New government announcement gives us an opportunity to smash ASBOs
Skid Row | 01.09.2004 01:05 | Repression
The government's flagship "Asbo Ambassadors" are a sitting duck for activists to begin the fight against these fascist laws.
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk the endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
All for one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
(SKID ROW, "Youth Gone Wild")
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VIVA LA RESISTANCE! SOME ANTI-ANTI-ANTI-SOCIAL ANTI-NAZI SUGGESTIONS
The government have just handed us a great opportunity to create problems for their flagship fascist ASBO policy which is smashing civil rights and victimising those deemed socially deviant. They've declared that they will be setting up "Asbo ambassadors" whose job it will be to travel around councils to incite them to use ASBO's when they haven't been. (Some councils may be resisting using ASBO's for political reasons, because of their cost, or because they prefer to use other measures to deal with problems). Basically equivalent to the agents sent by authoritarian regimes to infiltrate local institutions and bring them in line, these "ambassadors" are labelled as "Asbo experts".
A good chance to try out one or two of the tactics which have served AFA and animal rights activists so well...
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BBC article:
Ambassadors to fight yob culture
David Blunkett wants to cut anti-social behaviour by 15% by 2008
Experts are to be drafted in to local authorities to make them more yob-resistant, the BBC has learned. The so-called Asbo Ambassadors will urge councils and police forces to increase the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders imposed on hooligans. The hand-picked ambassadors will show authorities reluctant to impose the orders how the powers can be used. One, Bill Pitt, told BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast: "The Asbo is about the protection of communities." He added: "Our role will be to work through the problems agencies are encountering in implementing orders and it could indeed result in more orders. "Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are about the community, which takes back hope and aspirations for reasonable standards of behaviour. "They establish the line that must not be crossed and set down the things that the perpetrator cannot do, the harm they cannot repeat and put the community back in the driving seat."
But some youth workers fear the orders are just a short-term solution. Clare Greenhalgh, who works with youngsters in Manchester, told BBC Radio Five Live: "I realise the priority has to be the victims in these cases and I agree with that but all these orders do is move the problem.
"They don't tackle the cause so it's only a quick fix.
"These youngsters are the responsibility of all of us - they are society's problem - and we all benefit if the problems they cause are tackled in the long term.
"Moving them from one estate to another is just a short-term fix for a few people."
A Home Office spokeswoman said the introduction of the ambassadors for local authorities was part of the Together Academy Action Days programme announced on August 11. Louise Casey, director of the anti-social behaviour unit, said at the time: "This is a great opportunity for local areas to really raise their game through taking advantage, at no cost, of high quality consultancy from the best people around." Around 2,600 Asbos have been issued since their introduction in 1999 and Home Secretary David Blunkett wants to see more. He wants to cut anti-social behaviour by 15% by 2008. A poll earlier this month suggested Labour's pledge to crack down on unruly youngsters was one of its most popular policies among voters.
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And just listen to the Nazi rhetoric! "Laying down a line which must not be crossed"! A society based not on dialogue, not based on freedom, but based on a line laid down from on high! Residents "liberated" through being enslaved by the state! The "community" is in the driving seat because the STATE is imposing its will! (Only a council or police force can apply for an ASBO, not a "community" or an individual.)
REFUSE FASCISTIC METHODS! RESIST SOCIAL CLEANSING!
Here we have a clear enemy to target. Let's get a list of these "ASBO ambassadors" and do to them what we do to vivisectionists and to Nazis like David Irving! Set up a network and get victims of ASBOs and crackdowns mobilised in each area, and whenever one of these officials shows up, let's shall we say "make life miserable" for them. If they're academics, put propaganda out whenever they visit other universities, and get students to target them. It they're government officials, target their offices. Put personal details about them on the internet and see what happens. Let us make these new Nazis the pariahs of the present, to drive ASBO's from existence!
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NAME AND SHAME ASBO BIGOTS
Here's some details on one of these scum:
"Bill Pitt, a tutor with the Home Office Anti Social Behaviour Unit and one of the Ambassadors, said the legislation was not being used as well or as often as it could be."
"Bill Pitt, Head of Neighbourhood Nuisance Team, Manchester City Council"
Manchester - that's Mike Lane's turf...
