Here is a run down of the latest news from Londons rampART social centre. Agust is a bit sparse for events but there is plenty of other news. The building has gone on the market for a start which is significant news. There's also a strong plea for fresh energy and involvement - use it or loss it...
(Scroll down for this week’s cinema program)
Join the mailing list for weekly news and events listing -
http://lists.riseup.net/www/subrequest/rampart
(Scroll down for this week’s cinema program)
Join the mailing list for weekly news and events listing -
http://lists.riseup.net/www/subrequest/rampart
WANNA BUY A SOCIAL CENTRE?
Fresh to the property market is this lovely semi detached three storey social centres situated in a desirable East London cobbled street just a stones throw from the city's financial district. Ideal for anarchists and creative types, the property is well proportioned and comprises a good sized events room, kitchen, utility room, several toilets, and even a shower. It's close to the local amenities, curry houses and the hospital whilst being within easy distance of the city via tube or bus. Oh, and it's just outside the congestion zone which may appeal to some potential buyers.
Yes, the time has finally come. The rampART social centre is on the market and ultimately of course this spells the approaching end of the project, at some point. It's likely to take another three months or more before we face any attempt to evict so don't panic yet. The rampART was intending to run a consultation and visioning process in the next few weeks in order to give fresh energy and insight into the project. This latest news should not change these intentions and you are more than welcome to come and get involved in the time that is left.
COLLECTIVE STRENGTH
On a related note. We've been trying to improve collective organizing and responsibility within the project. One way we've been doing this has been to move lot of the discussion online so that people who can’t make meetings can still contribute. Additionally we're keen that more of the groups that use the rampART are able to see themselves as PART OF the project and find ways to pool efforts to maintain the communal benefit of the project.
One way to do this is to encourage different elements or sub projects within the rampART to form active autonomous collectives that also engage in decision making at Monday’s general assemblies. These groups might include a screening collective, concert collective, library collective, media lab collective, radio collective, workshops collective etc.
HANDS ON
We also welcome individuals to get involved but we've been pretty bad at actually managing to engage interested people on an ongoing basis. To provide another way for people to get involved with RampART, other than just coming along to meetings, we've decided to organize a specific work/play event designed to bring people together doing something practical and social.
Basically the idea is to make a collective effort to revamp the roof garden. It needs tidying up after being used as an overflow for parties in the hall. The roof tiles need fixing as drunks on the roof have trashed them and we could generally make it into a much nicer space, perhaps with some nice art work painted on the tiles or the stairwell. We think it would be good project to involve people in and a way to enjoy the weather, socialize, be creative and end with a veggie BBQ. It's going to happen on Sunday 13th August, 12noon onwards. More details in the next newsletter. Email us if you are interested.
SHARED OFFICE (THE HUB)
We’re also having a belated spring clean of the office space to make it more welcoming and renew our invitation to groups who share similar values to make use of the space and facilities. If you or your group need a space for campaigning or solidarity work etc, please email
rampART@mutualaid.org
SCREENPRINTING
The screen-print workshop is busy seeing over a dozen people printing, and lots of interesting prints are made - patches, clothes, and posters. Due to popular demand, the workshop extends its opening hours and invites everyone interested to join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm. You get an introduction and can then print your own project. Donations (clothes, colors...) welcome.
CINEMA THURSDAY 8pm
Featuring... Sir! No Sir!
The Hidden History of the GI Movement Against the Vietnam war
A feature-length documentary focusing on the efforts by troops in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to oppose the war effort by peaceful demonstration and subversion. Speaking mainly to veterans, but serves as a ready reminder to civilians those soldiers may oppose war as stridently as any civilian, and at greater personal peril.
And... The Fog of War
Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
At the age of 87, Robert S. McNamara sits to be interviewed by documentary maker Errol Morris. He relates his experiences over his lifetime and talks about his success and his failures and the lessons he has learnt. It's a sobering look back at historical conflict. McNamara asserts that the men involved were all 'rational men' and not crazy James Bond villains. The fact that these rational men came 'this close' to nuclear war is a very scary thought. Similarly, other memories of his are quite scary but funny at the same time? In the same way as Dr Strangelove was for example. In fact one memory sounds like it could have come straight from the mouth of General 'Buck' Turgid son himself and that's where McNamara suggests that the US could keep its missile advantage over Russia by imposing a mutual limit on testing? Only to be told that the Russians would cheat by 'testing on the dark side of the moon'!
