United Kingdom Anarchoblogs

Edinburgh Anarchist Federation fully endorses the national day of action called by grassroots campaign Boycott Workfare.

Join the protest in Edinburgh:

Assemble 12 noon, Hunter Square, Saturday 3rd March, to visit some nearby businesses using unpaid workfare ‘volunteers’ to work for free. 

Workfare is a government scheme that makes people on benefits work for their dole.

The government and some in the media present it as a way of encouraging people back into work by gaining experience. This ignores two things – first, there are not enough jobs available for those who want them; and second, workfare placements themselves are taking jobs away from paid workers. We have no problem with people learning while working – this used to be called apprenticeships. But workfare tells the unemployed that they will lose their benefit if they do not work for their it. In every other context the minimum wage applies, so why not here?

The companies using workfare all make large profits. The work being done would need to be done anyway. By getting forced labour to do it for free, the companies’ profits will grow. Their regular workers are often on low pay themselves and find their overtime cut and pay held back because of the forced labour scheme.

Bosses prefer not having to pay for workers. Instead, we are all paying to subsidise their profits. Protests have already forced some to pull out of the scheme. Let’s make it all of them.

Find out more here, and if you’re not in Edinburgh, find an action near you

http://www.boycottworkfare.org/

If you are unemployed, find out about your rights under the various workfare schemes
http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=280.

This protest has been organised by a range of local groups and individuals, including:

Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty

Edinburgh Uncut

Black Triangle Campaign

Right To Work Edinburgh

*** The SDL are planning on claiming Glasgow this Saturday for their nasty racist thuggery. It is crucial we keep Glasgow city centre free of organised fascists. George Square and Buchanan St are key locations that they would like to … Continue reading →

BEYOND HIERARCHIES – Protest and Power in the 21st Century

Beyond Hierarchies is a Free University Day School examining alternatives to the hierarchical power structures that shape society today.

The day will incorporate short talks with interactive theatre and workshop discussion.

HOW DOES POWER WORK? The first session will examine contemporary power relationships and how politicians came to believe that the only way was free market capitalism: with workshop discussion on different areas e.g. industry, society, politics, environment.

THIS IS NOT A RIOT. In the second session we examine possible tactics and mechanisms of change with Harry Giles of Open Source Theatre http://opensourcetheatre.wordpress.com/. ‘This is Not a Riot’ is a piece of interactive theatre about violence and protest, and was premièred in Hackney last year.

MUTUAL AID. The third session looks ahead to the alternatives that we want to bring about. Does Public Ownership have to mean Nationalisation? Does Nationalisation have to mean Beaurocracy? Can Cooperatives and Collectives really work? Is Radical Decentralisation the antidote to Globalisation? These questions and more will form the basis of workshop discussions followed by a final plenary.

Although the day school is free, numbers are limited, so to ensure your place, please book now by emailing dundeeuncut@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Free-University-Dundee/152538181474358?sk=wall#!/events/134257990028813/

Saturday 25th January, 4pm, Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh

As international creditors & bailiffs circle Greece, its government has responded with austerity policies. The results include deepened unemployment, cut pensions and social provision. A permanent state of crisis is the new post-democratic way of government: in the name of the economy, the facade of democracy is one more unaffordable luxury sold off to pay interest on a debt to the rich.

Behind the headlines, the fightback. Beyond massive general strikes demonstrations: hospitals, factories and offices occupied and run by their workers. Regardless of votes in parliament and international brinksmanship, the people of Greece are resisting the IMF by “collective[ly organizing] the struggle for a life that is characterized by solidarity, resistance and dignity.”

What happens next?

