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I and some comrades from Poland were at this camp. Three of us have been active in these types of camps for years - 2 of us were at 10 camps and one of us at more than 15. However for two of us, these camps were mostly in the eastern of Europe and for one, mostly in the west. We discussed our impressions, also with other comrades. Maybe they will also comment on this, but for now I will speak from my own point of view.

Some of our comrades were surprised about the anarchist boycott, which we knew about but did not mention here. I am not sure that this was the best thing to do, but since we did not have texts from the boycotting people and, in fact had little contact with them, we did not publish anything about this. Partly this was due to the conviction that, despite shortcomings in part of this movement, we felt that the idea to make some actions in Lesvos and to develop the movement against borders and immigration restriction is very important. Also, in Turkey last year we were saying that it would be a great idea to do something on Lesvos, so we wanted to be supportative of that action.

Of course we are quite aware that one cannot see this movement as something monolithic; there are many different people involved, some from liberal NGO backgrounds. And as anarchists, we are well aware of the limitations that creates and some of the potential problems that can occur in practice. This did not bother us too much. However, it is a different thing when organizing takes place mostly amongst a clique of organizers and is limited, but this is not made place. It is also problematic if, on the spot, it turns out that everything is already decided.

The open plenums were, for me, very problematic. Not only because of the tragic timekeeping and starting late. People waiting for the meetings often did not know if they would start at all and many were discouraged and didn't bother to wait around for the moderators - somehow self-appointed - to decide when the right amount of people, or the right people, were there and things could be started. Then, in the plenums - which were not representative because some of the "organizers" or groups organizing actions did not send any representatives there to inform people of anything - after long discussions, it sometimes turned out that "everything was already decided". There were a few concrete examples of this - for example, after discussing demands for Pagani, it was learned that on one group, not at the meeting, had already made the demands and sent them around the world for signatures. Or when discussing who would be delegates to go inside Pagani, people were told to select representatives, but then the next morning told that the group was already selected.

When the situation at the camp became clear (hmmm, crap started within 30 minutes of being in the camp), I was thinking about it. And I was thinking that, as libertarian people, one thing we could be doing is insisting in the camp that as least some better democracy is implemented. After all, this wasn't a universal problem. Some things were organized quite democratically, as one could expect. But unfortunately, most libertarian-minded people decided that the meetings, including the camp plenums were too bullshit and just ignored them. This was at best. At worst, there was just hostile talk about the "fucking liberals" and "authoritarians".

I personally had mixed feelings about it. I do not agree with some of the approaches of the liberals and at least once I said it at a meeting, although I did not press for my approach. And that was because, to tell the truth, even though I didn't agree, I believe in both their right to be there, to disagree and have their own opinions. This was never advertised as "an anarchist action" and I think it would be wrong to assume that other people should not participate. On the other hand, it is not tolerable for me when some liberal group, or any small faction, decides in advance or somewhere in private about what the actions should look like and, without any interaction, discussion or agreement of the camp activists, expect those to be the "official actions".

The moment the official camp schedule was published, my feeling was "oh shit" and wondering if it was worth going. But I had bought my ticket, so I didn't cancel. And I thought, like the authors of the critique, well, there will be some people and some good things happening anyway.

On the other hand, I and at least one of my friends, where not at all impressed by at least one of the radical actions which consisted of going around town in black masks spay painting. We have nothing against the radical actions which occurred, we have nothing against people spray painting slogans. But the situation after one demonstration just looked... a little pathetic. Maybe other people have seen the same situation: a demo takes place. In it, a black block which wants to do something "radical". The demo, just a normal demo ends... and the black block then tries to figure out what to do. Since there is no possibility or idea for a better action, a short walk making graffiti on random places. Come on. Respect for the concrete direct actions, implemented or failed, at Pagani, Frontex and elsewhere, but that really showed off the lack of real organization.

On more thing that I would comment on was real lack of integration between some refugees living at the camp and even international activists not from Europe and the rest. My colleague made translation for some activists from Africa. Other people did as well, but it was the assumption that things were in English and it didn't look as if people asked what other languages were needed. Also, when we arrived there was something strange. We arrived after the official dinner with a large group of people, and, were hungry. But we were transported to the camp, in the middle of nowhere, with no chance to buy food. We weren't aware of the situation with food, otherwise we would have brought something with us from abroad. When we arrived, we thought we could cook something, but were quickly told by the kitchen people that we could not take any collective food to good a meal. One of our comrades had a box of rice and some Austrian comrade gathered food from his friend to give us. But we had to wait in line to cook behind some refugees. Why? Because it was Ramadan and these people were observing it and couldn't eat before sundown. So they could not eat the collectively prepared meals and some people were cooking and eating for themselves - also with food they were gathering or buying themselves. Then, when we finally managed to cook something, dozens of people appeared from nowhere and started helping themselves, assuming it was collectively prepared food. Of course we shared, but many of the people who arrived with us then were "late" and got nothing,

The irony of it was that later, at one meeting, somebody announced that in Pagani the refugees were complaining that food was served before sundown and we should make it a "demand" that food be served later.

And in the camp, the problem was again just the authoritarian approach. When we arrived their was plenty of food and we could have cooked and replaced the food the next day, but some people were behaving like fucking police men. Another stupid thing about the kitchen and the self-ordained kitchen police - the camp or kitchen decided before we came that people were not allowed to wash their own dishes. Why? Because there were some "germs" going around, so people could get sick if they washed their own dishes. We were told that we "have to" put our dishes in a special sink and then "authorized" dish washers would clean this. I decided to ignore this order and cleaned my own cup. When I approached the sink to clean my cup, I was reprimanded by one of the kitchen gestapo. (Gestapo because this was a particularly unpleasant, authoritarian person, the type of which needs to just be told to fuck off.) I explained that I accept responsibility for my own health in full consciousness and that there is absolutely nothing in this camp which is dirtier than my own house. :-))) There was a verbal altercation about this. It reoccurred the next day when I was told that I am "putting the camp in danger" because I washed my cup by myself. Ironically, later in the day, I found out exactly how the "authorized dish washers were chosen"; I was standing near the kitchen with some friends when one of the kitchen people said "we need you do wash the dishes". I was pissed off - a few hours ago I am not fit to wash my own cup, and now they expect me to wash the dishes for everybody. And this was supposed to improve higiene in what way?

Later there were some more pleasant people in the kitchen and they even made food after sunset, but the kitchen gestapo really ticked me off. Where the hell does any movement get people like that? Well, unfortunately there was no place to discuss these issues. I really regret that anarchist and autonomous people did not organize themselves and regret that I personally didn't push for that.

I liked some of the actions and always enjoy meeting some friends and new people, but I don't think I will be going to any other such camps unless I am sure that the libertarian atmosphere is going to dominate or that it is at least co-organized by local anarchists. Not that anarchists are perfect and that we don't have our authoritarians, and not to say that there weren't very good moments, but all the good moments were outside the camp and I prefer not to go to camps organized like this one.

PS If we speak about non-transparent things, it would also be worth mentioning the finances and funding of the camp.