,:AT W5T WRONG = ! MUNICIPALI/S 9 ,SPA98 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,PET] ,GELD]LOOS 

,TEXT 3 

,SPA9'S MUNICIPALI/ P>TIES SUFF]$ A MAJOR SETBACK AT ! ,MAY ELECTIONS -- !IR [N ACTIONS & 9ACTIONS >E L>GELY TO BLAME = ! LOSS ( SUPPORT4 

,ON ,MAY #b#f1 CITIZ5S ACROSS ,SPA9 W5T TO ! POLLS TO VOTE 9 MUNICIPAL & ,EUROPEAN ELECTIONS4 ,! RESULTS W]E WIDELY SE5 AS A SETBACK TO ! MUNICIPALI/ WAVE ?AT SWEPT ,SPA9'S MAJOR CITIES F\R YE>S PRIOR4 ,C>LOS ,DELCLOS PUBLI%$ ONE EXPLANATION_<#a_>1 FOCUS+ ON ! GAP BETWE5 !IR HYPE & !IR POLICIES & H[ ! ,CATALAN 9DEP5D5CE MOVEM5T HAS UPSET ! L&SCAPE4 ,TO PUT IT SIMPLY1 P>LIAM5T>Y MAJORITIES >E N[ ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE1 GIV5 ?AT ! DIVIDE BETWE5 ,LEFT & ,RI<T HAS BE5 FUR!R DIVID$ BY A P]P5DICUL> AXIS1 ! ONE BETWE5 ,SPANI% NATIONALISM & ,CATALAN NATIONALISM4 

,!RE >E1 H[EV]1 A :OLE S]IES ( FAIL+S ?AT /EM FROM ! ACTUAL PROGRAMS & 9T]V5TIONS ( ! MUNICIPALI/ P>TIES4 ,WEEKS ( WRANGL+ TO TURN ! DIVID$ VOTE 9TO FEASIBLE COALITIONS HAS GIV5 US EV5 MORE EXAMPLES ( POLITICS AS USUAL 9 ! LA/ MON?1 & ,I ?9K WE >E OBLIG$ TO TAKE AN HONE/ LOOK AT ! F\R YE>S ! GOV]NM5TS ( *ANGE HAVE BE5 9 P[]4 ,DELCLOS HAS M5TION$ SOME ACCOMPLI%M5TS2 ,I WILL FOCUS ON FAIL+S4 

,ADMITT$LY1 ?IS IS NOT ! :OLE PICTURE1 BUT ! PROBLEMS ,I BR+ UP >E GRAVE 5\< TO W>RANT A S]I\S RECONSID]ATION ( ! P>TIES ,I DISCUSS1 & ELECTORAL /RATEGIES 9 G5]AL4 ,I WILL FOCUS ON ! EXP]I5CES 9 ,B>CELONA & TO A LESS] EXT5T ,VAL5CIA1 BE+ ! TWO CITIES ,I KN[ BE/1 AS WELL AS TWO PRIM>Y EXAMPLES 9 :I* ! MUNICIPALI/ PLAT=MS ?AT SEIZ$ ,CITY ,HALL F\R YE>S AGO W]E ! CREATIONS ( GRASSROOTS ACTIVI/S MORE ?AN C>E] POLITICIANS4 

,9T]PRET+ ! ,ELECTIONS 

,FIR/1 A WORD ON ! CONTEXT4 ,! ,CATALAN 9DEP5D5CE MOVEM5T HAS C]TA9LY %AK5 UP POLITICS 9 ! ,SPANI% /ATE1 BUT ,I DO NOT ?9K 0NATIONALISM0 EXPLA9S ! WAN+ =TUNES ( ! MUNICIPALI/ WAVE4 ,RA!R1 ! ACTIONS & 9ACTIONS ( ! MUNICIPALI/ P>TIES !MSELVES EXPLA9 !IR LOSS ( SUPPORT4 

,9 ! 9CREAS+LY POL>IZ$ 5VIRONM5T ?AT ACCOMPANI$ ! EXPLOSION ( ,SPANI% NATIONALISM & ! BRUTAL GOV]NM5T ASSAULT ON VOT]S 9 ! ,OCTOB] #bag 9DEP5D5CE REF]5DUM1 ,PODEMOS & ,B>CELONA 5 ,COMU CAME (F AS CRASS OPPORTUNI/S4 

,SUPPORT]S ( 9DEP5D5CE W]E LIVID ) ! WAYS ! ,B,COMU MAYOR1 ,ADA ,COLAU1 SABOTAG$ ! #bag REF]5DUM4 ,H[ C\LD A MUNICIPALI/ BE ANY?+ BUT 5?USIA/IC 9 RESPONSE TO A POPUL> REF]5DUM8 ,IT SEEM$ A CALCULAT$ POLITICAL MOVE1 GIV5 ?AT ,PODEMOS WAS HOP+ TO GET 9TO P[] 9 P>T BY POSITION+ !MSELVES AS MIDDLE-(-!-ROAD M$IATORS ) REG>DS TO ,CATALONIA1 SOME?+ !Y C\LD NOT DO IF 9DEP5D5CE W]E A*IEV$ BE=E ! NEXT ELECTIONS4 ,MEAN:ILE1 ,SPANI% NATIONALI/S FROM ! ,SOCIALI/S ALL ! WAY TO ,VOX DESPISE ,PODEMOS & ,B,COMU = NOT TAK+ AN IRON-FI/$ APPROA* TO ! 9DEP5D5CE MOVEM5T4 