All welcome

Find the event on Facebook

Meeting organised by Edinburgh Anarchist Federation

With Occupied London

And Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh

A talk with anarchist and anthropologist Dimitris Dalakoglou Friday 24th February. 7pm. Williams Room, John McIntyre building. University Avenue. … As international creditors & bailiffs circle Greece, its government has responded with austerity policies. The results include deepened unemployment, cut … Continue reading →

Greece solidarity protest, Edinburgh

Despite the freezing weather, and an unexpected snow storm in the middle of the sunny afternoon, over 100 people gathered outside the City Chambers on Saturday 18th February to show solidarity with workers in Greece, who’s government has just voted to approve IMF and European Bank-approved austerity measures, which will have disastrous consequences for the working class.

The demonstration was well-received by passers by, and had a strong internationalist and anti-capitalist message: it is capitalism, not Greece, which is in crisis!

It's not our crisis, it's capitalism!

Slogans such as “From Scotland to Spain, the problem is the same! From Scotland to Greece, no justice, no peace!” were chanted, and a live link to a Greek radio station was established. The protest in Edinburgh was one of many around Europe and the world to mark an international day of solidarity with Greek workers, which included hundreds of Spanish protesters on the streets under the banner ‘Estamos Con Grecia’ – we are with Greece.

Protests in Greece

There will be a second demonstration, called by Greek workers in Edinburgh, on Saturday 18th February, 12-3pm, City Chambers, High Street.

The demonstration is in solidarity with workers in Greece fighting the austerity measures imposed by their government at the request of the IMF and European Bank. The statement on the facebook event reads:

On the 12th of February the non-elected Greek Government adopted a new austerity plan, approved by the Greek parliament, which forces people into misery in order to save the European Banks. The 22% cut on the minimum wage (480 euros – 435 for young people), reduction on pensions, the abolishment of the collective bargaining, the privatization of the public sector (including health care and education) are only indicative measures for the future of the Greek people.
The “rescue” plan for Greece includes 130 billion euros, provided by European tax payers, which are not planned to serve the people but will only be given to the European Banks.
On Sunday the 12th of February the hundreds of thousands of Greek people took the streets fighting against the measures imposed be the EU, the European Central Bank, the IMF which would lead to the enslavement to the bankers. On the streets they gave a battle against the violent repression of the police forces having also as an opponent the “silence” of the media on demonstrations.
Greece is only the start before the generalization of the measures all over Europe. The people of Greece need the international solidarity and they call for our support.
Let’s stay united and fight back AGAINST the austerity measures, AGAINST repression, AGAINST the dictatorship of bankers.
WE ARE ALL GREEKS!
WHEN THEY SAY CUT BACK, WE SAY FIGHT BACK!
On Saturday 18th of February there will be demonstrations everywhere in solidarity with the mobilization of people of Greece.
We make this call at 12.00 outside the City Chambers at Royal Mile. See you ALL there!

Last week’s solidarity demo was lively and well attended. Please come along!

Edinburgh Anarchist Federation fully supports the newly launched Private Tenants Action Group.

Thursday, 8 March 2012
19:00 until 21:00

Old Saint Paul’s Church
63 Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DH

Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group is holding a public meeting to launch a campaign for tougher enforcement against criminal landlords.

We all want to live in safe, secure homes. Some people can’t. Private tenants are among the most vulnerable in our city, with low incomes, insecure jobs, and insecure tenancies. Many tenants have problems with landlords, including:

•  withholding deposits,
•  refusing repairs,
•  illegal evictions, and
• threats of violence.

Come to the public meeting, and hear the stories of people affected by criminal landlords, from tenants activists and campaigners, and from advice workers.

Whether you are a private tenant or not, show your support, and get involved in the campaign to stop criminal landlords!

Keep in touch via facebook.

Friday 10th – Sunday 12th February - Pop up social centre Saturday 11th February - Anti ACTA demo - Inverness Anarchist Film Festival Tuesday 14th February - The Love Equally March - First hand account from Afghanistan - IWW general … Continue reading →

We are very excited to be able to support Anarchists in Inverness by letting you all know about the Inverness Anarchist Film Festival. 11th February, 10am-5pm The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Merkinch Free/Donation Vegan food, Tea & Coffee 10.15am – … Continue reading →