www.freedompress.org.uk 19 MARCH 2005 Why the wealthy vote Labour Bolivia on the brink Exclusive McLibel interview Jamaican dancehall culture INSIDE ►► page 3 page 4 page 5 page 7 NO WAR BUT THE CUSS WAR! ■ 7 ince the war against Afghanistan, SWP members on it, as well as number the Stop the War Coalition has had of assorted Trotskyists and leftists. As a presence on our streets and it has usual this has meant that a popular social helpedS build one of the largest social movement has appeared and been held movements in British history. It was back by leftie groups opposed to direct able to mobilise well over a million action and more interested in building people for the 15th February 2003 their parties. Anti-war demonstrations demonstration in Central London, but have now become little more than yet its heyday seems to be over. Despite another recruitment drive and have lost being called the Stop the War Coalition their mass public support that we saw it has failed to stop any of the wars it prior to the Iraq war. has campaigned against, although this But this is exactly the same situation is more down to UK foreign policy than that we were in after the invasion of failings of the StWC itself. Afghanistan, we have been here before, But the StWC does have its failings and the US is threatening to take further and a fear of direct action is but one of action, maybe against Iran or Syria. many. The major organisations behind After the campaign to prevent the it are the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), invasion of Afghanistan had failed, and CND, and the Muslim Association of the US started to threaten Iraq, people Britain, a reactionary Muslim organisation. started to put their energies back into Whilst the thought of the Revolutionary the fight against war, a mojith before ^ socialists* of the SWP getting close to a war began we saw the February 15 th religious organisation was absurd to us, demonstration, and on the days around it seemed like a brilliant idea to them war breaking out there were wildcat and they created RESPECT a political strikes-by school students across the party that spends most of its time trying to country. get Muslims to vote for George Galloway. So we must ask ourselves what could Since it’s conception the StWC has happen if the occupation of Iraq continues been dominated by the SWP, but from and if the US takes further military Capitalism and war really are a load of horse shit looking at the old version of the action in the Middle East, we will have Coalition’s website only a single member an opportunity to help build a movement just have to hope that the endless and go to war again we need to take issue. We need to keep saying why these of the steering committee appears to that will have mass public support, and sloganeering of the SWP et al. has not part in the anti-war movement on a wars are happening, because of the come from the SWP, if we look a bit the levels of militancy witnessed prior put people who got involved in previous grassroots and national level, but we capitalist system which thrives on war. closer, there are a number of leading to the Iraq war are likely to increase. We campaigns off. If Bush and Blair do try can’t let it become yet another single Jim M. NO ID CARDS - FOR NOW US TO ATTACK IRAN eorge W. Bush has ‘signed off’ on for a maximum ground and air invasion he Identity Cards Bill has been The Government’s current line is that to attend an appointment for a scan of plans to bomb Iran this June, of Iran ... The hawks in the Administra­ temporarily derailed after months an ID card will help in the fight against your fingerprints and iris. G according to Scott Ritter. The tion believe that it will soon become clear T of public and behind the scenes terrorism. However Privacy International The plastic card is only one part of a former UNSCOM weapons inspector that the Europeans’ negotiated approach lobbying. According to a report in The has reported that “Detailed analysis of much larger scheme. The National broke this ‘shocking’ news in a speech [to Iran] cannot succeed, and that at Independent, an unnamed Government information in the public domain in Identification Register the heart of the at the Capitol Theatre in Washington that time the Administration will act.” Minister has said that the ID Cards Bill this study has produced no evidence to system, would establish a central State last week. Bush has denied the claims. “This will not be pushed through the House establish a connection between identity population register, containing a wide Talking on America’s duty to bring notion that the United States is getting of Lords before the end of Parliament cards and successful anti-terrorism range of details of every UK citizen and an end to the illegal invasion of Iraq, ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. and the General Election. Phil Booth, measures.” Despite the current climate resident from 16 years. The scheme Ritter said that plans for a June attack Having said that, all options are on the N 02ID National Coordinator said, of fear used to justify the ID card, US requires every individual to be given a had been submitted to President Bush, table,” He said to laughter and a “This is a great victory, although the State Dept figures show that, in fact, unique number, the National Identity and that the President has approved smattering of applause, “you never want fight goes on. We must continue to international terrorism is at its lowest Registration Number (NIRN), and them. The purported reason for the a president to say ‘never.’ But military apply pressure until the Government for 25 years. requires individuals to submit to finger­ planned aerial bombardment is to destroy action is certainly not - it’s never the abandons its plans altogether.” The Government estimates the ID card printing and ‘other’ means of physical Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. president’s first choice. Diplomacy is Opposition to the controversial scheme project will cost up to £3,1 bn. In identification. The Bill establishes a large It’s no secret that Iran is the next always the president’s first - at least my has been widespread. The Conservatives November 2004 the Government number of new crimes and offences to strategic target for the Bush administra­ first choice.” It has yet to be confirmed have withdrawn support for the Bill and acknowledged that the cost of the ensure that people comply with the ID tion in their plan for ‘full spectrum whether the people of Iraq and the House of Lords is hostile toward it. scheme over ten years would be £5.5bn. requirements, and people wishing to work, dominance’. And the administration has Afghanistan agree with him. The Scottish Parliament called the We will pay for this largely out of our use the banking or health system, travel been conducting secret reconnaissance proposed identity card “an unacceptable own pockets. An ‘enhanced’ biometric or receive benefits, will be required to missions since last summer. According threat to civil liberties.” passport, which includes entry on the produce the card. to reporter, Seymour Hersh, “Defense national register, will cost around £85. No common law country in the world Department civilians, under the leadership

ISSN 0016-0504 An ID card without a passport will cost has ever accepted a peacetime ID card. of Douglas Feith, have been working between £35 and £40 and there will be No European country has such a with Israeli planners and consultants to a charge for renewal of the card. comprehensive or invasive card system. develop and refine potential nuclear, Failure to obey an order to register or As one critic put it, “The jdea of chemical-weapons, and missile targets providing false information will constitute democracy is to make the Government inside Iran ... Strategists at the head­ an ‘offence’. Penalties range from £1,000 answerable to the people; ID cards make quarters of the US Central Command, Vol 66 fine to two years imprisonment. A penalty the people answerable to the Government. in Tampa, Florida, have been asked to No 6 revise the military’s war plan, providing 770016 050009 of up to £2,500 can be levied for failure Julian Gibson 2 Freedom 19th March 2 005 Home and away

FREEDOM Volume 66 Number 6 News from the inside Anarchism Freedom for prisoners attend the gym, etc. Bart is keen to FBI attempt to link anarchist segregation. On 24th October last year, As many of you may know, Freedom receive anarchist publications and books. prisoner with al-Quaida Jim was beaten up by a gang of screws Anarchists work towards a society of provides free subscriptions to anyone in His address is: Bart De Geeter, JVA In what is thought to be the first in riot gear at Winchester; with his mutual aid and voluntary co-operation. prison. If you have friends or family in Diisseldorf, Ulmenstasse 95, 40476 instance of its kind, the American FBI injuries subsequently being recorded as We reject government, and all forms of prison, or regularly write to a prisoner, Diisseldorf, Germany. have tried to link an anarchist prisoner ‘minor bruising’. Jim however had visits exploitation and domination. if they are interested we will be happy with al-Quaida. Cassidy Wheeler was on the four days following the incident Freedom Press is an independent, to send them a free sample issue or sub. Sarah Gisborne sentenced visited by two FBI agents who and all his visitors, including his anarchist publisher, founded in 1886. If you are a prisoner yourself we can British Animal Rights activist, Sarah attempted to question him about barrister; witnessed his extensive Besides this newspaper, which comes provide subs to any of your fellow Gisborne, has been sentenced to six and alleged links to the Islamic group. As injuries. Needless to say Jim is hoping out every two weeks, we produce books inmates if they wish. Please also feel a half years for “conspiracy to cause Cassidy puts it himself, “anarchists to sue the cowards who beat him up. on all aspects of anarchist theory and free to write to us with any news about criminal damage” in connection to the supporting religious terrorists? Not Jim is still on remand, accused of a practice - see our website for a full list. your