INCENDIARY HIP HOP BAND MAKE THEIR BRISTOL DEBUT AT SPECIAL TRINITY GIG

Influential hip hop act The Coup make their Bristol debut this month, as part of a short UK tour, their first since forming in the early 1990s.

The event is a fund-raiser to set-up a fund for helping local activist groups/people put on events etc. There is also a meeting being arranged on the Sunday where the Coup will meet local people to talk about their role in Occupy Oakland and the impact that Occupy has been having in the states. The Trinity event on SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER features an evening performance with a full live band, as well as a FREE daytime gig for Under 16s at 5pm.

Not heard of the Coup? Where have you been? Next to Public Enemy, they are probably the best known political hip hop band in the world. The group first exploded on to the scene in 1993 with their debut album Kill My Landlord, a beautifully subversive blast of hip-hop that utilized Boots Riley’s gifted wordplay and addressed topics ranging from racism to police brutality and class warfare. Described as one of the “10 most influential people” by Vibe Magazine, Riley has collaborated over the years with Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Atari Teenage Riot and more. He is a prominent figure in the Occupy Movement, participating in actions and speaking out throughout the world.

Free Pussy Riot! - Benefit
Weds 24th October - 8pm @ Bristol County Sports Club, 40 Colston St, BS1

On 17th August 2012 Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevitch were sentenced to two years imprisonment for their involvement in a Pussy Riot action at a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow.

In a protest that was halted in less than a minute, Pussy Riot performed this song - http://youtu.be/ALS92big4TY

As queers, feminists, anarchists, punks, activists, performers we stand in solidarity with their actions, and we will continue to support them as they fight for freedom from the prison walls of a penal colony and a repressive nation state. Arrests, detention, court hearings, legal representation and campaigning costs lots of money - all profits from this event will be donated to their ongoing struggle.

Bristol & District Anti-Cuts Alliance plans to ensure that as many people as possible from Bristol get to the TUC's 'A Future That Works' demonstration in London on Saturday October 20th. Many unions have arranged coaches from Bristol and surrounding areas. Details can be found on the BADACA website here.

In most cases these are free to members and their families. Some extend this to friends. Some others are not free but subsidised. There is also a link to information about all coaches from the South West. Book a seat now. If you have queries on the information provided please email admin@bristolanticutsalliance.org.uk.

A student film setting out the case for supporting the demonstrations can be seen here.

Facebook for 20th October here.

Information on TUC website here.

Cube Microplex, Dove Street South, Bristol BS2 8JD

(Mon 1 Oct / 8pm / £4/3 but no one refused entry for lack of funds)

The Island President tells the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced—the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. After bringing democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable.

PCS vs Cuts

Following two months of rolling strikes across the Department for Transport, the union's 8,500 DfT members will be joined by 3,500 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the walkout.

Among the issues under dispute in the DfT are plans to close almost half of the UK's coastguard stations; the closure of all 39 of the DVLA's local offices and 10 enforcement centres; and cuts and the threat of privatisation in the Driving Standards Agency.

There are similar concerns over job cuts and privatisation in Defra. And all of this comes on top of a pay freeze and the looming threat of the imposition of local or regional pay, which would drive living standards down even further.

DfT members will be on strike all day and Defra members will walk out for three hours from 1.30pm.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Despite all the evidence pointing to the fact that austerity isn't working, this government is ploughing ahead with unnecessary and damaging cuts that will deprive our communities of vital public services."

Links: Bristolians Vote for Strike | Union Statement |