with crushing charges. More specifically they grabbed her bag, which contained texts of the Assembly, and attempted to place within it another bag with molotovs which they themselves were holding. The comrade reacted instantly, denouncing to the demonstrators and passers-by present the taking away of her bag and the police attempt to incriminate her. For this reason policemen of the DELTA force started beating and threatening her in order to silence her. This attempt by the police continued inside the arcade of the ministry, where she was isolated. Despite the blows she was receiving the comrade continued to denounce the fabrication that was being set up against her to employees who were present there – and so she managed to avoid the fabrication with the molotovs. At the police HQ, where she was transferred after a while, a new imaginative police scenario was born, in order to justify her arrest and prosecution: there, they presented her for the first time with a stick and announced to her that she would be charged with holding and attacking a DELTA force policeman with it. In addition she was charged under the “anti-hoodlum” law in order for the charges against her to be upgraded to felonies.
Lida Sofianou and seven more arrestees of the February 23 mobilisations were taken before an attorney general and a prosecutor on Thursday 24/2, while the ninth arrested person remained in hospital, injured by the police. Facing the charges of “disrupting public peace”, “attempted bodily hard”, “weapon possession” and the felony of the “anti-hoodlum law”, Lida was given notice to appear before an interrogator at the Euelpidon Courthouse on Saturday 26/2 at 9am, along with another two arrestees of the demonstration facing similar charges. The arrestees facing misdemeanours, some of them juveniles, were given notice for Friday 25/2. Until then they all remain detained at the Police HQ.
Our comrade, who participated in the strike demonstration of February 23 holding the banner of the Kipseli Assembly with the slogan “COMMON STRUGGLES OF LOCAL AND MIGRANT WORKERS, AGAINST EXPLOITATION, FEAR AND RACISM” is not alone against state repression! Through her 15 year-long activity in the anarchist social struggle, with participation in student and worker mobilisations, anarchist movement procedures, initiatives for the defence of nature and public spaces, neighbourhood assemblies, libertarian artistic activities and anti-authoritarian publications, she has contributed to the wealth of self-organised social resistance with her camaraderie, her passion and her creativity. In this travel within the collective struggle for a world of equality, solidarity and freedom she has met with thousands of people in struggle and has so previously found herself in the muzzle sight of the state, prosecuted for her actions.
We shall not remain silent when faced with the repressive manipulation against her, with fabricated police testimonies and supposed evidence that suddenly appeared at the Police HQ!
With the savage repression of the general strike demonstration, the arrests and fabricated charges against people in struggle the state attempts to terrorise all those who resist in the streets and to infuse fear in society. This terrorisation shall not pass!
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE 9 ARRESTEES OF THE STRIKE DEMONSTRATION OF FEBRUARY 23!
NO PROSECUTION OF THE DEMONSTRATORS!
SOLIDARITY IS OUR WEAPON!
EVERYONE TO THE EUELPIDON COURTHOUSE, SATURDAY 26.2 AT 9 A.M.
Comrades of Lida Sofianou
25.02.2011 - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Athens on the day of the general strike on February 23 and headed to Parliament, flouting police repression and control. In a society crushed daily in the cog-wheels of increasingly intensified repression enforced by the state and the bosses, and under the pretext of the memorandum of co-operation with the IMF, the EU and the ECB, the determination of the thousands to march to Parliament signals a refusal to bow or to fall for the fright that authority wants to give. The demonstration blocks of the anarchists/anti-authoritarians, of the class base unions, of the neighbourhood assemblies, of social resistance against price increases etc. all carried a clear message: the message of collectivisation and self-organisation of social struggles from below, against mediation, party conduct and the class surrender of union bosses. The fighting spirit of the thousands who besieged Parliament and the insistence of those who stayed at Syntagma square for hours, facing the army of police, reveal the conviction that bosses are not unshakeable, that this is the time of social and class strike-back.
Almost from the beginning the demonstration came under police attack – the aim being for it to lose in numbers. During the arrival of many blocks at Syntagma square these attacks became fierce, with the murderous throwing of tear-gas, asphyxiating gas and stun grenades. The result was for demonstrators to be chased, tens to be injured, detained and arrested in a terrorising attempt aiming at the breaking up of the demo and that would in turn make sure there was no coherent, mass presence of people in front of Parliament. One of the blocks that were attacked and dispersed as soon as they arrived at Syntagma was the block of the Assembly of Resistance and Solidarity of the Kipseli/Patision area. A large part of the demonstrators were violently pushed toward Ermou Street, while some others were encircled by DIAS and DELTA forces and were beaten at Nikis Street by the entrance of the Technical Chamber.
This is where comrade Lida Sofianou, who participated in the demonstration with the block of the Assembly of Kipseli/ Patision, was arrested. Policemen of the DELTA force threw her to the street, dragged her toward the finance ministry, and tried to set up a fabrication against her, in order to frame her up her with crushing charges. More specifically they grabbed her bag, which contained texts of the Assembly, and attempted to place within it another bag with molotovs which they themselves were holding. The comrade reacted instantly, denouncing to the demonstrators and passers-by present the taking away of her bag and the police attempt to incriminate her. For this reason policemen of the DELTA force started beating and threatening her in order to silence her. This attempt by the police continued inside the arcade of the ministry, where she was isolated. Despite the blows she was receiving the comrade continued to denounce the fabrication that was being set up against her to employees who were present there – and so she managed to avoid the fabrication with the molotovs. At the police HQ, where she was transferred after a while, a new imaginative police scenario was born, in order to justify her arrest and prosecution: there, they presented her for the first time with a stick and announced to her that she would be charged with holding and attacking a DELTA force policeman with it. In addition she was charged under the “anti-hoodlum” law in order for the charges against her to be upgraded to felonies.
Lida Sofianou and seven more arrestees of the February 23 mobilisations were taken before an attorney general and a prosecutor on Thursday 24/2, while the ninth arrested person remained in hospital, injured by the police. Facing the charges of “disrupting public peace”, “attempted bodily hard”, “weapon possession” and the felony of the “anti-hoodlum law”, Lida was given notice to appear before an interrogator at the Euelpidon Courthouse on Saturday 26/2 at 9am, along with another two arrestees of the demonstration facing similar charges. The arrestees facing misdemeanours, some of them juveniles, were given notice for Friday 25/2. Until then they all remain detained at the Police HQ.
Our comrade, who participated in the strike demonstration of February 23 holding the banner of the Kipseli Assembly with the slogan “COMMON STRUGGLES OF LOCAL AND MIGRANT WORKERS, AGAINST EXPLOITATION, FEAR AND RACISM” is not alone against state repression! Through her 15 year-long activity in the anarchist social struggle, with participation in student and worker mobilisations, anarchist movement procedures, initiatives for the defence of nature and public spaces, neighbourhood assemblies, libertarian artistic activities and anti-authoritarian publications, she has contributed to the wealth of self-organised social resistance with her camaraderie, her passion and her creativity. In this travel within the collective struggle for a world of equality, solidarity and freedom she has met with thousands of people in struggle and has so previously found herself in the muzzle sight of the state, prosecuted for her actions.
We shall not remain silent when faced with the repressive manipulation against her, with fabricated police testimonies and supposed evidence that suddenly appeared at the Police HQ!
With the savage repression of the general strike demonstration, the arrests and fabricated charges against people in struggle the state attempts to terrorise all those who resist in the streets and to infuse fear in society. This terrorisation shall not pass!
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE 9 ARRESTEES OF THE STRIKE DEMONSTRATION OF FEBRUARY 23!
NO PROSECUTION OF THE DEMONSTRATORS!
SOLIDARITY IS OUR WEAPON!
EVERYONE TO THE EUELPIDON COURTHOUSE, SATURDAY 26.2 AT 9 A.M.
Comrades of Lida Sofianou
Tokyo, Japan - Anti-militarists arrested outside US embassy
325 nostate
http://325.nostate.net/?p=180125.02.2011 - DIY Media clarification: Anarchists do not recognise legal jurisdiction of any state entity, and so any arrest ‘legal’ or ‘illegal’ is always a violent kidnapping with bureaucratic lies to cover the facts. Japan is a modern totalitarian state which is allied to the imperialist forces of the USA – International solidarity with the people of Takae town, Okinawa, down with the USA!
SOLIDARITY APPEAL against the ARREST of 2 ACTIVISTS
2 activists have been arrested during a demonstration in front of the US embassy. We strongly condemn these arbitrary and illegal arrests and demand the immediate release of the 2 activists.
This demonstration was against the construction of a heliport that is part of the US military base in Takae, Okinawa. This construction is carried out despite the opposition by the people of Takae town. We had asked for talks with the US embassy which they granted us to be held at 16:00 on Feb.20. The police of Akasaka district agreed to stand nearby the embassy.
When we arrived at the rendez-vous place, the police wouldn’t let us go near the embassy, resorted to violence against 2 activists and arrested them. When another activist asked the police on what grounds, the reason for the arrests, they said that” the reason would be given later, after the arrests”. This answer is a total denial of rights. A protest is a legitimate and legal right of citizens that the police cannot deny through violence.
After the arrests, the police refused us the request to hold talks at the embassy by asking us threateningly if we wanted to be arrested like the others.
The police prevented lawyers to see the arrested activists on the first day. All these acts by the police are illegal. The response of the US embassy is that they had commissioned the talks with the citizens at the Akasaka police district.
It is clear that these arrests are a message from the Japanese and US governments that any opposition to US military bases will be suppressed by force.
We condemn the illegal arrests and demand the immediate release of the arrested activists.
We Strongly Denounce the Illegal Arrest of 2 Activists on Feb.20 in front of the US Embassy in Japan!
*CALL for your protest at:
The Akasaka Police Station +81-3475-0110The US Embassy in Japan +81-3224-5000The Japan Embassy of your country of residence.
*Send us your solidarity message to be sent here: ametaiq(at)gmail.com
http://325.nostate.net/?p=180125.02.2011 - DIY Media clarification: Anarchists do not recognise legal jurisdiction of any state entity, and so any arrest ‘legal’ or ‘illegal’ is always a violent kidnapping with bureaucratic lies to cover the facts. Japan is a modern totalitarian state which is allied to the imperialist forces of the USA – International solidarity with the people of Takae town, Okinawa, down with the USA!
SOLIDARITY APPEAL against the ARREST of 2 ACTIVISTS
2 activists have been arrested during a demonstration in front of the US embassy. We strongly condemn these arbitrary and illegal arrests and demand the immediate release of the 2 activists.
This demonstration was against the construction of a heliport that is part of the US military base in Takae, Okinawa. This construction is carried out despite the opposition by the people of Takae town. We had asked for talks with the US embassy which they granted us to be held at 16:00 on Feb.20. The police of Akasaka district agreed to stand nearby the embassy.
When we arrived at the rendez-vous place, the police wouldn’t let us go near the embassy, resorted to violence against 2 activists and arrested them. When another activist asked the police on what grounds, the reason for the arrests, they said that” the reason would be given later, after the arrests”. This answer is a total denial of rights. A protest is a legitimate and legal right of citizens that the police cannot deny through violence.
After the arrests, the police refused us the request to hold talks at the embassy by asking us threateningly if we wanted to be arrested like the others.
The police prevented lawyers to see the arrested activists on the first day. All these acts by the police are illegal. The response of the US embassy is that they had commissioned the talks with the citizens at the Akasaka police district.
It is clear that these arrests are a message from the Japanese and US governments that any opposition to US military bases will be suppressed by force.
We condemn the illegal arrests and demand the immediate release of the arrested activists.
We Strongly Denounce the Illegal Arrest of 2 Activists on Feb.20 in front of the US Embassy in Japan!
*CALL for your protest at:
The Akasaka Police Station +81-3475-0110The US Embassy in Japan +81-3224-5000The Japan Embassy of your country of residence.
*Send us your solidarity message to be sent here: ametaiq(at)gmail.com
Zagreb, Croatia - Anti-government protestors clash with police
AFP
24.02.2011 - Croatian police used tear gas on Thursday to disperse about 1,000 protestors who tried to approach the government building demanding resignation of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's cabinet.
Heavy special police forces sealed off the St Marc square, in the central old part of the town, where the government building is located, to prevent the protestors from approaching it.
Protestors threw stones and bottles on police who used tear gas to disperse those who tried to push their way through the cordon.
Police later said in a statement that eleven protestors were detained. There were no information whether anyone was injured in the clashes.
"Thieves, Thieves!" and "Jadranka Go Away!" chanted the protestors who gathered around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) at the central square, as they marched through downtown Zagreb heading towards the government building.
The protest was organised through Facebook. A similar one, with some 300 people attending, was held in the Croat capital on Tuesday.
"It's not a political but rather the issue of our country's and its citizens survival. This government must go," the organisers said on Facebook.
The organisers demanded Kosor to step down, accusing her government of "making citizens' life more difficult every day and leading the country into the economic chaos."
"Croatia is robbed to the bones by its own politicians. All we want is to work and have a decent life from that," Mirela Basic, 29, told AFP.
Protestors carried banners that read "Fight against Bribe and Corruption" and "You are Fired."
Anti-government protests were also held in some other major Croatian towns, with most of the protestors, around 500, gathering in the northern port of Pula.
Kosor took over the helm of the government in 2009 when her predecessor Ivo Sanader, currently suspected of corruption and abuse of power, suddenly stepped down.
The EU-aspirant country's economy was hard-hit by the global crisis and has contracted for the past two years.
The number of unemployed earlier this month reached an eight-year peak with 334,378 registered job seekers among the population of 4.4 million.
Heavy special police forces sealed off the St Marc square, in the central old part of the town, where the government building is located, to prevent the protestors from approaching it.
