The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about immense changes in the world. Many critics point to a capitalist-oriented crisis management that favors macro-economic goals, while it remains blind for mental health issues, basic human rights and the destruction of livelihoods, among other things. The pandemic is causing probably the greatest economic crisis in history, leading to social crises in various aspects of life such as housing, education and employment.

The climate justice movement is currently one of the most important internationally organized movements available. That is why a coalition of climate movements in Portugal (consisting of Climáximo, Fridays for Future Portugal, Art for Change and Climate Save) decided to voice their discontent with our current predicament, in relation to climate-issues within a wider systemic framework of anti-capitalist thinking.

From September to October, a wave of mobilizations will take place throughout Europe, under the name of Climate Care Uprising. The Portuguese coalition organized three three key moments. On September 25th, actions were organized through the broader Salvar o Clima platform. On October 5th, a mass civil-disobedience action was organized by Climáximo and endorsed by activists, artists and others. On October 17th, a mass demonstration will be organized by a large alliance of diverse social movements, under the name Bailout the Future not Profits. This is a follow-up to a previous mass demonstration of the same name in June we supported, which was connected to Black Lives Matter. You can read about it here.

Het Actiefonds supported the coalition in their civil-disobedience on October 5th. In an action called “We are the anti-bodies”, more than 100 people blocked the main roundabout of Lisbon, which connects five boulevards. The action narrative was that the activists were the antibodies against the virus which is capitalism. Among other things, the demands of the anti-bodies were 1) carbon neutrality in 2030, 2) universal, basic public services, and 3) a cap on income, introducing a new income tax that taxes 99% on income above 150.000 euros. The participants managed to convey their message; they blocked the roundabout completely for more than an hour. No one got hurt neither was anyone detained. It was  a peaceful disobedience action that achieved its technical as well as political goals.

Refugee camp Moria on Lesbos burned down completely on September 9. This humanitarian catastrophe made 13.000 people homeless, who were already living in horrible conditions. In the days that followed the Dutch government decided, under pressure, to take in five hundred victims. However, criticism was raised since the total amount of refugees that are allowed to enter The Netherlands diminishes by the same number. In other words, the government still defends inhumane asylum policies and has yet again shown her true self.

Action group ‘Evacuate Moria’ calls upon the Dutch government to take her responsibility in safeguarding the lives of the victims of Moria. Politicians cannot avoid the humanitarian crises on the Greek islands, the Mediterranean Sea and within their own countries.

A moving protest

On September 20 a 24-hour demonstration was organized: This is not a home. From Sunday 6 p.m. until Monday at the same time the square in front of Parliament in The Hague was occupied by around twenty people. A Moria-like refugee camp was built with tents, carton, mats and sleeping bags. Politicians and passers-by were given bananas and water, being asked whether they could get through the day on such a rationed diet. The bananas read messages like ‘NoMoreMorias’ and ‘Evacuate Now’; by offering something to people it was easier to get conversations going. On Monday afternoon an old resident of Moria gave a concert, and voicememo’s of people currently on Lesbos were played.

The vulnerability of staying outside for 24 hours was respected by many, turning into moving, personal conversations. Politicians remarked that many of them noticed and admired the protest. Despite the success of the action, the organization reflected that a lot of work remains to be done: “As long as our migration policies remain de-humanizing, we will fight for a more humane world and safe migration routes.” The transnational organization ‘Europe Must Act’ contacted ‘Evacuate Moria’ to organize this type of protest throughout European cities. As we speak they are looking for a date.

The majority of induced abortion procedures in Malawi are performed under clandestine and unsafe conditions. Complications from abortions have been estimated to account for between 6% and 18% of maternal deaths in Malawi. Abortion is only legal in Malawi to save a woman’s life. Obtaining an abortion for any other reason is punishable by 7–14 years in prison. A national debate is currently being held on whether or not to liberalize Malawi’s abortion law by providing more exceptions under which an abortion could be legally obtained.

In order to steer this debate to the right side (legalisation of abortion), Zenith organised a public campaign to get members of Parliament in Malawi to discuss and pass the Termination of Pregnancy Bill. The campaign includes a solidarity walk and the delivery of a petition to the District Commissioner.

Protect women’s reproductive rights

As the worldwide visibility of pro-life movements is slowly growing, we are more and more in need of activists like the Zenith Advocacy group. Safe abortion is essential to protecting Women’s Rights, as banning abortion does not eliminate abortion, it only makes it less safe.

Zenith’s goal is to protect the rights of women and girls. In previous actions they protested against street vendors who were harassing women for wearing miniskirts in the streets, they worked with traditional leaders to eliminate forced child marriages and they advocated against traditional and cultural practices that put women and girls at risk of contracting HIV/Aids. Het Actiefonds supports Zenith in their new project for safe abortion. Follow their actions on Facebook or Instagram.

In Bbale, Uganda, there have been over 180 HIV-positive women who have undergone forced and coerced sterilization by medical doctors from the Kayunga Hospital. Irrespective of efforts to seek legal help or try to voice this, authorities have swept the issues under the carpet, leaving the rights of many violated.

