hydrarchist writes:

This is an interview conducted by a participant in the Generation mailing list with Hobo, an Italian militant.

* Am I right in thinking that the panther movement (a wave of
university occupations in 1990, so named because it coincided with
the escape of a panther from Rome Zoo) caused an expansion and
de-ghettoisation of the social centres? Did students get involved
with the social centres at this time?

Yes, even if the the panther movement marked just a beginning of the
longer process of de-ghettoisation. Which can be considered
accomplished, years later, with a big opening up to "civil society"
and its heterogeneous component (grassroots associations, NGO's,
catholics, etc.). We can say that a big boost in this sense was given
by the Zapatistas after their first "encuentro internacional" where
they introduced the concept of "enlace civil". Going back to the
panther, yes they brought a real renewal in the social centres,
giving vital energy and wiping out that diffuse sense of defeat. Many
new social centres (actually, most of the existing social centres)
were occupied in those years by the panther students themselves.

What Can be Done?

By John Stanton and Wayne Madsen, 10 June 2002

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not
be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience
hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are
sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they
are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpation's, pursuing
invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security [...]" US
Declaration of Independence, 1776

As July 4, 2002 approaches, Americans can no longer afford to practice
armchair democracy and checkbook citizenship. If the public does not rise
out of its feeble and hypnotic state it puts the lives of its children and
grandchildren at the disposal of utilitarian political, corporate and
military leaders who view flesh and blood as human capital, easily usable
and disposable in the march for the accumulation of wealth, power and
resources.

A People's Economic Revolution

Harry Valentine

[Posted June 13, 2002]

People's revolutions generally have their origins in inappropriate
governmental behavior. This behavior may be exploitative, it may be
oppressive, tyrannical, or even despotic. In rare instances, the opportunity
may present itself whereby the people may rise up and overthrow an otherwise
unpopular government. Not all successful uprisings, such as the Bolshevik
Revolution or Iran's anti-American revolution, are to the long-term
advantage of all citizens.