Protestors threw stones and bottles on police who used tear gas to disperse those who tried to push their way through the cordon.
Police later said in a statement that eleven protestors were detained. There were no information whether anyone was injured in the clashes.
"Thieves, Thieves!" and "Jadranka Go Away!" chanted the protestors who gathered around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) at the central square, as they marched through downtown Zagreb heading towards the government building.
The protest was organised through Facebook. A similar one, with some 300 people attending, was held in the Croat capital on Tuesday.
"It's not a political but rather the issue of our country's and its citizens survival. This government must go," the organisers said on Facebook.
The organisers demanded Kosor to step down, accusing her government of "making citizens' life more difficult every day and leading the country into the economic chaos."
"Croatia is robbed to the bones by its own politicians. All we want is to work and have a decent life from that," Mirela Basic, 29, told AFP.
Protestors carried banners that read "Fight against Bribe and Corruption" and "You are Fired."
Anti-government protests were also held in some other major Croatian towns, with most of the protestors, around 500, gathering in the northern port of Pula.
Kosor took over the helm of the government in 2009 when her predecessor Ivo Sanader, currently suspected of corruption and abuse of power, suddenly stepped down.
The EU-aspirant country's economy was hard-hit by the global crisis and has contracted for the past two years.
The number of unemployed earlier this month reached an eight-year peak with 334,378 registered job seekers among the population of 4.4 million.
Santiago, Chile – Highway barricaded outside the women's prison
culmine
On the night of February 21, hours after the start of the hunger strike of our brothers and sisters kidnapped in the "Caso Bombas", we erected barricades on both carriageways of Vicuña Mackenna at the height of the Women's Prison, what a surprise the guards who are sleeping at that hour must have had. This action is in close solidarity with the mobilisation that has begun and its character is due to the few hours we had to prepare since the news of the start of the hungerstrike. We still think that our attacks must be accurate and well-planned, but this must never be a reason for not responding to emergency situations.
Do not pursue us because you won't find us, we act in informality, Mr. Prosecutor, our actions run between affinities and groups that only exist when they must exist: the moment of attack. Don't take us for idiots: THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY, only hearts thrown into the war.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE
MAY SOLIDARITY BE MORE THAN WORDS AND AND PASS OVER ALL THE WALLS.
...the noise they heard was just a warning, touch one hair of our brothers and sisters and we will get much closer ....
Utrecht, Netherlands - Attacks against Rabobank by Conspiracy Cells of Fire, Dutch Cell
325 nostate
February 25th, 2011
Final statement Conspiracy Cells of Fire, Dutch Cell
“The attacks on the fascists of Rabobank is dedicated with all our fire to our brothers of the prisoner’s cell of the members of Conspiracy Cells of Fire and the oppressed people of the world. Our comrades and the honest minority of dignified revolutionary Persons political and civil, are not just a piece of our struggle, are not only an aspect of our action, but their choices, attitudes and dignity are the struggle itself as a whole, they are the substance.
Attacks we are claiming:
• June 2010- setting the tower in fire in Utrecht (Netherlands)• October 2010- setting the tower in fire in Utrecht (Netherlands)• February 2011-setting the tower in fire and attacks on the website of Rabobank in Utrecht (Netherlands)
Justice is a spider web, catching small prey and swallowing them, while allowing the big reptiles to penetrate and dominate it. Whoever disagrees can visit the prisons to see all these drug addicts and poor devils that fill them up and look around in there to find any businessman or politician who is responsible for the biggest robberies and the most brutal degradation of our lives.
We do not believe in a capitalist system that kills, steal, murder, bring modern fascism, bring racism, bring wars in to our lives. We do not believe in a system that helps banks for their mistakes, while people starving from hunger. We do not believe in a political fascist system that so called leaders of the people, and at the same time stealing from the same society for their interests.
Why Rabobank,
The fascists from Rabobank invest in the arms industry (the arms that they are investing is also going to the police, military in the Netherlands, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Libya, Algeria and other countries). Rabobank calls this justified action, and we also get Shell, ING, ABN-Amro, Randstad. All these mentioned fascists companies of the system are paramount in their view that they justify the action.
The attacks on Rabobank justify what we call action! Future attacks on Shell, ING, ABN-Amro, Randstad these companies are accountable!
In Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, the above mentioned companies and / or subsidiaries that have been attacked by splinter cells called the Fire. A truth that is not released by the representatives of the system. This shows our strong international solidarity.
We count Rabobank guilty for the dead of thousands of people, including children. Like the most fascist company’s, they are saying that they behavior justifying action when they are investing. Our action against the Rabobank is justifying action.
We are continuing our attacks and against the banks, executions of the so called government leaders of the Netherlands, against fascists party like PVV, VVD, CDA and the ass licking left parties.”
Conspiracy Cells of Fire, Dutch Cell
Final statement Conspiracy Cells of Fire, Dutch Cell
“The attacks on the fascists of Rabobank is dedicated with all our fire to our brothers of the prisoner’s cell of the members of Conspiracy Cells of Fire and the oppressed people of the world. Our comrades and the honest minority of dignified revolutionary Persons political and civil, are not just a piece of our struggle, are not only an aspect of our action, but their choices, attitudes and dignity are the struggle itself as a whole, they are the substance.
Attacks we are claiming:
• June 2010- setting the tower in fire in Utrecht (Netherlands)• October 2010- setting the tower in fire in Utrecht (Netherlands)• February 2011-setting the tower in fire and attacks on the website of Rabobank in Utrecht (Netherlands)
Justice is a spider web, catching small prey and swallowing them, while allowing the big reptiles to penetrate and dominate it. Whoever disagrees can visit the prisons to see all these drug addicts and poor devils that fill them up and look around in there to find any businessman or politician who is responsible for the biggest robberies and the most brutal degradation of our lives.
We do not believe in a capitalist system that kills, steal, murder, bring modern fascism, bring racism, bring wars in to our lives. We do not believe in a system that helps banks for their mistakes, while people starving from hunger. We do not believe in a political fascist system that so called leaders of the people, and at the same time stealing from the same society for their interests.
Why Rabobank,
The fascists from Rabobank invest in the arms industry (the arms that they are investing is also going to the police, military in the Netherlands, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Libya, Algeria and other countries). Rabobank calls this justified action, and we also get Shell, ING, ABN-Amro, Randstad. All these mentioned fascists companies of the system are paramount in their view that they justify the action.
The attacks on Rabobank justify what we call action! Future attacks on Shell, ING, ABN-Amro, Randstad these companies are accountable!
In Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, the above mentioned companies and / or subsidiaries that have been attacked by splinter cells called the Fire. A truth that is not released by the representatives of the system. This shows our strong international solidarity.
We count Rabobank guilty for the dead of thousands of people, including children. Like the most fascist company’s, they are saying that they behavior justifying action when they are investing. Our action against the Rabobank is justifying action.
We are continuing our attacks and against the banks, executions of the so called government leaders of the Netherlands, against fascists party like PVV, VVD, CDA and the ass licking left parties.”
Conspiracy Cells of Fire, Dutch Cell
Western Alps, Italy - From Guido and Arturo
informa-azione
25.02.2011 - We have received and published from Guido and Arturo:
Thanks compas!
Back in the beloved Alpine valleys, feel the urgency to address a few words of gratitude to all those who participated in the mobilization of solidarity that developed after the events of Condove and our arrest on 7 February.
Communiques, messages, letters, actions, actions in the light of day as well as under the shelter of darkness, fireworks, greetings on the walls that enclosed us ... so many faces of the community of the not resigned, supportive and combative, that for a long time, with pride, we feel a part of.
We are grateful, comrades, for how much we felt you close to us in the abomination of hours spent in a cell, and our gratitude is shared by our families and tribes for all the affection and strength with which you have embraced them in these two weeks.
The struggles of all those who, in every part of the world, no cage could ever silence shine in our hearts, and the paths of a world free from inequality, pollution and repression will continue to open up before of all of us!
A rebel hug from the western Alps!
Arturo and Guido
25.02.2011 - We have received and published from Guido and Arturo:
Thanks compas!
Back in the beloved Alpine valleys, feel the urgency to address a few words of gratitude to all those who participated in the mobilization of solidarity that developed after the events of Condove and our arrest on 7 February.
Communiques, messages, letters, actions, actions in the light of day as well as under the shelter of darkness, fireworks, greetings on the walls that enclosed us ... so many faces of the community of the not resigned, supportive and combative, that for a long time, with pride, we feel a part of.
We are grateful, comrades, for how much we felt you close to us in the abomination of hours spent in a cell, and our gratitude is shared by our families and tribes for all the affection and strength with which you have embraced them in these two weeks.
The struggles of all those who, in every part of the world, no cage could ever silence shine in our hearts, and the paths of a world free from inequality, pollution and repression will continue to open up before of all of us!
A rebel hug from the western Alps!
Arturo and Guido
Chile - Communique for the hunger strike by the anarchist comrades accused in the 'caso bombas' case
culmine
21.2.11
[the hunger strike has been taken up by: Monica Caballero, Andrea Urzua, Rodolfo Retamales, Felipe Guerra, Camilo Perez, Carlos Riveros y Francisco Solar]
Comunique:On the 14th of august 2010, the Public Minister, working in cahoots with the district attorney´s office of metropolitana sur, dictated a series of arrest warrants and raids, focusing police terror on private homes and social centers. The immediate effect being the arrest of 14 people in a repressive strike which came to be known as the “caso bombas” (bomb case). The arrested are accused of pertaining to an apparent illicit terrorist organization created in the irrational minds of some “legal rights specialists” and today they continue to have us behind bars. The investigation into the “caso bombas” began approximately 5 years ago. Under the Bachelet administration the state appointed 3 district attorneys to exclusively investigate and discover the authors of each and every one of the bombs that had been placed in financial, police, public service, or any other institutions. In the five years that followed they filled 43 folders with dates from police sources, criminal experts, protected testimonies, declarations, surveillance of suspects, their families and places, telephone taps, and raids on specific places and social libraries (all of which were subsequently raided on the morning of the 14th). With all this information none of the judges or district attorneys decided to incarcerate anyone. The evidence wasn’t conclusive enough, it was speculative and didn’t allow for the identification of anyone responsible for the placement of any of the bombs. On top of that, the district attorney Xavier Armendáriz declared, before the anxious Ministry of the Interior of the time that; “…it's necessary for us to act cautiously in our investigations due to the weakness of our evidence....” especially when “…the authors of the bombings don’t belong to violent cells in and of themselves, rather they form part of loosely knit splinter groups without a leader....” (Emol 27 November2009).The apparent “following of the rules” in terms of the investigation came to an end on the 14th of June 2010 when, having removed Armendáriz through pressure by the Ministry of the Interior, Rodrigo Hinzpeter appoints Sabas Chahuán as head district attorney. That´s how the district attorney Alejandro Peña appears on the scene, described by the newspaper La Tercera as “…a walking paradox, the fusion of judicial and police bureaucracy with the fantasy of being able to juggle the two combined in one person.”. With this presentation the montage begins.
The district attorney develops a new strategy without keeping in mind the human costs that his actions will accrue. If the old district attorneys weren´t able to recognize or identify the culprits then he would invent them or, by any means necessary, make the pieces fit in his new “hard-line investigation”. Structuring the infamous illicit organization with leaders who haven’t spoken in years and grunts that don’t even know each other and- the funniest part of it all- European financiers!!!! as if 950 euros sent on just one occasion to one of the accused would fund such subversive actions (a safe house, cars, arms, false documentation) What a great imagination this guy has! They even invented a link between one of the leaders and the Pakistani man that was arrested and then let free a couple of weeks later at the US Embassy for having TNT residue on his person. Finally, the fantasy helps to plan the “new strategy.” Especially in terms of the media campaign set about by means of official information and recompilation of data regarding those apparently suspected placing explosive devices. Information such as frequented spaces, profiles of suspected leaders etc. The sights are set on people that can be linked to social spaces, community radios and stations, students professing libertarian ideals, ex political prisoners, all recognized critics of the “neo-liberal” model, and people in solidarity with struggling peoples - especially the Mapuche in their desire to maintain their identity, worldview and territory. They aren’t persecuting actions but ideas, relationships, autonomous libraries, squats, and cultural, artistic and community spaces.Once the theatrical stage is set with its protagonists and their corresponding physical and psychological characteristics and a perfectly constructed public opinion, a repressive strike is unfurled. At this point two months had past since Alejandro Peña had taken the reins as director of the political-judicial montage. With the same files, dialogs, places, actors and a remodeled incriminatory script the operative spectacle fills the airwaves the morning of the 14th of Aug 2010. After our arrests the district attorney asks for three days to inform us of the accusations, in theory this should have been done on the same day as our arrest. A posterori he solicits 180 days (6 months) of preventative imprisonment until the end of the investigation. These 180 days were up on the 14th of Feb. 2011. On the 14th of February we are notified that we will be cited on the 16 of March 2011. All of this makes the trial stranger, Alejandro Peña is capable of asking for 6 more months to put together his political puzzle.During these long months, we haven´t just been restricted to a 2x3 meter single cell 22 hours a day with 3 hour family visits once a week in tiny spaces without natural lighting, but we’ve had to endure torture by the state´s civil servants in first-person. An example of which occurred on the 8th of October 2010 when professionals of Legal Medical Services along with agents of LABOCAR, DIPOLCAR and the police violently extracted DNA samples from each of the accused. These samples were to be compared with the DNA samples found at the scenes of the bombings. This “scientific evidence” found no relation between our DNA and that found at the scene. On the other hand, we have seen how the evidence in the investigative files is only held up by police conjecture based on friendships, family alliances or coincidences in public marches or political-cultural activities. On top of all that, it´s important to note that we all didn´t even know each other until the day of our arrests. For that fact alone, its impossible for us to have formed a “terrorist association” and even more impossible - any organization.No evidence or material for the fabrication of explosive devices was found in any of the raids. There isn´t even any fingerprint or video evidence against any of us.Before the depraved judicial sacrilege, secret files, telephone taps with our lawyers, the use of secret witnesses with psychiatric antecedents like Rodrigo Vera Morales and Gustavo Fuentes Aliaga and with everything stated above we have decided to start a liquid-hunger strike on the 21st o f Feb. 2011 at 00:00 hours. We demand:
IMMEDIATE FREEDOM
AN END TO THE POLICE-JUDICIAL MONTAGE
AN END TO THE ANTI-TERRORIST LAWS DEVELOPED IN THE DICTATORSHIP AND PERFECTED BY DEMOCRACY
AN END TO THE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD AND THE IMMEDIATE REALIZATION OF A JUST TRIALNO MORE MEDIATIC POLICE-JUDICIAL MONTAGES
FREEDOM FOR ALL CHILEAN AND MAPUCHE POLITICAL PRISONERS!