Many health workers deny that forced sterilization is happening. The Ugandan Health Minister Elioda Tumwesigye said the government’s policy was “clear”: “if you become pregnant we give you treatment.”

The NWM aims to expose the health workers who have been violating the reproductive rights of women and bring them under legal scrutiny. Moreover, it is imperative that the Ugandan government becomes aware of the illegal practices taking place at public hospitals to stop further occurrence. The NWM hopes to inspire other women’s movements who have so far been silent on these issues to demand the protection of their rights.

Concretely, a march is planned, ending in a sit-in in the gardens of the Kayunga Hospital. The local police has endorsed the protest and will escort the NWM. The protest is held keeping into account the Covid-19 safety measures of wearing a mask, hand-washing and social distancing of two meters.

Moreover, many forcibly sterilized women have been ignored by government authorities because of their illiteracy. Therefore, the NWM will hire a human rights lawyer to compile women’s testimonies and petitions to make a strong case for urgent action by the Ugandan government to stop these practices from happening and to punish the health workers responsible.

(Lacking media material, the photo above is from an article in The Guardian from SheDecides, an anti-abortion protest in Uganda in 2018).

On September 1st, the September rebellion kicked off in The Hague with a demonstration and a dive in the Hofvijver. On ‘Prinsjesdag’, they reflected on the sad state of the climate with their ‘Traanrede’ and a group of rebels chained themselves to Noordeinde Palace to draw attention to the Citizens’ Assembly. The rebellion continued in Amsterdam. A three-day event was organized on Museumplein. They blocked the Blauwbrug with a dance for life and with two massive blockades on the Zuidas, they stood up against polluting companies. The multinationals established at the Zuidas (the financial centre of Amsterdam) have a great influence on the meager climate policy through clever lobbying and therefore contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Enough to protest against.

Extinction Rebellion demands from the Dutch government to:

• TELL THE TRUTH about the climate and ecological crisis that threatens our existence and communicate the urgency for change.
• ACT NOW to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025 in a just and fair manner.
• LET CITIZENS DECIDE by establishing a Citizen’s Assembly which takes the lead on climate and ecological justice.

The climate problem is too complex to entrust to a government that has failed to act for decades. Under the influence of the lobby by large companies, parliament and the cabinet have proved unable to initiate a rapid transition. A Citizens’ Assembly can break this impasse. Hopefully this will soon be realized through XR’s actions.

Looking back over the past month, we can proudly say that the September Rebellion was a great success. For several days in a row hundreds of people took action against the failing climate policy. The protests were bigger and longer than last year; a good sign that the movement continues to grow. Climate justice now!

Would you like to join Extinction Rebellion? On September 27 and October 4, there will be online “Welcome to XR” meetings for new rebels. See the website for more information.

Indonesia is among the countries with the highest death rate due to Covid-19 but among the lowest in the amount of accessible coronatests in the world. Furthermore, the cost to fight the Covid-19 pandemic is being burdened on the working class and toilers’ shoulders. So said, the country suffers from rights violations and extreme living cost hikes in a financially difficult time.

Meanwhile the working class and toilers’ movement suffers from repression and silencing committed by the ruling class with various justifications under the pretext of handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Time for action

From August 13th to 17th, all around the country there were protests under the umbrella of the large “100% Freedom! Free from Pandemy and Tyranny!” action. This simulaneous National Action aimed to reignite working class and youth’s resistance against bourgeois class attack.

Among the demands from the activists were safe working environments for essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, a fair national wealth redistribution and centralization of means of production in the hand of the working class.

The protests coincided with important national momentums like President Jokowi’s annual state of the nation address, the People’s Consultative Assembly session and the New York Agreement of 1962’s historical momentum. The protesters called for a large strike among the working class, to show their discontent. In those series of actions, both working class civilians and youths participated. Outside the national mass demonstrations on August 14th, there arose a push to continue the protest. Yet, due to Covid-19, mass mobilization was not maximized but carried out in an online campaign.

After this demonstration the organisation got requests from other regions that didn’t participate yet but stated that they are interested and intend to participate in making this a nationwide movement against tyranny, aiming to overthrow capitalism and unite the working class and youth in a movement to build a socialist, classless society for Indonesia’s residents.

Organisation

In 2011, the Socialist Union was founded as KPO PRP, to strengthen the socialist struggle in Indonesia. It aims for the overthrow of capitalism by revolutionary means and to build a socialist society. By socialism the struggle of workers is meant to organise as a state in the form of people’s councils, strengthening democracy and ownership as compared to the current state of affairs. The organisation is mainly focused on education, propaganda, mass actions, publishing books and organising discussions.

Extinction Rebellion is a global movement that attempts halt the mass extinction of species and the risk of societal collapse related to the climate and biodiversity crises the world is facing today. In the face of government inaction, the movement declares an international non-violent rebellion against the world’s governments. Not long after images of the first actions in London swept the world, the Danish part of the movement started in November 2018.

Denmark is often seen as a green frontrunner. However, in recent months the government’s sustainable energy proposals have been scrutinised for protecting the fossil fuel sector and speculating on how to make money directly from CO2 emissions. This governmental green washing obscures the fact that economic interests are still put above social and environmental ones.

