Policy aim: Gun down the vulnerable – AUTUMN 2015

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It was that time of year again… een and the chaos surrounding it that frontation with the authorities in London. Halloween always brings with it the ensu- had both the national and social media lit 2010’s Squat Monster’s Ball, in a former ing mayhem of huge raves up and down up like an early bonfire. Controversy has Royal Mail depot right on New Oxford the country – and this year was no differ- tended to follow the Scum parties around Street in central London, similarly ended ent, with at least three large parties in the fairly consistently during its ten or so year in pictures of running clashes with riot parts of the country where the rave scene history of huge London raves; but this year police with accompanying appropriately is at its largest (London, the South West has perhaps raised the bar. disgusted headlines across an outraged and East Anglia-ish). In recent years, Scum organisers would media – ‘Rave hordes in 18 hour spree of However, once again, it was Scumow- appear to have thrived on creating con- Continued inside...

“The kids they attracted don’t get the He said, “I don’t care mate, I’ve got fuck all In defence of scene and its values” - It’s all very well for going for me. No job, no home, fuck all.” the wealthy to drop out and do something “It makes things harder for parties” – the Scum: a bit off the beaten track, squat or live on Though there was a central London party EIGHT ARGUMENTS REFUTED site, but their interests ultimately lie with the the week before maybe it will be harder way things are. In the end, it’s the kids in for a while now, but overall the number of “They’re not part of the scene” – Untrue, the new trainers and neat hair that have an new people brought in by Scum Tek and its Scum Teks go back years, and have been interest in changing society completely – copycats far outweighs the police attention. huge, amazing parties with loads of well- encouraging and channeling their rebellion “Trouble puts people off” – Really? Then known rigs. They have attracted new peo- is a good thing. why were they 5,000 people attending on ple – and that’s clearly upset some heads “Trouble was inevitable with that loca- the Facebook page despite it being quite – but it doesn’t not make them part of the tion” – Who are we blaming for the riot, the clearly confrontational and the last event scene. kids or the police who attacked them with was a riot? Surely if that puts people off it “They’re glory hunters” – Yes and so batons for attempting to walk past them would have been smaller? The truth is peo- what? That’s what made the parties so big into an empty building for a dance? Also at ple want to rebel as they party; and actually and inspired the new wave of more main- the current time an anti-establishment party that’s what the scene is about as much as stream kiddy crews to give it a go. You opposite Westminster is just what we need; hedonism – right back to our origins in the don’t have to like those parties, but don’t see next point. anarcho-punk squat gigs 30 years ago. Un- be a dick about it: it’s great they exist. Rave “It caused a riot” – No, the police caused like the past decades, despite the fact that is for everyone. a riot; but yes – it was likely and lots of anti- capitalism is increasingly discredited, un- “They organised it on Facebook” – This government messages were posted before employment is at 3 million and homeless- indeed brought the parties to the atten- the event. Good. Austerity, the completely ness and social cleansing are wrecking our tion of the cops, but it also brought 100s bullshit idea that the world is ‘in debt’ and cities, we don’t have much of a rebellious of working-class kids into an underground, money for schools, hospitals, and job crea- culture. Anyone attempting to build one subversive scene; kids getting an idea that tion ‘isn’t available’ should mean riots just should be applauded. Scum Tek is dead – the existing property relations can be beat- like Thatcher’s neo-liberal policies caused long live the Scum! en if you have strength in numbers and are in the 80s. On the frontline I told a kid to at Read more red rubbish at: bold – and not just buildings, but in general. least put his hood up to avoid identification. facebook.com/redlondon17 Continued from the front... destruction’ read the Daily Mail. evicted, but it’s also inspiring for future This years Scumoween, openly promot- Map the lot plans. Check out Bzigeuleuschmeuldeu, ed on Facebook, once again resulted in As a historical project, we are mapping the Cambodian embassy, Dis’ASDA, the widespread clashes with police. With meet- squatted social centres for West Euro- Spiky thing with curves, the Wages for ing points in Kings Cross and Waterloo sta- pean cities. London currently has 263 Housework Campaign squats and many tions, 4000 people pledging to attend