21.2.11
[the hunger strike has been taken up by: Monica Caballero, Andrea Urzua, Rodolfo Retamales, Felipe Guerra, Camilo Perez, Carlos Riveros y Francisco Solar]
Comunique:On the 14th of august 2010, the Public Minister, working in cahoots with the district attorney´s office of metropolitana sur, dictated a series of arrest warrants and raids, focusing police terror on private homes and social centers. The immediate effect being the arrest of 14 people in a repressive strike which came to be known as the “caso bombas” (bomb case). The arrested are accused of pertaining to an apparent illicit terrorist organization created in the irrational minds of some “legal rights specialists” and today they continue to have us behind bars. The investigation into the “caso bombas” began approximately 5 years ago. Under the Bachelet administration the state appointed 3 district attorneys to exclusively investigate and discover the authors of each and every one of the bombs that had been placed in financial, police, public service, or any other institutions. In the five years that followed they filled 43 folders with dates from police sources, criminal experts, protected testimonies, declarations, surveillance of suspects, their families and places, telephone taps, and raids on specific places and social libraries (all of which were subsequently raided on the morning of the 14th). With all this information none of the judges or district attorneys decided to incarcerate anyone. The evidence wasn’t conclusive enough, it was speculative and didn’t allow for the identification of anyone responsible for the placement of any of the bombs. On top of that, the district attorney Xavier Armendáriz declared, before the anxious Ministry of the Interior of the time that; “…it's necessary for us to act cautiously in our investigations due to the weakness of our evidence....” especially when “…the authors of the bombings don’t belong to violent cells in and of themselves, rather they form part of loosely knit splinter groups without a leader....” (Emol 27 November2009).The apparent “following of the rules” in terms of the investigation came to an end on the 14th of June 2010 when, having removed Armendáriz through pressure by the Ministry of the Interior, Rodrigo Hinzpeter appoints Sabas Chahuán as head district attorney. That´s how the district attorney Alejandro Peña appears on the scene, described by the newspaper La Tercera as “…a walking paradox, the fusion of judicial and police bureaucracy with the fantasy of being able to juggle the two combined in one person.”. With this presentation the montage begins.
The district attorney develops a new strategy without keeping in mind the human costs that his actions will accrue. If the old district attorneys weren´t able to recognize or identify the culprits then he would invent them or, by any means necessary, make the pieces fit in his new “hard-line investigation”. Structuring the infamous illicit organization with leaders who haven’t spoken in years and grunts that don’t even know each other and- the funniest part of it all- European financiers!!!! as if 950 euros sent on just one occasion to one of the accused would fund such subversive actions (a safe house, cars, arms, false documentation) What a great imagination this guy has! They even invented a link between one of the leaders and the Pakistani man that was arrested and then let free a couple of weeks later at the US Embassy for having TNT residue on his person. Finally, the fantasy helps to plan the “new strategy.” Especially in terms of the media campaign set about by means of official information and recompilation of data regarding those apparently suspected placing explosive devices. Information such as frequented spaces, profiles of suspected leaders etc. The sights are set on people that can be linked to social spaces, community radios and stations, students professing libertarian ideals, ex political prisoners, all recognized critics of the “neo-liberal” model, and people in solidarity with struggling peoples - especially the Mapuche in their desire to maintain their identity, worldview and territory. They aren’t persecuting actions but ideas, relationships, autonomous libraries, squats, and cultural, artistic and community spaces.Once the theatrical stage is set with its protagonists and their corresponding physical and psychological characteristics and a perfectly constructed public opinion, a repressive strike is unfurled. At this point two months had past since Alejandro Peña had taken the reins as director of the political-judicial montage. With the same files, dialogs, places, actors and a remodeled incriminatory script the operative spectacle fills the airwaves the morning of the 14th of Aug 2010. After our arrests the district attorney asks for three days to inform us of the accusations, in theory this should have been done on the same day as our arrest. A posterori he solicits 180 days (6 months) of preventative imprisonment until the end of the investigation. These 180 days were up on the 14th of Feb. 2011. On the 14th of February we are notified that we will be cited on the 16 of March 2011. All of this makes the trial stranger, Alejandro Peña is capable of asking for 6 more months to put together his political puzzle.During these long months, we haven´t just been restricted to a 2x3 meter single cell 22 hours a day with 3 hour family visits once a week in tiny spaces without natural lighting, but we’ve had to endure torture by the state´s civil servants in first-person. An example of which occurred on the 8th of October 2010 when professionals of Legal Medical Services along with agents of LABOCAR, DIPOLCAR and the police violently extracted DNA samples from each of the accused. These samples were to be compared with the DNA samples found at the scenes of the bombings. This “scientific evidence” found no relation between our DNA and that found at the scene. On the other hand, we have seen how the evidence in the investigative files is only held up by police conjecture based on friendships, family alliances or coincidences in public marches or political-cultural activities. On top of all that, it´s important to note that we all didn´t even know each other until the day of our arrests. For that fact alone, its impossible for us to have formed a “terrorist association” and even more impossible - any organization.No evidence or material for the fabrication of explosive devices was found in any of the raids. There isn´t even any fingerprint or video evidence against any of us.Before the depraved judicial sacrilege, secret files, telephone taps with our lawyers, the use of secret witnesses with psychiatric antecedents like Rodrigo Vera Morales and Gustavo Fuentes Aliaga and with everything stated above we have decided to start a liquid-hunger strike on the 21st o f Feb. 2011 at 00:00 hours. We demand:
IMMEDIATE FREEDOM
AN END TO THE POLICE-JUDICIAL MONTAGE
AN END TO THE ANTI-TERRORIST LAWS DEVELOPED IN THE DICTATORSHIP AND PERFECTED BY DEMOCRACY
AN END TO THE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD AND THE IMMEDIATE REALIZATION OF A JUST TRIALNO MORE MEDIATIC POLICE-JUDICIAL MONTAGES
FREEDOM FOR ALL CHILEAN AND MAPUCHE POLITICAL PRISONERS!
translated by antonia
Statement from the Female Maximum Security Section
from anarchistnews.org
It's difficult to summarize the events of the recent wave of repression, the coarse televised spectacle cements itself in the political-judicial-police machine, reproducing and drawing from the Italian process known as “Marini” and “Cervantes” during which various social centers and squatted houses were raided and the inhabitants charged with being an “Armed Gang.” Operation Salamander ( a similar Chilean species) captured 14 people under the charges of Illicit Terrorist Association, and of transportation or placing of explosive devices.Affectionate friendships were transformed and mutated into a hierarchical structure. Many of the arrested never even knew each other.
Who would have guessed that the idea of living without reproducing power would lead to us being judged as an Illicit Association? The political functionaries maintain that the squatted houses were utilized as conspiracy centers to manufacture bombs; they say nothing of the libraries for whomever might have interest in engaging in solidarity. Now these books are mere articles strewn among “so much proof”. The prosecutor speaks of organic proof found in areas where there were indeed some attacks, motherboards would be the certainty such of scientific proof, another swift kick to the ass of the oppressors: for all the biological proof, none of it implicates those charged on the 14th of August. All of the DNA tests were done by force by the prison guards and police
The wiles of the prosecutor reach absurd heights exemplified by the “Pakistani Case” surrounding the complicity of mediums of mass communication, which for years have cemented the anti-terrorist discourse, setting the stage for the hunt that August 14th. Besides bringing the weight of an investigation spanning over five years, the accusers are asking for 180 days of preventative detention, arguing for an even more exhaustive investigation, which will not stop with the testimony of Gustavo Fuentes Aliaga. Normally, under due process the defense would get the investigative folder prior to the formalization of the charges, within the “Bombs Case” said folder was given to the defense after almost 3 months of incarceration, and was also incomplete. Recently after over 170 days in prison the prosecutor has delivered the “classified pages.”
Modesty cannot exist among intrusions into the intimate life of the accused, from intimidating small children to hundreds of electronically monitored phone calls which only prove friendly ties among the co-accused.
Inside this prison (CPF) we have been faced with many different types of interrogations- formal and informal- on behalf of different functionaries of the prison; vigilantes, criminal sociologists, social workers, etc. They search for a declaration or the appropriate delinquent profile. We disclose this information not with a feeling of victimization, but in order to warn those who can see themselves in a similar position, power use all of its tentacles to prolong incarceration. Harassment effects all of our brothers and sisters, friends, comrades, proud families, who have never bent their heads before a jailer.
We are to be processed under the law inherited from the Dictatorship, that has as one of its attributes secret witnesses, who have been used in the judicial processes of the Mapuche people, whether civil or military. In addition, this law gives increased sentences for common crimes. Lifting the preventative detention would not be enough because if the prosecutor or Superior Court wanted to change this decision its needs a unanimous vote, whereas normally it only needs a majority, this is another pitfall of the legal system.
The blows are not just against those kidnapped on August 14th, but all those who question the current police state: exemplary punishment for anyone who will not be ruled.It is by this that today Monday February 21st, it has been more than 180 days since the raids and investigation, we begin a mobilization with characteristics of an indefinite hunger strike. Using our bodies as a means of demands:
1. Immediate release for all of those charged from the 14th of August, not one day more. Immediate trial.2. End to the Anti-Terrorist Law. No more secret witnesses, no more unanimous vote.3. Transfer to/and better prisons.
These our are last words for you all, comrades: leave no space for forgetfulness, this did not begin on August 14th, nor will it end with us. Our action would be meaningless if left inside these cold walls, times are complex, we expect to stay on top of our situation here. Let your imagination run wild and turn these words into action.
In the struggle against all forms of domination: NO ONE IS ALONE!!!
Mónica Caballero Sepúlveda, Prisionera Política Anarkista.Andrea Urzúa Cid, Prisionera Política Libertaria.
Sección de Alta Seguridad (SEAS). Centro Penitenciario Femenino. Santiasko, $hile, 21 de Febrero de 2011.
http://www.hommodolars.org/web/spip.php?article3809
*Translator's note: This statement is from the two women involved in the case, they are speaking from the Women's Prison in Santiago the other people are held in the Men's Prison the full list of participants in the hunger strike is as follows:
Andrea Macarena Urzúa CidCamilo Nelson Pérez TamayoCarlos Luis Riveros LuttgueFelipe Guerra GuajardoFrancisco Solar DomínguezMónica Andrea Caballero SepúlvedaPablo Hernán Morales FührimannRodolfo Luis Retamales Leiva
It's difficult to summarize the events of the recent wave of repression, the coarse televised spectacle cements itself in the political-judicial-police machine, reproducing and drawing from the Italian process known as “Marini” and “Cervantes” during which various social centers and squatted houses were raided and the inhabitants charged with being an “Armed Gang.” Operation Salamander ( a similar Chilean species) captured 14 people under the charges of Illicit Terrorist Association, and of transportation or placing of explosive devices.Affectionate friendships were transformed and mutated into a hierarchical structure. Many of the arrested never even knew each other.
Who would have guessed that the idea of living without reproducing power would lead to us being judged as an Illicit Association? The political functionaries maintain that the squatted houses were utilized as conspiracy centers to manufacture bombs; they say nothing of the libraries for whomever might have interest in engaging in solidarity. Now these books are mere articles strewn among “so much proof”. The prosecutor speaks of organic proof found in areas where there were indeed some attacks, motherboards would be the certainty such of scientific proof, another swift kick to the ass of the oppressors: for all the biological proof, none of it implicates those charged on the 14th of August. All of the DNA tests were done by force by the prison guards and police
The wiles of the prosecutor reach absurd heights exemplified by the “Pakistani Case” surrounding the complicity of mediums of mass communication, which for years have cemented the anti-terrorist discourse, setting the stage for the hunt that August 14th. Besides bringing the weight of an investigation spanning over five years, the accusers are asking for 180 days of preventative detention, arguing for an even more exhaustive investigation, which will not stop with the testimony of Gustavo Fuentes Aliaga. Normally, under due process the defense would get the investigative folder prior to the formalization of the charges, within the “Bombs Case” said folder was given to the defense after almost 3 months of incarceration, and was also incomplete. Recently after over 170 days in prison the prosecutor has delivered the “classified pages.”
Modesty cannot exist among intrusions into the intimate life of the accused, from intimidating small children to hundreds of electronically monitored phone calls which only prove friendly ties among the co-accused.
