Call for a Transnational Chain of Migrationrelated Actions

Movements and Struggles of Migration

Transnational Newsletter, 5rd Issue, February 2008 (ook Nederlandse versie beschikbaar!)

Crossing Borders! is an initiative of frassanito network that aims to foster migration-related networking and practical struggles. Previous issues have covered conflicts in western and eastern Europe, Africa and the USA. Here we speak about womenʼs migration, and not for the first time: as we believe it is a crucial perspective to understand transnational movements and the organisation of labour (see issues 3 & 4). This issue of Crossing Borders! will be initially distributed at the opening initiative of the transnational chain of action – Fight the Mon- ster! Against Border Regime: Transnationalization now! (February- October 2008) – in Amsterdam, on February 2 (see page 4). support this newsletter project by contributing and distributing!
Newsletter 05 [pdf 0.26mb] Nieuwsbrief 05[pdf 0.26mb]

Transnational Newsletter, 4rd Issue, November 2007

The new 4th issue includes many impressions from the Ukraine, with a main reference to the Noborder Camp in Transcarpatia last August, but as exemplary for the whole of Eastern European realities. The aim of "Crossing Borders" is to consolidate and to extend the migration related networking process in, around and beyond Europe. We do not ignore the differences in realities and struggles in various regions, countries or continents. But we are convinced in the necessity to bridge and communicate these differences - crossing these borders too!
Newsletter 04 [pdf 0.3mb]

Transnational Newsletter, 3rd Issue, May 2007

The 1st of May gives "Crossing Borders!" another opportunity for transnational political communication. The theme of migrant labour was already central to the first two issues of "Crossing borders!" (see below), and it has become an important connecting point for the whole Frassanito Network. Remembering the huge migrants' mobilisations of the last year in the United States, as well as the struggles of migrants in Europe demanding the de-linking of residence permits from labour contracts, we want to discuss European policies for the management of migrant labour (page 1). Specifically, in this issue, we look at the conditions of migrant women as domestic workers and the key role they increasingly play in social reproduction (page 2). As usual, we report on some of the new experiences of struggle and communication emerging and consolidating everywhere (pages 3 and 4), signifying efforts in the autonomous organisation of migrant labour.
Newsletter 03 [pdf 0.3mb]

Transnational Newsletter, 2nd Issue, January 2007
It is not by chance that the 2nd issue of Crossing Borders appears at the same time as the World Social Forum takes place during January 07 in Nairobi. As it was in the last European Social Forum in Athens, we believe that migration must be recognized as an own thematic axis. Nairobi is another opportunity to continue not only the european- african political communication (see page 2 of the newsletter), but also to shift the migration related networking process to a global level.
To foster transnational communication was and remains the aim of "Crossing borders". The first issue (available in 10 languages below) was published on the 7th of October, the transnational day of action (see page 3/4). It was distributed during the respective demonstrations, and the initial response on our newsletter was good.
To accompany transnational mobilisations will continue to be our aim. Further issues will come for an europeanwide legalisation-campaign (see page 2), for the next 1st of May and migrant-workers activities, or for the coming Anti-G8-campaign in Germany in June 07.
Newsletter 02 [pdf 0.9mb]

But why do we emphasize transnationality?
Movements and struggles of migration are of course never national but also inter-nationality cannot comprehend its importance. It is not a thing between states, rather a challenge to all concepts of borders and nation states, be it those of the governments but also for example those of the main unions. Migrants move for a better live and against the hierarchies of exploitation. Migrations undermine the border regimes and create networks and communities beyond all nation states, from countries of origin through transit- to the target-countries. To develop this transnational perspective of global social rights we need transnational communication. Crossing Borders want to offer a possible tool for it and we hope, that more and more people participate with contributins and distributions!

Transnational Newsletter, 1st Issue, October 2006
"Crossing Borders" is an attempt to foster transnational communication, our aim is to consolidate and to extend the migration related networking process in, around and beyond Europe. We do not ignore the differences in realities and struggles in various regions, countries or continents. But we are convinced in the necessity to bridge and communicate these differences - crossing these borders too!. We are committed to a process of "becoming common", not only by exchanging information and experiences, but much more by fighting against the same global apartheid- and migration regime! And by struggling for the common demands of freedom of movement and the right to stay!
Newsletter 01[pdf 758kb]