resistance Free/Donation anarchist bulletin Issue 66 Oct 2004 A The of Terror POLITICS AND WARFARE and cities were bombed into rubble. This led the Chechen militias to respond in kind have always gone together. – the massacre of non-combatants in an When governments could not ongoing spiral. The massacre of theatre goers and schoolchildren will not aid their get their own way through cause. persuasion or pressure, they Terroristic warfare, however, achieves little beyond a cranking up of the means have used violence to of mutual destruction. Terror is a blind achieve their ends. alley. Those who want a more just world must renounce terror. States will never do War then, is an extension of politics, Hiroshima after state terror it but people who want freedom and and given the risks involved, it is usually equality have no choice. Justice cannot a measure of the last resort. War involves Destruction spring from terroristic violence. destroying the enemy’s ability to resist Not content with the destruction of We need is movement that will bring and necessarily requires the use of soldiers, States in the 20th century real change to the world through the self violence- the killing and wounding of decided to apply terror to non-combatants organisation of ordinary working class soldiers, sailors, etc. A part of this process – the elderly, mothers, children. The men and women. Only then will we have involves terrorising the combatants in the clearest example of this, perhaps, was the the basis for a better world. ★ opposing side to achieve surrender by nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and breaking their will to needlessly sacrifice Nagasaki. ONLY DOING THEIR JOB their own lives and preserve the strength In Iraq, the US forces have been of your own side. indiscriminate in their use of firepower. WHAT HAVE THE striking miners of 1984 When this took place using It is mainly non-combatants who have and the posh toffs of 2004 got in common? professionally hired troops who formed a been killed, wounded and disfigured – Answer: they were both attacked by the relatively small armed force, or through over 13,000 so far. The US airforce police. the use of mercenaries, warfare remained bombed and continue to bomb residential As anyone who has ever been involved a bloody game of the few. However, in the areas. in violence on the picket line or in 20th century, volunteer armies were State terror breeds terror. Again in demonstrations know, it is the police that replaced by forced enrolment- Iraq, the armed opposition to the USA and start the trouble. During the miners strike, conscription. its allies has led to the creation of terrorist the pickets were attacked and beaten by So, as in World Wars One and Two, groups opposed to them. The sick joke in the police…and the media couldn’t have people were forced against their will by all of this was that Saddam supposedly cared less. In September in the pro- States to terrorise and destroy each other. possessed weapons of mass destruction, hunting demo outside of parliament, the Ordinary citizen soldiers became the i.e. terror. So in the name of combating rich, fox butchering set became the victims of State terror – from their own terror, Bush, Blair and their enemies have victims of police assaults. And the poor governments, intent on total war and from unleashed an ongoing cycle of terror. dears and most of the media were enemy states, who were just as Similarly in Chechnya, the Russian outraged. At resistance we never determined. The victims of terror are government used terroristic methods to support police violence – but we do hope overwhelmingly ordinary working people, defeat Chechen . Tens of the hunt protesters had some sense the poor bloody infantry. thousands of ordinary citizens were killed knocked into them! ★ ON THE COURIERS STRIKE AT SMS IN LONDON FRONTLINE ONE HUNDRED CYCLE worked 12-15 hours to do and motorbike couriers at this. Other courier Our regular look at workplace SMS have been on strike companies paid up to struggles: since went on strike on double the rate. He also said 17th September after that if the consignee was representatives chosen to not home or if it was not WE’LL START ANOTHER busy month at speak to management possible to gain access, Heathrow and Gatwick airports where two regarding pay and couriers received only 50- separate industrial disputes look set to conditions were sacked. 75% of the going rate of 48p effectively close down a large number of There is a large presence (68p for motorbikes) for a flights. by strikers outside the credit card or 70p for a Baggage handlers at Gatwick plan to company’s London offices passport. stage 24 hour walkouts on Thursday 30th on Bayliss St. London SE1. SMS, according to workers, is the UK’s Sept. and on the following Saturday, whilst Two of the sacked organisers, Pedro largest courier company. It has a £55 re-fullers at Heathrow intend to strike on and one who wished not to be named, million pound contract with the Home the same Saturday. The first dispute explained that on Tuesday 14/9 when they Office to deliver passports. Workers concerns a shop steward sacked for raising attempted to explain workers’ grievances complained that passports were now at health and safety issues, and about those to the London managers they were told risk of theft and of being carelessly H&S issues themselves. The second is that nothing would change and to go back delivered, as in the rush to find scabs SMS about pay, overtime, pensions and cuts to work. The London manager Deborah was not ensuring the necessary care that in