UK Promoted Newswire Archive
Palestine Today 05 30 2011
30-05-2011 14:14
Return of the Big Society Hospital
29-05-2011 23:30
Cambridge Uncut comes out in defence of the NHS
29-05-2011 21:34
Eat the Rich!
29-05-2011 11:55
Yesterday some anarchists joined the UK Uncut demonstration in Nottingham with an EAT THE RICH banner and our own leaflets. The banner went down well with the public and started a few interesting conversations. We got rid of all of the leaflets we took (a few hundred) and found a fair amount of support for our ideas.
Eat the rich
The current cuts being administrated by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat government are already having an affect on our everyday lives. We’ve become so accustomed to having certain services provided to us by our oh so kind government, that when they begin to go away we feel the loss. When they go we also notice that other things have gone, our ability to control our own lives, our ability to live a life we think is worth living.
Heavy policing in our communities, CCTV cameras, credit card bills we have to pay off, housing situations which leave us at the mercy of the banks and property owners, all these seemed bearable as long as there were good schools for our children, healthcare for our families, and financial support when we could not get work. Now though we see the prices weren’t worth paying, that we were lied to. First by a Labour government who sold ideas of prosperity and equality, and now the Con-Dem coalition who pretended they would bring security to all. Between them and their counterparts in previous decades, they have helped the rich to steal our lives.
Does it appear to us now that the whole idea of democratically elected government has been a lie? Yes, it does.
Does it appear to us now that every government this country has ever had has had as its goal the protection of wealth and power that the rich call their own? Yes, it does.
Does it appear to us now that the government and the banks are lying scum that are in it for themselves, and hell bent on keeping everyone else down and in line? Yes, it does.
Does it appear to us now that we need to take control back? That we need to force the government and their friends out of our communities and make sure they never come back? Yes, it does.
Does it appear to us now that no political party will ever represent our interests, whether the party calls itself Liberal, Conservative, Labour, socialist or nationalist? Yes, it does.
Does it appear to us that the cuts currently taking place are just the same old politics of attack against those who don’t own property, those who don’t have rich parents, those who are just trying to get by? Yes, it does.
We think there’s only one choice now. Eat the rich.
Eat away at their power by working together, building communities, and learning to look after each other.
Eat away at their control over us by striking, occupying, stealing, destroying everything they ever claimed as their own. If we want we should take it. If we don’t want it we should destroy it so they don’t use it against us again.
We already know that everything is ours, the only thing we need to do is make sure we and they never forget this.
UK Uncut Challenges the Bankers.
29-05-2011 09:55
On a wet and windy Saturday afternoon around 50 Bristolians attended a UK Uncuts protest to save the NHS. The protesters were drawing attention to the relation between the huge bank bailout and the cuts being inflicted upon public services. Shoppers milling about were receptive to the protesters, many dressed as doctors, as they handed out leaflets and spoke to passers-by about the banks and the cuts.
On a wet and windy Saturday afternoon around 50 Bristolians attended a UK Uncut protest to save the NHS. The protesters assembled in Castle Park before moving to protest outside the Bristol Broadmead branch of Barclays. The protesters were drawing attention to the relation between the huge bank bailout and the cuts being inflicted upon public services.
Shoppers milling about were receptive to the protesters, many dressed as doctors, as they handed out leaflets and spoke to passers-by about the banks and the cuts.
Barclays bank was targetted due to its policy of avoiding paying UK taxes, its underpaid workforce as well as being part of the sector that protesters explained took ?1,000,000,000,000 of public money after having destroyed the world economy. In the midst of a government campaign to convince the public that human beings must accept cuts to public services and a decline in the standard of living, the protesters were angry that we are also being told that it was necessary to give billions of pounds of public money to millionaires who refuse to contribute to the public purse.
On protester explained, "it's like Robin Hood in reverse. I'm amazed that so many people believe the lie that we need to make cuts - if that's true, then where do they find the money to give to the banks?".
Full Story | The Bitter Irony of Using the Financial Crisis to Scrap the NHS (UK Uncut) | Britain Before and After the NHS (UK Uncut) |Keep Our NHS Public | Landsley's Ally on NHS Reforms Faces Conflict of Interest Questions (Guardian)A leaflet being handed out reiterated this point: the boss of Barclays takes ?11,000,000 per year in his pay packed, yet the banking sector is still receiving ?100,000,000,000 a year from the public purse.
