Ed and Rkn, both ex-LAYers (London Anarchist Youth), have decided we'd like to call a meeting to set up a new London Anarchist Youth Network. This isn't to run in competition with any AYN group it's just that we both felt that summer was a bit long to wait to start organising again. We felt, as well, that if we came to the AYN summer gathering in Bristol with something already existing, then maybe the setting up of a national network would be a bit more tangible.
The stuff below isn't what the new group will be, it's just there to start discussion so we can decide on stuff more concretely in the meeting.
If people are interested in coming please say so we can get a fairly good idea of numbers to expect.
Cheers and hopefully see you at the meeting!
Contents:
1. Call for a meeting.
2. Meeting Agenda.
3. Descisions needing to be made.
//// Open Meeting to Set Up a London Anarchist Youth Network!
There are many young Anarchists in London today. Some are organised in the various universities within the capital however, the majority are disorganised and isolated individuals.
The aim of this meeting will be to set up a network to co-ordinate young Anarchist activity in London. The group, if set up, could be a vital point of entry for many young people interested in Anarchism as well as a valuable tool for binding together young people who are already involved in the movement.
If you are genuinely interested in setting up a new Anarchist network for young people in London then feel free to come along. All are welcome regardless of experience in Anarchist politics.
/// Meeting
Thursday 26th Feb. 5pm, Freedom Bookshop, Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX. Nearest underground station: Aldgate East. (Leave Aldagte East station at the Whitechapel Art Gallery exit and it's in Angle Alley directly to the right of you.)
/// Meeting Agenda:
1. A structure.
2. The aim and tactics of the group. Why have a young Anarchists’ group in London?
3. Some points of political agreement which are needed for involvement (hallmarks).
// 1. Structure:
/ Positions:
Various positions are required to keep the group functioning, these are:
a) Email Secretary: Checking email account, responding to individuals’ queries (any press requests *must* be checked by the group), keeping database of all those who’ve gotten in touch, maybe putting together an irregular mailing list?
b) Internal Communications Secretary: Writing and sending internal bulletin to members.
c) Minutes Publisher: Type up minutes and post on boards and list. Send copy to Kate Sharpley Library.
d) Publicity Secretary: publicise meetings and other events through Anarchist/Activist media contacts (and boujie media when necessary).
Delegated positions are elected for a period of six months at which point the job is passed on to someone else. However, if it is felt that someone is not doing their assigned job properly, then they can be instantly recalled and replaced at the next meeting. If it is felt that a quicker decision is needed then it can be done on the discussion on boards / email list.
/ Desicion making:
All decisions can only be made at monthly meetings. Anything which needs a quick decision can be taken to the boards/list. Though all those present can take part in discussion, only those who have formally joined as members can take part in voting on decisions.
/ Working groups:
Proposal that the network should be broken down into working groups for people who want to work on certain projects - publicity etc. Everyone should try and be involved in one of these. Should the network have to approve working group descisions and / or publiccations, or should they be able to do what they want?
/ Notes for meeting organisation:
i) Meeting agenda is to be drawn up on the boards a minimum of 1 week in advance of the actual meeting.
ii) Meeting chair and minute takers volunteer at the meeting. If possible, no one should chair/take minutes two meetings in a row.
/ Meeting minutes:
i) Should be written up and posted on boards and list (any sensitive details omitted for obvious reasons!).
ii) A copy of the minutes should also be sent to the Kate Sharpley Library.
/ Internal Bulleting:
Members should receive an internal bulletin on the group’s activities every two months. If it is possible, this should be done by email by the internal communications secretary to keep costs down. However, if someone cannot receive emails, steps should be taken to send it by post.
// 2. Aims of a London Anarchist Youth Network:
i) Spread Anarchist ideas amongst young people through outreach, action and grassroots campaigning in schools, Uni campuses, workplaces and
communities.
ii) Facilitate communication between young Anarchists/young Anarchist groups, i.e. Uni groups etc. in London.
iii) Help co-ordinate young Anarchist activity across London.
// 3. LAY points of political agreement (hallmarks):
i) Anti-Authoritarian
We are against the authority of all governments, police forces, armies or hierarchy. No one can be free while a few have authority over many.
Regardless of whether ‘Communist’, Capitalist, Fascist or Fundamentalist, we are against any state on the grounds of them being inherently
authoritarian, hierarchical and oppressive institutions. We recognise that the role of the state is to protect the privileges of the few from the anger of the many.
ii) Anti-Capitalist
The economic system which has triumphed worldwide is capitalism. As a result we oppose capitalism as the world’s main system of economic oppression and enemy of freedom. Capitalism is based on exploitation of the working class by the bosses. Capitalism not only exploits and oppresses the majority of the world but also threatens our existence as its chase for profit leads to war, environmental destruction and job insecurity.
iii) Anti-Prejudice
Prejudice and discrimination must be gotten rid of in order to create a free society. The ruling class uses prejudice to divide the working class
and play us off against each other. While we are fighting each other, we are not fighting them. Also, discrimination is inherently authoritarian and as such is incompatible with freedom. We want freedom for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality or anything else. We hold a policy of ‘No Platform for Fascists’.
iv) Class Struggle
The working class are both the biggest and most oppressed group in society and are actively oppressed by the ruling class. The working class must realise their collective class strength and overthrow capitalism and the state. We reject the need for political or ‘vanguard’ parties as only the revolutionary self-activity of the working class can win freedom.
v) Direct Action
Only direct action can bring about the new society. Though lobbying and voting might do no harm, in such a biased system they don’t do any good
either. Only an actively confrontational attitude to capitalism and the state can bring about real change. Only a revolution can overthrow capitalism and the state and create a new society based on mutual aid, co-operation and freedom for all.
/// Descisions Needing To Be Made
1. Do we want our own message board(members only private?) / email list (members only private?) / how do we interaction with AYN email list? Proposal to set up a private list which is just for london sep from AYN list and introduce people to the group etc. on AYN list.
2. Name (not a-fucking-gain!!!).
3. Membership and terms of agreement.
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