climate change here, a world-wide phenomenon which could cause STARTING OVER… mass devastation to civilisation as we know it while our so-called When the Warzone Centre/Giro’s milking the system to clean their minister of the environment, closed in 2003 a lot of people in fucking moats and swimming Sammy Wilson, has blocked Belfast didn’t realise what they’d pools and paying off non-existent climate change adverts which he had until it was gone. Since then mortgages; banks and big describes as “ insidious different individuals and groups business pleading for bail-outs propaganda ” and has the have talked about maybe getting while awarding themselves huge audacity to tell us that ecological something going again. The will bonuses; big oil companies like messages could only be was certainly there but some sort Chevron declaring their best promoted here with his of catalyst was needed and then profits in history while working permission. towards the end of 2007 a few of families struggle to make ends us discussed resurrecting the meet and unemployment soars It is against this background that Warzone label to bring some of some of us felt there was a need the old bands into the digital age; now more than ever to create an to document those times but also, alternative vision to the right-wing more poignantly, we hoped that it reactionary brown nose bigots would maybe inspire people to get who dare to call themselves our m otivated. leaders. There are other ways of doing things that puts people Warzone had run the centre at before profit; that puts our two different premises for 17 environment, which provides all years throughout some of the our needs (and which is being most difficult years of the placed in greater and greater Troubles. It was the only openly jeopardy to satisfy a corporate non-sectarian venue in Belfast monopoly) at the forefront. and would become the counter- remains the only cultural hub of the city over time. steady vision in a world of chaos. Thousands of people passed This is our motivation. People can through those doors over the and will take back control of their years and were inspired by the lives through mutual aid and DiY anarchist ideas that rose understanding. People do not fear strongly and freely above the their governments; governments nationalist dead end philosophies fear their people after all. espoused by corrupt politicians and self-appointed paramilitary So we kept talking and we ‘heroes’ who had collectively decided to have another go – the dispossessed the heart and soul interest was there and people had of our culture while different reasons to see an simultaneously getting rich off the autonomous centre up and The very first Warzine misery. There was and still is an running again. Bizarrely there are alternative vision to the twisted again. It’s always the poor taking no vegetarian/vegan cafes or shite that made Belfast a literal the brunt as we are lied to again restaurants in Belfast, a capital war zone for so long, and a and again by snivelling self- European city in the 21 st century! cultural cul-de-sac of sectarian righteous bastards who want to Promoters putting on gigs here politics which festers to this day. see us chained to their well oiled- have had to use crap bars and put machine for the best years of our up with their rules while the The Good Friday Agreement lives so they can skim the profits. punters have to tolerate macho helped to start the end of the war bouncers and the overpriced and to take the guns off the Of course this corruption isn’t corporate swill that passes for streets but unfortunately it also confined to our little statelet as the drinks. But at the end of the day cemented sectarian politics into world recoils from the credit crisis we need a central space to our future, while opening up the and an estimated one billion organise all our ideas to provide a north to the neoliberal agenda of people face starvation. War for focus again; and to have a bloody free trade and global big resources continues to mow down good time while we’re doing it. business; with the old lie that an communities by the hundreds and There is a new world in our unhindered capitalism will create thousands. And also very hearts! the ultimate trickle-down disturbing, as we head into what economy. W ill it bollocks. Today looks like being a third wet The Warzone Collective has in 2009 we see the results of that summer in a row, we are reformed as of 2009 and a greed culture with politicians beginning to see the effects of steering group is working towards raising the funds for the Self Torture Now, I can hardly run the length establishment of a new centre but of myself but I’ve people prepared we are keen to emphasise that it for a Good to draw me up training schedules will be different than what has and the like which I’m happy to gone before. Central to our long share with anyone who wants to term goals for example is that the Cause get involved. Aside from the new centre will be off the grid and torture element I think it will be a good way for a team of people to run by a passive power supply It’s great to see the growing get to know each other and have which emits the lowest possible momentum for a new shared great crack doing it. If you’re carbon output and minimises our space in Belfast - a great sense of interested in either or all of the impact on our environment. It togetherness and positivety which events give me a shout through would be the first such building in is sorely lacking these days. the Warzine email the city and an example of people While thinking of why these things ([email protected]). taking the lead while politicians are important and why we should Even if you’re not interested pass squander. always challenge what’s doled out the word on to people you think to us I stumbled on this thought; may be. An event like this has the A number of benefits are currently ‘What can I do to challenge me potential to raise a huge amount being organised while we and at the same time contribute of dosh so give it a bit of thought. continue to look at possible something to this new initiative’ ? All the best… premises and details will be Simple… Climb Ben Nevis in the printed in Warzine as we have autumn; run the Belfast marathon Petesy them, or you can contact the in the spring of 2010 and do the 4 email to hear of our latest peaks challenge (Slieve Donard, shenanigans. The forums at our Scafell Pike, Snowdon & Ben old website are open again for Nevis) in the summer of 2010! information and discussion. Click on members and join in: The thing is though; it’s for a www.geocities.com/warzonecollec collective so I’d like to make it a tive collective effort. My idea is to treat the 3 events as one fundraising So there you have it, we’re back project. Thus I will be approaching and we’re not going away this local businesses etc. and asking time, and everyone is invited! anyone who sponsors me for a minimum donation (I’ve still to set Jimmy Segus that).

