SPANISH STATE JUNE 2002
EU Summit in Seville: General Strike and Actions

Seville hosted the EU summit of 20-21 June, marking the end of Spain's EU presidency. The main subjects of the Seville summit were the strengthening of "fortress Europe" and the toughening of immigration laws. Meanwhile, the Seville Social Forum, unions, disobedients and many groups within Spanish civil society called for two days of action against the Europe of Capital and War that ended with a 200.000 strong demonstration in the streets of Seville. Once more, the right wing Spanish government had imposed severe restrictons to the free movement of people by suspending the Schengen treaty and closing down the border between Portugal and Spain, whilst, at the same time, threatening freedom of expression by banning some journalists from attending the Summit.

Trade unions across Spain also called for a General Strike on Thursday 20th in protest at the Popular Party government's reform of unemployment and workers' rights laws. The newly introduced laws radically change basic human and labour rights in the Spanish constitution. The strike was widely followed all over the Spanish State with reports of up to 85% stoppages in some areas, affecting the manufacturing, transport, private and public sectors.


Saturday 22nd, Day of solidarity with immigrants:
The focuss of the day's actions, workshops, debates and demonstrations was to highlight issues related to emmigration, social exclusion and the casualisation of labour. The Sevilla Social Forum called for a mass demonstration against the Europe of Capital in the afternoon, and actions were called by the Disobedient Laboratory in support of the 400 immigrants that were resisting their deportation by locking themselves in the Sevilla University campus. Around 200 activists occupied the San Salvador church doing a sit-in to show solidarity with the immigrants, read their manifesto. Riot police quickly encircled the church and the situation became very tense until the activists decided to leave the church in mass and join up with the 200.000 people that took part in the mass demonstration. Audio reports and statements from people inside the lock-in.
See IMC UK Breaking News for more detailed information and the day's timeline of events. Photo gallery and photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4.


Friday 21st, Day of Disobedience:
Actions took place all over Seville. Police surrounded the action's welcoming centre and the press centre, blocking people from going in, report. People were consistenly searched, identifyed and prevented from moving freely around the city. Material and personal belongings were also confiscated. Squatted social centres and action spaces were consistently harassed during Friday night and morning by undercover and uniformed police.
See IMC UK Breaking News for more detailed information and the day's timeline of events. Photo gallery and photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5.


Thursday 20th, General Strike:
The General Strike was followed all over the Spanish State affecting most areas of the manufacturing, transport, private and public sectors. The CGT union estimated a stoppage of up to 85%. The beginning of the strike was marked with many 'cazerolazos' in the streets of Spain's major cities. Early hours saw riot police attacking pickets in Madrid and Barcelona, resulting in dozens of injured and around 40 arrests. Demonstrations also took place in different Spanish cities during the day.
See IMC UK Breaking News for more detailed information and the day's timeline of events. Photo gallery and photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4.

More information:
IMC-Barcelona | IMC-Madrid | La Haine