By now you are familiar with the workers’ occupation of the Republic Windows and Doors factory in Chicago. You may also have heard about the student occupation of the New School in New York. And, of course, the occupation of the factories in Argentina serve as a model for the world. Will occupations become a worldwide movement as the economic crisis deepens? Occupation seems to present the best opportunity to peacefully redefine class relationships. The promise of the blossoming of a new society lies in the seeds of citizen occupation.
In support of and solidarity with citizen occupation around the world, I will attempt to keep an updated list of occupations, sit-ins, and public rebellions with links to articles, solidarity web sites, and blogs. Please e-mail me with any additions. (include those that have ended)
OCCUPATION UPDATE
- GREECE, Athens – January 9, 2009
Occupation of news editors union HQ in Athens
"ESIEA, the Union of News Editors HQ have been occupied by radical journalists and transformed into a counterinformation center and anti-spectacle forum.
On Saturday 10/1/09 in Athens radical reporters and journalists have occupied the HQ of the Union of Athens Daily Press Editors (ESIEA) which functions as a control institution regarding journalism across the country. The squatters have called for a series of open assemblies to discuss the nature and problems of broadcasting and reporting December’s insurgency and its aftermath. On Monday the Assembly of Free ESIEA has called for an open discussion on the Spectacle and ways of confronting it in journalism. What follows is the founding brochure of the Free ESIEA:
The workers will have the last word – not the media bosses"
- GREECE, Thessaloniki – December 2008/January 2009
Occupation of the Thessaloniki Trade Unions Center for Konstantina Kuneva & December’s Prosecuted (Declarations of the assembly in English)
"We occupy today the Thessaloniki Trade Unions Center to resist state oppression manifested in murders and terrorism against working people. We occupy the Trade Unions Center and obstruct its administration; we do not obstruct the workings of 1st degree unions; far from it, we appeal to them and to working people to join this common struggle"
- England, Glastonbury – January 5, 2009
Protesters Hold Sit-in at Factory
A group of about 15 people occupied a building in Somerset to prevent demolition after planners decided a redevelopment project was too costly.
- GREEK INSURRECTION – December 2008
A number of occupations and brief takeovers have been happening around the country including city halls, radio stations, and the state TV station. Approximately 1000 high-schools and universities were/are occupied. Just a few solidarity items below as solidarity events have reached 100s if not 1000s by now. You can see some of them on this map. (Jan. 7, 2009, the protest has changed but is continuing.)
Sarkozy fears spectre of 1968 haunting Europe
23.12.2008
"As disparate but linked militant youth protests simultaneously erupt in a number of countries across the continent, French President Nicholas Sarkozy has retreated on two controversial pieces of domestic legislation out of fear that a spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of 1968."
‘Greek Syndrome’ is catching as youth take to streets
First it was Athens. Now the Continent’s disillusioned youth is taking to the streets across Europe.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
"The riots began with a mostly "anarchist" protest against the killing of a 15-year-old boy by police but spread to other left-wing groups, immigrants and at times, it seemed, almost every urban Greek aged between 18 and 30. The protesters claim that they belong to a sacrificed "€600" generation, doomed to work forever for low monthly salaries."
- San Francisco, CA (USA) [GREEK SOLIDARITY] – December 20, 2008
March in San Francisco in Solidarity with Greek Anarchists
- ROCHESTER, NY (USA) [GREEK SOLIDARITY] – December 20, 2008
Rochester, New York Joins International Solidarity Marches in Support of Greek Uprising
"Two weeks ago in Athens, Greece, a 16 year old anarchist got shot in the back of the head by a cop. Rochester SDS – Students for a Democratic Society -organized a march of approximately 20 people on December 20th, a day of international solidarity, to support the uprising that is happening in Greece and spread the word about what is going on."
University of Rochester Students for a Democratic Society
- SYRACUSE, NY (USA) [GREEK SOLIDARITY] – December 20, 2008
D20 Syracuse Solidarity With the Greek Insurrection
"Anarchists and anti-authoritarians from across Upstate New York hit the bitter cold streets of Syracuse, NY December 20th, 2008. As part of the Day of International Action Against State Murders, we marched with raised fists and blaring music in memory of young Alexandros Grigoropoulos and with the Greek uprising."
Syracuse Solidarity Network Site
- MODESTO, CA (USA) [GREEK SOLIDARITY] – December 20, 2008
Modesto: Anarchists Take to the Streets in Support of Greek Insurrection
Modesto: Solidarity Statement for Dec 20th Solidarity Demonstration
"The actions of the Greek youth and working class inspire us. Since the police shooting of a young anarchist, people have fought the police in the streets for over two weeks now."
Modesto Anarcho MySpace Site
Modesto Anarcho GeoCities Site
- MACEDONIA [GREEK SOLIDARITY] – December 18, 2008
Solidarity means Action: Activists in Macedonia in Solidarity with the Insurrection in Greece
"On Thursday, 18 December, people gathered on the main square in Skopje, Macedonia to express solidarity with the struggles in neighboring Greece as well as to raise questions about issues in their society."
- GREECE – December 17, 2008
Workers and youth have occupied the headquarters of the General Confederation of Greek Workers
- NEW YORK, NY (USA) – December 17, 2008
New School in Exile
New School in Exile Blog
- CHICAGO, IL (USA) – December 5, 2008
Republic Plant Occupation Solidarity Page
- GERMANY – December 5, 2008
Workers occupy auto parts plant in northern Germany
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