Huge strikes and demonstrations have taken place in Italy. The spark for this wave of militancy has been the Prime Minister’s attempts to steamroller through changes to the law which would reduce pensions and make workers easier to sack. A phenomenal 600,000 workers have taken to the streets - including 60,000 in Milan and 50,000 in Bologna. Workers in the following sectors have been ut on strike - tram, bus, metro workers, national railway, ferry, port and airline. Berlusconi’s last government in 1994 - which was also totally anti-working class, and also included neo-fascists - was mortally wounded by similar strikes. Some people never learn! In Germany the traditionally militant metalworkers are gearing up for a fight with the government France has seen demonstrations and strikes by Doctors, Nurses and other sectors of the heath service. SOUTH AMERICA THE resurgence of anarchism in South America has scared various governments into taking extreme measures against our comrades there. In Mexico the government is attempting to crush all genuine resistance. In the last few months, the Ricardo Flores Magon Native People’s Council (CIPO-RFM) has been a regular target of the police. CIPO-RFM is rooted in the communities of Oaxaca State, since 1997 regrouping 4 Indian organisations of 2,000 people. It is openly anarchist and fights on several fronts, for better conditions (water, electricity, infrastructure, services) and for self-organisation of the communities. After having survived murder attempts, and continuing death threats, its activists are now subject to arbitrary arrests. This was particularly the case in the weeks before a big mobilisation in Oaxaca, on 18-20 November last, when all the CIPO communities were meeting on the question of native rights. One of the organisers, Raul Gatica, and his son Inti, were arrested and jailed for several days. International solidarity is essential. CIPO puts out a bulletin on the internet Nuu nkanta’a which you can contact at [EMAIL PROTECTED] In Cali, Colombia, workers won a very significant victory by occupying an important communications tower for five weeks – all of their demands were met including the end of privatisation, and an investigation into management corruption.
