This year a new antifascist group appeared in Warsaw. The group is close to the local anarchist movement and will bring a new spirit into the local antifascist theory and practices. Finally, the group has an international invitation for antifascist around the Europe. So we decided to make an interview with them. And here is the result… ABB

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“The uniqueness of our group is the fact that was established by women, it consists mostly by women who are the heart of AGREEMENT 11.11”.

“The aim of action is also to provoke civil disobedience of different forms and the revival of consent attitudes for direct actions among the people…”

INTERVIEW WITH WARSAW ANTI-FASCISTS

FROM “AGREEMENT 11.11” INICIATIVE

AbolishingBB: 11th November in Poland is traditionally the day of antifascist activities, especially in Warsaw where extreme right from different groups from all over the country organize the march through the city center. Since on that day, Antifa reacts in one or another way every year, what was the reason to create a new antifascist group focusing on this action exactly now? How is the “Agreement 11.11” going to contribute to the movement?

„Agreement 11.11” is designed by people interested in promoting active antifascist attitudes. It was created in Warsaw on summer 2009. Our long-term target, and this is pretty new in Poland, is to build mass antifascist movement aiming towards different social groups and to promote antifascism within the society.

The genesis of the group goes back to the last years International Antifascist Conference “Siempre Antifascista” in Berlin (Germany) and to be more precise, to the discussion one day after that took place among activists from Poland which participated in the conference. We were pondering some alarming issues, one of them being, that the antifascist movement in Poland, as it is now, does not really attract women. This observation was the starting point of the later discussion about how in fact the antifascist attitudes and actions in Poland look like and why women don’t see place for themselves within it. We have started to debate over the aspects which restrict us.

So far, the antifascist movement in Poland gathered around males and its activity was mostly based (except work of NGO’s) strictly on street confrontations. In some cities Antifa militant antifa groups were connected more with football hooligans than with any libertarian groups’ and very often polluted with homophobic and sexistic attitudes. We wanted to change this situation.

The consequence of this was a meeting in June this year, organized by group of women. We discussed about the condition of the anti-fascist movement in Poland in a very critical way. After that we recognized the deep need to change the prevailing situation. The very same day the group was set up. The group is strictly anti-authoritarian, we cooperate nor with the police and state, neither with political parties. We do not tolerate different manifestations of discrimination such sexism and homophobia.

The uniqueness of our group is the fact that was established by women, it consists mostly by women who are the heart of „Agreement 11.11”. Moreover, the group unites people from different circles: anarcho-feminists, squatters and militant antifascist activists. This mixture of different influences causes that our group is focusing on both issues, education and direct action.

Towards ongoing activities, „Agreement 11.11” initiative has started from several-month-long campaign concerns rising awareness about anti-fascism activities. We have already organized discussions, meetings, lectures, film showings and concerts of antifascist bands. The highlight of the campaign will be the Day of Antifascist Action pointing at the neo-fascist legalized march in Warsaw on the Independence Day – 11th of November.

AbolishingBB: Why is this day so important in the context of Poland?

It is not a secret for everybody in Europe that here in Poland, we have strong nationalistic tendencies which are probably even getting stronger. It exists in mainstream media, in state institutions and in society in general. Because of these strong patriotic and conservative tendencies it’s very easy, under the cover of patriotism, to smuggle neo-fascist and neo-nazi ideology, which infiltrates society without any barriers. The society is not educated good enough and it seems that hardly anybody has noticed to where it actually leads.

Additionally, bad economic situation of large parts of our society, high unemployment rates and many other social problems are causing huge frustration. The right wing politicians try to distract our attention from the real problem which is the injustice and inefficiency of capitalism, they plant scapegoats like national or sexual minorities. In that way they re-channeled social rage and disappointment of the actual situation.

Furthermore, education programs for schools are soaked in patriotism and conservative values. Young people are not thaught to think indepentently, or to criticize the reality that surrounds them.

Such phenomenons meet with a favorable response to implant the ideology of hatred. This atmosphere is well disposed towards coming into existence and acting of various radical right organizations and parties like NOP (National Rebirth of Poland), MW (All-Polish Youth), Falanga, and the main group standing behind the march 11.11 – ONR (National-Radical Rebirth).

Unfortunately, one of the most important factors which favors quite free acting of these organizations is, at least until now, a weak antifascist movement…

AbolishingBB: So what are the plans for 11th of November?

This day we organize certain antifascist activities alongside the March route of the neo-nazis. Apart from direct actions there will be a legal demonstration. Street activities are still being discussed. But for sure we want to attract people from different circles. Now, we invite and activate academic circles, youth, refugees and nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s). During the demonstration we want to arouse their interest in other forms of actions. The final of the Day will be a concert. We invited artists representing different music styles to reach different youth circles who might be interested in antifascist activities.

AbolishingBB: What results do you expect? Do you plan any further activities being a consequence of the 11.11 action?

One of the aims of this action is not to let the neo-fascists realize their annual march. In the same time it supposed to be a demonstration of existence and strength of anti-fascist movement and we are sure that by this action new people will join us. Through this action we want to focus the attention on the invisible problem which is the blooming legal neo-fascism. We expect that our resistance will rivet the attention and will be the beginning of the discussion about it. The aim of our action is also to provoke civil disobedience of different forms and the revival of consent attitudes for direct actions among the people.

AbolishingBB: The “11.11” actions in Warsaw are giving the start signal to the International Days of Antifascist Actions under the slogan “Siempre Antifascista”. In this context it’s possible that activists from other regions may come to support you. What should people coming for the action from abroad know ?

On the one side this day means always great mobilization of the police. Last year, during the antifascist blockade, police managed to surround a big part of the people and even take data from many of them. Well, it was our tactical failure from which everybody should learn. Of course, the local anti-repression groups will be working. Important to know is the fact, that on this day the anti-antifa groups are more active as well, but on the other hand the experience shows that they are being mostly effectively neutralized by our movement.

Anyway, before noon on the day there will be an informational meeting for visitors about the situation in the city. We will work out the integration structure in the street actions so that comrades from abroad do not feel lost. We guarantee accommodation for the visitors in private lodgings or on the local squat (we’d be very grateful if you could confirm earlier – by e-mail from the blog – how many people we should expect).

AbolishingBB: Thanx a lot for interesting update. See you in Warsaw on 11.11…