Showing posts with label Operation Pandora. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Operation Pandora. Show all posts

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Ungovernable.

       Our babbling brook of bullshit, the mainstream media, don't give us much of what is happening in Spain, other than some tourist information about "cheap" flights, but nothing about what the people of Spain are going through, nor their resistance to the authoritarian cabal that sits in Madrid. Recently Spain has introduced some extremely draconian legislation, in an attempt to crush that resistance of the people. However, the people will not be crushed, the resistance continues.
        I received this video, Ungovernable, in a comment from comrade Loam at arrezafe, though I don't speak Spanish, the film makes its story very clear, poverty, inequality, repression, and most of all, resistance to a system that must die, if freedom is to live.



Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Sunday 3 January 2016

Against Democracy.

      Against Democracy, an anonymous translation is now available of this book from Spain - a book which was used as evidence in trials against arrested anarchists as proof of their criminality... please help distribute and promote it if you find it useful!
       I certainly found it extremely interesting and very informative and certainly worth promoting as widely as possible. http://againstdemocracy.blog.com/
       This is a link to an article about the events from Contra Info: http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net/2014/12/27/spanish-state-operation-pandor...
            The whole book is worth reading but here are part of its conclusions:

5. conclusion.
        As we can see, the term “democracy” has very different meanings depending on where or in what social sector it is used. Perhaps it is such a broad and subjective term that it can’t really be abstractly defended or categorically despised (since the word is often draped over demands and conflicts that contain the dignity of the struggle against injustice and for freedom), but it must always be analyzed critically, because in most cases it is simply the mask used by Power, or some form of Power, to perpetuate itself.
       And in such cases, we should have no moral qualms whatsoever about unmasking, attacking, and destroying it, to open the field to new definitions, which are always contained as such within the acts and realities of the self-management of the people, and the aspirations of individuals.

Alternatives to democracy
        Human beings, because we are social animals, need other people to live and a place where we can be nourished, take shelter from the cold, and develop inwardly, since consciousness is a characteristic inherent in our species.
        As anarchists, we are often asked how we would organize society with no political leaders and no state institutions. We cannot answer this in a closed-minded manner, since the very idea of organizing a society runs contrary to the anarchist ideal.
        In other words, anarchism is not so much a political doctrine as it is a way of life based on three basic points: freedom, respect and responsibility. We are not afraid of the freedom of others; we do not believe that “man is a wolf to his fellow man,” as Hobbes said, nor that competition drives “humanity” to progress, causing everyone to make their best effort. We simply think that given equal conditions people are able to organize without anyone’s arbitration, and without being directed by anyone. This idea does not at all mean that we are all equal; we love differences, and no two beings are equal anywhere in the universe. We do not wish to homogenize anything, or to impose on anyone what their life should be, and simply do not want anyone to impose on us either.
     Throughout history a variety of organizational models and historical experiences have reflected the Idea [1] quite well; but unfortunately the rule of money leaves ever less room for any form of life that fails to meet its criteria, and is able to subjugate, regulate, or even genetically modify (mutate) anything and everything that does not fit into the destructive vortex contained within what’s called “progress.”
        Recent examples that have arisen in many places throughout Spain are those of the open council, or the communitarian forms of work that we have been seeing in many towns for harvesting crops, sharing pastures, or cleaning roads and ditches; there the common good is first and foremost, with horizontal relationships and camaraderie, subject to norms set by the people themselves for the smooth execution of their work.
       Obviously we don’t believe that no problems will ever arise in these relationships, but the mechanisms to resolve them must be consistent with the people’s way of thinking. We have nothing but contempt for bourgeois justice, where a handful of well-paid professionals devote themselves to judging the rest of society based on codes that they create to uphold their own interests.
       Conflict resolution must be an essential part of human relationships themselves, without delegating that responsibility to people outside the conflict. The conditions that are currently in place have led to the degeneration of relationships among people, making us competitive with one another, infantilizing us, and alienating us. In short, it’s never been so easy for us to be enslaved, so we have to remove all of the causes behind it, both physical and mental.
        Social justice is a basic cornerstone of healthy relationships between individuals where there are neither exploiters nor exploited, nor profit extracted at the expense of others. Today the privileged classes tell us that the way of life they have created must be kept exactly as it is, because it is the best of all possible worlds; meanwhile they deliberately ignore how all that supposed prosperity is actually built, and the consequences that it entails for the planet and other groups of human beings: the systematic plundering of raw materials, the irreversible alteration of landscapes, the pollution of water, land and air, and the enormous masses of displaced, subjugated, and dead people left in the wake of the ruling classes’ much-vaunted “prosperity,” based on war and theft, and justified by a condescending moralism that decides what is good and what is going to be made good – since everything else is directly eliminated.
         The individual is the root at the basis of the way free people, i.e., people with the capacity to make their own decisions, function amongst themselves. Each individual is free to do as they please as long as it doesn’t harm other individuals. Then come relationships with your group, or groups based around shared interests. Depending on the needs of each, or the magnitude of the work that needs to be done, these groups can coordinate with others to meet their needs (to exchange products, hold festivals, do work, have experiences…), and thus always uphold the principles of individual and collective freedom.