The wardens, who Northern Ireland and will Traffic represented one-third of continue to work with unions Belfast's traffic wardens, had representing their members - Wardens taken the wildcat strike action but we cannot support illegal at the start of April over pay action of this kind". It is Sacked for and conditions, including suspected that NCP had issues relating to rotas, already begun recruitment for Wild Cat uniforms, facilities for workers replacements before the 26 and sick-pay. Having initially had been formally sacked. It is been suspended by bosses, understood that the sacked Action the workers were sacked two workers are receiving full weeks later. strike pay from their union, Protests continued today (25th NIPSA. The workers we spoke In reference to the wildcat May) for former Belfast traffic to intend to continue their action, NCP said that they wardens after 26 were sacked protests against their sacking "have a very good relationship in April for taking part in and to have their various with Trades Unions in unofficial strike action. Around grievances addressed. 30 people were present at today's protest, made up of Jason the sacked workers, supporters from Organise! and For more info on the protests representatives from the union email: representing the workers, the [email protected] Northern Ireland Public g.uk Service Alliance (NIPSA). The protests are now a daily DONT CROSS PICKET LINES! occurrence on May Street in link to audio interview with one Belfast, where the offices of worker on the picket line the employer National Car http://www.indymedia.ie/article/92 Parks (NCP) are located. 466 rather I don’t need to control Rossport Eating my life by abusing my body. I love myself just a little bit too solidarity Disorder? much for that now. camp So, why am I telling you all of Mental illness can affect this? Cos I reckon it might just The aim of the camp is to lend anyone; absolutely anyone. It be you who needs the help. If practical support to the local does not observe the it is, it’s no shame. If you do community’s struggle against boundaries of class or colour, think you might have a the state and Shell and to status or sex; it’s quite fair that problem with food, why not provide a for people who way. It’s no surprise that along find that little bit of bravery the way we meet people with wish to visit the area, to find varying degrees of health deep inside to ask for help. out more and show their issues but like our physical We have a meeting on the solidarity with the people of health we need to nurture and third floor of Bryson house Erris. This is a major look after our state of mind. every 2nd and last Tuesday of opportunity to defeat a highly The usual suspects, alcohol each month at 7pm. It’s dangerous project and the drugs and stress can all informal, confidential and campaign thus far has already contribute to problems with entirely up to you if you want been an inspiration to many our cognitive thought. One to speak or not. Of course it’s people. This struggle against free. If you prefer, you can such issue that seems to be the state and big business is more common (but of course contact me directly via isn’t, it’s just talked about Warzine. more) is eating disorders. Sheena They fall under a whole Fleskwater spectrum of names, bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, but it Collective doesn’t really matter what title you give it - living with disordered eating is Part of the future plans that we debilitating and time have is to bring the Fleskwater Collective and Warzone under consuming; eating up time one umbrella. Fleskwater, in with friends and family; the north of Antrim, for those avoiding situations where who don’t know is a 10acre having a significant there may be food; avoiding smallholding on the go since radicalising effect on both the ultimately life and living to the early 80’s focusing on Erris community and ordinary spend time with your new, people all over Ireland. W hat ideas such as organic food is happening in North W est worst best friend. production and sustainability Mayo is one front in the with minimal environmental struggle against the I’ve had an eating disorder for impact. Recently a new group most of my life. I’m lucky. It’s subordination of our lives in was formed to continue this the interests of global made me who I am today. I process. Long term aims can’t change the past but I capitalism: a victory here will include the supplying of be a step to victory have been able to ask for organic produce to the new everywhere. help. I wasn’t too proud, or café, workshops in various too ashamed. The avoidance aspects of sustainability and Recently one campaigner has of food was my addiction, it permaculture and other plans. been hospitalized due to always will be, but I am Watch this space for further police brutality. Cops are not challenging that every day, developments. wearing ID numbers, shell and every day now gets easier security guards in balaclavas and easier and brighter and continue to use heavy-handed nicer. I’m lucky. Its hard work, Anti-Mining tactics to thwart the protesters but I know now that I deserve but action