Inside this prison (CPF) we have been faced with many different types of interrogations- formal and informal- on behalf of different functionaries of the prison; vigilantes, criminal sociologists, social workers, etc. They search for a declaration or the appropriate delinquent profile. We disclose this information not with a feeling of victimization, but in order to warn those who can see themselves in a similar position, power use all of its tentacles to prolong incarceration. Harassment effects all of our brothers and sisters, friends, comrades, proud families, who have never bent their heads before a jailer.
We are to be processed under the law inherited from the Dictatorship, that has as one of its attributes secret witnesses, who have been used in the judicial processes of the Mapuche people, whether civil or military. In addition, this law gives increased sentences for common crimes. Lifting the preventative detention would not be enough because if the prosecutor or Superior Court wanted to change this decision its needs a unanimous vote, whereas normally it only needs a majority, this is another pitfall of the legal system.
The blows are not just against those kidnapped on August 14th, but all those who question the current police state: exemplary punishment for anyone who will not be ruled.It is by this that today Monday February 21st, it has been more than 180 days since the raids and investigation, we begin a mobilization with characteristics of an indefinite hunger strike. Using our bodies as a means of demands:
1. Immediate release for all of those charged from the 14th of August, not one day more. Immediate trial.2. End to the Anti-Terrorist Law. No more secret witnesses, no more unanimous vote.3. Transfer to/and better prisons.
These our are last words for you all, comrades: leave no space for forgetfulness, this did not begin on August 14th, nor will it end with us. Our action would be meaningless if left inside these cold walls, times are complex, we expect to stay on top of our situation here. Let your imagination run wild and turn these words into action.
In the struggle against all forms of domination: NO ONE IS ALONE!!!
Mónica Caballero Sepúlveda, Prisionera Política Anarkista.Andrea Urzúa Cid, Prisionera Política Libertaria.
Sección de Alta Seguridad (SEAS). Centro Penitenciario Femenino. Santiasko, $hile, 21 de Febrero de 2011.
http://www.hommodolars.org/web/spip.php?article3809
*Translator's note: This statement is from the two women involved in the case, they are speaking from the Women's Prison in Santiago the other people are held in the Men's Prison the full list of participants in the hunger strike is as follows:
Andrea Macarena Urzúa CidCamilo Nelson Pérez TamayoCarlos Luis Riveros LuttgueFelipe Guerra GuajardoFrancisco Solar DomínguezMónica Andrea Caballero SepúlvedaPablo Hernán Morales FührimannRodolfo Luis Retamales Leiva
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Greece - General strike live updates
22:00 (GMT+2) Athens: There are 20-25 people trapped in one of the entrances to the Great Britain Hotel in Syntagma Square. They are surrounded by police and are presumed to be detained. An hour ago, 70 people occupied the Foreign Press Association of Greece. That occupation has since ended.
20:07 (GMT+2) Athens: Things are calm for the moment and the crowd is dispersed, though some hundreds are gathered in an assembly at Propylaea. There have been 23 confirmed detentions, of which 9 became arrests. A collection of photos and videos will follow in a bit.
18:35 (GMT+2) Athens: A crowd of hundreds ripped up the benches from Syntagma Square to feed a fire they had built in front of the Parliament. The police had tried to disperse the gathering by circling around the protesters menacingly, but people stayed their ground. After a while, the police dispersed the crowd by forming a cordon around them and then chasing them aggressively away, attacking them with teargas and beating them.
17:37 (GMT+2) Athens: After a respite, there has been at least one more clash at Syntagma Square. The police attempted to disperse the calm crowd, and at least one person was beaten by as many as 10 police and has been detained. The situation has grown tense once more, and Syntagma Metro station is closed again.
16:50 (GMT+2) Athens: There is a call for a gathering at Syntagma Square at 19:00. So far there, six protesters have been confirmed as injured. Numerous police motorcycles and riot police are gathered along Alexandras Avenue.
Volos: There were three lively demos for a total of 3,000-4,000 people.
16:30 (GMT+2) Athens: One protester was seriously burned by a teargas canister and has been transfered to the hospital. His knee is hurt badly. As of now, there are at least 20 confirmed detentions and 4 or 5 confirmed arrests. A police motorcycle tried to hurt a protester near Syntagma Sq. but the two cops were attacked with a molotov and their bike was consumed by flames. People are attempting to organize an evening concert at Syntagma Square. Most people will stay until then.
Thessaloniki: 100-200 protesters are marching to the aristotelous police station in solidarity with the person who was arrested taken there.
16:10 (GMT+2) Athens: The police cleared off at least the larger part of Syntagma Square for a moment by attacking with teargas and motorcycle cops. People have begun to return. By way of a loudspeaker, people have called for an evening assembly in front of the Parliament. The central metro station has been re-opened.
Thessaloniki: random arrests by secret cops. Clashes around aristotelous sq. some minutes ago. Protesters attacked the police station on Ano Polis with molotov coctails.
15:38 (GMT+2) Athens: Several thousand people are gathered in Syntagma Square, where police cordons protect the Parliament building. The call has gone out for everyone to return to Syntagma. At least 30 people have been arrested in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Rectorate Authorities are holding a meeting to prepare to violate acdemic asylum. People are gathering in Omonoia Square in preparation to march towards Syntagma Square. the central metro stations have been intentionally closed by the police.
15:23 (GMT+2) Demonstrations in many cities around Greece including Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Kozani, Agrinio, Naxos, Rethymno, Volos, Arta, Heraklion, Larisa, Serres, Kefallonia, Mytilene, etc. In the city of Drama, the city hall was occupied by protesters for a period of time.
15:05 (GMT+2) Athens: Mixed blocks of people are gathering in front of the parliament and are calling for everyone to join them there. People from Exarchia are trying to form an assembly. Many reports say that the crowd size is similar to that of the May 5th, 2010 demo (around 250,000 people). Thousands of demonstrators are still in the streets around Exarchia and Propylaea and are trying to access Syntagma Square. Numerous riot police block the streets. In many places throughout Athens, protestors are throwing stones and the police are firing teargas and flash bang grenades. There have been an unknown number of arrests. Central metro stations have been closing for short periods. A mixed crowd of people still occupies Syntagma Square.
14:28 (GMT+2) Thessaloniki: Police tried to break the demo by attacking with a large amount of teargas and with flash bang grenades. A lot of ATMs have been smashed, and clashes continue in Aristotelous Square and the streets around it.
14:10 (GMT+2) Athens is like a gas chamber. There are violent clashes all over, and many demonstrators have been injured, including old people and the handicapped. There are a lot of undercover cops in hoods. People are still on the streets and defending themselves.
13:57 (GMT+2) Athens: The demo has been teargassed all over and has been cut into many parts. There are clashes all over Athens and there are reports of police motorbikes on fire. Some random arrests.
13:40 (GMT+2) Athens: Thousands of people have gathered at Syntagma Square. A lot of teargas has been used in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Molotovs have been thrown at riot police outside parliament. People have attempted to occupy the Ministry of Finance near Syntagma Sq.
13:30 (GMT+2), Athens: More people are concentrating in Syntagma Sq. Cops are teargazing people there. According to RADIO REVOLT cops have attacked to various points of the Thessaloniki demo.
12:53 (GMT+2), Athens: The demonstration is one of the biggest Athens has seen in recent years. Great weather and good spirit. People are slowly heading to Syntagma square.
12:50 (GMT+2), Athens: The demo is huge. Some reports say that it’s larger than last year’s great general strike demos. The corrupt president of GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers), Panagopoulos, was provoked by protesters. PAME (the syndicalist union of Greek 201cCommunist201d Party) organized a separate demo as usual, which also has thousands of people. The head of the demo has already reached Syntagma square (outside parliament) while thousands have not started marching yet. Secret cops went on some more detains of people carrying bags.
12:30 (GMT+2), Athens: “Preventive” detentions of grassroots union workers. Thousands of people still gathering. Many secret cops around Exarheia and the streets around.
Thessaloniki: Secret cops were chased by demonstrators. Some CCTV cameras were destroyed as the march began.
Patras: Maybe more than 4000 people are marching on the central streets of the city. Migrants have also joined the demo.
12:00 (GMT+2): Thousands of people are gathering in central points of Athens, Patras, Thessalonica etc. The marches have not begun yet as more people are coming out to the streets. Thousands of cops (riot police, motorcycle and secret cops) are also moving around the gathering points trying to terrorize people that are going to the demos. According to the authorities, police forces from many places have moved to Athens to join the suppression plan.
Let’s turn Syntagma into Tahrir Square!
20:07 (GMT+2) Athens: Things are calm for the moment and the crowd is dispersed, though some hundreds are gathered in an assembly at Propylaea. There have been 23 confirmed detentions, of which 9 became arrests. A collection of photos and videos will follow in a bit.
18:35 (GMT+2) Athens: A crowd of hundreds ripped up the benches from Syntagma Square to feed a fire they had built in front of the Parliament. The police had tried to disperse the gathering by circling around the protesters menacingly, but people stayed their ground. After a while, the police dispersed the crowd by forming a cordon around them and then chasing them aggressively away, attacking them with teargas and beating them.
17:37 (GMT+2) Athens: After a respite, there has been at least one more clash at Syntagma Square. The police attempted to disperse the calm crowd, and at least one person was beaten by as many as 10 police and has been detained. The situation has grown tense once more, and Syntagma Metro station is closed again.
16:50 (GMT+2) Athens: There is a call for a gathering at Syntagma Square at 19:00. So far there, six protesters have been confirmed as injured. Numerous police motorcycles and riot police are gathered along Alexandras Avenue.
Volos: There were three lively demos for a total of 3,000-4,000 people.
16:30 (GMT+2) Athens: One protester was seriously burned by a teargas canister and has been transfered to the hospital. His knee is hurt badly. As of now, there are at least 20 confirmed detentions and 4 or 5 confirmed arrests. A police motorcycle tried to hurt a protester near Syntagma Sq. but the two cops were attacked with a molotov and their bike was consumed by flames. People are attempting to organize an evening concert at Syntagma Square. Most people will stay until then.
Thessaloniki: 100-200 protesters are marching to the aristotelous police station in solidarity with the person who was arrested taken there.
16:10 (GMT+2) Athens: The police cleared off at least the larger part of Syntagma Square for a moment by attacking with teargas and motorcycle cops. People have begun to return. By way of a loudspeaker, people have called for an evening assembly in front of the Parliament. The central metro station has been re-opened.
Thessaloniki: random arrests by secret cops. Clashes around aristotelous sq. some minutes ago. Protesters attacked the police station on Ano Polis with molotov coctails.
15:38 (GMT+2) Athens: Several thousand people are gathered in Syntagma Square, where police cordons protect the Parliament building. The call has gone out for everyone to return to Syntagma. At least 30 people have been arrested in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Rectorate Authorities are holding a meeting to prepare to violate acdemic asylum. People are gathering in Omonoia Square in preparation to march towards Syntagma Square. the central metro stations have been intentionally closed by the police.
15:23 (GMT+2) Demonstrations in many cities around Greece including Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Kozani, Agrinio, Naxos, Rethymno, Volos, Arta, Heraklion, Larisa, Serres, Kefallonia, Mytilene, etc. In the city of Drama, the city hall was occupied by protesters for a period of time.
15:05 (GMT+2) Athens: Mixed blocks of people are gathering in front of the parliament and are calling for everyone to join them there. People from Exarchia are trying to form an assembly. Many reports say that the crowd size is similar to that of the May 5th, 2010 demo (around 250,000 people). Thousands of demonstrators are still in the streets around Exarchia and Propylaea and are trying to access Syntagma Square. Numerous riot police block the streets. In many places throughout Athens, protestors are throwing stones and the police are firing teargas and flash bang grenades. There have been an unknown number of arrests. Central metro stations have been closing for short periods. A mixed crowd of people still occupies Syntagma Square.
14:28 (GMT+2) Thessaloniki: Police tried to break the demo by attacking with a large amount of teargas and with flash bang grenades. A lot of ATMs have been smashed, and clashes continue in Aristotelous Square and the streets around it.
14:10 (GMT+2) Athens is like a gas chamber. There are violent clashes all over, and many demonstrators have been injured, including old people and the handicapped. There are a lot of undercover cops in hoods. People are still on the streets and defending themselves.
13:57 (GMT+2) Athens: The demo has been teargassed all over and has been cut into many parts. There are clashes all over Athens and there are reports of police motorbikes on fire. Some random arrests.
13:40 (GMT+2) Athens: Thousands of people have gathered at Syntagma Square. A lot of teargas has been used in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Molotovs have been thrown at riot police outside parliament. People have attempted to occupy the Ministry of Finance near Syntagma Sq.
13:30 (GMT+2), Athens: More people are concentrating in Syntagma Sq. Cops are teargazing people there. According to RADIO REVOLT cops have attacked to various points of the Thessaloniki demo.
12:53 (GMT+2), Athens: The demonstration is one of the biggest Athens has seen in recent years. Great weather and good spirit. People are slowly heading to Syntagma square.
12:50 (GMT+2), Athens: The demo is huge. Some reports say that it’s larger than last year’s great general strike demos. The corrupt president of GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers), Panagopoulos, was provoked by protesters. PAME (the syndicalist union of Greek 201cCommunist201d Party) organized a separate demo as usual, which also has thousands of people. The head of the demo has already reached Syntagma square (outside parliament) while thousands have not started marching yet. Secret cops went on some more detains of people carrying bags.
12:30 (GMT+2), Athens: “Preventive” detentions of grassroots union workers. Thousands of people still gathering. Many secret cops around Exarheia and the streets around.
Thessaloniki: Secret cops were chased by demonstrators. Some CCTV cameras were destroyed as the march began.
Patras: Maybe more than 4000 people are marching on the central streets of the city. Migrants have also joined the demo.
