2026-03-08.1_The Peoples Want - emergency

“We must re-establish our own timeframe. We must make space to think together and apply the emergency brake. Whether we are living in a society already collapsing under the impact of war, natural disaster or economic meltdown; or whether we belong to the heart of a Western fortress, stifled and haunted by the prospect of its forthcoming collapse, the only way forward is to elaborate a common plan, effective in each of our situations.

And to ask: What is the nature of this emergency? What leverage does it allow? What energy does it provide, what energy does it drain? What is to be gained in the race to define the root cause and nature of the emergency? What excessive means may it one day cause our opponents to use?

“Emergency”, as a mandate to act, is a manoeuvre to win people over, and make them submit to an agenda. And, there can be little doubt as to who will have the means to win in the end. As far as popular movements are concerned, urgency is always a prelude to scattering and exhaustion. We need to focus, measure our actions and strike where striking can make a difference. Whatever the imperatives, whatever the pressure that can seem to paralyse us, the challenge is to act by focusing our energy and avoiding exhaustion. Organising in the face of a counterrevolutionary offensive on this scale means rediscovering a horizon and building, for the long term: establishing connections and marshalling strength to avoid defeat in the insurrectionary explosions to come.”

• The Peoples Want Manifesto, pg. 37

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