note.. this ‘TheFreeOnline’ blog is now banned in Turkey with Dozens more pro Rojava and anti Fascist sitesRight now over 300 people, mostly Kurdish prisoners in Turkey , are on indefinite hunger strike, and many of them are reaching the stage of permanent health damage and death.They are striking not to protest their obvious innocence or the shocking conditions, but for the right of their leader, Ocalan, to have contact with the outside world.That seems a strange thing to die for, but Ocalan in the past has declared ceasefires with the Turkish State which have lasted years and sparked a promising peace process.Ocalan above all is responsible for rejecting terrorism, stalinism and the fight for a new state in favour of ‘municipal anarchist’ communal ideas and feminist emancipation which have swept through the 15 million Kurdish population.So when the hunger strikers demand Ocalan be allowed to speak they are demanding the first step in a new peace process, and the end of the ongoing anti Kurdish pogrom in Turkey and the north of Syria.But because the PKK is branded as terrorist by the US they get little international support.Turkey is the real terrorist, it certainly has a poor human rights record, with documented massacres or mass killings of Kurds in 1930, 1978, 1987, 2009, 2011, and 2016.It has repressed and discriminated for decades against its Kurdish population, including by trying to destroy its separate culture. Continue reading “300 on Hunger Strike – How Ocalan Transformed the PKK into Anti-Terrorists”
We translate into Spanish the call for an unlimited general strike, convened by François Boulo from Rouen for the Yellow Vests, the grassroots movement that has defied the brutal repression of the Emmanuel Macron regime and continues to mobilize around demands on health, employment, education and housing.
We appeal to all French citizens: salaried workers, seasonal workers, civil servants, craftsmen, merchants, businessmen, farmers, the unemployed, pensioners, professionals, students, schoolchildren, artists, intellectuals to be mobilized to build as of February 5, 2019, the unlimited general strike.
At this moment, we regret to see that the executive power persists in not listening to any of the demands presented by the Yellow Vests and in implementing an unjust policy rejected by 75% of the population of France.
It is quite clear that the Great National Debate is nothing more than a communication strategy, which aims to anesthetize public opinion without any concrete action being taken for change. The president of the republic has categorically refused to reevaluate the fiscal measures that were imposed at the beginning of his term that benefit the 1% of the richest ….
It has also confirmed its reduction of essential public expenditures: health, education, police and justice.
Instead of listening and trying to calm the people, what the president of the republic and his government have done is put gasoline on the fire with his irresponsible statements: “crowd with hate”, “agitators”, people who “lack a sense of effort”.
This chaotic strategy has resulted in 1000 injuries among our police and gendarmes; 12 dead and 1800 injured among the demonstrators, of which a hundred have been mutilated, disfigured or blinded.
Not a word of empathy with the victims has been uttered by the institutional spokespersons.
The violence that shakes our nation must stop and our demands must be met. As a result, we appeal to the whole of French citizenship: salaried employees, seasonal workers, civil servants, craftsmen, merchants, businessmen, farmers, the unemployed, pensioners, professionals, students, schoolchildren, artists, intellectuals to be mobilized to build as of February 5. of 2019, the unlimited general strike.
We call on the Yellow Vests as a whole and all those who want to join us to spread this call through all social networks and in the field, factories, universities, high schools, public establishments.
We also call all citizens to implement a boycott of large shopping centers and instead opt for local commerce, in order to support them in these times of crisis.
This is the moment in which each one must ask himself in the depth of his being, if he should continue supporting a power that has lost its legitimacy and that, abandoning the sense of the general good, has lost the essence of his mandate. Or if, on the contrary, it is time to finally recover our common destiny. This is the sacrifice that the time demands of us to ensure the future of our children and grandchildren.
It is a moment that is and must be historical.
It is time to enforce Article 2 of our constitution: the principle of a Republic and a Government of the People, for the People and for the People
One of the main French trade union confederations – the CGT – has called on members to demonstrate and strike on Tuesday 5 February to place their demands in solidarity with and alongside those of the yellow vest movement:
To win on our demands â All together into action 5 February
Faced with long months of mobilisation and the unprecedented yellow vests movement, Emmanuel Macron has been forced to make concessions, although obviously not enough. Him â the man who said he would never back down.
For all that, the essence of his policies â gifts to the bosses and the wealthiest, and smash up public services â continues to be put into effect.
Make no mistake about it, the Great National Debate is above all a smokescreen operation, since the existing political authorities have already said that, on the majority of important points, they are not going to re-examine their approach.
Public service and its workers at the heart of the danger
The perfect example of this refusal to put any of their liberal aims up for discussion is given by the governmentâs treatment of public services.
Indeed, while state reform is explicitly on the menu for the âGreat Debateâ, ministers in charge of public services have just confirmed, in particular, that the devastating parliamentary bill, more or less already worded, retained all its current force and that its adoption by Parliament is expected in June.
Remember that this text provides for increased and massive recourse to non-tenured workers, the dismantling of consultative bodies, the individualisation of pay, and for arrangements to accompany and facilitate the abandonment of public remits and the closure of services.
It certainly represents an unprecedented attack on the whole legal edifice of public service.
These serious threats are added to the freezing of the value of the index point (and there is every sign that the government wants to keep this until 2022!), the re-establishment of the jour de carence[i], more job losses, etc.
That is to say: the situation is beyond worrying.
Shift the balance of forces and make it last
But those who rule us are far from winning.
Citizens are very attached to their public services, discontent is everywhere growing louder and there are more and more mobilisations.
What the yellow vest movement shows us
The first responsibility of trade union organisations is to show alternative ways, make them popular and organise the response at the workplace.
This is what CGT will do across all sectors on Monday 5 February.
On that day it will call on all wage earners in both the public and the private sector to mobilise, demonstrate and stop work.
Absolutely everything makes it essential that public service workers, whether local, Health Service of State employees, join up in the greatest possible numbers in these times of powerful struggle and convergence.
For:
ĂŒÂ Immediate recalculation of the index point[ii]
ĂŒÂ Restoration of losses in purchasing power over recent years
ĂŒÂ Creation of jobs with proper tenure wherever they are needed.
ĂŒÂ Job security for workers on short-term contracts. Down with casualisation!
ĂŒÂ Repeal of the jour de carence.
ĂŒÂ Defence of the general legal Status of government employment and particular Statuses
ĂŒÂ The maintenance and improvement of the special pension schemes, against the point system proposed by the government
ĂŒÂ A considerable improvement in the benefits of schemes already paid in.
CGT Public Services calls on public service workers to demonstrate and strike on 5 February.
Gilets Jaunes âAssembly of Assembliesâ calls for massive strike
The Gilets Jaunes of Commercy recently organized an âAssembly of Assembliesâ to coordinate the radical democratization of the popular resistance in France.
We, Gilets Jaunes of the roundabouts, parking lots, squares, assemblies and demonstrations, gathered on January 26 and 27 for an âAssembly of Assembliesâ, which united members of over a hundred Gilets Jaunes delegations from across France, all answering the call of the Gilets Jaunes of Commercy.
Since November 17, 2018, from the smallest villages deep in the country side to the biggest cities of France, we rose up against this deeply violent, unjust and unbearable society. We shall no longer be treated that way! We revolt against the cost of life, poverty, instability and misery. We wish for our relatives, friends, families and children, that they all will be able to live in dignity. Currently, 26 billionaires possess as much as half of the world population â this is totally unacceptable.
Letâs share wealth and not misery! Down with the social inequalities! We demand the immediate increase of wages, of the social allowances, of the subsidies and pensions; we demand the unconditional right for lodging, health, education and free public services for all! It is for all these rights that we occupy the roundabouts across the country on a daily basis, that we organize direct actions, demonstrations and arrange public debates. With our yellow vests, we are reclaiming the power to speak, we who never had it before.
And then, what is the response from the government? Repression, hubris, denial. Deaths, thousands of wounded, the massive use of weapons designed to maim, blind, injure and traumatize. Over 1.000 persons have been arbitrarily arrested, sentenced and jailed. Now a new, so-called âanti-arson lawâ, is designed to deny us the right of demonstration. We condemn all violence against the demonstrators, be it from the police forces or from violent groups. None of this will stop us! To manifest oneâs discontent is a fundamental right. Down with the impunity of the police forces! Amnesty for all the victims of the repression!
And what a sham is this idea of âGrand National Debateâ. It is just a one big publicity stunt and PR campaign by the government, using and hijacking our will to debate and decide for ourselves! The true democracy is practiced within our popular and public assemblies and on the roundabouts. It is not on the stage of television sets nor is it in the so-called political round-table organized by Macron.
After insulting us and treating us like we are nothing more than scum, they are now presenting us as a heinous, racist and fascist crowd. But we are the total opposite: neither racist nor sexist nor homophobic, we are simply proud to be together with all our differences to build a society in solidarity.
We are as strong as the diversity of our debates. At this very moment, hundreds of assemblies are elaborating and proposing their own demands. These assemblies talk about real democracy, social justice, tax issues, working conditions, ecological justice and the end of discrimination. Among the most debated claims and strategical proposals we find: the end of misery in all its forms, the transformation of the institutions (with projects like the Citizen Initiated Referendum, constituent assembly, the end of the privileges of the elected representatives), the ecological transition (energetic scarcity, industrial pollution), equality and the recognition of anyone no matter what nationality (handicapped people, gender issues, an end to the isolation of the populous suburbs, neighborhoods, rural areas and overseas territories).
We, Yellow Vests, are inviting anyone to join us with their own abilities and capacities. We call to pursue the actions with Act 12 against police violence in front of the police stations and the Acts 13, 14 etc⊠We call for the continuation of the occupation of the roundabouts and the blocking of the economy, to engage in a massive and unlimited strike starting on February 5, 2019.
We call for the creation of popular committees in the workplaces, in study places and everywhere else in order that this strike could led from the grassroots by the strikers themselves, and not by the unions. Letâs take the matter in our own hands! Donât stay alone, join us!
Letâs organize ourselves democratically, independently and autonomously! This assembly of assemblies is a very important milestone which allows us to discuss about our demands and our means of action. Letâs federate to transform the society!
We propose that all the Yellow Vests circulate this call. And if, as a Gilets Jaunes group, it resonates with you, send your signature to Commercy at (assembleedesassemblees@gmail.com). Donât hesitate to discuss and formulate some proposals for the next âAssembly of Assembliesâ which we already are preparing.
Macron Resign! Long live the power of the people, for the people and by the people.
This call is proposed by the Assembly of Assemblies in Commercy. This call will then be proposed for approval in all local assemblies.
This call was translated from French by Resistance 71. The original version in French can be found here.
en castellano
Francia: Huelga General Ilimitada el 5 Febrero 2019
Hacemos un llamado al conjunto de la ciudadanĂa francesa: Asalariados, temporeros, funcionarios, artesanos, comerciantes, empresarios, agricultores, parados, jubilados, profesionales, estudiantes, escolares, artistas, intelectuales a movilizarse para construir a partir del 5 de febrero de 2019, la huelga general ilimitada.
En estos momentos, lamentamos ver que el poder ejecutivo se obstina en no escuchar ninguna de las reivindicaciones presentadas por los Chalecos Amarillos y a implementar una polĂtica injusta rechazada por el 75% de la poblaciĂłn de Francia.
Queda completamente claro que el Gran Debate Nacional no es mĂĄs que una estrategia de comunicaciĂłn, que persigue anestesiar a la opiniĂłn pĂșblica sin que se haya adoptado ninguna medida concreta para el cambio. El presidente de la repĂșblica se ha negado categĂłricamente a reevaluar las medidas fiscales que se impusieron al iniciarse su mandato que benefician el 1% de los mĂĄs ricosâŠ.
Igualmente ha confirmado su reducciĂłn de los sgasto pĂșblicos esenciales: La salud, la educaciĂłn, la policĂa y la justicia.
En vez de escuchar e intentar calmar al pueblo, lo que han hecho el presidente de la repĂșblica y su gobierno es echarle gasolina al fuego con sus declaraciones irresponsables: âmultitud con odioâ, âagitadoresâ, gente que âcarece de un sentido del esfuerzoâ.
Esta estrategia caĂłtica ha resultado en 1000 heridos entre nuestros policĂas y gendarmes; 12 muertos y 1800 heridos entre los manifestantes, de los cuales una centena han sido mutilados, desfigurados o cegados.
Ni una palabra de empatĂa con las vĂctimas ha sido pronunciada por los portavoces institucionales.
La violencia que sacude nuestra naciĂłn debe parar y nuestras reivindicaciones deben cumplirse. Como consecuencia, hacemos un llamado al conjunto de la ciudadanĂa francesa: Asalariados, temporeros, funcionarios, artesanos, comerciantes, empresarios, agricultores, parados, jubilados, profesionales, estudiantes, escolares, artistas, intelectuales a movilizarse para construir a partir del 5 de febrero de 2019, la huelga general ilimitada.