continues. The the life I have now, the true Campaign camp would welcome friends, the freedom from supplies, donations and restriction, the ability now, to The campaign to prevent bodies to help in the struggle. make choices. My life is great lignite mining in north Antrim A benefit CD is available from back2front@ riseup .net and I am one of the lucky can be found here featuring Citizen Fish, MDC, ones. http://www.justsaynotolignit Active Minds, and e.co.uk/ . The Fleskwater more. Check out Eating disorders kill more Collective was very central to http://www.struggle.ws/rsc/ people than any other mental the early days of this mission.html for background illness. My relationship with campaign which to date has info and updates can be found food will possibly always be been successful however at rocky, but food does not applications for licenses to http://indymedia.ie/mayo%2 control me any more. Or mine lignite continue. 0 . Anarchist Prisoner Support and a organising and ultimately the Organise! number of individuals came benefits of a future libertarian together in 2004 to form Organise!. communist revolution for workers Our aim was the creation of a more everywhere. Organise! is a group of working effective and better resourced class class people who are fed up with struggle anarchist organisation. Many members of Organise! are, being fucked about by the profit However Organise! has a history and have been, active in their own system, fed up with seeing our that stretches back to the communities torn apart by racism, workplaces. When we talk about Ballymena and Antrim Anarchist workers, we don't just mean those sexism, nationalism and Group of the early eighties. sectarianism, and sick of a greedy in paid employment, we also few getting rich off everyone else’s support and get involved with the backs. We want to improve The ASF and AF in Ireland had struggles of students, the everyday conditions for ourselves already collaborated on two unemployed and domestic workers. and other working class people, but previous publications, called Students in Organise! are involved we also struggle for the Wildcat, which presented agreed with the Queens University revolutionary transformation that positions on the trades unions and Anarchist Society and members can create a free and equal society, the ‘north’. The impetus for the working and studying in education one based on mutual aid and co- creation of this organisation goes have recently formed an education operation. Sound crazy? Maybe it back to a proposal made earlier that workers branch. does, but all the alternatives year asking Anarchists to look assume the continuation of the We have also been involved, and present system… and that’s even seriously at building more effective continue to be involved in building crazier...The current system isn’t organisation across Ireland. opposition to the introduction of working - stress and overwork affect more and more people while others water charges across the north are flung on the dole; we live in a through our involvement in the We world of plentiful resources yet Won’t Pay Campaign. This is a millions starve; some people make campaign that has resulted in ‘our’ vast fortunes just because they own local ‘representatives’ delay companies, land, property or natural implementation of water taxes year resources, but those of us who after year. We continue to demand create the wealth, work the land and abolition of water charges, the clear build the properties are left message of the WWPC is that mass struggling to pay for the natural non-payment will defeat the resources; politicians tell us there’s government. no money- not for wages, benefits or local amenities, but there’s If you believe, like us, that "The always plenty for war; both locally emancipation of working class shall and globally the gap between the be the task of workers ourselves" richest and the poorest sections of then get in touch with us at society has never been so great The response to this proposal was and for all humanities technological mixed but discussion on moving Organise!, 9-11 Lombard Street, advances we spend more time things forward took place between Belfast, BT1 1RB or email us at working than people did 40 years those who were most interested in [email protected] ago; instead of a war on poverty pursuing it and who felt they had they’ve got a war on ‘benefit fraud’, most in common. In recent months a war on drugs and a ‘war on terror’ Organise! have brought out a new Scrap the and the same institutions that create tabloid called the Leveller, we have war, poverty and environmental been active in campaigning in Water Charge destruction stigmatise, imprison and support of the Ford/Visteon workers deport the resultant refugees. who occupied their plant in Finaghy, The grassroots campaign to in support of immigrant workers who have been unfairly dismissed by stop water charges being We don’t think these things are their employers and in supporting enforced across Northern inevitable or coincidental, we think the 26 Belfast traffic wardens Ireland is still ongoing despite they are related to capitalism- an sacked for taking