Anti Capitalist Block @ the Wave

Me | 29.11.2009 16:30 | COP15 Climate Summit 2009

TIME: 12:45pm

PLACE: London, Berkeley Square (come out of Green Park Tube Station, turn
left, and then left again up Berkeley St. Meet next to the statue in the
middle of the green)

Places: central london/ westminster

On 7th December, world "leaders" will meet in Copenhagen to discus climate
change. The weekend before, and during the summit, protests will happen
worldwide, in solidarity with those in Copenhagen.

But what will this achieve? For too long liberals have held sway in the
ecological movement. They push for "Sustainable, Green Capitalism", but it
has become obvious that capitalism can NEVER be green. The Capitalist system
is inexorably tied up with environmental destruction, war, and oppression.

Therefore, it's time to show that the only true solution is REVOLUTION. Come
to the liberal demonstration on December 5th and show the powers that be OUR
solution, the only true solution to environmental chaos!

Comments

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Sounds encouraging!

29.11.2009 17:40

Are communists invited to this or when we say anti-capitalist block, we mean mainly anarchists only?

Pete

Again, really?

29.11.2009 18:20

Weve had anti-capitalist blocs at loads of marches before but they dont seem to do very much. No doubt the Samba band will be there making a horrible racket. There will be people masked up for no real reason because they wont do anything. Perhaps the bloc will delay the part of the march behind them by staging an impromptu dance or sit-down. They might even be rude to a few policemen. Oh dear, why not simply march like everyone else. If you brought the grappling hooks and molotovs and used them, it might be a different story, but you wont.

Mr Jaded

taking a position

29.11.2009 19:03

The idea that you can just 'march with everyone else' just isn't feasible. If you turn up at almost any pre-planned, publicised march as your pure 'unaligned' self you'll immediately be lumped in with the group with the most banners or placards: in most cases the SWP. I don't like to think of myself as a dogmatist but if being a part of a specifically anarchist bloc means i'm not lumped in with recuperating, treacherous trots then i'm willing to swallow a portion of my ego and sacrifice (momentarily) a piece of my bare, untainted subjectivity. Solidarity doesn't mean homogeneity, it's about trusting each other in the moment and not allowing our individual criticality to be used against us by elites.

Jimmy

Meaningful direct action

29.11.2009 21:31

To really make an impact join the direct action being initiated by Climate Camp after The Wave. It's no good just posturing. Capitalism is the cause of global warming and by taking a space in the centre of British capitalism, and holding it until at least Monday, we will be doing something meaningful about it. Some anarchists have been critical of Climate Camp, forgetting that it is non-hierarchical, uses consensus decision making and confronts the system through direct action. Is anarchism just about purity of doctrine and wearing black?

Greybeard

Centre of Capitalism

29.11.2009 22:43

Capitalism is a social relationship we reproddce every day. Fair dues for tryingin to take a space in London, but it's not the 'centre' of capitalism, even 'British' capitalism, which is an entirely problematic concept too. Where does British capitalism begin and end, especialy in a world city like London?

anticapitalist

When will we grow up?

30.11.2009 10:16

Symbolic gestures of defiance against the capitalist state are one thing, but at some stage we have to stop romanticising and grow up and accept that there is no "revolution" to overthrow capitalism just around the corner - we are far too meek and apathetic in this country for that, and the same applies to most of the rest of the capitalist world. In the meantime, we have a planet to save and need to take action that is effective here and now. So continue with symbolic gestures against "capitalism" if you want, but at some stage we need to move beyond that and start engaging with society rather than alienating ourselves.

Naive person

Visibility

30.11.2009 12:20

I'm with Jimmy on this. I think the anti-capitalist/anarchist groupings in the UK need to make themselves more visually prominent. The problem with building a really radical social movement in this country is the need to escape the grasp of the SWP. People need to find an entry into an anti-authoritarian active politics and go along to a few demos and feel part of something before they feel confident in taking direct action. As it is, the SWP scoop up young left-leaning people looking for a form of political expression and bring them into a party building machine.

Building a growing, exciting anti-capitalist bloc on demos is a really good way of showing people that there is a radical, active political alternative to paper-selling trotskyism in this country. I know a number of young anarchists whose first encounters with anarchism as a political force was through going along to SWP organised demos and seeing Red and Blacks flying and thinking.... 'who are these lot'. Demonstrations in themselves don't have much practical purpose in terms of social change- no anarchist could think appealing to the better natures of politicians could produce anything meaningful- but they do serve a useful tactical purpose in showing ourselves. Just as long as it's backed up with productive actions afterwards!

We need to be more open, more visible, to show there is an alternative that doesn't involve being harangued and bled dry by party bureaucrats. I think these blocs are a good way of showing it. For the same reason, I don't really have a problem with people being masked up for no reason- demonstrations are just political street theatre anyway, might as well put your back into it.

zounds

one question..

30.11.2009 12:58

The fact of the matter is we have had endless calls for anarchist blocs throughout the year but they rarely seem to materialise. Im probably going to go and have a look and see if this one does show up, but am i going to be disappointed?

ivica

...one answer

30.11.2009 13:49

DIY'it... make a banner, bring it along and watch people come together under it, chat to them, network and see what you can do. There is no reason to leave it to other people to sort, when it take a few minutes with a sheet and paint.

unnecessary

Jaw jaw

30.11.2009 15:43

We need to talk to the people, usually decent and well meaning who fall into the SWP trap,
not cut ourselves off in some black clad grouping. Anarchism isnt a cosy little club where we can all huddle together and feel secure.

Keep tryting

Positivity

01.12.2009 17:34

Why all the negativity?
We all need to stop bemoaning the state of anti-capitalism and start getting involved!
Let's go there and show people that we exist, and show that an anti-capitalist analysis is integral to discussion of climate change -- which surely it is.
I agree that if we join the rest of the march we'll be labelled as SWPers or Green Party liberals [read: authoritarians]. And yes, we probably won't start a revolution today, and perhaps we shold be more militant. That is not a reason to not come on this though, just next time we probably need more committment and organisation.
See you there!

oxanarchy

Spreading the good news!

01.12.2009 17:38

Perhaps we should, after meeting, allocate a few people to mingle with the bigger crowd, talking to others, making themselves visible and leafletting, etc? Or we should all go and mingle.
Everybody bring leaflets and a friendly disposition as well as banners.

oxanarchy

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circle jerk

02.12.2009 00:24

lets do it!

lets get in a circle and beat off while we watch each other!

monster piece

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