S. KOREA. New Struggle Report...
KCTU/ETU-MB - 12.10.2004 06:30
...by striking migrant workers, now since 332 days occupying Myeong-dong Cathedrals compound, downtown Seoul. We demand legalization, work visa, the right to choose our work places and full labor rights.
LAST WEEK’S STRUGGLE REPORT (Seoul, 10.12)
First of all since last Monday a new hard crackdown period started. Sine then again many migrant workers were arrested S. KOREAN GOV’T, F… OFF!!!. On the same day in all S. Korean news papers and in Yonhap News Agency articles were published about a possible link between migrant workers here and organizations such as al-Qaeda (we already reported, you can read it here). THEY’RE JUST IDIOTIC!!!
For Thursday we organized a press conference to present a counter announcement against Monday’s reports in the media. Of course the mainstream media was absent, just few leftwing newspapers and Internet magazines sent reporters.
In the evening we, MSSC, had our weekly struggle rally in Myeong-dong, but only few people, around 30 students, joined.
On Friday evening striking disabled people – now since more than 100 days they’re occupying an office in “Jeongnib Social Center” in the Eastern part of Seoul, we already reported here - organized a culture festival. About 100 people followed a nice program, where Jeon Jeong-seok, “Norae Gong-dang” (Song Factory) and many others their songs and dances. After the festival we marched on a powerful demonstration to the social center for the final rally. Here the representatives of all participating organizations, such as different trade unions and solidarity groups had a short final speech.
Following Saturday Solidarity Forever organized a solidarity party to support our struggle.
According to three MSSC members who participated, in the late afternoon around 100 students gathered in Korea University and presented and enjoyed an impressive program.
At the same time in Incheon, an industrial metropolis on the edge to Seoul, Incheon Labor Culture Festival begun. Here around 150 people, the majority women, followed great performances. Park Joon, Ji Min-joo, JeonJiIn (JJI/HeavenEarthMan) and others presented a really great show – especially the show from JJI filled the audience with enthusiasm. The program was ended by popular protest songs performed by Uri Nara and nearly all of the audience joined them by singing all together.
After the official program, like usual, the unofficial program took place – party until the early morning hours with old&new friends and comrades.WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!! THANX A LOT, COMRADES!
On Sunday last week’s main event took place: The rally and demonstration of irregular workers downtown Seoul, organized by the county’s two umbrella trade unions, KFTU and KCTU.
15.000 workers, according to the Internet magazine “Voice of the People” (VoP), supporters from different student solidarity groups, left political organizations and of course we gathered in Daehak-no, one of Seoul’s university districts in the early afternoon for the opening rally. Armed with banners, pickets and leaflets we demanded full labor rights and the transformation from irregular work places to regular.
Later a massive demonstration let us to the center of Seoul. Actually it was planned to march to Gwanghwamun, here in the near the government complex is located, but we were blocked by riot cops units before we could come even in the near of the planned finishing point (a political analysis will follow later!). Here you can read VoP’s article in Korean.
Here just some impression from Sunday’s mass rally
And here you’ll find more impressive pictures from that event.
And of course yesterday the week started like usual – with “Every Monday Solidarity Concert”.
RELEASE ALL MIGRANT WORKERS FROM DETENTION CENTERS!
FREEDOM FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN S. KOREA!
LET’S FIGHT TOGETHER FOR A WORLD
WITHOUT EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION!
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE, ONLY
IF YOU WANT AND FIGHT FOR IT!
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