Safetynett: The Manifesto
Safetynett is a collective of transformative resistance. By way of grassroot-tactics we enrich our home - the city of Zurich - and create an alternative to the current system. We create moments and spaces of freedom, creation, expression, connection and care. Indeed, we believe that the rise of fascism, the militarization of our societies, the unabashed neo-colonialism of our states, the global tolerance of the Palestinian genocide and the repression of every pro-Palestinian movement have only amplified our calls: It has become more important than ever to come together.
Radical community and friendship are an essential part of resistance. They restore the importance of the “we” and sublimate its power. Together, we can create new ways of thinking that are not determined, realize that we are not alone, and develop our convictions. We can deconstruct, question and assert our ideas. Together, we are a counter-power to the current system, and can give a heard voice to our values.
“I” am only a crowd, enmeshed in others
Consequently, international solidarity with oppressed communities is an integral part of our activism. By forming community, we allow the “we” to regain its place in our perception of the world, and thus to fight for international solidarity.
The system we live in is profoundly unequal. It is oppressive, capitalist, neo-colonialist, racist, queerphobic, sexist, ageist, ableist. To be brief, anyone that threatens the myriads of conceptions needed to uphold the existing system in any way is to be eradicated. And if not eradicated, assimilation is the only offer of peace. It tells us: There is no existence without hierarchy, no humanity without unequal power.
By creating safe and political spaces, we encourage the creation of worlds other than the one imposed on us. We create the reminder, that the struggle for power and the convergence of power into cruelty is not the whole story. We are creative, we are playful, we are willing to enjoy and we are able to see eye-to-eye. Let’s take humans for what we are and let’s give ourselves the environments we need to express kindness. How did Leila Khaled put it again?
I have learned that a woman can be a fighter, a freedom fighter, a political activist, and that she can fall in love, and be loved, she can be married, have children, be a mother… Revolution must mean life also; every aspect of life.
To do this, we organize events horizontally and diverse. We encourage the anarchy and creative abundance necessary for encounters, imagination and freedom. In this way we can act out our activism fluidly, in ever changing ways, be a reflection of our inventive core.
We are pro-inclusion by default. On the flipside this means that we are anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-ageist, anti-classist, anti-transphobia and against any form of discrimination or violence – we are queer and feminist to the core. Our movement and our skills are open to all that share these values. Whatever you dream of, whatever action you want to take, reach out and we will realize it together.
We have made the political choice to focus on the cause of Palestine. The Palestinian people are victims of one of the greatest neo-colonialist attacks of our century. In addition to having been robbed of their land, they are currently under genocidal attack. Supporting them against the Zionist and increasingly fascist states of which we are citizens is our urgent priority.
╰┈➤ TLDR: Here it is in Bulletpoints
- Politization One of the greater scams of our society is to leave politics to those who know better. Apathy has come over our generation when it comes to causes that go further than personal freedom. The causes that require a radical rethinking of the way we organize our world and ourselves have been swiped under the rug and our only purpose is to keep quiet about them. No, thank you, we refuse: We politicize our communities, engage in conversation and encourage to look on. No one has to be afraid of their assumed unknowing.
- Freedom for Palestine A lot of our projects are based on the Palestinian cause, with the end goal of a free and sovereign Palestine. The genocide of Palestinians is a grave example of the powerful’s entitlement. Entitlement over life, over land, over minds. Our resistance does not start and end with Palestine, but this cause takes on a central role. We refuse to stand by and watch while murder is renamed to safety.
- Radical community Arbitrary differences in between us have been played up and painted as insurmountable walls. This is simply not true. We create spaces in which people can roam freely, talk, connect. Enjoy themselves knowing they are safe and wanted. We also help each other in bringing our ideas to life. We are able to bring to life whatever we conjure up in our heads – it is just a matter of connecting ourselves. By identifying our different needs and abilities we enable ourselves and each other to become active.
- Joyful militancy We refuse to drown in sadness and surrender to apathy. With effort and passion, we create spaces in which we foster and strengthen each other. Being politically engaged can be depressing, the demands of activism exhausting. By recognizing and caring for each other, we combat the difficulties of being political. We need this help, because we want to keep working because We want to feel the joy of exiting the passivity ascribed to us.
- Horizontality Our organization is coordinated horizontally. Anyone can join us and build a new project. This absence of structure enables the existence of spaces of liberty and creativity, of love and connection. We are all different, as are our values and needs. Horizontality frees us from norms and creates a rich diversity in the events and forms of our activism, so we can reach the heart and needs of anyone who is opening them.
- Shape the future We are tired of living in a world based on domination. We have no desire to enter the hierarchies we are asked to uphold. We decide to imagine the future we want to see. We shape our present to represent ourselves. Join us and help us to create our thousands of worlds!
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