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3 extra things to remember for march 18 . . . .

wider coalitions, less "-isms", deeper explanations. . . .yes we can | 15.03.2006 15:45 | Anti-militarism | Culture | London | World

seeing the way the world is getting spun into this "war for news management" spiral, here are 3 things you can do to increase the sanity quotient . . . .

some of us are making extra effort to reach out to people that werent on the "2 million" marches, and write letters, put up posters , etc that include the words of "establishment" types that used to find it a problem getting involved with this sort of thing, even if that is in ways that echo the very effectual "names of the casualties" methods, with some voicing the words of others, in press releases, from the platforms, to journalists etc. . . . we think others can too . . . .+ we think its crucial that they do!

the prevention of the new "iran as target/goldstein" unthought out war-spin, + the hastening of us/uk withdrawal from the area, + strengthening of the worlds support and reparation to it, must have as its KEY message

the defusing of the OVERALL myths of the so-called "war on terror" , since the "two cup" trick of replacing alleged "neo-cons" with alleged "realo-s" once the war-clampdown spiral has "bedded in" ( - to respray the problem without sorting it -) might leave us all in a worse situation, faster, unless the problem is redefined from "who rules" to where the **** are we ALL going.

perhaps things have gotten so serious that good, radical global peace/change plans that include everybody, without scapegoating anybody, are welcomed even by people that might have rejected them until this point. They have.
So its up to everybody to explain "without the -isms",
platform speakers, organisations etc are often the last to suss that out, for their own "structural" reasons, so .... heres wishing you well for good "unexpected" chats, agreement, . . . . etc!

wider coalitions, less "-isms", deeper explanations. . . .yes we can

Comments

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Massive black bloc romours

15.03.2006 16:16

I've heard that there are plans for a massive black bloc at the march and that they will try to break off a large chunk of the crowd using a Scottish bagpipe band and go trash a major governmental target. I think it might be the US embassy but somebody else who reckons their have insider info says it will be something quite different. Another thing is that the 'black' bloc will come dress in disguise in ordinary day-to-day clothing to provide anonymity to the bloc until it breaks off at the predetermined signal .

Of course that is probably all crap and wishful thinking but just in case, keep your eye on the bagpipes and wait for the signal.

And watch the cops, they probably have some advanced intelligence on this.

anonymous


what are you trying to say?

15.03.2006 17:01

I honestly do not understand what the original poster here is trying to say. Apparently he wants to explain something better than others, and has a problem with so-called -isms. Well I'm sorry, these "deeper explanations" are beyond me. Could you try again in plain English?

more clarity please


Too late

15.03.2006 17:10

I for one refuse to go on any more spineless SWP parades though London, since (a) they are a waste of time IMO, (b) it's just a recruiting ground for the SWP/RESPECT, and (c) I refuse to give support to a organisation that includes people and groups supports Islamic etremism (yes, extremism, as in condoning suicide bombings, the subjigaton of women, and repression of homosexuals), such as the Muslim Assocation of Britian and George fucking Galloway. Oh and no, that doesn't make me Islamophobic, even if you think so, I am against religious hatred and intolerance in ALL its forms.

I am also too cowardly to go on any direct actions, so count one less "middle class student wanker hippie fucktard" from this event.

Mr. Humph


P.S.

15.03.2006 17:15

"And watch the cops, they probably have some advanced intelligence on this."

Especially now that you have posted your exact intentions on an open and public website. D'oh!

Mr. Humph


Shurely some mistake?

15.03.2006 18:39

That's funny, because last time I was down my local anarchist squatted social centre with my illegal-immigrant-Arab-fanatic friends I heard that the bloke who was going to give the signal to attack the undisclosed target would be carrying a bunch of newspapers and use the secret codephrase "Socialist Worker! Get your Socialist Worker here!" to start the trouble....

eh?


Stop Stop The War - The Offical Opposition

15.03.2006 19:02

They know there will be opposition so they keep tight control over the opposition movement, call it a coalition, channel people's energy into a couple of marches a year, etc.

