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Whither anarchism? – the current state of UK anarchism

January 27, 2012

“Revolution must be cultivated by means of systematic propaganda, step-by-step measures, careful planning, and rationally formulated programs that are flexible enough to meet changing social needs: in short, it must be cultivated by a responsible, dedicated, and accountable movement that is serious and organized along libertarian lines”. Murray Bookchin

Putting things in perspective
Anarchists in the UK today stand at a historical crossroads. Whether we identify as students, workers, unemployed, as members of a network/organization or not, we are called upon to answer this fundamental question: what is our political relevance to the larger world in the context of the struggle against austerity and beyond?
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Notes from the US

January 27, 2012

Occupy
The Occupy movement continues to gain momentum; though its focus and – perhaps – its lack of the kinds of analysis which anarchists favour are similar in the United States to those shortcomings in the UK. Evictions and violence by the state against the Occupiers also continue. Indeed, by the end of November more than 5,000 people had been arrested in Occupy retaliations across the United States.
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Cracking the whip – case against the ‘Atos Two’

January 26, 2012

Two Nottingham residents, a wheelchair user and a retired paediatric nurse, dubbed the ‘Atos Two’, have been charged with aggravated trespass following a protest at the local offices of Atos ‘Healthcare’. They will stand trial at Nottingham Magistrates Court on February 27th and 28th.
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Dire Lessons From the Eurozone

January 25, 2012

Tracing the politics of the crisis

I remember my Political Economy lectures at university when the European Union was held up as a successful model of a political and economic ‘superstate’ which other continents in the world could follow. I remember shuddering at the very idea of such mega-scale integration and central control, only one step behind Bertrand Russell’s insane idea of a ‘world government’, even as we struggle to contain the growing power and aggression of the nation-state itself.
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The Return of Rank and Filism

January 24, 2012

Can the electricians’ dispute reinvigorate grassroots militancy

Just before Christmas over 50 mechanical and electrical workers occupied the headquarters of BBC Scotland in Glasgow. It was part of an ongoing campaign of co-ordinated protests by electricians and other skilled workers, over the decision by the big eight construction companies to withdraw from the 40 year old Joint Industry Board (JIB) national agreements.
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Sparks week of protest: Wed 25th Jan

January 23, 2012

NGBailey sites: NGB/No Go Besna
Ballot papers gone out for BBES a yes vote is imperative for strike action to be able to begin on 9th February. This week coming is ‘NGB’ week where Rank and File sparks are hitting ‘NGB’ sites countrywide. It’s time to up our game. This is an important week of demonstrations and it is imperative that we make a huge impression on as many sites as we can.

Wednesday 25th Jan:

» Kings Cross station • 6.45am
Euston Road
London N1 9AL
MAP
Facebook page
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“Bring the fire here!”

January 23, 2012

No Borders activists work in solidarity with migrants who struggle against the border regime. We want to strengthen links between this resistance and the wider discontent seen on Britain’s streets against commodification and police harassment.
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Pinheirinho favela eviction, Sao Paulo

January 22, 2012

This morning, the Pinheirinho favela in Brazil has been violently cleared by 2000 Military police officers. The brilliant resistance of the last couple of weeks is sadly tainted by the tragic death of seven people defending their livelihoods.
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Times are a changin’

January 22, 2012

Freedom’s December issue editorial

As the turbulence of 2011 subsides just enough for us to catch our breath and look back over the last 12 months of a truly eventful year, it seems amongst the chaos and cacophony there were moments we can take as inspiration, some we can take comfort from and others that act as warnings of things to come.
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Egyptian anarchists seek self-governed society

January 21, 2012

[Article from Daily News Egypt newspaper, reprinted in full]

By Hanan Solayman /Special to Daily News Egypt
CAIRO: They do not believe in governments, they boycotted the elections, they demand “direct democracy” and they’re associated with chaos and have been targeted by the military and some Islamists.
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