Anarchistic update news all over the world - 4 April 2016 - Part 2
Today's 3 Topics:
1. Britain, Glasgow Anarchists Events from 31/03/2016 by
fleabite (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. US, WSA, Ideas & Action, The Anarcho-syndicalism Initiative
– Building the Organizing Committee (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. Britain, Class War: Blockade the M4 till they listen, 2nd
May (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
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Message: 1
Hi all, Another update going all the way to May, with the WestGAP Skillshare this Saturday
and three (yes, three!) different festivals coming up – Buzzcut anti-hierachical
experimental performance festival, the Radical Film Network Festival and Unconference, and
Glasgow Zine Fair. ---- Also, our good friends at Talamh House, a local housing co-op and
farm, have has some bad luck and need a hand. On 14th March 2016 a devastating fire
destroyed the roof and the inside of the main house, taking with it communal kitchen and
living rooms, and 5 bedrooms. They are raising funds to help rebuild:
https://earth-ways.com/projects/talamh-appeal/ ---- Trans Day of Visibility ---- Thursday,
March 31 at 5 PM ---- George Square ---- The 31st of March marks the yearly Trans Day of
Visibility, and on this day trans people (including anyone identifying under the trans*
umbrella) should come together, be out there and be proud.
We want to have a stationary demo in George Square – to hear speeches, share our stories
with each other, and show anyone seeing us that we exist and we are strong together.
Please come along, invite your friends and celebrate Trans Day of Visibility together!
**********
Another Homeless Affair – Benefit gig for Glasgow Night Shelter
Friday, April 1 at 7:30 PM – 11 PM
Anderson Parish Church, 759 Argyle Street, G3 8DS
Benefit gig for the night shelter with:
– The Ronaynes
– Five Cousins
– Dogtooth
– Scott Charles
& lots of good grub made by our very own night shelter volunteers!
In the church with the green pointy roof…
Tell your friends!
£8
Tel 07789454903 for tickets in advance, tickets will also be on the door.
**********
SKILL SHARE!!! Hosted by WestGAP
Saturday, April 2 at 11:30 AM – 4 PM
The Art School, 20 Scott Street, G3 6PE
WestGAP invites you to take part in our Skill Share at The Art School on Saturday 2nd
April. Our Skill Share plans to bring groups, activists and researchers together to learn
both the strategic and practical ways to fight poverty in our communities. We feel our
service would benefit from learning from the skills and the experiences of others fighting
poverty and the surrounding issues and we hope that you will to!
WestGAP is a volunteer-led anti-poverty community group based in Cessnock, Glasgow. We
provide free, independent welfare advice to anyone who comes through the door. In 2015 the
impact of Welfare Reform has also highlighted the links between poverty, housing, poor
employment rights, immigration status, physical and mental health, we’ve experienced the
effect this has had on our community. We’ve had to learn on our feet, and adapt quickly to
the impact this has had on our service.
We want you to join us to share your experiences and your skills. We welcome any groups or
campaigns to propose and host a workshop to share with others or you can come along to
listen and learn from other groups.
We also want this to be as practical as possible and hopefully at the end of the day we
will all have developed practical skills to develop in our communities.
The venue is fully accessible, however there is a big hill outside, if you have mobility
problems please let WestGAP know and we can assist.
This event has been funded by The Community Capacity and Resilience fund, therefore we
have a small budget to reimburse some travel expenses if this would prohibit you
attending. Please let us know before the event.
Please register your attendence via Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skill-share-tickets-22360199960
**********
Re-imagining a democratic Europe
Saturday, April 2 at 11 AM – 4 PM
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
When do we get our say? An Open Space discussion aimed at prefiguring how a real European
democracy would be. Is there a new kind of global governance we can create with others?
How should we vote in the forthcoming referendum – to leave, to stay? What impact will the
result have on the lives of people in Britain? Migration, TTIP, workers’ rights? Can we
forge independent links with fellow Europeans outside of the EU of states and
corporations? Lightning conductors so far: Gordon Asher, Leigh French, Neil Davidson,
Marie Macpherson.
**********
Screening of Young Soul Rebels – LGBT Unity Centre Fundraiser/Free
Saturday, April 2 at 7 PM
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
Young Soul Rebels | Dir. Isaac Julien | 1991 | 105 min | UK
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C48N4TBsBdQ
This atmospheric classic received the Critics award at Cannes. Set in London 1977, queer &
straight love stories and a murder mystery unfold with fabulous soul music tracks.
Organically examines the racism and sexual politics of the time.
FREE/ Donation Fundraiser for the LGBT Unity Group
Shown with the support of Cinema for All as part of their "Reaching Communities’ project.
*The CCA is a Fully wheelchair accessible venue
*English subtitles for deaf/hard of hearing audience members.
**********
AAA Conference
Sunday, April 3 at 11 AM – 5 PM
Fred Paton Centre,19 Carrington Street, Glsgow, G4 9AJ
2nd annual conference, hosted by Action Against Austerity (AAA) is in Glasgow, following a
successful first conference in Perth last year. AAA is a network of grassroots,
self-organised groups in Scotland using direct action against cuts, welfare sanctions,
workfare, and fighting for a better world.
The Agenda is as follows.
1/ 11am to 11.30 a short introduction and welcome.
2/ 11.30 to 12.25 AAA organising, co-ordinating and networking.
3/ 12.30 to 13.10 CAA on organising within our communities.
4/13.10 to 13.40 break for lunch.
5/13.45 to 14.25 Introduction of Migrant solidarity groups.
6/ 14.30 to 15.10 The Resistance to Council Cuts.
7/15.15 to 16.25 Anti Workfare / Anti Sanctions and Advocacy work.
16.30 Closing the conference.
**********
BUZZCUT Festival 2016!
April 6 – April 10
The Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road, G51 3UU (opposite Govan underground)
BSL INTRODUCTION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogjgl_kzPOY&feature=youtu.be
OH YUM YUM YES!
Here we are glorious folks! On this event page you can keep at best, abreast, with updates
and info for BUZZCUT 2016 at The Pearce Institute in Govan!
Some info for now… everything begins on Wednesday 6th April with the SIDE BURNS SYMPOSIUM
and finishes late into the night/morning of Sunday 10th April. There are no tickets
available to book in advance and everything operates on a pay-what-you-can basis!