At the same time ordinary Bristolians are facing ?30,000,000 cuts to services. A young activist explained "that's why we're here. Its about the banks really - somehow everyone has forgotten how much money they stole, and are being to convinced to blame the poor and the unwell for economic problems. It is such nonsense, but people believe it. We are here to tell them otherwise because the media won't".
After an hour or so outside Barclays, the protest moved to the nearby branch of NatWest. There were no arrests.
UG#552 - Defective By Design and The War on Sharing (Copyright or Community?)
29-05-2011 09:01
'Funk the Cuts' street party in Leeds city centre
28-05-2011 16:55
'Funk the Cuts' targets scores of high street banks and flagship stores in Leeds
Inspired by UK Uncut, a new group calling themselves 'Funk the Cuts' have set up in opposition to the government cuts currently being implemented. This Saturday saw the groups first day of protests as 40 people gathered outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds City Centre at 11.30am. From there they went on to highlight the alternative to the government cuts by targeting the banks who were bailed out by the taxpayer and two flagship stores avoiding paying the tax.
'Political parties' were set up inside Natwest, Barclays, Topshop and Vodaphone. Among the people involved in the protest were many people involved who were new to direct action. All four banks and shops were shut down for up to 20 minutes each - and hundreds of flyers were handed out to the public along the way.
A spokesperson for the group, Joseph Blake said:
“We know the energy that goes into having a party every weekend in this city. Funk the Cuts is a callout to channel this energy against the cuts. People across the UK are rightfully angry at the ideological cuts being implemented but feel helpless that there is nothing they can do about it. Funk the Cuts is about using direct action in a funky and creative way to encourage as many people as possible to take part.”
A student from Leeds University who helped set up Funk the Cuts said:
“Across Europe people are now starting to stand up against illegitimate government austerity measures which are protecting the very richest whilst impacting on the very poorest disproportionately. From the student protests in London, to the riots in Greece, the union protests in France and the recent demonstrations in the capital of Spain, ordinary people are coming together to say we won't pay for your crisis”.
Critical Mass London ride 27-5-2011
28-05-2011 09:55
A very spirited and happy ride.
There were at least five or more sound systems, some of them amazing music and loud, and several skateboarders. It took an interesting route West for a change and didn't stray too far from Central London. Because of roadworks the ride was a tad slow at times and cars blocking lanes didn't help. A few drivers attempted to force their way into the mass of cyclists but they were met mainly with good humoured derision. Bikes were held high at a set of red traffic lights and in Piccadilly Circus. The ride more more less ended by invading Trafalgar Square and riding circuits around the fountains, followed by a bit of partying there to music.
Video to follow.
http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk/
This Week in Palestine week 21 2011
27-05-2011 16:03
Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for May 21st to 27th, 2011.
Anarchists Attack Surveillence Industry
27-05-2011 11:55
Last night Inside Out Security in New Basford had it's windows smashed.
We did this because they are responsible for making surviellence equipment that watches us everywhere we go. They are specifically responsible for a large number of CCTV cameras in schools around Nottingham. These cameras in schools further stigmatise and terrorise the young, postioning them as the dangers to each other, training them to become used to being watched, controlling their behaviours and taking away their freedom. Instead of encouraging the young to love and live with wild passion this society is caging them- forcing them into a lives not of their choosing.
We want to destroy these companies that profit from the sickness of social surviellence on behalf of capitalism and the state.
We also did this in solidarity with those who resist the G8 and G20 conferences occuring in France this week. While the goverment leaders from around the world discuss ways to keep their power, we will fight their systems of oppression that are all around us.
So their surviellence is there to protect us? Fuck that. Their cameras exist to make us live in fear, to do as we are told, to make us feel alienated and scared of one another. The surviellence system is there to serve the interests of the rich and protect their property, power and capital.
