Anarchist movement grows in Cardiff after month of resistance

IMC UK Features | 31.10.2012 23:29 | Social Struggles | Wales

The month began with the successful eviction resistance of the squatted social centre Gremlin Alley on October 4th, when bailiffs turned up faced with a barricaded building and a supportive crowd outside, eventually realising they had no hope of gaining access. The gremlins occupying the centre spent the rest of the day having a black bloc style party on the roof, while supporters partied to a local band who turned up to play, and cops kept their distance but remained present for most of the day. A communique followed the next day, expressing solidarity with imprisoned squatter Alex Haigh and the Cuts Cafe crew in London who were raided by TSG on the same evening. A video commmunique was then released the following week, in English and Welsh, explaining the reason for resisting, as well as expressing general disgust for the state and the increased criminalisation of homeless.

After a busy two weeks improving barricades by gremlins and supporters, the first attempt to deport the Saleh family occured on Thursday 18th, with their home being raided by UKBA officers and two activists being arrested for obstruction. While solidarity was shown for the activists at Cardiff Bay police station, others made an attempt to block the detainees coach on the motorway sliproad, followed by a successful communications blockade of Egypt Air’s telephone lines and their facebook page. The family avoided deportation that day due to a security mix-up, and were instead taken to Cedars detention centre in West Sussex. By the morning, Friday 18th, UKBA offices in Cardiff had its windows smashed – no doubt in response to the attempted deportation, signifying more resistance to come.

Cardiff Roof Protest

For the next scheduled flight, on Wednesday 24th, a massive police operation (see video) ensued, spreading the resistance to England and causing one person’s hospitalisation by cops and many others sustaining injuries. One activist however managed to d-lock themselves to the detainees bus, within the compound of Cedars detention centre, successfully delaying it for 5 hours, before being cut off and arrested. The next morning, after the family had been deported back to Egypt, UKBA offices (again in Cardiff) received more broken windows and slogans spray-painted "No Borders" and in Welsh "Dim Ffiniau". Days later on the Saturday a march from Queen Street to UKBA offices on Newport Road took place (which still had smashed windows and graffiti), attended by 50 supporters of the family, who leafleted passers by to raise awareness of the gross injustice the family had received.

Since these inspiring and emotional weeks of resistance, Cardiff Anarchist Black Cross has re-surfaced to support and show solidarity with prisoners, hosting their first event – a Prisoner Art Exhibition, as part of a UK tour. Additionally, Cardiff Defendant Solidarity has now emerged, to support and aid current and future Cardiff arrestees and defendants, alongside organising a Legal Observer Training evening in response to recent (and no doubt future) events. This comes as the Red & Black Umbrella, celebrates it’s first anniversary as a squatted anarchist social centre, with a benefit gig for various local activist groups, while Gremlin Alley Social Centre continues to avoid eviction.

IMC UK Features

Additions

Please Note:

01.11.2012 14:26

While the Saleh family are extremely grateful for all the solidarity and support shown, we wish to make it clear that some of the actions mentioned above are actions of individuals and not of the campaign.
We hope to work peacefully together to bring the family home.

Save Saleh Family
Homepage: www.facebook.com/SaveSalehFamily

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Queer Dance Party this Saturday: Celebrating a month of resistance

05.11.2012 15:22

We’re cumming out of the closet!

Gremin Alley Social Centre invites all queer/trans* folk and straight allies to a dance party this Saturday to celebrate a month of resistance in Cardiff, including us gremlins averting eviction.

As a social space occupied by quemlins (queer gremlins), we encourage you to liberate and express your sexuality and gender(lessness); whether you’re openly a gender-bender or fist-deep in narnia – or elsewhere for that matter.

There will be an LGBT+ workshop starting at 7pm, focusing on terminology and understanding, followed by a discussion. Then from 8pm we will be celebrating queer culture in Cardiff (and everywhere else).

Bring mp3 players, glitter and condoms!
Drinking ok, drunkenness not.
Transphobia and homophobia never tolerated.
Leave your bullshit at the door.

195-197 City Road, Cardiff. CF24 3JB
Entrance on Northcote Street Lane.

Cardiff ABC
mail e-mail: cardiff_abc@riseup.net
Homepage: abccardiff.wordpress.com

Anarchist leaflets being eagerly snapped-up by the people of Cardiff

09.11.2012 23:29

Maybe the anarchist branding isn't going down quite as well as you've allowed yourselves to believe?!

Tols

Acoustic Open Mic Night & A Really Really Free Market next weekend (Cardiff)

19.11.2012 17:35

A Really Really Free Market organized by Autonomous Athens on Mayday 2007

So we have an exciting weekend coming up soon, our acoustic music and poetry nights are back and we will also be hosting a really really really really free market. If you come along to both, you'll get free prizes, keep an eye out on these event pages for more details as they arise, and our website/twitter for updates.

Love and Rage, The Gremlins x

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Yet Another Music & Opening Mic Night – 24th Nov

[Poster coming soon!]

So, it’s been a while since the last one. But following the success of our last gig and our excellent queer night we will be hosting another open musical gathering.

Entry is completely free, although donations are welcomed (£3 suggestion) and any donation will go towards running the space or potentially towards anti-deportation and animals rights groups such as the hunt saboteurs.

Some free food will be provided, bring some with you to share. Bring your own beverages but particularly foolish drunkenness won’t be tolerated. Anyone is welcome to play, send a message if you’d like to be added to the posters. Keep an eye out here for acts as they appear.

A Really Really Free Market – 25th Nov

For those of you who don’t know, really really free markets are groups of people who form temporary markets based on the idea of a gift economy. This means that no money exchanges hands, people create things out of passion and give them freely whilst also taking what they desire and need from others freely. Everything is free!

We are officially opening Gremlin Alley up for a day of free exchange, free food, free love, freedom, free stuff, free art, free workshops, free stalls, free cakes, free fun, free hugs, free music, freegans etc etc. So come along, bring some stuff and take some stuff and have a good time. The most innovative stall wins something free! (exciting!)

Love and Rage, Gremlins

Gremlin Alley Social Centre
mail e-mail: welcometogremlinalley@riseup.net
Homepage: welcometogremlinalley.wordpress.com