We’ll try to clarify things a bit more in the following sections:------
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk









Sunday 13 December 2015

Repression, The State's Only Tool.



 

        The state's attack on anarchist in Spain continues, the only change is the fancy names they give each phase of the same repression. Recently in Spain they had operation "Pandora", now the have moved on to operation "Ice". Giving fancy  names to the same attack on the freedom of the people, just allows them to increase what they are already doing, trying to suppress all dissent, stifle all resistance to the power of the state. Of course it always flies under the false flag of protecting your freedom. We all know, or should know, that Spain is not unique in this crushing of desire for change from the people. It is the way that the state functions, by those in its upper echelons, the state is seen as an omnipotent deity, all powerful, and must be obeyed.
     Spanish police decided to name their latest repressive blow against the anarchist milieu as ‘Operation Ice’. 5 comrades of the Straight Edge collective in Madrid were arrested on 4 thNovember 2015 on charges of organized crime with intents of terrorism, damages and defence of terrorism.
      Police accused them of having placed 4 homemade incendiary devices against several branches of La Caixa y Bankia bank in Madrid, of causing damages to another bank and a commercial hub in Barcelona, all actions that had been claimed with graffiti left on the spots.
     Police raids carried out mainly in Madrid allegedly uncovered materials destined to the fabrication of explosive devices and gunpowder. After being held in the police station, the 5 comrades were taken to the central tribunal number 3 of the Audiencia Nacional, where prison custody was confirmed for Juan Manuel Bustamante Vergara and Borja Marquerie Echave, whereas the others were released after about 20,000-euro bail was paid.
      The media of the regime reported that Juan and Borja were the alleged ‘leaders’ and that one of them was of Chilean origin, thus contributing to the thesis that also supports previous repressive waves.
       On their part, Straight Edge – Madrid publicly announced they were breaking up their collective with a short communiqué, which only played the game of repression, amplified State terrorism and indirectly denied any relation with those arrested thus allowing the Spanish State’s recent police policy to generate isolation and control. All our disgust goes to those who deny their relations, stances and history …

All our solidarity goes to the proud ones who won’t repent.
Solidarity with Juan and Borja!

Juan Manuel Bustamante Vergara was transferred to another
jail on 17th November. This is his address:

Juan Manuel Bustamante Vergara
Centro Penienciario Madrid IV, Navalcarnero.
Ctra. N-V, km. 27.7,
28600 Navalcarnero
Madrid
Spain
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk






Friday 30 October 2015

A Dark Alleyway To An Orwellian Future.

