Concerts against Macron: what is Attac, the association behind these gatherings?

Perhaps we have never heard so much about them. Or maybe they never made that much noise. Thanks to his marijuana concerts, Attac became one of the main participants in the anti-pension reform movement. The association has already called for new “pans” this Monday at 8 p.m. to “celebrate” the first anniversary of Emmanuel Macron’s re-election. 315 gatherings have already been identified. But what is Attak?

Association of Anti-Globalists at the Origins

It was in 1998 when the association officially came into being, a few months after its unofficial birth certificate, an editorial by Ignacio Ramone in Le Monde Diplomatique. The journalist proposed the creation of a public organization “Association of Tobin Tax to Help Citizens (Attack)”. Finally launched on June 3, 1998, Attac wants to be an alter globalist with an international presence in about forty countries and advocates for “democratic control of financial markets”.

In just four years, Attac has gained almost 30,000 members, above all, it is a success. But in 2006, he will sink due to control problems. “Today we are approaching more than 10,000 members, between 1,500 and 2,000 active activists who bring the association to life,” admits Alice Picard, spokesman for the association. However, almost 90% of the association’s resources come from its members and donors.

“The crisis that Attac has gone through is explained by different political orientations in terms of alliances, strategies, concepts of what Attac should become (…) Attac could be a major player in its reorientation, or at least its founding principles”, already delivered questioned in 2007 by the sociologist Raphael Wintrebert in The Attack of France and the Alter-Globalization Movement.

“25 years after our creation, a renaissance is underway”

In his work, Wintrebert quotes one of the founders of Attac, Bernard Cassin. “Alterglobalism has come to an end. This is the bottom of my mind. It was a cycle,” said the former honorary president of the association in 2007, who at the time advocated a radical left government. “It means breaking with a lot of people and practices and I absolutely don’t think Attac can do that. »

Nearly 16 years later, Attac has changed the fight…and the name! The Tobin Tax Association for Citizens’ Assistance became the Citizens’ Financial Transaction and Action Tax Association without changing its original acronym Attac. “Never, in 1998, could anyone say that Attac was destined to become what we are today. We now think of ourselves and live as an association that fights for social, financial and environmental justice. We live in step with the times, and social issues are evolving,” recalls Alice Picard.

It is logical, therefore, if the association took up the topic of pension reform. “We have been talking about this since last fall. It was obvious. Pension reform is the epitome of our struggle, explains the representative of the movement. We understand that we are very visible with these marijuana concerts. We can say, perhaps, that 25 years after our creation, a revival is taking place. »

“We won’t give up! »

To explain its success, the association primarily refers to its “partan organization”. “We are not affiliated with anyone. We bring together trade unions, the media and other associations. We have always been the point of convergence of the social movement, this is the DNA of Attack,” deciphers the spokeswoman, who assures that she “does not want to take anyone’s place” and says that she is “very attached to the union of labor unions in this fight.”

To do this, the main tool developed by Attac is the map of the movements of Emmanuel Macron and members of the government “for the better organization of committees of rejection and casseroles throughout France.” This is where the 315 “casseroles” collections scheduled so far this Monday evening at 8 p.m. are listed. “We won’t let them go! (…) A new common casserole is being held in front of the town hall and on the streets. Before the popular May Day tide! “, Attac warns on its website.

But isn’t Attac now reduced to these marijuana concerts? “If that’s what makes people discover Attac, it’s not easy. It’s a gateway, the movement’s spokesman replies. Subsequently, they will detect all our daily activities. »