,! O!R MUNICIPALI/ P>TY1 ! ,C,U,P1 LO/ ALL !IR SEATS 9 ,B>CELONA1 %[+ ?AT UNWAV]+ SUPPORT = 9DEP5D5CE WAS ALSO NOT A SURE /RATEGY4 ,! ,C,U,P IS ! ONLY P>TY ,I KN[ AB\T ?AT FUNCTIONS 9 AN 9T]NALLY DEMOCRATIC1 ASSEMBLY-DRIV5 MANN] & ! ONLY ONE ) A NOM9ALLY ANTICAPITALI/ POLITICS4 ,AS SU*1 !IR FATE IS EV5 MORE RELEVANT TO ?OSE 9T]E/$ 9 MUNICIPALI/ /RATEGIES4 ,AT ! M]CY ( P>LIAM5T>Y POLITICS -- DESIGN$ OV] C5TURIES ) ! EXPRESS AIM ( NEUTRALIZ+ ANY RADICAL ?REAT FROM BEL[ -- !Y HAD TO MAKE COMPROMISES_<#b_> TO 5T] A GOV]N+ COALITION4 ,!Y /AK$ EV]Y?+ ON ! 9DEP5D5CE PROCESS1 JO9+ ) C5TRI/1 ,CATALAN NATIONALI/ P>TIES 9 ! HOPES ?AT 9 A PIE-9-!-SKY FUTURE ( AN 9DEP5D5T ,CATALONIA1 !Y C\LD A*IEVE A PROGRESSIVE1 ANTI-AU/]ITY GOV]NM5T4 ,TO GET !RE1 !Y HAD TO SUPPORT ! PRO-AU/]ITY BUDGETS ( !IR L>G] ALLIES4 

,9 ! 5D1 !Y ALI5AT$ ,SPANI%-SPEAK+ PROGRESSIVES1 & !Y LO/ ! 9T]E/ ( ,CATALAN-SPEAK+ PROGRESSIVES :O FIGUR$ !Y MI<T AS WELL VOTE = ! C5T]-LEFT ,],C1 :I* WAS ACTUALLY /ICK+ TO ITS PROGRAM4 ,IRONICALLY1 ! PASSIVE1 M$IA-DRIV5 TACTICS FAVOR$ BY ! ,C,U,P'S L>G] ALLIES CONDEMN$ ! 9DEP5D5CE MOVEM5T TO FAILURE4 ,! ,C,U,P H$G$ !IR BETS & LO/ ON BO? FRONTS4 

,BUT 9DEP5D5CE WAS NOT ! MAJOR ISSUE 9 ! MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS -- AT LEA/1 NOT = EV]YBODY4 ,MANY VOT]S FAVOR$ 9DEP5D5CE P>TIES 9 ! ,EUROPEAN ELECTIONS & NON-9DEP5D5CE P>TIES 9 ! MUNICIPALS4 ,SO :AT W5T WRONG = ! MUNICIPALI/S8 

,CONSID] ?IS /ATI/IC3 #f P]C5T ( ,B>CELONA RESID5TS FEEL ?AT ! CITY HAS GOTT5 WORSE 9 ! LA/ F\R YE>S4 ,?AT FIGURE IS F> WORSE ?AN IT WAS ) ! PREVI\S 9CUMB5T :O LO/ ! MAYORAL ELECTIONS1 & BY NECESSITY IT DOES NOT C\NT ! GR[+ NUMB] ( PEOPLE :O HAVE HAD TO LEAVE ,B>CELONA DUE TO RIS+ R5TS4 

,9 A SEEM+ REV]SAL ( =TUNES1 ,ADA ,COLAU REC5TLY MANAG$ TO SECURE ANO!R T]M AS MAYOR AFT] WEEKS ( WRANGL+1 EV5 ?\< H] P>TY N>R[LY LO/ ! VOTE4 ,9/EAD ( SEE+ ?IS AS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE = ! MUNICIPALI/ MOVEM5T1 WE NE$ TO 9T]PRET IT AS A DEEP]1 MORE OM9\S K9D ( FAILURE4 ,%E GOT ! SUPPORT NECESS>Y TO /AY 9 P[] BY TEAM+ UP ) ! ,SOCIALI/S4 ,! PRICE %E HAD TO PAY = ?AT ALLIANCE WAS TO REFUSE ANY COALITION ) PRO-9DEP5D5CE P>TIES1 SU* AS ! LEFTW+ ,],C ?AT ACTUALLY CAME 9 FIR/ 9 ! MAYORAL ELECTIONS4 

,!RE WILL D\BTLESSLY BE A HEFTI] PRICE TO PAY D[N ! ROAD1 GIV5 ?AT ! ,SOCIALI/S W]E ! FIR/ P>TY ( AU/]ITY 9 ,SPA91 & ?AT POSITION HASN'T *ANG$4 ,EV5 MORE FRI<T5+1 ?\<3 ,COLAU C\LD ONLY HOLD ONTO P[] BY ACCEPT+ ! \TSIDE SUPPORT ( ! RI<TW+ ,CIUDADANOS 7,CITIZ5S71 HEAD$ 9 ,B>CELONA BY ! RABIDLY RACI/ ,MANUEL ,VALLS4 

,A ,MA*9E ,?AT ,CANNOT BE ,TAM$ 

,ONE ( ! PR9CIPAL AN>*I/ >GUM5TS AGA9/ ! /RATEGY ( SEIZ+ POLITICAL P[] -- A /RATEGY ?AT COMES BACK AGA9 & AGA91 EV] 9 NEW DISGUISES1 ALWAYS TO DISA/R\S RESULTS -- IS ?AT ! ME*ANISMS ( POLITICAL P[] >E DESIGN$ TO EXPLOIT1 CONTROL1 & OPPRESS1 & !Y CANNOT BE US$ = O!R PURPOSES1 NO MATT] H[ GOOD \R 9T5TIONS MI<T BE4 ,A CONV9C+ READ+ CAN BE MADE ( ,ADA ,COLAU'S GOOD 9T5TIONS ?W>T$ BY POLITICAL & ECONOMIC 9/ITUTIONS TOO P[]FUL = ANY ELECTION TO OV]TURN4 

,H[EV]1 9 EV]Y CASE1 IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO F9D ANY EVID5CE ( A REAL ATTEMPT TO CREATE SOME K9D ( REVOLUTION>Y TRANS=MATION4 