We see something that destroys our freedom, our relationships with each other and we wish to get attack it with the means we have available. So whilst this was a small act of defiance, quickly remedied in part by their insurance, we carry out this act because of the very fact that we search for freedom from all forms of social control. Every time we see similar acts of rebellion, from throwing rocks at cops to the burning of a prison, a smile spreads across our face and recognition that the attack against this society of domination continues. We will continue our participation in this attack, because it is our passion- settling for a life of meaningless subordiantion is not an option for us, not when all around us are examples of our friends, families and ourselves being continually fucked over by rampant capitalism, and the colluding state.
We must look to each other with love and solidairity.
We must destroy what keeps us apart with rage.
Against the prison society.
For total freedom.
Cambridge Atos Are Occupied Again.
26-05-2011 22:49
All part of David Cameron's beautiful vision for a fairer and more just 'Big Society', involving asset stripping everything in the public sector, including the Welfare State.
Nottingham Solidarity with Spanish Revolution
26-05-2011 21:55
Beginning on May 15th, a wave of protests has swept across Spain, with demonstrations in around 60 cities. The rallies have continued despite being officially banned under Spain’s electoral law. There have also been solidarity protests across the world, with several in the UK, including in Nottingham where a small protest was held in the Market Square on Saturday 21st. Supporters also maintained a small presence at this year’s Green Festival.
On the newswire: Nottingham Supports the Spanish revolution! | Brighton | Bristol | Edinburgh | London: 1, 2
The protesters in Spain have produced and distributed a manifesto:
We are ordinary people. We are like you: people, who get up every morning to study, work or find a job, people who have family and friends. People, who work hard every day to provide a better future for those around us.
Some of us consider ourselves progressive, others conservative. Some of us are believers, some not. Some of us have clearly defined ideologies, others are apolitical, but we are all concerned and angry about the political, economic, and social outlook which we see around us: corruption among politicians, businessmen, bankers, leaving us helpless, without a voice.
This situation has become normal, a daily suffering, without hope. But if we join forces, we can change it. It’s time to change things, time to build a better society together. Therefore, we strongly argue that:
- The priorities of any advanced society must be equality, progress, solidarity, freedom of culture, sustainability and development, welfare and people’s happiness.
- These are inalienable truths that we should abide by in our society: the right to housing, employment, culture, health, education, political participation, free personal development, and consumer rights for a healthy and happy life.
- The current status of our government and economic system does not take care of these rights, and in many ways is an obstacle to human progress.
- Democracy belongs to the people (demos = people, krátos = government) which means that government is made of every one of us. However, in Spain most of the political class does not even listen to us. Politicians should be bringing our voice to the institutions, facilitating the political participation of citizens through direct channels that provide the greatest benefit to the wider society, not to get rich and prosper at our expense, attending only to the dictatorship of major economic powers and holding them in power through a bipartidism headed by the immovable acronym PP & PSOE.
- Lust for power and its accumulation in only a few; create inequality, tension and injustice, which leads to violence, which we reject. The obsolete and unnatural economic model fuels the social machinery in a growing spiral that consumes itself by enriching a few and sends into poverty the rest. Until the collapse.
- The will and purpose of the current system is the accumulation of money, not regarding efficiency and the welfare of society. Wasting resources, destroying the planet, creating unemployment and unhappy consumers.
- Citizens are the gears of a machine designed to enrich a minority which does not regard our needs. We are anonymous, but without us none of this would exist, because we move the world.
- If as a society we learn to not trust our future to an abstract economy, which never returns benefits for the most, we can eliminate the abuse that we are all suffering.
- We need an ethical revolution. Instead of placing money above human beings, we shall put it back to our service. We are people, not products. I am not a product of what I buy, why I buy and who I buy from.
For all of the above, I am outraged.
I think I can change it.
I think I can help.
I know that together we can.I think I can help.
I know that together we can.
Palestine Today 05 26 2011
26-05-2011 15:58
Poltical repression Italian style: students placed under house curfew
26-05-2011 10:44
Report from the first “June 30 Strike” assembly
25-05-2011 20:55
Following on from the call for an open assembly to discuss, propose and organise for the first round of co-ordinated strike actions on June 30th, over 100 people turned up and squeezed into the Marchmont Centre in Bloomsbury on Monday 23rd May. Public sector workers, parents, carers, workers, unemployed, teachers, precarious workers were joined by spanish students who had been, since May 15th, holding self-organised assemblies as part of a new international movement that has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets occupying main squares across Spain and beyond against crippling austerity and raising unemployment.