      I know I go on about the repressive state, but I do feel that we, by subterfuge and repression, are being lead down a dark alleyway to a menacing Orwellian future. Here in the UK we are seeing the implementation some of the most draconian anti-union laws in any modern country. This is to weaken any resistance to their plundering of the public purse. We quietly go about our affairs, while the millionaire cabal pompously prancing through the marble halls in the Westminster Houses of Hypocrisy and Corruption, dismantle our social services, and selling of our public assets to their millionaire corporate friends.
      Surveillance grows ever more intrusive, with internet tracking, number plate recognition, and profiling. All this moves silently into place while any resistance is stifled, silenced, or brutally repressed. What is more, we are not alone, states across Europe are continually lurching to the right, control moves ever away from the people to the remote centre, controlled by the financial Mafia and their thuggish corporate bedfellows.
      Spain continues to expand its gagging laws, as Operation Pandora widens its net, trawling in more and more of those who are prepared to speak out against the state's authoritarian strangle hold.
       28/10/15: A police operation Began at 7:00 a.m. This Morning raiding several homes and properties in the Neighbourhoods of Sants, Gràcia, Clot and Sant Andreu de Palomar in the city of Barcelona and Manresa. The police action was ordered by the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) and is a continuation of Operation Pandora, Which led to the arrest of ten comrades and the preventative imprisonment of seven of them last December. Among the properties searched were Revoltosa social centre on Rogent street in the Clot neighbourhood and the Ateneu Llibertari Sants on Maria Victoria street ten police vans were in attendance. When the news was leaked, dozens of people Demonstrated in solidarity and took to the streets of Sants marching behind a banner in support of the detainees. Minutes later as the demonstration Reached Masnou street two vans of riot police arrived and Proceeded to violently suppress the demonstration.
     Searches also took place at a house on Perill street in the neighbourhood of Gracia, a house in the neighbourhood of Santos and other private homes in Sant Andreu de Palomar. Police made arrests in the total of 9. At every place police raided they encircled the whole street and impeded the free movement of the neighbourhood. In details leaked to the press by the police they revealed the operation led to the arrest of 9 people for the Alleged crime of "Belonging to a terrorist criminal organization with AIMS."
       In response to the raid a call has gone out for Demonstrations at 8:00 PM at the Plaça del Diamant de la Vila de Gràcia.
Slightly edited for translation/spelling.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk
 

 

Wednesday 1 July 2015

The Ever Increasing State Repression.

A few moments to myself, so thought I would share this.
        From Spain to Mexico and across the globe, state surveillance comes down hard on anarchists and those connected to anarchist groups and spaces. In Spain they have Operation Pandora and Operation Piñata, here in the UK Bullingdon boy Cameron, jumping on the tragic killing of tourists in Tunisia, has spouted his mouth off about radicalism, stating that they will target those who do not want to take part in the democratic process of the country, that's a very wide circle. Also a rather ambiguous statement, since we don't have a democratic system in which to take part.  Every event of violence will be used as an excuse to increase state surveillance across the board, and to clamp down on any form of dissent. Not to sing from their handed out hymn sheet, will become ever more dangerous, a different opinion will be seen as radicalism and attempts will be made to silence that opinion. The term radicalism will be deliberately kept extremely vague, and used as a large catch all net. Of course we should take this as signs that the powerful pampered parasites feel threatened.
-------On the other hand, we have the government’s efforts to qualify anarchism or “anarchic conduct” under the judicial classification of terrorism, applying severe charges and operating under maximum security parameters, only to withdraw the charges, with the argument that they lack sufficient evidence – but always leaving the open threat that “investigations continue.” Nonsensical investigations, plagued with arbitrary references to groups and individuals that exist in very different spaces.
This is all paralleled by police monitoring and surveillance of certain individuals in an attempt to intimidate them, as well as provocations against certain autonomous spaces.-------
Read the full article HERE:
Spanish democracy in action.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Wednesday 3 June 2015

First They Came For The Anarchists---?