,TAKE ! CASE ( ! HI< VOT] DISCONT5T 9 ,B>CELONA4 ,! CAPITALI/ M$IA & ! POLICE UNIONS -- P[]FUL =CES 9 ANY DEMOCRACY -- CONSPIR$ TO *ANNEL ?IS DISCONT5T T[>DS L>GELY ILLUSORY FE>S ( RIS+ CRIME4 ,COLAU DID NOT *ALL5GE ?IS DISC\RSE FRONTALLY1 UNCOV]+ ITS RACI/ SUBTEXT NOR EMPHASIZ+ ! K9DS ( CAPITALI/ VIOL5CE ?AT DO F> MORE H>M4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 %E JO9$ ! T\<-ON-CRIME *ORUS1 PROMIS+ TO ADD MORE ?AN A ?\S& NEW COPS TO ! /REETS1 BUT PROMIS+ A FOCUS ON 0COMMUNITY POLIC+10 A SCAM ?AT ANY NEI<BORHOOD ACTIVI/ KN[S IS 9TIMATELY L9K$ TO ! 9T5SIFICATION ( POLICE VIOL5CE4_<#c_> ,! ,C,U,P W]E ! ONLY P>TY NOT TO PROMISE MORE COPS1 & !Y TANK$ 9 ! ELECTIONS4 

,?IS IS P> = ! C\RSE4 ,9 ! LA/ ELECTIONS1 ,COLAU PROMIS$ TO ABOLI% ! RIOT DIVISION ( ! CITY POLICE1 & 9 ! 5D ALL %E DID WAS *ANGE !IR NAME4 ,9 EFFECT1 %E PISS$ ! COPS (F & MOBILIZ$ !M AGA9/ H] ADM9I/RATION )\T WEAK5+ !M 9/ITUTIONALLY4 

,ONE ( ! FIR/ CAMPAIGNS ! POLICE & ! M$IA WAG$ AGA9/ ! ,COLAU ADM9I/RATION WAS TO MANUFACTURE A CRISIS ) ! MANT]S1 UNDOCUM5T$ IMMIGRANTS PRIM>ILY FROM SUB-,SAH>AN ,AFRICA :O MAKE !IR LIV+ SELL+ GOODS LIKE CLO?+ OR SUNGLASSES 9 PUBLIC >EAS )\T P]MISSION4 ,! COPS FANN$ ! FLAMES ?R\< 9CREAS$ H>ASSM5T & ! M$IA CREAT$ RACI/ FE>S & ANNOYANCES >\ND !SE V5DORS1 BUT ,COLAU'S SOLUTION WAS 9SUB/ANTIAL DIALOGUE 5D+ 9 A FUR!R CRACKD[N ON ! IMMIGRANTS4 

,?IS IS ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT GIV5 ?AT ! MANT]S1 POLITICALLY ORGANIZ$ 9 A UNION1 >E AT ! =EFRONT 9 ! BATTLE AGA9/ RACISM & ! BORD] REGIME4 ,!IR CONCLUSION TO ! EXP]I5CE ) ! MUNICIPALI/ GOV]NM5T WAS TO LABEL ,COLAU AS 0RACI/04 

,! ,LOSS ( ,AUTONOMY 

,FROM ! BEG9N+1 FEM9ISM HAS BE5 ONE ( ,ADA ,COLAU'S MAJOR CAMPAIGN ISSUES4 ,)\T A D\BT1 ?IS HAS GIV5 BASIC FEM9I/ DISC\RSES MORE MA9/REAM ATT5TION1 A *ANGE ?AT %\LDN'T BE BELITTL$4 ,BUT IT IS NECESS>Y TO PO9T \T ?AT !RE IS CURR5TLY SOME?+ ( A W> GO+ ON 9 ! HE>T ( ! FEM9I/ MOVEM5T1 & ! ,L,G,B,T MOVEM5T AS WELL1 CONC]N+ CORE BELIEFS & /RATEGIES4 

,ONE W+ SEEKS 9TEGRATION & EQUALITY )9 ! EXI/+ 9/ITUTIONS1 ! O!R ID5TIFIES ?OSE 9/ITUTIONS AS PATRI>*AL TO !IR CORE & SEEKS A DEEP] TRANS=MATION ( SOCIETY ON EV]Y LEVEL4 ,! =M]1 :I* ,COLAU FAI?FULLY REPRES5TS1 T5DS TO CONTROL ! RES\RCES & ACCESS TO PUBLIC DISC\RSE4 

,TAKE ! EXAMPLE ( ! ,M>* #h ,VAGA DE TOTES OR 0,WOM5'S ,/RIKE40 ,ADVANC+ AN ECONOMIC1 ANTICAPITALI/ CRITIQUE ( PATRI>*Y ?AT IS RELEVANT TO POOR & WORK+ CLASS WOM5 & ANA!MA TO WEAL?Y WOM5 OR ?OSE ) POSITIONS ( 9/ITUTIONAL P[]1 & RECLAIM+ ,M>* #h AS A COMBATIVE DAY ( /RUGGLE AK9 TO ,MAY ,DAY WAS ! PROJECT ( A SMALL GR\P ( FEM9I/S4 

,9 ,B>CELONA1 !Y W]E OV]:ELM+LY AN>*I/S OR MEMB]S ( ! PRO-9DEP5D5CE ,LEFT4 ,!SE W]E COMRADES :O FAC$ FREQU5T F9ES & POLICE H>ASSM5T = BLOCK+ ULTRA-,CA?OLIC ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVI/S OR = C>RY+ \T UNP]MITT$ M>*ES AGA9/ G5D] VIOL5CE4 ,9 E>LI] IT]ATIONS ( ,M>* #h1 :5 ! ,WOM5'S ,/RIKE WAS EXCLUSIVELY ! 9ITIATIVE ( A RELATIVELY SMALL ASSEMBLY1 !Y W\LD BLOCK MAJOR ROADS1 SOMETIMES NUMB]+ ONLY FIFTY1 :ILE FURI\S DRIV]S WOND]$ :AT ! HELL !Y W]E DO+1 UNAW>E ( ! SIGNIFICANCE ( ,M>* #h4 