You can see the full line-up of artists from all over the globe in the programme by
visiting: www.glasgowbuzzcut.wordpress.com
The daily schedules with info about each day…
https://glasgowbuzzcut.wordpress.com/daily-schedules/
AND WE ARE NOW LAUNCHING OUR POSTER! For the past 5 years we’ve worked with the
exceptional Oona Brown who makes these great designs. Much love to her! This year’s poster
also offers some info on our much developed accessibility routes and support for the
festival. Do get in touch with any questions about engaging, navigating and enjoying
BUZZCUT 2016!
Email: glasgowbuzzcut / buzzcutkarl
and if you’re interested in volunteering then email: buzzcutlucy
Just finally… we’re so bloody delighted to be returning with the outrageous idea of an
artist-lead, 5-day, anti-hierachical, experimental performance festival! Much love to
everyone who helps make this happen!
SEE.YOU.THERE!
All our love, BUZZCUT xx
**********
Lesvos Refugee Fundraiser
Friday, April 15 at 7 PM – 12 AM
Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, G411BA (opposite Kinning Park Underground)
Hello! We’re doing a fundraiser gig for the refugees arriving in Lesvos and we’ve invited
some of our favourite bands to join us!
Seconds: soundcloud.com/weareseconds
Jutland Songs
The Yawns: theyawnsband.bandcamp.com
Rapid Tan
Breakfast Muff: www.breakfastmuff.bandcamp.com
BYOB
£6
In late May, Nadia’s going to Greece to volunteer, helping the refugees there. She’s
paying for her own travel and accommodation. We’re fundraising for her to take clothes for
the refugees and to buy food and supplies for them while she’s there.
Here’s a GOFUNDME page for those who want to donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/kmqxjqqk
Kinning Park Complex is right next to the Kinning Park Subway stop and a pretty short walk
or cycle from town.
**********
Capital Reading Group: Chapter 3 (and more discussion of Chapter 1: Section 4, and Chapter 2)
Saturday, April 16 at 1 PM – 3 PM
The Electron Club, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, G2 3JD
**Note this is a week later than usual because many of us are busy on 9th April**
This time we will read Chapter 3 (Money, or the Circulation of Commodities) beforehand,
but start the meeting with more discussion of Chapter 1: Section 4 (on Commodity
Fetishism), and Chapter 2 (the Process of Exchange). We’ll see how far we get!
Let us know if there’s anything we can do to make things easier. New folk always welcome.
**********
Free Pride Open Meeting
Sunday, April 17 at 1 PM – 4 PM
The Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road, G51 3UU (opposite Govan underground)
Pride should be a protest and accessible to all. We are a group of LGBTQIA+ people with a
vision to build something different, and we want you to join us. Come along to our first
open meeting of 2016 to find out more about Free Pride and how you can get involved!
After the success of our first event last summer, we’re holding another Free Pride event
this year. We want your ideas, input and enthusiasm to make it happen, so if you’ve been
keen to get involved, or have some thoughts on what you’d like Free Pride 2016 to look
like, now is your chance!
It’ll be a casual drop in so feel free to show up any time between 1 and 4! We’ll be in
the Mary Barbour Suite in The Pearce Institute on Govan Road, two minutes away from Govan
Subway Station and Govan Bus Station. You can also get the 23 and 26 McGills buses, and
X19 Stagecoach bus, all from the city centre.
This is a wheelchair accessible room on the ground floor and there are disabled toilets
too. Let us know if you have any additional accessiblity requirements and we’ll do our
best to arrange something!
**********
2016 Radical Film Network Festival and Unconference
April 29 – May 2
Various Venues
Over the 2016 May Day holiday weekend (29 April to 2 May), Glasgow will host the Radical
Film Network festival and unconference. This unique and innovative constellation of events
brings together the collective efforts of activists, academics, and cultural workers from
over twenty Scottish-based organisations engaged with radical film culture.
The Glasgow event builds on the 2015 inaugural conference of the Radical Film Network in
Birmingham which explored alternative film cultures and political cinema in the 21st
century. At the inaugural conference, initial steps were taken to open up spaces for
discussion involving academics and participants in film culture. Grounding itself in
Scotland’s vibrant radical film culture, the 2016 unconference and festival will respond
to one another, allowing for questions and ideas to be explored beyond the conventional
boundaries of academic events and film festivals.
More details available at: http://rfnscotland.org/
**********
Fail Better at Radical Film Network: Cabaret
Friday, April 29 at 9 PM
STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd, G3 6NG
A Spectre
A Spectre
A Spectre’s Haunting Woodlands
The Radical Film Festival is happening all across Glasgow, and Fail Better is throwing THE
AFTER PARTY on Friday and Saturday night of May Day Weekend. Aye, TWO NIGHTS, with art and
dancing till 1!
So come down to the STUC for an anarchic mix of Music, Poetry, Film, Caberet, Bands, DJs,
and Radge Politics.
LINE UP TO BE ANNOUNCED
Bar run by the Better Than Zero Campaign against zero hours contracts.
If you can manage it, donating £5 on the door would be great, so we can pay the artists
and cover some STUC and Radical Film Network costs. If you’ve not got a fiver, don’t
worry. Come anyway!
http://rfnscotland.org/
**********
RFN – Resource space
April 30 – May 1
James Arnott Theatre, Gilmorehill Centre, University of Glasgow
Part of the Radical Film Network
www.rfnscotland.org
Glasgow’s Radical Independent Bookfair project, Spirit of Revolt, The Drouth and The
Radical Film Archive amongst other exciting resources will be in the RFN Resource Space –
where you can browse books, magazines, archives and independent radical films during the
Unconference weekend.
www.rfnglasgow.info
www.facebook.com/events/1581401462182422/
RIB – videotheque
Sit, select and watch a radical film on a small monitor. Taken from the collection of
films from the Radical Independent Bookfair Project reference library. Films available
will include ones from regular and occasional contributors to the RIB project – AK Press
Video, Autonomi, Camcorder Guerillas, Diversity Films, Document International Human Rights
Documentary Film Festival, PM Press, Reel News, SchMOVIES, as well as a host of many more
cutting edge independent films that are an important antidote to the biased mainstream
media. Be inspired, be angered, but most importantly – be made aware.
www.ribproject.org
Radical Film Archive – open surgery
Book an appointment at the resource space and get a personally guided tour through the
radical film archive. The struggle starts where you are and it never ends. What are you
interested in and we will see what we can dig out for you. The more people that know whats
going on the better. Digital copies can be made of certain materials in the archive.