sickness benefits that the company is shouted at them to get back to work. When its workers have to display. trying to impose to boost profits (and their the representatives were invited back for Workers also accused SMS of not being own wages, pensions and bonuses). further discussion on Friday the four men organised and of having offered to It seems that working conditions in the were told they had been sacked. The organise things for them. They were paid transport industry are approaching the workforce walked out. late or wrongly and would have to appalling levels that worker experience in Management then offered to meet complain to receive their money. The the Post Office - both deliberate attempts workers individually and declared that the London office of SMS pays less than other to destroy workers conditions or to drive reps had been sacked for “intimidation”, branches, where in Croydon for example them away and not replace them, which is strongly denied by them. This a drop is worth 65p. increasing the work burden on others. offer was rejected by the couriers and Since the strike began SMS has been Sticking with the air industry, some 100 out of a work force of 150 are farming out work to other companies and engineers, sales, marketing, ground and striking. is able to pay them far more than it pays cargo staff at Lufthansa are currently Pedro, a cycle courier, complained that its own workers. It has been telling voting on whether to take strike action SMS pays half the market rate for customers that its computer systems are after rejecting a pay raise of 2.6% (a pay delivering passports and credit cards. He down, not that it is in dispute with its cut in reality given inflation, despite the said he did 200 drops a day in NW1 and workforce. ★ company making £149 million in the last quarter alone) by 92% - if, as expected, ‘WE DON’T TRUST YOU’ the strike vote wins, the entire airline is expected to be shut down by the action. TRUST IN MINISTERS and MP’s Federation said: “The fact that Workers at the Jaguar plant in has fallen since the war in Iraq, millions of UK citizens can Coventry – scheduled to be shut down a detailed survey on public remain this docile and obedient with the loss of around 1500 jobs – have attitudes revealed in early to their government, despite also agreed (by 86%) to ballot for strike September. their obvious contempt and action in order to halt the planned closure Unsurprisingly only 24% distrust of politicians, is - and crucially, workers at other Jaguar have any faith in ministers and astounding. plants have voted to join any strike action only 27% trust in MPs. “Across the decades and agreed at Coventry, and on top of this The fact that around only centuries, the world over, people workers at Ford’s other factories including 25% of people have any faith in have overthrown government Land Rover, Aston Martin, Ford Oval the men and women that are and other leaders and managed factories and other Ford research facilities, elected to make decisions on behalf of whole regions themselves, in the interests are also planning meetings to decide everyone else is certainly not good news of people’s welfare. We don’t seem to do whether to join any strike. Could be a big for the government. that in Britain. It seems like we’d rather one this in an industry with a long history It must leave ministers and other just forget about it, not to make too much of industrial militancy with a company bureaucrats wondering why, if only 24% of a fuss and just to be content with what that doesn’t give a shit and workers with trust in them, they have not been swept we’ve got. nothing to lose. out from their positions of power by a tide “It’s time we changed all of this and The weeks long wildcat at Wembley is of angry people. When the Yugoslavs, in forgot our tradition of ignorance. We now over, and it appears that the strikers 1996 lost faith in their government they should be kicking out this government, have got pretty much all they were gathered in the streets, in their hundreds and all government for that matter. It’s demanding - the re-instatement of 240 of thousands, and laid siege to the our obligation as human beings to workers sacked in the most underhanded parliament building, kicking out both confront such tyranny.” manner and compensation for time lost leader and government. Anarchists across Journalists on the tabloids The Sun, whilst out. the UK are hoping that similar things will Mirror and Daily Star were the least Well done to all involved for showing happen here soon. trusted, with 89% hardly believing a word how to get things done! ★ One member of the Anarchist they read. ★ RESIDENTS STOP PHONE MASTS TIME BOMB IN SEPTEMBER DIGGERS young babies. The siting of seeking to put phone masts the mast immediately above up on London Fields in the picnic area, close to the The Great Leeds Gas Riot 1890 Hackney, London were seen children’s play park, on the off by local residents. They main route to Gayhurst THE GASWORKERS IN Leeds had won the explain why they object primary school, and 8-hour day in November 1889, but they below: immediately in front of the knew the Liberal-controlled council would Wayman Court tower block want revenge. They were ready for strike Why We Object: which contains a high density action. In June 1890 they received notices Health: - The emissions of residents will cause great abolishing some of the gains they had for 3G phones, which receive fear and concern to many of made and demanding a 25% productivity and send moving pictures as those who use and live in increase. A strike was