         Some information on the Spanish fascist state's Operation Pandora and Operation Pinata, their brutal attempt to crush the anarchist movement in that country. There is good news of a kind, but there is as expected, also bad news. They will go to any lengths to try to extinguish any resistance to their tyranny.
         The Spanish state and their minders the police, are probably on par with the brutal Greek police.
  A new Amnesty Report on the freedom to protest in Spain, highlights excessive use of force and repressive legislation.
A pack of wild animals attack their prey.
From Anarchist News, the bad news:

      In worst news, the same day, the Spanish government put an embargo on the bank accounts that were opened to collect solidarity money for the lawyers, commissary expenses, and transportation expenses (for family members to visit those imprisoned) around Operation Pandora. The government continues to criminalize solidarity, following the same model it used to repress the Basque independence movement (with the difference that the anarchist movement in Spain has not killed anybody, nor among its diverse currents can support be found for the type of actions that inevitably cause collateral damage or kill and maim random people, a practice the Spanish government has had no problem with in its wars in other countries). If it is able to succeed, it will be able to prosecute sabotage as terrorism, portray the struggle against domination as terrorism, and even imprison those who write or raise money or protest in support of detainees as terrorists.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Monday 30 March 2015

From Pandora To Pinata, The Repression Continues.

      Operation Pandora, the Spanish state's fascist tactics during December, when in the early hours of the morning it raided the homes of anarchists and kidnapped the inhabitants, is now being repeated under a new name, Operation Pinata. In the early hours of the morning of March 30th. the Spanish state broke into various squats and arrested at least 26 individuals. It is obvious that the Spanish state feels threatened and a need to repress any resistance to the austerity plans of its masters, the financial Mafia. So much so, that it is prepared to make this a way of life for the Spanish people. This is not an isolated case, it is not so long ago that the Greek state carried an assault on anarchists and squats in that country. This is a tactic that will be repeated across Europe as the financial Mafia continue with their austerity manoeuvres, as they attempt to drive the whole of Europe down towards a sweatshop continent.
 From squat.net

       This morning in Operation Piñata (following Pandora in December) cops have raided social centres and arrested people (at least 26) in Barcelona, Madrid, Palencia and Granada.
      La 13-14 in Madrid announced it was being raided this morning.
      CSOA La Redonda in Granada released a communique condemning the raids, which they said occurred without a warrant.
      Centro Social (re)Okupado La Quimera in Lavapies, Madrid was evicted. It also stated no warrant was shown after its doors were smashed at 06:30 and added:
     “This is just another attack on the anarchist movement with intent to criminalize and victimize our struggle.” Other raided social centres were, la Magdalena and La Enredadera de Tetuán.

In solidarity!
On squat.net:
Estado español: Zarpazo represivo, al menos 26 detenciones. Desalojan el CSOA La Quimera

La policia espanyola deté 27 persones en una operació contra col·lectius anarquistes

Some mainstream press: 20minutos /
Directa / Diagonal
   
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Thursday 5 February 2015

First They Came For------!!!


      The latest on the Spanish state's repressive Operation Pandora, aimed at anarchists.

      In the night of January 30th, 2015, the 7 comrades who were still imprisoned following the arrests on the 16th of December 2014 as part of Operation Pandora were released.
One day before, the instructing judge of the Audiencia Nacional (Madrid) permitted access to the investigative file, and what we know at the moment is what has been circulated through the website of Mossos d’Esquadra in a press communiqué. They are facing charges such as membership in GAC (Coordinated Anarchist Groups), attacks against banks, posting parcel bombs (one to the Archbishop of Pamplona, one to a member of the fascist congregation Legionaries of Christ, and others to Italian companies), while “they are linked”—always according to the police—with the explosive attacks against the Cathedral of Almudena in Madrid (February 7th, 2013) and the Basilica of the Pillar in Zaragoza (October 2nd, 2013), the latter having led to the indictment and pretrial detention of our comrades Mónica and Francisco.
      The police statement ends with a victorious “according to the investigators, the structure of the GAC/FAI-FRI is disrupted in Catalonia, the stronghold of this criminal organisation with terrorist purposes against the Spanish State”. What these servants of Power do not recognise (and never will) is that they sought to generate fear to all other comrades with this operation, which not only failed, but we can say without a doubt has generated the opposite effect.
No doubt their release from prison and to receive them amongst us is an opportunity to celebrate, because they are no longer locked up, as much because they are with us again to fight shoulder to shoulder against this world of shit. But it is a “celebration” which remains incomplete. The charges remain, as do the bail conditions—obligation to sign three times a week, passport confiscated, etc. Furthermore Mónica and Francisco are still incarcerated… not to mention all the comrades who risk other prison sentences in other cases, and those who have already been convicted.
UNTIL WE’RE ALL FREE!
originally in Spanish
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Wednesday 4 February 2015

We Can Withdraw Our Consent.


