Firefighters clash with police in Northern Spain

[Mindtoaster]

Firefighters and emergency service workers have been involved in clashes with police in the northern Spanish city of La Coruna.
Violence erupted after police warned protesters to stop throwing fireworks and nails outside the local government building.
Around 500 firefighters from Galicia were protesting against privatisation of the emergency services and had wanted talks with a government official.
Anti-riot police charged against the demonstrators, firing rubber balls and beating them back with batons.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8488483.stm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvORqw9QIxg

[Fietsketting]

That was great! Privatisation of the emergency services? What are people thinking nowadays :/

[Rusty Shackleford]

What was on the flags that the firefighters were carrying? the only on i could barely make out was CCOU which i have know idea what it could stand for.

[Forward Union]

What was on the flags that the firefighters were carrying? the only on i could barely make out was CCOU which i have know idea what it could stand for.

I'd guess it was either the Fire Brigade unions flag or some other Public Service Union.

[BOZG]

What was on the flags that the firefighters were carrying? the only on i could barely make out was CCOU which i have know idea what it could stand for.

It was CC.OO.

Workers' Commissions
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_Commissions)

[Rusty Shackleford]

It was CC.OO.

Workers' Commissions
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_Commissions)


http://www.ccoo.es/csccoo/menu.do <thats their homepage if anyone is interested. according to BOZG's link, they are the largest spanish trade union.

[Delenda Carthago]

that was NOT great.that was stupid.They go and fight the riot cops without armor?Why?

[Fietsketting]

that was NOT great.that was stupid.They go and fight the riot cops without armor?Why?

They most likely didn't intend too fight the police. That it turned into that is just the better imo. Next time they might bring there firetrucks ;)

[Rusty Shackleford]

They most likely didn't intend too fight the police. That it turned into that is just the better imo. Next time they might bring there firetrucks ;)

y'know they do have high pressure hoses(and the ability to access water supply), and other emergency equipment.

[The Red Next Door]

Just imaging how much the public will be fit with, if public emergency services like the fire department are privatize. 800 dollars for calling the fire department to put a fire or rescuing you from a building.

[The Red Next Door]

Just imaging how much the public will be fit with, if public emergency services like the fire department are privatize. 800 dollars for calling the fire department to put a fire or rescuing you from a building.

[The Red Next Door]

Just imaging how much the public will be fit with, if public emergency services like the fire department are privatize. 800 dollars for calling the fire department to put a fire or rescuing you from a building.

[Fietsketting]

y'know they do have high pressure hoses(and the ability to access water supply), and other emergency equipment.

Hence the wink. ;)

[The Red Next Door]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8488483.stm

AvORqw9QIxg
sorry for the multiple posts, i was having trouble with loading yesterday.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Firefighters never seem to get much respect anymore. Here in the States, we have yet to even help out those that were brave enough to risk their lives for those that were suffering on 9/11, & are suffering themselves to this day through so much unattended-to diseases from the contamination that took place in the air that day:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/10/september11/main5300547.shtml

What gets me is that police officers, whether you like them or not, are part of the working class as well & are still treated like shit through the working conditions, & it's beyond me on why they continue to do the establishments dirty work by oppressing their fellow workers. If only they took a stand, then we'd be seeing a real revolution take place on the streets.

[RadioRaheem84]

Are they joking about privatizing the emergency services? How will that work? Will you need a special plaque to notify what fire service you use? I remember joking about privatizing the firehouses with a libertarian friend of mine here in the States, but Spain was the last place I would've thought this would happen.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Are they joking about privatizing the emergency services? How will that work? Will you need a special plaque to notify what fire service you use? I remember joking about privatizing the firehouses with a libertarian friend of mine here in the States, but Spain was the last place I would've thought this would happen.

I'm not sure, but it's not as odd as Obama wanting to privatize NASA & privatize the police force. Sometimes I wonder if people are just so paranoid that they rather refuse to understand the difference between help by the government & help by the corporate establishment.

[cyu]

What gets me is that police officers, whether you like them or not, are part of the working class as well & are still treated like shit through the working conditions, & it's beyond me on why they continue to do the establishments dirty work by oppressing their fellow workers. If only they took a stand, then we'd be seeing a real revolution take place on the streets.

Sometimes they do, but the ruling class doesn't really like people always hearing and talking about it, especially not your local police. Wouldn't want to give them any ideas now, eh?

http://www.revleft.com/vb/police-refuses-attack-t127817/index.html
"Hungry policemen cannot attack hungry workers."

http://www.marxist.com/ireland-gardai-ballot-for-strike-action.htm
"In normal times ... and these are surely not normal times, the Gards are the upholders of the law and the guardians of private property... They weren't allowed to march in uniform so instead they all turned up wearing the baseball caps... If the government can't even rely on the Gardai then who can they rely on?"