I too have decided to not go to any more of the marches. All these wars are justified by the events of 911, Blair mentions it in every foreign policy speech. The STWC however won't allow their speakers to mention it.

Rick J


use your imagination

15.03.2006 23:25

...rather than following boring marches organised by boring people. they want to channell the people's energies in a couple of marches twice a year? think of ways to unchannell all these energies and put them where they can be useful. the world is a big place, use your imagination.

opensesame


Black-bloc is as out-dated as trench-warfare

16.03.2006 01:25

Black bloc failed spectactularlly in the last G8, on so far as it was really attempted. Don't do Black Bloc now, not in those limited implementations . Some tactics worked during the last G8 - individuals and small groups of friends thinking up something, rationalising it and simultaneously doing it. Those tactics worked, but they might not again for ever so think up new ones for yourselves. Black Bloc failed wherever it was tried because wherever it was tried it was planned for. They have helicopters, they have gunships. We only hvae justice, intelligence and individual courage. They have a group to cling to, we only have principles. If we individually follow our principles we won't win, we do need more organistaion

Horizone was a shot in the foot, an own goal. Think genuine guerrila. If Intifada worked there would be a feasible Palestine - just maybe Leylah Khalid was too liberal.

The G8 was an assault upon us, it is not something we can be proud of, I know for a fact 90% of anti-Iraq effort was suddenly switched to a reactive force, like a bull charging a Matador being distracted by a red rag.

Challenge everything, trust noone you don't need to.
Do what you wish someone else would.
Act like your own hero would.

saint nick


OVERTHROW THE CRIMINAL REGIME

16.03.2006 05:50

Reclaiming the “Orange Revolution”
by Jordan Thornton
www.dissidentvoice.org
September 18, 2005

Send this page to a friend! (click here)






Cindy Sheehan's courageous actions in Texas have captured the imagination of an American public desperate for an end to this madness. We must give them something they can get behind, while the Bush/PNAC Regime is vulnerable, and before the next big Distraction we all sense is imminent. Let's send an unmistakable message of unity and determination to the world, and end this now before things get any worse.

Since the demonstrations which reversed the electoral decision in the Ukraine, I've heard and seen many Ukrainians talking about large groups of foreigners who were pivotal to their planning. Many of these groups were the ones responsible for paying for the food, shelter, and orange banners used by the protestors. I didn't think much of this, or the accusations of funding from agencies such as the CIA, until I saw the same thing occurring in Lebanon.

Then, a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Carol Off, did a piece explaining that the "spontaneous, grassroots" protests in the Ukraine were the result of CIA funding and planning over a period of ten years.

Sadly, the report lauded these tactics of Regime Change, but nonetheless, proved my point.

One thing I've noticed is the tightly-controlled Western media's willingness to ignore the unsubstantiated allegations made in Syria and Lebanon that the Central Intelligence Agency, or Israel's Mossad, or both, were responsible for actions like the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and behind the recent Opposition Movements, while at the same time, parroting over and over the same unsubstantiated claims about Syria, emanating from the White House den of LIARS and thieves. Even media outlets which I consider better than the rest, like the CBC, are guilty of such irresponsibility. When pro-Syrian demonstrators turned out in the hundreds of thousands, proving the anti-Syrians to be the minority voice, the media downplayed these numbers.

Just feels a bit too staged for my taste ... What I find the most irresponsible about all of this is the fact that whoever is behind this, they are attempting (and succeeding) to divide the Lebanese People, and cause conflict both within the country, and towards Syria. This, of course, aids the Israelis and PNAC Americans, who both have an interest, and want to invade and occupy Syria (and perhaps Lebanon as well), as called for repeatedly by the agenda which has seen Bush/PNAC illegally invade two Arab nations already.

The CBC chose Janice Stein, a Zionist "Middle East Expert" to comment on the situation, and she said when she saw the demonstrations she "saw the colour orange". This was after the first anti-Syrian demo, when the colour scheme wasn't so pronounced. Since then, orange flags, placards, etc. have started “spontaneously" appearing in great numbers.

