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Indymedia UK should publicise ESF!

Re-Sista | 28.08.2002 01:20 | European Social Forum

The European Social Forum (ESF)will not be perfect, but it will be an inspiring event nevertheless! Tens of thousands of radical anti-capitalists from accoss Europe will attend. Indymedia as the non-sectarian home of the entire movement should publicise it on its upcoming events panel.

Indymedia publicises important upcoming events in a panel at the top of the newswire. For example, the PGA (people's global action)European gathering has been up there for months.

Yes! We are going to the PGA gathering, which will be a small assembly of several hundred non-hierarchical and autonomous activists. See you there!

We are also going to the ESF, in Florence in November, which will attract tens of thousands of activists to discuss and plan major actions - including next years protests against the G8 in France.

Lots of people from around my area are planning to go to the ESF - including anarchists, socialists, greens and numerous others, from all sorts of different protest movements.

I think this merits attention. I know that some are claiming the ESF is some sort of pro-capitalist conspiricy!

However, if you look at who's going, and what they are going to do there, you will see that this is a ridiculous and over-exagerated claim.

Yes, trades unions and 'mainstream' environmentalist and world poverty campaigns are also taking part. Yes, reformist politicians have a hand in it.

But the agenda is clearly focussed on resisting the "neo-liberal" capitalist rampage and drive to war and militarism.

I find that exciting. Whether some activists like it or not, the ESF is going to be a landmark event for the anti-capitalist movements in Europe, and it will attract lots of new people.

It would be a pity if some great Indymedia activists and friends marginalised themselves from it by ignoring it. Rather, we should take part and help radicalise it.

At the ESF we can share information and criticisms of global capitalism with other participants. Thoses who want to can also argue against mere attempts to tame and regulate this beast - arguing instead for the dissolution of capitalism, states and all structures of oppression.

The PGA activists are talking about going to the ESF, and creating a radical space within it, both being a friendly part of it, and challenging any attempt to water-down the demands of the movements. Thats a good idea.

Give us a hand. Make a space for it on Indymedia. Please!

Luv from Re-Sista and friends. XXX

ESF Website:


UK ESF mobilisation website:

Re-Sista
- e-mail: Resista@nogm.cjb.net

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