called. The council well as voice calls, are different to these spaces. brought in hundreds of scabs and locked standard mobile phones. They are set at The appearance of London Fields is out the workers and fortified the a higher frequency, about 2,400 important to Hackney residents and the gasworks. megahertz (MHz) as opposed to 900MHz proposed 40ft (11.7m) high tower with 3 The gasworkers, backed up by other and 1,800MHz used for most standard antenna and 300mm diameter dish will sections of workers, marched through the mobile phones. Scientists working for the not be in keeping with the appearance of city to the marketplace. The next day (1st Dutch government have concluded they the rest of London Fields. The Mast will July) 200 police escorted scabs from the can be bad for our health. The Dutch be higher than the neighbouring trees and station. The gasworkers used their long scientists found that volunteers exposed it would detract from the view of the park. stoking poles and rushed the police, but to 3G emissions suffered headaches and Obstruction to pavement. The two were beaten back. As the scabs stormed nausea which they did not get when metres high, two metres long ancillary into the Meadow Lane works, workers exposed to standard mobile phone cabinet will take up a third of the footpath. climbed on adjoining walls and roofs and emissions. Children in Hackney have very The footpath is not very wide at this point called on them to defect. 80 did so, and few open spaces within which to play. and this could force parents with double the 50 left cowered inside. The police London Fields therefore acts as a key social buggies on to a very busy and dangerous baton-charged the crowd. space both for children and parents with road. ★ The scabs for the New Wortley gasworks were being feted by the council that day. The Liberal chairman of the gas FIGHTING committee narrowly avoided being beaten up by a crowd outside the Town Hall. Now Oct 7 election in bring Hitler’s ideas into local the streets filled with workers coming out Dagenham: politics. The November 9th of work and 10,000 assembled. AT THE RECENT Laindon Society has all the usual The cavalry and police escorting the ward council election in rubbish we associate with scabs were pelted with stones and lumps Basildon (23/09), David the extreme right (but which of coal. They charged the crowd. King, a former British Na- similar groups like the BNP Meanwhile 130 scabs went over to the tional Party (BNP), treasurer keep quiet about to gain strike. The next day these paraded four was standing for a seat. respectability). They believe abreast with the strikers. That night the Unite Against Fascism in racial supremacy, windows of New Wortley police station held a meeting a week prior dictatorship, of were put in and gasworkers attempted to to the election, with fifty all immigrants and enter the works. The cavalry drew their people present, but no suppression of gay identity. swords and the Riot Act was read. By night picket of the election count The group aims to stand Army and Police had cleared the streets was organised. On the night in the coming local and and occupied the works. it was announced that King national elections. They Three days of riots and mass public had come third, and the twenty BNP mem- claim to have gained support in the support had led to defeat on the streets bers and supporters left the town hall un- Borough of Havering and are aiming to for the gasworkers. opposed. contest seats in the town of Romford. BUT the gas committee gave in and Two minutes down the road, were Anyone with any sense knows just withdrew their attacks, (although the seven anti-fascists who just happened to what a set of barbaric thugs Nazis are, and union conceded holiday rights against a be drinking in town. When the two groups true to form the , in reduction in work loads and the end of met (despite being outnumbered three to order to attract support, deny that Hitler fixed term contracts). ★ one), a “full and frank discussion” with and his followers destroyed millions of King and other BNP members ended with in the war. RESISTANCE IN US MILITARY them on the floor, and later receiving Surprisingly, the Nazi group has treatment from an ambulance crew. One publicly named and released photos of of the BNP “security” entourage panicked their fuehrer, Kevin Quinn. They will be A WEB PAGE dedicated to those US and managed to spray two anti-fascists stopped. Abort this monster - before it military people who have at one point with mace, as well as half his mates. No crawls out of its hole. refused orders in this war in Iraq. arrests were made. You may see it here: www.tomjoad.org/ For more information about fighting WarHeroes.htm Meanwhile... fascism, contact Antifa at: It includes a short summary of each case A little known Nazi organisation has of every publicly known resister, with links chosen Essex as a jumping off point to www.antifa.org.uk ★ to their websites, if available. ★ are being built. Instead of this, what is through orders and hierarchy and acts as INSIDE needed is the ending of a sick society that a means of extortion and repression of the INFORMATION breeds crime and prisons in the first place. movement and the uprisings of the peo- ple. My refusal is also the minimal act of What do anarchists think about Greek conscientious objector solidarity due to the Iraqi people and to prison? sentenced to 3 years and 4 months the peaceful sentiments of the Greek peo- PRISONS DO NOT work. That is unless Greek Conscientious objector Giorgos ple.” you want to improve your burglary skills