12:00 (GMT+2): Thousands of people are gathering in central points of Athens, Patras, Thessalonica etc. The marches have not begun yet as more people are coming out to the streets. Thousands of cops (riot police, motorcycle and secret cops) are also moving around the gathering points trying to terrorize people that are going to the demos. According to the authorities, police forces from many places have moved to Athens to join the suppression plan.
Let’s turn Syntagma into Tahrir Square!
Sana, Yemen - 2 anti-government protestors shot dead outside university. Tribesmen from across Yemen join students
guardian
Unrest in Yemen intensified on Tuesday night when at least two protesters were shot dead during a street battle between pro- and anti-government demonstrators at the gates of Sana'a University.
The fatalities were the first in the capital after 12 days of anti-government protests that have swept across the country, and follow uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Medics at the university said 21 people, many of them teenagers, were wounded when a mob of supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke through a police line and fired at protesters with AK47 assault rifles as well as pistols. Witnesses said the balaataja (pro-government thugs) fired weapons into the air before turning on the protesters and shooting at random into the crowd.
Protesters claim that these gangs are being paid by the government to attack them, but Yemeni authorities deny this.
"Who will protect us? They were shooting at us and the police just disappeared. Where can we go?" said Faisal Al-Ahmed, a 22-year-old business student, cupping a handful of empty bullet shells.
Noah Athib, a 17-year-old with a bloodied bandage wrapped around his thigh, said a pro-Saleh supporter had stabbed him with a jambiya, the traditional dagger carried by many men in Yemen.
A crowd of around 3,000 Yemenis, mainly students and young professionals camped out in tents at the university entrance, are calling for an end to Saleh's 32-year rule. Until Tuesday their sit-in had been a peaceful, and at times jovial, affair with students singing and dancing, and women and children distributing food and blankets.
According to Ahmed Al-Rafhi, a senior sheikh from the northern Al-Jowf area, cohorts of tribesmen from across Yemen have been making their way to the capital to join the students, whose main grievances are government corruption and a lack of employment opportunities.
"Ya Ali, go out, go out! Your throne is rusting under you!" shouted the students, shortly before the shootings.
Earlier in the day anti-government protesters overturned and set fire to a car after discovering men inside apparently trying to smuggle weapons into the university area, a protester said. The students have set up a series of checkpoints to search people entering the protest for weapons, as well as gathering piles of rocks and hurling them at the pro-Saleh supporters.
Unrest in Yemen intensified on Tuesday night when at least two protesters were shot dead during a street battle between pro- and anti-government demonstrators at the gates of Sana'a University.
The fatalities were the first in the capital after 12 days of anti-government protests that have swept across the country, and follow uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Medics at the university said 21 people, many of them teenagers, were wounded when a mob of supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh broke through a police line and fired at protesters with AK47 assault rifles as well as pistols. Witnesses said the balaataja (pro-government thugs) fired weapons into the air before turning on the protesters and shooting at random into the crowd.
Protesters claim that these gangs are being paid by the government to attack them, but Yemeni authorities deny this.
"Who will protect us? They were shooting at us and the police just disappeared. Where can we go?" said Faisal Al-Ahmed, a 22-year-old business student, cupping a handful of empty bullet shells.
Noah Athib, a 17-year-old with a bloodied bandage wrapped around his thigh, said a pro-Saleh supporter had stabbed him with a jambiya, the traditional dagger carried by many men in Yemen.
A crowd of around 3,000 Yemenis, mainly students and young professionals camped out in tents at the university entrance, are calling for an end to Saleh's 32-year rule. Until Tuesday their sit-in had been a peaceful, and at times jovial, affair with students singing and dancing, and women and children distributing food and blankets.
According to Ahmed Al-Rafhi, a senior sheikh from the northern Al-Jowf area, cohorts of tribesmen from across Yemen have been making their way to the capital to join the students, whose main grievances are government corruption and a lack of employment opportunities.
"Ya Ali, go out, go out! Your throne is rusting under you!" shouted the students, shortly before the shootings.
Earlier in the day anti-government protesters overturned and set fire to a car after discovering men inside apparently trying to smuggle weapons into the university area, a protester said. The students have set up a series of checkpoints to search people entering the protest for weapons, as well as gathering piles of rocks and hurling them at the pro-Saleh supporters.
Steenokkerzeel, Belgium - Demo, escape, uprising and fire destroy detention centre
suie e cendres
23.02.2011 - STEENOKKERZEEL - After a week of information coming about about the terrible conditions in the detention centre for immigrants in Steenokkerzeel, a failed escape, several prisoners being beaten by guards and a collective hungerstrike, about 40 people made a demo in front of the centre. During this demo, prisoners started to break the windows, put fire to cells and get out on the roof. A lot of police reinforcements started to arrive, and in the general chaos, one prisoner managed to escape.
Later on the evening, with the demonstrators returned home, riots sparked of again in the centre. During the evening, two of the three wings of the centre were destroyed by the rioters, with breaking, elektrical circuits sabotaged and fire. The two wings were completely evacuated and prisoners were transferred to the other detention centres in Vottem, Merksplas and Brugge.
It is the second time in a few years (2008) that an uprising in Steenokkerzeel manages to destroy big part of this prison.
23.02.2011 - STEENOKKERZEEL - After a week of information coming about about the terrible conditions in the detention centre for immigrants in Steenokkerzeel, a failed escape, several prisoners being beaten by guards and a collective hungerstrike, about 40 people made a demo in front of the centre. During this demo, prisoners started to break the windows, put fire to cells and get out on the roof. A lot of police reinforcements started to arrive, and in the general chaos, one prisoner managed to escape.
Later on the evening, with the demonstrators returned home, riots sparked of again in the centre. During the evening, two of the three wings of the centre were destroyed by the rioters, with breaking, elektrical circuits sabotaged and fire. The two wings were completely evacuated and prisoners were transferred to the other detention centres in Vottem, Merksplas and Brugge.
It is the second time in a few years (2008) that an uprising in Steenokkerzeel manages to destroy big part of this prison.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Morocco - Five people killed and 128 injured in Sunday demonstration
DPA
Feb 21, 2011 - Rabat - Five people were killed and 128 injured during pro- democracy demonstrations in Morocco on Sunday as the protest wave sweeping the Arab world spread to the North African kingdom, according to figures given by the government on Monday.
The bodies of the five victims were found inside a bank that had been set on fire by rioters in the northern city of Al Hoceima.
Some 37,000 people attended marches, rallies and sit-in demonstrations in 53 prefectures and provinces, Interior Minister Taieb Cherkaoui said.
Violent incidents occurred in seven cities, including the port city of Tangier, the tourist destination Marrakesh and Al Hoceima, according to the minister.
Media reports said demonstrators attacked party offices, police stations and shops, and set cars on fire. Police dispersed the rioters with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The unrest damaged 33 public buildings, 24 bank offices, 50 shops and private buildings, and 66 vehicles, according to figures given by the minister.
Cherkaoui said the Al Hoceima bank where the five charred bodies were found had been closed at the time. The victims were looters who had entered the bank after the demonstration was over. Others then set the bank on fire, according to the minister.
Cherkaoui said a total of 128 people were injured in the unrest, including 115 members of the security forces, and that 120 people had been detained.
The demonstrations were staged with the support of a Facebook protest movement, Islamic fundamentalists, human rights and women's groups, as well as some leftist parties and trade unionists.
Feb 21, 2011 - Rabat - Five people were killed and 128 injured during pro- democracy demonstrations in Morocco on Sunday as the protest wave sweeping the Arab world spread to the North African kingdom, according to figures given by the government on Monday.
The bodies of the five victims were found inside a bank that had been set on fire by rioters in the northern city of Al Hoceima.
Some 37,000 people attended marches, rallies and sit-in demonstrations in 53 prefectures and provinces, Interior Minister Taieb Cherkaoui said.
Violent incidents occurred in seven cities, including the port city of Tangier, the tourist destination Marrakesh and Al Hoceima, according to the minister.
Media reports said demonstrators attacked party offices, police stations and shops, and set cars on fire. Police dispersed the rioters with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The unrest damaged 33 public buildings, 24 bank offices, 50 shops and private buildings, and 66 vehicles, according to figures given by the minister.
Cherkaoui said the Al Hoceima bank where the five charred bodies were found had been closed at the time. The victims were looters who had entered the bank after the demonstration was over. Others then set the bank on fire, according to the minister.
Cherkaoui said a total of 128 people were injured in the unrest, including 115 members of the security forces, and that 120 people had been detained.
The demonstrations were staged with the support of a Facebook protest movement, Islamic fundamentalists, human rights and women's groups, as well as some leftist parties and trade unionists.
Lisbon, Portugal - A struggle for moving a bit more freely
from TuEu
22.02.2011 - There’s a semi-public company in Lisbon called EMEL (Empresa Municipal de Estacionamento de Lisboa) that controls car parking all over Lisbon and car traffic in some of the streets in the old neighborhoods (Alfama, Bairro Alto, Castelo, etc..). Literally they block the streets with remote controlled hydraulic bars (that come up and down) and only let authorized residents past. This hydraulic bar needs another adjacent structure where all the electric cables are to work properly. Obviously to be an authorized resident you need to register, give them your data and pay for a license. Apart from this, each street where car traffic is controlled by EMEL has a CCTV camera about 10 meters away from these 2 other structures and pointing towards them and the street.
In the last weeks many of these street-controlling machines have been sabotaged, you only need to walk the streets of Alfama and Castelo to see what’s happening: each time the hydraulic bar is permanently down and/or there’s lots of plastic and tape covering the adjacent structure because this structure was somehow damaged and is being fixed. Recently some phrases against EMEL and against control have also been spray-painted in these neighborhoods (“these streets belong to us/ EMEL OUT!”; “enough of control and surveillance/ these streets are ours”).
http://pt.indymedia.org/conteudo/newswire/3728
22.02.2011 - There’s a semi-public company in Lisbon called EMEL (Empresa Municipal de Estacionamento de Lisboa) that controls car parking all over Lisbon and car traffic in some of the streets in the old neighborhoods (Alfama, Bairro Alto, Castelo, etc..). Literally they block the streets with remote controlled hydraulic bars (that come up and down) and only let authorized residents past. This hydraulic bar needs another adjacent structure where all the electric cables are to work properly. Obviously to be an authorized resident you need to register, give them your data and pay for a license. Apart from this, each street where car traffic is controlled by EMEL has a CCTV camera about 10 meters away from these 2 other structures and pointing towards them and the street.
In the last weeks many of these street-controlling machines have been sabotaged, you only need to walk the streets of Alfama and Castelo to see what’s happening: each time the hydraulic bar is permanently down and/or there’s lots of plastic and tape covering the adjacent structure because this structure was somehow damaged and is being fixed. Recently some phrases against EMEL and against control have also been spray-painted in these neighborhoods (“these streets belong to us/ EMEL OUT!”; “enough of control and surveillance/ these streets are ours”).
http://pt.indymedia.org/conteudo/newswire/3728
Libya - The massacre of the people continues. Demonstrators taken control of several important towns
al jazeera
Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are waging a bloody operation to keep him in power, with residents reporting gunfire in parts of the capital Tripoli and other cities, while other citizens, including the country's former ambassador to India, are saying that warplanes were used to "bomb" protesters.
Nearly 300 people are reported to have been killed in continuing violence in the capital and across the North African country as demonstrations enter their second week.
Fighter jets bombed portions of the city in fresh attacks on Monday night. The bombing focused on ammunition depots and control centres around the capital.
Helicopter gunships were also used, they said, to fire on the streets in order to scare demonstrators away.
Several witnesses said that "mercenaries" were firing on civilians in the city, while pro-Gaddafi forces warned people not to leave their homes via loudspeakers mounted on cars.
Residents of the Tajura neighbourhood, east of Tripoli, said that dead bodies are still lying on the streets from earlier violence. At least 61 people were killed in the capital on Monday, witnesses told Al Jazeeera.
'Indiscriminate bombing'
Protests in the oil-rich African country, which Gaddafi has ruled for 41 years, began on February 14, but picked up momentum after a brutal government crackdown following a "Day of Rage" on February 17. Demonstrators say they have now taken control of several important towns, including the city of Benghazi, which saw days of bloody clashes between protesters and government forces.
There has been a heavy government crackdown on protests, however, and demonstrators at a huge anti-government march in the capital on Monday afternoon said they came under attack from fighter jets and security forces using live ammunition.
"What we are witnessing today is unimaginable. Warplanes and helicopters are indiscriminately bombing one area after another. There are many, many dead," Adel Mohamed Saleh said in a live broadcast.
"Anyone who moves, even if they are in their car, they will hit you."
Ali al-Essawi, who resigned as Libyan ambassador to India, also told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that fighter jets had been used by the government to bomb civilians.
He said live fire was being used against protesters, and that foreigners had been hired to fight on behalf of the government. The former ambassador called the violence "a massacre", and called on the UN to block Libyan airspace in order to "protect the people".
Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are waging a bloody operation to keep him in power, with residents reporting gunfire in parts of the capital Tripoli and other cities, while other citizens, including the country's former ambassador to India, are saying that warplanes were used to "bomb" protesters.
Nearly 300 people are reported to have been killed in continuing violence in the capital and across the North African country as demonstrations enter their second week.
Fighter jets bombed portions of the city in fresh attacks on Monday night. The bombing focused on ammunition depots and control centres around the capital.
Helicopter gunships were also used, they said, to fire on the streets in order to scare demonstrators away.
Several witnesses said that "mercenaries" were firing on civilians in the city, while pro-Gaddafi forces warned people not to leave their homes via loudspeakers mounted on cars.