In light of this, in two weeks time the movement is organising mass-actions of civil-disobedience to disrupt “business-as-usual” in the city centre of Copenhagen. Different happenings will be organised with music, speeches, art-installations, and facilitation of peoples assemblies. The goal is to get broad news coverage that can generate public and political debate, raise awareness about the climate crisis and how this intersects with other social justice crises and issues. In other words, such direct action is aimed at encouraging a system-critical climate debate about how the current socioeconomic order in Denmark is fundamentally unsustainable.

Passive politicians, uncritical media and for-profit companies sustain a detrimental way of living. At an intersection of global crises of climate and ecological collapse, Covid-19, and social injustices, acknowledging this as symptomatic of an unsustainable and undemocratic system is the least one can do.

To keep up to date, see their instagram page.

Barcelona has seen one of the most strict lockdowns in the world due to Covid-19, and is still under stringent conditions. The city is normally characterised by a bad air quality. In its wide streets, cars, motorbikes and trucks are dominant. And many cruise ships port in the city. The lockdown turned Barcelona into a different kind of city. At night it was dead silent, from higher up parts of the city you the Mediterranean Sea appeared as clear as the sky, and wild boars roamed the streets.

In light of this, climacció, a climate organisation founded in 2019, is organising a new campaign “Recuperem la ciutat” (“We take back the city”) together with more than ten other organisations. In the middle of the transition from a strict lockdown to a new way of living, this is the moment to rearrange our public space for pedestrians and cyclists, for the citizens of the city. According to the organisation, a public debate about the role and the use of our public space and mobility is imperative.

In the last one and a half years, Climacció has organised demonstrations and non-violent direct actions, mostly using artivism (activism + art), to draw media-attention for the climate emergency. More specifically, it addresses subjects such as climate justice, anti-capitalism and ecofeminism. From the end of September three actions are planned: street paintings/graffiti, playful and frivolous street blockages and workshops. Het Actiefonds supports this campaign for buying the campaign materials.

The campaign is planned for the duration of one month, but ideally will continue in different ways as long as there’s no drastic action being taken in the mobility plans of the city, like an increase in bike lanes, car-free streets and improvements in public transport.

For more information, see their website and facebookpagina.

Oppression and wars raging around the world have a deep connection with Germany, as with all places where arms are manufactured. Kassel is one of the hotspots of the German arms industry, hosting its two largest manufacturers Rheinmetall and Kraus–Maffei Wegmann (KMW). They circumvent existing export restrictions and deliver to states that are actively involved in the war in Yemen. Turkey’s imperialist deeds are supported by German arms exports both directly, and indirectly – Rheinmetall’s sister company in South Africa delivers ammunition to Turkey’s forces in Libya. Both groups armed Germany in the two world wars and used forced labour during the Nazi era. Their common history serves to highlight the close relationship of anti-fascism and anti-militarism. Moreover, within Germany those issued with weapons -i.e. the police and military- have been exposed as harbouring fascist networks. Arms are at the centre of the capitalist-patriarchal nationalistic power complex. 

While the arms industry and German state earn money through arms, including the militarisation of Europe’s borders, the Covid-19 pandemic shows that resources are needed for health and social care systems around the world. The organisation demands ‘Healthcare not Warfare’. With their blockades in Kassel, the Bündnis Rheinmetall Entwaffnen showed that they oppose the German way of fuelling and waging wars at the expense of the health of people everywhere.

“We want to show that Germany, through its arms exports, creates refugees and then stops them from claiming asylum, while its arms companies profit at all stages of the war chain.”

This is the beginning of the end. We demand the end of the global armament race. But the fight against war is always also a fight against capitalism, against patriarchy and against racism, with the eventual goal of a liberated society, outside the capitalist-patriarchal order.

Het Actiefonds provided the financial means for the blocking materials needed for this direct action. The action group will continue their work against the arms industry. For more information on their next events, workshops and direct action, we redirect you to their website.  

The Epworth Residents Development Association [ERDA] was one of the parties that helped organizing this protest. ERDA is a social movement advocating and representing residents’ interests. They teamed up with political opposition parties, regional committees and Human Rights groups to gather thousands of citizens for the nationwide anti-government protest.

Residents all over the country are fuelled by anger — not only about rights violations, but also about the dire state of the health system and deteriorating living conditions. Corruption and mismanagement have led to the collapse of the economy and vast underinvestment in infrastructure.

Because of the tense political environment, there was a specialized team present for security monitoring during the demonstration. This was much needed, as they had properly foreseen the gravity of the situation. The government tightened their grip even more; the capital Harare was locked in advance of the protest, there were serious human rights violations and numbers of opposition activists were charged with a form of treason. The ERDA team was present to expose the savage heavy handedness of the Zimbabwean regime.

As this is an ongoing action, the ERDA, with other movements, will utilize every opportunity and gap available to radically oppose government corruption while pushing for dignified living for residents. Het Actiefonds supports ERDA in their highly needed fight for a better country.