When I was in university, my Design professor brought in some Colour Researchers from the University of Edmonton, who lectured on the psychological, but also the PHYSICAL effects, colours have on the human body and mind. This red-orange colour is one of the "comfort colours", and you will no doubt remember seeing it in countless commercials (ING Direct, and the creepy, stereotypical European banker, anyone ...?).

Since the CIA, or some similar agency, is ultimately behind these carefully stage-managed displays, you know they understand what they're doing. I believe that we should be taking a cue from them, and striking while the iron is hot. This orange color scheme has been carefully crafted in order to transmit "armchair understanding" of these two manufactured crises, and make them appear to be popular uprisings.

Even though it was our Enemy putting it out there, for their own purposes, we should seize the opportunity to claim it for ourselves, since this IS a popular uprising, for the betterment of the world. After all, we have been granted an unprecedented peek inside the CIA's Handbook for Non-Violent Revolutionary Change, and you know damn well that they have studied all of the relevant psychological factors. We should not squander the opportunity we've been provided, and act while the soft underbellies of these monsters is exposed.

If you are to protest, from now on, DRESS IN ORANGE, and CARRY SIGNS OF ORANGE, rally at the feet of power, and the media, DEMANDING that the democratic Will of the People not be ignored. I guarantee this will send an instant message, not only to the Bush/PNAC/Bliar Regime, but to all Americans and to the world that sees it.

Keep your signs easy to read and understand, things such as "FIRE THE LIARS", "INVESTIGATE, IMPEACH, PROSECUTE" and at media centers, "LIARS", or "TRAITORS", or "COWARDS".

Groups should design some Talking Points, and designate members to speak with the reporters on-scene. In larger centers, you should inform the media of what's going to happen, and call the station’s News Director or Assignment Editor, and request to be interviewed. You could even take it further, and offer your services as an Activist Analyst for the day, just like they use ex-military personnel, and members of Right-Wing "Think-Tanks" to undermine our work. If they refuse, acknowledge their hypocrisy, stage a noisy rally at their front doors, contact their competitors, and when they arrive (and they will), talk to them.

Let's test these LIARS and War Criminals, and their media puppets, and see just how much they truly respect "Freedom & Democracy", the words upon which they attempt to justify the atrocities upon which they've built their fortunes.

Regardless of what happens, the message will be sent. We have nothing to lose. If something comes of this, then great. Follow up and celebrate. If the rallies are ignored, or treated by the police as those in the past, then you've just PROVEN these men to be the Hypocrites we all know them to be ... and this message will be transmitted in no uncertain terms around the world.

I'd like to see as many people as can not simply Rally for a few hours but for DAYS. Those who cannot make it there, plan and hold your own local rallies, and not only gather where your Government officials meet, but also where the media does its business.

Let's take this thing that was designed to dupe people into supporting what the Fascists in DC want, and turn it on its head. Let's use it as a tool for bringing that Fascism to its knees, and demonstrate the good intentions that were to be assumed about the "Orange Revolutionaries".

Remember, that we are the Majority, and Truth is our greatest Ally.

The only way we can fail, is if we fail to ACT.

P E A C E . . . ?

Jordan Thornton is an independent journalist, political activist, and screenwriter, who spent the past decade within the mainstream media, both in Canada and the United States. He can be contacted at pilgrim112 at hotmail.com

 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Sept05/Thornton0918.htm

Don't Give Up, Don't Accept Anything Less


first I heard of it..

16.03.2006 18:19

I've heard that there are plans for a massive black bloc at the march and that they will try to break off a large chunk of the crowd using a Scottish bagpipe band and go trash a major governmental target. I think it might be the US embassy but somebody else who reckons their have insider info says it will be something quite different. Another thing is that the 'black' bloc will come dress in disguise in ordinary day-to-day clothing to provide anonymity to the bloc until it breaks off at the predetermined signal .