on projects dotted all over the capital, but more at maps.squat.net. Facebook and a location in a deprived there are of course many more still to be To add a squat or correct the infor- inner-city area, some level of confronta- added. Tekno party venues were normal- mation already on the maps you would tion was probably inevitable. Witnesses ly not added since there have been so be welcome to either send an email describe fairly serious violence on both many, although places such as Waterden [email protected] or use the com- sides; there’s videos in the media of heav- Road and the Odeon Parkway are listed ment system on the site. Note that for ily suited-and-booted Old Bill smashing since they did turn into social centres in a new project the minimum required in- an unarmed girl in the head with a baton a way (the term is used pretty loosely). formation to get onto to the map is: Ad- – which according to a journalist who wit- It’s sometimes been a bittersweet feel- dress / Date begun / Date ended (if end- nessed the incident appeared to provide a ing to read about all these amazing pro- ed). The more information on top of that ‘trigger for the subsequent trouble’ – and jects which have existed and then got the better, including links, photos etc. multiple accounts of riot cops attacking unarmed and peaceful attendees. Even Whatever the exact details of what hap- pictures of Halloweens events to wave in mainstream media reports have described pened, it would certainly appear that the the faces of politicians the next time they’re the police turning very violent very quickly, police were fairly keen on a fight when the prioritising their spending. Like after 2010, not particularly surprising in itself for those opportunity presented itself. At best, they its probably going to get fairly on-top when familiar with the Met. created an easily avoidable public order it comes to doing raves in London for a bit. The scale of the violence and destruc- situation by blocking off the entrance in But then, wasn’t it already? As London tion meted out by the crowd however is the face of huge crowds; and at worst de- becomes more and more of a playground perhaps the surprising – and more con- liberately engineered a riot. After 2010’s for the super rich, squatting becomes troversial – part. Scaffold bars, fire extin- Scumoween, and given the long and var- harder and underground culture continues guishers and, according to a sensationalist ied history of huge Scum raves in London, to feel the pinch, were Scum right to at- media at least, a petrol bomb were hurled it would be of no surprise if the Met and tempt to make some kind of stand? in the streets and from the roof of the party local authorities were keen for an excuse It’s debates over questions like this that building by a small minority of people intent to crush Scum – and the wider, now some- seemed to dominate Facebook (for about on serious violence. Many inside the party what declined, London squat party/rave a week anyway) and raver-related social tried to stop them and halt the violence, scene. Conversations officers had with media. Slightly ridiculously, many people from inside the venue at least, but with little those outside made it clear that they’d took the view that Scumtek organisers en- effect, as gangs of kids simply ran around been monitoring the event, and the number couraged the violence; seemingly taking the building causing havoc with little re- due to attend on Facebook, and had the the right wing’s headlines a bit too literally. gard for what anyone from the organisation riot squad prepared in advance. As several apparent Scum crew took to side thought. Out on the streets, in running Certainly, after whipping the national me- the pages of Time Out several days later to battles with the Old Bill, a local warehouse dia into a frenzy in the last week or two they point out, they had called out in their com- was trashed as well as cars totalled on the now have that excuse. In the face of police munications before the party for people to street. cuts and cutbacks, the Met now have the ‘stay peaceful, stay calm’ and ‘do not an- tagonise the police’. The violence that en- sued on the night was far more a reflection of doing openly Facebook-promoted raves in deprived inner-city areas, where some people hate the police than anything else. Yet it cannot be denied that the choice of venue and the way it was promoted cre- ated a huge confrontation, the results of which were, if not inevitable, at least likely. Whatever your views on what happened – for now the violence that occurred at Scu- moween seems to have played fairly well into the hand of the authorities. But after all, it is London, and we’re sure that in one incarnation or another Scum and the vari- ous crews involved will be back to cause chaos once again. Then laughter and more shouting. Three YPG fighters lowered their rifles as Syrian Subotnik our neighbour