World Social Struggles Newswire Archive

Many more youth groups than just the students attended the demo. Also present was the working class and Algerian young of Paris both of whom have an axe to grind with the authorities. The CRS riot police kept their distance from the demo letting the marchers complete their route un-harassed until the end. At this point they made confrontation inevitable by blocking all routes away from the finish with tooled up riot squad.

It is impossible to give a number for the demo. There was no helicopter available to IMC UK. Tens of thousands marched against the CPE legislation possibly up to 100,000. The demo was loud and peaceful with few stewards and not a cop in sight. Several sound systems entertained the thousands over a route of several miles.

One mobilization from just one of the occupied Universities.

The Peace Cycle began as a completely new initiative in 2004, and the inaugural ride that year proved to be a great success, making national headlines in almost every country it passed through. Whilst numbers fluctuated across the whole route, some 25 cyclists from around the globe reached Jerusalem together, in solidarity with one another and with all those working for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

The group of cyclists included people whose ages ranged from 12 to 60, whose faiths included Muslim, Jewish, Christian and none, and whose nationalities included British, Irish, Swiss, German, American, Australian, Italian, Swedish, Greek, Palestinian and Israeli –
what united them all was their belief in a just peace.

One cyclist, Rebecca Tyrer (who has stayed on to work in the West Bank) proudly quoted, “There were so many times when I thought I wouldn’t make it, but we did it! More to the point people are still talking about us and everything we still represent. I think one of the most powerful aspects of The Peace Cycle for me was our reception in Palestine.”

Another cyclist, Khurram Yaqoob recalls The Peace Cycle 2004 as being, “… a great journey of adventure, self-realisation and tears. Be prepared for a fantastic challenge as you pass through a variety of countries on your bike! I mean, you are actually using your own energy and a metal contraption to travel to the other side of the globe!”This feature length film, narrated by acclaimed actress Julie Christie, follows their amazing physical and emotional journey - a journey which is to be repeated by more cyclists in 2006!

Report on the launch of the London Guantanamo Campaign & the National Coalition Against Guantanamo at the 1st Public Meeting in support of British residents detained in Guantanamo
venue: Gladstone Park Primary School, Sherrick Green Road
Dollis Hill, N.W. London - Thursday 16th March 2006

Update: Daniel has been out on bail since February 8th and is on house arrest. He is on electronic monitoring and is allowed outside of his apartment two hours a week to check in with his pre-trial officer. He is in New York City, eagerly working on his legal defense, employed part-time at WomensLaw.org and spending time with family and friends. He is extremely grateful of all the support he has received from the community.

From Indymedia Paris

On the 16th of march, 64 french universities, out of 84, were on strike.
This huge movement has started in january. Why ?

Is the UK Government in charge of Sellafield, or is the Nuclear Industry calling the shots in Downing Street?

The following has been sent by a friend in Ecuador...

For over four years, Daechuri and the nearby community of Doduri have defiantly resisted the siezure of their homes and fields for the expansion of an United States Army base. They are currently under siege. Greatly outnumbered and losing people and resources, only international public outrage can stop this atrocity from occuring.

Latest update on the situation in Ecuador.

All regions of Ecuador are uniting this very moment in a major "PARO" (strike/stoppage/blockade) of the whole country against its president Palacio, the Free Trade Agreement with the USA, and the oil company OXY.

Due to the struggles in France against the CPE the title of this forum has been changed to take into account these significant events, which are part of the international development of workers' struggles and the proletariat's attempts to rediscover its class solidarity.

It should now be apparent to all that the usual strategies have proven ineffective against the ultra-right of today. The reasons are clear; the right is playing hard, fast and bold while the opposition is lost in analysis and navel gazing. ‘Storming the Bastille’ may again be required to precipitate change. Demos, alternative media, various forms of dissenting propaganda have all failed to alter the course of events. It would seem that while one side is playing hardball (for keeps) the other is content to fossick on the shores of world-shaping politics.

Mad Pride 2006 promises to be better than ever with plans underway for several events in Ireland, USA, Canada, France and even a Mad Pride celebration in Africa thanks to MindFreedom Ghana! Dan Taylor, who is the Secretary of MindFreedom Ghana based in Accra, Ghana, announced, "Our Theme for our Mad Pride event is 'Free Minds At Ease.'"

Sistani fatwa provokes terror against queers. Shia Badr Corps execute sodomites, Sunnis and others. UK fetes Sistani and hosts Badr, despite anti-gay murders.

Tuesday 14th March France:

More nationwide demos, blockades, railway obstructions, occupations and street clashes as a student day of action opposed the CPE employment law. Updates from libcom below:

A review of news, opinion, and photography recorded, from the Indymedia Newswire. With times and freqs for tuning in anywhere you can, at your leisure. Free to rebroadcast. The world & recorded for the community archive!

The text that follows introduced the ICC public meeting of 11th March in Paris, at which students and militants involved in the recent events debated their experience and the best means for spreading the movement.