imprisonment, developments in SHAC-UK campaign. Apparently some likely!” number of commercial burglary charges. In our building in East London we run your case or anything else! cars were damaged. Her address is: This visit by the FBI seems to be an You can write to him at: J.A. Britain’s biggest anarchist bookshop Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Holloway, intimidation attempt, a way to harass a Robbins, KJ7588, HMP North Square, and host the Autonomy Club meeting Request for anarchist publications Parkhurst Road, London, N7 ONU. known anarchist who has tried to help Dorchester, Dorset, D TI 1JD. room and the Freedom Hacklab open- With the Aachen Four trial swifdy and organise with other prisoners. access IT space. approaching, Bart De Geeter, our Josh Demmitt begins sentence You can write to him at the following If it was easy, they wouldn’t call it Our aim is to explain anarchism comrade from ABC Gent who was On the 15th February, as part of his address: Cassidy Wheeler #14282456, ‘struggle’ more widely and to show that people arrested with. Gabriel Pombo da Silva, plea bargain, American ALF activist OSP, 2605 State Street, Salem, OR A new pamphlet looking at repression can work together and use direct action Jose Fernandez Delgado and Begona Josh Demmitt handed himself into 97310, USA. and resistance in British prisons. It costs to practically improve our lives and Pombo da Silva after a shoot-out with prison to begin a thirty-month prison £2.50 including UK postage (or £3 build a better world. German cops last year, remains strong sentence for an arson attack against an Jim Robins moved elsewhere in Europe, £3.50 outside Freedom’s editors wish to present a and focussed. He is experiencing some animal testing facility. Anarchist Jim Robins has been moved Europe) from Mark Barnsley, JFMB, broad range of anarchist thought, and delays with his mail, and is not getting Contact him at: Joshua Demmitt, from Winchester prison to Dorchester PO Box 381, Huddersfield, HD1 3XX. as such the views expressed in the too much of it, but is now being allowed 12314-081, PO Box 6000, Federal Prison (not the Central London hotel, the nick Cheques payable to ‘Mark Barnsley R.F.’ paper are those of the individual some supervised time out of his cell to Camp, Sheridan, OR 97378, USA. in Dorset) where he is again in compiled by Mark Barnsley contributors and not necessarily those of the editorial collective. Angel Alley As mentioned in our last issue, the LISTINGS room upstairs is now clear and nearly ready for die Advisory Service for Every Sunday the Kebele Kafe from 1st April Shiver me Timbers! April 15th to 17th July Guilfest, for info see PO Box 74, Brighton, BN1 4ZQ Squatters (ASS) to move in. The ASS is 6.30pm , 114 Robertson Road, Easton, i Fools Day Pro-Plunder Party to st^> the www.guilfest.coluk www.iww.org.ufc an unpaid collective of workers who Bristol. For info call 0117 93994(>9. corporate plunder of Iraq! Join in Solidarity Federation have been running a daily advice service Until 7th April Exhibition of photos of outside the offices of Windrush International Anarcho-syndicalist organisation for squatters and homeless people since the Stonehenge Free Festival and the Communications Ltd, and stop the war 18th to 20th March Zagreb Anarchist PO Box 469, Preston PR1 8FX 1975. If you want to find out more Battle of the Beanfield at'Kebele profiteers by making them walk the Bookfair. See www.ask-zagreb.org www.solfed.org.uk . about them have a look at their website Kultural Projekt, 14 Robertson Road, plank! This is the first event in a week 21st March Destroy the arms trade, See also www.enrager.net/britain at www.squatcer.org.uk. Easton, Bristol. For more info see of action against the corporate plunder international day of direct action. See This issue of Freedom has an www.kebele.org of Iraq. We’ll provide the samba, you www.dsei.org Social Centres exclusive interview with the McLibel 19th to 26th March Eyewitness Iraq bring the pirate costumes. Called by 26th March The Tenth Annual San Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh Two on page 5, and all the usual news speaking tour by Cliff Kindy of Corporate Pirates. Meet at 11am, Mark Francisco Bay Area Bookfair, from (ACE) and views, and will hopefully arrive Christian Peacemaker Teams. See Square, London EC1. Contact 07931 10am to 6pm at Golden Gate Park, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh with all subscribers by the Monday www.cpt.org for more. 337890 or stopthepillage@ yahoo.co.uk Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way www.autonomous.org.uk after the issue date. 19th March to ISth April Counter or see www.corporatepirates.gzzzt.net 10th April Valencia Anarchist Bookfair. The Basement terror build justice international, a 6th to 10th April Festival of Dissent, For info see www.valenciallibertaria.org 24 Lever Street, Manchester (contact Obituary month of anti-war action sponsored by Lanarkshire, Scotland, with workshops 15th May International Conscientious [email protected] or 0161 237 Chris Pallis the leading theoretician of Voices, Hands Up for Peace, Edinburgh include planning action at the G8, Objectors’ Day, organised by War 1832) the Solidarity group and eminent People and Planet amongst others. See direct action training, hill walking and Resisters’ International, 020 7278 4040 The Common Place neurologist died on the afternoon of www.j-n-v.org for more info. navigation. See www.dissent.org.uk or email [email protected] www.wri-irg.org 23 Wharf Street, Leeds LS2 7EQ 10th March. Chris wrote mostly under 21st March ‘No2id’ campaign public contact [email protected] 21st May Global Boycott Proctor Sc www.thecommonpIace.org.uk the pseudonym Maurice Brinton and meeting about the threat of ID cards, at 9th April Bristol Dissent presents Gamble, see www.uncaged.co.uk/pg.htm The Cowley Club recently had an anthology of his St Paul’s Centre, 1 Richmond Road, information for G8 action, 10.30am to 11th June World Naked Bike Ride, 12 London Road, Brighton BN1 4JA writings published as For Workers Worthing at 6pm. For more info see 5.30pm at Malcolm X Centre, Ashley protest against oil and clothes www.cowleyclub.org.uk Power- In particular he'll be www.no2id-worthing.net Road/City Road, St Pauls. Contact dependency. Go on, do it! For info see Freedom remembered for The Irrational in 22nd March Campaign against the [email protected] www.worldnakedbikeride.org 84b Whitechapel High Street, London Politics and The Bolsheviks and introduction of ID cards, first meeting There’s also a benefit in the evening 6th July Global day of action at the E l 7Q X Workers Control. Chris had been ill for of this new group at 8pm, upstairs at with bands and DJs at The Full Moon, opening day of the G8 Summit. See www.freedompress.org.uk some tune. The Muse, Lune Street, Preston. As Stokes Croft, 8pm to 2am. www.agp.org or www.dissent.org.uk Kebele venue to be confirmed contact Preston 9th April London Anarchist Forum 14 Robertson Road, Easton, Bristol Soll-td at [email protected] meeting, 3pm to 5pm in the Autonomy Nationwide groups BS5 6JY Contact details or call 07736013216. Club at Freedom, 84b Whitechapel Anarchist Federation www.kebele.org Freedom Press, 84b Whitechapel High 22nd March Bristol Dissent meeting, High Street, London E l. Topic will be Network o f anarchist-communists Lancaster Resource Centre (LaRC) Box 2, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Street, London El 7QX 7,30pm M Kehele, 14 Robertson Road, refusal, resistance and the embodied The Basement, 78a Penny Street, London 1U 7QX Tel/fax: 020 7247 924* Easton. Sec wwwwdiuent. 0rg.uk or collectivity of ihe social factory, Lancaster www.freedomprets.org.uk write in Box 102, Greenleaf Books, 82 speaker: Stephen Shukaitis. www.afed.org.uk www.eco-action.org/lancaster JEnquiries: infoftrfreedompress.org.uk Colsion Street, Bristol B.SI. 29th April Londun Critical Mass Autifa London Action Resource Centre Cupy/lMleri: copytWreedumprefct.org.uk 24th March Sweat Nothings', globalita monthly bike ride, and eleventh Militant anti-fascist organisation (LARC) Subscriptions; [email protected] non, mega profits and cheap labour in birthday party. Meet on ihe souihbauk Box 36, 84b Whitechapel High Street, 62 Fieldgate StTeet, London El Circulation: circ@freedomprc**.urg,uk Central America. How corporations are at Waterloo |NIT (.ale under Waterloo London EI 7QX www.londonlarc.org Freedom Press Distribution: making a killing by abusing workers, Bridge) from 6pm. www.antifa.urg.uk The Rampart [email protected] paying crap wages and destroying the 30th May Kingston Green Fair at Class War Federation 7a Rampart Street, London El environment in the process ... and what (anbury Gardens, Kingston upon Class struggle anarchist group SUMAC Centre you can do to stop the rip off. From Thames, from 1 lam to 8pm. Family PO Box 467, London F.8 3QX 245 Gladstone Street, Nottingham Next issue 6.30 to 8pm at the Cowley Club, 12 environmental event. 020 8546 5202 www.clatswaruk.org N G 76H X D issent www.veggies.org.uk/rainbow/ Contributions are wanted for future London Road, Brighton. Call 01273 www.kiugstongrecnfair.org.uk A network o f resistance against the G8 1 in 12 Club Freedoms. The next issue will be dated 696104 or sec www.nosweat.org.uk 4th June Strawberry Fair, for more info www.dissent.org.uk 21-23 Albion Street, Bradford, West 2nd April and the last day to get your 28ih March Easter resistance at see www.strawberryTair.org.uk Earth First! Yorkshire, BD1 2LY copy to us will be Thursday 24th March Aldermaston, stop the next generation 1 1th June Norwich's second annual anarchist hookfair from 10am to 7pru, Ecological direct action network www.linl2.com (see contact details above for where to of nuclear weapons, from 12noon to For info call 07941 657485, email www.earthfirst.org.uk 56a Infoshop send your letters/articles). If you are 5pm, AWE Aidermaston. For info Industrial Workers of the World 56 Crampton Street, London SE17 contact [email protected] or see [email protected] or see interested in writing regularly for www.safetycat.org/56a www.norwichanarchists.org Revolutionary DIY union Freedom we want to hear from you! www.blockthebuilders.org.uk Freedom19th March 2005 3 News

Hypocrisy!