unofficial industrial the charges being deferred for economic system defined by wage action. Last year we took the slavery and the accumulation of another year in a desperate campaign for the right to choose to profit out of other people’s work. So bid by big business in cahoots the headquarters of all of Northern we support all workers against their with local politicians to detract Ireland’s main political parties. We bosses in demanding higher wages cross-community support for have also recently moved into a and better conditions. We try to shared office space with Just Books this latest scam to rip off intervene practically to support who have a history of selling radical working people. Latest workers engaged in disputes and and anarchist books (and more) in developments are here: are also active in our own Belfast that goes back to 1978. http://www.wewontpaycamp workplaces and communities. But it’s not just a question of trying to aign.com/ struggle by in a world of exploitation Our membership, while it is still and oppression; we look to a future small, has grown significantly in Save tara where workers control production recent months particularly in Belfast and society in their own interests. but we also have members in Derry, And unlike some people who claim Armagh, Portadown and Newry. campaign to oppose capitalism, we don’t want to be a new set of leaders and we We seek through our activity and The campaign against the M3 refuse to be led by anyone else. propaganda, through discussion and practical solidarity with our motorway through the Tara- The Anarcho-Syndicalist fellow workers to show the Skryne Valley in Co Meath Federation, Anarchist Federation, relevance of anarchist methods of continues. The road works are literally cutting through the heart of ancient Ireland destroying monuments and graves of considerable archeological importance. The Hill of Tara was included in the World Monuments Fund's 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World . Background and latest info at http://www.tarawatch.org/

Seomra Spraoi Autonomous Centre Dublin

Seomra Spraoi is an autonomous social centre in Dublin city centre. It is run by In a parallel universe Sammy Wilson is taken away for ‘carbon recycling’ by Warzone members a non-hierarchical, anti Workers distribute one thousand copies capitalist collective on a not- of our bi-monthly news sheet for-profit basis. It hosts Workers Solidarity in the North workshops, gigs, political Solidarity with about 10,000 distributed meetings, film screenings, a across Ireland. The majority vegan cafe and lots more. The Movement of copies are distributed door centre seeks to be a hub of to door in local communities. positive resistance in a city We hope to increase our circulation in the future as one and society where public The WSM was originally of the weaknesses in today’s spaces have been eaten away founded in Dublin in 1984 and a Belfast branch was anarchist ‘movement’ is the by consumerism, property established in 2008. Since our lack of consistent and relevant speculation and the culture of inception we have organised propaganda which seeks to the car. Sounds like it several public meetings answer some of the key operates very similar to including the recent anarchist political and social questions Warzone and we hope to ‘day school’ in February. We today. www.wsm.ie forge stronger links in future. have been involved in Sean Details here: supporting our fellow workers http://www.seomraspraoi.or in struggle such as the case of Indymedia g:8080/Plone subway worker Natalia Szymanska and attended Belfast? numerous marches from anti- There is also a new social war to housing rights. We are Is there anybody out there who centre in Galway and some involved in the Alliance for would be interested in details can be found here: Choice group which is fighting establishing Indymedia in Belfast? www.galwayspace.org. Indymedia originated at the WTO to extend the 1967 Abortion protests in Seattle 1999 and has Meanwhile comrades in Act to the North. since gone global and while there are having difficulties with the is an Irish branch online there’s local council authorities who Perhaps, we first came to nothing up here. Indymedia uses public prominence in our an open publishing and could literally close down their democratic media process that autonomous centre, The attempt to organise a non- allows anybody to contribute and Common Place, over refusal sectarian demonstration in would provide a great alternative of an entertainment licence. opposition to the military to the tabloid shite we get in the parade in Belfast in North. I contacted the Irish branch Info and petition can be found who inform me that the software here: December 2007. Recently, for running the site is avilalbe free we organised a very but we’d need 4 steady volunteers http://www.thecommonplace successful public meeting for to check emails/news .org.uk/index.php?page=ho ex-Black Panther Ashanti submissions and keep the site me . Show your solidarity! updated. If you think you have the Alston as part of a speaking time and inclination give us a tour across Ireland. We also shout.

