Report from Florence

Sunday November 10, 2002 16:16

by Nora Geraghty - Globalise Resistance

The European Social Forum has been a resounding success, achieving 3 times the expected turnout for the conference itself, and 5 times the expected turnout for the Anti-War demonstration on Saturday.

When we arrived in Florence on Wednesday, we were informed at the registration desk that there were already 27,000 people registered. The estimated number was around 20,000 for the entire weekend. By the evening of the second day there were 40,000 registered. It seemed that almost all of them were present at a rally held that night in the open air when we sang Banderia Rossa and the Internationale, under a sea of waving red flags, as the sun went down. A very emotional scene that reflected the mood of everyone there.

Friday saw a massive gathering of Globalise Resistance activists from all over the globe, including a moving speech by Micheal Albert from the USA, who spoke of a world where children are no longer brought up to be afraid of everything by the time they are 3 years old, a world that we could all imagine becoming reality, as we sat there united in our determination. Brid Smith spoke for the Irish contingent, and extended an open invitation to everyone to come to Dublin in 2004, when the Irish will be hosting the EU summit.

On Friday evening, as we sat in one of the main conference halls with 10,000 other people from everywhere, a huge cheer went up as the news came through the translators that there were now 55,000 people registered as delegates.

By Saturday morning there were 60,000. Florence was completely blocked off as the people came from all over Italy and the world to join the delegates in an Anti-War march through the city. The numbers swelled to 1 million by 3pm.

This far exceeded the hopes of the organisers, who had expected maybe 150-200,000. The spirit was one of wonder and joy as we started to realise the potential power to change the world. There we were, from all different social and political backrounds, all talking along the same lines. Un Altro Mundo e possible! (another World is possible) Was heard loud and clear throughout the city all day long. And it wasn't just the people marching, all the way along the 2 hour route, every time we turned another corner, there were more people lining the streets, cheering from balconies and hanging out of windows with banners made of bedsheets and curtains, saying "PACE" and "Fermiamo questo guerra" and so forth, one woman started crying as the Irish contingent approached singing Banderia Rossa. It was one of the most touching moments of the march.

Many people feel that something has changed in the air, that the atmosphere has turned from one of gloom and war to one of "let them try!" If we can mobilise that many people in one city, we can do it again in every major city in Europe and the world and bring society to a standstill until our voices are heard and respected.

Although the conference officially concluded on Saturday evening, there was a huge debate today, Sunday morning, not far from the official conference centre. The motions were passed that we should now build Europe-wide campaigns against war, racism and privatisation. A massive network of translators has been established and thousands upon thousands of people exchanged e-mail addresses and goodwill! The assembly adopted the slogan "contra la guerra di capitale, schopero, schopero generale!" (Against the war of capital, general strike now!"

A large portion of the Irish contingent from many different organisations and social movements will be returning to Dublin tomorrow at 1.30pm, we hope to be met by press and supporters.

Report back meetings will be held all over the country over the next couple of weeks. all those who have any interest in standing up for the rights of ordinary people to have a say in their involvement in war and other forms of social injustice should attend one of these meetings.

Dublin -Liberty Hall Sat 16th 4pm
UCD Thursday 1pm

The rest have yet to have times and venues confirmed, but here is a list of places and days:
Dun Laoghraighe Wednesday week
Derry Thurs/Sat
Bray Sat
Belfast Sat
TCD Thurs
Rialto Weds
Waterford Thurs
Cork Sat

Further details will be posted as they come in.