Here is a list of some others who MAY be "ambassadors" and who are involved in an existing intitiative to encourage ASBOs:
Bill Pitt, head of neighbourhood nuisance team, Manchester City Council
Claire Castle, chief executive of anti-social behaviour operations
Feizal Hajat, senior lawyer, Birmingham City Council
Mark Harrison, inspector, Kent Police
Niamh Noone, head of legal department, Lancashire Constabulary
Neil Pilkington, principal solicitor, Salford City Council
Sam McConnell, anti-social behaviour coordinator, Oldham Council
Trevor Kennett, assistant head of community development, Canterbury City
Council
List is taken from:
http://www.lgcnet.com/pages/news/article.asp?ArticleID=322558
This "together" partnership relies on people emailing and calling in for support. It should also be possible to put together fake bookings and otherwise cause trouble for these people.
Here's the official site (think: dDOS)
"Together - ganging up on the socially excluded":
http://www.together.gov.uk/
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So you think you'll cut me down to size?
Well there's something you should realise,
It's gonna take more than a break in the law,
To make me smile pretty for the wrecking ball!
Won't beg, won't plead
The end of sacrifice is a threat to society
Hard lines, You'll see
Once you've made your mark you've made a threat to society
(SKID ROW, The Threat)
We spend our lives on trial
We walk the endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
All for one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
(SKID ROW, "Youth Gone Wild")
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIVA LA RESISTANCE! SOME ANTI-ANTI-ANTI-SOCIAL ANTI-NAZI SUGGESTIONS
The government have just handed us a great opportunity to create problems for their flagship fascist ASBO policy which is smashing civil rights and victimising those deemed socially deviant. They've declared that they will be setting up "Asbo ambassadors" whose job it will be to travel around councils to incite them to use ASBO's when they haven't been. (Some councils may be resisting using ASBO's for political reasons, because of their cost, or because they prefer to use other measures to deal with problems). Basically equivalent to the agents sent by authoritarian regimes to infiltrate local institutions and bring them in line, these "ambassadors" are labelled as "Asbo experts".
A good chance to try out one or two of the tactics which have served AFA and animal rights activists so well...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBC article:
Ambassadors to fight yob culture
David Blunkett wants to cut anti-social behaviour by 15% by 2008
Experts are to be drafted in to local authorities to make them more yob-resistant, the BBC has learned. The so-called Asbo Ambassadors will urge councils and police forces to increase the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders imposed on hooligans. The hand-picked ambassadors will show authorities reluctant to impose the orders how the powers can be used. One, Bill Pitt, told BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast: "The Asbo is about the protection of communities." He added: "Our role will be to work through the problems agencies are encountering in implementing orders and it could indeed result in more orders. "Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are about the community, which takes back hope and aspirations for reasonable standards of behaviour. "They establish the line that must not be crossed and set down the things that the perpetrator cannot do, the harm they cannot repeat and put the community back in the driving seat."
But some youth workers fear the orders are just a short-term solution. Clare Greenhalgh, who works with youngsters in Manchester, told BBC Radio Five Live: "I realise the priority has to be the victims in these cases and I agree with that but all these orders do is move the problem.
"They don't tackle the cause so it's only a quick fix.
"These youngsters are the responsibility of all of us - they are society's problem - and we all benefit if the problems they cause are tackled in the long term.
"Moving them from one estate to another is just a short-term fix for a few people."
A Home Office spokeswoman said the introduction of the ambassadors for local authorities was part of the Together Academy Action Days programme announced on August 11. Louise Casey, director of the anti-social behaviour unit, said at the time: "This is a great opportunity for local areas to really raise their game through taking advantage, at no cost, of high quality consultancy from the best people around." Around 2,600 Asbos have been issued since their introduction in 1999 and Home Secretary David Blunkett wants to see more. He wants to cut anti-social behaviour by 15% by 2008. A poll earlier this month suggested Labour's pledge to crack down on unruly youngsters was one of its most popular policies among voters.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And just listen to the Nazi rhetoric! "Laying down a line which must not be crossed"! A society based not on dialogue, not based on freedom, but based on a line laid down from on high! Residents "liberated" through being enslaved by the state! The "community" is in the driving seat because the STATE is imposing its will! (Only a council or police force can apply for an ASBO, not a "community" or an individual.)
REFUSE FASCISTIC METHODS! RESIST SOCIAL CLEANSING!
Here we have a clear enemy to target. Let's get a list of these "ASBO ambassadors" and do to them what we do to vivisectionists and to Nazis like David Irving! Set up a network and get victims of ASBOs and crackdowns mobilised in each area, and whenever one of these officials shows up, let's shall we say "make life miserable" for them. If they're academics, put propaganda out whenever they visit other universities, and get students to target them. It they're government officials, target their offices. Put personal details about them on the internet and see what happens. Let us make these new Nazis the pariahs of the present, to drive ASBO's from existence!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME AND SHAME ASBO BIGOTS
Here's some details on one of these scum:
"Bill Pitt, a tutor with the Home Office Anti Social Behaviour Unit and one of the Ambassadors, said the legislation was not being used as well or as often as it could be."
