*Brazil - Esquerda Marxista <http://www.marxismo.org.br/>* Website of the Marxist left of the PT.
*Brazil - Movimento Negro Socialista <http://www.mns.org.br/>* Website of the Brazilian Black Socialist Movement. http://www.marxist.com/brazil-unity-in-defence-of-freedom-of-expression.htm Brazil: Unity in defense of freedom of expression of working-class and youth organisations<http://www.marxist.com/brazil-unity-in-defence-of-freedom-of-expression.htm> Written by Esquerda Marxista (Brazil)Sunday, 23 June 2013 [image: Print]<http://www.marxist.com/brazil-unity-in-defence-of-freedom-of-expression/print.htm>[image: E-mail]<http://www.marxist.com/component/option,com_mailto/link,33e79ee50cb1693b0b984efe2fc97f0d6cb48298/tmpl,component/> - - - The below statement was written by our Brazilian comrades organised around the Marxist journal Esquerda Marxista. [image: fist] <http://www.marxist.com/images/stories/other/fist.jpg>The right wing is attempting to co-opt the huge demonstrations of the last few days by introducing a bias towards nationalism, against corruption, against PEC 37, etc. There have also been some placards against abortion, for a military coup, and for Joaquim Barbosa (President of the Supreme Court who condemned the PT leaders without evidence in Criminal Case 470) to become the new president of the republic. In this sense, another component could already be seen in the demonstration on June 18 in Sao Paulo, and in a much intense way on June 20 in several cities: the attack on the free expression of leftist organizations. The Marxist Left has been participating in the protests against the fare increase in Sao Paulo since the beginning, our members were also suppressed by riot police in the protests last week, our banners were taken by the police on the way to the June 13 protest. Now, some "protesters" also tried to take our banners and flags. On Tuesday (18/06), as we marched down Avenida Paulista, we received serious threats for holding up our banners in the demonstration, what began with shouts of "lower that flag" and "parties out", passed into angry shouts from some bullies dressed in suits who were encouraging the others, they threatened to take our banners and warned us that it was best to lower them in order not to create confusion. We distanced ourselves from this group and continued with our banners held high. On the same day we heard that other militants of left groups were threatened, flags were taken from the hand of protesters and even militants expelled from the rally in Praça da Sé At the protest on June 20, in the face of previous threats, the left organisations marched in blocks seeking to protect themselves from attacks. But the other side was very well prepared. Neo-fascist elements armed with knives, provocateurs who seemed infiltrated police, pepper gas, all encouraging a layer of youth who has been awakened to political life, but is still influenced by the maneuvers of the mainstream media and the provocateurs, a group that throughout the whole march put pressure on the block formed by parties and leftist organizations, trade unions and student organizations. After about 2.5 km, with a united stewarding service which was poorly organised, the immense pressure expelled all those who had any hint of being left wing, as well as ourselves also militants from PSTU, PCO, PSOL, PT, UJS, UNE, CUT, Intersindical, Conlutas, etc.., all pushed out of Avenida Paulista. A most serious attack on democracy, the right to organize and fight. This did not happen only in São Paulo, militants who carried flags of CUT were attacked in Rio de Janeiro. In Belo Horizonte, activists were harassed and after an early clash they withdrew. In Florianópolis the demonstration was divided. We heard slogans not only against the PT, but against the Communists, against the Reds. To the website of the PCO (Workers' Cause Party) was also attacked. In this situation the leadership of the PT has a great responsibility, the policy of class collaboration distanced the party from the struggles of the people, the masses were left orphaned of a militant leadership, implementing in government a policy that benefits the powerful and not the people, such as the increase in the fares in São Paulo which was carried out by mayor Haddad (from the PT). This demoralized the party and the militants. On Thursday, the leadership called on the ranks to participate in the demonstrations in a "Red Wave", but did nothing to mobilize, and the leaders were absent. They played with those that answered the call, especially the youth of the PT, who then suffered the assaults. This serious situation demands that all parties and all left organizations, trade unions, student organizations, social movements, all those who defend the democratic right of freedom of organization and expression of the left, all in one voice repudiate such repression and ORGANIZE the joint defense against these fascist attacks which only benefit the bourgeoisie. It is urgent that we meet to discuss joint actions to respond to this situation. We must act in defense of the freedom expression of working-class and youth organizations! The division benefits our enemies. Unity! An injury to one is an injury to all! Friday, June 21, 2013 ------------------------- http://www.marxist.com/statement-brazil-june-20-attacks-on-left-wing.htm Brazil: Statement on the attacks against left wing organisations on the June 20 demonstrations<http://www.marxist.com/statement-brazil-june-20-attacks-on-left-wing.htm> Written by Movement for Free Pass (Brazil)Sunday, 23 June 2013 [image: Print]<http://www.marxist.com/statement-brazil-june-20-attacks-on-left-wing/print.htm>[image: E-mail]<http://www.marxist.com/component/option,com_mailto/link,8fa9db8d411d1ad7dcbe5a3e292feea71e427a2e/tmpl,component/> - - - Due to its interesting contect we publish here an English translation of the statement of the Sao Paulo "Movement for Free Pass" regarding the attacks on left wing organisation at the demonstrations on June 20. On the Protest on Thursday (June 20) - Public Statement Statement n. 11: on the protest this Thursday The Free Pass Movement (MPL) took to the streets against the fare increase. Today's demonstration is part of this struggle: beyond the celebration of the peoples' victory of the abrogation of the fare rise, we reaffirm that fighting is not a crime and demonstrate support for protests in other cities. However, in today's protests we witnessed pitiful and isolated episodes of violence against the participation of different groups. The MPL struggle for a truly public transportation system that serves the needs of the population and not to the profit of the businesses. Thus, we stand alongside all those fighting for a world for those at the bottom and not for the profit of the few that are at the top. This is what in history left wing organizations have defended, and the MPL is part of this history and the product of it. The MPL is a nonpartisan social movement, but it is not anti party. We condemn the acts of violence directed at these organizations during the demonstration today, just as we condemn police violence. Since the first protests, these organizations took part in the mobilization. Opportunism is trying to exclude them from the fight that we built together. All strength to those who struggle for a life without turnstiles. MPL Sao Paulo ----------------------------------------------- http://www.marxist.com/brazil-report-and-balance-sheet-of-first-big-rally-in-joinville.htm Brazil: Report and balance sheet of the first big rally in Joinville<http://www.marxist.com/brazil-report-and-balance-sheet-of-first-big-rally-in-joinville.htm> Written by Johannes Halter (Member of the National Committee of the Brazilian Marxist Youth)Sunday, 23 June 2013 [image: Print]<http://www.marxist.com/brazil-report-and-balance-sheet-of-first-big-rally-in-joinville/print.htm>[image: E-mail]<http://www.marxist.com/component/option,com_mailto/link,d3b914e5e405f9444accad459f1c376e0699b46b/tmpl,component/> - - - More than 15,000 students and workers took to the streets of Joinville on Thursday (20/6). They chanted slogans and carried placards with messages of change. This kind of mobilization has not been seen since the Collor Out movement in 1992. The largest demo since the Fora Collor (Collor Out) movement Amongst those present were several trade unions, political parties, student organizations, neighborhood associations, social organizations. However, there were also other organisations which never participated in a movement and have always opposed street demonstrations. It was a historic day for the city's social movements. However, it also revealed the weaknesses of the demonstration and the contradictions among the protesters. In order to understand the situation and move forwards we need to draw a balance-sheet. Balance sheet of a movement that can go forward Young people and workers who participated in the demonstration on Thursday had an experience that most Joinville inhabitants had never had before. They were participating in a social movement and participating for the first time in a spontaneous movement of the population. Many had never concerned themselves with or reflected carefully about political issues. Others had always supported movements, but had never come out onto the streets to struggle. It is all new to most of them. A thorough understanding of this situation, which is being repeated across Brazil, would mean the movement would be able to take stock of itself, and identify its own weaknesses and contradictions. Thus, it would be possible to move forward in an organised and systematic manner around the demands that have been raised by those who are angered by the whole situation. The victories already achieved with respect to the reduction of the price of tickets shows that the masses can win and achieve even more. The question is: how? What is required is organization The first point that needs to be highlighted about the Joinville demonstration is the lack of organization. The organised social movements are trying to explain what is happening and mobilise the population in the streets. However, there is also a campaign of the right wing and the mainstream media, with the aim that the demonstrations do not guide the struggle to take clear actions so as to adopt slogans that relate to the working class and the youth. This Thursday showed that sound systems that are powerful enough to ensure that all those in the squares and streets can hear, are absolutely necessary. After all, how can we make sure the demonstration carries out decisive action decided by all if those present cannot even hear what is being discussed? Otherwise, the movement ends up by splitting up, as we saw this Thursday, because there are no clear references to guide the march. Different legitimate groups of the workers and youth attempted to organise different parts of the demonstration, but were unable to carry out a coordinated effort. Unity of left wing organisations and movements Another question that all the protesters need to think about is the need for the unity of all the organisations that struggle for the working class. It is legitimate for the movements to attempt to organise protests, but it is important to advance in the discussion and