Activities of the CZECHOSLOVAK ANARCHIST FEDERATION in the year 2009

The Czechoslovak anarchist federation (CSAF) was founded in 1995. CSAF is a member of the International of Anarchist Federations (IAF-IFA). The CSAF consists of groups or individuals, who consider themselves as anarchists.

We are an organization of working people, students, unemployed people and pensioners, who agree with anarchist principles. It means above all federalism, autonomy, grassroots activities and absence of all kinds of hierarchy or inequality. CSAF strives for building a libertarian and autonomous society, based on autonomy of territory and production, federalism, solidarity and social justice.

ANTICAPITALISM

On the 21st of November there was a demonstration against the growing police competences organised by CSAF in city of Pardubice (Eastern part of Bohemia). More than eighty concerned people took part. There was also a music gig called Music against oppression which took place after the demonstration.

The Traditional anti-capitalist manifestation was the anarchist mayday meeting, instigated by CSAF. The meeting was held on the Prague Shooting Island, Strelecky Ostrov in Czech, (traditional place of the mayday meeting since 19th century), where the roots of Mayday are remembered. An anarchist march through the streets of Prague took place afterwards. Mayday actions continue on Festival against racism, organized by Antifascist Action (AFA).

Czech labour union confederation (CMKOS) together with European labour union confederation prepared a demonstration on the 16th of May, which was aimed both at forthcoming labour code and the consequences of the economic crisis. Much like in the past years, CSAF joined the unionists’ protests, obviously not for supporting unions integrated in capitalist system, but for expressing the solidarity with working class people and as well expressing the discontent with present unfair system. Thousands of leaflets presenting the newly established Autonomous labour union (SOS) were distributed.

Twentieth anniversary of November the 17th 1989 was remembered by some members of CSAF on a official commemoration demonstration, where they were critical to the progress achieved after November 1989. CSAF published a statement about the events of the year 1989 and following two decades and also remembered the founding of the first modern anarchist organization – CZECHOSLOVAK ANARCHIST ASSOCIATION. Even anarchists took part in the protests of 89. People felt that the Bolshevik regime has no support, inner or outer, at that time. They went to the streets with many slogans and demands. But let’s look how the demands differ from reality, after twenty years. Not a lot of people twenty years ago would demand capitalism, NATO or CCTV everywhere.

On Thursday 10th December it was managed to disrupt the x-mas party of BNV Consulting (company preparing the releasing of employees in Prague public transport).Company has ridiculed the released people. Labour unionists and also anarchists from CSAF Prague quickly called up the people to come and visit the x-mas party. More than sixty non-invited guests, transport company unionists and anarchists mainly, came to the party. During an hour lasting protest, just ten of the invited came. They were welcomed with invectives, whistling, chanting slogans and banners with clear attitude. One of the anarchists, already released employee of Transport Company, managed to throw the smoke bomb into the restaurant.

ANTIMILITARISM

In the period of 23rd January – 7th February, CSAF, in cooperation with other anarchists, organised ANTI-NATO info tour. Lectures, discussion and WHY WE FIGHT movie projection took place in more than ten towns in Czechia and also in capital of Slovakia.

ANTIFASCISM

CSAF fully supports and participates on the actions organized by Antifascist Action (AFA). For example in Otrokovice.

CSAF-EAST (regional group of federation) organized a remembrance manifestation of victims of racially motivated murders in town of Svitavy. More than 80 people, including local Romani minority, took part.

On Saturday 5th of December, there was another action in the eastern part of country, this time in the city of Pardubice. Neonazis organized an action, disguised as a remembrance action, but in fact it was rather propagation of racist ideology and anti-Romani pogroms. This fact did not rest well with local antifascists, who decided to oppose the neonazis on Saturday in the appeal of CSAF-EAST and YOUTH AGAINST RACISM. An Anti-Nazi banner was hanged on the bridge above the main road and the route of the fascist march. Statement of CSAF has been published in local press.