| n a show of hypocrisy which is Wealthy vote Labour I staggering even by New Labour ■ standards, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned Syria it risks being “treated as a pariah” if it fails to withdraw its The rich are more happy to vote New Labour as they forces from Lebanon. He stated that Syria had no choice but to leave Lebanon, saying that “it has got to, it is very cleat;” know it is in their interest, says Richard Griffin noting “every one of its neighbours is saying you have got to leave.” This from a government whose eople living Wimbledon are nicely they know it is in their interest. New troops are currently occupying Iraq off. They enjoy average weekly Labour like the Thatcher puts the against the wishes of not only its Pearnings of £565 a week, slightly interests of the wealthy above the neighbours but also its population! more than those in Hampstead (£519) working class. Hardly surprising then Bush echoed this, urging the end of and nearby Finchley (£515). that the working class is turning its occupation. He went further, denying Wimbledon, Hampstead and Finchley back on Labour. that you could have democracy while are in fact amongst the top ten richest The same logic applies in the poorest under occupation. Except, apparently, constituencies in the UK. Something parts in Britain. Voters in areas where when it is Iraq and the US is doing the else also links them though. They are average weekly earnings hover below occupying! all represented by Labour MPs. In fact £250 are just as likely to vote Liberal And while the Bush Junta dismisses half of the ten wealthiest constituencies Democrat than Labour. They know that any suggestion of a timetable for its in the UK vote Labour. In contrast just Labour won’t help them so why bother withdrawal from Iraq, Straw informs three vote Conservative. to vote for them? In fact why bother to Syria that it had to withdraw “in a Weekly earnings in Carmarthen West, vote at all? sensible, swift but phased way” in Britain’s poorest constituency are half At the end of last month Labour order for the country to “come back those of Wimbledon. While its voters announced that it would increase the into the fold of the international do return a Labour MP, only three national minimum wage. Union leaders community.” Bush went further, calling other of the ten most deprived areas of fell over themselves saying how brilliant for the immediate removal of troops. the country do. The poorest areas of the rate rise was while in contrast “If they don’t,” he said, “they really Britain are more likely to vote for, well, business leaders beat their brows and will be treated as a pariah.” any other party than Labour frankly - warned of job losses, company failures Like Bush, perhaps? Met by the leaders SNP, Lib Dem, Plaid and in one case and other dire consequences (all of the ‘civilised’ world rather than being (Totnes) even Conservative. rubbish, of course). The national arrested as the war criminal he is? Commenting on the analysis which, minimum wage this October will Wimbledon High Street - Wimbledon is amongst the top ten richest Politics? Berrer to call it what it is, was compiled by The Financial Times, increase to the princely sum of £5.05 constituencies in the UK hyp^cfjty in the service o/_pe>wer. Rick Nye director at pollsters Populus (up from £4.85 now ). This will be just said “Tony Blair and Margaret £186 a week. In Kensington and Real net income for the poorest tenth party of choice. It keeps wages down. It Ill hen Bush announced that the Thatcher between them managed to Chelsea the average weekly earning are of the population has actually fallen limits employment rights. It creates a u l l war was over back in May 2003, undermine the traditional class base of £703. The two figures are not under Labour by 8 % at a time when ‘business friendly’ environment. It keeps ■ V he also stated that Saddam’s British politics. About a third of ABs unrelated. real incomes have risen by 40% on taxes low. The poor pay a higher torture rooms had been closed. But just [the highest socio-economic group] vote Under Labour the poor have got average. proportion of their income in taxes as he was wrong about declaring the Labour". Nye is wrong. Class politics poorer and the rich richer. In 1991 the Given these statistics it is hardly than the rich. Labour unlike the Tories end of conflict, he was wrong about the are very much alive and well and form top 10% of the UK’s population owned surprising that the poor have invest in free goods like the NHS (an torture rooms. the basis of British liberal democracy. 47% of the country’s wealth. Under abandoned Labour. Voting Labour is efficient NHS is much better than This was admitted by the State The reason why so many people in Labour their share has risen to 56% (in against their interests, unlike the rich having to pay to go private). It all goes Department itself in a recent report. It Wimbledon - where the average house 2001). The share owned by the top 1% folk of Wimbledon and Hampstead. to show what a sick joke electoral detailed an array of human rights abuses price in £392,000 vote Labour is that has also grown from 17% to 23%. For the rich Labour is increasingly the politics is for the poor. last year by the Iraqi government, including torture, rape and illegal detentions by police officers and functionaries of die interim administration that took power Hatfield NUM shuts Theatre of corporate dreams in June. It cited “reports of arbitrary deprivation of life, torture, impunity, atfield Main branch has shut up Trade Union Centre, taking up the causes he NHL has finally been called off to do it, but there might be no other poor prison conditions - particularly in shop and the pit is closed. After 87 affecting the Mining Industry and Mining this season, brought down by option. People shouldn’t think this is pre-trial detention facilities - and years of struggle the legendary Community. Some of the most inspiring corporate profiteering, and the some kind of crazy idea. We have arbitrary arrest and detention.'’ branch of the NUM is no more. On speeches came from members of the ‘hit same attitude is damaging our football already had pledges of money and While the report has some harsh 20th December, at the NUM Yorkshire squads’ of ’84/85 - memories of hard league, illustrated by Malcolm Glazier’s support from a lot of fans involved in words for the interim Iraq government's Area Council meeting, David Douglass fought battles across the country for new hostile bid for Manchester United. the anti-Glazer campaign.” human rights record, it states rhe US attended as Union Delegate for rhe hearts and minds as well as, and most Glazier isn’t a football fan but is FC United have published an eight puppet regime “generally respected Hatfield Main Branch for the last time. importantly, for the right to work. One interested in the money he could make point charter that spells out that human rights, but serious problems, He was Branch delegate from 1979. of the funnier stories came about an older from the club. Shareholders United - ownership will be held by a supporters’ remained.” Does that mean a verbal It was only natural that ‘Danny the ex-miner who had been visited by the the group set up to keep Old Trafford trust. These include: all profits to be commitment by a client regime is what Red', as he was known, received an award police at his home address. He fought out of hostile hands — are fighting him reinvested in the club; the club will counts as respecting human rights for hit work in the branch. At the 5th six of them. Only problem was they had all the way with a full on campaign of never carry a sponsor on the front of its rather, than say, not torturing or raping I rbruary commemoration of the end of only popped round to tell him hit direct action. If this fails, then thousands shirt, while tie-ups of any kind will only people? the Miners Strike of ’M/85 and farewell previous charges had beep dropped! have pledged to walk away from the be accepted from reputable companies; Strangely enough, the State Department rally for the group, speakers all showed There were only a couple of downsides club they love, do an AFC Wimbledon support among the youth of Manchester report, while happy to attack Iraqi thru appreciation for Dave’s tireless hard to the evening. One was the lack of people. and start a fans owned Manchester and Salford will be a priority and abuses, fails to mention American ones. work. While some speakers mentioned While there are thousands who live in the United from scratch. actively encouraged; discounts will be It ignores the war crimes commuted ai that they had not always agreed with community and lew who weren’t loiultrd The fans say a breakaway club, available to all under- 18s and OAPs - Abu Cihraib and elsewhere {in Iraq and Dave, hn worit was ‘would tin none*. One by ilie events of the strike, there were provisionally titled FC United could which is really how football clubs around the globe). memory was of him pushing through a only approximately 20U who turned attract ten thousand supporters, holding should be run in the first place. decision that he hunted was agairiM. Asked up. O ik ex miner said: *1 apologise their games at Salford’s Rugby Football A breakaway Man United would why he was pushing fur it hr was quoted you've come all this way and hardly League ground. They would start life at send shock waves through rhe as saying: ”1/ that’s wliai my members anyone from this community bothered the bottom of the football pyramid in footballing world. It would certainly I want that's what they get. lind of.” to turn out. I'm ashamed of them." the North-West Counties League - ten give yet another shot in the arm for non in 1994/$ he became Branch Secretary Secondly, apart from Class War, who levels below the Premiership, playing league footie as a whole and give the at Hatfield Main but after the pit was jointly put this event on with the Hatfield clubs like Daisy Hill, Blackpool North West Counties League quite a bit privatised th» NUM no longer had any Branch and the Mining Community Mechanics, Ramsbottom United - and of exposure. recognition there. In 1994 he alio opened Advke Centre, there was, apart front a of course Trafford (average attendance As Freedom goes to press, Supporters the Miners C .omimutily Advice Ontrc few European syndicalists, no sign of 104), United are attempting to raise enough in Stainforth so that lie could help the anyone else showing their tohdarity. That One FC United insider said: “We capital to buy a 25% stake in the club, people from the mining community » possibly indicate* the lack of any political haven't given up on defeating Glazer, enough to block Glazer's take-over bid working miners, rx-mineri and tlieir motivation in wider society, which but we have to have contingency plans which requires more than 75% of widows and dependents. The centre sadly wt all should lie ashamed of, in place. It's like preparing for an shareholders to agree to it. I also acts as a political, sociological and Rick Dutton evacuation in wartime - you don’t want Warren News

