Universal rights and Antiracism to counter the rise of the far right

From the “Cercle de Migracions i Economia Solidària Antiracista de Coòpolis” (Circle of Migration and Antiracist Solidarity-based Economy, from Coopolis), we invite all community economy projects that practice the values of a social and solidarity-based economy to register and participate at the V Edition of the “Fira Migrant i Diversa” (Migrant and Diverse Economy Fair): “D’ESScolonitzar la vida per construir pau amb justícia” (Decolonize life to build peace with justice), to be developed at Plaça Catalunya on October 5th, 2024.

We are aware that we are going through difficult times in the fight for the rights of migrant and racialized peoples. The increase of xenophobic, Islamophobic and racist discourses, as well as the strengthening of anti-immigration measures, such as the recent EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, come to deepen the daily institutional racism.

At the same time, we stand against the criminal migration policies of this Fortress Europe, acknowledging that only our collective strength and the consolidation of our support networks will allow us to materialize our rights, as we evidenced two years ago with the more than 700 thousand signatures collected during the campaign for the ILP #RegularizaciónYa (Popular Legislative Initiative for the regularization of all migrants in Spain); accomplishment that was achieved through our own means and with the support of our allies, and that is now in danger because of the lack of determination of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE).

Our resistance also denounces the impacts of the extractivism of wealth and resources of Global South territories, the impacts of climate change, and the destruction of the traditional economies of entire populations, that we see as manifestations of the fiercest capitalism that forces people to move and migrate from their places of origin, many of them permanently.

We convene to condemn the present colonialism and the televised genocide committed against the Palestinian population, and we raise our voices to demand an immediate ceasefire, the rupture of relations with Israel, as well as effective sanctions for the genocidal.

But we also draw attention to other conflicts that have their roots in strategic economic interests, as well as the arms’ business and trafficking: Congo, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Sudan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Siria, and Yemen. Armed conflicts and serious humanitarian crises that do not occupy a place in the concerns of governments of the so called First World.

Convening and getting together allow us to strengthen our networks and highlight the economic contributions we make despite not having our main rights guaranteed. We call on all of you to raise our voices and shout out that we are part of this society and that we are not going away. Europe has changed, it has been enriched with flavors and colors from all over the world, and this change is irreversible.

Weaving and building intercooperative relations is crucial. Strengthening a social and solidarity-based economy that is antiracist, feminist, and anticolonial, is our contribution to counter the rise of the extreme right, as well as to build a diverse and truly democratic society. Fighting for the rights of and for all peoples is a necessary commitment than cannot be further postposed.

Registration will be open from July 16th until August 30th, 2024. You can find the link here.
The only participation requirement is that migrant and racialized people that are part of initiatives that promote community-collective alternatives and develop the principles of a support- and solidarity-based economy, should be at positions of power in these organizations.

It is not required to have a legal personality. People that are part of gastronomic projects should have the food handling license (“carné de manipulación de alimentos”).

If you need any further information or in case of any doubt you can contact firaessmigrant@bcn.coop   @firaessmigrant