[cyu]

Are they joking about privatizing the emergency services? How will that work? Will you need a special plaque to notify what fire service you use? I remember joking about privatizing the firehouses with a libertarian friend of mine here in the States


I wonder if the proposal was to privatize the police force, if they'd have to call in the military to fight demonstrating police officers.

[RedStarOverChina]

Just wait until they privatize law enforcement. Then we'll probably see police clash with the army. That'd be fun.


*Edit
Just saw the post above by cyu , LOL

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

Operator: 991, what's your emergency?
Distraught: My house is on fire!
Operator: Do you have insurance?
Distraught: Yes, call the fire department!
Operator: What is your insurance number?
Distraught: I don't know! It's in the house.
Operator: I can't help you without your insurance number.
Distraught: I'll be right back.

*Local women returns to burning home for insurance card. Dies from smoke inhalation.*

Reporter: We'd like to remind people that although you may think low premium fire insurance is sufficient, it's necessary to get gold level insurance. Otherwise, you may find yourself without your insurance card. Remember to pay your bill. Roughly 800 people, with 80% being elderly citizens, die every year from a failure to renew their insurance.

Locals are complaining about the rising costs of the fire department services. CEO Joe Exploiter argues the economic changes are required to maintain service levels. He cites rising gas prices from the Middle East as to blame for the 100% increase in premiums.

A conspiracy group called "Fascism Watch" accuses the government of using an over bureaucratic system to force impoverished citizens into low wage jobs so they can afford fire insurance. High arson levels are cited as responsible for the fires. Recently, leader of the "Fascism Watch" died in a fire. His coverage did not include lightning caused fires. Local nuts accuse government of lining his roof with conductive material. This terrorist group has been accused of starting fires to gain political power. According to Johnny Douchebag, the government recently purchased a large supply of flammable material. It has gone missing, with the terrorists as leading suspects. They are accused of using a hot air balloon in association with their theft.

I am bored.

***

It's interesting to see firefighters and police clashing, for sure. It's a break down of the stereotypical authority figures, in many ways.

[the last donut of the night]

"Hello, this is the new and reformed Emergency Service, brought to you by Lockheed and BlackBear Services. How may we help you?"

"MY HOUSE IS BURNING DOWN! HELP, HELP, HELP!"

"Ok sir, your insurance states that we can only reach your house if you first make a small deposit of 50 dollars. Do you agree to this"

"WHAT THE HELL 50 DOLLARS?! JUST GET HERE IT'S ALL GOING DOWN, PLE-"

[cyu]

Just saw the post above by cyu , LOL


Great minds think alike? =]

[StalinFanboy]

Firefighters never seem to get much respect anymore. Here in the States, we have yet to even help out those that were brave enough to risk their lives for those that were suffering on 9/11, & are suffering themselves to this day through so much unattended-to diseases from the contamination that took place in the air that day:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/10/september11/main5300547.shtml

What gets me is that police officers, whether you like them or not, are part of the working class as well & are still treated like shit through the working conditions, & it's beyond me on why they continue to do the establishments dirty work by oppressing their fellow workers. If only they took a stand, then we'd be seeing a real revolution take place on the streets.
Bro, police are NOT part of the working class. I don't even know why people continue to say this.

And I don't know about where you live, but in places like Oakland, Ca and other big cities, their starting salary is like 90,000. They have no interest in revolution.

[Cooler Reds Will Prevail]

Bro, police are NOT part of the working class. I don't even know why people continue to say this.

And I don't know about where you live, but in places like Oakland, Ca and other big cities, their starting salary is like 90,000. They have no interest in revolution.

Word. Oakland pigs are labor aristocrats like you wouldn't believe. Which is funny because up until last year, their job wasn't even that dangerous to merit such an absurd salary... That is until Lovelle Mixon shot up four of those motherfuckers in one day. That's productivity!

I don't give a fuck if the pigs are working class or not, they are, and always will be the enemy.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Bro, police are NOT part of the working class. I don't even know why people continue to say this.

And I don't know about where you live, but in places like Oakland, Ca and other big cities, their starting salary is like 90,000. They have no interest in revolution.

You may be right over there, but over here, you're lucky to make 30,000 a year.

[los.barbaros.ganan]

shit, I never thought that would happen, since emergeny services working together and all.

Those firemen should have used their firehoses against those goons

[Die Rote Fahne]

When the police choose the people over the state and their bourgeois masters, only then will I consider them working class.