"Bill Pitt, Head of Neighbourhood Nuisance Team, Manchester City Council"
Manchester - that's Mike Lane's turf...
Here is a list of some others who MAY be "ambassadors" and who are involved in an existing intitiative to encourage ASBOs:
Bill Pitt, head of neighbourhood nuisance team, Manchester City Council
Claire Castle, chief executive of anti-social behaviour operations
Feizal Hajat, senior lawyer, Birmingham City Council
Mark Harrison, inspector, Kent Police
Niamh Noone, head of legal department, Lancashire Constabulary
Neil Pilkington, principal solicitor, Salford City Council
Sam McConnell, anti-social behaviour coordinator, Oldham Council
Trevor Kennett, assistant head of community development, Canterbury City
Council
List is taken from:
http://www.lgcnet.com/pages/news/article.asp?ArticleID=322558 This "together" partnership relies on people emailing and calling in for support. It should also be possible to put together fake bookings and otherwise cause trouble for these people.
Here's the official site (think: dDOS)
"Together - ganging up on the socially excluded":
http://www.together.gov.uk/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So you think you'll cut me down to size?
Well there's something you should realise,
It's gonna take more than a break in the law,
To make me smile pretty for the wrecking ball!
Won't beg, won't plead
The end of sacrifice is a threat to society
Hard lines, You'll see
Once you've made your mark you've made a threat to society
(SKID ROW, The Threat)
Skid Row
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
Thoughts the reaction to ASBOs
01.09.2004 08:18
Try living in a town where you can’t walk around safely at any time of day before you slam any efforts the government makes to reduce crime.
I have been attacked twice this year by gangs of kids causing constant trouble in the area, who are all too young to be dealt with by the police.
There is “a line that should not be crossed” and it’s attacking people, robbing them and being generally threatening. Youngsters who are the target ASBOs are “society’s problem”. You’re right there – because they’re the ones beating people up, shouting abuse wherever they go and taking public places away from the public. It’s not the police this time!
ASBOs are not about Nazi bullying or state control. They’re one of the few ways I can see that crime anti-social behaviour (that’s what it is!) can be tackled. No one needs to commit crime: as far as I can see that’s the basic fact.
By the way, when you say “let’s do to [ASBO ambassadors] what we do to vivisectionists and Nazis” don’t you feel a bit hypocritical? Wasn’t it the Nazis who perfected the art of making personal attacks on their enemies?
I can’t be the only person on the left who remembers the lessons of the German and Russian revolutions. The Police and the armed forces were instrumental in their success because like everyone else they are workers and crucially they are the people who have the ability to thwart the state’s power by refusing to carry out its wishes. Let’s remember that the enemy is the state and not its employees before we automatically try and alienate the police at every turn.
Mo Pamplin
You are either stupid or a troll... I think the latter
01.09.2004 10:59
The police are supposed to look at a law, compare it to the human rights act and then make a decision on whether it is against human rights before they use it. This isn't being done.
I also live in a relatively 'bad area' as you call it. However, the solution is not making it a crime for youths and groups of people to gather or to stop individuals from being able to see their friends. Instead something needs to be done for them. ie. Here there is nothing for anyone to do (other than a single skate park half a km away - what if they don't want to skate). The council created a 'meeting point' for youths (a hut in a park) and people are complaining because people use it... (destroying the peace of their park).
Also, if protest gets banned (look at the injunctions that were used against the Animal Rights movement by HLS, Asahi Glass, Yamanouchi etc...) other forms of less than legal activity occurs (again look at Animal Rights, after the injunctions were created animal rights related direct action increased by several hundred percent).
So banning protest and stopping youths from gathering is not going to solve the problem, just move it, delay it and possibly even escalate it.
fredrico
e-mail:
musteatvegan@yahoo.co.uk
dont be an idiot
01.09.2004 19:08
safety first!