FUTURE EVENTS
Coming up in the next month -
Queers Without Borders 9th
Sept School Students Against the War 2nd Set (TBC)
Something arty on 1st Sept
nd maybe a Rising Tide benefit on the 11th Aug
If you've got a proposal, check out the guidance notes on the website and drop us an email.
BEYOND RAMPART
You might like to know about the Social Centers Network meeting taking place at the Climate Camp 28th August - 4th September. It will be a chance for those involved in social centers to share stories, experiences, and skills, strengthen the network and organize for the future. There are now about 20 radical, self managed social spaces across the UK and the number grows! See http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/345994.html
Likewise, there are a series of sessions on autonomous spaces taking place at the People's Global Action gathering in Dijon, France (August 19th to September 3rd). - to inform people about our practices within these spaces - to share our experiences - to deal with the various ways of obtaining new spaces for organizing - to build tools for solidarity between different types of spaces - to talk about ways to extend the life of Autonomous spaces. See http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/346170.html
Fresh to the property market is this lovely semi detached three storey social centres situated in a desirable East London cobbled street just a stones throw from the city's financial district. Ideal for anarchists and creative types, the property is well proportioned and comprises a good sized events room, kitchen, utility room, several toilets, and even a shower. It's close to the local amenities, curry houses and the hospital whilst being within easy distance of the city via tube or bus. Oh, and it's just outside the congestion zone which may appeal to some potential buyers.
Yes, the time has finally come. The rampART social centre is on the market and ultimately of course this spells the approaching end of the project, at some point. It's likely to take another three months or more before we face any attempt to evict so don't panic yet. The rampART was intending to run a consultation and visioning process in the next few weeks in order to give fresh energy and insight into the project. This latest news should not change these intentions and you are more than welcome to come and get involved in the time that is left.
COLLECTIVE STRENGTH
On a related note. We've been trying to improve collective organizing and responsibility within the project. One way we've been doing this has been to move lot of the discussion online so that people who can’t make meetings can still contribute. Additionally we're keen that more of the groups that use the rampART are able to see themselves as PART OF the project and find ways to pool efforts to maintain the communal benefit of the project.
One way to do this is to encourage different elements or sub projects within the rampART to form active autonomous collectives that also engage in decision making at Monday’s general assemblies. These groups might include a screening collective, concert collective, library collective, media lab collective, radio collective, workshops collective etc.
HANDS ON
We also welcome individuals to get involved but we've been pretty bad at actually managing to engage interested people on an ongoing basis. To provide another way for people to get involved with RampART, other than just coming along to meetings, we've decided to organize a specific work/play event designed to bring people together doing something practical and social.
Basically the idea is to make a collective effort to revamp the roof garden. It needs tidying up after being used as an overflow for parties in the hall. The roof tiles need fixing as drunks on the roof have trashed them and we could generally make it into a much nicer space, perhaps with some nice art work painted on the tiles or the stairwell. We think it would be good project to involve people in and a way to enjoy the weather, socialize, be creative and end with a veggie BBQ. It's going to happen on Sunday 13th August, 12noon onwards. More details in the next newsletter. Email us if you are interested.
SHARED OFFICE (THE HUB)
We’re also having a belated spring clean of the office space to make it more welcoming and renew our invitation to groups who share similar values to make use of the space and facilities. If you or your group need a space for campaigning or solidarity work etc, please email
rampART@mutualaid.org SCREENPRINTING
The screen-print workshop is busy seeing over a dozen people printing, and lots of interesting prints are made - patches, clothes, and posters. Due to popular demand, the workshop extends its opening hours and invites everyone interested to join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm. You get an introduction and can then print your own project. Donations (clothes, colors...) welcome.
CINEMA THURSDAY 8pm
Featuring... Sir! No Sir!