Thirst for freedom

Blockades, strikes and demonstrations - a revolution is beginning in the Andes, reports Jack Ray

resignation to the Bolivian congress in EXCLUSIVE an attempt to have the position of his government reaffirmed. Small wo weeks of sustained direct action demonstrations in favour of the by the social movements has left the President were organised. The following T Bolivian government in turmoil, with day, blockades in El Alto were only the President offering his resignation maintained by the two poorest districts and the entire Left uniting against the of the city (Districts 7 and 8), and old political class. campesinos allied to the Movement Emerging from blockades protesting Towards Socialism (MAS - the largest water price rises, installation costs and leftist party) stood down from their disconnections in the city of El Alto, blockade of Sucre and the government solidarity actions have paralysed much seemed likely to be backed by all of the country and so frustrated Carlos parties in the Congress. Mesa that the accidental President offered By 9th March this fragile peace had to quit rather than bow once more to unravelled. Mesa was forced by the the demands of the social movements. MNR and MIR (the largest right-wing The move was opposed by the two parties) to reduce the taxation levels largest right-wing political parties in the promised in the crucial hydrocarbons Bolivian congress with the backing of bill from 50% to 32%. The MAS the US ambassador David Greenlee. refused to back the government and On 2 1 st February the Federation of * instead attended an extraordinary Neighbourhood Groups (FEJUVE) in El meeting of all the social movements in Alto began blockading the city, demanding Bolivia, effectively ranging the popular the cancellation of the water contract democratic left against the representatives awarded to French Corporation Suez, of the existing political system. and its replacement with a democratically Blockades have subsequently re- managed socialised water company. emerged, with dialogue between the Other aims; including raising taxes on social movement alliance and the the countries natural gas reserves, government finally breaking down on calling a constituent assembly and the Friday afternoon. The Mesa administra­ rejection of any free trade agreements; tion is now deciding how to proceed, were subsequently raised, with large hesitantly moving toward criminalising solidarity blockades emerging across the protests and breaking the blockades the country, strongest in Cochabamba by force. One minister rather hopefully progress toward repression was slowed The Social Movements have promised the main bases for co-ordination and all and Sucre. remarked “If the justice system acts, I by the refusal of public prosecutors to more mobilisations, with El Alto and the participating organisations declaring On 7th March Mesa offered his don’t think the movements will radicalise,” work on criminalising the protest. the Chapare region being announced as themselves mobilised. On the runin the sun American justice

espite recent attempts by the 6m in length. These homemade vessels Padilla Cross estimates that 150,000 children being inserted into those being Spanish and EU authorities to have been found with up to 45 people The same day a (Bush-appointed) have been born with birth defects since searched. D pressurise the Morrocan government on board, meaning that the value of a federal judge in South Carolina, Henry 1975 because of Agent Orange. The pretexts for the kidnappings to take steps to reduce the flow of trip can be as much as £50,000 to the Floyd, ordered that the administration The National Academy of Sciences has were often minor visa violations or migrants, people traffickers are expanding traffickers. Handed a compass and must release US citizen Jose Padilla - or concluded that US terrorists sprayed traffic offences. Or because members of their business. Twice in February, two equipped with a tiny outboard motor, the charge him with a crime within 45 over three thousand Vietnamese villages the public phoned in tips that those large boats were found off the coasts of migrants are shoved off with instructions days. Padilla has been imprisoned for with Agent Orange affecting between subsequently picked up and tortured the islands, one with 153 and the other to sail west for six or seven hours, then over thirty months as an ‘enemy two and five million people. The justice were ‘acting suspiciously*. In one with 227 people on board. The boats turn norrh and continue until they see combatant1 without charge and without department’s response? That the suit is instance this stretched to a group of are scarcely fit to set sail, so worthless the mountains of Fuertevenrura. appearing in any court to challenge his a ‘dangerous threat’ to the president’s five Israeli Jewish removal workers in that their crews jumped ship in small When the ‘patera’ that carried the detention. power to wage war. New Jersey who were photographing inflatable speedboats in order to avoid French journalists was intercepted by The justice department, which alleges the events of September 11th across the the authorities. the Guardia Civil, the first instruction that Padilla was planning to carry out a Brooklyn’s Abu Ghraib river from the roof of the building from Drawn by the lure of the ostentatious was to switch their video camera off. ‘dirty bomb* attack inside the US, has In the days following 9/11 over a thousand which they worked. wealth of the so-called developed NGO’s have documented numerous already announced that it will appeal people of (apparent or actual) Middle Louis Further countries of Western Europe, African allegations of brutality, as well as against Floyd’s decision. Eastern origin living in the United States migrants are paying astronomical sums several instances of deaths of migrants were detained - many without reason, to people traffickers to get them into in the GC’s custody. Migrants are Agent Orange charge or cause by the Immigration and Fortress Europe via the Canary Islands. detained for up to forty days in an The justice department is also fighting Naturalisation Service. Two French journalists recently attempt to establish their nationality, in back to protect those responsible for Over eighty detainees were kept at media hacklab past war crimes. A class action lawsuit in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in travelled to Morocco to document the order to have them returned to their Technology for social change, Brooklyn at that time. Now a group of trip that the migrants attempt. * country of origin. If this period expires a New York court this month is seeking independent media, free software those imprisoned there have explained and open access IT Estimates of the costs of this trip vary, they are shipped off to mainland Spain, billions of dollars in compensation for Vietnamese citizens. They were exposed how they were subjected to abuse and but range from £700 to £1,500. disappearing into European factory, Open every day to Agent Orange during the Vietnam torture. In this class action lawsuit they from 12 noon to 6pm Migrants are driven across Morocco construction and farming industries (as have detailed humiliation, sleep at Freedom reported in various Freedoms). war when America and corporations to the Saharan coast, where they are left 84b Whitechapel High Street Gareth Gordon such as Dow Chemical caused health deprivation, physical and sexual abuse to hide from the Morocco police patrols disorders and birth defects in hundreds ... frequent strippings, strip searches, www.hacklab.org.uk while the traffickers knock together a *Gregoirc Deniau, ‘Yo Hegue en patera’, El of thousands of Vietnamese. The Red sometimes up to six a day, and objects ‘nar^ra1. a hagir wooden boat around Pais Semanal, 28th November 2004.______r iw u v in J.C/UI IVICll V>l I

Freedom talks to Helen Steel and Dave Morris about their fifteen year legal battle with McDonalds

he McLibel case began in through open collective meetings. The 1990 when the McDonald's MSC called for many international days Corporation issued libel of action against McDonald’s writs against people throughout the trial and immediately involved with London after the verdict. Thousands of people Greenpeace (an anarchist signed a pledge to say that whatever environmental group which happened in the court proceedings they pre-dated the more well known would defy the company’s censorship Greenpeace).T McDonald’s demanded an efforts. apology and the withdrawal of the Two days after the Judge had given group’s anti-McDonald’s leaflets. The his mixed ruling in 1997, and ordered leaflet brought together criticisms of us to pay McDonald’s damages, McDonald’s business practices made by protests took place at over 500 UK different movements in relation to the stores and elsewhere around the world. environment, workers rights, cash Around three million leaflets had been crops, nutrition, advertising to children distributed in the UK alone since the and exploitation of animals. It used writs were served.This showed McDonald’s as a high profile company McDonald’s that it was futile to to take an overall look at the effect of attempt to use the legal system to multinational corporations on society. silence people, and they then The McLibel trial itself lasted from abandoned their original claim for costs 19 9 4 tt)_i.99Z» j^uth^ii appeal in 19.9 !L_; and an injunction to prevent.leafleting. Despite all the odds stacked against the They have also never attempted to McLibel Two (burden of proof on enforce the damages. them, no jury, no legal aid, McDonald’s The MSC also ensured that the spending £l0m on the