Stitched up: The Scottish Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation

Reblogged from Anarchist Federation Scotland:

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The first Scottish Anti-Bedroom Tax conference took place on 27th April in Glasgow, its aim to unite local groups across the country into one campaign with greater strength and resources.  I'm surprised it hasn't received more coverage and criticism.  I suspect that's because people are holding their tongues and focusing on organising locally and in other campaigns.  However, I would argue that we need to discuss what's happening nationally so that we can be more effective in challenging the Bedroom Tax, and any government cuts, but also to ensure that a campaign like this is controlled by working class people themselves.

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This is even more vital an issue for us here in Glasgow where we don't have another independent grouping. The anti bedroom tax campaign is too important to be fucked up by sectarians out for their own political gains rather than wins for the wider class.

Shutting down Athens Indymedia: state repression of the Greek anarchist movement

Reblogged from Anarchist Federation Scotland:

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Guest post by a Greek anarchist living in Scotland.

Τhe last few years have been a time of global capitalist crisis, where the financial system has, after two decades of frantic over-accumulation and fake development, collapsed yet again. The neoliberal promises of continuous development reached an end and we are all facing the results of this collapse, depending on the country in which we are living.

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Ben Franks talk – Between Anarchism and Marxism: the beginnings and ends of the schism

Ben Franks, Anarchist academic and author of “Rebel Alliances” about anarchism in UK is leading a discussion tomorrow evening about Anarchism and Marxism. Details below. We (Glasgow AFed) are very happy to be co sponsoring this talk with Strickland distribution, Clydeside IWW and the radical independent book fair. We’ll all be hanging around after the discussion ends for an informal BYOB social which you are welcome to join us for. Yayy radicals in Glasgow organising an event and then socialising together

Fri 10/05
1830 sharp
Kinning Park Complex, 40 Cornwall St, G41 1AQ.

Benjamin Franks will introduce his recent work, ‘Between Anarchism and Marxism: The beginnings and ends of the schism? (2012), which will be followed
by group discussion of the questions posed.

“The standard approach, endorsed by orthodox Marxists and many anarchists, is
to see an irreconcilable difference between anarchism and Marxism. However,
the historical record shows that whilst Marx opposed – and was opposed by -
leading anarchists prior to 1917 there was considerable positive interaction
between diverse Marxist and anarchist groups. The division between the two,
viewed as fundamental, I argue, is in fact the product of a particular form of
political structure that dominated the revolutionary-left in the last century.
Now that these hierarchical forms of organisation have been discredited,
rediscovered and revised forms of Marxism have arisen that, once again,
actively engage with anarchism.”

Hosted by The Strickland Distribution, with the support of Glasgow Anarchist
Federation, Radical Independent Bookfair, Clydeside IWW. All welcome!
(Refreshments available. BYOB.)

Person travelling from Anonymous London demo detained in Glasgow

Late yesterday evening an attendee of the London Anonymous Anti-Austerity demo was taken into custody upon their return journey via Glasgow airport. In their own words:

I landed back at the airport and i went to leave the arrivals hall but was stopped by 2 of Special Branch (Police) One of them asked me questions like, name, ID, where have I been, what was I doing? I answered them in a polite manner and was truthful. Then one of them said have you got a spare 2 seconds and again I answered yes.

I said to the officer “what if I would have refused” and he answered me with “We would have done it the hard way”

Next they took me off to a room where they searched me and then sat me down. They proceeded to ask me a lot about what I had been doing in London, who was there, like names. They went through my wallet and took pictures of some of my cards including my Anonymous ID.

Then the officer said can I unlock my phone and while i was talking to the other one I noticed he was going through my phone book and writing names and numbers on his pad. So after 20 minutes of this I was free to go.

I was absolutely shattered and was taken back by this so yes I should have been a little more wised up and stood my ground. I am seeking legal advice and will let you know what happens.

This comes less than a year after two anarchists were detained returning from the St. Imier International Anarchist Congress last August, and marks the continued use of  this type of intimidation by the state in response to ideologies it sees as harmful to itself and capital.

May Day Social Relocated

The Scotia has flooded so we’ve had to relocate tonight’s May Day social. Other nearby pubs had gigs on and were full so we’re in the crystal palace which is on Jamaica St. We’re in the back corner on the ground floor and have a red and black flag on the table.

MAY DAY CALL TO ACTION! Defend the Children’s Garden!

The Children’s Garden is one of Glasgow’s oldest community gardens, set up some 12 years ago when a community group turned a patch of derelict ground into a thriving community space.

Today they need your help. Less than 1 week ago, the group received notice that the Council were planning to come in and cut down the beautiful and huge willow structure, remove fruit trees and commandeer at least 2 beds for their own use.

The word is they will be in today with a chainsaw to carry out the first part of their operations.

If you can, please get yourself up to the Children’s Garden today to help defend this valuable resource. Call John on 07786 063918 for more info. Please also forward this on to any people/networks you can think of.

A feminist guide to celebrating Thatcher's demise

Reblogged from AWOL:

I’ll start from the premise that anybody who’s got as far as reading this had no particular love for Margaret Thatcher. If this doesn’t apply to you, this article will not help. You’re on the wrong blog. Go away now. Bye bye.

Yesterday, today and probably for the next week or so, people are sharing the glad tidings around TwitFace in succinct missives ranging from jubilant celebration to wary reminders that this doesn’t change the way things are and we must keep up the fight against Thatcher’s legacy.

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spot on analysis from a fellow AFed member and feminist in Liverpool.