Asbos are fascist strategy
01.09.2004 21:26
Sure many kids are fucked up by poverty, bad housing, vaccination, the promotion of shit food, the relinquishment of any ethical standards by the ruling elite, the importation of drugs into neighbourhoods by the same, the sanctification of extreme violence by government - either through 'justified' war or through government sponsored 'terrorism'
Mindless Yobs in Government and in the media have created conditions of fecklessness amongst the disenchanted and TV brainwashed poor and then fuck them over for it especially aiming for their youngest members
The conditions of the asbo have been purposefully induced to bind people to a wholly threatening serfdom
Lokk at them in conjunction with biometric ID and soon to follow chipping
This is imprisonment with virtual walls
dh
No police state! Smash ASBOs!
01.09.2004 23:09
People who support police states should go and live in Iran or China and see if they still think police-state measures are worthwhile. Or they should go and live in Palestine or Darfur and see if the greatest miseries which can be inflicted are those caused by rebellious youths. Perhaps they could help protect the beleaguered Israeli soldiers from the stone-throwing yobs…
The trouble with the threat of fascism is, it’s invisible. So it’s lost to those people who only see the ends of their noses and the immediate problems. Give up one freedom, then the next, then the next… Perhaps the danger of Auschwitz is not immediately apparent from the mere fact of living in a deprived area. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real, as history clearly demonstrates.
People who are prepared to give up basic liberties, and to submit to a state which demands the power to order people around at whim, without even the most basic activities protected from being arbitrarily declared illegal by state agents and without even the most minimal liberal conceptions of equality such as equality before the law, deserve neither freedom nor the security they desire above all else.
Either you resist statist fascism or you don’t. If you accept draconian powers, don’t grumble when they’re used against protesters or against the “decent” people. The “Something Has to be Done” excuse is just kneejerk nonsense. There’s no point heaping evils on top of one another, just to satisfy a silly macho desire to be “doing something”. c.f. how Bush said “something has to be done” after 911.
“There is “a line that should not be crossed” and it’s attacking people, robbing them and being generally threatening.” (Mo) – you hypocrite! Police attack people with truncheons and threaten people. ASBOs are a form of threat by statists and involve police violence. And the state robs people. It’s called taxes. At least when they’re used to pay for prisons and police.
I would also like to see some of these “come and live where I live” morons spend some time living the lives of the genuinely excluded. When the police are persecuting beggars, immigrants and the psychologically different for instance, crude workerism like Mo’s is just a tool of the bosses.
Andy
e-mail:
ldxar1@cashette.com
Homepage:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/andy_ldxar1/
These issues "bring out the worst in people"
02.09.2004 07:13
Why we should say no to the ASBOs
Alan Walter socialist and tenant activist in Camden
CAMDEN COUNCIL in north London has a new magazine—Camden Living. The front page lead is “Cracking Down On Crime”. The editorial and another whole page are devoted to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
On my estate, tenants’ meetings frequently discuss what to do about the noise generated by children playing football or hanging out with their mates.
Even one kid methodically practising their basketball skills can drive you mad. And when a large group take it in turns to drive mopeds around the estate it’s almost enough to start World War Three.
But the Labour councillor was wrong to argue in his letter in last week’s Socialist Worker that we should support ASBOs as a way of giving power to local communities.
Socialists have a choice. We can either address the causes or join the right wing chorus for scalps. Ask any teenager and they will tell you—hanging around isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
Overcrowded homes and a lack of cash mean there is no alternative to hanging out with your mates on the street.
This was once recognised by many of those now pushing ASBOs. They were part of the early 1980s generation of Labour Party activists who had a strategy of taking control of local councils to improve the lives of working people. They included home secretary David Blunkett, leader of “the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire”.
They prided themselves on being able to set up youth clubs, expand the number of apprenticeships and create decent jobs. But when the Tories demanded massive cuts in council spending they caved in. They took responsibility for shutting youth clubs, ending apprenticeships and replacing secure jobs with private contractors.
Today they promote ASBOs and scapegoating. Huge amounts of money are spent on extra police patrols, curfews and banning orders. That money could instead be spent on facilities for our children.
Scapegoating doesn’t make our communities feel more “cohesive”.
On my estate this debate brings out the best and worst in people.
Ten years ago in Camden we set up a joint campaign with teenagers, tenants and trade unionists to lobby the town hall. We won extra money for youth services.
We showed how working class communities can unite to both make a difference in the here and now, and to offer a strategy for changing the world into one that we would want to bring up children in.
Our vision of a different way of organising the world—one that uses resources to benefit the majority—provides a real alternative to New Labour’s increasingly right wing social agenda.
Many people are repelled by the attempt to demonise young people—but they lack confidence to fight it. The role of socialists is to stand up against the reactionary propaganda pumped out by the government and the media, and to organise people to resist it.
bigots shut up