UK UK Newswire Archive
The Real Reason Why Police Cage Peaceful Protestors
05-10-2011 18:46
US Presidential Candidate Abuses Animals
05-10-2011 18:42
the Mitt Romney record2011 Anarchist Bookfair
05-10-2011 17:13
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday 22 October2011 Anarchist Bookfair
Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS.
Palestine Today 10 05 2011
05-10-2011 16:40
Occupy Wall Street: A Reply to Skeptics
05-10-2011 16:12
On September 27th Lauren Ellis published an essay in Mother Jones Magazine entitled “Is #OccupyWallStreet Working?”
The essay argues that Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is not working because the movement has no clear message and is not demographically representative of those who are affected most by the current economic problems. While Ellis does raise important points about movement-messaging and political representation, she in no way tries to understand the internal logic and outward expression of OWS.
Ellis’ conclusions center around four main points: that OWS’s “kitchen sink approach” is a form of ineffective messaging; that the media’s focus on the police brutality distracts from OWS’s main message (or lack thereof); that the hacktavist collective Anonymous inhibits the OWS movement; and that the OWS participants are the “usual suspects” of “dreamers.” In what follows, I provide counter-arguments to each of Ellis’ points as an attempt to flesh-out some of the philosophies, practices, and communicative strategies of Occupy Wall Street. I want to note that I am not seeking to attack Lauren Ellis in any way. Instead, I am trying to demonstrate why her arguments—representative of many like-minded skeptics—are insufficiently substantiated.
'Occupy' Movement Scares US Ruling Class
05-10-2011 15:02
Coach for Block the Bridge NHS Action- Sun 9th Oct
05-10-2011 12:55
Coach transport to london for the Block the Bridge, Block the Bill action - blockading westminster bridge, london, 1pm
http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/blog/block-the-bridge-block-the-bill
Notts: departing 9am from Royal Centre in Nottingham.
To book contact nottsuncutaction@gmail.com
URGENT, Rights To Protest To Be Lost: 4 Hours left in squat in consultation
05-10-2011 12:14
Go to www.squattershousingactiongroup.wordpress.com for coppy n paste an add your input reply via www.squashcampaign.org/resources/respond-to-the-consultationConsultation text to help save squatting
05-10-2011 10:55
This is a finished consultation that others can copy paste and add their own sentence, then send. needs copy of 1-2 done ones on website to info at squashcampaign dot org.
There is only today left until 5pm for this consultation. Please fill it in. It may help stop the process of criminalisation of squatting.
Every one should do this, not just squatters. Every other political project including indymedia has greatly benefitted from squatted spaces, and many current non-squatted social spaces were born out of squats.
Not to mention all the action camps we have so much loved, like the climate camps.
The text below is an easy copy-paste text that you can use in the consultation process that the government has put in place. Of course it is only a model that you can change as you like with your own ideas.
Q 1 Q1. Is squatting a particular problem in your area and where does
it occur the most, e.g. in residential or non-residential property?
Were these properties empty/abandoned/derelict before they were
occupied, or were they in use?
-squatting is not a problem, ‘the problem is not squatting, the
problem is empty buildings'.
-squatting is a solution for many street homeless people.
-Many properties have been squatted after being left empty, often for
many years, in my area, -squatters have improved empty properties and
been a positive contribution to an area or community.
-I would like to dispel the myth about people squatting homes that are
already lived in.
This is already covered by the Displaced Residential occupier law,which can remove someone from a home residence immediately.
I live in London
Q2 Please provide any evidence you have gathered on the number of
squats and the nature of squatting in your area or nationwide?
There are many many squats in London
Most squats are in empty abandoned and derelict buildings that are
occupied improved and repaired.
Many squatters get on with their neighbours and improve/bring life
back to derelict areas.
Most are for peoples desperate need for accommodation and
housing,however some are also community, project,art or social
centres,that provide life and low cost support/workshops to the areas
they are in.
Q3 Do you have any data or other information on the demographic
profile of people who squat - e.g. do they share any of the protected
characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 (age, disability,
gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation)? Do
they live alone or with others?