case, etc.) they detailed information about McDonald’s succeeded on many points. The courts that was emerging from internal ruled that McDonald’s marketing has Company documents and cross- “pretended to a positive nutritional examination during the trial was benefit which their food (high in fat publicised around the world.This acted and salt, etc.) did not match”; that as another layer of protection for McDonald’s “exploit children” with freedom of speech. The pioneering There’s a myth created by the media uninterested in the campaign as a options to their menus, but rather than their advertising strategy; are “culpably mcspotlight website was set up in 1996 that we fought this case alone. In fact it whole, yet we relied on it to publicise this being through their concern for the responsible for animal cruelty”; and as a library of information on the case was a collective effort - we could not the case. In many ways we were lucky public’s health, it is merely an attempt “pay low wages, helping to depress and the company - it has been accessed have fought this long battle without a it was McDonald’s that sued us, to capture customers who wouldn’t eat wages in the catering trade”; that it was over 100 million times since. network of personal support from guaranteeing a high profile. We were their usual fare. fair comment to say that McDonald’s The MSC was also responsible for friends, babysitters (Dave is a single uncomfortable with the idiotic focus on The reality is that McDonald’s employees worldwide “do badly in most of the media publicity, and the parent), and a whole range of us as a ‘heroic duo’, but speaking to the trumpet every minor change and use it terms of pay and conditions”; and true networking with wider movements. It volunteers helping in different ways. media was the only way we could as an opportunity for PR and that “if one eats enough McDonald’s offered support to residents opposing And the overwhelming support and ensure getting quotes in about some of greenwash, but fundamentally the food, one’s diet may well become high local McDonald’s stores, workers encouragement we received from all the issues and the campaigning. whole system remains the same. in fat, etc., with the very real risk of standing up to the company, parents directions. Regarding the court case, so Despite these dilemmas we feel that heart disease.” challenging M cDonald’s sponsorship in many people volunteered their time and the wider McLibel campaign What advice would you give to anti­ Incredibly, despite these damning schools etc. A sister group in efforts as witnesses, experts, contributed to the growth of the capitalist leaflet writers about avoiding rulings made against the company the Nottingham, the Veggies collective, researchers, in-court helpers and legal modern anti-capitalist movement in a libel cases ? McLibel Two were ordered to pay helped co-ordinate the growing mass advisers, etc. number of ways: the long-running, People should be free to distribute any £40,000 to McDonald’s. The McLibel leafleting and protests, as well as Where we were ‘on our own’ was in high-profile, yet radical grass-roots criticisms which they feel are justified - Two have refused to pay a penny. sending people down to London speaking in court and finding our way nature; the focus on the overall effects just as they must have the freedom to On 15th February 2005 the throughout the trial to provide practical round the 40,000 pages of documents. of a global industry (food) rather than organise, demonstrate and campaign European Court of Human Rights support. However, although this was exhausting, just one aspect; the success in defying against oppression and injustice. Such declared that the case was in breach of Overall the case spectacularly it was very empowering to be able to censorship; and the calls, albeit vague, freedoms have to be continuously the righr to a fair trial and right to backfired for McDonald’s. They had challenge corporate executives face to for resistance and alternatives to the exercised and fought for - especially in current system. freedom of expression. issued legal proceedings as part of a face, without them being able to walk the current repressive climate. What we long running and largely successful away. publish should be based not on libel What implications for freedom o f strategy of legal threats to their critics, McDonalds say the world has moved laws, but on whether we believe the speech and the right to protest do you instead, this time the campaign had Were there dilemmas you faced as on since this trial and the company has statements to be true. Our concerns anarchists involved in such a high- think the outcome o f this case will turned the tables and put the company changed - do you think this is true f should be who we are trying to profile case and campaigni No. M cDonald’s, in common with havei on trial - all their business practices communicate with and making our Dilemmas included: how to participate Although we won the case in Europe received massive scrutiny during the other multinational corporations exist publications as accurate and in court procedures without recognising the ruling actually fudged most of the (rial, and the leafleting mushroomed. to make profits for the benefit of their understandable as we can. We will only their right to dictate what the public shareholders and directors - to that end issues we had argued, and as a result They haven’t issued libel writs in the gain the respect and trust of the public can say; and having to focus on they continue to exploit workers, may not have that much impact on UK since, and also other companies when they can see that what we write is McDonald’s yet wanting to avoid being children and other consumers, the reliable and not invented to suit our freedom of speech. What has had and have been warned not to ‘do a drawn into a ‘boycott McDonald’s’ environment and animals. own purposes - as happens all too will have a far greater impact is the M cLibel’. line. We also made a commitment to In the years since the trial finished often with the mainstream media and mass defiance campaign which has avoid any ‘anti-americanistn’. McDonald’s profits have dropped, at politicians, etc. shown that oppressive laws can be What else helped you to fight the casef The campaign, in trying to maintain least partly due to the increasing public rendered unworkable if people defy Our background as activists involved in media coverage, tended to focus on the awareness of the unhealthy nature of What sort o f advice would you give to them. diverse struggles (such as in supporting more extreme practices of capitalism junk food and increased risks of people who are facing legal threats? Early on in the legal proceedings the the miners strike, the anti-poll tax and the legal system, rather than their obesity, heart disease and cancer as a We would always encourage people to McLibel Support Campaign (MSC) was movement, environmental direct action, very existence. The establishment media result of this type of diet. McDonald’s stand up to bullies - whether gffjj up and run by volunteers on a shoe- local campaigns, etc.) gave us a lot of was superficial, Inaccurate and largely have introduced so-called ‘healthy’ paga 6, column 4 •tring from someone’s bedroom, and experience and inspiration to draw on. Freedom 19th March 2 0 0 5 Editorial Commentary

concept was destroyed in sirens of an unmarked police car What did we achieve? Put a little the last two weeks. Not Good point containing several plainclothes cops. It pressure on NGOs, whose employees Lebanon that of civil liberty, which In the turning my article on Charles was dangerous I know, but I did engage are often far from comfortable at the page 8 surely beats ever stronger in Clarke’s latest attack on civil liberties in some dialogue with these employees, increasing sell-out to big business, let under fire today because American the hearts of us all today, into a letter, you edited out what 1 explaining my view that the conference the world know that there is resistance imperialism sees it, like Iran, as an but of a competent secret considered a point of particular represented a new and sophisticated in the north and the south to the grinding obstacle to extending its domination service. The evidence has relevance: that New Labour upon form of colonialism, i.e. the north down of every natural and human over the Middle East. been stark. If the unproven terrorists attaining office moved immediately to trampling on the poor and oppressed of ‘resource’ into p rofit... and gave the Clearly, then, much of the Aare not put under house arrest, and review the Prevention of Terrorism Act the global south under the gentle guise bemused citizens of Swiss Cottage a bit authoritarianism in the Middle East tagged, and guarded, they will blow us and, at a time when the peace process of corporate social responsibility. To of a laugh on a frozen Wednesday that Bush says he is against has been all up. To a general nodding of heads, was successfully underway - and well the argument that economic growth is afternoon. Until the next time... been supported (when not actually and with some minor reservations over b.efore 9/11 - turned what was a piece finite and killing the planet, they said MB imposed) by Washington. Similarly, the etiquette, this has been accepted as of temporary legislation into permanent we had to live and work in the real rhetoric about democracy does not gospel truth - that effectively, our secret statute, and extended its scope from the world, which is code for engaging with seem to apply to US supported service is not capable of tracking six counties to the whole of the UK. MegaCorp and refusing to entertain the New Social authoritarian regimes. All of which Britain’s dozen most famous bearded Thus, New Labour’s permanent possibility of a different, more suggests that the Bush Junta’s support fundamentalists. emergency strategy predates the attack compassionate system than capitalism. Centre open for people power and democracy in Assuming their guilt, and of course on the World Trade Centre and They gave off an aura of parental The Common Place is now open in Lebanon may be a tad hypocritical. given that the police have not got enough suggests that had 9/11 not occurred exasperation at the antics of their silly, Leeds and part of the Dissent social Particularly as we know that any to