In the midst of global economic meltdown, parliamentary corruption and
British constitutional mayhem, the first ever Anarchist Bookfair to be
held in Cardiff opens its doors this Saturday 23rd May at 10am in Cathays
Community Centre, 36 Cathays Terrace, CF24 4HX.

As an example of anarchy in action, the event is free and is being organised by South Wales Anarchists (1) , a network that takes direct action against capitalism and government. South Wales Anarchists have been involved in a range of local and national activities, as detailed in their regular newsletter Gagged! (2), and recent events in Westminster might suggest they have a point.

Anarchist Bookfairs have acted as the centre of anarchist organising and
networking for decades, with thousands of people attending the London
event (3) every year. The recession has given anarchism (4) a fresh
impetus, with the black and red flag flying above occupied universities,
schools and factories whilst summits across Europe attract increasing
crowds demanding freedom and equality and an end to a world of oppression and profit.

Prominent South Wales Anarchist Michael Bakers claimed that on-line social networking had driven him to help organise the event. “I was bored with Facebook, and I had Twittered so much I broke my phone. So I decided to try to meet real people and jumped at the chance to help get this bookfair off the ground. It promises to be a controversial event, with challenging opinions and revolutionary concepts.”

There will be a diverse range of stalls offering books, CDS, DVDs, badges,tshirts, free information and more. The day will include a full programme of talks and workshops. Some of the issues presented will include: how to build genuine community democracy, radical approaches to education, the case against border controls, why prisons should be abolished, how to get a computer for free and stay secret and how to turn the tables on the police who harass political activists.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day which closes at 6pm. Children are welcome. The event will be rounded off with a ‘speakers corner’ open mic for any anarchist to air their views and a night of live music at Cathay’s Liberal Club from 7pm.

“Michael Martin didn’t answer our invitation to the ’speakers corner’
session,” Mr Bakers added.

ENDS.

Notes to editors:
For more information please e-mail  cardiffanarchists@riseup.net

The address of the Facebook event is:
 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=52892361433&ref=ts

References

1) southwalesanarchists.org
2) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagged!
3) anarchistbookfair.org
4) anarchismfaq.org