SOR – display
Browse through a selection of material from the Spirit of Revolt Archives of Dissent. SoR
collects, manages and preserves multi-media records from Clydeside’s anarchist and
libertarian-socialist past and present. We are an independent FREE community archive
organised and wholly managed cooperatively by volunteer activists. The Deposits are housed
in the Mitchell Library Archives, Glasgow. The Catalogue of Collections, spans 1860’s to
present day, part-available online. Set up in 2011 SoR transforms the lack of visibility /
denial of existence of our history by keeping it live through regular outreach events,
exhibitions and workshops.
www.spiritofrevolt.info
The Drouth – magazine stall
The Drouth is a quarterly arts magazine founded in 2001 and based in Glasgow. It provides
extensive coverage, critical essays and original new work in literature, politics, film,
visual culture, music and architecture. The Drouth’s 55th issue, ‘RADICAL” will be
launched at RFN, and celebrates the event through a range of articles exploring, in depth
its films, ideas and theoretical concerns. This special issue launches at the Unconference
on Saturday 30 April with talks and performances that night in the STUC (8-9pm). On Sunday
1 May The Drouth will be in Market Gallery in the East End to present Disappearing Glasgow
(6.30-8.30pm), a series of shorts from filmmaker Chris Leslie documenting the regeneration
of Glasgow, and its ramifications for the city’s social fabric. Both programmes are free,
all welcome.
www.thedrouth.org
RIB – book + dvd stall
Browse, buy or take away free materials from the wee Radical Independent Bookfair Project
stall. This table will have a selection of stock related to some of the radical film
network events and groups involved as well as an eclectic mix of materials. The RiB
project has been running stalls, collaborating on events and supporting small press
publishers and independent producers, circulating radical reading materials and
information since the 2006. Look out for the 10 year exhibition in October in the CCA.
**********
Gasgow Zine Fest: GRRRL STUFF
Saturday, April 30 at 12 PM – 3 PM
Mono Cafe Bar, 10-12 King’s Court, King Street, G1 5RB
GRRRL STUFF is a drop-in workshop for girls aged 8-16.
Led by Trudi Lang, the workshop encompasses all things DIY, including zine and badge
making, all with a healthy dose of body positivity and loads of energy to harness your
inner riot grrrl. There will be loads to make and take home, and all abilities are
encouraged to join in!
This workshop is welcoming of all gender identities, is disabled accessible, and in
general is for absolutely everyone with an interest in feisty feminist fun.
**********
Glasgow Zine Fest: gal-dem film screening and Podcast Recording
Saturday, April 30 at 3 PM – 6 PM
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, G2 3JD
gal-dem.com is a creative online magazine comprised of almost 50 women of colour. Founded
by Liv, who was frustrated with the lack of diversity at her university, gal-dem is both
revolutionary and everyday.
As part of Glasgow Zine fest, gal-dem will be screening their series Interlude in the CCA
cinema. After this series of short films, there will be a discussion that will be recorded
as part of their podcast.
This event is ticketed but free:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-zine-fest-gal-dem-present-film-screening-with-discussion-tickets-22754946658
**********
Glasgow Zine Fest and TYCI present: Zine Content and Curation
Saturday, April 30 at 7 PM
The Project Cafe, 34 Renfrew Street, G3 6ST
TYCI is a women led multimedia platform based in Glasgow. They aim to provide a space for
women to create and discuss interests through their zines, blog, events and podcasts and
radio shows. Although based in Glasgow, they have contributors from all over the world who
help to keep the ever expanding and developing discussion of feminism and gender going.
During their talk at GZF, a few of the core members of TYCI will discuss more about what
the collective does, why it is important to create discussion and discourse, and also how
to go about creating these features.
This event is free but ticketed
Find out more about TYCI here: http://www.tyci.org.uk/wordpress/
**********
Glasgow Zine Fest Presents! Lost Grrrls: Riot Grrrl in Lost Angeles
Saturday, April 30 at 8 PM
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, G2 3JD
UK Premiere of the film "Lost Grrrls: Riot Grrrl in Lost Angeles" by Vega Darling
Out of the culture of the 1990’s Pacific Northwest independent music scene, riot grrrl
established third wave feminism and brought girl power to the masses, proving that music
can change the world.
GRRRL: 25 Years Of Riot Grrrl is a platform to tell the story of riot grrrl in our own words.
This event takes place in CCA cinema, and is ticketed but FREE!
View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=KdYCYaH5zhw
**********
Fail Better’s Big Red May Day Social
Saturday, April 30 at 8 PM
STUC Building, 333 Woodlands Road, G3 6NG
Fail Better brings you a whole night of Bands, DJs, and very special guests to celebrate
the Radical Film Festival, and dance into the early hours of International Workers Day.
LINE UP TO BE ANNOUNCED
Bar run by the Better Than Zero Campaign against zero hours contracts.
If you can manage it, donating £5 on the door would be great, so we can pay the artists
and cover some STUC and Radical Film Network costs. If you’ve not got a fiver, don’t
worry. Come anyway!
http://rfnscotland.org/
**********
Glasgow Zine Fest Opening Party
Saturday, April 30 at 10 PM
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, G2 3JD
Come celebrate the start of Glasgow Zine Fest at the upstairs bar in CCA. We’ve got pals
and GZF participants DJing all night long.
**********
Glasgow Zine Fest: Zine Fair
Sunday, May 1 at 12 PM – 6 PM
The Old Hairdressers, 20 – 28 Renfield Lane, G2 6PH
GZF’s bread and butter, the zine fair takes place on 1 May with loads of incredible people
selling their self-published work. Come on down for great tunes, great chat, and obviously
the best zines around.
**********
RADICAL FOOD SOLIDARITY PROJECTS
**********
Howling Spoon Performance K!tchen #2
Friday, April 1 at 7 PM
Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, G411BA (opposite Kinning Park Underground)
Again! Once Over! Encore! Encore!
Invigorated from our last encounter with the non-spoon beings of Glasgow, we return to
share more howls and grunts and vowels and offer again a free/donation vegan meal prepared
using surplus produce from Glasgow’s greengrocers, alongside a healthy platter of live
art, anarchy, and enlightenment.
7pm Friday 1st April 2016 – Kinning Park Complex, 40 Cornwall Street, Glasgow, G41 1AQ,
Scotland, Europe, Earth, The Spooniverse
=====
Howling Spoon is an international revolt of conscious-cutlery. We howl for every spoon who
cannot howl for themselves. We have risen from our drawers to become cooks, activists,
performance-makers, painters, sculptors, curators, collage-makers, poets, playwrights, and
friends. As broth burps bubbles above a flame, we practice art and activism with a
chaotic surface, pitting joy against power.
