Bordercamp 2000

Z.E.L.T.P.L.A.T.Z. K.O.M.I.T.E.E.

Welcome to Telecity Forst

The antirassist border camp, which has already become a tradition, will take place from the July 29th to August 6th this year as a part of th campaign "No one is illegal". After Görlitz 1998 and Zittau 1999 we will put up our tents this time in the city of Forst a.d.Neiße in the state of Brandenburg.

As organisors we are looking forward to meet up to 1500 activists from all over Europe during this week. We are happy that because of the cooperation with the refugee organisation The Voice of Africa much more refugees will partake this year.

Right now we are still in the process of organising and discussing. However, we can tell so far, that our discussions and activities along the theme "The freedom to move freely is a luck that is meant to be shared" will be developed along three main ideas:

1. social discrimination and expulsion
2. inner and outer borders
3. social and institutional rassism

The political emphasis will be put along several topics this year:
Refugees have announced to openly disrespect the ristriction to residence with their participation at the camp. Actions are planned along the criminal trial against the Gubener Nazis, who have hunted the refugee Farid Guendoul to death last year. Antisemitism will be problematisiced in connection with the recent attack against the jewish cemetary in Guben. There will also be actions against the discrimination of refugees by official institution (e.g. the system of food stemps) and against the ZAST (prison for refugees before they are expelled from Germany) in Eisnehüttenstadt.

With the camp we want to realize different interests: Some understand it - besides the political actions - as a social-political field for experiments. Together with many people in one place they aim to realize a piece of selforganisation and counterpower in their daily life. On the other hand the camp shall be used to inform the local population of our aims in an open mind. Who meets us in this sense in the region is warlmy welcomed to visit the camp and partake in discussions. This invitation is certainly not directed to nazis and rassists. They don´t have any business there or in any other place. Counting on our experience we do not expect a visit from nazis. However, if they do show up, we won´t hesitate to adress them immidiately.

In spite of long negotiations about a campground we have not succeeded to obtain a rent contract. Unfortunately the city of Forst has showed a surprisingly hostile attitude in the negotiations. The fact that we have obtained only "50 criminal suits" at the camp in Zittau is used against us now.

Obviously the maire and the Ordnungsamtchef of Forst believe, that they can get rid of us by these tricks. They must not know in what patient and official way the camp people have fought for their campground in the presceding years. However, it is possible that the campground matter is not solved until the end. Because of that we call to arrive friday evening. So try to remember the Info-Mobile number. Because we may have to solve problems with the officiales all together. Try a test on the internationality and cosmopolity of the Telecity Forst.

It is generally important to be informed about the latest changes. Information you can always get under the number of the coordination office.

However, this disturbances schouldn´t let us forget our main topic. For the fight for open borders and a happy life we are depending in theory and practice on the support of many people in Forst and other places.

ZELTPLATZKOMITEE, Berlin, 29th June 2000