Issue 19’s special feature supports dissent against this July’s G8 summit in Scotland, and dissent against the LibLabCon that is ‘democracy’ in the UK. Many people from the West Country will join the thousands who are expected to oppose the summit of the self-selected G8. We look at the case against G8 policies on sustainable development, climate change, privatisation and African debt & poverty, using edited versions of Bristol Dissent’s briefing papers; and interview the colourful Rebel Clown Army soon to visit Bristol. There’s a G8 summit listing too.

Twenty years since Live Aid in 1985 there has been a total failure to deal with extreme poverty and famine in Africa. Global warming is now proven, as is the unsustainability of free market globalisation. Yet the Group of 8 richest economic nations still advocate the same free-market capitalist solutions to all the world’s ills – namely privatisation to fuel corporate expansion. Previous world summits at Johannesburg and Cancun have been complete flops but leaders have not been held to account, despite mass protests.

The global ruling elite continues to lurch towards the right – politically, economically & religiously. Meanwhile, millions are displaced by poverty, conflict and environmental destruction, and then criminalised, deported and vilified by the anti-immigration policies of the developed world. The results of local and national elections in the UK become ever more irrelevant, as whoever we vote for the ruling class remains in control, and the G8 dictates the agenda – which is one reason why so many don’t vote, and continue to find ways to express their opposition outside of the norms that NewLabour’s globalisers seek to impose on us.

There are alternatives to capital’s globalisation but you would not think that there was even a debate if you only consumed the mainstream media. Bristle continues to provide a space for news, reviews and comments that offer an alternative. If you value free discussion about social justice and distrust the mainstream media monopoly then support your local non-profit radical magazine. Or if you want to privatise fresh air, believe in strict immigration controls, love the royal family, support military adventurism and couldn’t case less about the environment – buy one immediately and get to know your ‘enemy’!

Bristle 19 also features the usual uncompromising mix of news, views and reviews that its readers expect; stories about local people resisting cuts in public services and environmental destruction. Vulnerable citizens have occupied their day centres, and much more, in a spirited and inspirational campaign to stop Bristol City Council ‘modernising’ away basic service provision. In East Bristol, members of the local community have been fighting to prevent the loss of public access to Packer’s Green, a precious green space in Whitehall. We cover the hunt ban, defence of asylum seekers, corruption at Unity, anti-gm actions at Sainsburys, and actions against coca cola. There is news from Bristling Bath and a refreshingly empowering rejection of the parliamentary vote on the eve of the general election.

Bristle, P.O. Box 25, 82 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB.
 editors@bristle.org.uk
www.bristle.org.uk

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