Shifting Conflict in Europe in the Wake of Immigration: An Introduction
By Primus M.Tazanu
Further right wing gains in the Austrian elections last month sparked worries as to what could be the fate of immigrants especially asylum seekers in Austria and Europe in general. Freedom Party and the Alliance for the Future of Austria have both advocated for an end to immigration and the expulsion of foreigners who commit crimes. Earlier expression of anti-Semitic sentiments by the Freedom Party in 1999 was regarded as outrageous and attracted some European Union (EU) sanctions. Austrian right wing moves however inspired and gave impetus for many other anti-immigrant political parties to either crop up or reinforce their hatred for immigrants. In no other country was this well-received than in Denmark where 13 per cent or so of the population supports a single right wing party.After attacks on America on September 11th 2001, right wing political ideologists started presenting themselves as saviours and defenders of national culture. Migrants were seen as threat and quick legislation was passed, mostly geared towards the rejection of what is believed to be un-national or un-European. Immigrants, who are presented as dangerous and social misfits become a target of suspicion and mischief. Attention on immigrants as the problem has perfected the shift from class based conflict to ethnic/racial oriented strife. Disenchanted and impoverished indigenes having been used to partial truths and dispossessed by capitalistic practices of their leadership have taken upon themselves to seek what they believe to be justice denied them through the influx of immigrants. This justice, often sought through violence, is based on the assumption that immigrants queue on the welfare recipient list, invade indigenous jobs markets and worst of all, immerse themselves (through hard work, of course) into luxurious lifestyles usually believed to be the privilege of indigenes. Though they often express worries on attacks on foreigners, the political elite of right wing orientation appear either nonchalant or are inwardly quite satisfied that disenchanted indigenes heap their misery on the immigrants, the scapegoats.
Amidst this trend of the shifting conflict from class to ethnic/racial based, both indigenous and immigrant groups undertake resistance that are at loggerhead with each other. A majority of immigrants widely believe and know they are not accepted and this consciousness leads many to retract to themselves, fearing interaction with indigenes and continue to have the quest to uphold their cultures. On the other hand many indigenes either appear to be helpless or display their grudge and scorn at immigrants in ballot boxes, street protests, graffiti, fleeing of neighbourhoods believed to be infested by immigrants, etc. The extreme of this has been the formation of indigenous criminal gangs, which sort of function like the militant branches of right wing political movements. These gangs either believe they are fulfilling the prophecy and wishes of their political elites or they merely want to express personal disillusionment at people thought to be a threat to a romanticised ‘national culture’.
Drawing the discussion to the Danish experience one can conjecture hard times to come as local administrators and the police bureaucracy brace up to counter gang related violence. In September this year, the police force and politicians expressed worries on prospects of bloody confrontation between indigenous and immigrants gangs. It is hard to tell, but there is observation that political pronouncements have empowered the development of both indigenous and immigrant gangs. Indigenous gangs may have the feeling that they are defending their countries and immigrant gangs on the other hand may feel anti-immigrant political declarations leave them vulnerable and they have to get ready for attacks at any moment. This situation has switched the direction of violence that was supposed to be geared towards the upper class to underclass confrontations that increasingly spread below. The Danish situation is that which indigenous and immigrant gangs, all of which are homegrown are taking imminent actions, reactions and revenges wherever they identify the ‘enemy’. Waves of attacks are popping up, with different cities taking turns. As of now, the Danish town of Odense is hosting violent actions involving indigenous and immigrant gangs.At the wake of such violence, hospitals, insurance companies, the police and local administrators at all levels have to worry because much destruction, be it of buses, trains, bus stops, street lights and other basic infrastructure would be torched and decimated. This would further exacerbate the violence and give backlash to unwanted political pronouncement. By and large, the cycle would continue until right wing movements in Denmark and Europe admit the presence of immigrants who need to be accommodated in one way or the other.
Under discussion here are not criminal gangs involved in drugs and other illicit activities. Worth of note is the fact that most of these money-minded gangs such as the Hell’s Engels and Bandidos, are indigenous rival gangs that have expressed strong anti-immigrant sentiments. However, the reality of immigrant gangs’ intrusion into their niches of criminal activities have pushed these indigenous gangs and even make some of them to capitulate their positions in some Danish towns such as Aalborg, Kolding, Esbjerg and Copenhagen inner city. A recent development has seen the Bandidos band (indigenous) ally itself with blossoming immigrant gangs (Black Cobra) in order to regain grounds and fight its traditional enemy, the Hell’s Engels. This band has thus come to the reality that immigrants need to be accommodated in one form or another. This admission of the presence and power of immigrants may perhaps offer lessons to allergic right wing political movements in Europe who still have the illusion of an immigrant-free Europe.