Residents of the Tajura neighbourhood, east of Tripoli, said that dead bodies are still lying on the streets from earlier violence. At least 61 people were killed in the capital on Monday, witnesses told Al Jazeeera.
'Indiscriminate bombing'
Protests in the oil-rich African country, which Gaddafi has ruled for 41 years, began on February 14, but picked up momentum after a brutal government crackdown following a "Day of Rage" on February 17. Demonstrators say they have now taken control of several important towns, including the city of Benghazi, which saw days of bloody clashes between protesters and government forces.
There has been a heavy government crackdown on protests, however, and demonstrators at a huge anti-government march in the capital on Monday afternoon said they came under attack from fighter jets and security forces using live ammunition.
"What we are witnessing today is unimaginable. Warplanes and helicopters are indiscriminately bombing one area after another. There are many, many dead," Adel Mohamed Saleh said in a live broadcast.
"Anyone who moves, even if they are in their car, they will hit you."
Ali al-Essawi, who resigned as Libyan ambassador to India, also told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that fighter jets had been used by the government to bomb civilians.
He said live fire was being used against protesters, and that foreigners had been hired to fight on behalf of the government. The former ambassador called the violence "a massacre", and called on the UN to block Libyan airspace in order to "protect the people".
Milan, Italy - Eni headquarters attacked
informa-azione
21.02.2011 - received mail from anonymous:
"ENI*: EXPLOITERS, DEVASTATORS, PLUNDERERS.20-2, ATTACKED WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE, IN CORSO SEMPIONE-MILAN. SOLIDARITY WITH THE NORTH AFRICAN PEOPLES, MARCO BILLY COSTA SILVIA, ARTURO AND GUIDO FREE"
[AGIP (Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli) established in 1926 and its world famous brand ENI, Italy, 6th largest petroleum company in the world]
news agencies:
Milan, February 21 (Adnkronos) - A 'parcel bomb'has been placed outside a building in Via Melzi D'Eril on the corner of Corso Sempione, in front of an Eni store and a few metres from the Milan office of 'Il Fatto'. The bomb squad have already disactivated the bomb and are still on sire for evidence. It appears from preliminary investigations, to be an incendiary device as it was attached to some bottles containing petrol.
(ANSA) - MILANO, 21 FEB - Parcel bomb at Corso Sempione in Milan the corner with Melzi d'Eril fifty yards from the editorial offices of 'Fatto Quotidiano' (daily occurances). The bomb squad found a package of explosives connected to an incendiary bottle. The bomb squad isolated the package and inspected the buildings before defusing the device. In addition to the editorial offices of Fatto Quotidiano, the place where the parcel bomb was found is a few hundred metres from the headquarters of the Rai (national TV).
21.02.2011 - received mail from anonymous:
"ENI*: EXPLOITERS, DEVASTATORS, PLUNDERERS.20-2, ATTACKED WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE, IN CORSO SEMPIONE-MILAN. SOLIDARITY WITH THE NORTH AFRICAN PEOPLES, MARCO BILLY COSTA SILVIA, ARTURO AND GUIDO FREE"
[AGIP (Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli) established in 1926 and its world famous brand ENI, Italy, 6th largest petroleum company in the world]
news agencies:
Milan, February 21 (Adnkronos) - A 'parcel bomb'has been placed outside a building in Via Melzi D'Eril on the corner of Corso Sempione, in front of an Eni store and a few metres from the Milan office of 'Il Fatto'. The bomb squad have already disactivated the bomb and are still on sire for evidence. It appears from preliminary investigations, to be an incendiary device as it was attached to some bottles containing petrol.
(ANSA) - MILANO, 21 FEB - Parcel bomb at Corso Sempione in Milan the corner with Melzi d'Eril fifty yards from the editorial offices of 'Fatto Quotidiano' (daily occurances). The bomb squad found a package of explosives connected to an incendiary bottle. The bomb squad isolated the package and inspected the buildings before defusing the device. In addition to the editorial offices of Fatto Quotidiano, the place where the parcel bomb was found is a few hundred metres from the headquarters of the Rai (national TV).
Lucca, Italy - Leo on the streets!
thisisourjob
From Culmine (February 20, 2011):Leonardo Landi, arrested in November 2009 after a year underground and sentenced in the first degree to six years in prison for his part in a post office robbery, walked out of an Italian prison today thanks to the acceptance of his application for release. However, as a “precautionary measure,” he is still prohibited from leaving the country.
From Culmine (February 20, 2011):Leonardo Landi, arrested in November 2009 after a year underground and sentenced in the first degree to six years in prison for his part in a post office robbery, walked out of an Italian prison today thanks to the acceptance of his application for release. However, as a “precautionary measure,” he is still prohibited from leaving the country.
Turin, Italy - Arturo and Guido released from prison!
informa-azione
21.02.2011 - We learn with joy of the release of Arturo and Guido, arrested during a blockade against the passage of a Castor train load of radioactive waste.
21.02.2011 - We learn with joy of the release of Arturo and Guido, arrested during a blockade against the passage of a Castor train load of radioactive waste.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Tychy, Poland - Sabotage during night shift at Fiat factory, 300 cars damaged
italiaspeed
Fiat's factory at Tychy in Poland which produces the Fiat 500 and Panda was hit by a wave of sabotage last Thursday during the night shift with up to 200 finished cars reportedly being damaged by dents and scratches.
Although Fiat Poland has quickly blacked out any official information the incident the national media has anonymously quoted workers and internal correspondence (emails and photos) with some news outlets saying the damage inflicted could have reached 300 cars. Most of the damage was believed to have been caused by objects such as screwdrivers or knives.
The Tychy factory, which produces around 2,300 cars per day, is regularly held up by Fiat as a model facility and regularly used by management as a stick to beat the Italian unions with as it produces more cars per year than all of the Italian factories combined. As well as the 500 and Panda the plant, located in an area of high unemployment in the south of the country, produces the Abarth 500 (for final assembly at Mirafiori) and the current-generation Ford Ka which is based on the 500's platform and mechanicals.
Production of the next-generation Panda is being switched away from the factory to the Alfa Romeo facility at Pomigliano d'Arco near Naples in Italy but Tychy, which is operating at capacity thanks to the runaway success of the 500, is starting to build the new Lancia Ypsilon which will make its world debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The Ypsilon is being shifted to Tychy from the Termini Imerese factory in Sicily which will close down towards the end of this year.
However while the huge plant is regarded as a model example within Fiat management circles it has a history of unrest and dissatisfaction from the workforce who are paid less than their Italian colleagues, with the Polish media regularly quoting staff as complaining of exploitation. Yesterday the Pracownik news website quoted a Tychy worker in an anonymous interview discussing the conditions: "In general, they are bad. The atmosphere is very tense. Salaries are different, depending on the job and other factors. I have worked there in a skilled job over fifteen years and I get less than 500 euros a month, net. Many people get 350, 400 euros. I know that the people who do this work in Italy receive four or even five times more salary. Fiat in Tychy is very productive, with a very high efficiency. They told workers for many years: if you are efficient and the factory works well, you will get a higher salary. The harder people worked, the more the bosses demanded, but the workers rarely got anything. There is a bonus system, but over the last years, the bonuses are smaller, they are paid in installments and people never get the full amount."
The anonymous worker continued to tell Pracownik that discontent at Tychy was mostly kept below the surface: "In the last year or two some workers formed secret organizations. There are, to my knowledge, at least two: the Underground Resistance and the Secret Commission of Solidarity - also known as Underground Solidarity. There is also a famous blog started by one worker; now we know that more than a dozen people write there, so it is also sort of an organization. The company wants to know who this blogger is and offered even a 2,500 euro reward to anybody who would identify him."
More chillingly another anonymous open letter last year to Fiat workers at Pomigliano d'Arco who were engaged in their own battle with Fiat management at the time, ended: "For us, there is nothing left to do in Tychy but go down fighting instead of on our knees. We will encourage our colleagues to acts of resistance and sabotage against the company which sucked us dry for years and now spits us out."
The incident last Thursday night is the biggest act of sabotage in the history of the plant, which has also built models such as the Fiat 126, Cinqecento and Seicento. However the Polish media has also run reports from workers who disagreed with the direct action that was taken.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Bahrain - Peaceful demonstrators attacked in dawn raid, at least four killed as military take control
al jazeera
17.02.2011 - Troops and tanks have locked down the Bahraini capital of Manama on Thursday after riot police swinging clubs and firing tear gas smashed into demonstrators in a pre-dawn assault, killing at least four people.
Hours after the attack on Manama's main Pearl Roundabout, the military announced a ban on gatherings, saying on state TV that it had "key parts" of the capital under its control.
"Some of them are severely injured with gunshots. Patients include doctors and emergency personnel who were overrun by the police while trying to attend to the wounded."
.. booms could be heard from different parts of the city, suggesting that "tear-gas is being used to disperse the protesters in several neighbourhoods".
After several days of holding back, the island nation's Sunni rulers unleashed a heavy crackdown, trying to stamp out the first anti-government upheaval to reach the Arab states of the Gulf since the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
In the surprise assault, police tore down protesters' tents, beating men and women inside and blasting some with shotgun sprays of bird-shot.
'They made us angrier'
The pre-dawn raid was a sign of how deeply the Sunni monarchy fears the repercussions of a prolonged wave of protests, led by members of the country's Shia majority but also joined by growing numbers of discontented Sunnis.
Tiny Bahrain is a pillar of US's military framework in the region. It hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which Washington sees as a critical counterbalance to Iran.
Bahrain's rulers and their Arab allies depict any sign of unrest among their Shia populations as a move by neighbouring Shia-majority Iran to expand its clout in the region. The army would take every measure necessary to preserve security, the interior ministry said.
But the assault may only further enrage protesters, who before the attack had called for large rallies on Friday.
Tents at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama were cleared of protesters by riot police [Reuters]
In the wake of the bloodshed, angry demonstrators chanted "the regime must go," and burned pictures of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa outside the emergency ward at Salmaniya Medical Complex, the main hospital in Manama.
"We are even angrier now. They think they can clamp down on us, but they have made us angrier," Makki Abu Taki, whose son was killed in the assault, shouted in the hospital morgue
17.02.2011 - Troops and tanks have locked down the Bahraini capital of Manama on Thursday after riot police swinging clubs and firing tear gas smashed into demonstrators in a pre-dawn assault, killing at least four people.
Hours after the attack on Manama's main Pearl Roundabout, the military announced a ban on gatherings, saying on state TV that it had "key parts" of the capital under its control.
"Some of them are severely injured with gunshots. Patients include doctors and emergency personnel who were overrun by the police while trying to attend to the wounded."
.. booms could be heard from different parts of the city, suggesting that "tear-gas is being used to disperse the protesters in several neighbourhoods".
After several days of holding back, the island nation's Sunni rulers unleashed a heavy crackdown, trying to stamp out the first anti-government upheaval to reach the Arab states of the Gulf since the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
In the surprise assault, police tore down protesters' tents, beating men and women inside and blasting some with shotgun sprays of bird-shot.
'They made us angrier'
The pre-dawn raid was a sign of how deeply the Sunni monarchy fears the repercussions of a prolonged wave of protests, led by members of the country's Shia majority but also joined by growing numbers of discontented Sunnis.
Tiny Bahrain is a pillar of US's military framework in the region. It hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which Washington sees as a critical counterbalance to Iran.
Bahrain's rulers and their Arab allies depict any sign of unrest among their Shia populations as a move by neighbouring Shia-majority Iran to expand its clout in the region. The army would take every measure necessary to preserve security, the interior ministry said.
But the assault may only further enrage protesters, who before the attack had called for large rallies on Friday.
Tents at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama were cleared of protesters by riot police [Reuters]
In the wake of the bloodshed, angry demonstrators chanted "the regime must go," and burned pictures of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa outside the emergency ward at Salmaniya Medical Complex, the main hospital in Manama.
"We are even angrier now. They think they can clamp down on us, but they have made us angrier," Makki Abu Taki, whose son was killed in the assault, shouted in the hospital morgue
Cairo, Egypt - About 600 prisoners break out of prison on Saturday after riots erupt
dawn
13.02.2011 - CAIRO, Feb 12: About 600 prisoners broke out of a Cairo prison on Saturday after riots erupted, security officials said.
Several people were killed and wounded as the prisoners rioted and unknown assailants outside the prison fired at guards, the officials said. It was not immediately clear who the casualties were.
It was the second mass escape from the Marg prison since anti-government riots targeting police stations and several prisons erupted on Jan 28 alongside the popular uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak.
Along with police, the armed forces, now in control of the country after Mubarak stepped down on Friday, have arrested more than a thousand escaped prisonsers since the beginning of the month, according to officials.
Some of the escapees included Palestinian militants who broke out from Abu Zaabal prison north of Cairo, where at least 14 people, including two policemen, were killed during the breakout.—APP
13.02.2011 - CAIRO, Feb 12: About 600 prisoners broke out of a Cairo prison on Saturday after riots erupted, security officials said.
Several people were killed and wounded as the prisoners rioted and unknown assailants outside the prison fired at guards, the officials said. It was not immediately clear who the casualties were.
It was the second mass escape from the Marg prison since anti-government riots targeting police stations and several prisons erupted on Jan 28 alongside the popular uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak.
Along with police, the armed forces, now in control of the country after Mubarak stepped down on Friday, have arrested more than a thousand escaped prisonsers since the beginning of the month, according to officials.