Footage of the first Performance K!tchen here: https://vimeo.com/153964132
If you think you might be a spoon, then you are a spoon. Join the uprising by messaging
howlingspoon
https://howlingspoon.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/howlingspoons
S P O O N S O F T H E W O R L D U N I T E!
**********
Govanhill Free Dinner
Every Monday at 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Govanhill Trinity Church, 28 Daisy Street, G42 8JZ
Join your neighbours for a free dinner. All welcome.
**********
The UNITY World Café
Every Tuesday at 11:00am – 1:00pm
140-142 Nelson Street, G5 8EJ
UNITY is still distributing free food to destitute asylum seekers.
**********
RADICAL SPORTS & OUTDOORS SECTION
**********
Glasgow Adult Parkour Class
Thursday, March 31 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Buchanan Street Underground Station, G1 2LW
Adult Parkour Class in Glasgow will be happening on Mondays and Thursdays! Locations will
vary but the meet up point will be at an Underground Station.
Location: Buchanan Underground Station
Meet up time: 6:45pm
Class time: 7pm – 9pm
Price: £6
Age: 18+
Email: info
Paul will be meeting you at Buchanan Underground Station, Hope to see lots of people
there! All levels of practitioners welcome! Bring a friend and get £2 off your Class!
**********
The Glasgow Girls of Garnethill – Women’s Heritage Walk
Saturday, April 2 at 2 PM – 4 PM
Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, G40 1BP
£6/£10
Within Garnethill’s confined boundaries we spotlight the women who pioneered European art
movements, designed banners for suffragette processions, created the first women’s library
in Scotland and made Garnethill the most exciting cultural and multicultural hotspot in
Glasgow. For more information and booking, please see:
http://womenslibrary.org.uk/event/the-glasgow-girls-of-garnethill-womens-heritage-walk/
**********
Glasgow Roller Derby -v- Bear City, Berlin!
Saturday, April 23 at 1 PM – 5:30 PM
Bellahouston Sports Centre, 1 Bellahouston Drive, G52 1HH
Last year, Glasgow Roller Derby travelled to Berlin to take on the wonderful Bear City
Roller Derby. This year, we host Berlin as they go head to head with us in what will be a
high level european bonanza of derby!
And prior to our big headline act, there will be a cherry popper game featuring some of
Scotland’s newest skaters on the block!
**********
Critical Mass
Friday, April 29 at 7 PM
George Square
Meet at the column before a ride about town.
INVITE YOUR PALS!
**********
Moving Parts and Revolutions: Cycling Through Cinema
Friday, April 29 at 7:30 PM
See Below
Within the historic ruins of Alexander Thompson’s Caledonia Road Free Church, Dr Lars
Kristensen from the University of Skövde, Sweden, will deliver an entertaining and
invigorating presentation on radical cycling culture, the bicycle and its relationship to
the moving image. From a collage of archive footage and film clips, he will trace the role
of the bike as it threads its way through cinema; touching on issues of migration, labour
and the environment as well as its status as an enduring symbol of protest and collective
solidarity.
The event will be preceded by an all-inclusive group-cycle led by Glasgow Bike Station,
departing from their Finnieston location. We are delighted that Jennifer McCarey of the
Glasgow Clarion Cycling Group will introduce the cycle with a brief history of the club
and their long-standing radical traditions.
SCHEDULE:
(19:30) Meet at Glasgow Bike Station (65 Haugh Road).
(19:45-20:15) Introduction from Jennifer McCarey; depart from Bike Station.
(21:00) Arrive Gorbals Caledonia Road Church; presentation from Dr Lars Kristensen.
(22:00) End.
NB Please note this is an outdoor event. Riders are responsible for their own actions and
must adhere to the highway code at all times. Bike lights are essential as there will be
riding in the dark.
**********
United Glasgow Football Club
The club operates under dual core principles of anti-discrimination and financial inclusion.
www.unitedglasgowfc.eu
www.clubwebsite.co.uk/unitedglasgowfc
UGFC run beginners sessions for women every Monday night at the Firhill Complex. These
sessions are trans inclusive. If you’ve not played since school or have never played at
all, why not come along for a kickabout? Only £1 if working and nothing if you’re not earning!
For more info or to find out about our women’s 11-a-side team, get in touch with Jazz
Rogers at jazz
Contact the Club for men’s training times.
**********
United Glasgow: Can You Support Us? A Call To Action!
From like-minded football clubs to individuals who agree with our stance on financial
inclusion and anti-discrimination, United Glasgow has many supporters from across the
world. We’re calling on you, your friends, families and local businesses to support our
cause and help us to continue to provide access to football for Glasgow’s young people. As
you will be aware, we operate under a system of paying only if you are able to, which is
why we’re appealing for supporters to set up a monthly subscription (£10 suggested
donation) to cover the costs of hiring training facilities.
"We spend nearly £800 per month on training venues alone; your monthly support can ensure
we can keep providing access and opportunities for all." – Alan, Chairperson
In 2014/15, the significant of our total costs were spent on renting venues to provide
access to sports (and we have grown since then!) and we could really use your help to
continue to provide this.
If you would like to set up a subscription or one off payment, you can rest assured that
your contributions are directly helping provide young people from all walks of Glasgow
life the chance to train and play together.
http://www.unitedglasgowfc.eu/supportus
Also: Do you have any spare football boots that you could donate to those who have none
but desperately want to play football? We’re always accepting donations of astro-trainers
and moulded boots (no metal studs!) for our men’s teams. Please get in touch if you can
help out.
**********
Email future events including name/time/date/location/description to:
glasgowautonomyupdates@lists.riseup.net
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The Autonomy Update is brought to you by Glasgow Anarchist Federation. Visit our blog at:
http://glasgow.afed.org.uk
**********
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Posted in Uncategorized/Reblogged
Glasgow Events from 22/03/2016
Posted on March 22, 2016 by fleabite | Leave a comment
Hi all,
Another packed update, with ourselves at Glasgow Anarchist Federation having a slightly
more light-hearted event than usual tonight, with a discussion about The Hunger Games
books and films, then tomorrow our friends from the Empty Cages Collective will be in the
city to provide support and advice on prison abolition campaigning. Loads more to look at
this week as well, so be sure to take a look!
**********
The Hunger Games & Revolution
Tuesday, March 22 at 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM
Fred Paton Centre, 19 Carrington Street, G4 9AJ
When I finally read the Hunger Games trilogy last year, I discovered that suddenly I was
having conversations about revolution with people I had never even discussed politics with
before. Positive, fun conversations. This talk and discussion will take a light-hearted
look at how the dystopian society in The Hunger Games resembles our own, and how it
doesn’t, and what is exciting about the revolution in the Hunger Games and what isn’t,
from (of course) an anarchist communist perspective. This will be full of spoilers, but
won’t contain full plot summaries, so if you haven’t got a clue what happens yet in the
Hunger Games, you might like to acquaint yourself with the books or films to participate
in discussion. Listeners are of course still welcome.