Of course that is probably all crap and wishful thinking but just in case, keep your eye on the bagpipes and wait for the signal.

And watch the cops, they probably have some advanced intelligence on this.

HA HA HA that's the biggest laugh I had all day. Most of the people I have spoken too couldn't give a toss dispite my vain effort!

Ha Ha


Oh humm

16.03.2006 18:31

[quote] Black bloc failed spectactularlly in the last G8 [end quote]

Bullocks, of course it worked, you weren't even there, so stop talking like a wank and dragging people who you have never seen throught the mud.

It takes all sorts


humph gets the hump

16.03.2006 18:54

am seriously disappoited that mr humph is not prepared to support the anti war march...i know there will thousands there asking the key questionS
WHERE IS MR HUMPH?
Has he gone home with his ball?
Is he coming out to play?
Do we care?
IVAN

ivan


make black-bloc history

16.03.2006 21:49

[quote] Black bloc failed spectactularlly in the last G8 [end quote]

Bullocks, of course it worked, you weren't even there, so stop talking like a wank and dragging people who you have never seen throught the mud.

It takes all sorts

Indeed - I'm more of a cow than a bullock.

Okay, let us debate rationally, in what way do you think black-bloc worked and at the G8 and at which actions ? Obviously you could argue it worked in Stirling where there was no police response, I would argue the lack of police response proved there was no serious target under threat.

It wasn't tried at Gleneagles or Faslane or anywhere else except Edinburgh and Glasgow, and even then only in a limited way.

You can't argue Black-bloc was successful in Edinburgh or Glasgow because it was shut down by quicker police forces before it started. You need to have an established demo before you attempt black bloc, and the only established demo that was permitted to even form was the statist Geldoff event, which anarchists were polite aka media savvy enough to avoid. If black bloc could have worked, that was the moment. Even then, I doubt it. The whole thing was a set-up, a trap that we should have boycotted. I personally see attacking Burger joints as pitiful when there are arms manufacturers and oil companies and army garrisons nearby. It's like throwing rotten fruit at politicians, gesture violence. I'm no pacifist I'm just being rational, if you are desperate enough to resort to violence, then target your violence at your real enemy rather than the idiots who they employ to soak up our anger. The only time I ever kicked a policeman, and I may have killed him for all I know, he was drawing a gun on me unjustly and I felt I had no choice. I certainly never did it to boost my sex-life or self-opinion like too many anarchists I personally know.

I can be positive about some aspects of the G8. I do recognise some tactics worked. I applaud the punk who climbed the financial centre unhindered while the police were busy coralling the mass of you. I think I know and detest that guy for other reasons but I still worship him for a bit of creative self-expression. He had a can of beer in his hands if I remember right, he closed all those offices for hours.

It's true, I wasn't there ( I was here, which is there, but I was deliberately static so I admit your point is valid ) I was sat in car outside an oil refinery that suddenly had an armed police guard due to gesture violence elsewhere. I guess even my planned violence was only gesture violence, but I still think mine would have been more effective.
And I was on the golf course at Gleneagles -with a bottle of weedkiller- and I doubt you ever were.

I'm not criticising the previous and proven successes of black-bloc tactics. I'm just pointing out they are no longer effective, the police have adapted, it's time to be more imaginative. Whatver unrecognisedk, unpaid anarachist-generals who thought up the black-bloc, they should think up new tactics. I think the G8 proves that and I also think you personally should consider this without any personal aggression - strip out what you hate about me when you respond, just consider my argument for a moment, and I'll respond honestly in return. I think this is important and I believe you do too. I believe effect is worthier than intent.

saint nick


And what do points mean?

17.03.2006 02:48

The following had been hidden from the newswire by IMC admin trying to win bonus points (see below) so I am reposting it here cause somebody might find it funny and I might earn so bonus points too...


In an attempt to liven up this Saturday's march the void hereby launches a competition designed to promote fun, anarchy and insurrection in central London this Saturday...

The rules are simple, just read through the following and award youself points for actions carried out during the dreary trek from a to z, the winner will be awarded crusty of the year status, a free can of special brew and a pass guaranteeing them the right to never attend one of these pointless affairs again.

1) Award youself 5 points for taking along a dog
10 points for taking a dog on a piece of string
25 points for having no lead whatsoever and throwing a can of beer at the head of anyone who makes a comment, replying with the retort 'faark orf you wanker'
(bonus points are available if your dog bites anyone (10 points for a cop, 20
for a Socialist Worker Vendor), gets in a fight with another dog (10 points, or 15 if it wins) or shits in the middle of Park Lane (10 points)

2) 2 points awarded for every Socialist Worker vendor you tell to fuck off
5 points for punching them
25 points for picking them up and hurling them at the nearest cop

3) 2 points for every can of lager/cider consumed (standard strength, stella, becks etc)
5 points for every can of 'premium' strength beverage eg special brew, tenants, white lighening
25 points for waking up in Charing Cross police station with only a vague recollection of how you got there

4) 10 points for turning up late late and heading straight for the boozer
(10 bonus points for getting thrown out of said boozer)

5) 25 points for turning up with a soundsystem (add a further 50 points per kilowatt of power it pumps out)

6) 5 points for necking a pill, 10 for snorting speed openly on Piccadilly, 50 available for falling into a k-hole in Leicester Square with piss stains on yer keks

7) Stage invasions, heckling, special rules
5 points for shouting 'it's all bollocks' during Tony Benn's speech
10 points for shouting 'fuck off you wanker' whenever Galloway makes an appearance
(warning you lose 50 points for every speech you listen to!)
250 points for invading the stage when Guy Taylor speaks, bundling him into a van and dumping his limp, lifeless body into the Thames

8) Trophy hunting
10 points for a police helmet
20 points for a police radio
250 points for the scalp of any signed up member of the Respect party

9) Police Baiting
5 points for every photograph taken of a FIT team photographer
10 points for causing a minor bit of pointless argy bargy with the old bill
25 points for being sternly admonished by a middle aged, middle class peace protester
50 points for punching said middle aged, middle class peace protester
25 points for tripping up a cop
30 points for tripping up an STWC steward
50 points for 'giving the Stop the War coalition a bad name' (extra points awarded for any anti-social behaviour which takes places in front of a camera crew)

10) Influencing the Youth
5 points for introducing any STWC young members (under 21) to narcotics
10 points for buying alcohol for any underage teenagers on the march
50 points for stealing their virginity, moving them into your squat, influencing them to develop a drug problem, live in a truck, drop out of college etc

bonus points available for...

inciting a riot 500 points
getting nicked 50 points
nearly getting nicked but then blaming it on the nearest fresh faced SWP muppet and getting them nicked 100 points
staying at home and ignoring the whole sorry affair 2000 points

Let's make this one fun...

(bonus points available to imc readers who correctly guess how long this stays on the newswire, before it gets ditched in the hidden posts with the along with the nutters and the fash)

Prizes!


erm... what aload of tosh...

17.03.2006 03:57

I can see why the piss take void post was hidden from the newswire - it's a spoof about scalping people and attacking swp, repsect, cops, dogs, middle class types and so on, and it ain't even that funny.

Ho hum.

PS Anyway it's all a case of 'Massive Bog Blog Humours' more than 'massive black bloc rumours'...

PPS biggest airstrikes and military offensive for ages in iraq and USA confirms pre-emptive strike stance - seems to be two good reasons to get out on the streets on saturday to me.

MC


Except

17.03.2006 13:43

"biggest airstrikes and military offensive for ages in iraq and USA confirms pre-emptive strike stance - seems to be two good reasons to get out on the streets on saturday to me."

Unfounately by Sunday the US will still be conducting said airstrkies (or Monday if they are good Christians lol) regardless of how many people marched. But don't let that stop you from having a good time regardless. Me? I'll happily stay in bed thank you very much.

Mr. Humph