International

Dear Grannies all over the world!

We are very happy to connect you with our project GRANNIES AGAINST THE RIGHT.

Our movement started in Austria in November 2017, when a coalition between the Conservatives and the Far Right was formed. As “Grannies against the Right”, we took part in demonstrations and our resistance quickly rose the attention of the media. Since then, we kept growing and became an empowering platform for women to engage in a political movement. We have built this platform to keep you informed and get in touch!

  1. We founded the Facebook-group OMAS GEGEN RECHTS.
  2. We founded the Facebook-group GRANNIES AGAINST THE RIGHT-WING PARTIES IN EUROPE
  3. We have our Website www.omasgegenrechts.at with a button „Grannies International“. There you can receive information about groups all over the world.
  4. Write a story about your group and send it to us in order to put it on our website! [email protected]
  5. Our mailadress is [email protected]

Together, we hope to build a strong global movement against right-wing politics!


Dear GRANNIES around the world!

The time has come for resistance. Around the world, and in Europe, right-wing extremist parties are on the rise. By spreading misinformation and fear through internet and the media, they fuel hatred and racism. Global unleashed neoliberal competition is destroying our children’s chances to live good lives and our values, solidarity and democracy, are threatened.

We are deeply concerned about the aggressive language, hate and scapegoating which we considered overcome.

That’s why we call on you to stand up against the far-right and, no matter how old you are, to participate in demonstrations for human rights. Let’s stand together for the future of our grandchildren, let’s fight racism and anti-semitism!

We shall overcome!

Vienna, 1st of May 2019


Statement

This page offers information about the platform GRANNIES INTERNATIONAL or, as it is called on Facebook, „Grannies against the right wing parties in europe“. Our aim is to connect older women and grannies all over the world who share our global resistance against the right wing and extremist movements.

Being Old does not mean being silent!

Demonstration against racism in Vienna, March 16th 2019

“Grannies against the right wing parties in Europe” is a civil rights initiative which was founded as a facebook group on the 16th November 2017 in Vienna. Our aim is to influence the political discourse by having elderly women, so-called “grandmas”, raise their voices about the political issues which are threatening us in Europe and around the globe today.


Who can join?

You don’t have to be a grandmother to join! Anyone of any age can become a member, women, men, young and old!

The main goals we are fighting for are maintaining the parliamentary democracy in an undivided Europe as well as the social standards which were bitterly fought for by our parents and grandparents, the commitment to the equal rights of all women, men and children living in Europe, and the respect for all our fellow citizens regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

At the same time we are building a civil society resistance against threatening developments such as anti-semitism, racism, misogyny and fascism. 

In our collective consciousness, elderly women as a public political force do not exist. That’s why us women have to claim our place in the public – not as individuals or exceptional figures, not as stars, but as a group that stands out. Stepping out of one’s own „small world“ and forming a united strong voice for the future of all children and grandchildren is the challenge of the hour! Because some day the might ask us: What did you do to protect our future?

Unlike many politicians, we are very aware of our responsibility for the young. We are willing to resist the social division and inequality, the „starvation“ of many elderly women, the short-sighted educational policy which excludes large groups of youth, and other plans which would have a disastrous effect on our society and our wellbeing.

We do not have small children anymore, nor do we have a full working life. This gives us more time to engage politically! Right now, it seems the most essential thing to do!


Our policy program for Europe:

• A fair social balance between rich and poor countries
• Commitment to democracy in Europe and worldwide
• Awareness of the dangers of totalitarian structures and illiberal democracies
• The rejection of racism and anti-semitism on all fronts
• Demand for a humane, good life for ALL
• Fighting the ruthless interests of capitalism

GRANNIES INTERNATIONAL support the worldwide climate strike and march on the side of the young, the kids and students to demand policy changes to fight the climate crisis.


Resolution

Adopted at the General Assembly on March 16th 2019:

OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT was founded in November 2017 by Monika Salzer in Vienna in response to political developments in Europe in general and in Austria in particular, and was constituted as an association in April 2018.

OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT  is an independent, non-party civil society platform for the defence of democracy, social welfare and the rule of law.

OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT maintain absolute equidistance to all political parties. This means that party political activities in the name of OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT and as OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT are incompatible with the aims of this platform.

Whoever stands up for a political party – no matter whether on a municipal, regional or national level – cannot speak for OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT at the same time. Whoever campaigns for a political party cannot do so in the name of OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT or as GRANNIES AGAINST the RIGHT.

The General Assembly of OMAS AGAINST the RIGHT

Translated by M. Moritz and L. Steinwender

Climate Strike in Vienna, March 15th 2019