=====
This event is hosted by Glasgow AF. We ask that all those attending this event read the
brief introduction to our safer spaces policy here: https://afed.org.uk/about/safer-spaces/
**********
Tear The Walls Down Tour #2 – Empty Cages Collective – Workshop
Wednesday, 23rd March: 6-8pm
Unit 11, 53 Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow, G5 8JD
EMPTY CAGES Collective are coming to Glasgow!
Check out their work here: http://www.prisonabolition.org/
This workshop is open to all, with any level of experience, interest or knowledge. There
will be opportunity for discussion and to focus on the struggle for abolition in a
specifically Scottish context.
The Tear Down The Walls Tour is a chance to learn about struggles against prisons across
England, Wales & Scotland. The two hour workshop explores the role of prison in our lives,
how the P.I.C harms individuals and communities and alternatives to it. We introduce
examples of state violence, like the IPP sentences, and we focus on prison expansion, as
well as the role of prison labour. We explore recent resistance & ongoing struggles and
aim to support new groups to emerge that can fight this racist, sexist, brutal system.
The Empty Cages Collective have been working towards building a movement in England, Wales
& Scotland that fights the prison industrial complex. Through touring, popular education,
events & actions, the collective have tried to connect individuals and groups who share a
rage against the prison system and a desire to build a different world. The collective
have produced publications, spoke at event after event, launched Community Action on
Prison Expansion, took part in the international action camp against the mega prison in
Wales, supported the Smash IPP campaign and organised the recent week of action against
the P.I.C. Having visited five cities in March 2014, the first TDTW tour built the first
friendships and now it is time to take to the road again.
**********
From Milton to the World presents…Urban Roots (film)
Thursday, March 24 at 5.45 PM
St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Liddesdale Square, G22 7BT
Welcome to the second film in our film festival!
North Glasgow Community Food Initiative is running a series of free fortnightly films,
chosen by the people of Milton. This film festival ‘From Milton to the World’ covers
themes of food, biodiversity, community growing, fracking and other environmental topics.
We hope that you will leave entertained and inspired to take positive action in your local
environment!
Our second film ‘QUEEN OF THE SUN’ is a profound, alternative look at the global bee
crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the
mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an
unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and
philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana
Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in
balance with nature.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Free refreshments will be served at 5.45pm before the film starts at 6pm.
The film will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Marie, giving you a chance to
share your thoughts on the film.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoeQodrVoM&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
**********
TheGovanhillBaths: Film as the activist’s tool and film screening
Thursday, March 24 at 7 PM
MILK cafe, 452 Victoria Road, G42 8YU
LIVING ROOM LECTURES in collaboration with the ACHE Collective at the Milk Cafe
::: INTRODUCE:::
THE GOVANHILL BATHS
lecturing on the subject of
**Community Activism: The Baths and Film as the Activist’s Tool**
with a FILM SCREENING of Fran Higsons film
~~ "UNITED WE WILL SWIM" ~~
This 25 minute documentary about the 15 year campaign to save The Govanhill Baths is made
by Camcorder Guerillas (directed by Fran Higson). Fran and the Guerillas specialise in
activist filmmaking with subjects including protest movements across Scotland such as Stop
the War campaigns, The Friends of Dungavel and The Faslane Peace Camp.
Director of UNITED WE WILL SWIM, Fran Higson, will speak on the value of film as a form of
activism broadly, yet also in the context of Govanhill community activism.
Also up for discussion are the topics of activism and community ownership. How does the
struggle to let the Baths live, and the Govanhill community thrive, relate to current
struggles; locally and more widely?
How can we learn from these examples of community activism and local perseverance?
Join us at the MILK CAFE, Govanhill, to learn, discuss and eat good food
**********
It Wisnae Us? The Truth About Scotland and Slavery
Friday, March 25 at 7:45 PM – 9:30 PM
Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, G411BA (opposite Kinning Park Underground)
March 25th – The date that British Parliament passed the bill abolishing Slave Trade in
the British Empire in 1807
Before the talk food will be available from 630pm -745pm. Provided by The Vegan people’s
kitchen Glasgow. £3.50 for a 3 course meal.
Scotland and Slavery talk by the super interesting Dr Iain Whyte author of Scotland and
the Abolition of Black Slavery, 1756-1838. 8pm.
Dr Iain Whyte met Dr Martin Luther King in 1964. Dr King encouraged Dr Whyte to tell the
Civil Rights story at home.
It Wisnae Us. The truth about Glasgow and Slavery talk by super engaging Speaker Dr
Stephen Mullen. 845pm.
Very brief talk on Anti Slavery International. 920pm
930pm finish.
£4 suggested donation. All money raised is going to Anti Slavery International.
=====
The cost of organising this event is:
1. Venue hire £20
2. Speaker’s travel expenses £25
Any amount raised above this total will be donated to Anti-Slavery International.
**********
Capital Reading Group: Sections 3 & 4 of Chapter 1, and Chapter 2
Saturday, March 26 at 1 PM – 3 PM
The Electron Club, CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
Last time we had a good discussion of the first two sections of Chapter 1. We agreed that
the next two dense sections deserve to be the focus of this meeting. So that’s: ‘The Form
of Value or Exchange-Value’ and the ‘Fetishism of Commodities’. And also the short Chapter
2 on Exchange.
If you’ve not come before, feel free to come this time!
**********
Trident Ploughshares: Non-Violent Direct Action workshop
Saturday, March 26 at 10 AM
Glasgow Quaker Meeting House, 38 Elmbank Crescent, G2 4PS
The focus is on taking action to disrupt the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system wherever
it is. The issues raised and skills learnt at these workshops are transferable to other
nonviolent campaigns – and by the way it’s fun!
The trainings are all from 10am to 5pm with a lunch and tea breaks. You need to be there
for the whole day. There is a £3 booking fee and donations will be gratefully received at
the training venue to cover our costs. – you can book here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trident-ploughshares-nonviolent-direct-action-members-training-tickets-21523436177
People who can’t risk arrest but would like to do practical hands on support are very
welcome. Enquiries to tp2000
**********
Tangerine
Saturday, March 26 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
Join us for Sean Baker’s ‘Tangerine’, screening as part of Cinema For All’s ‘Reaching
Communities’ project.
