Utopia - Security - & Europe.

by E.T. - call home. that's what globalisation is about. Mon Jun 07, 2004 23:44

look at the photos as the liberal Church
condemns the Cardinal Archbishop of the See of Barcelona.

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/media/index.php

by iosaf - (looking for this years summer job ¿Señor Señor donde va a poner un corsair?) Tue Jun 08, 2004 17:49

The news of the sin papales in the Cathedral has now reached France, Germany and Denmark. Here it continues to be front page news, rivalling in one centre right paper with the news that Forum2004 is a flop, and to be rescued will equal the value of over 1000 homes for young Barcelonans. Many young Barcelonans did say as much, but since they don't have much earning power, sport silly haircuts and express their political beliefs in utopian terms, no-one ever pays attention to them.

So with over 50 pages of mainstream media, and lots of TV focussed on the events of Saturday, "the debate" continues.

Our leaders, God Love Them, tell us that European Immigration policy is agreed and there is no room for change.

They haven't had much to say about those vital 15 minutes home in the call centre yet.
But links are being made amongst the chattering classes, and the Irish Citizens' referendum, another debate being opened with "utopian terms" is becoming quite interesting as well. Ireland as we know is happy to extend working permits to fellow catholics (a utopian belief system) to work in Ireland to take up the predicted shortage of workers in the next five years, a right not being extended to other new Euro Nations.
Perhaps because the average voter doesn't know the capital or religion of these far off places. Oh how will they learn?

Last night I attended the first showing of my dear friend's paintings, a legal resident in this city, of Chilean background. At the opening were counted mostly other South Americans, one Swiss student of architecture (I kid you not) and one German student of european law. We reflected on the great talent of our Chilean friend, and the rôle played by Barcelona as "gateway to Europe" of our south american brothers and sisters who share so much with us.
We also reflected that Chile was one of the few countries of either Europe or the Americas not to be included in the 2003 Amnesty International report which damned some of our more reputable neighbours and indeed the Spanish state for infringement of Human rights.
We reflected on the indisputable rôle played by South Americans in exile, and their fellow religionists in Spain and Europe in improving conditions not only in Chile but South America as a whole.
We further speculated that such progress which is supposedly reflected in the Guadalajara Declaration of little more than a week ago, may be extended to the Maghrebi region and the Middle East .

We thus concluded, that our darling genius friend ought see her work bought a.s.a.p. (galeria está x Nou de Rambla 43) and that efforts be redoubled to extend plural values and justice to the plight of the poorest workers in Europe,
not only for their direct benefit,
but also as a tactic to fight tax evasion and corruption in several productive and construction sectors, and thus to create the conditions whereby the living conditions of both "indiginous workers" and essential "migrant workers" are improved.

MEanwhile the commercial and alternative media organisations will continue to split hairs over what exactly happened in the cathedral, what is the problem with foreigners, and what does any forum of international cultures mean.

the migrant groups in BCN as the sans papiers in France, wish that their spokespeople be taken seriously, by the relevant authorities, and that they be treated with dignity and honesty.

The news that of the 200,000 migrants in BCN awaiting regularisation have not been able to secure even minimum wage work due to beurocratic oversights, is not that hopeful. I'll leave the links to the collectives who's work this is tomorrow.

Let us just say, it is in everybodies interest that these people have something "good" to say in their 15 minutes call home. And if not, then the leadership of Europe must admit, that the prosperity of our states is based on exploitiation abroad and at home, and we then ought expel all foreigners, and get used to building our own houses, cleaning our own toilets, and finally let our standard of living drop to a level we can truly afford, which is to be honest not very high.

Now who's living in cloud cuckoo land?

by - Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:20

International solidarity with the "Sin Papales" and "Sans Papiers" continues to grow.
an event in Leeds:-
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/06/292981.html

here were the flyers produced b4 the mobilisation invited so many to participate.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/06/292977.html
and of course on BCN imc.

Again in today's newspapers in Catalonia the story continues but now pushed back a few pages by another story.
The Generalitat is studying means of extending some form of improved regularisation to migrant workers with contracts. Though it must be remembered that generally in Europe, the poorest workers are employed without contract.

The "Sin Papales" of BCN, yesterday organised a press conference, with their recognised and established spokespeople explaining the conditions and demands of the various assemblies and collectives who draw on more than 54 groups and entities who work with the migrants and refugees.
The channels of communication are indeed now open, and perhaps "optimistically" the migrant workers of BCN can look forward to an improvement of their situation.

Maybe some day, hopefully soon, Spanish and Irish youth and our fellow Europeans will be drawn to work in South America or North Africa or Sub Saharan Africa by increased prosperity, and more equal economic distribution. And it wouldn't be for the first time, but this time may we do it by raising the standards of our civilised values and go as equals not as "overlords" or "executives".

We are all workers.

by - - bringing you round the complex and sensitive issues of Xenophobia, Justice, Workers Rights & Europe. Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:11

is to be extradited to Spain where he will face charges relating to the bombing of March 11 2004 when nearly 200 were killed in multiple bombings on Madrid's train station.
Of those who died, 50 were sin papales. The Spanish Government gave those 50 victims of Terror, full citizenship post humously and facilitated their return to their home countries which were mostly South America with some Sub Saharan countries included as well.

Of the suspects relating to M11, most have been arrested in Spain, one material witness (a lawyer) is being held in Portland USA, and others connected have now been arrested in Italy and Belgium. The spanish citizens who stole the explosive used have also been arrested. Spain has been criticised for not signing the latest European common counter terrorist deal, but it must be commented that the aftermath, psychological, cultural and
investigative of M11 is as different from that which followed 911 as chalk is different from cheese.