Some of the escapees included Palestinian militants who broke out from Abu Zaabal prison north of Cairo, where at least 14 people, including two policemen, were killed during the breakout.—APP
Turin, Italy - Resistance to nuclear energy - Communique from prison from Guido and Arturo
informa-azione
Statement of Arthur and Guido February 10, 2011 from Lo Russo e Cotugno (Vallette) prison in Turin
We were arrested during the night of last Monday, February 7 with the allegations, as far as we know, of resisting a public official, injury and attack on transport in the public highway (or something like that) during a blockade against the passage of a train carrying nuclear waste in Condove, Valsusa.
The passage of these trains has always come about with maximum discretion, so that the people exposed to the risks could not express their concerns and possible forms of protest.
Certainly drawing attention to this threat that is passed over in silence and opposing these trains of death is an essential step in the struggle against the nuclear monster, as witnessed by the protests that for decades, especially in northern Europe, thousands of people have taken part in, aware of the tragedy that the atomic industry represents for the present and the future of the planet.
For those who struggle against the harm caused by the absurdity of production that feeds the sick society of progress, nuclear power can only be a further opportunity to express one's own rejection and anger.
Beyond the crimes that are being contested and the progression of the judicial process, we are proud to have participated in what we hope is only a first moment of revival of a broad and determined mobilization that can express, with the forms and methods are in harmony with each one, dignity and strength in rejecting and fighting all harmful substances.
Rebel greetings to all those who, struggling inside and outside the prisons, are stoking the fire of desire for a world free of exploitation and authority.
Presi bene raga!
Arturo Fazio
Guido Mantelli
Statement of Arthur and Guido February 10, 2011 from Lo Russo e Cotugno (Vallette) prison in Turin
We were arrested during the night of last Monday, February 7 with the allegations, as far as we know, of resisting a public official, injury and attack on transport in the public highway (or something like that) during a blockade against the passage of a train carrying nuclear waste in Condove, Valsusa.
The passage of these trains has always come about with maximum discretion, so that the people exposed to the risks could not express their concerns and possible forms of protest.
Certainly drawing attention to this threat that is passed over in silence and opposing these trains of death is an essential step in the struggle against the nuclear monster, as witnessed by the protests that for decades, especially in northern Europe, thousands of people have taken part in, aware of the tragedy that the atomic industry represents for the present and the future of the planet.
For those who struggle against the harm caused by the absurdity of production that feeds the sick society of progress, nuclear power can only be a further opportunity to express one's own rejection and anger.
Beyond the crimes that are being contested and the progression of the judicial process, we are proud to have participated in what we hope is only a first moment of revival of a broad and determined mobilization that can express, with the forms and methods are in harmony with each one, dignity and strength in rejecting and fighting all harmful substances.
Rebel greetings to all those who, struggling inside and outside the prisons, are stoking the fire of desire for a world free of exploitation and authority.
Presi bene raga!
Arturo Fazio
Guido Mantelli
Switzerland - Communique by Silvia Guerini from Biel prison
informa-azione
17.02.2011 - HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY January 15-16-17
My answer to the "call for solidarity with the guerrillas of the revolutionary organization Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, with the revolutionaries and the other indicted for the same case" in the trial that will begin January 17, 2011. This call that comes from Greece in a communique of the organization "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire." With this symbolic hunger strike for three days, January 15 to 17 all my closeness goes to all the fighters from Europe to Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, India .... and all over the world.
Solidarity with the two comrades of the "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire" and the other revolutionaries and anarchists on trial since Jan. 17 in Greece.
Repression, arrests, prisons and courts will never break the revolutionary spirit and tenacity, can never stop the many struggles undertaken in as many ways as possible within the same revolutionary universe.
Freedom to all political prisoners! These words of freedom cannot but make my thoughts go to all the animals locked in a cage, waiting for death and to become a piece of meat, turned into an object of production .... And subjected to torture, vivisectioned in research laboratories to test drugs, chemicals and each new harmful substance of this techno-scientific industrial system.
Against all anthropocentric logic, bearer of abuse of power and domination ....
Against every cage, for total liberation!
Let's spread solidarity through the continuity of the paths of the struggle, active and combative solidarity!
Silvia Guerini, Biel prison / Switzerland, January 2011
17.02.2011 - HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY January 15-16-17
My answer to the "call for solidarity with the guerrillas of the revolutionary organization Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, with the revolutionaries and the other indicted for the same case" in the trial that will begin January 17, 2011. This call that comes from Greece in a communique of the organization "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire." With this symbolic hunger strike for three days, January 15 to 17 all my closeness goes to all the fighters from Europe to Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, India .... and all over the world.
Solidarity with the two comrades of the "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire" and the other revolutionaries and anarchists on trial since Jan. 17 in Greece.
Repression, arrests, prisons and courts will never break the revolutionary spirit and tenacity, can never stop the many struggles undertaken in as many ways as possible within the same revolutionary universe.
Freedom to all political prisoners! These words of freedom cannot but make my thoughts go to all the animals locked in a cage, waiting for death and to become a piece of meat, turned into an object of production .... And subjected to torture, vivisectioned in research laboratories to test drugs, chemicals and each new harmful substance of this techno-scientific industrial system.
Against all anthropocentric logic, bearer of abuse of power and domination ....
Against every cage, for total liberation!
Let's spread solidarity through the continuity of the paths of the struggle, active and combative solidarity!
Silvia Guerini, Biel prison / Switzerland, January 2011
Beeston, Nottinghamshire (UK) - Atos Origin offices windows smashed
325nostate
6 February 2011 - “On Sunday Night, windows were smashed at Atos Origin offices in Beeston. Also, a graffitti message reading “Atos profits from oppression” was left on the entrance to the site. Atos is responsible for designing and implementing the tests used to determine eligability for incapacity benefits etc, and so this was an act of solidarity with all those who have had their lives turned upside down by being thrown off their benefits. Atos make a profit out of our misery.
As the government increasingly pushes its ruthless agenda in cuts to social welfare, it is companies such as Atos who are paid to do the dirty work. We are being forced into work, to chain ourselves to an unstable, exploitative and inhuman labour market that makes us ill. It will always be politicians and business owners who benefit from our wage slavery. Poeple who refuse, or are unable, to be pliant and flexible workers are being punished for not conforming to the demands of the economic system, and it is from this oppression that companies such as Atos profit.
We believe that the work that healthcare professionals carry out for Atos is in direct conflict with the duty of care that should be shown to people in need of medical help. Atos’ money has paid for their ethics to be put aside so that profit can be made for the company at the expense of people’s health.
Atos are becoming experts in the business of identifying groups to contain and exclude them. They were one of the groups who tendered for the government’s ID cards contracts whilst the scheme was still going ahead.
This is a message to Atos and other companies who profit from this system of denial and abuse that our rage will bring down your empires.”
Some Angry People
6 February 2011 - “On Sunday Night, windows were smashed at Atos Origin offices in Beeston. Also, a graffitti message reading “Atos profits from oppression” was left on the entrance to the site. Atos is responsible for designing and implementing the tests used to determine eligability for incapacity benefits etc, and so this was an act of solidarity with all those who have had their lives turned upside down by being thrown off their benefits. Atos make a profit out of our misery.
As the government increasingly pushes its ruthless agenda in cuts to social welfare, it is companies such as Atos who are paid to do the dirty work. We are being forced into work, to chain ourselves to an unstable, exploitative and inhuman labour market that makes us ill. It will always be politicians and business owners who benefit from our wage slavery. Poeple who refuse, or are unable, to be pliant and flexible workers are being punished for not conforming to the demands of the economic system, and it is from this oppression that companies such as Atos profit.
We believe that the work that healthcare professionals carry out for Atos is in direct conflict with the duty of care that should be shown to people in need of medical help. Atos’ money has paid for their ethics to be put aside so that profit can be made for the company at the expense of people’s health.
Atos are becoming experts in the business of identifying groups to contain and exclude them. They were one of the groups who tendered for the government’s ID cards contracts whilst the scheme was still going ahead.
This is a message to Atos and other companies who profit from this system of denial and abuse that our rage will bring down your empires.”
Some Angry People
Malta - Army on 'high alert' as 6,000 Tunisian people land on Lampedusa
maltese press
Some of the Tunisian migrants that have landed on Lampedusa amassed inside a football pitch on the tiny island
The Armed Forces of Malta have stepped up their sea patrols South of the island as numerous boats laden with migrants from Tunisia have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Almost 6,000 Tunisians have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa, leading the Italian government to declare a humanitarian crisis on the island and declared a state of emergency.
A number of migrants have been reported missing after their boat capsized.
The latest political uprising in Tunisia has led to hundreds of migrants to attempt the crossing, prompting authorities in Malta and Italy to tighten external and internal security given that many migrants are prison escapees during the uprising that ousted President Ben Ali.
Italian home affairs minister Roberto Maroni has appealed to the European Union to respond to the humanitarian crisis that is developing in the Mediterranean basin following the uprisings in the Maghreb, with thousands of economic migrants seeking to cross into Europe.
Some of the Tunisian migrants that have landed on Lampedusa amassed inside a football pitch on the tiny island
The Armed Forces of Malta have stepped up their sea patrols South of the island as numerous boats laden with migrants from Tunisia have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Almost 6,000 Tunisians have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa, leading the Italian government to declare a humanitarian crisis on the island and declared a state of emergency.
A number of migrants have been reported missing after their boat capsized.
The latest political uprising in Tunisia has led to hundreds of migrants to attempt the crossing, prompting authorities in Malta and Italy to tighten external and internal security given that many migrants are prison escapees during the uprising that ousted President Ben Ali.
Italian home affairs minister Roberto Maroni has appealed to the European Union to respond to the humanitarian crisis that is developing in the Mediterranean basin following the uprisings in the Maghreb, with thousands of economic migrants seeking to cross into Europe.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Algeria - Hundreds of youths clash with police
manchesterwired
14.02.2011 - Hundreds of youths have clashed with security forces during protests in the northern Algerian town of Akbou.
Police reportedly used tear gas and batons to drive back crowds protesting over unemployment. About 30 people, most of them protesters, were hurt.
In January Algeria was the first in a string of countries to see street protests, as people rallied against high food prices and unemployment.
Several people were killed as unrest spread across the country.
The sporadic protests have been continuing since early January.
On Saturday, thousands of people took part in protests in the capital, Algiers, demanding the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, but were dispersed by riot police.
Monday's unrest broke out in in Akbou, about 180km (110 miles) east of Algiers.
One political activist, Rida Bourda, told BBC Arabic that the demonstrators were met with unreasonable force.
"The youth went to protest. But the only answer the authority gave them was the police," he said.
"The police started beating them and used tear gas canisters. All the youth wanted was democracy and more freedom."
Correspondents say the protests are widely seen as drawing on deep frustrations with the ruling elite and a lack of political freedom, as well as more immediate concerns about the cost of living, housing, and jobs.
14.02.2011 - Hundreds of youths have clashed with security forces during protests in the northern Algerian town of Akbou.
Police reportedly used tear gas and batons to drive back crowds protesting over unemployment. About 30 people, most of them protesters, were hurt.
In January Algeria was the first in a string of countries to see street protests, as people rallied against high food prices and unemployment.
Several people were killed as unrest spread across the country.
The sporadic protests have been continuing since early January.
On Saturday, thousands of people took part in protests in the capital, Algiers, demanding the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, but were dispersed by riot police.
Monday's unrest broke out in in Akbou, about 180km (110 miles) east of Algiers.
One political activist, Rida Bourda, told BBC Arabic that the demonstrators were met with unreasonable force.
"The youth went to protest. But the only answer the authority gave them was the police," he said.
"The police started beating them and used tear gas canisters. All the youth wanted was democracy and more freedom."
Correspondents say the protests are widely seen as drawing on deep frustrations with the ruling elite and a lack of political freedom, as well as more immediate concerns about the cost of living, housing, and jobs.
Trieste, Italy - 'No remembrance for the fascists of the past, no space for those of the present' sprayed on national monument, museum locks glued
informa-azione
We learn from the site of the Trieste daily "il Piccolo", that in the night between 11 and 12 February persons unknown sprayed the wall of the national monument of Basovizza in memory of the victims of the foibe.
" No remembrance of the fascists of the past, no space for those of the present" could be read on the wall, the locks of the doors of the museum were blocked with glue, evading the surveillance.
Bahrain, anti-government protesters camped out in the capital overnight
bbc
16.02.2011In Bahrain, anti-government protesters camped out in the capital overnight, in an attempt to force sweeping political reforms and end the monarchy's grip on power.
The move follows two days of clashes in the small island kingdom which have left at least two people dead.
The demonstrators have descended on Manama's landmark Pearl Roundabout.
16.02.2011In Bahrain, anti-government protesters camped out in the capital overnight, in an attempt to force sweeping political reforms and end the monarchy's grip on power.
The move follows two days of clashes in the small island kingdom which have left at least two people dead.
The demonstrators have descended on Manama's landmark Pearl Roundabout.
Riot breaks out in Libyan city of Benghazi
signalfire
16.02.2011 - TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Hundreds of people clashed with police and government supporters overnight in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a witness and local media said, in a rare show of unrest in the oil exporting country.
Libya has been tightly controlled by leader Muammar Gaddafi for over 40 years but has also felt the ripples from popular revolts in its neighbors Egypt and Tunisia.
Libyan state television said that rallies were held in the early hours of Wednesday morning across the country in support of Gaddafi, who is Africa’s longest serving leader.
Reports from Benghazi, about 1,000 km (600 miles) east of the Libyan capital, indicated the city was now calm but that overnight, protesters armed with stones and petrol bombs had set fire to vehicles and fought with police.
The protesters were angry about the arrest of a human rights campaigner and demanded his release.