 



      The state at first glance, holds all the power, it has the best of repressive gear, it has all the organised institutions of repression, but we should never forget we have the numbers and the solidarity. We are only governable by consent, we can at any time, withdraw that consent. The state is aware of this situation, hence its attack on those most vociferous in the demands for freedom from that state. Anarchist don't hide their intentions, to work towards a life free from the burden and repression of the state. Hence the state's attack on those of that ilk. Who will be next?
February 6th, a date for your calendar:
Invited by Jacque Swartz
Solidarity Protest
MEET: Spanish Consulate, 63 North Castle St, Edinburgh EH2 3LJ FRIDAY 6 Feb – FROM 12:00noon

[see also: Sun 8 Feb 7pm - Film showing - 'Cuitat Morta' [Dead City] (documentary) at The Banshee Labyrinth, EH1 1LG https://www.facebook.com/events/807425185972477]
HARASSED! CHARGED! IMPRISONED! FOR BEING ANARCHISTS!
by ‘operación Pandora’ in Spain

      ‘Un movimiento que olvida a sus presos está condenado a la derrota’
‘A movement that forgets its prisoners is doomed to defeat’

     On 16/12/2014 Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan “independent” police ‘squaddies’) stormed 14 homes and social centers in Barcelona and Madrid, destroying or stealing everything of value. Without concrete accusations and with the greatest secrecy, 11 anarchists (7 women and 4 men) were sent to a High Court in Madrid. 4 were released two days later with charges - and 7 stayed in prison until they were eventually released on extortionate bail of €3000 each on 30/01/2015, one is a member of the CNT-AIT Union. The anarchists continue to endure harassment, charges and secretive Court proceedings because of their criticism and opposition to capitalism and the state.
DROP THE CHARGES!

Edinburgh Solidarity Federation, c/o ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH5 7HA | edinburghsf@riseup.net | www.solfed.org.uk

International Workers’ Association, Targowa 22 lokal 27 a03-731 Warszawa, POLSKA | secretariado@iwa-ait.org | www.iwa-ait.org

further information: efectopandora.wordpress.com

http://www.solfed.org.uk/edinburgh/fri-6-feb-12noon-edinburgh-solidarity-protest-drop-the-charges-against-the-anarchists

http://www.solfed.org.uk/edinburgh/sun-8-feb-7pm-film-showing-cuitat-morta-dead-city-documentary-at-the-banshee-labyrinth-eh1

 Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Friday 30 January 2015

Operation Pandora, Bail Money Required.


     An update and appeal on behalf of the Spanish anarchists held under the draconian Operation Pandora. 
Urgent! Money needed for bail!
The seven imprisoned comrades from Operation Pandora are expected to be released on bail this Friday evening, January 30th, 2015. The judge has ordered that they each pay a bail of 3,000 euros to be released on provisional liberty. Donations are urgently needed in order to pay their bail (a total of 21,000 euros). Please spread the news.
Below is the bank account information for sending money:
ES68 3025 0001 19 1433523907 (Caixa d’Enginyers)

A few more details here: efecto pandora
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Friday 16 January 2015

Operation Pandora, UK Version.