Muhamad the Egyptian (the presumed brains of Al Qaeda in Europe) is said to be denying he was planning an imminent attack to coincide with the EU elections on the Paris Metro.

The plight of the migrant workers of Europe has continued to internationalise all week. And so it should, they are the poorest, and represent the poorest partners of our states.
It has been quite interesting to see the various governments and authorities involved find that their previous measures of which they were proud, weren't enough for the social movements and assemblies, and it is quite encouraging to see them, "the authorities" redouble their efforts. I do like when they cluck cluck and realise they haven't tried hard enough, it shows they're learning. The Catalan and spanish administrations have signalled that they wish build bilateral relationships with a "non-colonial" mentality with their principle migrant worker origin states. (south America). The French last weekend for their part also signalled an increase of co-operation and bilateralism with their "post-colonial" pals in Central and Western Africa.

The British have shown no sign of addressing the humanitarian crises in Pakistan which has caused the deaths of numerous of their citizens this last year, and due to their asylum laws being so strict, many thousands of migrants who would stand a better chance of integration in the UK still look for homes and lives elsewhere.

The Germans are facing the demands of some 3 million mostly Turkish origin foreign workers, some who after thirty years residence still have not normal voting or civil rights in the country they have helped build.

Complex issues call for Complex Minds
to make Simple Solutions.

Let's make it as simple as possible-
We say "Papales Para Todos"="Papers for Everyone".
Then the Governments bend over backwards to please us. They still haven't bent enough.

by .:. Sat Jul 30, 2005 13:39

Because it is still relevant. The vast majority of Africans or Asians who are muslim, are "our friends". & the vast majority of "our friends" suffer worst working conditions, worst living conditions, lower access to healthcare, legal care, and education, and oddly enough are probably better than us at "keeping in touch".

We may never lose sight of the inequalities between conditions in the European Fortress and those without.

Every time we present to migrant communities or the recent descendents of migrant communities strategies and campaigns to further their legitimate aims and expand their rights at home (our home) and at home (their home) we engage most wisely in the protection of all our futures.


what id like to ping:-

"I'm going to tell you something important.
The security of your country, is not measured in arms, nor in strength of arms. It is as I long ago wrote to you, more as Sallust a Roman satirist put it:-

NON EXERCITUS NEQUE THESAURI
PRAESIDIA REGNI SUNT VERUM AMICI.

not by military might but the quality of its friendships is the security of a kingdom.

Now some of you, think this means wasting huge amounts of money on neutralising the suggestions of a generation of mostly Westerners and South Americans.
You do this, with advertising campaigns, T shirts, catchy slogans to sell yet more products, and occasionally building something like the milenium dome. [or organising a Live 8 concert]

Well today I'm finally going to explain it to you.

Your security is measured in fifteen minute phone conversations, that take place every week between your poorest migrant workers and their families and friends in the poorest often conflict torn countries.

This is your "defcon index".

Our leaders have never spent much time in a call centre. They don't know the importance of that phone call home, how the news is passed from family to cousins to friends to neighbours to community.

¿do I have to spell it out?"

****************************************************
yes i do - spell it out. spell it out too.
the inequalities that cause conflict be it those of the past, like the irish / british, or of the present "extreme islamic terrorism" / civilised nations, need to be addressed by people like us. Never stop. For in this world of billions of oppressed the potential for thousands "to join the Q" is truly terrifying.

by ping Sun Jan 20, 2008 22:20

That is to date. It's been a long time. Government came & government could just as easily go. The cathedral still never boasts a full capacity audience, with a faithful bum on every pew, & its bishop still rails against liberalism & democracy whilst a bank still hangs an advert for mortgages at 0.00% interest rates for migrants over the door (its reward for sponsoring the restuaration project).

But it's like this - there are still no migrants getting to jump through all the hoops of regularisation from third class resident to second class citizenship to even solicit that wonderful humanitarian mortgage deal.

& so - when I wrote that article, the minister for employment went on telly and explained how we all needed poor migrants from Pakistan because our economic boom needed cheap labour. Cheap labour on the black market. & Plenty of it. Of the 1,600 plus only 9 ever got arrested for being infected with the Alien spore of Al Qaeda thought. Of those 9, only 6 are still prison. Of that 6 one fought sincerely and well for months against neonazis who wanted to block a prayer space in a satelite town beyond Barcelona. His sincerity and genuine organisational skills couldn't get past the swampscum bussed in from all over the peninsula to keep Spain catholic & push ham bones with their pig trotters through the door & chant through their prayers. He went radical & violent. Talk, talk, hot talk & everyword of it on a hard disk somewhere to a the flick of an algorythm become "hot action threat".

I admit I never saw the evidence against him.
But I saw his leadership.

I'm pinging this article not for self-aggrandisement or I think my thoughts or experience are particularly expert - but simply because every now & again - I do get things right. I've met & known individuals identified with several types of "terrorism" in my life. Each one had a story. Each one was made. I'm only able to write this comment because one such individual who I never met couldn't make a bomb properly & it didn't go off & not until it didn't, did I know how close I was to death - I was three metres away. I am more than convinced in the article above I did get one thing right as regards what is called "the Islamic extremist terrorism" or "Al Qaeda or Al Qaeda hub organisation". & so I invite people to read the comments above & consider the 15 minute phone conversation &how they can make them happy calls at both ends. Last to say this article is also pinged in reference to the arrests of 14 presumed terrorists in Barcelona this weekend. One of whom is a baker who was in the cathedral that day. He gave away bread to everyone, muslim or infidel, man or woman. Happy looking chap too. as it happens...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7197562.stm