Monastiriotis was arrested on 13 Septem- Although Greece recognises or want a ready access to class A drugs. It ber, and immediately tried and sentenced. to conscientious objection in principle this is undeniable that locking people up and In May 2003 Giorgos refused to embark does not apply to professional soldiers, giving them nothing to do for years at a with the crew of the battleship “Navarino” who cannot claim their right to conscien- time only encourages prisoners to think on a mission to the Persian Gulf. He de- tious objection. about the next big job and develop ways clared his immediate resignation from the War Resisters’ International calls for to make it work. Prisons are universities Navy instead. Giorgos gave the following letters of protest to the Greek authorities, of crime, with board and lodgings thrown statement prior to his refusal : and Greek embassies abroad. A list of in. “Acting on the basis of my conscience, Greek embassies can be found at Prisons turn bad lads (mainly) into I refuse to take part or contribute by any www.mfa.gr/english/the_ministry/mis- professional criminals. They mix and means in the relentless slaughter of the sions/. You can send a protest email to Mr. identify with already hardened gangsters Iraqi people. I refuse to take part in a war Kostas Karamanlis, Prime Minister of and pass out of their criminal courses with that is not ended, as even now after its Greece, at wri-irg.org/co/alerts/ diplomas. official end people and among them many 20040915a.html. Prisons are also dumping grounds for children are being killed. Even if this war Contact for protest letters: the mentally ill, the illiterates and the is officially finished, many more are to Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, Prime Minis- social misfits. Prisoners become brutalised come, as war is necessary for the expan- ter of Greece Maximos Mansion (‘Megaro and brutal in their confinement. And so sion of the dominance of the ruling pow- Maximou’) 19, Herodou Attikou str GR- do the prison officers. ers. I declare my immediate resignation 106 74 Athens, Email: And all the time, the prison population from the Hellenic Navy, which is a mecha- [email protected] is increasing and more and more prisons nism that promotes inhuman practices Info from: www.brightonabc.org.uk ★

Join the resistance Subvert and resist The Anarchist Federation is an organisa- Take precautions when going on demonstrations and don’t tion of class struggle anarchists aiming to take cameras, booze or drugs. If you’re nicked give your name abolish capitalism and all oppression to and address then say ‘no comment’ to any other questions. create a free and equal society. This is Anarchist . OCTOBER We see today’s society as being divided 3 Demo at USAF Lakenheath military base. 12 till 3ish Gate 1, USAF Lakenheath. into two main opposing classes: the ruling Tel: 07760 161 755 Visit: www.lakenheathaction.org class which controls all the power and wealth, and the working class which the 3 Protest against internment at Belmarsh prison from 12 noon. Belmarsh prison rulers exploit to maintain this. By , is on Western Way, London, SE28, just north of Plumstead station. Trains leave every sexism and other forms of oppression, as half-hour (e.g. 11.01am, 11.31am) from Charring Cross to Plumstead station Con- well as war and environmental destruction tact: CAMPACC, Estella on 020 7586 58! 92, [email protected] or Stop Political the rulers weaken and divide us. Only the Terror on 07951 159 257 or Email: [email protected] direct action of working class people can 15-17 European Social Forum, London. www.esf2004.net. For a critical view of defeat these attacks and ultimately over- the ESF www.enrager.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1783 and for an alternative to throw capitalism. the Trotskyist-GLC bureaucrat sponsored events As the capitalist system rules the whole 19 International Day of Action Against McDonald’s, to mark World Food Day. world, its destruction must be complete and 020 7713 1269 www.mcspotlight.org Adopt your local store - for ready-made world wide. We reject attempts to reform it, leaflets Tel: 0845 458 9595 Email: [email protected] such as working through parliament and NOVEMBER national liberation movements, as they fail 27 Anarchist BookfairBookfair, University of London, Malet Street 020 7242 8032 Loads to challenge capitalism itself. Unions also of stalls, events and meeting. Including meetings organised by the Anarchist work as a part of the capitalist system, so Federation. Contact: [email protected], Visit: www.anarchistbookfair.org although workers struggle within them they will be unable to bring about capitalism’s de- Subscribe to struction unless they go beyond these limits. resistance Organisation is vital if we’re to beat ! I enclose £4 (£6 EU, £12 Rest of the world) for the next 12 issues of the bosses, so we work for a united resistance bulletin (cheques payable to “AF”) and send to AF, PO Box 375, anarchist movement and are affiliated to Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2XL the International of Anarchist Federations. ! I enclose £4 for a year’s subscription to Organise! the magazine of the AF. The Anarchist Federation has members ! I am interested in the Anarchist Federation and would like more information. across Britain and Ireland fighting for the kind of world outlined above. Contact us Name...... at: Anarchist Federation, Address...... 84B, Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX. Tel: 07946 214 590 ...... Visit: www.afed.org.uk ...... " Email: [email protected]