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London Mayday 300th Anniversary Party

Space Hijacker | 14.04.2008 15:40 | Culture | Free Spaces | Repression | London

The Space Hijackers and Metropolitan Police Cordially invite you to
Mayday.

Mayday 2008 is the 300th anniversary of the last free Mayday before the Grand Jury suppression of the traditional May Fayre in central London; a riotous, raucous celebration of fertility and freedom. From the 1st of May each year, and for up to two weeks afterwards, the people stopped working, rejected their normal routines then danced, drank, laughed and made love in the streets, jeering at the controlling figures of the Church and State, and turning everything they could upside down.

It was known as such "a nursery of vice and debauchery", that after 1708 the authorities, having had enough of this dangerous freedom and subversion, shut it down. Although there were some attempts at reviving it, the creeping spectre of gentrification made sure it couldn't continue, as the area of the fayre was gradually built over with palaces and playgrounds for the rich.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, and the still thriving tradition of over the top state control, the Space Hijackers and the Metropolitan Police proudly present a collaborative re-enactment of the end of this traditional May Fayre. Our modern-day interpretation of the cycle of uprising and suppression is in keeping with the attempted repression of parties, protests and gatherings enacted by the state throughout the ages.

In act one, the Space Hijackers will be inviting people to join a mayday street party in it’s traditional home, with music, bands, food and revelry. This will be later followed by the Metropolitan Police Players, who will be re-enacting a classic clamping down on civil liberties and freedom of the people.

All are welcome to this celebration, bring food, bands, mead, rum, codpieces, bales of hay, 18th century prostitutes, music, laughter, wonky teeth, corsets, bustles, spit roasts and virgins dancing around poles.

The exact location of the fayre is still a closely guarded secret, however it will be revealed closer to the date on our website

 http://www.spacehijackers.org

Space Hijacker
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org

Additions

Flyers for the event

23.04.2008 09:34

Flyer front
Flyer front

Flyer back
Flyer back

Here are the 'Official' flyers for the event.

see you soon

bristly pioneer
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org

fair point

29.04.2008 15:36

Indeed Space Hijacking is also a verb

meeting points will be announced tomorrow morning.

Costume Ideas and history stuff

STUFF YOU SHOULD TO KNOW

COSTUME IDEAS:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1700-1750_in_fashion

 http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/pics/1700a.shtml

 http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/round/18th_century_men/formal_wool/index.html

 http://www.freewebs.com/fashionmuseum/1700.htm

MAYDAY HISTORY:

 http://libcom.org/library/a-history-of-mayday

 http://www.urban75.org/mayday02/history.html

 http://www.infopt.demon.co.uk/grub/mayfair.htm

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/news/may/mayday/mayday_history.shtml

 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robin_Goodfellow

Bristly pioneer

NEW INFORMATION

30.04.2008 13:22

MAYDAY MEETING POINTS

1) Space Hijackers, Peasants, Aristocracy, Performers, Merchants, Peddlers, Strumpets and Virgins Meet in Green Park by Green Park tube, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:03pm promptly
2) Metropolitan Police, Fools, Soldiers and Vagabonds Meet outside Bond Street tube station, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:34 promptly
Please note it is very important you do not join the wrong meeting point, otherwise you will look like a total fool!
Call 07513 335 777 to catch up

See you There!

18th century ruffian
mail e-mail: mayfayre2008@gmail.com
- Homepage: http://www.spacehijackers.org.uk

Comments

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Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

beautiful!After the main show watch out for the traditional agent provocatuer sp

14.04.2008 21:20

You sexy people, keep it up, you can dance around my may pole anytime. I am sure the metropolitan police players & government bosses appreciate the space hijackers & other peoples kind tax sponsorship of overtime pay for reenacting acts of repression & infringement of international human rights at this event.
After the main show as well as at sideshows watch out for the agent provocatuer clowners accompanied by the special agent brew blockers trying to help the most honourable powers that be, evading standards& the Daily blackmail in their usual unbiased portrayal of freedom & festivities.

green syndicalist
mail e-mail: sparkeee1@hotmail.com

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

beautiful

16.04.2008 00:52

whoever took this my comment last night there was no good reason, seriously bad moderation.I made no bad comments &

"just said sounds like a good show, I am sure police will appreciate overtime paid for by hijackers & peoples taxes in any attempts at repressing freedom of more peaceful demo's.
Watch out for the agent provacetuer players followed by the special brew crew renactment on behalf of evading standards & the Daily Blackmail

ps again whoever has hacked indy or is abusing the editorial after I put this up last night I will keep putting this orginal unoffensive & truthful comment up, hopefully decent imc members will uncover why you are doing this. If there is any slightly decent reason why you though it should be taken down, have some guts & email me!

green syndicalist
mail e-mail: sparkeee1@hotmail.com

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

beautiful

16.04.2008 01:22

ps I also said Hijackers were sexy people who can dance around my maypole anytime, how can that upset any1, you have to be ultra pc whitehouse brigade dont you to ban that? I didnt say anything or imply about kids & if thats what you thought maybe we should meet in court.Its late now so 4 goodness sake why was that taken down whilst serious insults were made against people on the brum squat article & left up???????

I usually find IMC pretty well moderated who has just gained access to UK IMC moderation & or whats going on????????????

whoever took this my comment last night there was no good reason, seriously bad moderation.I made no bad comments

just said "sounds like a good show, I am sure police will appreciate overtime paid for by hijackers & peoples taxes in any attempts at repressing freedom of more peaceful demo's.
Watch out for the agent provacetuer players followed by the special brew crew renactment on behalf of evading standards & the Daily Blackmail"

ps again whoever has hacked indy or is abusing the editorial after I put this up last night I will keep putting this orginal unoffensive & truthful comment up, hopefully decent imc members will uncover why you are doing this. If there is any slightly decent reason why you though it should be taken down, have some guts & email me!

green syndicalist
mail e-mail: sparkeee1@hotmail.com

Hidden Comment

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IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Policespace hijackers

16.04.2008 13:43

isn`t it obvious thaqt these fo;ks are o;d bill/special branch.I ave some pics to prove my case!
Would indymedia care to publish,or is it totally infiltraed?

Winston Smith

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winston smith, get a life

16.04.2008 14:58

space hijackers arnt 'special branch' look at their pretty much weekly actions. just because they are advertising this mayday celebration and are trying to get people to come into london on mayday doesnt mean they are special branch. to surgest that they are because they accept and want to highlight the fact that the police will be in london on mayday and will try and shut down anything going on doesnt mean they are the police.

(A)

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

?winston get some sunshine,thats not what I meant,Hijackers are cool

17.04.2008 12:06

?winston we all need to get some more sunshine,thats not what I meant,Hijackers are v.cool& sexy as I said in the comment that didnt stay up, I usually check to make sure comments go through as sometimes there can be computer probs.
I really do hope police acknowledge that many of the demonstrators there are also tax payers who advocate fair pay & I never said they were special branch. I think its pretty obvious if you havent got a humour overide I was pointing out that we all need to be aware of provacatuers infiltrating our ranks.
This isnt a exact copy of first comment I had to do it rushed, though come did you really think I was having a go at the Hijackers?
apologies by email or online with a more recognisable name would be great

Also when on demo's I & alot of other activists try to help point out known police provocatuers-units to majority of police who often really don't want trouble either. Ive had enough of having to defend people from some of the dodgy coppers & then get hit on back of head by pissheads.

green syndicalist

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Intresting

17.04.2008 12:08

to see that there`s a response to an article I posted although NOT the actual article!
This in my opinion amounts to Stalinisim,I was under the impression that this is/was an independent wire. Did I hit a nerve? I seem to agree with green syndicalist in his opinions,why slag me off in a response without submitting my original artice? I also have some incriminating evidence,officer! I wonder if this will be posted independently or is this site and it`s postings under a party type line?

Winston Smith

self-promotional event

24.04.2008 09:29

Sounds all good BUT why do the space hijackers promote themselves more so than the actually event. Its always "space hijackers vs.....". Sounds a bit ego-warrior to me. Or is that part of the arts council funding agreement?

MFI

mfi

not a competition

24.04.2008 10:07

Hmmm... actually, this time it's billed as space hijackers & the met police as it's jokingly a re-enactment.

As for why 'brand' an event... that should be obvious. When people know or previous exploits and reputation, they may feel more of a connection to those organising a future event and more (or less) likely to attend. It's totally normal. The wombles for example did it a lot.

Remember - it's not a competition.

us vs them

ok

24.04.2008 14:47

Fair enuff, see you on may 1st - I'll bring friends

MFI

mfi

And furthermore...

29.04.2008 09:57

Whoeever participates in a space hijackers action becomes a space hijacker - it's a verb as well as a name of a group of people. So promoting it under the SH name, as well as the good point made above, is about promoting the idea of taking over public space, and inviting people to join in the action, in a collaborative inclusive way. See you there! x x

A person

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

NEW INFORMATION

30.04.2008 13:15

MAYDAY MEETING POINTS

1) Space Hijackers, Peasants, Aristocracy, Performers, Merchants, Peddlers, Strumpets and Virgins Meet in Green Park by Green Park tube, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:03pm promptly
2) Metropolitan Police, Fools, Soldiers and Vagabonds Meet outside Bond Street tube station, we will then head off to the May Fayre at 2:34 promptly
Please note it is very important you do not join the wrong meeting point, otherwise you will look like a total fool!
Call 07513 335 777 to catch up

See you There!

18th century ruffian

just one question...

01.05.2008 08:31

....where the hell am I gonna find a virgin in Brentford?
good luck with this comrades. can't get away from the orrifice, but it sounds fabbo

Daansaaf

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