prosecute that’s quite a large leap of some other pretext would have been idealistic kids, and that our presence centres network. It’s rented - there are similar expression of people power in faith, these people must be truly dangerous sought to criminalise any and all means might burst the phony ‘we’re doing this meant to be seven around the country. the US (or, for that matter, a client - in fact they must be able to perform of effective dissent, the legislation being to help people and planet’ bubble they It’s a large diverse group of 100-plus regime) will be denounced as superhuman efforts. How is it that necessary to protect capital not from had manufactured inside the conference, people, everything from old Class War, ‘undemocratic’ and its participants told someone could carry out an atrocity when isolated incidents of terrorism but from back to which they soon scuttled. Earth Firsters to students and asylum in no uncertain terms that they live in a they are followed 24 hours a day? Your the widespread unrest and industrial The BP/FFI workshop was titled support workers. The ethos is a democracy and so they had better do ordinary mortal would find it difficult militancy and discontent which was the ‘Multi-nationals and biodiversity. An common place, where we can share and what they are told! to contact their ‘associates’, wander hallmark of the ’60s and ’70s. unlikely match’. But in fact BP and FFI spread radical ideas - a drop of sanity Finally, this expression of people down the bomb shop for that WMD It is somewhat disconcerting to find have quite an intimate relationship: BP in the consumerist sea of Leeds city power raises a few problems for the US. they were hiding, strap it on, do the that, at a time when the state has boss Lord Browne sits on the FFI board, centre. If, as the Bush Junta argues, Lebanon timer, get to the symbolic building of sought to step up its attacks on the and his company has funnelled cash We’ll be doing a lot of anti-G8 stuff cannot have free elections until every repression and blow it up without right to dissent, analyses of the' into it since around 1985, (www.fauna- as well. The Common Place is at 23 Syrian troop has left then how was the alerting someone at M IJ. strategies of the state in Freedom are flora.org/partners/corporate.html) Wharf Street, Leeds, LS2 7EQ, or check election in US occupied Iraq valid? And Of course, there is always the issue of marked more and more by their Another interesting fact, which reveals out www.thecommonplace.org.uk if Syria does withdraw that leaves the money to consider; in that it costs quite absence, replaced by the kind of single­ neatly the way top London cultural Paul US in Iraq and Israel in the West Bank a lot to keep someone under constant issue protest news which can be found institutions play their part in keeping and Gaza as the last military observation. Clearly, we are too cheap in any free sheet, and which Schnews the status quo ticking over profitably, is There'Sone DIY sra6eii^t^e!0k;T (_ occupations in the Middle East. If Syria PEg where you, b'a h,getaines like; to have habeas corpus. Better to skimp does more effectively and with greater that until recently, both Browne and W Slugi&'iLittu^e/PrefaHeExist^nce, had to leave Lebanon, then surely these on civil liberties than spend extra on depth. FFI Vice-President David Attenborough f Maximum Rock n Roll,Heartattacl^f. have also to end? And if Lebanese and R.fiB..1^sic from labfel^’like; '- counter-terrorism. John Shute sat on the board of the heavily BP- Broken Rekids, ActivS, Skuld/ tjjavoGn people power can force a Syrian It is bewildering to think that the sponsored British Museum. I thought Malarie, Flat Earth and Mortafrat^S withdrawal, then the Iraqi opposition security services are so keen to beg the you would also be chilled to hear that books f rornTAKiRrWs. FrtWdo^. ^ to the US occupation will be prime minister for these powers given The Greenwash Annelisa Grigg, who represented FFI at Rebel Press, and many otKers! [ emboldened and may ta&e to the streets that it reflects so poorly on their multi- the conference, once worked at top The 56@Jlifoshop to get what the ballot box has denied billion pound observation budget. If the Guerrillas world-saver and carbon trader KPMG, 56A Crampton St, SE17 them. And, it should always be security services don’t need these powers On Wednesday 23rd February 2005, the and recently wrote a paper entitled ElephahMf Castle, London \° remembered, the Iraqi people voted Open Thuref Fri and Sat afteVnoons^. and die government seems so determined Greenwash Guerrillas (GGs) visited the Mainstreaming Biodiversity into against Bush, against the occupation. to create them; then what are they for? second day of the Ethical Corporation Business. Nor should we forget that Lebanon is This government is making a habit of Business / NGO Partnerships and This workshop was one of many the most democratic of Arab states, designing police powers for one reason, Engagement London 2005 Conference, shocking possibilities for us to focus suggesting that people power need not and creatively using them for another. happily subtitled ‘How to make sure on, but we chose it since we’ve been have lack of elections to justify it. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, a cunning everyone gets what they want’ (dodgy taking direct action against BP’s Baku- And that, from the elite’s perspective, wheeze to deal with irritating neighbours, details to be found at www.ethicalcorp. Ceyhan pipeline, its art sponsorship McLibel has always been the problem with has suddenly found itself busily protecting com/engagement). and its very right to exist for quite a > page 5 people power. As well as limiting (even the vivisection industry. Anti-terrorist The GGs, donning protective clothing while now and we like to keep the corporations, governments, police Or destroying!) the power of state and legislation, the target of which might and greenwash detection equipment from pressure on if we can. Last year the whatever - and refuse to be intimidated capital, it, and its consequences, are seem obvious, is apparently applicable to a safe distance, (and thus attracting the conference was targeted by people who by legal or other threats. But its unpredictable. That is why they have arms protesters, anti-war demonstrators interest of local bored constabulary), had Coca Cola in their sights, which essential to get organised, to refuse to spent so much time and effort either and well, just about anybody. timed their entry into the Swiss Cottage maybe partly why the police kept trying be marginalised or criminalised, and to destroying it or ensuring it has no Perhaps it’s a little paranoid to assume Marriott Hotel to coincide with a co­ to get us to cross the road and have constantly engage with wider meaningful influence in political and that the government might use control presentation by BP and Flora 8c Fauna even less impact on the conference than opposition movements and the public economic decision making - at home orders against people who aren’t International (FFI). Energetic hotel we were already having. Which we in general. Any movements for change and abroad. For once people have a terrorists. Maybe they really do need security and said police soon had the refused to do, I’m happy to add. can expect to have to resist and taste of direct action, of making the these useless powers to control the GGs out on their ears though, not Anyway, back to the mean streets of overcome repression. We need to work decisions about what affects them, they dozen terrorists infesting every street jn being happy at the thought of the cosy Swiss Cottage. We stayed another hour, out how best to transform court cases want more freedom and that bodes ill this fair country. But then perhaps we’d chowdown berween NGOs and braving the snow, talking to and posing into arenas around which public debate for the ruling elite. And that is why be a little more convinced if Tony Blair corporations being interrupted by the for the Ham &C High (local newspaper), and struggles can be stimulated and anarchists have welcomed and hadn’t already threatened to use them likes of us, down-at-heel superheroes laughing at the ridiculous sight of eight mobilised. ‘Natural justice’ and ‘civil encouraged people power — at home on G8 protesters this Summer. and superheroines that we are, or so policemen guarding four GGs, and society’ may be much stronger than we and abroad! How many Islamic terrorists, we Unsafely out of harm's way on the occasionally persuading a returning all realise. The rulings of supposedly wonder, will be joining the massed pavement outside, we were soon met by delegate to smuggle leaflets into the powerful legal, state and corporate atheists and pagans at Gleneagles? two employees of conference-organising building. Then we headed off, with institutions can be successfully opposed. Ethical Corporation magazine, agitated inevitable plainclothes police escort as enrager.net The French are revolting in particular by the arrival in a blaze of far as the nearest caff, What do you plan to do nowi On a separate note we would like to The McLibel legal battle is over now congratulate the mainstream British media but the struggle continues for a society A u t A for their expert coverage of the ‘anti- run by and for the benefit of everyone. anti-authoritarian resource & community Olympic’ general strike in France. We We are both active in a wide range of never would have thought to link French activities and campaigns in our local unions’ ongoing campaign in defence of community and with Haringey the 35-hour week to a completely Solidarity Group and intend to irrelevant sporting event. As several continue being a small part of a much Quiz answers bemused French trade unionists replied wider movement for a better world. 1. One. There were two serious outbreaks of ' to incisive questioning from British hacks, salmonella traced back to pre-packed “Um, we quite like the Olympics.” For more Info on the case and campaign see lettuce. In a year where three of France’s top www.mcspotlight.org 2. They’ve all been pied by the Biotic Baking Brigade or their allies. banks have recorded record profits and McLibel fllm/DVD see www.spannerfllms.net 3. The Industrial Workers of the World. directors’ wages have soared, pay and There le an account of the McLibel affair 4. A satirical poem, published anonymously unemployment for the majority have written by Dave and Helen, with supporting in America in 1787. It attacked French suffered amid proposals to scrap the material and other articles on food matters in philosophy, paper money arid the 35-hour week. The Raven 43 (available from Freedom at £3, condescending attitude of Europeans to Freedom is in complete solidarity with post free). Americans. the strikers. And their Olympic bid. Freedom iy tn Marcn wwj® / REVIEW Carolyn Cooper’s Sound Clash sees contemporary reggae as rebel music, still - Tom Jennings is mightily impressed

