South Korea, MSSC Struggle Weekend
KCTU/ETU-MB | 30.05.2004 20:52 | Social Struggles
MSSC STRUGGLE REPORT (서울, 南朝鮮, 5.29/30)
First of all yesterday we were celebrating the 200th day of sit-in strike in Myeong-dong with a powerfull rally and demonstration (here you can see our mobilisation internet poster, the building in the background is/was the central immigration office of S. Korea). Even government tried to do everything to scare migrant workers (in the forefield immigration and police sharply increased the manhunt) to participate on this event – they were only partly successful: at least 250 migrant workers joined our protest. All together more then 500 people, migrant workers, mainly self organized students groups (NOHAK, 전국학생연대회의, 전국대학생공동행동), but also some members of All Together (다함께), Power of the Working Class (노동자의 힘), etc. participated. The atmosphere on the rally and following demonstration was really great (you just have to see the pictures, here you’ll find another picture story about the event). After the final rally in Jongmyo Park we made a kind of propaganda march back to our struggle place in Myeong-dong, but of course on every corner the riot cops were waiting for us – and provocing, but it’s nothing new, just like usual. The day was finished with a powerful rally on our struggle place.
Before yesterday, while the majority of MSSC went to there “home” regions to mobilize migrant workers for the rally yesterday, some MSSC members supported the anti-war cultural festival in Pyeongtaek. The background: USFK (United States Forces Korea) decited to move from the bases located near the border to the DPR Korea and their main base in Seoul/Yongsan. But they don’t want to move home, just they want to move to… Pyeongtaek. And of course the people there don’t like this idea, not at all – just they strongly resisting. So, for to initiate a mass movement they - supported by many other civic, left political and anti-war groups/organizations – organized for Saturday a Struggle Culture Festival. An estimated 1.500 people participated - and amazingly many young, unorganized people, mainly school students. Just it was really great to see, that this could be the future of the struggle here – if not some political organizations try to take in the movement. An detailed report you can read here (in Korean). No S. Korean troops to Iraq! Kick out USFK!
Here now just some impressions about the last two days by photographs.
Before yesterday in Pyeongtaek: art against the war…
…and nuclear power plants
We sold books and buttons
Pyeongtaek migrant center…
…offered food from Sri Lanka
…
YES peace, NO war!
Pung-dong solidarity
Performance before the opening of the festival
Anti-war performance
The opening celebration of the Struggle Culture Festival
Activists from Buan – they struggle against the construction of a nuclear waste plant in their region
No comment! Just remember this
…
…
Celebrating the beautiful song “F… USA”
Yesterday’s celebration of 200 days MSSC: protest against protest – just some idiots
A powerful opening
“Jeon Tae-il” “mime” team, the first time with a new member
Park Yoon & “Kobil”
Indonesian comrade
No comment!
Final declaration on the rally
Final mass performance (just a confession to communism, or what??)
Our demonstration to Jongmyo Park
The final rally there
Propaganda march to Myeong-dong
…and on every corner the f… riot cops provoked just with their presence
Definitely the final rally in Myeong-dong, held by the comrade from Daegu
We got a new baby duck. And we'll defend it with our blood until the end!!!
RELEASE ALL MIGRANT WORKERS FROM DETENTION CENTERS!
FREEDOM FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN S. KOREA!
LET’S FIGHT TOGETHER FOR A WORLD
WITHOUT EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION!
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE, ONLY
IF YOU WANT AND FIGHT FOR IT!
WE’VE NOTHING TO LOSE EXCEPT OUR CHAINS!
KCTU/ETU-MB