,?IS PA/ ,M>* #h1 A NUMB] ( FEM9I/ COMRADES SPOKE ( H[ CONFUS$ !Y FELT AFT] ! PROTE/S4 ,N[ ?AT SEV]AL MAJOR POLITICAL P>TIES1 9CLUD+ ,B,COMU1 BACK$ ! EV5T1 ! /REETS W]E FILL$ ) T5S ( ?\S&S ( PROTE/]S1 & MY FRI5DS W]E HAPPY ) ! AM\NT ( P[] 9 ! /REETS1 ) ! FACT ?AT F9ALLY1 ALL ( SOCIETY WAS LI/5+4 ,BUT AT ! SAME TIME1 !Y FELT LIKE ! MOVEM5T HAD BE5 /OL5 AWAY FROM !M & WAS BE+ US$ BY ?OSE :O HAD A MU* MORE LIMIT$1 RE=MI/ AG5DA4 ,9 EFFECT1 ,M>* #h HAD BE5 DEFANG$ & TURN$ 9TO A P>ADE1 9 A WAY SIMIL> TO :AT HAS ALREADY HAPP5$ TO ,PRIDE4 

,9 ,MANRESA1 A SMALL CITY \TSIDE ,B>CELONA :]E ! FEM9I/ MOVEM5T IS P>TICUL>LY /RONG1 AN E>LY MORN+ WOM5'S M>* MA9TA9$ A L>GE CR[D 9 ! /REETS :ILE !Y SMA%$ ! W9D[S ( MISOGYNI/ FA%ION /ORES & BLOCKAD$ A FACTORY KN[N = ! EXPLOITATION ( ITS OV]:ELM+LY FEMALE WORK]S4 ,!Y W]E ABLE TO DO ?IS NOT ?ANKS TO ALL ! MA9/REAM SUPPORT N[ GIV5 TO ! ,M>* #h PROTE/1 BUT 9 SPITE ( IT4 ,! MORN+ M>* WAS ORGANIZ$ AS AN AUTONOM\S EV5T1 SEP>ATE FROM ! 9/ITUTIONAL PROTE/1 :]E MOVEM5T POLICE PREV5T$ ! V]Y K9D ( DIRECT ACTION & DIRECT PROPAG&A -- LIKE SPRAYPA9T+ -- ?AT GAVE ! E>LI] MOVEM5T ITS /R5G?4 

,ANO!R EXAMPLE COMES FROM ! H\S+ MOVEM5T1 ,COLAU'S KEY CON/ITU5CY FROM H] ACTIVI/ DAYS4 ,) ! BUR/+ ( ! REAL E/ATE BUBBLE & ! F9ANCIAL CRISIS1 ! ,PLATA=MA DE ,AFECTADOS POR LAS ,HIPOTECAS -- ,PLAT=M ( ?OSE ,AFFECT$ BY ,MORTGAGES OR ,P,A,H -- EXPLOD$ ON ! SC5E & BEGAN TO UND]GO A MAJOR TRANS=MATION4 

,:ILE 9 ITS BEG9N+S1 ! ORGANIZATION REFUS$ TO HELP R5T]S :O W]E ALSO BE+ KICK$ \T ( !IR H\S+1 AS ! CRISIS DEEP5$ SO TOO DID ! PRACTICES & P]SPECTIVES ( ! ,P,A,H4 ,! IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ?AT 9CREAS+LY MADE UP ! ORGANIZATION BR\<T TO BE> A CONSCI\SNESS ( RACISM & BORD] REGIMES4 ,!Y ALSO 5D$ !IR EXCLUSIVE FOCUS ON MORTGAGES1 EMBRAC+ EV]YONE ) H\S+ PROBLEMS1 & AS !Y BEG9 SQUATT+ 5TIRE BUILD+S TO PROVIDE COLLECTIVE H\S+1 (T5 WORK+ H& 9 H& ) SQUATT] & AN>*I/ GR\PS :O HAD BE5 PROMOT+ ?IS TACTIC = DECADES1 !Y BEGAN TO ADDRESS MORE ( ! PROBLEMS FAC+ ! POOR1 SU* AS PATRI>*Y & $UCATIONAL EXCLUSION4 

,RELATION%IPS ( SOLID>ITY =M$ )9 ! ,P,A,H L$ TO SOME ( ! FIR/ MAJOR 9T]RACIAL1 9T]G5]ATIONAL1 & L[] CLASS FEM9I/ ASSEMBLIES EV] CREAT$ 9 SEV]AL >EAS1 TO 0POPUL> S*OOLS0 ?AT W\LD GIVE AFT] S*OOL ASSI/ANCE TO ! *ILDR5 ( FAMILIES ?AT SUFF]$ ! VIOL5T EXCLUSIONS ( POV]TY1 H\S+ PREC>ITY1 & RACISM1 & MORE4 ,SOME ,P,A,H *APT]S EV5 *ANG$ !IR NAME TO ,P,A,H,C1 TO REFLECT ?AT !Y W]E ALSO AFFECT$ BY ! BIG ,C1 ,CAPITALISM4 

,BUT AS ! ,P,A,H GREW & RADICALIZ$1 IT BECAME EV] MORE DI/ANC$ FROM ITS MO/ FAM\S ACTIVI/ TURN$ POLITICIAN4 ,MO/ *APT]S >E N[ /AUN*LY CRITICAL ( ,PODEMOS & ! MUNICIPALI/ GOV]NM5TS ( *ANGE IT ALLIES )4 ,9 ,B>CELONA1 ! ,P,A,H IS L>GELY RECOGNIZ$ AS A FIEF ( ,B,COMU1 A FACT ?AT L$ ! 0,OBRA ,SOCIAL10 ! P>T ( ! ORGANIZATION ?AT OCCUPIES BUILD+S & PUTS !M TO SOCIAL USE1 TO BREAK AWAY4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ,B,COMU & ! O!R GOV]NM5TS ( *ANGE GET ! CR$IT = 0EXP&+ ! PUBLIC H\S+ /OCK0 :5 9 REALITY1 ?IS IS AN A*IEVEM5T ( ! ,P,A,H & SIMIL> GRASSROOTS GR\PS1 :O OCCUPY UNUS$ BUILD+S & FI<T BANKS TOO? & NAIL TO =CE !M TO MAKE !IR REPOSSESS$ PROP]TIES AVAILABLE = H\S+4 

