News from around the world

The death of Mohcine Fikri - a fish vendor crushed in a garbage truck on October, 28th, 2016 while trying to retrieve his confiscated merchandise in Al Hoceima - has paved the way for the rise of ‘Hirak’, a popular movement of the Rif that fights for social justice and the right to equal development. Since that the date the northern region of Morocco has witnessed a historical turmoil. Despite the militarisation of the region and the state’s manoeuvre to discredit the upheaval, Hirak was able to mobilise thousands of demonstrators in the north of Morocco.

This statement was issued by Anticapitalistas, section of the Fourth International in the Spanish state, on 29 October 2017.

Today [27 October] Parliament approved the resolution that Catalonia become an independent Republic and for the opening of a constituent process based on the will of the people expressed in the referendum on 1 October. We support and welcome this decision, but it has not convinced the whole of the democratic Catalan bloc. The break with the regime was a necessary step for 1 October to be irreversible. However, it lacked a left hand to integrate non-pro-independence sensitivities, that must be included in the constituent process.

1) Look at the interactive map; if you have a solidarity committee in your area, get in touch. Go to:
http://withcatalonia.org/?lang=en

NOTE: This text had already been agreed when more very serious events took place; the imprisonment without bail of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sà nchez, leaders of the two main pro independence citizens’ movements; and the Spanish state’s attack on democracy in Catalonia by attempting to apply clause 155. These events only confirm the importance of promoting solidarity.

The centenary of the Russian revolution has been proclaimed in many different ways, throughout the year and particularly as we mark the actual anniversary. Supporters of International Viewpoint are participating in and organising events in their own countries. The IIRE and Resistance books have published a book which can be bought here or here. International Viewpoint is publishing a substantial series on the Russian Revolution and debt by Eric Toussaint [1].

A democratic revolution has begun in southwestern Europe. The day we lived through on 1 October in Catalonia was the biggest mobilization of non-violent civil and institutional disobedience experienced in Catalonia, the Spanish state or and Europe in modern history. Despite the extraordinary outbreak of repressive violence by the Spanish State police and civil guards [17 000 units, 844 civilians were wounded] 2,262,424 people managed to exercise their right to vote and expressed in an admirable and festive way their will to progress towards a Catalan Republic and the opening of a participatory constituent process.

Taking note of the blatant violation of tenant farmers’ rights in Okara, the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee has condemned the criminal action of retired army officers hired by Okara Military of destroying the maize crops of two tenants in Chak 18/4L late night on September 29.

¡Solidaridad con Cataluña! Solidaritat amb Catalunya! Kataluniarekin bat! Solidariedade con Catalunya! ¡Solidaridá con Catalunya! ¡Solidaridad con Catalunya!

This statement was published on the Viento Sur website on 20 September 2017.

Today, 20 September, the Spanish state federal government stepped up its attack on the right of the people of Catalonia to hold a referendum on national independence.

The Fourth Internationalists in Catalonia stand firmly in defence of this fundamental democratic right of the people of Catalonia. This statement was issued earlier, at the moment when the Catlinian government passed the law. We will publish more as we can.

Mehar Abdul Sattar is general secretary of Anjman Mozareen Punjab and also Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, a peasant leader demanding land rights at Okara Military Farms. He has been in jail since April 2016, 36 false police cases have been registered against him. In March 2017, he was shifted to Sahiwal High Security prison to torture him as much as possible.