[fse-esf] about Athens demo

erkut günes erkut100 at hotmail.com
Thu May 11 14:05:58 CEST 2006


Dear All,

First of all, I must mention how sad it is for me to hear such discussions 
on the internet after a very succesful European Social Forum. Considering 
the participation in the 3rd ESF, the Athen's was, doubtlessly, a victory 
for the movement in general. Therefore, rather than discussing about the 
negative sides or non-political negative sides, I think everyone should 
congratulate the Greek Organising Committee.

One another thing which I must say is about the participation from Turkey. 
Yes there was huge number of attendance from Turkey, about 1000 people. But 
this was happend not because of one group's help, this number was achieved 
by the help of all groups from Organising Committee. Socialist Platform of 
Oppressed, for example, came to the 4th ESF together with 70 people and 
formed the biggest group that participated in the Forum from Turkey. Without 
the help of Greek Organising Committee, especially the help from the 
Antiemperialist Componant and KOE (Communist Organisation of Greece) this 
would not be happened. I, myself withnesed to that. The people from visa 
committee, for example, have worked realy hard to ensure more participation. 
Thanks a lot to Nicos and Youla.....and for all other people who worked 
hard, you all deseved a good holiday :))).

The other point is the clash (which I do not want to talk about a lot). 
Before the 4th ESF, we have very much talked about the fragmentations, but 
people can see through their own experinces that most of the fragmentations 
occur due to disrespect among different forces. The people should not put 
them forefront saying that their international delegations must be in front, 
because everyone has got their own international guests. Once everything is 
decided in the organising committee, everyone should follow that decision, 
otherwise there will be people to protect  their own rights. This was the 
situation with Stalin banner also. Everyone is free to use their own 
materials, whether it is a banner, leaflet, poster or something else. Other 
one do not have right to remove others materials. Because, at the end of the 
day, it is a value that is being created and defended by tough fights. The 
people who tried to put down Stalin banner must know that, in Turkey, people 
are dying, being put in prison because of their beliefs, including their 
belief in Stalin.

See you all in the Next European Social Forum.
Ozkan

>From: "Istanbul SF" <isf at gmx.net>
>To: <fse-esf at lists.fse-esf.org>, <jspg at otenet.gr>
>Subject: [fse-esf] about Athens demo
>Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 12:21:47 +0300
>
>Dear All,
>
>
>
>The discussion going in the list is really disturbing. We as global Peace
>and Justice Coalition of Turkey was at the back of Anti war activists from
>UK and USA. We were at the anti war cortege. When the blockage started our
>members were in front with George Martin and others. We had tried to push
>our way and get hurt by people from Greece.
>
>
>
>But getting into more details are not necessary we are very sorry about
>Petros conditions. We want to thank him for helping us to get 1.000 people
>from Turkey to Athens and building such a successful ESF. We hope he gets
>better soon and continue his excellent work of building social movement.
>
>
>
>Tayfun Mater
>
>Global Peace and Justice Coalition of Turkey
>
>
>


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