,FOCUS+ ON ! A*IEVEM5TS ( GOV]NM5T T5DS TO OBSCURE ! K9D ( QUALITATIVE *ANGES PEOPLE ACTUALLY SEEK4 ,:ILE PEOPLE 9 ! /REETS >E FI<T+ = !IR QUALITY ( LIFE1 POLITICIANS T\T !IR CR$5TIALS ) /ATI/ICS & M$IA CAMPAIGNS4 ,!Y MI<T BOA/ ( ?\S&S ( NEW UNITS ( PUBLIC H\S+1 BUT ! REALITY IS F> TOO COMPLEX TO BE EXPRESS$ 9 /ATI/ICS4 

,I LIVE 9 A NEI<BORHOOD :]E ! TWO MAJOR AP>TM5T BLOCKS >E SLAT$ = DEMOLITION1 A PLAN APPROV$ BY ! ,C,U,P 7,PODEMOS-AFFILIAT$ P>TIES >E NOT A SIGNIFICANT P>T ( ! PICTURE 9 MY DI/RICT74 ,REC5TLY WE HELD AN EV5T ?AT WAS WELL ATT5D$ BY MEMB]S ( ! LOCAL ,P,A,H4 ,ONE1 A S+LE MO!R ( FIVE1 TOLD ME AB\T H[1 AFT] A YE>S-LONG WAIT1 ! H\S+ AU?ORITY (F]$ H] PUBLIC H\S+ ?AT WAS COMPLETELY UN9HABITABLE1 ) NO WAT]1 NO ELECTRICITY1 & EV5 MISS+ PORTIONS ( ! RO(4 ,IF %E W]E TO TURN D[N ! H\S+ !Y (F]$1 %E W\LD EXCLUDE H]SELF FROM ! POSSIBILITY ( FUTURE ASSI/ANCE4 ,NE$LESS TO SAY1 ?AT H\S+ UNIT WAS ONE ( ! *OICE EXAMPLES ?AT BANKS W]E H&+ OV] TO ! GOV]NM5T TO COMPLY ) ! NEW LAWS4 

,:AT NOT MANY PEOPLE KN[ IS ?AT1 AS AN ACTIVI/1 ,ADA ,COLAU W\LD (T5 UND]M9E ! AUTONOMY ( SOCIAL MOVEM5TS4 ,9 ! PREVI\S DECADE1 %E WAS P>T ( AN ORGANIZATION ?AT >OSE )9 ! ,B>CELONA SQUATT+ MOVEM5T & BEGAN TO PU% A /RATEGY ( NEGOTIAT+ ) ,CITY ,HALL1 OCCUPY+ SPACES & !N LEGALIZ+ !M1 GETT+ ! GOV]NM5T TO EXPROPRIATE 9 EX*ANGE = C$+ USE ( ! SPACE4 

,AFT] ,COLAU'S GR\P EFFECTIVELY PU%$ \T ! MEMB]S ( !IR %>$ SOCIAL C5T]1 ,MAGDAL5ES1 :O W]E OPPOS$ TO ! /RATEGY ( LEGALIZATION1 ! ,B>CELONA ,SQUATT]S' ,ASSEMBLY EXPELL$ ! ,MAGDAL5ES COLLECTIVE1 NOT \T ( V9DICTIV5ESS1 BUT TO PROTECT ! AUTONOMY ( ! MOVEM5T4 ,!Y HAD A CLE> MEMORY ( H[ LEGALIZATION WAS KEY TO DE/ROY+ ! SQUATT]S' MOVEM5TS ( ,ITALY1 ,G]MANY1 ,SWITZ]L&1 & ! ,NE!RL&S1 & ,I ?9K HI/ORY HAS VALIDAT$ ?IS DECISION4 

,! ,B>CELONA SQUATT]S' MOVEM5T /ILL 5JOYS ITS AUTONOMY1 /ILL G5]ATES P[]FUL /RUGGLES_<#d_>1 & HAS ALSO 5GAG$ 9 A FRUITFUL CROSS-POLL9ATION ) ! ,P,A,H & SIMIL> GR\PS4 

,A MORE SORDID EXAMPLE COMES 9 ! =M ( ,JAUME ,ASS5S1 0?IRD LIEUT5ANT0 TO ! MAYOR & DEPUTY = ,5 ,COMU ,PODEM1 ! ,PODEMOS-,B,COMU ALLIANCE4 ,BE=E HIS ELECTION ON ,ADA ,COLAU'S TICKET1 HE WAS WELL KN[N AS ONE ( ! PR9CIPAL LAWY]S = ! ,B>CELONA SQUATT]S' MOVEM5T4 ,9 HIS V]Y FIR/ WEEK UPON ASSUM+ (FICE1 HE WAS ALREADY SIGN+ EVICTION ORD]S AGA9/ FAMILIES ?AT NE$$ TO SQUAT 9 ORD] TO GET H\S+4 ,! NEW ADM9I/RATION1 AT ?AT TIME1 WAS C>EFUL NOT TO EVICT SOCIAL C5T]S OR SQUATS CONNECT$ TO A POLITICAL MOVEM5T1 :I* MEANT ?AT UNCONNECT$ IMMIGRANT OR GITANO FAMILIES W]E ! MO/ VULN]ABLE4 

,CAPITALISM BY ,O!R ,MEANS 

,MY /RONGE/ CRITICISM ( ! GOV]NM5TS ( *ANGE FOCUSES ON ! WAY !Y HAVE ACTUALLY BE5 AT ! =EFRONT ( 9TELLIG5T CAPITALI/ EXPANSION4 ,?IS IS EXCE$+LY CLE> 9 ,VAL5CIA1 GOV]N$ S9CE #bae BY ! P>TY ,COMPROMIS1 :I* =M$ AS A COALITION ( LEFTW+ P>TIES & ACTIVI/ PLAT=MS TO RUN 9 ! MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS %ORTLY AFT] ! />T ( ! #a#e,M 7OR 9DIGNADOS7 MOVEM5T4_<#e_> 