coordination with the other organisations of the working class.The attitude of not seeking a broader unity around the slogans did not contribute to making the demonstration stronger and better organised. What we saw on Thursday was a massive protest, but it could have been an even more important step forward if the left had acted in a united fashion. Thus it would be possible to call for the unity of struggles and come out with clear decisions about goals, and with a clear strategy to achieve them. Meetings of the organizations that defend the workers and youth should be convened with the aim of unifying all entities who were elected by their bases to organize them and call them to fight. Democracy A third question that needs to be dealt with is what steps need to be taken to guarantee democracy within the protest movement - which caused much controversy within the social networks and the beginning of some scuffles on the demonstration itself. This question can be divided in two main points. The first one is on the organization of the protest itself. The only solution is to adopt democratic methods of conducting and organising the demonstration, involving the unity of all the organisations of the left.. The second aspect is related to freedom of expression. Solidarity demonstrations broke out all over the country after protesters in São Paulo were attacked and imprisoned for the simple fact of expressing themselves politically in opposition to the increase in fares. Paradoxically, several people who attended the protest in Joinville expressed hatred and disgust towards those who are organized in parties, trade unions and student organizations. The right to freedom of expression was being attacked by some of those participating in the demonstrations that had been called precisely to protect that right. This approach must be combated and removed. Freedom of speech means not only not being arrested for thinking and doing what you want, but also the right to be respected in the form in which you express these ideas (with banners, placards, T-shirts and slogans) . There was only one moment in the recent history of Brazil where this right was not respected: during the Military Dictatorship! Contradiction: fascists and right-wingers present at the protests The number of people on the streets of Joinville impressed everyone. But we need to look at some aspects more carefully. Not only were there students and workers on the protest. The slogans raised were not only in defence of free public transport for all, solidarity with the arrested protesters or for good quality public services. There were also some who were for the "Impeachment of Dilma", "Petralhas Out", [a play on words based on the cartoon characters the Metralhas Brothers, who are thieves, and on the PT], "Less taxes", "Down with the parties", "For a military coup now". Those who defend such slogans are often termed as "right-wingers", representing a conservative political position, advocating improvements for those who are at the top of the social pyramid. These are the people who drive luxury cars, are close friends of the commanders and generals, as well as having the best available healthcare and education that money can buy. The slogan "Parties out" belongs to this kind of people. We have to see which parties are participating in the protests. It is precisely the parties of the working class! It is those parties that were created as a result of 21 years of struggle, torture and death of thousands demanding political freedom, organization and expression under the dictatorship. These are precisely the parties that overthrew the military dictatorship, but we mustnt forget that those who supported that dictatorship are still present in society. That is the right wing. It is the right wing which was present in the demonstrations promoting a nationalist agenda, as if they were defending Brazil. The truth is that they are defending their interests as a ruling class. The young student or worker, who has never been involved in politics before, may welcome those who wrap themselves in the flag of Brazil and sing the national anthem because they do this too. However, although both do the same thing they do it with very different aims in mind. Those others are part of the ruling class. They want to exploit the protest movement to promote their own political candidates into certain positions, to impose their agendas from positions of power and increase their own wealth, regardless of the situation facing the people. They go as far as to argue that there should be no parties and they act with violence against "the left" - those who represent the historical interests of the working class. This approach has a name: it is called fascism. Working class protesters need to reflect on this and prevent the right wing from usurping the movement for their own interests and attacking the organizational capacity of the exploited. During the demonstrations everyone needs to be aware of the importance of guaranteeing freedom of expression and prevent that right from being attacked, as well as not falling into the trap of the provocation of the mass media. The demonstrations were called precisely in solidarity with those to whom this right had been denied. Slogans The demonstration also revealed the confusion that exists about the slogans of the movement. The points that have unified demonstrations throughout Brazil are the fight against repression and the reduction of fares. In Joinville this year the local government is going to present a fake tender to deliver public transport again into the hands of private companies Gidion and Transtusa. We need to