The Hidden History of the GI Movement Against the Vietnam war
A feature-length documentary focusing on the efforts by troops in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to oppose the war effort by peaceful demonstration and subversion. Speaking mainly to veterans, but serves as a ready reminder to civilians those soldiers may oppose war as stridently as any civilian, and at greater personal peril.
And... The Fog of War
Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
At the age of 87, Robert S. McNamara sits to be interviewed by documentary maker Errol Morris. He relates his experiences over his lifetime and talks about his success and his failures and the lessons he has learnt. It's a sobering look back at historical conflict. McNamara asserts that the men involved were all 'rational men' and not crazy James Bond villains. The fact that these rational men came 'this close' to nuclear war is a very scary thought. Similarly, other memories of his are quite scary but funny at the same time? In the same way as Dr Strangelove was for example. In fact one memory sounds like it could have come straight from the mouth of General 'Buck' Turgid son himself and that's where McNamara suggests that the US could keep its missile advantage over Russia by imposing a mutual limit on testing? Only to be told that the Russians would cheat by 'testing on the dark side of the moon'!
FUTURE EVENTS
Coming up in the next month -
Queers Without Borders 9th
Sept School Students Against the War 2nd Set (TBC)
Something arty on 1st Sept
nd maybe a Rising Tide benefit on the 11th Aug
If you've got a proposal, check out the guidance notes on the website and drop us an email.
BEYOND RAMPART
You might like to know about the Social Centers Network meeting taking place at the Climate Camp 28th August - 4th September. It will be a chance for those involved in social centers to share stories, experiences, and skills, strengthen the network and organize for the future. There are now about 20 radical, self managed social spaces across the UK and the number grows! See
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/345994.html Likewise, there are a series of sessions on autonomous spaces taking place at the People's Global Action gathering in Dijon, France (August 19th to September 3rd). - to inform people about our practices within these spaces - to share our experiences - to deal with the various ways of obtaining new spaces for organizing - to build tools for solidarity between different types of spaces - to talk about ways to extend the life of Autonomous spaces. See
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/346170.html 
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
SCREENPRINTING - a clarification needed
02.08.2006 13:49
If this is no longer the process i think clarification may resolve any furher misunderstanding.
Apart from that, nice work rampart
ex-squaree
?
02.08.2006 14:51
Horace
The Leeds connection....
02.08.2006 15:26
See
n
screenprinting
02.08.2006 16:19
I'm not quite sure what clarification is being requested here or why.
It is true that the screenprinting is a business enjoying rent free existance within what is meant to be a non-commerical venue and this has caused conflict (and continues to do so).
Like all workshops at the rampART, the screenprinting workshops are meant to be free. It's not unreasonable for the person running them to ask for donations but nobody should feel pressured to contribute or asked for more than necessary to cover costs of material. You'd think that the cost of the free workshops would be at least partial offset by the rent free use of the space and the commerical sale of products elsewhere, but in the past the rampART has put on a fundraiser meant to subsidise the workshop and ensure that there is no reason why it should not remain free for those wishing to take part but are unable to contribute financially.
Although we've not been entirely sucessful in preventing it from happening on occasion in the past, I guess it's important to clarify that the rampART does not consent to ANY products (including those from the screenprinting business) being sold for personal profit at events taking place at the rampART.
After months of arguing over this, an agreement was made that allows the screenprinting business to sell it's products to event organisers on a sale-or-return basis (assuming it's agreed in the meetings) so that patchs and t'shirts etc can be sold at events to raise money for campaigns etc. It's a compromise reached by consensus as it was felt that the workshop is important and that people do like the opportunity to buy the stuff.
I'm not quite sure why this issue has been raised here on indymedia and I'm fairly certain that the screenprint stall was set up at several times at The Square (with or without consent, I do not know). It is true that there are obvious conflicts of interest arising here and if anyone could propose a way to resolve this (that could actually be implimented), that would be great.
The rampART remains, at this time, dedicated to being an entirely voluntary project in which nobody gets paid or gains personal financial benefit etc. There continues to be pressure to change this and if people who've used and value the rampART feel strongly about this issue then you are more than welcome (in fact strongly encouraged) to get involved in the collective.
enough clarification?
want more, see the official statement of principles and constitution on the rampART website. www.rampart.co.nr
b