As the weather gets warmer and the crisis in Europe shows no signs of slowing down, resisting is heating up too. Days of Action and networking events are happening all over the place, so get involved!
Below is a sampling of stuff happening in May. Do you know about something else we should spread the word about? Email eyfa AT eyfa DOT org and we’ll add it to the list or include it in our upcoming annual .on Summer Events newsletter.
1. Counter Congress 2012: Against the European Economic Congress
2. Blockupy International Days of Action
3. International Squat Convergence
4. Anti-Frontex Days: Euro Apartheid 2012
5. ANARCH Bookfair and Festival
6. Anarchist Pinksterlanddagen
7. Baltic Pride
8. Pride Parade Split
1. Counter Congress 2012 – Against European Economic Congress
Katowice, Poland, May 13-16
https://www.antykongres.pl/en
Between May 14-16 the European Economic Congress will take place in Katowice, PL. Over last few years it became the most important meeting place of business and politics in Central Europe, with four and a half thousand participants from Poland and abroad (among which, Robert J. Shapiro, adviser to the US president Barack Obama). Behind the back of ordinary people, financial and political elites will discuss EU financial crisis, energy politics (including shell gas exploitation) , public health and education system reforms, and competitiveness of the European economy. More than one hundred journalists and TV stations will cover the event.
Once again, the most important issues for every European society will be discussed by a narrow group of politicians and businessmen, and the results of these discussions will be imposed on every one of us. Once again, the elites expect us to duly accept the fact that we have no control over our own lives.
We’re not going to accept this. That’s why the members of Silesian Anarchist Federation are organizing the CounterCongress – an international gathering of activists resisting the authoritarian ideas behind the European Economic Congress, the rule of financial and political elites and the deepening inequality that results from present capitalist system.
Contact: antykongres@gmail.com
2. Blockupy International Days of Action
Frankfurt, Germany, May 16-19
https://17to19m.blogsport.eu/
https://blockupy-frankfurt.org
We are calling for massive protests in Frankfurt this May against the crisis regime of the European Union. On May 17 we will occupy parks and main squares in the city center with our tents to create spaces for discussion and exchange. On May 18 we will advance from different points toward the financial district: our vision is a full blockade of the ECB and all the other important financial institutions in Frankfurt to stop their running business. On May 19 we will show our magnitude in a mass demonstration and make it known that we will not allow our societies to be destroyed by financial institutions.
For a transnational movement to end precarity and impoverishment!
For international solidarity, freedom and real democracy now!
3. International Squat Convergence
Brighton, England, May 17-20
https://network23.org/snob
Following the success of previous squatting convergences across Europe (Dijon ’07, Leeds, Berlin ’08 & Bristol ’09) the Squatters Network of Brighton (S.N.O.B) invites YOU for a weekend by the sea for the next squatter convergence! With a bit of luck there should be some workshops (nominate yourself to run one!) and plenty of opportunities to get rowdy with your fellow squatters.
Celebrate squatting, meet squatters from all over the UK and other countries, spread the word about what’s going on in your city, and mobilise for action against the squatting ban right on Mike Weatherly’s door step. In true squatter style this event will be focused on D.I.Y. and autonomous ethos so bring ideas, friends and things to share.
For more information or if you want to get involved in organising, hosting workshops or other events at the convergence please contact convergencebrighton@riseup.net or phone 07583010898
Expect crowded floors and gak galore!
4. Anti-Frontex Days: Euro Apartheid 2012
Warsaw, Poland, May 18-23
Throughout May and June of this year, Warsaw is to become the exhibition center of European apartheid. During these months, as Euro 2012 fans take in the international atmosphere of the tournament in beer parks especially set up for them around the city, Frontex, headquartered in Warsaw, will celebrate its 7th anniversary.
For last year’s birthday festivities the agency organized “European Border Guard’s Day,” a networking event with film screenings and presentations of the newest border control technologies. This May, however, is of particular importance as Euro 2012 will allow Warsaw itself to become a showcase of segregation and discrimination, or the tactics of human selection predicated by market value that European authorities call migration management.
The Warsaw Noborder collective and occupied social center Syrena is preparing a week of actions against Frontex and Euro Apartheid 2012. Throughout the week starting on May 18th we will engage in direct creative interventions in public space around Warsaw and various other activities, including film screenings, discussions, book presentations and concerts. We would like to invite you to join our action days and ask your collective to support our financial expenses.
To find out more about Anti-Frontex Days, visit: https://www.anti-frontex.noborder.org.pl/
5. ANARCH Anarchist Book-Fair and Festival
Pekarna magdalenske mreže, Maribor, Slovenia May 25-26
https://a-federacija.org
An open call for participation to anarchist groups/organizations and individuals, anarchist publishers and distribution. Federation for anarchist organizing (FAO), an anarchist federation in Slovenia, is organizing Anarh, anarchist book-fair and festival for the second year in the row. Following the idea of decentralization this year’s event will take place in Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, at Pekarna magdalenske mreže (Ob železnici 8).
The main concept of our event is a book-fair with anarchist literature/materials and other autonomous production, cultural events, public kitchen, different workshops and public discussions with guests from Slovenia and abroad about open issues of capitalism and anarchist alternatives to it.
We would like to invite you to support this event with your materials and participation!
The stalls are of course free of charge; we are also arranging free accommodations for visitors from abroad. We would like to host individuals/groups with anarchist distributions (especially literature), but if somebody has interests in other areas let us know. We are also interested in your participation at the discussions and workshops. Any other ideas are welcome!
All information you need is or will soon be available on our website.
Please contact us if you are interested in participation or if you have any other questions or proposals. Contact: inter@a-federacija.org
6. Anarchist Pinksterlanddagen
Appelscha, Netherlands, May 25-28
https://www.pinksterlanddagen.nl/
The Pinksterlanddagen is the Dutch annual anarchist gathering. Three days of workshops, discussion, lectures, and a variety of stands from several anarchist groups, libraries and distros. Always a varied program: from an update on interesting debates in anarchofeminist literature, to accessible practical activism workshops, historical lectures, legal support and what not – the whole scope of the anarchist movement is represented. And yes, music too! Plus other performances, and movies and more cultural entertainment for the revolution. Cause well, if you can’t dance…. And on top of it all, there is an extensive program for kids as well.
7. Baltic Pride
Riga, Latvia May 30 – June 2
https://www.mozaika.lv
Programme of the Baltic Pride 2012 will be announced at the beginning of May, 2012.
If you have any suggestions or you would like to support Baltic Pride 2012, please contact us via e-mail: balticpride2012@gmail.com or offce@mozaika.lv
8. Pride Parade Split
Split, Croatia, June 6
https://www.split-pride.net/
Even after being attacked on last year’s march, once again this year lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, queer people and their supporters will take to the streets on June 6th in Split Croatia.
The pride parade in Split acts as a sign of the visibility of LGBT people and as a form of memory of the Stonewall rebellion.