stop this service from being used for profit. So here the struggle for transport means the fight for a public transport company, the only way to ensure zero fares and a public service, free and available to all. The slogan of "down with repression" means demanding the immediate release of all the arrested protesters, and the withdrawal of charges of "conspiracy" against them. Free public services for all is a right, and to struggle for them cannot be seen as a crime. Transport is a symbol of something greater: it is necessary to move forward What is driving all the indignation of the masses is the current model of society that favours banks and businesses, destroys public services and lowers the standard of living of the population. The issue of fare increases is just a symbol of the plight of the poor. It is this situation that is being questioned in the explosion of protest movements around the world. What is happening right now in Turkey is a similar example, and it began with the government cutting down trees in Gezi Park in Istanbul. The youth and workers are on the streets of Brazil and the world to transform society. For this to happen we will need to overcome the contradictions within our society. In this sense, the struggle for socialism once again acquires strength as a way of build the kind of world we want. -------------------------- http://www.marxismo.org.br/?q=content/formado-em-sao-paulo-um-comite-de-luta-pela-frente-unica Formado em São Paulo um Comitê de Luta pela Frente Única [image: Versão para impressão] <http://marxismo.org.br/?q=print/593>[image: Versão PDF] <http://marxismo.org.br/?q=printpdf/593> domingo, Junho 23, 2013 - 13:00 Esquerda Marxista inShare *Formado em São Paulo um Comitê de Luta pela Frente Única em Defesa das Liberdades Democráticas e das Organizações Operárias, Populares e Estudantis! *Na quinta-feira, 20/06, após serem agredidos e expulsos da manifestação da Avenida Paulista, por uma frente única formada por agentes policiais, imprensa burguesa e organizações de extrema direita e de orientação fascista, militantes da Esquerda Marxista chamaram todos os de vermelho que puderam encontrar após a dispersão para uma reunião de balanço na Livraria Marxista naquela mesma hora. Algumas dezenas ali se reuniram e decidiram convocar uma reunião mais ampla para o sábado, dois dias depois. A reunião foi chamada pelo facebook para debater a nova situação política que se abriu no Brasil e convidava "todos os companheiros que defendem as liberdades democráticas e a luta contra a exploração capitalista. Mesmo sendo no mesmo horário do jogo Brasil x Itália pela Copa das Confederações, no sábado, 22/06, às 15h, mais de 100 pessoas compareceram na Livraria Marxista, centro de São Paulo. Estiveram presentes militantes do PT, do PSOL, da Esquerda Marxista, militantes de orientação anarquista, independentes e pessoas que nunca militaram politicamente antes. Vieram de várias cidades: São Paulo, São Bernardo, Campinas, Osasco, Sumaré, Caieiras, Franco da Rocha, Ferraz de Vasconcelos, Foz do Iguaçu, etc. Estavam presentes dirigentes do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Vidreiros do Estado de SP, do Sindicato dos Jornalistas de SP, do Conselho Operário da Fábrica Ocupada Flaskô, e militantes de diversas categorias de trabalhadores, estudantes universitários e secundaristas. Foi realizado um rico debate democrático até 20h do sábado sobre a nova situação política que se abriu, as táticas da burguesia e a ameaça contra as liberdades democráticas e as organizações da classe trabalhadora. Ao final, todos os presentes decidiram por unanimidade conformar um Comitê de Luta pela Frente Única em Defesa das Liberdades Democráticas e das Organizações Operárias, Populares e Estudantis. Um dos objetivos do Comitê aprovados por unanimidade dos presentes, além de, como o próprio nome do comitê diz, batalhar pela frente única de todos os que defendem as organizações da classe trabalhadora e o direito democrático de livre manifestação, é de apresentar a todas as organizações da classe trabalhadora, partidos de esquerda, centrais sindicais, sindicatos, entidades estudantis, movimentos sociais, organizações populares, a proposta de realizar um grande ato público unitário em defesa das liberdades democráticas e das organizações operárias, populares, estudantis. Para tal, foi eleita uma coordenação com 19 membros para este comitê. A comissão tem o mandato para organizar as tarefas executivas, como comunicação, divulgação, etc. Esta comissão já criou um blog e uma página no facebook chamados Bandeira Vermelha. Todos os presentes se comprometeram em levar a proposta do comitê recém-formado à reunião de todos os partidos, centrais, movimentos, etc. chamada para a próxima terça (25/06) em São Paulo. Outra proposta que foi aprovada como indicativa é a de formação de Comitês de Auto-Defesa por local de trabalho, escola, etc. Já há o indicativo de conformar um comitê de auto-defesa dos trabalhadores vidreiros, um outro na Fábrica Ocupada Flaskô e um no centro de São Paulo na Livraria Marxista. A próxima reunião do Bandeira Vermelha Comitê de Luta pela Frente Única em Defesa das Liberdades Democráticas e das Organizações Operárias, Populares e Estudantis, será no dia 29 de junho, sábado, às 15h em local a definir. Todos os militantes, organizações e entidades que estão de acordo com esta bandeira estão convidados a participar da reunião no próximo sábado e se somar ao comitê. *Viva a luta dos trabalhadores!* *Fascistas, não passarão!* *São Paulo, 22 de Junho de 2013* [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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