This is what democracy will look likeNo nos representan | Recall them all

#15M Spanish movement

Malmö 21st April 2012

A bit of context 2004 (13M) – After terrorist attacks massive

mobilizations take place

Political parties want to relate ETA with the attacks instead of admitting that entering in Iraq war had something to do with it.Recall of politicians is requiredAssociation of Persons Affected by the Terrorism denounce they are been manipulated by polititians as well as ignored. Their condition as victims and survivors appeals to dialogue, unity, consensus, and the search for common solutions.

2006 – 14th May V de Vivienda – No tendrás casa en la puta

vida

An anonymous mail was sent, it spread during a couple of months throughout the Net and thousands of people took to the streets reclaiming their right to housing. Spontaneous housing movement started.

2011:Previous months

No les votes http://www.nolesvotes.com/Great activity in the Net, bloggers and hacktivists fight against censorship in the Net, a law carried out by the two main partys.

Arab springEgypt uprising was widely followed, people was amazed looking at Tahrir Square.

Democracia Real Ya http://www.democraciarealya.es/quienes-somos/Several collectives and platforms prepare a great demonstration with the slogan Real democracy now!! A debate about what should real democracy be started.

2011: 15th May

#spanishrevolutionThe feeling of a revolution taking place was there, we could make our dreams come true. We could breath more freely.

#tomalaplaza - http://tomalaplaza.netThe builing of the camp allowed many people to join, everyone was need, everyone could contribute somehow, we were all united

#takethesquare - http://takethesquare.netThe world was watching, we needed to tell what was happening, we wanted that the feeling of freedom spread all around the world.

Some slogans

Lo llaman democracia y no lo es They call it democracy but it's not

Que no, que no, que no nos representanNo, they don't represent us

El sistema es anti-nosotrosThe System is anti-us

Some essentials

No flagsNo symbolsNo political partiesNo unionsNo organizations/collectives

What happens?

Society as a whole questions Democracy and financial crisis

There is a shortcut, mainstream media suddenly had to focus on street discussions (radio, tv , music programs)

People think about things for themselves (pensamiento assembly)

Consequences of the “essentials”

No hard identities wanted => Anonymous No anti-anything wanted => RespectNo -isms wanted => Building a new way of doing

=> Openness => Trust

Anonymous

We have proven that people do not need established leaders in order to respond to needed action and take back public squares.

People has the knowledge and by sharing it everything can be done.

Nobody represents the “other”, everyone just represents himself/herself

Respect

People is tired of politicians attitude of disrespect to the other, manipulation, corruption.

So one of our claims is respect as essential to dialogue, inclusiveness.

Building new ways

“Old solutions” no longer work, things have change, an update is needed

People don't believe in “old discourses”, they are close to apolitical people Talk about Left/Right closes options to dialogue, sets up “teams” / dichotomy, you are for or against but society means diversity

Building new ways

Creativity is the most outstanding featureNew chants not related to the traditional left Humor is essentialFighting for our rights is not a burden is a partyLove and care are essentialExpertise are among ourselves, we can carry out new alternatives

Building new ways

NetworkingDecentralizationUse of technologiesStigmergy

Openness

Suddenly everything was/is possibleOne slogan “Now the impossible is unstoppable”Public space open to everyone, in the hard senseNo discourses heard but sincere thoughts being sharedActive listeningNot being pre-identified allows Trust

And the general elections came and the right wing won

General elections are part of the “old” way of doing15M doesn't interfere with elections, there is no forth or against elections, everyone is free to vote anythingElections just reflect the less bad governing option for most people, 15M means changes in society

We are the 99%It's not just a slogan, studies showed that 70%-80% of Spanish population supported 15M

Big brands recognize the support to the take of the squares by using them in their campaignsCoca-Cola launches “Razones para creer” (Reasons to believe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4Kl3_nKd8

Telefónica focus its campaign in an assemblyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EnheSUdO21M

Foto: Juan Plaza

#primaveravalenciana

#29M General Strike

Thanks to everyone :-)

AliceCarolina