The purpose of the meeting was to focus on the June 30th public sectors strikes and how those of us “officially” on strike can connect with the rest of the population, to generalise the strike as a day of action for all those fighting against the cuts and the wider austerity measures. There was a implicit understanding that we should be calling for people not to go to work in solidarity ( taking day off work, calling in sick..etc ) to enable a bigger participation on the various pickets, actions and demonstrations.
Hundreds of thousands of workers could be involved in strike action, from as many as four or five different unions including NUT, PCS, UCU and ATL, possibly involving over 800,000 workers fighting against pension reforms, an integral part of the coalition governments austerity measures.
A brief overview was given by a teacher at an FE college about the effect the pension reforms will have ( pay more for less ), understandable a growing anger is being felt by many in the public sector who have worked all their lives in the hope that they can live in dignity when they retire. All this is being threatened, consequences of which would not be felt on younger generations until its too late.
School students from secondary to FE colleges were also spoken about and the need to encourage walk outs from schools in solidarity with their teachers, which could link into more vibrant localised demonstrations in the morning. Individuals from NCAFC and EAN which were instrumental in calling demonstrations during the student rebellion in November/December 2010 were keen to follow this up so that students continue to be a key feature of this movement.
This first assembly reached consensus on the following:
To mobilise and support early morning pickets of striking workers
To organise local initiatives to link up pickets with marches between different sites.
To promote diverse forms of actions to publicise and circulate the struggles
To take these decisions forward, those in the meeting who live or worked in the same boroughs will be put in contact with each other and were encouraged to meet up and work within local anti-cuts campaigns who have already started to publicise the 30th. Already there are meetings being organised ( email june30action@gmail.com if you would like to get in contact with others in your area ).
The items we couldn't reach consensus on were felt to be important to continue discussing including ideas to call to participate on the main trade union demo in Central London - tentatively being organised by the PCS. Several suggestions to organise various feeder marches and possibly a mass action later on in the day against a specific target were also discussed. There were also proposals to hold on public assemblies, in similar fashion to the recent events in Spain, that could further open up inclusivity and participation than perhaps less engaging forms of actions. These ideas could be included as suggestions for local initiatives. An idea of an all night camp was also talked about. There was no consensus on us organising public assemblies or a camp – and there were concerns that such ideas had failed in the past due to police repression - but it is an idea that will be revisited in future meetings. Economic blockades/disruption were also discussed and there was a general support for the idea throughout the meeting as a possible forms of actions, no doubt this too will be revisited at the next assemblies.
There were a wide ranging participation from radical left, anarchist, autonomist and socialist tendencies as well as people from no “political position” at the meeting but the meeting itself was one of the most respectful, dynamic and inspirational meetings for a long time. We hope to continue with this spirit in the lead up to June 30th with the sole intention to generalise the strikes in London and across the UK, radicalising many more people into taking action for their future.
Next Assembly - 7pm Monday June 6th ( Bloomsbury / University venue tbc )
The next assembly will be held at 7pm Monday June 6th ( University venue tbc ) in a bigger venue. We encourage everyone interested, engaged and up for it to come down and get involved. We especially like more workers who will potentially be on strike ( bearing in mind that at this stage strike ballots have yet to be taken ) to attend and help us organise towards June 30th.
Please contact us if we may be able to help with childcare, if there is enough interest we will try to arrange a creche.
General contact email is: june30action@gmail.com
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Shell Belmullet office shut down again -join the continuous protests!
25-05-2011 20:49
Palestine Today 05 25 2011
25-05-2011 15:24
Green Festival 20th yr. Arboretum Park. Nottingham
25-05-2011 13:55
Sunday 22 May 2011
The 20th Green Festival, Arboretum Park. Nottingham
Exhibits, Info, Stalls, Bands etc
Cambridge Debating Union Besieged as Eric Pickles Visits.
25-05-2011 11:03
This is the same man who in 2009 went on the record as claiming expenses for his parent's home, which is just eight miles from his own (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Pickles)!
The appeal of climate activists
24-05-2011 18:07