ritain, the 1970s: skinheads ways the dancehall vibrates with crossing also illuminates the global rocked steady to ska and tensions juggling acceptance of the migration of ragga and its adherents, punks embraced reggae as status quo (such as in scapegoating smuggling its intrinsically oppositional their dance music of choice. unacceptable lifestyles or glorifying stances into local fusions with rap and Disaffected white youth consumerism) and containment via the Asian styles, for example.3 The across the UK embraced safe release of frustration (hedonism metaphorical patois allusions to guns as these Jamaican ghetto and the carnivalesque traducing of verbal weaponry, the righteous burning fables set to irresistibly pulsing beats,authority) - a dialectic common in of Babylon merging revolution with primarily due to the resonance they felt genuinely grass-roots cultural forms. hardline Bobo rastafarianism, and, Bwith the incendiary politics woven into What elevates Sound Clash beyond especially, the obscenities of sexual the lyrics alongside spiritual yearning academic interest, however, is its careful slackness, all serve as ‘hidden for unity, love and relief from suffering. attention to the emancipatory potential transcripts’ defeating the understanding Then- - after Bob Marley’s international arising from this unruly environment. of detached observation - allowing and canonisation and the multicultural Drawing sustenance from the mismatch reinforcing flights of free expression in populisms of two-tone and UB40 UK between the hatred and disgust shown a heavily policed party scene: roots, dub and lovers rock production, by their ‘betters’ compared to their own “simultaneously resisting and enticing recording and performance thrived for passionate enjoyment, audiences and respectable culture” (page 2). a while among Jamaican diasporans performers mutually nurture and The close analysis of Sexual politics and the new converts. Over time, reinforce each other’s prowess. In the in dancehall lyrics will surprise many though, much of the youthful energy process abolishing boundaries between readers the most. Despite both forms dissipated into trip-hop, jungle, production and consumption, success is reserving their harshest critique for bhangra and drum and bass, leaving measured concurrently as a dance event middle class morality, classic reggae reggae as another nostalgic niche for punters and in the lyrical and largely conforms to traditional commodity for collectors ... musical dexterity and creativity of patriarchal conventions whereas ragga Except in West Indian communities, selecters and DJs, so that celebrates realistic and egalitarian where the explosive 1980s Kingston experimentation, provocation and relations between the sexes. True, male dancehall style known as ragga quickly excess are (within the collectively performers seem to gleefully and took over - paralleling the rise of hip- agreed rules of the sound clash) duplicitously wallow in the hop in America, and sharing its cutting required on both sides. objectification of women’s bodies while edge minimalist aesthetics, vocal also urging strength, pride and gymnasticsjmd scandalo us lower-class A_(new) message from Rudy independence. But the personification __ content. Largely ignored or dismissed As a scholar of literature, the author of all these traits by hugely popular and by the commercial mainstream and carefully inscribes superstars like immensely powerful women artists like critics, reggae dancehall is now Marley, Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Patra, Tanya Stephens and Lady Saw — entrenched in urban club playlists, and Capleton and Lady Saw in their who are, if anything, even ruder "while strongly influences R&B and rap on backgrounds'and milieux rather than I fully maintaining integrity and class both sides of the Atlantic. Even better, the unique creative geniuses preferred clarity - demonstrates that the language like its predecessors, it embeds in bourgeois worldviews. Their of display, pleasure and erotic uncompromisingly radical sentiments in sophisticated poetics evoke and evolve commodification is deployed precisely its profane and sensuous sound and the oral, rhetorical strategies and to subvert the sexual (and the social, fury.1 devices originating in Africa and economic and political) status quo. Carolyn Cooper’s Sound Clash: plantation slavery so as to encapsulate Of course, formations such as reggae Jamaican Dancehall Culture at Large modern versions of impoverishment.2 cannot map directly onto political (Palgrave Macmillan, 2004) is the .first Dismissing Western politically correct struggle and movement. But whether in imagination and possibility - when the industry. Reggae’s general significance for book-length critical examination of liberal distaste as merely high-and- Jamaica, the Caribbean diaspora or via sneering of the superior denies such today’s urban music is discussed in my ragga’s ambivalent cultural politics. The mighty ignorance echoing Jamaican wider influences in popular genres and potential altogether. Respect is due to ‘Dancehall Dreams’, Variant No. 20, 2004 social space of the dancehall is elite class hatred, Cooper interprets the subcultures, the achievements of this Carolyn Cooper for going against the (www.variant.org.uk). contextualised as an authentic and lyrics’ grounding in Jamaican ghetto music can continue to inspire out of all prevailing grain, arguing so fiercely and 2. the literary angle being fully covered in vigorous response of the postcolonial life, where even the most troubling proportion to the clout of its humble cleverly on behalf of the dispossessed. Cooper’s equally groundbreaking Noises in Caribbean urban poor to their themes - such as violent macho, downtown creators. Their exhilarating www.tomjennings.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk the Blood: Orality, Gender and the ‘Vulgar’ repression by vicious governmental homophobia and misogyny - reflect, reformulations of the contradictions Body of Jamaican Popular Culture gangsterism bolstered by utterly ‘border clashes’ negotiating the inherent in our increasingly polarised 1. See Norman Stolzoff, Wake The Town (Macmillan 1993). regressive and hypocritical class/race deepening fractures and fissures in the world under barbaric 21st century and Tell the People: Dancehall Culture in 3. and in films such as Dancehall Queen elitism and reactionary official island’s increasingly brutal and desperate capitalism transform daily life emotional Jamaica (Duke University Press, 2000) for a (dirs. Rick Elgood/Don Letts, 1997) and Christianity. The author captures the body politic. The dynamic of border and material agonies into collective comprehensive history of the dancehall Babymother (dir. Julian Henriques, 1998). EATING OUT

Cantor’s Fish & Chip Shop patties await. embarrassment for the author, if not and vinegar if required, and also to say Chapeltown Road Sadly, there are no books or wonder why space is being wasted with whether you want your victuals Leeds, LS6 magazines to while away the time as such rubbish. That said, a more direct wrapped up or not. Miss the signal, one waits in the queue, but posters and approach is unlikely to win you any and you risk being sternly rebuked, FREEDOM Situated only ten minutes walk from a pile of flyers for local reggae and friends in Cantor’s either, these women mocked by more experienced punters, ANARCHIST BOOKSHOP the bottom of my street, Cantor’s is a dancehall nights can be found in are there to serve food, not to be and of course missing your salt and 84b Whitechapel High Street abundance. drooled over, and oil is strictly for the vinegar. Chapeltown landmark and legend. It’s a London E l 7QX fair way from Hackney, but then so are Two of us staggered in after a night chips. Prices are reasonable, with annual a lot of places. on the piss, enjoying the warmth of the Having placed our order without increases timed to coincide with tel/fax 020 7247 9249 counter^ if not that of the two legendary return comment, we continued to wait The decor is unpretentious (more Chapeltown Carnival. As for the OPENING HOURS than can be said for a certain piece in a matriarchs sitting behind it. The in line, with the air thick with patois, quality of the food, some love the recent issue of this publication), with experienced Cantor’s punter will not be and exhaled alcohol fumes. chips, others consider them limp and Monday to Saturday formica and stainless steel dominating offended by the apparent lack of Despite the lack of cross-counter soggy. from 12 noon to 6pm to a large degree. interest shown to them. Buttering these engagement however, the uninitiated Cantor’s is open every day and night You can also use our mall order service Behind a counter almost the size of a women up with unctuous praise in this will need to watch out for the split- except Sundays, and well worth a ten saloon bar^ a traditional menu displays column is unlikely to get you a smile, second when the matriarch serving you minute walk. or order books online via our website. Mark Barnsley | variety of Anglo and Caribbean let alone a date, and it may cause will catch your eye with her steely gaze. www.freedompress.org.uk (with apologies in advance to Rob) dishes, and for the hungry vegan, veg readers to bite their lips with This is the signal for you to add salt second term. Shamun’s followers fen ^ 0 hAve feea re(eased Jdon't knoti*. you don'tknow. And they've just been let out ???!! People power in obtained a solid majority in the after three years in prison. elections, which the opposition They don't knoto. Noiodyknous. Lebanon considered rigged and deprived of a People get released every day, Their crimes areso unspeakable that legal platform from which to voice their The right has, unfortunately, attempted