REMEMBRANCE

On the 3rd of January, it was 75 years since one of the biggest mining accidents in the history of Czechia happened . The Anarchists from northern part of country used to remind people of this very sad anniversary in previous years. This year, members of CSAF – NORTH and the others anarchists did a remembrance action at the memorial of the tragedy.

The members of CSAF have taken part in a series of commemoration actions for the murdered anti-fascist skinhead Jan Kucera.

On the 6th of December we remembered the shooting of Alexis Grigoropoulos, the Greek anarchist. There were some candles lighted and stencils sprayed in front of the Greek Embassy.

An International Women's Day action was held in the city of Most. The anarchists wanted to remind people of the roots of this day. They distributed leaflets critical to patriarchy and capitalism.

ANARCHISTS BLACK CROSS

The help and support of prosecuted anarchists is the initiative of Anarchists Black Cross (ABC) of CSAF. In the year 2009 the activity of ABC was especially concentrated on informing people about cases of persecuted anarchists abroad. There was a new leaflet printed about ABC–CSAF on the end of November.

On the 9th of September and on the 16th of October several anarchists assembled to express the support of imprisoned Serbian anarchists in front of the Serbian Embassy in Prague. We aim to watch and inform about this case and express solidarity with detained anarchists as well. In November CSAF declared solidarity with Brazilian anarchists from Federacao Anarquista Gaúcha (FAG) who are facing up to persecution from the repressive machinery of the state.

SQUATTING

The biggest challenge for the Czech anti-authoritarian movement in the year 2009 was the violent eviction of Prague squat Milada, which existed for more than eleven years. Immediately after the attack on Milada, more than 300 people gathered to defend the squat. Solidarity actions, with CSAF engaged as well, took place in following days. The owner of the property with the police assistance let the house be destroyed by the security agency, with neonazis engaged, in order to make its habitation impossible.

Members of CSAF also joined the Week of social inadequacy, which started with demonstrative occupation of an empty house in Prague. The action ended with violent police intervention and a quick-trial with the arrested. The Week of inadequacy was finished with a carnival, in which several thousand people took part.

On appeal of Dutch squatters CSAF organized a protest action in front of the Embassy of Netherlands, aimed at Dutch authorities’ effort to criminalize squatting activities.

SOLIDARITY

Federation expressed solidarity and protest against forthcoming attack of Israeli army in Gaza in January. CSAF harshly condemned oppression of Palestinians and expressed solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli people who want to live in peace. CSAF organized a small action of solidarity with people of Palestine in front of the Embassy of Israel in Prague and also an action against the state terrorism of Israel in Eastern Czechia.

We have also expressed our solidarity with employees of the South Korean company SSangyong Motors, Peruvian inhabitants in Amazonians and the anarchosyndicalist FAU BERLIN.

PUBLISHING

In the year 2009 CSAF published thousands of leaflets and brochures. The crucial activity has become publishing of A3 newspapers.

Publishing of CSAF magazine FROM BELLOW has stopped at the second issue for the present. Third issue is being prepared and is going to be about the election from an anarchist perspective (as there should be a parliamentary election in the Czech Republic).

The works on the anarchist revue EXISTENCE have already begun during December. The revue already existed in past, but since 2002 has not been published. EXISTENCE should be aimed at the situation in the anarchist movement, as there is no other magazine doing so.

CSAF considers the web page csaf.cz (there exists an ENGLISH section, where the information about some of our activities in English language are available)as the most important. The web is daily updated. Theory, translations, actual information from anarchist movement at home or abroad can be found on our website. We are also trying to inform about our activities on the websites abroad.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Seeing that anarchist movement has always been international, CSAF tries to keep the contact with the anarchists and anti-authoritarians from other countries. CSAF is a member federation of IFA/IAF. Members of CSAF took part in one of meetings of the International in Strasbourg in winter. The May meeting was held in Prague.

Members of CSAF also took part in protest actions abroad during 2009.

INTERNAL ACTIVITIES

Members of federation met twice this year on regular congresses. Discussions about activities, lectures and workshops took place on the congresses. CSAF also organized four so called "informal" meetings, where theoretical discussion, workshops and even fun took place. link: http://www.csaf.cz/english.php?file=144