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NEXT threat to OLSX?

Best wishes | 02.11.2011 14:22 | Occupy Everywhere | Culture | Free Spaces | Public sector cuts

The Lancaster Unity blog published on-line chatter that shows EDL activists discussing an abortive plan to attack OLSX. EDL chatter discussed OLSX in terms of an alleged plan by "lefties" to close St Paul's on Poppy Day or Remembrance Sunday, and this theme has been hyped by The Daily Mail. These claims are even more ridiculous now that St Paul's has re-opened, but this all suggests a potential threat to OLSX which needs to be taken seriously in terms of contingency and PR planning _

The Anti-Fascist "Lancaster Unity" blog has published on-line chatter that shows EDL activists discussing an abortive plan to attack OLSX in London - thankfully the EDL chickened out, but EDL and NF goons have attacked the Occupy site in Newcastle (not least as the EDL are bitter as hell about the Occupy movement usurping their place in headlines). EDL chatter discussed OLSX in terms of an alleged plan by "lefties" to close St Paul's on Poppy Day (Nov 11) or Remembrance Sunday (Nov 13), and this theme has been unsuccessfully hyped by right-wing hate-rag The Daily Mail. These claims are even more ridiculous now that St Paul's has re-opened, but (and apologies if this is stating the obvious) this all suggests a potential threat to OLSX which needs to be taken seriously in terms of contingency and PR planning.

Despite The News of the World's closure and The Daily Mail just losing a major libel case, the hard-right media will use any lie they can fabricate to libel OLSX and the Occupy movement, and they may return to theme of trying to misrepresent OLSX as being somehow disrespectful towards Poppy Day.

A recently de-mobbed squaddie gave an excellent speech at St Paul's last Sunday, but no doubt the media will try to forget that. With regard to OLSX and the peace movement, the purpose of peace activism is not ever to disrespect fallen soldiers or their achievements and sacrifices (particularly since many peace activists are or were former Armed Forces personnel, and particularly in terms of their defending Britain from Fascism) - the purpose of peace activism is to try to shape our political futures so that governments stop using war to achieve political ends. At the very least actions along the lines of OLSX participants conspicuously wearing poppies, displaying poppies prominently on their tents, posting poppy images on the pillars opposite St Paul's, and a big banner reading "OLSX supports Poppy Day" should do the trick nicely.

Thanks for all your great work :)

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052630/St-Pauls-cancel-Remembrance-Sunday-service-Occupy-London-protests.html

 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IE6trX3pn7E/TrA4J1kYAoI/AAAAAAAAD-U/0hcgJCdWIW8/s1600/arsonattack1.jpg

 http://lancasteruaf.blogspot.com/2011/11/edl-plan-arson-attack-on-lsx-camp.html

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/10/487491.html

Best wishes