Sod that for a lark! Seriously, if this is the best the left can come up with as the economy stagnates, austerity wrecks the lives of not thousands but millions of people and global economic and geo-political events threaten to usher in an era of conflict and chaos, they might as well give up because the powers that be simply will not pay attention. Did a million people on the streets of London stop the war on Iraq back in 2003? Did it heck – the government ignored it and carried on rushing us into war. Did the previous two mass demonstrations against austerity in March 2011 and October 2012 make the ConDem government stop their vicious assault on the working class? The harsh truth is it didn’t make a blind bit of difference – the government carried on as if nothing had happened.

Let’s look at the message that the ‘People’s Assembly Against Austerity’ and any subsequent action such as an October demonstration will be conveying – it will simply be a call from the great and good of the British left to vote Labour. Labour – a mainstream party that’s committed to making welfare cuts, just differently and possibly at a slower pace. All this mobilisation will achieve will be the election of a party that will still attack the concessions that the working class were given post World War Two in the form of the welfare state. Let’s remember, that’s what it was, a concession to take the sting out of any militant workers movements that were emerging as demobilised troops came home wanting the better world they thought they were fighting for.

With the continuous assaults that have been made on the working class and any notion of collectivity since the mid 1970s, the powers that be feel that we’ve been battered, divided and weakened enough to give them the confidence to tear up any concessions we were given. They ain’t going to listen to an assembly or take any notice of a peaceful mass trudge round central London as they turn back the clock to impoverish us in a desperate bid to save their rotten, parasitic, corporatised economy.

The message from us has to be loud and clear…time’s up! The economic system we had that could only keep staggering on through debt fuelled consumption and ruthless exploitation of people and planet is screwed beyond belief. A system that can only promise austerity, exploitation and the ever growing possibility of major war is one that is waiting to be swept aside. We don’t want some grudging concessions from a future Labour government in the form of a truncated welfare state that keeps us just about pacified as the economy limps on from one crisis to the next – we want something a heck of a lot better where mutual aid and solidarity will create a just, sustainable and free society that we all have a stake in.

There’s plenty of work that needs to be done in articulating that vision and quickly as the crisis of the current system worsens each day. For sure the fightback is already underway as we indicated in our piece – Where’s the sodding urgency?! – that we published on 10th February. While this is good, it’s not enough, more is needed… More people getting stuck into action, more experimenting and risk taking to see what does and doesn’t work, more willingness for groups and individuals to be flexible to join together for actions as and when the need arises and above all more militancy and certainly more momentum. A continuous stream of a diverse range of people and groups building, mobilising and taking action in a myriad of ways that will leave the authorities in a state of bewilderment is the key to building that momentum. From the ongoing student occupations at Sussex University (http://www.schnews.org.uk/stories/HAPPY-CAMPUS/) through the coming spring offensive against workfare to construction workers blockading Oxford Street in protest at blacklisting and the proposed autonomous action (http://ianbone.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/june-22nd-a-chance-to-create-an-anarchist-movement/) on June 22nd outside of Central Hall just to mention a few, the building blocks of something new and interesting are starting to emerge. 2013 is crunch year…let’s make sure we’re the ones doing the crunching!

The Thurrock Heckler is an experiment in bringing alternative, radical media to the people of Thurrock.

The regional EDL groups are gearing up to do a static protest outside Wandsworth Prison this Saturday 24 November at 1pm to support their dear leader, who they claim is a political prisoner. Mr Yaxley-Lennon is not a political prisoner (political prisoner n someone imprisoned for holding, expressing, or acting in accord with particular political beliefs), he’s inside because he broke the law by using someone else’s passport to enter the USA illegally as well as a load of other shit like the Vangate scandal.

Get to Wandsworth Prison by 12.45pm on Saturday 24 November and give them a proper london welcome.

As some sort of compensation the Met Police have given them permission to hold a static demo in Westminster from 1-2pm tomorrow. This coincides with the Deaths in Custody protest march, however it’s almost certain that the EDL will be kept well away from everyone else and put in their very own little pen as usual, heavily monitored and escorted to and from by the police.

However there’s no reason to be complacent – having the EDL in town is a blight no matter where they turn up. It’s important to be aware that they could still turn up in Walthamstow, plus, judging by their previous form (and which we think is more likely), they may spend the afternoon getting out their heads in central London and then drag their pissed up selves to Whitechapel to prove how clever they are by trying to attack the mosque. A death wish it may be, and a police escort out the area they may need, but nonetheless it’s something to be aware of. We recommend checking out twitter and facebook throughout the day for any signs of the idiots, as there are usually plenty of nice, normal people who will put out the info if they happen to be unlucky enough to spot them.

This year Black Rose Martial Arts will be doing a session from 10-12pm (Room 328) followed by a meeting of the Anti-Fascist Network 12-1pm (Room 328).

Alarmist Martin Wright will do his annual rant on the state of the world and all that’s been happening in the Mason Lecture Theatre from 1pm-2pm.

Alarm and Black Rose will have stalls in the main rooms all day with books, papers, flyers etc so come along and say hello.

There will be a creche and spaces for older kids too, with film showings and other activities.

For more info, including the full programme and details on deaf and disabled access visit the Anarchist Bookfair website.

Getting there

The venue is Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS.
If you are coming by public transport the following buses stop near the university on Mile End Road: 25; 205; 339.

Tube stations: Nearest tube stops are Mile End and Stepney Green. HOWEVER some useful lines are not running/partially closed this weekend -  the Hammersmith & City line isn’t running between Barking and Liverpool St (and so won’t stop near the bookfair) and the District line is closed west of Whitechapel (but is fine if you’re coming from Essex to Stepney Green). BUT the Central line IS running in all directions to Mile End and there are usually frequent rail replacement buses which are free (you don’t need to show a ticket) and staff at the bus stops to advise you. Check out TFL for up to date info.

From Mile End tube: Come out of station and turn left. Walk along Mile End Road until you get to Harford Street and entrance to venue is opposite Harford Road.

From Stepney Green: Come out of station and turn left. Walk along Mile End Road and venue entrance is on your left opposite Harford Road.

See you there!

NB Strictly out by 1am for us to get our beauty sleep for the TUC demo Saturday!

Come down for 3pm for our session, and for info on all the other good stuff they’ve got on, including workshops, skillshares and a gig in the evening, see the full House of Brag programme.

See you there!

Long time anarchist and ALARMist Martin Wright gives his views on prostitution.

Recorded June 2012

In response we will be joining a pro-choice rally to oppose their opening ‘vigil’ in London outside the BPAS clinic in Bedford Square at 7pm tonight.

There will be more rallies to come if you can’t make this one. More info on tonight’s rally is available on the Bloomsbury Pro Choice Alliance website.

Recorded May 2012.

PS. The sound isn’t great – any tips to sort that out, please leave a comment! Cheers.

*This is the new version added with the proper ending.*