Gaddafi opponents used the Facebook social networking site to call on people to go out onto the streets across Libya on Thursday for what they described as a “day of rage.”
Quryna newspaper, which is based in Benghazi, quoted Abdelkrim Gubaili, the director of a local hospital, as saying 38 people were injured in the clashes, most of them members of the security forces. He said they had all been discharged.
“There were about 500 or 600 people involved. They went to the revolutionary committee (local government headquarters) in Sabri district, and they tried to go to the central revolutionary committee … They threw stones,” he said.
Some Libyans complain about high unemployment, income inequality and limits on political freedoms, but analysts say an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely there because the government can use its vast energy revenues to placate unhappy citizens.
HISTORY OF DISTRUST
People in Benghazi have a history of distrust of Gaddafi’s rule. Many of his most ardent opponents living in exile, and many of the people jailed for membership of banned Islamist militant groups, are from the city.
According to the reports from Benghazi, the unrest was triggered by the arrest of Fethi Tarbel, a human rights activist who worked with families of people detained in Tripoli’s notorious Abu Salim jail.
The prison, used to hold government opponents and Islamist militants, was the scene of violent clashes in June 1996 in which 1,000 inmates were shot dead.
On Tuesday night, a crowd of people in Benghazi who had relatives in the prison marched on local government offices to demand Tarbel’s release, Quryna newspaper reported.
It said a local official agreed to free him, but the protesters marched anyway to the city’s Shajara square where they clashed with police and government supporters.
16.02.2011 - TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Hundreds of people clashed with police and government supporters overnight in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a witness and local media said, in a rare show of unrest in the oil exporting country.
Libya has been tightly controlled by leader Muammar Gaddafi for over 40 years but has also felt the ripples from popular revolts in its neighbors Egypt and Tunisia.
Libyan state television said that rallies were held in the early hours of Wednesday morning across the country in support of Gaddafi, who is Africa’s longest serving leader.
Reports from Benghazi, about 1,000 km (600 miles) east of the Libyan capital, indicated the city was now calm but that overnight, protesters armed with stones and petrol bombs had set fire to vehicles and fought with police.
The protesters were angry about the arrest of a human rights campaigner and demanded his release.
Gaddafi opponents used the Facebook social networking site to call on people to go out onto the streets across Libya on Thursday for what they described as a “day of rage.”
Quryna newspaper, which is based in Benghazi, quoted Abdelkrim Gubaili, the director of a local hospital, as saying 38 people were injured in the clashes, most of them members of the security forces. He said they had all been discharged.
“There were about 500 or 600 people involved. They went to the revolutionary committee (local government headquarters) in Sabri district, and they tried to go to the central revolutionary committee … They threw stones,” he said.
Some Libyans complain about high unemployment, income inequality and limits on political freedoms, but analysts say an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely there because the government can use its vast energy revenues to placate unhappy citizens.
HISTORY OF DISTRUST
People in Benghazi have a history of distrust of Gaddafi’s rule. Many of his most ardent opponents living in exile, and many of the people jailed for membership of banned Islamist militant groups, are from the city.
According to the reports from Benghazi, the unrest was triggered by the arrest of Fethi Tarbel, a human rights activist who worked with families of people detained in Tripoli’s notorious Abu Salim jail.
The prison, used to hold government opponents and Islamist militants, was the scene of violent clashes in June 1996 in which 1,000 inmates were shot dead.
On Tuesday night, a crowd of people in Benghazi who had relatives in the prison marched on local government offices to demand Tarbel’s release, Quryna newspaper reported.
It said a local official agreed to free him, but the protesters marched anyway to the city’s Shajara square where they clashed with police and government supporters.
ERMELO, South Africa - Police fire live rounds and tear gas at poor protesting for basic housing
Reuters
15.2.2011 - South African police fired rubber bullets, live rounds and tear gas on Tuesday at demonstrators protesting against the government's delivery of basic housing and education.
Residents in the township of Ermelo in Mpumalanga, about 200 km (120 miles) southeast of Johannesburg, burned tyres and threw home-made petrol bombs in the second day of clashes with police who have closed major roads leading into the area.
Local media reported that one resident was killed but the police would not confirm or deny the report.
Protests by poor blacks, a main support base for the African National Congress, have put pressure on the ruling party before local government elections scheduled for May.
Since taking power in 1994 the ANC has made gains in addressing apartheid-era inequalities but faces an uphill battle to meet its commitments to the poor who have become increasingly frustrated at the slow pace of delivery.
15.2.2011 - South African police fired rubber bullets, live rounds and tear gas on Tuesday at demonstrators protesting against the government's delivery of basic housing and education.
Residents in the township of Ermelo in Mpumalanga, about 200 km (120 miles) southeast of Johannesburg, burned tyres and threw home-made petrol bombs in the second day of clashes with police who have closed major roads leading into the area.
Local media reported that one resident was killed but the police would not confirm or deny the report.
Protests by poor blacks, a main support base for the African National Congress, have put pressure on the ruling party before local government elections scheduled for May.
Since taking power in 1994 the ANC has made gains in addressing apartheid-era inequalities but faces an uphill battle to meet its commitments to the poor who have become increasingly frustrated at the slow pace of delivery.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Igoumenitsa, NW Greece - Super-market chain bans migrants. Anarchists attack four Athens branches in response.
from the greek streets
Saturday, February 12, 2011 - The local branch of the supermarket DIA in the NW city of Igoumenitsa has banned migrants from entering its premises completely, after a period of time in which they were only allowed to enter the store one at a time. In response, anarchists in Athens attacked four branches of DIA in the city (in Agios Eleftherios, Petralona, Patisia and Kipseli). Their storefronts were smashed, paint was thrown along with leaflets explaining the action.
Saturday, February 12, 2011 - The local branch of the supermarket DIA in the NW city of Igoumenitsa has banned migrants from entering its premises completely, after a period of time in which they were only allowed to enter the store one at a time. In response, anarchists in Athens attacked four branches of DIA in the city (in Agios Eleftherios, Petralona, Patisia and Kipseli). Their storefronts were smashed, paint was thrown along with leaflets explaining the action.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Algiers - Thousands of protestors take to the streets in spite of massive police presence
france24
12.02.2011 - Braving a massive police presence, thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of the Algerian capital of Algiers Saturday, defying an official ban on demonstrations and briefly forcing through a police cordon in the centre of the city.
Saturday’s protests came a day after Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak stepped down from office, thereby reinvigorating the long-planned for demonstration in Algiers.
Protesters held signs saying, “After Mubarak, it will be Bouteflika,” referring to the 74-year-old Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in office since 1999.
Skirmishes broke out between riot police preventing protesters from reaching central Algiers, reported FRANCE 24's Hani.
While police said about 800 protesters had taken to the streets, journalists and opposition members put the figure at 2,000.
Police presence turns Algiers into a ‘city of blue’
Security was tight ahead of the protests with police blocking access to the capital.
“Hassiba Ben Bouali Street, the main road leading to May 1 Square, is virtually under siege by policemen equipped with riot shields and batons,” said Hani. “Access to Algiers has been blocked with a heavy police presence on the roads linking the city with the rest of Algeria. Train services between central Algiers and the eastern and western suburbs have been cancelled.”
The Algerian capital famed for its luminous white walls had turned into a city of blue, said Hani, referring to the massive police presence. Opposition groups say 35,000 police officials had been deployed, including reinforcements that arrived from other parts of the country.
Saturday’s march was organised by an umbrella group of human rights activists, trade unionists, lawyers and political parties, including the opposition Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) party.
Four senior RCD officials were arrested Saturday morning along with about 60 other members, according to RCD spokesman Mohsen Belabas.
Reporting from Algiers earlier Saturday, Hani said the RCD headquarters on the main Didouche Mourad Street had been “surrounded by police”
12.02.2011 - Braving a massive police presence, thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of the Algerian capital of Algiers Saturday, defying an official ban on demonstrations and briefly forcing through a police cordon in the centre of the city.
Saturday’s protests came a day after Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak stepped down from office, thereby reinvigorating the long-planned for demonstration in Algiers.
Protesters held signs saying, “After Mubarak, it will be Bouteflika,” referring to the 74-year-old Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in office since 1999.
Skirmishes broke out between riot police preventing protesters from reaching central Algiers, reported FRANCE 24's Hani.
While police said about 800 protesters had taken to the streets, journalists and opposition members put the figure at 2,000.
Police presence turns Algiers into a ‘city of blue’
Security was tight ahead of the protests with police blocking access to the capital.
“Hassiba Ben Bouali Street, the main road leading to May 1 Square, is virtually under siege by policemen equipped with riot shields and batons,” said Hani. “Access to Algiers has been blocked with a heavy police presence on the roads linking the city with the rest of Algeria. Train services between central Algiers and the eastern and western suburbs have been cancelled.”
The Algerian capital famed for its luminous white walls had turned into a city of blue, said Hani, referring to the massive police presence. Opposition groups say 35,000 police officials had been deployed, including reinforcements that arrived from other parts of the country.
Saturday’s march was organised by an umbrella group of human rights activists, trade unionists, lawyers and political parties, including the opposition Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) party.
Four senior RCD officials were arrested Saturday morning along with about 60 other members, according to RCD spokesman Mohsen Belabas.
Reporting from Algiers earlier Saturday, Hani said the RCD headquarters on the main Didouche Mourad Street had been “surrounded by police”
Aspra Spitia, Greece - Four take off with 250,000 euros after using sledgehammers to smash into bank
ekathimerini
Police in Viotia, central Greece, on Friday were seeking the four robbers who netted some 250,000 euros in a daring raid on a branch of National Bank in the small town of Aspra Spitia.
According to witnesses, two of the robbers used sledgehammers to smash into the bank through its side entrance at around 8 a.m. Another two assailants then forced bank clerks to empty cash registers and fled with the bags of loot without causing any injuries.
The men fled in a small white van which, a police search revealed, had been stolen on Wednesday from Moschato, south of Athens. The van broke down a short distance from the bank, prompting the robbers to stop a car, force out the female driver and her friend, and flee in their vehicle. That car was found abandoned just over a kilometer from Aspra Spitia shortly after the getaway.
Police in Viotia, central Greece, on Friday were seeking the four robbers who netted some 250,000 euros in a daring raid on a branch of National Bank in the small town of Aspra Spitia.
According to witnesses, two of the robbers used sledgehammers to smash into the bank through its side entrance at around 8 a.m. Another two assailants then forced bank clerks to empty cash registers and fled with the bags of loot without causing any injuries.
The men fled in a small white van which, a police search revealed, had been stolen on Wednesday from Moschato, south of Athens. The van broke down a short distance from the bank, prompting the robbers to stop a car, force out the female driver and her friend, and flee in their vehicle. That car was found abandoned just over a kilometer from Aspra Spitia shortly after the getaway.
Turin, Italy - Raid on Italian electricity company ENEL and anti-nuclear demo surrounded by police
informa-azione
from macerie
February 11, 2011 - A small group of enemies of nuclear power raided the headquarters of Enel in Corso Regina Margherita, Torino this morning. Banner, megaphone and leaflets to highlight the complicity of the company with the return of nuclear energy in Italy (if anything of it had gone) and in solidarity with Guido and Arturo, in prison for trying to block a radioactive train. Having moved around far and wide inside the premises, and also interrupted a big meeting that was being held inside, the protesters calmly left.
from Indymedia piemonte
This afternoon at Porta Susa [Turin]an anti-nuclear demo was held in solidarity with the arrested comrades.
Table and leafletting from 12 to 13.30, when the participants [about eighty, not only from Piedmont] * try * to move, going on to a tram. Immediately the Digos [political police] tell the driver to halt the tram. Then come the riot police [about one hundred and twenty!] to surround the comrades who in the meantime get off the tram. A quick move in the direction of the metro causes a reaction of the cops who surround the group. The police get orders to hold their position and impose a militarised march [sandwich effect], escorted by about twenty trucks, traffic wardens and the essential [?!?] little GTT [Turin transport?] man. To cries of "Guido and Arturo free" and "Don't let them poison you, refuse nuclear power", one walked reinforced along Corso San Martino, Corso Prince Eugene, via Cigna, Lungo Dora Naples, Via Borgo Dora to the Balon square [street market]from which the troops stayed away.
Sat, 12/02/2011 - 18:28
from macerie
February 11, 2011 - A small group of enemies of nuclear power raided the headquarters of Enel in Corso Regina Margherita, Torino this morning. Banner, megaphone and leaflets to highlight the complicity of the company with the return of nuclear energy in Italy (if anything of it had gone) and in solidarity with Guido and Arturo, in prison for trying to block a radioactive train. Having moved around far and wide inside the premises, and also interrupted a big meeting that was being held inside, the protesters calmly left.
from Indymedia piemonte
This afternoon at Porta Susa [Turin]an anti-nuclear demo was held in solidarity with the arrested comrades.
Table and leafletting from 12 to 13.30, when the participants [about eighty, not only from Piedmont] * try * to move, going on to a tram. Immediately the Digos [political police] tell the driver to halt the tram. Then come the riot police [about one hundred and twenty!] to surround the comrades who in the meantime get off the tram. A quick move in the direction of the metro causes a reaction of the cops who surround the group. The police get orders to hold their position and impose a militarised march [sandwich effect], escorted by about twenty trucks, traffic wardens and the essential [?!?] little GTT [Turin transport?] man. To cries of "Guido and Arturo free" and "Don't let them poison you, refuse nuclear power", one walked reinforced along Corso San Martino, Corso Prince Eugene, via Cigna, Lungo Dora Naples, Via Borgo Dora to the Balon square [street market]from which the troops stayed away.
Sat, 12/02/2011 - 18:28
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