but the release of these chaps not even theprisoners themselves Yee-ikesi*! political opinions, they sought to are alloued to know ulut they did. to appropriate the Cedar Revolution in makes the national media. We shall all be express them by extra-parliamentary Lebanon as vindication of Bush’s What were they inside for ?? murdered in our beds ft invasion of Iraq. The argument is that means. A small civil war broke out, moves towards ‘democracy’ in the with Shamun lying to the Americans Middle East (no matter how feeble and that the opposition were Communists. superficial) are a logical flow from The Marines were duly sent in 1958 Bush’s war, coming from the realisation and, once safely in power, the by the dictators in the region that since Maronites created a police state. It he got re-(s)elected he will be a position should be remembered here that the US to invade their countries. also overthrew the democratically Ignoring the obvious problem with elected government of Iran in 1953 and this theory, namely that the US military helped install the Ba’ath Party in power machine is bogged down in Iraq and is in Iraq. in no position to invade anywhere else, In 1975, another civil war broke out the key issue with this theory is that it between the Maronites and the Arab downplays the role of the Lebanese in population (including Palestinian their own struggles. Like the right’s refugees). In spite of creating a militia, attempt to give Reagan the credit for the Phalange (modelled on Franco’s and ending the Soviet Union, this “great Mussolini’s Black Shirts), the Maronites man” theory of history steals the glory started to lose to the oppressed Shi’ites from those who took to the streets and and Palestinians. It was this, the places it in the hands of people who prospect of a PLO-dominated Lebanon, would happily have supported their that caused the Syrians to act. After mass murder if they had protested getting approval from the Israelis against a US backed tyranny. Just through Kissinger, they sent forty harder (and needing more staff) but compare, say, the support for death thousand troops into Lebanon and A Sideways Look with much greater job satisfaction. Blast squads in Latin America to the praise massacred the Palestinian fighters, Like many people I find Jamie Oliver Cooking is a skill and it’s a lot more for the 1989 people’s revolts in Eastern saving the Maronites. intensely irritating, with his mockney rewarding doing a skilled job than the Past Europe. In 1982 the Israelis mounted an accent and constant presence merely putting turkey twizzlers in From Freedom of 22nd March 1947: As in 1989, the key players in the unprovoked invasion of Lebanon as advertising Sainsburys’ on television. industrial ovens. “A new phase has now been reached in struggle are the people directly they sought to destroy the remnants of Alarmingly, I find myself on his side For the politicians, it ought to be a • the manoeuvres in the oil war of the involved. After all, when people took to the weakened PLQ in Beirut. The thanks to his new series on school no-brainer. Kids who eat a balanced Middle East. A few weeks back an the streets all across the Stalinist states Shi’ites of the south were radicalised by dinners. diet concentrate better in class and are agreement between British and they had seen the West look the other the Israeli occupation and threw up the He has spent some time making a less disruptive. Thanks to his contacts - American oil companies, supported by way as the dictators had repressed Hizbullah, which pioneered suicide television series on school dinners, and using cheaper ingredients which are political pressure on Persia, sealed off revolts in East Germany (1953), bombs and roadside bombs. The Israeli based at Kidbrooke School in the still healthy, like thigh rather than the production of oil in the Middle East Hungry (1956), Czechoslovak (1968) occupiers were forced out in 2000. Borough of Greenwich: The council’s breast of chicken - Oliver manages to as an Anglo-American province, with and Poland (1982). It was unlikely, to Syria, however; retained about fourteen budget for ingredients for the school bring school dinners in on the 37p per the obvious intention of countering say the least, that they expected the thousand troops in the Biqa Valley. While dinners is 37p per child. When he head button. He has publicly stated Russian attempts to gain a share. Americas to start a war over them some parts of Lebanon supported the arrives they are eating pizza and chips,' that it ought to be at least 50p, not The Russians are now entering the given this track record. Rather than withdrawal of the Syrians, other parts burger and chips, unmentionable least because jiot every council is going Near East in a new guise - as oil Reagan bringing down Stalinism, it was did not. The Shi’ites, and especially processed recovered meat and chips and to have his contacts in the catering salesmen. It is a known fact that the heroism of those subjected to it that Hizbullah, supported the Syrians, as did sometimes for variety, just chips. trade to be able to' get such good deals. Russia, even with the Caucasus and did so. That the right ignores this in many Sunnis. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to It also can’t happen withbut better pay Rumanian fields under its control, favour of hero worship is belittling Then the Syrians same mistake as work out what sort of things are on the and an investment in training for the suffers from an oil shortage. That was those popular movements and says a lot Shamun did; seeking to keep Emile plate with the budget involved. The staff. one of the reasons for its efforts to gain about rheir rhetoric and idea of liberty. Lahoud as president. When his six-year potato smileys and turkey feet are Interestingly, the devolved Scottish political control over Persia ... No The same can be said of Lebanon. term was about to expire last autumn, amongst the cheapest food imaginable, assembly has been running the ‘Hungry doubt the Kremlin sees this as a case of The events there are disconnected from the Syrians ensured that the Lebanese because they are made up of the very for Success’ scheme in their schools for casting its bread upon the waters; by the invasion and quagmire of Iraq. constitution was amended to allow him cheapest bits imaginable, mixed up a couple of years now. It looks to giving up a little oil now to gain They were triggered by the to remain for three more years. This with a load of additives. When more source good quality food locally and political contacts in the Middle East, it assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri angered the Lebanese public and Rafiq profitable parts of an animal have been ditch the deep-fat fryers. You’d have hopes to push its influence always and Bush’s doctrine of pre-emptive war al-Hariri resigned. When he was used, the carcass is pushed through a thought Labour ministers might be nearer to the vital oilfields in whose had nothing to do with it. So why do assassinated, the Sunni community giant sieve to produce a slurry of proud of their colleagues achievement, operation it eventually hopes to gain a Bush supporters make a link between concluded (despite lack of evidence) protein, which is then re-formed with but Oliver was explicitly warned off share. But it is something the English Iraq and Lebanon? Simply because they that the Syrians were responsible and polyphosphates and gums. Mmm ... mentioning Scotland in his meetings and Americans will not give up without know little about the Middle East that they had to go. With the Sunni’s delicious. This is where a lot of ham with ministers. The Scots have invested a struggle, and we can therefore count beyond Bush’s interactions with it. As joining other Lebanese communities in and processed poultry comes from - if £63 million to start improving the the Middle East oilfields as a major with the history of revolts against wanting to get rid of the Syrians, the it’s something you ever buy, take a look country’s horrendous diet-related health battlefield in any future war.” Stalinism, they are ignorant of the crowds managed the downfall of the at the packet and it should say if it’s problems. dynamics within these states and, of government.The last time such cross­ reformed or recovered meat. It’s a pretty poor state of affairs that course, the role the US has played in community opposition happened was in Oliver’s task is actually acutely it takes a celebrity chef to launch a the past. Combine this with a proto­ 1943 and it ended the French Mandate. political - he has to persuade the kids campaign about the quality of school The quiz fascist love of the leader principle and So, as with Eastern Europe, the US to eat something that isn’t shit, the dinners. Oliver never mentions the 1 . How many people were killed by we have the link. approach to Lebanon has hardly been dinner ladies to cook rather than just elephant in the room, the capitalist lettuce in the UK in the year 2000? As such, the history of Lebanon is of as a defender of freedom (however reheat stuff straight from the factory system and its relentless drive for profit, 2. What do Bill Gates, Milton yital interest. The country had a defined). In fact, in 1991, under Bush and, toughest of all, the politicians that which is the reason men in boardrooms Friedman, WTO Director Renato relatively free parliamentary democracy senior, the US quietly supported the they ought to invest more in school are prepared to serve additive-riddled Ruggiero and Sylvester Stallone have between 1943 and 1956. In 1957, the Syrian assault against the Lebanese meals. The kids are tough, raised on reshaped animal globules to small in common? CIA intervened covertly in the Lebanese nationalists in power at the time - the McDonalds and a lot of them never children. But he’s angry about it and 3. Which revolutionary union celebrates elections to ensure that the constitution same people whom the right are having eaten food prepared from raw trying to change it, which is at least a its centenary this year? would be amended to allow far-right cheering today. That suggests Syria is ingredients, but he gets there in the end. start. 4. What was the Anarchiad? Maronite President Shamun to have a page 6, column S The dinner ladies end up working Svartfrosk Answers on page 6

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