Hier ein Aufruf unserer Freund:innen von 20k aus Ventimiglia, die unsere und eure Unterstützung brauchen:
Dear all, we are Progetto20k, a political collective, horizontal and self-managed initiative which has been working since 2016 in the region of Ventimiglia against the system of racist, capitalist and patriarchal violence embodied by the borders. We work here daily against borders that are not only geographical, but also against borders that divide between those who enjoy systemic rights and privileges and those who are excluded from them. The deadly crimes we witness –committed in the name of homeland security– say a lot about the ideology of profit at any cost, concretized in violent and abusive security practices, gender-based violence, arbitrary detention and deportation — practices against which we fight with fiery zeal.
With a supporting network we started our project Info-Point Upupa in 2022. Info-Point Upupa is a space of support, solidarity, connection and mutual aid —a safe and welcoming point of contact with and for disadvantaged people. It is also a meeting point of integration between locals and people on the move.
We chose the name Upupa (a migratory bird) as it symbolizes the bearer of meanings of rebirth and peace in many cultures, thus it wonderfully embodies our efforts. Our safe space and Info-point Upupa was created with the aim of responding to the pressing needs of disadvantaged people passing through the territory of Ventimiglia who do not find adequate reception in institutional structures, and at the same time to create a meeting space between collectives, communities and individuals who share the geographies of the city. It is an independent space where one can find multilingual information about services in the area and about international protection in Italy and Europe, charge cell phones, participate in language courses, organize meetings and movements of political self-organization. A further goal of the project is to provide a space where the distance between the Ventimiglia residents and people on the move can be bridged with mutual understanding.
During 2023, the substantial increase in the number of people moving on the Mediterranean and Balkan routes led many more people to stop in Ventimiglia in the hope of being able to evade the military and racist apparatus of the French-Italian border. Moreover, since May 2023 the municipality of Ventimiglia has been governed by an extreme right-wing mayor who is notorious for his inhumane and racist policies.
During the summer, an informal encampment under a bridge near Via Tenda (the street where Upupa is) was violently cleared out, and the municipality hired a private security service to prevent people from using the toilets and fountain at Roverino cemetery, also on Via Tenda, for drinking or washing. Such measures are taken deliberately to worsen the already difficult situation of people on the move. For these reasons, Upupa has found itself responding to the needs of many of the people, providing space to organize politically, and provide basic necessities such as water, electricity, and groceries albeit in very modest quantities. That is why we need your support more than ever.
The space is entirely self-funded by Progetto20k, with the support and commitment of people who share our values. Upupa remains open thanks to the work of numerous activists and supporters who voluntarily dedicate their time to allow for our constant presence on the ground. To keep this project alive, we ask you to support Upupa with donations.
Your contribution will help us to:
• Keep the space open and cover costs of rent and utilities.
• Purchase some basic tools, which are needed to run the InfoPoint Upupa: Phone chargers, cell phones, stationery, coffee, sugar etc.
• Print multilingual information materials.
• Organize public events to raise awareness with respect to the border situation and promote advocacy activities within the InfoPoint space.
• Cover the legal costs of registration and legal action cases.
• Write, publish and promote advocacy reports.
• Support BIPOCs who wish to be part of the project.
• Organize cultural and informational events to facilitate good co-existence between the citizens and people on the move.
To do this we need your active contribution. Get informed, take part, and do support us!
Donations can be sent to our bank account:
IRIS ASSOCIAZONE DI VOLONTARI
Iban IT48R0501811100000016716946
bic/Swift: ETICIT22XXX