 
     Today, Friday, 16 January, is a day of international solidarity with the anarchists in Spain being harassed and arrested by the Spanish government's Operation Pandora. However, like I said, this ideology of repression against anarchists is not confined to Spain. Here in the UK, the anarchist community around the Bristol area is at the receiving end of a UK version of "Operation Pandora". I have no doubt what so ever, that this will spread across the country. The state will always, first try to silence those most vociferous in their critique of this rotten, stinking, unjust system of power and corruption, they are seen as the greatest threat to its monopoly of power and violence. Stand up in solidarity for all those who see this cancer called capitalism as a blight on humanity. Solidarity has no borders.
       The vast majority of Bristol's anarchist community aren't like this. With their status as queen-and-country-hating tabloid pariahs, few people would be aware of any difference between different anarchist groups. But their methods, goals, and targets differ radically. Groups such as the Anarchist Federation (Afed) and Solidarity Federation (Solfed), which constitute a majority of the scene in the UK are involved in open, public-facing, class-based community work—handing out leaflets, helping workers who go on strike, that kind of thing—rather than acts of fly-by night vandalism.
      But these distinctions don't seem to count for much as far as the police are concerned. Over the past few months, activists from across the anarchist community say the police have been targeting them arbitrarily and indiscriminately. They say individual activists have been harassed, houses raided, workplaces visited, and arrests made without charges.
      The police maintain that they are searching for suspects linked to the IAF, but activists say they are targeting anyone that publicly identifies as an anarchist. And they say it's getting worse by the day. For the last week I've been talking to different members of the anarchist scene in the West Country and the impression I've got is of a community under siege.
Read the full article HERE:
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Guilty Of Having The Wrong Book!!!





        The charges against the Spanish anarchists arrested in the state's Operation Pandora, should have red lights flashing in the minds and hearts of all those who value freedom and privacy. Among the charges levelled at those arrested are "possessing certain books" useing "encrypted email" and "the production of publications and forms of communication". How many activists involved in legitimate and peaceful activities, would fall foul of one or more of those categories? You can rest assured that if the Spanish state gets away with this Orwellian performance, it will become the norm, here and in other states across Europe. Possessing a book, no matter how bizarre that book, does not make you a criminal, useing encrypted email is normal practice among most businesses, why should an individual be prosecuted for doing the same? Operation Pandora may be in Spain and it might be a dozen or so individuals, but it has implications for us all, it should not be allowed to slip in under the radar, or we set a precedent for further and future tyranny by the state.
      Match this up with the line-up of hypocritical leaders marching in Paris the other day, spouting "Je suis Charlie" and mouthing platitudes about the freedom of speech. Among them Cameron, our own home bred millionaire hypocrite, who sits on the throne in the Westminster Houses of Hypocrisy and Corruption. No doubt he would have had a conversation with the Spanish Prime Minister asking about how Operation Pandora was going.  

      On Thursday December 16 a large-scale police operation took place in the Spanish State. Fourteen homes and community centers were registered in Barcelona, ​​Sabadell, Manresa, and Madrid. Books, pamphlets and computers were seized and eleven people were arrested and sent to the Audiencia Nacional, a special jury for cases of "national interest" in Madrid. They are accused of incorporation, promotion, management and participation in a terrorist organization. However, defense lawyers denounce lack of transparency, customers have had to declare without knowing what they are accused. "They talk about terrorism without specifying specific criminal acts, or individual facts attributed to each" (2). When asked why, Judge Bermudez said "I'm not investigating specific facts, I am researching the organization, and the threat it might pose in the future" (1); making this another case of preventive detention in appearance.--------
     -----The European Parliament report on the surveillance program NSA US States that "privacy is not a right of luxury, but the foundation of a free and democratic society" (3). Recent revelations about the extent of the violation of the right to privacy of all by States show that everything that can spy, will be spied (4). Moreover, we know that criminalize people for using privacy tools have a chilling effect on everyone, and human rights defenders, journalists, and activists in particular. Give up your basic right to privacy by the fear of being labeled as terrorist is unacceptable.
Read the full article HERE: 

For details of solidarity protests see previous post
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Tuesday 13 January 2015

First They Came For The Anarchists----.



Friday, 16 January 2015,  10:00am.
Spanish Consulate General, 
63 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH2 3LJ 
December 16th 2014 saw 11 anarchists in Barcelona detained in what has been known as "Operation Pandora".
All 11 detainees (4 of them were released on charges on December, 18th) are anarchist activists. One of them is a member of Sabadell CNT union and is still imprisoned. Solicitors for the accused have stated that they have been arrested for being organised; evidence against the accused is non-existent and desperate. Demonstrations have taken place already around Spain, however January 16th may see even bigger demonstrations. Please pass this information on - and if you live in or near a city with an embassy or consulate, let us know!
Join us - We will hand out leaflets against this attempt at criminalisation of anarchism.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk