Welcome to next issue of WARHEAD
Editorial
Welcome to next issue of WARHEAD. Few months passed since last issue.
Because of that I resigned from publishing some older actions, if you want
to read about them, you should check Abolishing Borders from Below #3 and
you will know everything. As usual there were plenty of actions and other
activity and what you can read here is far from being complete list of
events. Enjoy.
Workers Initiative
Workers Initiative of an Anarchist Federation is a new group, finally formed
after discussions in a movement about necessity of forming group which would
deal with workers problems etc. As for now they are present in few cities,
there are few papers published about the subject and whole idea is slowly
getting popularity. Workers Initiative was present during few conflicts
between workers and employers in Szczecin's shipyard and in other places.
Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs network is growing in Poland. There are already groups in
Szczecin, Wroclaw, Gliwice, Bialystok, Poznan, Zielona Gora, Lodz and few
other places. Some of them distribute food regularly every week or even
twice a week, some of them do it on less regular basis.
Anti-Fascist Actions in Bialystok
Bialystok is place of continuous conflict between growing nazi movement and
militant fractions of anti-fascists. On 27th of April there was an
Anti-Fascist demonstration. Half an hour before demo started Antifa security
group of 8 people attacked 30 people strong group of nazis waiting for the
demonstration. In scuffle which resulted from that one anti-fascist and 4
nazis were injured and fascist bastards were forced to run. Additionally
they were afterwards stopped by police. Demonstration was very loud and
colourful with over 120 people participating. During demonstration car with
fascists inside was attacked and front window was damaged, but police
prevented more serious action. After demonstration in the evening nazis 6
times tried to attack the squat but each time were chased by Antifa crew. In
night few nazis were also attacked on the bus stop by Antifa patrol, at
least one of them seriously injured. Level of confrontation is increasing in
Bialystok as Anti-Fascists are doing more and more militant actions against
the nazis. In recent case leader of nationalist and racist band from
Bialystok got attacked in his home during "night visit" from anti-fascist
crew. There was also one serious attack of about 20 nazis on the squat. They
were repelled with bottles and stones, but they broke windows or damaged in
other way 3 cars on a parking lot belonging to people who live in
neighbourhood. Antifa is patrolling streets on daily basis now and most
attempts of nazis to do something are finished before they have chance to
start.
More trials against anarchists in Bialystok
There are already few people from local groups charged with various charges.
There are also over 40 misdemeanour trials against anarchist from all over
Poland who participated in support action outside prison for one of our
comrades and few other actions. One of squatters from Bialystok, Jan
Stolarski was jailed in Gliwice, after he broke conditions of his release
from prison, where he was serving time for assault on a nazi skinhead. His
release date is September 2003. Another activist from Bialystok is charged
with assault and robbery after he participated in attack on nazi skinheads
on a bus stop. Trial of "Rufik", anti-fascist accused of assault with an
dangerous item on a nazi skinhead is going to be finished at the end of May.
"Lapa"- another anti-fascist accused of Grevious Body Harm is still waiting
for his trial. Other trials also didn't start yet.
1st May actions
In Slupsk about 200 anarchists took part in May Day action and disrupted
speech of parliament member of a "leftist" party SLD. Police tried to push
anarchists out of the place and some scuffles broke out. Later demonstrators
broke through police lines and blocked traffic on the streets, marching
around the city. After a demonstration police was following demonstrators
and filming them. People put some trash containers on the street to block
the way for police car. After some time in empty street dispersing people
got attacked by police. More scuffles erupted, at least two cops were
injured, one police car was hit with a brick. Police detained 8 people, most
probably they will be charged with misdemeanour and one of them is charged
with double assault on police officer, not giving ID to police and violent
resistance. Some local residents also joined action. In Wroclaw group of
anarchists and socialists disrupted speech of SLD members but they were
pushed back by security of the event. In Warsaw over 500 people took part in
Parade of Equality, demonstration for queer rights. In Lodz about 150 people
took part in street party.
New squats and some news about older ones!
There is a new squat in Czestochowa, in old monasteryJ . It is called
"Little Mary". As for now, no more infos about this squat. In Bialystok
"DeCentrum" squat is preparing for some trouble, as city council sold ruins
around the squat and all area will be better for investments. There are also
plans to squat another building soon. Freedom in Wroclaw as for now managed
with all troubles from city council and they are still in control of the
building but no one knows for how long and their situation is still
unstable.
Solidarity actions with occupied Palestine
In Wroclaw, Warsaw, Poznan and Lodz there were anarchist solidarity actions
with Palestinians. All the time it was clearly stated that both Arafat and
Sharon are murderers. In Lodz there was also program in anarchist radio
about problems of Palestinians. In Wroclaw nazis tried to join a
demonstration but after short scuffle they were forced to go away.
Women's Day Celebrations
There was an action in Warsaw as a celebration of Women's Day. About 400
participants took part in march demanding equal rights for women,
availability of abortion and against domestic violence. There was also
strong anarcho-feminist presence.
In Bialystok squatters organised a street theatre in the centre of the city,
gave leaflets and put banners with feminists slogans etc.
Anti-police action in Bialystok
About 30 people from Bialystok participated in action against police to
protest against rape committed by two cops on a woman in a police car and
decision of the court which stated that it wasn't a rape because she didn't
resist. Main slogan for the action was "Uniform protects rapist". Action
took part in front of police and secret service HQ. As organisers forgot to
invite media, cops saw it as a chance to stop the action. They detained 15
people, saying that protest is illegal. After 2 hours all were released
without charges but police confiscated some banners and leaflets.
Chechnyan refugees actions
In Warsaw, Bialystok and Lublin Chechnyan refugees made for few days hunger
strikes and they also handed out petition to Polish authorities and media
protesting conditions they are kept in. Also now Polish authorities decided
that war in Chechnya is over and they can be sent home and they are not in
danger anymore. Of course this is bullshit as war in this area is still on
and people die there on daily basis. Most of the media ignored those
protests, although surprisingly most pro European Union paper covered action
widely. This is first sign that we have problem of refugees and state racism
too and that Polish state is becoming part of Fortress Europa- this
treatment of refugees is linked directly to fact that Polish government
tries to enter EU.
Start of Anti-EU actions
In Warsaw on 11th of May group of about 30 anarchists joined so called
Schumann's Parade- parody of public support for EU organised by government
to show that all citizens are happy with this idea. Anarchist mocked idea of
the parade, had banners which were pretending to be pro-EU but in fact were
making very bad impression about this shitty institution. For some time
organisers of this shitty spectacle didn't even realise that they were
manipulated and that anarchists managed to sneak into a march. Action ended
with no arrests. There are plans for more anti-EU action in various cities
as government started huge propaganda campaign now.
Original: Poland, WARHEAD #16 - May 2002 issue FUCK ALL GOVERNMENTS