,= ! PREVI\S DECADES1 ,VAL5CIA HAD BE5 ! FIEF ( ! TRADITIONAL RI<TW+ ,POPUL> ,P>TY1 UND] ! LEAD]%IP ( ! NOTORI\SLY CORRUPT & AU?ORIT>IAN ,RITA ,B>B]A4 ,ONE ( H] PET PROJECTS WAS ! :OLESALE DEMOLITION ( EL ,CABANYAL1 A FI%+ VILLAGE TURN$ SEAFRONT NEI<BORHOOD POPULAT$ BY GITANOS1 ,RROMA1 & POOR TO L[]-MIDDLE CLASS :ITE FOLKS4 ,AS ! NEI<BORHOOD WAS PROGRESSIVELY AB&ON$1 IT ALSO BECOME A FOCAL PO9T = ! AN>*I/ SQUATT+ MOVEM5T 9 ,VAL5CIA1 N[ >M$ ) HI/ORICAL P]SPECTIVE AFT] WITNESS+ ! TOTAL G5TRIFICATION ( O!R NEI<BORHOODS CLOS] TO ! C5T]4 

,RITA'S PLANN$ DEMOLITION UNIT$ ! 5TIRE NEI<BORHOOD1 BREAK+ RACIAL & CLASS DIVIDES & UNIT+ AN>*I/S1 RELATIVELY CONS]VATIVE OR APOLITICAL NEI<BORS1 & GITANOS ACTIVE 9 ! COLLECTIVE SELF-DEF5SE ( !IR COMMUNITIES4 ,PEOPLE DEF5D$ SQUATT$ H\S+1 OCCUPI$ VACANT LOTS TO CREATE COMMUNITY G>D5S & SPORT+ FIELDS OP5 TO LOCAL Y\? 79 CONTRA/ TO ! PRIVATE & EXCLUSIVELY :ITE T5NIS C\RTS NE>BY71 F\ND$ NEW SOCIAL C5T]S1 ORGANIZ$ HUGE PUBLIC EV5TS LIKE PAELLAS & CALCOTADES1 & BUILT SOLID>ITY4 

,RITA1 ! MAFIOSA MAYOR :O RUL$ ) AN IRON GRIP1 WAS DEFEAT$4 

,!N ,JOAN ,RIBO ( ,COMPROMIS CAME 9TO P[]4 ,HE CANCEL$ ! DEMOLITION PROJECT & IMM$IATELY EMB>K$ ON A SM>T CAMPAIGN ( G5TRIFICATION ?AT PAIR$ BEAUTIFICATION & 9VE/M5T ) EVICTIONS1 POLICE H>ASSM5T1 & A RACI/ & ANTI-SQUATT] M$IA SME> CAMPAIGN4 ,! PRESS BUILT UP ! NON-GITANO SQUATT]S AS A SEP>ATE ID5TITY & HEAP$ ALL MANN] ( CALUMNIES ON !M AS A GR\P1 PORTRAY+ !M AS PRIVILEG$ P>ASITES & PR(ESSIONAL TR\BLEMAK]S 7,ALEX ,JONES1 ANYONE871 :ILE DEMONIZ+ RACIALIZ$ NEI<BORS AS DEVI\S CRIM9ALS4 

,:5 ! L[]-MIDDLE CLASS RESID5TS -- ?OSE :O [N$ !IR H\SES1 H[EV] MODE/ & RUN-D[N !SE W]E -- REALIZ$ !Y C\LD BE CATAPULT$ 9TO ! UPP]-MIDDLE CLASS IF PROP]TY VALUES ROSE1 !Y BROKE ) ! COALITION ?AT HAD DEFEAT$ ! PREVI\S GOV]NM5T4 

,MEAN:ILE1 BURN-\T1 AN 9CREASE 9 DIFF]5TIAT$ =MS ( REPRESSION1 & ! K9D ( COMPLAC5CY ?AT (T5 BESETS AUTONOM\S SUBCULTURES ]OD$ ACTIVE SOLID>ITY & JO9T /RUGGLE BETWE5 RADICAL SQUATT]S & GITANOS4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD WAS PUNCTUR$ BY ,AIRBNB'S1 TATTOO & BICYCLE %OPS1 & VEGAN RE/AURANTS1 & PLANS W]E DEVELOP$ = AN 09T]NATIONAL0 PRIVATE UNIV]SITY CAT]+ TO ,NOR? ,AM]ICAN /UD5TS4 

,9 F\R YE>S1 A PROGRESSIVE GOV]NM5T ACCOMPLI%$ :AT A RI<TW+ ONE HAD BE5 9CAPABLE ( OV] TWO DECADES4 ,SO :5 ,I HE> PEOPLE LAUD ,JOAN ,RIBO = ! BICYCLE LANES & WID5$ SIDEWALKS1 ,I CAN TELL ?AT !Y'VE NEV] BE5 TO ! FRONTL9ES ( A /RUGGLE AGA9/ G5TRIFICATION1 OR !Y'VE NEV] SE5 ) ! EYES ( ?OSE :O >E EXCLUD$ FROM1 RA!R ?AN ?OSE :O >E WELCOM$ TO1 ! NEWLY BEAUTIFI$ NEI<BORHOOD1 BECAUSE ! LA/ FEW YE>S 9 EL ,CABANYAL MADE IT CLE> ?AT ! BIKE LANES GO H& 9 H& ) ! EVICTIONS1 ! RACI/ POLICE RAIDS1 & ! :OLESALE EXPROPRIATION ( ! NEI<BORHOOD BY 9VE/M5T CAPITAL & :IT]1 MORE ,NORDIC RESID5TS4 

,IF ! GOV]NM5T BEAUTIFIES A NEI<BORHOOD1 IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE !Y DO NOT 9T5D = ! POOR] RESID5TS TO BE ABLE TO /ICK >\ND & 5JOY IT4 ,& ?IS HOLDS TRUE :E!R ! GOV]NM5T IS RI<TW+ OR LEFTW+4 

