LAST DAY’S STRUGGLE REPORT (Seoul, 7.26)

The “One Person Protest” last Thursday, July 22, and Friday on Yeouido in front of the National Assembly was a kind of torture. Because of the extreme heat you can call it from now brain cooking! But despite this kind of torture – we will continue! If anyone wants to join, just call 016-555-9431. Last Thursday in front of Mok-dong’s Immigration Office 25 people protested against the government’s policy of man hunting and mass deportations of migrant workers.

Last Saturday we had the temporarily apex in our struggle against government’s plan to send additional 3000 combat troops to the still occupied Iraq, for to bring the first contingent back home. Between 3000 (tongil news) and 5000 (jinbonet) people, mainly students, but also KCTU members and other activists gathered in the early evening in the front of Kyobo building near the US embassy. During the opening rally the atmosphere was really powerful. The cultural program such as the performance of the polit pop group ZEN and many others was great. Especially one new song with the beautiful refrain “Jeonjaeng bandae (no war) – f… USA! Pabyeong bandae (no troop dispatch) – f… USA! Miguk bandae (no USA) – f… USA!” the staff from the US embassy will like!

On the end of the rally the presenter announced (unnecessary, because everyone knew) a march to Cheonghwadae, the president’s residence. Of course masses of riot cops blocked now especially the front line of the crowd and immediately fierce fights erupted. During the clashes many people got injured by the cops (they used the edges of their shields to hit the people). But actually this is nothing new, that’s only the way, how the rulers understand democracy.

But new was, that the people were really ready to fight - no one wanted to give up. But because of the smaller number of protesters – the number of the cops were thousands – it was not possible to reach the area we wanted to march. Also many mistakes in communication and coordination (perhaps there was no communication and coordination?) were made, but just we have to learn from it. If we do that and we are able to bring more people on the street, then we have good prospects to win the struggle. Korean articles about the rally and demo you can read here, here and here.

Yesterday, on Sunday, MSSC together with the KFCITU (Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions) held a rally and demonstration in Ansan. Just in the morning, to attack our schedule, immigration officers and police captured on the same place, just some hours later our rally was held, 20 migrant workers. All together 250 people, around one hundred migrant workers and 150 construction workers and student solidarity groups gathered in the afternoon in front of Ansan stn. In several speeches the crackdown and the attacks against KFCITU were condemned. After the opening rally a march through Ansan started. During the march we were able to made good propaganda for our struggle. A powerful final rally ended the event. And of course: Ansan, don’t worry, we’ll come back sooner or later!
And last but not least read this. No comment please!

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!