Dublin Anarchist Bookfair 2012 - no 7

by Andrew - WSM Tue May 22, 2012 16:10

In the foyer during the bookfair

This collaborative exhibition features photographs by activists and photographers Andrew Flood, William Hederman, Aileen O’Carroll and Paul Reynolds.

In the context of street protest, official history has often relied on images captured by photographers positioned behind police lines, or in some way mediating events from the perspective of authority. By contrast, the photographs in this exhibition record resistance from the viewpoint of the resister.

‘A Decade of Resistance’ documents an array of anti-capitalist, anti-war, pro-choice, environmental and other protests, starting with a mass trespass at Shannon Airport in October 2002 and ending with a Reclaim The Streets in Dublin in April 2012.

by Andrew Sat May 19, 2012 10:00

Every so often you find yourself taking a different position to the rest of the left, an interesting experience as the shrill denunciations pour in because you've dared to depart from orthodoxy. The so called 'Austerity' or 'Stability' referendum in Ireland has proved to be one of those occasions because the WSM has dared to argue that they referendum is in fact meaningless. And in particular we disagree with the standard left line that it can be treated as a referendum on austerity.

Read on at http://anarchism.pageabode.com/andrewnflood/controversy...reaty

by shocked - none Fri May 18, 2012 14:31

What a shocking (but not so shocking in some ways) response from Irish anarchists on the austerity treaty.

The analysis tries to suggest falsely that those advocating a No vote believe a NO vote is the way to beat austerity. Reality is that many of those who are campaigning for a no vote- actively argue for and encourage oragnising resistance to austerity.

Absenting yourself from the vote and debates for and against is a mistake and thankfully the left- the SP, ULA, SWP, CP, etc are not doing this.

The vote- if a NO vote wins- will NOT in itself defeat austerity but it will certainly shake the government and give confidence to many workers who want to see resistance build to austerity.

It is entirely possible to encourage a NO vote and in the course of doing so discuss with people that voting along will not change things. By doing so it affords you the opportunity to speak to people.

This kind of nonsense will ensure the anarchist movement in Ireland remains small, insular and on the margins

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri May 18, 2012 12:29

..it wont make a huge difference..the bulldozing juggernaut is coming through anyway...but, it will sent a signal that ireland has not yet succumbed to the PR smogsturm und drang assault from the nEU Reich of neo-liberal totalitarian anti-democratic eradication of opposition to TINA Thatcherist une voce homogenisation...it might cheer up the Greeks...

And it might even stir the local turgid turds out of their apathy and complacency...this country does have a long and respectable history of not dying out altogether...despite long sessions of Hibernationalism.

And the beginning of the clearing of that 'democratic sham' must be the exposure and dismissal of the current septic head on the political body of the Labour Party...or else the decent burial of its rotten cadaver.

The PDs haven't gone away you know..they've just metamorphed throughout, including through the Ibecification of both Labour and the unions. They have actually swallowed and digested the doctrines and become, as they say, what they ate.

by Andrew - WSM Fri May 18, 2012 12:01

Many on the left see a vote against the 'Austerity treaty' as a contribution to building resistance against the austerity agenda. But does participating in the referendum campaign just sow illusions in a democratic sham, and is the referendum in reality a no-win situation for those who want to build resistance to austerity and who have a vision for a socialist world?

Mark Hoskins from WSM debates MEP Paul Murphy (Socialist Party) in the Main hall of Liberty Hall 13:00 until 14:30

RSVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/364794170244639/

by Andrew Wed May 16, 2012 10:52

This session of the 2012 Dublin Anarchist Bookfair looks at the value of paper and ink when the net is usually declared the real frontier. We're asking our panel to track some of the connections between todays underground radical press, and what went before. Do these organs represent something of a collective organiser, agitator and voice for our movements or are we simply shouting slogans at the bewildered to keep ourselves busy? Where are the similarities in our projects and where are the fundamental differences? How do we judge our successes and more importantly what blinds us to our failures? Should we be building consciousness, communities or organisations?

The session will be hosted by Ciaran Moore of Dublin Community Televison.The panel will feature banter from people involved in Look Left, Rag, rabble, Liberty Paper and Workers Solidarity.

On Facebook? RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/events/356726934389494/

In response the the precious comment - yes we will be trying to audio record all sessions where the speakers are in agreement with this - we have found in the past that the hectic nature of organising on the day does result in some failures to record though so no promises

by audio junkie Tue May 15, 2012 19:15

It would be great if someone could record the 'is it kicking off in ireland?' talk (i wont be able to attend).

[My pessimistic wag says "the audio of the word 'No' wont take up much space on your hard drive" :-)]

thanks

by Andrew - WSM Tue May 15, 2012 14:39

This is the final timetable of meetings at the 2012 Dublin Anarchist Bookfair

by Andrew Fri May 11, 2012 10:36

Some of the flyers for individuals events at this years bookfair