Migrant and Divers Fair: Universal rights and anti-racism to face the rise of the extreme right

They are already 5 editions that the Migrant and Divers Fair, organized by Circle of Migrations and Anti-Racist Solidarity Economy of Coòpolis, is a reality. The next one will take place this year October 5, 2024 in Plaça Catalunya from Barcelona.

If you are a collective economic project that puts into practice the values ​​of a solidarity economy, you can already register for this 5th edition of the Migrant and Divers Fair whose motto is “DESScolonize life to build peace with justice” . You have until August 30 to do it this link The only requirements to participate are that migrant and racialized people with initiatives that promote collective alternatives and develop the principles of an economy of mutual support and solidarity, are at the center of the power spaces of these organizations. It is not a requirement to have legal personality. People who are part of gastronomic projects must have a food handling card.

We are aware that we are in adverse times for the struggles for the rights of migrants and racialized people. The increase in xenophobic, Islamophobic and racist discourses, as well as the tightening of anti-immigration measures, such as the recently approved European Pact on Migration and Asylum, deepen everyday institutional racism.

At the same time, we denounce the criminal immigration policy of Fortress Europe, and we recognize that only the collective strength and the consolidation of our support networks will allow us to materialize our rights, as we demonstrated two years ago with the more than 700 thousand signatures collected in the campaign by the ILP #RegularizationYa; triumph achieved with the same means and with the support of the allies, but which is in danger due to the PSOE’s lack of decision.

Our resistance also denounces the impacts of the extractivism of the riches of the territories of the Global South, the impacts of climate change and the destruction of traditional economic forms of entire populations, as manifestations of wild capitalism, which make people see forced to leave their places of origin, many of them forced to migrate permanently.

Let us come together and denounce the maintenance of colonialism and the live-televised genocide committed against the Palestinian people, and raise our voices to demand an immediate ceasefire, the severance of relations with Israel, as well as effective sanctions against the genocidals. But we also draw attention to other conflicts that have their roots in strategic economic interests, as well as in the business of selling and trafficking arms: Congo, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Sudan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen. Armed conflicts and serious humanitarian crises that occupy no place in the concerns of the governments of this so-called First World.

Let’s gather to continue strengthening our networks, making visible the economic contributions we make, despite not having our minimum rights guaranteed. We raise our voices and shout that we are part of this society and that we are not going anywhere. Well, this Europe has changed, it has been enriched with flavors and colors from all over the world, and this change is irreversible.

Weaving and building inter-cooperative relationships is essential. Strengthen an anti-racist, feminist and anti-colonial social and solidarity economy it is the contribution of the Migration circle to prevent the rise of the extreme right, as well as to build a diverse and truly democratic society. Fighting for the rights of all people is a commitment that cannot be postponed.