UK webiste

Wednesday July 24, 2002 12:56

by Anti-capitalism on the net

Background:
The anti-Capitalist movement in the UK is diverse and encompasses many different groups and organisations. A large section of it is based on non-hierarchical politics and direct action, both in terms of protest and in terms of constructing a better reality, a better now to live in. Up to now, there has been little unification, either throught the movement or at the more radical end of it; what there has been was merely an attempt to capitalise on other peoples' benefit - this thought is of Globalise Resistance, the Socialist Workers' Party "anti-capitalist" front group.

There have also been successes: spoof newspapers such as the Evading Standards or the Hate Mail; social projects like the Radical Dairy and London Action Resource Centre; protests and demonstrations and out-doing state harassment. This has been matched by worldwide successes such as the collective of Independent Media Centres; resource pages on the web such as The Anarchist Organisation (www.tao.ca), Urban 75 (www.urban75.com) and Action Medical (www.action-medical.net); and the use of newsgroups and lists such as http://lists.riseup.net or http://groups.yahoo.com for discussion and co-ordination.

In the past six months or so, a lot of people have reflected on where the anti-capitalist movement has come from, and also postulated on where it is going in the short-term. Vision has been blunted by the shadow of the 'War on Terrorism,' and within the UK, there does not seem to have been much thought on a broad scale looking at the bigger picture.

Another thing that has also been exposed has been the vulnerability of individual organisations when under attack by the state or other forces of power. Examples include, but are not limited to, the WOMBLE 7 trial in London and the victimisation of the Independent Media Centres, in more than one country - examples being Swizerland and the Netherlands, but there are other examples such as the pressures in the United States of America or even in this country.

For all these reasons - and more - here is a proposal. An attempt has been made to detail things in a logical order; generally, there is a brainstorm/bullet list, accompanied by an explanation. First, however, a recap of some of the reasons for the whole project (perhaps not fully explained, but encompassed in ideas such as www.tao.ca).

Reasons:
What some of the problems are at present, how they can be solved and other ideas to help improve the UK direct action movement.

unity - lack of cohesion so far/attempts to hijack by those with alterior motives
linking established UK groups
longer term vision
resource centre
discussion centre
security (internet)
legal info
medical/safety info
practical info, e.g. squats
forming a semi-permanent *space* that is accessible by anyone and everyone
no secrets!
Calendar - what's on, when...
How?
A web-based resource site using a simplistic, not-too-wordy design so that important information is available in only a few 'clicks.'
A portal.
The opportunity for groups to get involved in design and basics e.g. a 'charter' or declaration; mailing lists, webspace, and so on.
A de-centralised point from which to organise: funding; conferences; events; protest...a more 'legitimate' side?
A secure server, pgp-enabled with understandable (both to the user and in terms of necessary) security precautions.
Objective:
1.to unite UK anti-capitalists from non-hierarchical and direct-action groups

2.to provide an 'entrance' into the UK anti-capitalist movement that is not dominated by trotskyist politics (the SWP!).

This list hasn't been expanded to include a set of 'principles' (see below) which could easily have been done. Instead, it is hoped that mosts of what should be under this heading is fairly obvious from earlier, but failing that, two ideas are provided as some of the broad, overall themes that this project could ultimately end up providing.

Principles:
short, e.g. 'ten commandments' - perhaps adapted
? from The Anarchist Organisation
? from the Independent Media Centres
? from Peoples' Global Action

Design:
simple!
links
pictures
(text only site for less modern and/or quicker browser access)
few words
links to essays
It would be nice, too, to have a public area which does not require a lot of input in terms of management time (although this is probably just idealism!)

Sources:
http://www.tao.ca
http://security.tao.ca [online security advice]
http://www.indymedia.org
http://uk.indymedia.org
http://switzerland.indymedia.org
http://www.action-medical.net
http://www.wombles.org.uk
http://www.temporary.org.uk
http://www.urban75.com
http://www.agp.org
http://www.riseup.net
http://lists.riseup.net
http://www.infoshop.org
http://www2.phreak.co.uk/ldmg/index.php [Legal Defense & Monitoring Group]
http://bak.spc.org/j18/site/index.html [good links to sources, although perhaps slightly outdated now]
http://www.sindominio.net

Who we are:
'Collective' is a group of people who have been involved in non-hierarchical anti-capitalist direct action within the United Kingdom. We have seen how the 'movement' has developed recently and wish to do something positive to try and improve all our futures. We have little or no training in web technology but lots of energy and enthusiasm! Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join us in this project.

To get involved in this project, join the discussion list at Riseup:

email: collective-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

or visit:

http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/collective

Alternatively, comments can be emailed direct to
collective@lists.riseup.net

save preference

Comments (5 of 5)

SWP

by Chuck

Wed Jul 24, 2002 13:35

Everything the SWP/GR is about is hostile to our movements for social change: vanguardism, parasitism, hierarchical organization, centralization, authoritarianism, and so on. They have a proven track record of disrupting the activism of other groups. It's very clear that they wish to lead whatever movement they can get their claws into. Anti-capitalists should have nothing to do with the SWP/GR. The sooner we start treating them like the red fascists they really are, the sooner we can have some real unity through diversity in our movements.

Their organization doesn't permit internal debate among rank and file members. The SWP is an undemocratic organization that conspires in social change movements to control internal speech so that it adheres to the party line of a few self-appointed SWP leaders.

Most attacks on the SWP are based on solid criticisms of the organization's politics and practice. For example, the SWP is currently involved in an ongoing attempt to build a united front for the Nioce referendum. This is an attempt to create a more centralized, hierarchical situation that is conducive to the SWP's "interventions" in activist organizations and coalitions.

No UK!

by Pat C

Wed Jul 24, 2002 14:42

Don't use the term UK.Remember it refers to the the United Kingdom of Great Britain And Northern Ireland(The occupied six counties to some of us).

I realise that British Website would be offensive to Scottish & Welsh people. So why not find a less offensive title?

No doubt this comment will draw responses from the west brit shoneens & shleeveens who seem to infest indymedia.

SWP ate my hamster

by vivian - young ones

Wed Jul 24, 2002 21:14

they're responsible for the hole in the ozone layer, the bubonic plague and me failing my exams

Hey Vivian - shut up

by badman

Thu Jul 25, 2002 18:20

Every time that somebody posts a criticism of the SWP, you post up a stupid comment blaming the SWP for you failing your exams, always under a different name. You are in the SWP and think that you can just trivialise REAL criticisms by this silly comment. The thing is that nobody is blaming the SWP for failing their exams/ the ozone layer, people are criticising them for their internal structure and external actions. Thankfully people are not as stupid as the SWP likes to think they are and nobody falls for your crap.

SWP ate my lentils, Badman broke my guitar

by Neil - Young Ones

Fri Jul 26, 2002 18:39

Upcoming Events

New Events

Other Press

User Preferences

Feeds

Blog Feeds

Anti-Empire

The Saker

Lockdown Skeptics

Voltaire Network

UK webiste

Comments (5 of 5)