You’ll also have the chance to win a GIANT promotional poster!!
FREE! LGBT Unity Group Fundraiser – donations taken
Plot:
"Transgender sex worker Sin-Dee Rella, who has just finished a 28-day prison sentence,
meets her friend Alexandra, another trans sex worker, at a donut shop in Hollywood on
Christmas Eve. Alexandra accidentally reveals that Sin-Dee’s boyfriend and pimp Chester
has been cheating on her with a cisgender woman. Sin-Dee storms out to search the
neighborhood for Chester and the woman."
Starring transgender actresses, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor….who should win
awards for their great performances.
Famously shot using an iphone 5 for $100,000, using this lens:
http://www.moondoglabs.com/
Tangerine also has a *fabulous soundtrack.
Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/128253391
Accessibility:
*The film will be subtitled
*The CCA is a wheelchair accessible venue with accessible toilets on the ground floor.
*For more information please see: http://www.digitaldesperados.org/glitch/accessibility/
Tickets:
*Free/Donation, first come first serve!
*This is also a fundraiser for LGBT Unity Scotland.
*Rated 18
**********
Another Homeless Affair – Benefit gig for Glasgow Night Shelter
Friday, April 1 at 7:30 PM – 11 PM
Anderson Parish Church, 759 Argyle Street, G3 8DS
Benefit gig for the night shelter with:
– The Ronaynes
– Five Cousins
– Dogtooth
– Scott Charles
& lots of good grub made by our very own night shelter volunteers!
In the church with the green pointy roof…
Tell your friends!
£8
Tel 07789454903 for tickets in advance, tickets will also be on the door.
**********
SKILL SHARE!!! Hosted by WestGAP
Saturday, April 2 at 11:30 AM – 4 PM
The Art School, 20 Scott Street, G3 6PE
WestGAP invites you to take part in our Skill Share at The Art School on Saturday 2nd
April. Our Skill Share plans to bring groups, activists and researchers together to learn
both the strategic and practical ways to fight poverty in our communities. We feel our
service would benefit from learning from the skills and the experiences of others fighting
poverty and the surrounding issues and we hope that you will to!
WestGAP is a volunteer-led anti-poverty community group based in Cessnock, Glasgow. We
provide free, independent welfare advice to anyone who comes through the door. In 2015 the
impact of Welfare Reform has also highlighted the links between poverty, housing, poor
employment rights, immigration status, physical and mental health, we’ve experienced the
effect this has had on our community. We’ve had to learn on our feet, and adapt quickly to
the impact this has had on our service.
We want you to join us to share your experiences and your skills. We welcome any groups or
campaigns to propose and host a workshop to share with others or you can come along to
listen and learn from other groups.
We also want this to be as practical as possible and hopefully at the end of the day we
will all have developed practical skills to develop in our communities.
The venue is fully accessible, however there is a big hill outside, if you have mobility
problems please let WestGAP know and we can assist.
This event has been funded by The Community Capacity and Resilience fund, therefore we
have a small budget to reimburse some travel expenses if this would prohibit you
attending. Please let us know before the event.
Please register your attendence via Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skill-share-tickets-22360199960
**********
Re-imagining a democratic Europe
Saturday, April 2 at 11 AM – 4 PM
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
When do we get our say? An Open Space discussion aimed at prefiguring how a real European
democracy would be. Is there a new kind of global governance we can create with others?
How should we vote in the forthcoming referendum – to leave, to stay? What impact will the
result have on the lives of people in Britain? Migration, TTIP, workers’ rights? Can we
forge independent links with fellow Europeans outside of the EU of states and
corporations? Lightning conductors so far: Gordon Asher, Leigh French, Neil Davidson,
Marie Macpherson.
**********
Screening of Young Soul Rebels – LGBT Unity Centre Fundraiser/Free
Saturday, April 2 at 7 PM
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
Young Soul Rebels | Dir. Isaac Julien | 1991 | 105 min | UK
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C48N4TBsBdQ
This atmospheric classic received the Critics award at Cannes. Set in London 1977, queer &
straight love stories and a murder mystery unfold with fabulous soul music tracks.
Organically examines the racism and sexual politics of the time.
FREE/ Donation Fundraiser for the LGBT Unity Group
Shown with the support of Cinema for All as part of their "Reaching Communities’ project.
*The CCA is a Fully wheelchair accessible venue
*English subtitles for deaf/hard of hearing audience members.
**********
RADICAL FOOD SOLIDARITY PROJECTS
**********
Glasgow Vegan People’s Kitchen – March Edition
Friday, March 25 at 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, G411BA (opposite Kinning Park Underground)
Come and celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the Glasgow Vegan People’s Kitchen with us! Get
your party hats out, bring along 3.50£ and be served a delicious three course party meal!
This time we are serving:
Starter: Courgettes with Pecan-Parmesan and Salad
Main: Superextrafruitilicious Banana-Pineapple Curry with Rice
Dessert: SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY CAKES!
Please bring along your own beverages, glasses and tap water will be provided.
See you then, you Partypossums!
P.S. Straight after the People’s Kitchen there will be a great talk on, titled "It wisnae
us. Slavery and Scotland" by Dr Iain Whyte, author of Scotland and the Abolition of Black
Slavery, 1756-1838. (see above)
=====
The Vegan People’s Kitchen is a non-profit event that is:
*offering a cheap, inclusive, ethical and healthy meal
*About anti-capitalism, shared responsibility and mutual aid
* A chance for the community to get together and socialise
We serve exclusively vegan food because it is
*ethical
*environmentally more sustainable
*cheap
**********
Govanhill Free Dinner
Every Monday at 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Govanhill Trinity Church, 28 Daisy Street, G42 8JZ
Join your neighbours for a free dinner. All welcome.
**********
The UNITY World Café
Every Tuesday at 11:00am – 1:00pm
140-142 Nelson Street, G5 8EJ
UNITY is still distributing free food to destitute asylum seekers.
**********
RADICAL SPORTS & OUTDOORS SECTION
**********
Critical Mass
Friday, 25th of March at 7 PM
George Square
Meet at the column before a ride about town.
INVITE YOUR PALS!
**********
Roller Derby: British Champs Tier 1 Triple Header
Saturday, March 26 at 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Glasgow Caledonian ARC, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, G4 0BA
4 EPIC TEAMS COME TO GLASGOW TO PLAY FOR THE TITLE OF BRITISH CHAMPION!
ROYAL WINDSOR RG v GRD
NEWC v ROYAL WINDSOR RG
LEEDS v GRD
4 GREAT TEAMS – 3 HIGH LEVEL GAMES – LOTS OF STALLS
WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR!!
