On 19 September, the government will gather for a budget negotiation in Helsinki to discuss next year's budget. Based on the government's programme, the negotiations are expected to be a cold ride for nature and people alike. With the ministers of the government present, we have a diamond in the rough to show that we cannot accept such plans. The action is the opening event of the Forest Rebellion, which will continue until November.
In Finland, one in nine of all known species and even one in two of all known habitats are endangered. The single biggest reason for this is intensive forestry and excessive levels of logging – despite this, the government does not intend to take the necessary steps to reduce logging, but may even increase it.
We will gather near the budget negotiations (location to be confirmed) to demonstrate in the afternoon, starting at 3 pm. The event is open to all and will be advertised on social media – and it is not only Elokapina's action, but a large-scale demonstration organised by several movements. The organisers are Elokapina, A-ryhmä, Emilia, Aurora and Hallituksenkaatobileet. Metsäliike and Debt4Climate are supporting the demonstration.
More information about the action will be published later on social media. By signing up, you can join the action's own Element group, which will be used to communicate information about the action, and you can sign up for support roles critical to its implementation. You do not need to register; you can just turn up.
1. Against cuts and misery – government, off our wallets!
Cuts to social security must be abolished. The Orpheus government is cutting from the poor and giving it in tax breaks to the rich, when what we need is the opposite.
2. Hands off the right to strike!
We have the right to fight for our livelihood. We do not agree to restrict the right to strike, but we want to strengthen the ability of workers to defend their rights, and to resist the attempts of the government and industry to impoverish them.
3. End to the exploitation of nature – forests and biodiversity come first.
Capitalist environmental policies that benefit the rich and big business and exacerbate the climate crisis have come to an end. We call for a just transition towards significantly lower levels of deforestation. Down with intensive forestry, up with carbon sinks and 30% of Finland's surface area for conservation!
4. Asylum is a right – life is not a political pawn!
We oppose the government's racist immigration and border policy. We demand immediate permission to live in Finland for those who applied for asylum before 2017. Asylum applications and family reunification must be made easier, and deportations to countries where the risk of persecution and death is acute must stop.
Action consenus: In the demonstration, we commit ourselves to non-violence. Non-violence means refraining from violent or threatening actions and communications. The demonstration is also an area free from discrimination and harassment. If you experience harassing behaviour, do not hesitate to ask for help from the harassment liaison team. The demonstration is substance-free.
Registration for this action is not possible at the moment.
Participate in the demonstration and get more information about the nature of the demonstration through Elokapina's internal communication channels, in addition to external communication open to all. The participant will also be added to the general "Living Room" of the Forest Uprising through the communication channel.
Participate in the demonstration in a supporting role and get more information about the nature of the demonstration through Elokapina's internal communication channels, in addition to external communication open to all. Support roles include: discussant/outreach, reassurer (de-escalator), harassment contact, police contact, welfare officer, media contact, photographer, announcer... You will be trained for each role and for a large number of support roles you do not need any previous experience. Registration for the individual support roles will be done via a form at a later stage. The support roles will also be added to the general "Living Room" of the Forestry Uprising via the communication channel.