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Spain’s new explosive movements
JUNE 19 witnessed the biggest mass demonstrations
since the economic crisis began in Spain, as the streets of every major
town were flooded in support of the 15-M (15 May) movement. A human
tsunami of young and old emerged. The 19-J (19 June) turnout surpassed
all expectations, and represents a vital widening out of the movement.
Six marches took place in Madrid alone, meeting in
the centre. The demonstration in Barcelona may have been even bigger
than the one on 29 September to mark the one-day general strike (around
400,000 strong). On top of that, 70,000 marched in Seville. Along with
the huge demonstrations in Valencia, Bilbao, Murcia and many other
cities, the combined total almost certainly surpassed the 1.4 million
who marched on 29 September 2010. This is a far cry from the ‘tens of
thousands’ reported by the El País newspaper.
The pro-capitalist press and political establishment
spent the days before 19-J in a flurry of hostile attacks on the 15-M
movement. They claimed that it had become ‘minoritarian’ and hijacked by
‘violent thugs’, following attacks by police provocateurs at the
peaceful blockade of the Catalan parliament on 15 June. If the 19 June
protests represent a minority movement, it would be interesting to see
what a majority one looks like!
During May we saw the explosion of a youth revolt,
with the plaza occupations and camps, which gained wide support. 19-J
has seen that revolt continue, but with other sectors also taking
action, most notably the older working class.
Although the demonstrations were made up mainly of
youth, there was also a huge participation of workers, families and even
pensioners who had come to protest, not merely to show support. In
Barcelona, blocks of postal, refuse, hospital and education workers were
out in force, among many others. In the context of the lack of a
fighting lead from the trade union leaders, many workers have begun to
see the 15-M movement as their own. This is hugely positive. It must be
translated into the formation of a mass movement. The proposals of
Socialismo Revolucionario (CWI Spain) for a democratisation and linking
up of the barrio assemblies, and their extension into workplaces, to
build a mass movement from below, are now of an even greater urgency.
The main trade union leaders, from the CCOO and UGT,
changed their approach over the few days leading up to 19-J, calling for
participation by their members. But their last-minute support probably
came after it became clear that, with or without their call, union
members were preparing to flood the streets. The 15-M movement, so far,
has been a magnificent example of how this essential unity can be
achieved, from below, by appealing to workers and the base of union
activists. 15-M must continue to develop as a movement which fights for
a break with the demobilisation strategy of the union leaders, and
builds from below a campaign for a new general strike against the tidal
wave of attacks on living standards. Initiatives, such as the protest of
thousands of indignados which took place outside CCOO and UGT
headquarters in opposition to the leaders´ policy of pacts and
collaboration, and demanding a general strike, encouraged important
union militants.
The march in Barcelona had the demand for a general
strike as one of its main slogans. Indeed, a general strike could blow
apart the already-weak government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero – or
any rotten Partido Popular (PP), or coalition government which could
replace it. The union leaders may call a general strike under pressure,
maybe for a few months’ time, in an attempt to save face. But it should
be called to take advantage of the momentum of struggle currently
building up. If the call was made now by the unions, built for and in
support of 15-M, it would bring the overwhelming majority of workers
into action.
Danny Byrne
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