Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 12:58:33 -0500 From: malecki-AT-algonet.se (Robert Malecki) Subject: Re: M-I: Re: the squatters movement Nice piece Jerry. It earns a place in a future issue of Cockroach! Bob Malecki >Bob -- > >Your word of warning about "single issue stuff orientated to lifestylism" >is, I believe, off-base in relation to the NYC squatters movement. > >While it is true that squatting is an international phenomenon, the >political direction (and, sometimes, class content) can vary >significantly. For example, in some urban areas squatters >have become either a conservative and/or passive force. In other cases, >they are more radical and militant. In large part, this is a consequence >of state policy, i.e. in those regions where squatters are tolerated by >the state, they tend to become more passive whereas in those regions where >the state has launched a campaign to eradicate the squats the dynamic of >the ensuing struggle tends to radicalize the squatters. > >In addition to supporting city-wide demonstrations and actions against >police brutality, budget cuts, ending rent control laws, and for >peddlers, the homeless, legalizing weeds, etc., the squatters have also >helped to organize demonstrations and benefits in solidarity with >anarchists and squatters under attack in other nations, in support of >Mumia, in support of the Mohawks, in support of the Zapatistas, and in >opposition to the Gulf War. In many other cases where they supported the >actions called by other groups, they would meet first in the LES and then >march _en masse_ to the demo and participate as a contingent. Indeed, I >have seen many actions where every single housemember of a squat would >march together to an action (this can be pretty impressive sometimes). > >In part, the above is a consequence of the fact that as a result of the >Tompkins Square Park struggle, which attracted international attention, >the LES has served as a magnet of sorts for radicals (especially >anarchists) from other areas. However, more importantly, it is the >struggle itself -- i.e. the dynamic of resisting the attack by the state, >the banks, and the real estate developers -- which has propelled this >community in a radical direction. Moreover, in the course of that struggle >they have increasingly come to recognize how their struggle is part of an >international struggle and have been more active in solidarity actions as >a consequence. > >So, no Bob, it is not a "single issue" thing "orientated to lifestylism." > >Jerry > >PS to Adolfo: As leader of the Stalin Society, you should know that Stalin >was well-known for falsifying history. It is interesting to see how you >now follow in his footsteps. Uncle Joe, the Great Patriotic Hero of the >Russian Empire, would have been proud of you. > > > > --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- > > --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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