All ages ,races and cultures,squat out of urgent need,some are old and
disabled,also families young children ,pregnant women,many from
disadvantaged backgrounds or minority groups. Most live in larger
family groups and help each other.,creating their own support network.
The importance of squatting to the homeless is massive it provides a
safety net when all other routes have failed. It is often undertaken
in desperation and is carried out for basic survival.
-It provides for the hidden homeless estimated to be up to half a
million by Crisis.
Q4 Do you think the current law adequately deals with squatting?
Please explain your reasons.
- The law is more than ‘adequate', we need greater rights for
squatters - for example, ‘legalise squatting to prevent the
dereliction of buildings'.
A Solution could be Link up empty property owners with the homeless
and groups willing to recycle and repair derelict abandoned buildings
creating employment and accommodation.
Using some of the 725,000 empty buildings in the UK (Empty Homes Agency )
there is no need to make any changes as the current law is adequate
because - ‘owners who use their property as their own place of
residence - i.e. displaced residential occupiers (DROs) - are already
adequately protected by section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (DROs
and PIOs)'.
- The current law is adequate, and enforcement currently works OK, but
it could improve if there was better knowledge by the police of the
relevant law (e.g. prosecuting false PIO claims) and/or if there was
better public information about the protections granted to DROs.
The government's guidance is useful, but should have been introduced
earlier to counter misinformation in much of the mainstream media
about the nature of squatting.
There has been massive 6 month campaign of misguiding misinformation
on squatting.
Also lies by Grant Schapps and Crispin Blunt the Housing Minister
Note the letter from 160 Solicitors and academics
http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/2011/09/well-he-would-wouldnt-he/
"We are legal academics, solicitors and barristers who practise in
housing law acting for landlords, tenants, owners and occupiers. We
are concerned that a significant number of recent media reports have
stated that squatters who refuse to leave someone's home are not
committing a criminal offence and that a change in the law such as
that proposed by the Government is needed to rectify this situation.
This is legally incorrect, as the guidance published by the Department
for Communities and Local Government in March this year makes clear.
We are concerned that such repeated inaccurate reporting of this issue
has created fear for home-owners, confusion for the police and ill
informed debate among both the public and politicians on reforming the
law."
In short the law is adequate, we need no changes costing hundreds of
millions of pounds to implement,at a time of severe austerity,also the
massive spike in housing benefit from accommodating the displaced
homeless/squatters.
In fact we need to talk solutions using the three quarters of a million empty properties to create homes,communities and project space that will create employment and homes and urban regeneration.
--
www.squattershousingactiongroup.wordpress.com
www.squashcampaign.org
www.squattastic.blogspot.com
www.housolidarity.wordpress.com
Occupy Manchester continues into day 4
05-10-2011 08:52
Activists have been occupying Manchester for five nights now as part of the global movement of the 99%.When the Euro suit does not fit (article about the Greek crisis)
05-10-2011 07:51
Occupy Chicago Efforts Mark One Week, Join 130+ Other U.S. Cities
05-10-2011 07:34
It began as a call in July 2011 by the magazine Adbusters to hold powerful business interests on Wall Street to account, and drawing on inspiration from the famed 2011 grassroots protests across the Middle East. But the mantle has been taken up by grassroots activists in New York City to forge an ongoing occupation outside of Wall Street and throughout New York City. The effort in its first two weeks has spurred a national movement with sibling efforts in at least 130 other cities, including Chicago.
Occupy Chicago, merely a week old, has already drawn hundreds of grassroots protesters, who "march…each day…After an hour long general assembly meeting, demonstrators headed through the financial district, Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile and back to base camp to once more spread messages of solidarity, positivity and persistence in the face of a political system that’s left 99% of Americans without a real voice in governance…While it may be young and still trying to get organized, the movement to Occupy America is growing and cohering. And though many went home after Saturday’s march, more than a hundred stayed to continue organizing and evangelizing, with no plans to leave until they feel their job is done."
