Dear friends,
September see two very important protests taking place in Dublin. A major water charges demonstration on Saturday 17 and the annual March for Choice on Saturday 24th. The WSM is organising an anarchist meet up at both demonstrations. Both these demonstrations are of major significance if perhaps also representing two very different phases of movements.
With the water charges this seems a movement that has won even if the result has yet to be declared. Given that mass non payment had already made the charge uncollectable and the suspension of the charge saw a large decline in standing orders it’s hard to see how the government could now hope to impose it on a population that has seen its own power. Which is why Fianna Fail are positioning themselves to try and claim credit for the defeat of the charge and the media re giving them a helping hand in doing so. As with previous struggles the key task for the political parties right now is to avoid giving a sense that mass struggle worked and instead ensure that ‘victory’ is portrayed as having come via electoralism or other respectable routes.
The pro-choice movement on the other hand is at the start of the process of getting rid of the 8th amendment as a preliminary part of a long and complex struggle for bodily autonomy for all. That term whose use has spread to Ireland recently reflects the fact that the church and states efforts to control people’s bodies extends well beyond abortion access. For instance religious controls of hospitals denies access to and control over many medical procedures, in particular in relation to maternity services.
Right now the demand for Repeal is central and the political parties are doing everything in their power to avoid calling a referendum. A good turn out on the 24th is essential in making it impossible for them to continue to stall doing so
The Dublin bus workers strike is a key fight in a city where its become unaffordable for most workers to have a decent living standard based on their wages, read more at Solidarity with the Dublin bus strike and the need for decent wages for all.
We’ve had major renovations to our space in Jigsaw over the summer (essentially the demolition and rebuilding of the entire space). As of writing we are in the process of painting and getting everything off the floor and onto shelves so what should be a slightly larger and a lot more usable space can be brought back into action.
2016 London Anarchist Bookfair - 29 October
A number of WSM members are heading over to this year’s London Anarchist Bookfair. The London bookfair is huge, probably about 5 times bigger than our own Dublin bookfair and we have a presence at it most years. You’ll find more details at http://www.anarchistbookfair.org.uk but if you are already going or would like to go let us know at activity@wsm.ie and we will try and have a meet up on the day
2016 Belfast Anarchist bookfair - 15 Oct
The Belfast anarchist bookfair takes place on the 15th October at the Black Box on Hill st, 11.30 to 18.00. We should have a stall at it and will be taking part in the panel on feminism.
What you might have missed
Below is some of the more popular writings and video we have published over the last month
Barricade Bulletin 1 - news sheet of the Derry Anarchists
Cavan Murders: No Excuses for Domestic Violence
Inside the squatted prison in Dublin - a video tour
Not wanting Apples billions? The landlords agent is not our friend
Video report - Dublin protest to Defend Rojava and oppose Turkish invasion
Two woman travel - and expose the impact of Ireland's abortion ban - Repeal the 8th Amendment
Video - Protest takes place against homophobic attack in Phoenix park that the state is ignoring