SOME OF US GOT HIT BY THE REPRESSION – BUT IT WAS TARGETED AT ALL OF US!
Why we support each other
We marched the streets together and rallied for a better world, each in our own way. For some of us, the answer to our demands was physical police brutality and incarceration. Although the attention of the authorities will be directed at only a few people in the coming weeks, it’s really directed against all of us and most of all against our demands.
The repression is meant to intimidate us and to stop us from continuing to fight for those demands. “Shut it! Keep your head down! Just stop! Accept it already!” – We will speak up against that!
No matter what form of oppression hits us, one of our friends, our comrades, our fellow protesters, siblings in arms, or acquaintances – what counts is that we support each other. So that in the end we can say:
The repression was in vain! We will continue fighting for a better world!
WHAT THIS SUPPORT MIGHT LOOK LIKE
Repression will cost us. It’ll take up our time, our energy and our money.
Letters from the authorities, fares for public transport, petrol money, bruises, emotional (di-)stress, fines… There are many forms of repression. Which is why we think it goes without saying that our support will also work on different levels and in multiple forms.
Money
Fines, lawyer fees, travel money and possible court fees… repression often comes with ginormous expenses. Not without reason: the authorities’ tactics are aimed at making it too expensive for us to stand up for a better world. Furthermore, the financial ruin of individual people is meant to act as a deterrent to others. Against this, our main weapon is our financial solidarity. If a big part of these costs can be born by our community, we can counter the often times paralysing effects of fees and lawsuits. This is why we’re happy about all donations to the following account:
Förder_innen des Salzburger Social Forum
payment reference: Soli20
IBAN: AT59 2040 4000 4148 1821
BIC: SBGSAT2SXXX
Actions
Repression leads to isolation, disunion and to the weakening of poltical structures. Pretty soon, it can feel like you’re completely alone with the stress. But working against repression has the potential to bring communities together and strengthen them. To build bridges that would not have come to exist otherwise. To show each other, that lots of people are on our side.
This is why people affected by repression are happy about symbolic actions – we will gladly pass any of those on. Nice pictures of transparents with solidary greetings, postcards, rallies, flyers… Please send everything that you can think of to the following email address:
noS20soli[ÄT]systemli.org
You’ll find the pgp key here
Individual Support
Repression takes up loads of our attention, energy and time. Because of the repercussions and threatening shadows it throws over our autonomous life, that same life can quickly move to the background. Meeting your lawyer, challenging a fine, writing yet another report…
Therefore it’s important to look after yourself and others especially in times of heightened repression.
Don’t let it stop you from doing the things you want to do. Remind others to do that too. It’s vital to support each other emotionally now.
Experiencing violence is emotionally demanding. Repression in every form is violence. Talking about what happened can help, but it can also be too exhausting for a long time. Regarding this topic, we suggest checking out: outofaction.blackblogs.org
Getting support when dealing with the annoying tasks linked to repression can also make it easier to deal with the whole situation.
Prisoners
If you know someone who is being incarcerated for a long time, make sure that they get visitors. Visitors are the connection to the outside world, to their community. You’ll find information on visiting hours on the home pages of the prison in question or you can go there and ask about the times in person. If you have any questions regarding that, please write to the following address:
noS20soli[ÄT]systemli.org
You’ll find the pgp key here
Another window to the outside world are letters and postcards. They’re always great. No matter whether you’re visiting the prisoners or want to encourage people who fight for the same things as you do. Just be aware that the police are always reading everything you say.
There are numerous other ways to support prisoners. Rallies in front of the prison or, for example, actions in solidarity that you send (well pixelated) pictures of to the prisoners (see “ACTIONS”)
The solidarity doesn’t end as soon as the person is set free. There’s often still unpaid bills and lots of things to process. As always: Look out for each other and have each other’s backs.