**********
Thursday Glasgow Adult Parkour Class
Thursday, March 31 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Buchanan Street Underground Station, G1 2LW
Adult Parkour Class in Glasgow will be happening on Mondays and Thursdays! Locations will
vary but the meet up point will be at an Underground Station.
Location: Buchanan Underground Station
Meet up time: 6:45pm
Class time: 7pm – 9pm
Price: £6
Age: 18+
Email: info
Paul will be meeting you at Buchanan Underground Station, Hope to see lots of people
there! All levels of practitioners welcome! Bring a friend and get £2 off your Class!
**********
The Glasgow Girls of Garnethill – Women’s Heritage Walk
Saturday, April 2 at 2 PM – 4 PM
Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, G40 1BP
£6/£10
Within Garnethill’s confined boundaries we spotlight the women who pioneered European art
movements, designed banners for suffragette processions, created the first women’s library
in Scotland and made Garnethill the most exciting cultural and multicultural hotspot in
Glasgow. For more information and booking, please see:
http://womenslibrary.org.uk/event/the-glasgow-girls-of-garnethill-womens-heritage-walk/
**********
Glasgow Roller Derby -v- Bear City, Berlin!
Saturday, April 23 at 1 PM – 5:30 PM
Bellahouston Sports Centre, 1 Bellahouston Drive, G52 1HH
Last year, Glasgow Roller Derby travelled to Berlin to take on the wonderful Bear City
Roller Derby. This year, we host Berlin as they go head to head with us in what will be a
high level european bonanza of derby!
And prior to our big headline act, there will be a cherry popper game featuring some of
Scotland’s newest skaters on the block!
**********
United Glasgow Football Club
The club operates under dual core principles of anti-discrimination and financial inclusion.
www.unitedglasgowfc.eu
www.clubwebsite.co.uk/unitedglasgowfc
UGFC run beginners sessions for women every Monday night at the Firhill Complex. These
sessions are trans inclusive. If you’ve not played since school or have never played at
all, why not come along for a kickabout? Only £1 if working and nothing if you’re not earning!
For more info or to find out about our women’s 11-a-side team, get in touch with Jazz
Rogers at jazz
Contact the Club for men’s training times.
**********
United Glasgow: Can You Support Us? A Call To Action!
From like-minded football clubs to individuals who agree with our stance on financial
inclusion and anti-discrimination, United Glasgow has many supporters from across the
world. We’re calling on you, your friends, families and local businesses to support our
cause and help us to continue to provide access to football for Glasgow’s young people. As
you will be aware, we operate under a system of paying only if you are able to, which is
why we’re appealing for supporters to set up a monthly subscription (£10 suggested
donation) to cover the costs of hiring training facilities.
"We spend nearly £800 per month on training venues alone; your monthly support can ensure
we can keep providing access and opportunities for all." – Alan, Chairperson
In 2014/15, the significant of our total costs were spent on renting venues to provide
access to sports (and we have grown since then!) and we could really use your help to
continue to provide this.
If you would like to set up a subscription or one off payment, you can rest assured that
your contributions are directly helping provide young people from all walks of Glasgow
life the chance to train and play together.
http://www.unitedglasgowfc.eu/supportus
Also: Do you have any spare football boots that you could donate to those who have none
but desperately want to play football? We’re always accepting donations of astro-trainers
and moulded boots (no metal studs!) for our men’s teams. Please get in touch if you can
help out.
**********
Email future events including name/time/date/location/description to:
glasgowautonomyupdates@lists.riseup.net
If you know someone who would like to be added to this list then please direct them to:
https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/glasgowautonomyupdates
You can leave this list at any time by sending a blank email to:
glasgowautonomyupdates-unsubscribe@lists.riseup.net
The Autonomy Update is brought to you by Glasgow Anarchist Federation. Visit our blog at:
http://glasgow.afed.org.uk
**********
Leave a comment
Posted in Uncategorized/Reblogged
Capital Reading Group – Sections 3 & 4 of Chapter 1, and Chapter 2
Posted on March 22, 2016 by fleabite | Leave a comment
Saturday 26th March
13:00–15:00
Electron Club, CCA, Sauchiehall Street
Last time we had a good discussion of the first two sections of Chapter 1. We agreed that
the next two dense sections deserve to be the focus of this meeting. So that’s: ‘The Form
of Value or Exchange-Value’ and the ‘Fetishism of Commodities’. And also the short Chapter
2 on Exchange.
If you’ve not come before, feel free to come this time!
Leave a comment
Posted in Uncategorized/Reblogged
The Hunger Games & Revolution: a dystopian society & revolution to learn from? Tues 22nd
Posted on March 20, 2016 by fleabite | Leave a comment
When I finally read the Hunger Games trilogy last year, I discovered that suddenly I was
having conversations about revolution with people I had never even discussed politics with
before. Positive, fun conversations. This talk and discussion will take a light-hearted
look at how the dystopian society in The Hunger Games resembles our own, and how it
doesn’t, and what is exciting about the revolution in the Hunger Games and what isn’t,
from (of course) an anarchist communist perspective. This will be full of spoilers, but
won’t contain full plot summaries, so if you haven’t got a clue what happens yet in the
Hunger Games, you might like to acquaint yourself with the books or films to participate
in discussion. Listeners are of course still welcome.
=====
This event is hosted by Glasgow AF. We ask that all those attending this event read the
brief introduction to our safer spaces policy here:
Safer Spaces
Tuesday 22nd March. 18:45 – 21:00
Fred Paton Centre, 19 Carrington St, Glasgow G4 9AJ
https://glasgowanarchists.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/glasgow-events-from-31032016/
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Message: 2
The ASI is a project to build the organizing committee for an anarcho-syndicalist union
movement. This movement will be part of a larger revolutionary union movement in North
America. This movement will include unions based both in the workplace and in the
community, wherever people require fighting formations to advance and defend their
interests. ---- We seek to build a working class movement of the employed, the unemployed,
the self-employed, students, home workers, the disabled, retirees; all of the members of
the working class. ---- We see a movement capable of winning demands on the shop floor and
in the streets, wherever the fight for an egalitarian society requires. ---- We see an
organized movement for the central purpose of defeating the capitalist system and creating
libertarian socialism.
The first step is to build strong and active local groups of anarcho-syndicalists. The
groups will be able to work with community organizations, distribute ASI information, and
engage in organizing activity.