UPDATE: Occupy Chicago threatened by Chicago police to stop.
Additional Coverage: Lessons Learned from Occupy Wall Street | Five Things that Occupy Wall Street Did Right | Occupy Chicago Entering Day 6 | Protestors Occupy Chicago in Solidarity with Occupy Wall St NY | An American Spring is Possible | Open Letter to Occupy Chicago.
Outside Resources: Think Progress; NY Times' Andrew Ross Sorking Sneers at Occupy Wall Street | Protests Work Better with Specific Demands | Occupy Wall Street Makes Its Own Media.
Social Media Resources: Tumblr | Twitter | Live Video Stream
Activists keep the pressure up on Wickham labs
04-10-2011 19:15
Last months national demonstrations at Wickham labs new site at North Gosport has helped bring new vigour to the campaign to close this evil company. Wickham have been exposed time and time again abusing and murdering mice and rabbits simply for profit. Their crimes have been so horrific that they have even been condemned in the corporate media for their horrific abuse. Today 12 activists kept up the pressure visiting their Wickham site.
Project champion spy cameras to be used at Olympics
04-10-2011 18:48
A few thank yous and fuck yous
04-10-2011 17:19
Having just been acquitted in the Antifa trial i would like to make some quick remarks.URGENT 24 hours to respond to criminalise squatting consultation-easy guide
04-10-2011 17:06
Urgent use quick copy paste and add your own info ASAPCallout for Solidarity with the 2nd Prisoner Hunger Strike!
04-10-2011 16:19
On September 26th, a second hunger strike began in California state prisons. The number of strikers has grown to 12,000 as of October 2nd, nearly double the amount that took part in the previous strike in July.Phien O'Phien - Hum Hum Hum - Save Dale Farm Folk Song!
04-10-2011 15:43
Phien O'Phien is a long time activist on behalf of the Irish traveller community. He has for some time been writing folk songs about the experience of Irish travellers, Hum Hum Hum being one of them.Ban The Use Of Water Canon And Plastic Bullets
04-10-2011 14:55
PETITION TO BAN THE USE OF WATER CANON AND PLASTIC BULLETS
With a notice of 24 hours, the authorities in the UK can now authorise the use of water cannon and plastic bullets, should there be a threat of the violence and looting that has been witnessed in so many of our cities country-wide. Also, more worryingly, against any perceived threat from a protest or blockade.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2087759,00.html
To date, the evidence against the use of such drastic measures speak for themselves.
It must never be acceptable that we, the British people, will allow our civil liberties to be pushed beyond what is reasonable. Water canon and rubber bullets have been used in Northern Ireland. Sadly, this has generally been accepted, and never really questioned by the genaral public across the UK. Now for the first time, they could be used in mainland Britain.
We need to rally now in defence of what Britain stands for, and It does not accept that we turn on our own people with force that could lead to serious injury or death. It is used in other countries, however, the British nation will not accept its use here. We say to the British Government:
” DON’T CROSS THE LINE”
If we do, the use of water cannon and plastic bullets would lead to more potential violence and resentment.
The warning signs of civil unrest has been spoken about for years, coming from teachers, police, social workers, community workers etc. The issue is that consecutive governments have chosen to ignore these concerns. With the recent austerity cuts that have affected people on low income especially, there has been an outcry, by the people, that has gone unheeded.
Ultimately, if we insist on waging wars, that the people do not want to support, morally or financially, then something has got to give…..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/09/plastic-bullets-warning-police-orde
Top cop warns against use of plastic bullets on rioters.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/09/riots-curfew-water-cannon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cannon
Refers to safety aspect.
http://rfjusa.org/2011/08/plastic-bullets-are-never-a-solution/
Numbers killed by plastic bullets
WE SAY NO TO THE USE OF WATER CANNON AND PLASTIC BULLETS ON THE STREETS OF BRITAIN!
WHAT CAN YOU DO ?……………….PETITION HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT and pass this message on…
Petition submitted by Greg Matthews.