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Anarchist assembly @ the london anarchist boookair

an_assembly | 19.10.2005 17:54 | Social Struggles | London

Anarchist assembly @
London Anarchist Bookfair


Saturday 22nd October
1pm - 2pm
Dome Room
The Resource Centre
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA



Throughout this year the anarchist response to current and ongoing struggles (from the Gate Gourmet strike, G8 summit protests, Mayday, the Polish Tesco workers dispute, to the war on terror and continued Iraq war) has been fragmented or muted, any positive political initiatives seen as either isolated pockets of resistance or self-contained activity.

This is not a debate about who lays claim to the best variety of ‘anarchism’, we feel 'the anarchist movement' has matured enough to recognise all genuine expressions of anarchist intent as valid and, if passionately held, as vital and necessary. No, this assembly is an attempt to bring people together through what we choose to agree on, how we choose to work together, how we articulate our desires, build on our similarities to create a more sustained and committed presence.

We should recognise that anarchism is dynamic enough to to embrace difference and cultivate diversity within its framework, indeed the willingness to develop, grow & explore new ideas is one of our greatest assets. The first step is to acknowledge our differences and begin talking about what we do, and can agree on.

This, then, is an invitation for an open dialogue between anarchist federations/groups/individuals to discuss how we as anarchists and anti-authoritarians collectively evolve, how we involve ourselves with social, political and community issues on a local, national & international level, how we co-ordinate our activities and work together to encourage anarchist initiatives and ideas, putting those ideas into practical and effective everyday use.

We invite all those who consider anarchism an idea worth fighting for and an activity worth defending.

an_assembly
- e-mail: an_assembly

Comments

Hide the following 7 comments

last year

19.10.2005 20:16

Can it have a bit more structure this time? It was interesting to hear peoples' perspectives last time, but perhaps an agenda or something might make it more productive.

rookie


essentially you have to get the 'set and setting' right...

19.10.2005 23:36

...because anarchy is about a state of consciousness that you can't really describe and that you must experience...thus you have to foc'ulize a different consciousness/reality in the space you are working with...thus a group, or the whole community or whatever. How do you do this? Good question! When this other space is made everything becomes easier...no longer fear separation, scitz and scism, instead protection trust freedom and sharing...is really a magical thing rather than material thing, thus is not really, for example, about say, 'collective resonsibility regarding 'the kids', but instead a 'guidance' type space where everything is clearer. Can I work with you to help generate such a space?...not unless I fancy getting beaten up by maoists etc in my experience!

I would say anyway at his stage of the game that anyone with any sense should be looking for a bolthole somewhere country orientated...where the best chances of surviving environmental armagedon lye. (in other words, you fail...sorry there karma's fucked)

King Amdo


consensus

20.10.2005 07:31

Rookie said;

"Can it have a bit more structure this time? It was interesting to hear peoples' perspectives last time, but perhaps an agenda or something might make it more productive."


There are many consensus and groupwork tools around that can be useful in setting up an inclusive, structured, productive yet non-hierarchical meetings, gatherings or workshops.

I have to dash for now but will maybe try to post up a few that I know of or can link to later on when I get home from work...

Cheers

Ann & Archie


adgenda

20.10.2005 09:49

hey rookie, i think i remember seeing a timetable or something on the official site. Not sure how accurate it'l be on the day, but its worth a browse.

a.


Climate change ?

20.10.2005 15:33




At the last few Anarchist bookfairs, there's been hardly a mention or discuss group(s) scheduled on climate change and what people should be doing to counter act this from an Anarchist point of view. Given that this subject is of much greater concern than virtually everything else why are there no serious discussions etc scheduled on this ???


also: where's the Queeruption crew.....?

pirate


Permaculture space???

20.10.2005 22:54

Re Climate change workshops- to broaden this a bit, myself and some other folks in the permaculture scene have been talking about the idea of creating a 'permaculture space' at the next bookfair (we were discussing it for the forthcoming one, but unfortunately we were all already too overcommitted to do anything about it...), we envisaged booking a space that would be loosely themed around permaculture and anarchism, having art on the walls themed around earthcare/peoples art, etc, and hosting workshops ranging from climate change/peak oil through to land stuff about allotments/guerilla gardening etc, etc. Folks who've so far expressed an interest incude the Organic Lea mob  http://www.organiclea.org.uk/ , Spiralseed www.spiralseed.co.uk naturewise  http://www.naturewise.org.uk and other disparate autonomous permaculturists and guerilla gurus...

If any bookfayre organisers are reading, whats yer thoughts???

Herby Spiral


Climate change and anarchism

03.11.2005 01:48

Hi,

I was just curious if anyone knew of anything good written about climate change from an anarchist perspective.

If anyone can help, that'd be much appreciated. Getting in touch with me by email would be best, as I don't normally read this site (because I'm based in Aotearoa/New Zealand).

Thanks.

Jon
mail e-mail: happyjonny@hotmail.com