For a Europe of social services
The European meeting at Amsterdam has involved citizens. A rare fact !
The European marches against unemployment and exclusion from mainstream society have met at Amsterdam with much determination and in a atmosphere of feast.
70,000 people have demonstrated in Paris in order to fight for employment in Europe, responding to an appeal of the European confederation of Trade Unions. Foreigners who have been disenfranchised have made their voice heard at the end of that march.
Unemployed, farmers, trade unionists, students, associations coming from all over Europe have established connections. We witness the surging of a commitment to a social Europe.
The European construction depends not only of Brussels and political leaders : the time of the upsurge of peoples and citizens has come with their abilities to commit themselves. How can one not rejoice ?
Citizens do not want to enter a ready made Europe. They have stopped waiting for everything to come from above. They say "no" to a financial Europe where money is the must, before people. They are against the logic of economy and its fate, they cannot accept that more is produced with lesser jobs, that more wealth goes with less social. They want a social Europe. Their voice has begun to be heard.
Governments are under scrutiny. They cannot ignore the climate of social awareness which already exists and gets organised beyond the borders.
This is good news for Europe.
Jacques Gaillot