On Thursday, May 23, 2024, as a part of the Action Week, Des(s)ertion will take place in Prague’s Park of Parukářka.
Desserts and deserters: Two spheres connected in one project. Des(s)ertion combines a passion for good food with opposition to wars. We offer muffins, pancakes, cakes, cocktails and other delicacies. All of it is vegan and for a voluntary contribution. All raised funds will serve to support deserters. Why them? Because desertion is a concrete form of defiance against wars. Because deserters weaken the military’s ability to continue the war. Because supporting desertion is an expression of the internationalist solidarity. Because wars can only continue if people are willing to fight, and deserters are like grains of sand thrown into the gears of a war machine. Thanks to them, the whole thing rubs and it can even be blocked completely.
Des(s)ertion is open in order to help to all deserters from any state armies or armies whose aim is to defend the interests of states and capitalist domination. Although deserters – that is, proletarians dressed in military uniform – may be different as for their political, ideological or religious beliefs, in everyday life they are united by their material position of a “class without reserves”, which has no interest in siding with one or another bourgeois faction in wars. The unity of class interests – although not always conscious – is made concrete when deserters unite and organize despite their individual differences. Desertion spreads mainly due to the unbearable conditions to which the war has brought specific people. However, we do not perceive it as a simple and desperate attempt to save one’s life or a moral stance, but also as a potential impulse to transform war between states into a struggle against states and misery of the capitalist society.
We do not want to examine in a purist way individual attitudes of particular deserters, because regardless of their subjective motivations, each desertion practically contributes to subverting of the war potential of the army. Des(s)ertion does not preach a pacifist ideology, but it is part of the tradition of a revolutionary movement that recognizes the possibility of using violence against the organized violence of oppressors. We see the problem not in the existence and use of weapons, but in the fact that in wars between states, weapons are used against the proletariat and in favour of the bourgeoisie. On the contrary, turning arms against officers and managers of war is a part of the same struggle as desertion. And since this fight needs funds to be able to develop, Des(s)ertion tries to gain them while offering benefit desserts.
Come, have something sweet and stand against wars!
WHEN: Thursday 23 May 2024 from 4.00 pm
WHERE: Prague – Park Parukářka
NOTE: The day’s program will also include the “Kites Instead of Drones” campaign and a presentation on anti-militarism. It is also possible to bring your own vegan desserts to the Des(s)ertion. If you are interested, contact us by e-mail.