The ASI is a project of Workers Solidarity Alliance. Dues are $28 per year and include
membership in WSA and participation in the ASI project. Membership information is
available at www.workersolidarity.org
http://ideasandaction.info/2016/03/anarcho-syndicalism-initiative-building-organizing-committee/
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Message: 3
Fuck Tata ---- Fuck Cameron ---- Fuck Kinnock ---- Fuck our joke Trade Union ---- Steel
crisis: they do not give a shit ---- by Paul Mason – original article here ---- You’re
about to get a textbook lesson in neoliberalism ---- There’s a meme that keeps resurfacing
in the genteel world of rightwing financial thought: that the term “neoliberalism” is in
some way just a term of abuse, or a catch-all phrase invented by the left. ---- Well, as
the UK steel industry faces instant closure — and let’s be clear that’s what Tata would do
if it had to — we about to get a textbook lesson in what neoliberalism actually means. It
means, when market logic clashes with human logic, the market must prevail and you must
not give a shit about the social consequences.
At stake are two things.
First 40,000 manufacturing jobs in Tata and its supply chain. These are very high quality
jobs. In the Stocksbridge Tata plant, for example, you’ll see three or four people using
hand-held controllers operate a facility the size of an aircraft hangar, melting and
re-forming massive bars of metal. At Port Talbot there’s a half-mile long rolling mill
operated, last time I was there, by a shift of twelve people. At each site there are tens
of apprentices currently studying to do these jobs, which if Tata closes will not exist.
So question number one is does the British government want to intervene to save these
jobs, and the communities that depend on them.
The second issue is steel as a strategic resource. If you want an independent defence
industry you have to have a steel industry. Given the nature of war, many of the things
you need to fight it — like tanks, submarines and missiles — have to be made of metal. At
some point that metal has to be produced in a furnace. Furnaces use large amounts of
energy. Energy is expensive because we need to wean ourselves off carbon. So energy
policy, trade policy and defence policy are at odds — fundamentally because there is no
industrial policy to tie them together.
Indeed the ministry that should have an industrial policy is run by a man who, when the
space between his ears registers a thought at all, believes there should not be an
industrial policy.
Tata is in crisis because of a confluence of factors.
The global steel glut because demand has collapsed, because eight years of central bank
intervention have left the world economy on life support.
China’s strategy of supporting its own unprofitable, and indeed bankrupt steel mills, thus
dumping hundreds of tonnes of unsellable steel onto the world market, at prices Tata
cannot match
A strategy to combat climate change reliant on the crude use of energy taxes to
dis-incentivise heavy industry, without any holistic plan for the industrial sector
Europe’s refusal to allow state aid to industry, making it the only major economic bloc
that has no effective industrial strategy
The Conservative government’s refusal to face all this, delaying, prevaricating, swerving
the issue, and basically lying to camera that it had the matter in hand on every occasion.
The Tories would not be facing a steel collapse now if they had a) put the suspension of
state aid rules on the table with Brussels b) consistently argued against the EU imposing
anti-dumping tariffs on China c) gave a shit.
And let’s get to the point.
Not giving a shit — about industries, jobs or social consequences — is at the heart of the
ideology the political elite has learned since they were at private school.
The Financial Times this morning, in its editorial, raised not giving a shit to an art
form. Don’t nationalise, it argued: don’t argue to lift state aid rules, don’t impose
restrictions on Chinese steel. Because all of these things distort the global market, and
the global market is the logic that brings prosperity.
The FT’s editorial: not giving a shit raised to a literary art form
Tata’s shock decision to sell its UK plants was also a defeat for the approach championed
by the Community Union — the former iron and steel union — and local MP Stephen Kinnock.
Backed by some workers at the Port Talbot plant, they told Jeremy Corbyn to soft-peddle on
demands for nationalisation in order to appease Tata, or a mythical alternative buyer.
They drew up a detailed turnaround plan that could have been enacted if either Tata or the
Conservative government gave a shit.
But they do not give a shit.
Therefore the only answer is temporary nationalisation, the suspension of state aid rules,
the long-term imposition of punitive tariffs on China, and the taxpayer injecting millions
a year into the industry until it turns around. The British government could, and should,
simply take Stephen Kinnock’s plan, appoint a crisis team in Whitehall to make it happen,
buy the entire business from Tata for £1 and get to work.
Once it’s turned around, instead of handing the asset like a tray of After Eight mints to
the next foreign-owned conglomerate in the queue, the British steel industry should become
a mutually owned business, with permanent state support reflecting its strategic
importance to national security. And if that’s not viable its strategic assets — the blast
furnaces — should be permanently state owned and run at a loss in times of stress.
And here’s the wierdest thing. The Conservative cabinet is full of human beings who
actually, on an individual level, do give a shit. Few are unbending economic robots. Some
have even wavered towards suggesting there could be a state intervention to save the industry.
But immediately they have the FT, a legion of business consultancies, self-appointed
experts, civil servants and — the irony — all the confederations that are supposed to
support British industry actually urging them not to waver.
It’s an easy point to make: if you can bail out RBS and HBOS and Bradford and Bingley and
Northern Rock — at the cost of billions — you can bail out the steel industry. But that’s
forgetting the Conservatives were not in power when that had to be done. Whatever
criticism you can make of the half-assed way Labour nationalised the banks, at least they
did it. Looking at the self-created shambles Cameron is trying to handle now, I begin to
doubt whether this cabinet would have even saved the banks in 2008 had it been in power.
I hope today Cameron can find some face-saving way of explaining to himself why the
neoliberal logic of the FT is bullshit, and that Britain needs a steel industry, and that
Wales should not become a post-industrial province.
If he does not, and we see the rapid closure of a strategic industry, then at all the
country suppers in the mansions of Oxfordshire, at the rugby clubs, and in the hedge fund
bordellos around London’s Shepherd Market, there’ll be so much sympathy for the steel
workers it will overpower the cologne. “There, there, let’s re-skill them”, they will say;
“and let’s exempt them, for a while, from coercive bullying at the job centres”. It is
just cant.
The skill levels of this industry are so high; the ratio of capital to labour so high;
that nine times out of ten “re-skilling” means simply de-skilling.
There is one other institution apart from the Cabinet that could save steel: the European
Commission. It could, pro-actively, propose a state aid plan, and a rescue fund for the
entire European steel industry, to help it compete with China. It could impose tariffs and
suspend state aid rules.
But the Commission will not act for the same reason the British government will not act.
Repeat after me. They do not give a shit.
http://www.classwarparty.org.uk/blockade-m4-till-listen-2nd-may/#more-1593
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