,ADA ,COLAU'S T5URE 9 ,B>CELONA PROVIDES A MORE COMPLEX EXAMPLE ( ! SAME DYNAMIC4 ,:5 %E ASSUM$ ! RE9S ( GOV]NM5T1 SOME ( ! MAJOR /RUGGLES REG>D+ QUALITY ( LIFE & A 0RI<T TO ! CITY0 FOCUS$ ON RUNAWAY T\RISM & ! HYP]-PREC>I\S LABOR MODEL BAS$ ON S]VICES & TEMP-WORK DESIGN$ TO SATISFY BO? T\RISM & ! TRADE FAIRS ?AT HAD BECOME A MAJOR S\RCE ( 9VE/M5T = ! CITY4 

,NEI<BORHOOD ASSEMBLIES1 ! ,P,A,H1 & ! ,C,G,T -- AN AN>*O-SYNDICALI/ UNION1 & ! ?IRD L>GE/ LABOR ORGANIZATION 9 ! C\NTRY -- ALL D5\NC$ ! EFFECT MASS T\RISM WAS HAV+ ON H\S+ AVAILABILITY & QUALITY ( LIFE 9 ! NEI<BORHOODS4 ,TRANSPORT WORK]S ORGANIZ$ BY ! ,C,G,T1 BE>+ ! BRUNT ( ! HUGE 9FLUX ( VISITORS TO ! CITY1 W]E FI<T+ = MORE RES\RCES & BETT] LABOR CONDITIONS4 ,& A NUMB] ( ASSEMBLIES W]E POPP+ UP TO D5\NCE POLITICAL BLACKLI/S & LABOR PREC>ITY AT ! ,MOBILE ,WORLD ,CONGRESS1 ! CR[N JEWEL ( ,B>CELONA'S TRADE FAIRS4 

,FROM ! BEG9N+1 ,B,COMU HAS POSITION$ !MSELVES AS ! GU>DIANS ( ,B>CELONA'S ECONOMIC FUTURE4 ,AS ,I PR$ICT$_<#f_> 9 ! >TICLE ,I WROTE AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,ADA ,COLAU'S T]M1 H] P>TY W\LD TAKE LIMIT$ MEASURES AGA9/ MASS T\RISM1 :I* CONFLICTS ) ! NEW MODEL ( TE*-SECTOR WORK-T\RISM2 & ?AT %E W\LD FI<T TO CONT9U\SLY UPDATE ! DOM9ANT MODEL ( T\RISM & G5TRIFICATION BE+ DEPLOY$ BY ! CITY'S ELITE4 

,9 PRACTICE1 H] MEASURES AGA9/ MASS T\RISM HAVE BE5 DISAPPO9T+ EV5 TO ! RE=MI/ ORGANIZATIONS ?AT ONCE CON/ITUT$ H] BASE1 CONSI/+ MA9LY ( SL[+ D[N A RAMPANT HOTEL CON/RUCTION ?AT WAS ?REAT5+ TO DE/ROY ! 9TEGRITY ( ! CITY AS A WELL FUNCTION+ CAPITALI/ :OLE2 BASICALLY1 PLAY+ ! URBAN PLANN+ ROLE ?AT CAPITALI/S REQUIRE GOV]NM5TS TO EXECUTE4 ,FROM ! V]Y BEG9N+ %E 5?USIA/ICALLY PROMOT$ A R5EW$ CONTRACT = ! ,MOBILE ,WORLD ,CONGRESS & %IELD$ ?AT 5TITY FROM CRITICISM4 ,%E HAS 5GAG$ 9 /RIKE-BREAK+ & SL&] AGA9/ TRANSPORTATION WORK]S1 AS D5\NC$ BY ! ,C,G,T4 

,P]HAPS MO/ WORRISOME1 H] P>TY HAS BECOME ! VANGU>D ( ! 0,SM>T ,CITY0 MODEL1 :I* IS ! FUTURE ( ! CAPITALI/ CITY4 ,ON A WORLD SCALE1 ,B>CELONA HAS BECOME A LEAD+ ,SM>T ,CITY1 ADVANC+ RATIONAL & ,A,I 9TEGRATION ( URBAN MANAGEM5T1 TOTAL SURVEILLANCE1 & COMPLETELY ILLUSORY 0GRE50 MEASURES ?AT HAVE COMPLETELY HOODW9K$ RE=MI/ SECTORS ( ! 5VIRONM5TAL MOVEM5T1 :ILE ALSO ATTRACT+ ADDITIONAL HI< TE* 9VE/M5T ?AT IS HELP+ PU% \T POOR] CITY RESID5TS4 

,! ,FAIL+S ( ,SELF-,ORGANIZATION 

,IF ,I HAVE AVOID$ DISCUSSION ( ! MUNICIPALI/ P>TIES' ACCOMPLI%M5TS ) ! JU/IFICATION ?AT = N[ ,I W\LD ONLY FOCUS ON CRITIQUE1 IT W\LD BE :OLLY UNFAIR ( ME TO AVOID SELF-CRITIQUE4 

,)\T A D\BT1 ?IS LATE/ ATTEMPT TO 5GAGE 9 A 0LONG M>* ?R\< ! 9/ITUTIONS0 HAS BE5 FUEL$ BY ! FAIL+S ( ANTI-9/ITUTIONAL MOVEM5TS ?AT FOCUS ON SELF-ORGANIZATION4 ,AFT] ALL1 ,PODEMOS & MANY ( ! AFFILIAT$ MUNICIPAL P>TIES W]E NOT BORN AS A CO-OPTATION ( ! #a#e,M MOVEM5T4 ,MANY W\LD-BE POLITICIANS TRI$1 BUT ! PEOPLE W]E SICK ( POLITICAL P>TIES & !Y W]E >M$ ) ! HI/ORICAL MEMORY ( H[ CONSI/5TLY POLITICAL P>TIES HAD FAIL$ US 9 ! PA/1 SO !Y W]E ABLE TO DEF5D !IR REJECTION ( P>TIES ?R\<\T ! DURATION ( ! MOVEM5T4 

