A-Infos (en) Estonia: Anarchist perspective on the riots in Tallinn

There has been many different, often opposite understandings in the Estonian 
public eye concerning the riots that took place in Tallinn and North-East 
Estonia at the end of April. Unfortunately, a lot of these opinions seem to 
rather deepen the current conflict than try to resolve it. --- The main causes 
of what happened should not be looked for in the mainstream discourse, which 
tries to explain everyting on the basis of nationalist approach. We are much 
concerned, that this type of approach might lead to a proliferation of 
nationalist mentalities in Estonia – among both, Estonian and Russian 
communities. But it is important to understand, that the current intense 
situation originates from the very same nationalist and racist approach. In 
reality, there should not be ’us’ and ’them’ – there should be people living in 
Estonia.

Therefore we are absolutely indignant that both Estonian and Russian goverments 
– supported by the mainstream media in both countries – are not willing to 
renounce they’re approach to the problem on nationalist basis. As we consider 
that type of approach by far even more stressful, we see the provacative 
actions of authorities and mass media as one of the main cause of the riots.

We don’t understand, why some parts of media are trying desperately to explain, 
that all types of aggression by the authorities were justified. Considering 
what happened on the streets, we condemn both the indiscriminate vandalism and 
police brutality. We are also not happy with the attitude which displays all 
critical analysis of the governments actions as ’not-welcome’. In a democratic 
society, people are not condemned for the use of freedom of speech. We’re 
afraid that as the conflict grows, Estonia would turn into a police state and 
we also see a threat in the brainish activities of the government, which 
enlarge the threat of foreign agression.

PunaMust [Red’n’Black] calls for both – Estonian and Russian – communities to 
start a self-governed dialogue, independent from the state and the media; we 
call for people to do what the state never could and will. We ask not to be 
subject to provocative actions which ultimately serve the goal of further 
contradistinction; we ask to give up all prejudices on nationalist basis. We 
call for people to be clear-eyed and join the anarchist declaration which 
condemns all nationalism.

Anarchists hope and call for understanding and independant interaction between 
communities and for the creation of humane, tolerant and free society.

Anarchist movement PunaMust [Red’n’Black]

About the riots: http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=2007tallinn_statue
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