5 20 Years On Listings: Gigs/Demos/Events It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago when I last wrote for Warzine. That particular issue was the ‘ speak your mind’ edition in which we voiced our various June grievances for there’s nothing like a good moan now is • 6-7th June - Anarchist Conference London – What there? It was all very amusing though like when Lisburn way forward for UK anarchism Class War accused us being middle class sell-outs for (www.conference09.org.uk for details) serving vege-burgers from the café rather than the • 10 th June - Sonic Boom Six & The Lobotomies & working class chip butty; or indeed organising those Pocket Billiards – McHugh’s Bar Belfast bourgeoisie poetry evenings rather than providing • 17 th June - Amebix & Constant Fear - Dublin – working class activities such as pool tables. Fucking Button Factory (Belfast date cancelled - only Irish fantastic! And fair play for having a go but where are date) they all now I wonder? • 27-28 th June - Drumacanoo Punks Picnic – Churchill Co Donegal (back2front stall - Warzone Warzine is a free uncensored news sheet but that’s not benefit) to say we all agree. (Actually meetings usually involve July baseball bats and veiled threats but that’s another story.) Seriously though it shows the strength of people • 4th July – (without Jimmy Pursey!) & that they can come together to organise for themselves, Shame Academy – Belfast Empire when so many others are looking for ‘better’ leaders to • 8th July – The Luchagors – Auntie Annie’s Belfast lead them out of recession and on up the garden path. • 16 th July – Kill ‘em Dead Cowboy – Auntie Annie’s The notion that the system can somehow be reformed Belfast or improved reveals a complete failure of the • 17 th July – Kill ‘em Dead Cowboy – Mason’s Bar imagination. You can’t reform something that is Derry th inherently corrupt no matter what way you disguise it. • 25 July – Shame Academy – Oh Yeah Centre (Benefit for Children’s’ cancer charity) Anarchists believe that by promoting the cause of August working struggles through agitation in the workplace and by offering support for wild cat actions and other • 1st August - - Belfast Feile an forms of worker-organised activity we can push towards Phobail the general strike. While strike action can lead to • 8th August – Jesus Bruiser (from ) – improved wages and working conditions, it is only when Pavilion Belfast plus local support workers strike in solidarity with each other that the • 23 rd August - Leftover Crack & The Lobotomies – potential for mass action ensues and the opportunity for Aunty Annie’s upheaval becomes a real possibility. We desire worker • 26th August – Rise Against – Belfast Limelight th controlled factories and workplaces which are operated • 29 August - Third Belfast Anarchist Bookfair – by direct democracy where everyone has a say Unemployed Resource Centre (Details from regardless. We want a society that does not demand Organise!) • 28 th -30 th August - Warzone Fest – Pavilion Bar the best years of our lives doing what we don’t want so we can get a few quid to buy more and more products September that we don’t really need. • 12 September (TBC) - Subhumans & @-Political – But some of us also believe in looking at how we deal Black Box Belfast (To be recorded for CD release as with each other on a personal level, where our money a Warzone benefit!) goes and the social relationships we interact with. This doesn’t mean lifestylism or alternative capitalism but October rather a means of self-education and the development • th of an attitude that centres on minimising injustice in all 20 October – Green Day ( a radical £38 at DiY venue The Odyssey – wonder if they remember a shapes and forms and by all means necessary. certain collective who put them on when they were a tiny wee band back in the day?) These are exciting times and hopefully we can tap into the potential and rebuild something here in the north November but this requires everyone’s contribution and effort. We are not leaders or trendsetters and we don’t claim to • 15 th November - Paranoid Visions & Droppin’ have the answers. What we do know is that when Bombs & The Lobotomies & Violent Fuckwits – people come together to organise, the possibilities are Front Page Belfast endless….. Write to Warzone: Danny (back2front zine)

The old website is here: C/o Organise! http://www.geocities.com/warzonecollective/. We are 9-11 Lombard Street trying to find the command codes but the member’s site is still working and hopefully discussion will take place Belfast BT1 1RB here in the meantime as well as updates. It’s free to register – click on members and follow the instructions. Deadline for the next issue is……. Or email us at: Copyleft - reproduce at will. A Warzone Jobby 2009 [email protected]