,NO1 !SE P>TIES W]E BORN_<#g_> 9 ! VACUUM LEFT BEH9D AFT] ! #a#e,M MOVEM5T DI$4 ,& IT DI$ BECAUSE WE W]E UNABLE TO ELABORATE \R SPACES ( SELF-ORGANIZATION TO ! PO9T :]E !Y C\LD TAKE ON ! SELF-ORGANIZATION ( DAILY LIFE4 

,!Y REMA9$ POLITICAL SPACES RA!R ?AN SOCIAL SPACES1 CONC]N$ EXCLUSIVELY ) ! ORGANIZATION ( PROTE/S1 BLOCKADES1 /RIKES1 & EV5TS4 ,)\T A D\BT1 PROTE/S1 BLOCKADES1 & /RIKES >E IMPORTANT1 BUT !Y >E NOT 5\< TO MAKE A REVOLUTION4 ,EV5 9 ,B>CELONA1 :]E ! #a#e,M MOVEM5T MATUR$ ! MO/1 LEAV+ BEH9D ! MASSIVE1 C5TRAL PLAZA OCCUPATION -- ?AT CLUNKY1 DISILLUSION+ EXP]IM5T 9 DIRECT DEMOCRACY -- & MORPH$ 9TO A V]SATILE1 RHIZOMATIC COMPLEX ( DOZ5S ( NEI<BORHOOD ASSEMBLIES1_<#h_> WE FAIL$ TO GO FUR!R4 

,9 ?OSE NEI<BORHOOD ASSEMBLIES1 WE BEGAN TO CON/RUCT TRULY SOCIAL RELATIONS1 BUT WE DID NOT USE ?OSE RELATIONS TO LAUN* PRACTICES ( MUTUAL AID & EXPROPRIATION ( ! SOCIAL WEAL?4 ,9 ONLY A FEW CASES DID ! ASSEMBLIES L9K UP ) ! H\S+ /RUGGLE1 G5]ALLY LEAV+ ?AT TO SPECIFIC1 S+LE-ISSUE GR\PS1 ONLY OCCASIONALLY DID !Y OP5 UP ! METRO = FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT1 & AS F> AS ,I KN[1 NEV] DID !Y BREAK M]RILY 9TO SUP]M>KETS TO FILL UP C>TS & %>E ! ABUNDANCE ) NEI<BORS /RUGGL+ TO MAKE IT TO ! 5D ( ! MON?4 ,RA!R1 !Y FOCUS$ ON PROTE/S1 OPPOSITION TO AU/]ITY MEASURES1 & GETT+ PEOPLE 9 ! /REETS1 A TASK MADE DIFFICULT BY \R PREEXI/+ POLITICAL ID5TITIES4 

,9 ! REALM ( SYMBOLIC PROTE/1 ?OSE ID5TITIES BECOME MORE 5TR5*$1 AS EA* LITTLE GR\P P]FECTS ITS [N DISC\RSE & RECRUITM5T DRIVES4 ,ONLY BY FOCUS+ ON ! S+LE ?+ WE ALL TRULY %>E -- ! NE$ TO SURVIVE 9 SPITE ( ! BRUTALITY ( CAPITALISM -- C\LD WE HAVE BROK5 ) ?OSE >TIFICIAL B>RI]S4 

,?IS WAS A G5]AL FAIL+1 BUT IT IS ( SPECIFIC CONC]N TO AN>*I/S1 AUTONOM\S M>XI/S & O!R ANTICAPITALI/S1 S9CE WE >E ! ONES :O SP5D ALL \R TIME ?9K+ AB\T CONCEPTS LIKE MUTUAL AID & COMMUNALIZATION4 ,I AM NOT AT ALL SURPRIS$ BY ! MANY FAIL+S ( ! MUNICIPALI/ P>TIES 9 P[]1 S9CE POLITICAL P>TIES HAVE GIV5 US NO O!R EXAMPLE 9 ALL !IR HI/ORY4 

,:AT IS SURPRIS+ IS \R FAILURE TO SPREAD DEEP] PRACTICES ( SELF-ORGANIZATION1 OR EV5 TO IMAG9E SU* PRACTICES = \RSELVES1 9 A MOM5T :5 T5S ?\S&S ( PEOPLE W]E REJECT+ REPRES5TATIONAL POLITICS & OP5 TO O!R WAYS ( DO+ ?+S4 

,?\< ,I AM CRITICAL ( MUNICIPALISM AS A /RATEGY1 ,I ?9K IT IS POSSIBLE TO F9D COMMON GR\ND )9 ?OSE /RUCTURES ?AT ALL[ PEOPLE TO FI<T = H\S+1 TO DEF5D !IR NEI<BORHOODS1 & TO PROTECT !IR LIVELIHOOD1 AS LONG AS SU* /RUCTURES PRES]VE !IR AUTONOMY FROM ! 9/ITUTIONS ( P[] & ! ELECTORAL VAG>IES ( A POLITICS ?AT IS BY DEF9ITION B\RGEOIS4 

,\RS CANNOT BE A POLITICAL /RUGGLE1 IT MU/ BE DEEP]1 IT MU/ BE SOCIAL1 FUS+ \R ECONOMIC /RUGGLES = A LIFE FREE ( PREC>ITY & EXPLOITATION ) ! COLLECTIVE RE-EXPROPRIATION ( ! P[] TO ORGANIZE \R LIVES = \RSELVES1 )\T REPRES5TATIVES OR RUL]S4 

,PET] ,GELD]LOOS IS AN AN>*I/ & AU?OR LIV+ 9 ,CATALONIA S9CE #b#g4 ,HE IS ACTIVE 9 ! H\S+ /RUGGLE & O!R SOCIAL MOVEM5TS4 

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_<#c_> WWW4GOODREADS4COM 

_<#d_> 54SQUAT4NET 

_<#e_> CRIME?9C4COM 

_<#f_> RO>MAG4ORG 

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,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#a1 #bba 3 ,:AT W5T WRONG = ! MUNICIPALI/S 9 ,SPA98 -- ,ADD$4 
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