Hacemos un llamado a los Chalecos Amarillos en su conjunto y a todos y todas quienes se quieran unir a nosotros a difundir este llamado por todas las redes sociales y en el terreno, las fĂĄbricas, universidades, liceos, los establecimientos pĂșblicos.
Llamamos igualmente a todos los ciudadanos a que implementen un boicot de los grandes centros comerciales y en vez opten por el comercio de proximidad, con el fin de apoyarlos en estos momentos de crisis.
Es la hora que hacer respetar el ArtĂculo 2 de nuestra constituciĂłn: el principio de una RepĂșblica y un Gobierno del Pueblo, por el Pueblo y para el Pueblo.
____________ Comunicado original de CGT
LâAudiĂšncia de Guadalajara ha rebutjat el recurs interposat per les habitants del poblat de Fraguas i ha confirmat la condemna contra les sis joves, que afirmen que no pagaran la demoliciĂł del poble, motiu pel qual la pena de presĂł podria ampliar-se fins a superar el llindar dels dos anys a partir del qual sâexecuta lâordre privativa de llibertat tot i no tenir antecedents
Por otra parte, recordaba que en protesta de esa gestiĂłn polĂtica del medio rural y en defensa de proyectos como el de Fraguas se ha organizado una gran manifestaciĂłn el prĂłximo 23 de febrero en Madrid, que partirĂĄ a las doce del mediodĂa de la Plaza de Tirso de Molina.
El poble de Fraguas, desallotjat durant mig segle pel rĂšgim franquista, es va convertir el 2012 en la llar dâuna dotzena de persones que van dedicar cinc anys aâŠ
The Provincial Court confirms the sentence to the residents of Fraguas The six convicted youths say they will not pay for the demolition of the town, so the prison sentence could be extended to two years and three months.
The National Court of Guadalajara has rejected the appeal lodged by the inhabitants of the village of Fraguas and has confirmed the sentence of the six young people.
The village of Fraguas, one of hundreds evicted half a century ago by the Franco regime, became in 2012 home to a dozen people who spent five years rebuilding it.
A large demonstration in defense of Fraguas has been organized on 23 February in Madrid, which will depart at noon at Plaza de Tirso de Molina.
In May, six of the people who lived or worked in the reconstruction of the town were tried for crimes against the ordination of the territory and usurpation, accused by the Board of Communities of Castilla-La Mancha.
Last year the 1st Court of Guadalajara sentenced each of them to one year and six months in prison for ”crimes against the ordination of the territory”, in addition to the payment of a fine of 1,080 euros for the same crime and another one year fine -2,160 euros- for usurpation, in addition to the demolition payments.
Responding to a call for solidarity on January 26th and 27th with the ongoing struggle for freedom, womenâs liberation, and autonomy in Rojava, people across the world took part in solidarity actions under the banner, #RiseUp4Rojava. Large solidarity actions took place in Greece, in London, and in many other cities and towns. Below is a roundup of actions that took place in the US and some international highlights.
January 27th also represents the four year anniversary of the revolutionary defeat of ISIS in Kobane. As Abolitionist Media Worldwidepointed out, anarchists and other autonomous antifascists have been active in these ongoing military engagements, both fighting within the YPG and the YPJ, but also in autonomous anarchist and international antifascist formations as well.
Many organizations and groups around the world followed the call of the Internationalist Commune of Rojava, to defend the revolution in Rojava. We want to share some of the events, that will happen in this global days of actions. More will comeâŠ
New: Stockholm (Sweden)
Protest: Monday 28. January, 4pm
Olof Palmes gata 17, SE-111 22 Stockholm, Sverige
SAABâs head office in Stockholm
âNo Support For Erdoganâ
New: Malmö (Sweden)
Protest: Monday 28. January, 12pm
Rönnviksgatan 13, SE-213 74 Malmö, Sverige
âNo Support For Erdoganâ
MidCat/STEP gas pipeline between France and Spain was just cancelled!
People power has won another victory against fossil fuels: the MidCat/STEP gas pipeline between France and Spain was just cancelled!
Yesterday the French and Spanish energy agencies announced that the pipeline, which was meant to link the two countries, was scrapped. The controversial fossil fuel project would have damaged communities and the environment, and was terrible news for the climate.
Ocalan above all is responsible for rejecting terrorism, stalinism and the fight for a new state in favour of ‘municipal anarchist’ communal ideas and feminist emancipation which have swept through the 15 million Kurdish population.
Demand 
Utopia