came round the corner look- ing sheepish, carrying his own gun by the I was just standing up from dinner when I And what was I going to do with Fiks? barrel as he made his explanations; some- heard the first two gunshots. The unmistak- And all the other, bigger, iller comrades? thing in his other hand I couldn’t make out. able ‘pop pop’ of rifle fire; higher and quiet- We’d struggle to carry them. I remembered Mehmet, our most regular guard, came er than a handgun or the crack of country- of course we had four wheelbarrows. Some over, trying to explain between laughter side shotguns we knew from our European were way too tall, Germanically tall, to fit in to one of the Kurdish comrades in our bri- homelands. a wheelbarrow – but I’d easily dump Fiks in gade. “That’s not even a block away – that’s one. The foulmouthed Bavarian bridge troll; She listened and frowned. “There was… definitely gunfire – right there – other side I’d rather be kidnapped with him anyway. A snake?” Mehmet spoke again. “Yes, there of that building – gunfire” I said quickly but I kicked off my sandals and pulled on my was a snake. The neighbour, he was shoot relatively calmly to Hanna, who remained snide Syrian Nikes – already coming apart, at the snake.” More Kurdish. “The snake is seated. She didn’t seem to return my con- but a steal at 9 euro, and probably the best dead.” cern until a YPG fighter rushed past us days business the shoe shop had seen in “He shot it? With an AK? Jesus! I’m not down the road, pulling his camo vest over years. ‘Popop pop – pop’ rang out from the surprised it’s dead. Jeeesus.” We all broke his pajamas, AK in hand. same place again. Was that an exchange into laughter as the tension in our chests “Okay” Hanna conceded standing up, of fire? It sounded like the same gun, but dissolved. “Okay.” then again everyone has Russian AKs; our Fiks stumbled from the door of our con- The area began to come alive with shouts side and ISIS. tainer, half clothed, wrapped in bedding. in Kurdish, and families started peer out of We had survived the June 25th massa- “Vot the blardy fark…” he reeled slightly, their doorways down towards the city cen- cre and decided to stay, making us now the taking in a headrush, “is going on, you lid- tre. Some boys took position on the roof only big group of internationals in Kobane. dle wankahs?” overlooking the area where the shooting We were a great target, but well protected; I gestured to our neighbour who was now started, as more YPG arrived and took po- how did they know where we were and how proudly brandishing the dead snake. sition on the corner. I went to my container, did they get so close? “Meingott. This explain nothing.” He a metal box with probably the only sit down I stood alert as around me the camp said shaking his head and grasping in his toilet in Kurdistan, and noised up Fiks. Fiks, went into evacuation mode, waking the ill, sheets for a cigarette. like most of the brigade at one point, had checking the route. Gary Oak fallen ill due to a combination of dodgy wa- Shouting came from behind the wall now. www.facebook.com/redlondon17 ter, dodgy food, and working in 40° heat. All of my German comrades could speak some English, but me and Fiks had a spe- cial bond: through his love of Brit culture he could swear in English. Vesna Parchet Vesna “Fiks. Fiks. FELIX!” “Argh what the fark do you want you blardy barggah?” “There’s shooting. Nearby.” He groaned and rolled over, moving the damp towel back over his head. “…Vot? Farkov. No.” Pop pop. Two more shots, a cacophony of shouting and a maelstrom of pointing and peering in the darkness. I thought through the evac drill we had been over only that morning; and just like at primary school we were having an alert the very same day – the wiser kids would be rolling their eyes, same as every year. They knew there was never a real fire. But this wasn’t primary school and in the last attack 220 people had died. We were lucky to be on the other side of the city then with enough time to move, but our drill didn’t provide for fighting starting in the same block as us. Fuck Fuck Fuck, subject immaterial

Starting off with a bang – the firework ex- premeditated suppression tactics. Who worked – Fuck Parade 1 had a tick in the plodes – looks like there’s enough civilian wants to protest when protest means getting box. It is true, subject immaterial, from phan- explosives in the crowd to make this a lively tea-potted, tea-bagged or spooned by the tom-baseball to an elongated strolling riot – if one. TSG? It was during the student riots that a lot you build it, they will come. The first Fuck Parade took up the banner of lessons were learned. Now you don’t stop And come they did; north London this of the ‘poor doors protest’ at the No.1 Ald- moving ever – ever, unless there’s a lovely time, to a battle ground very much lost – the gate high-rise, which unashamedly boasted / dogmatically British view to look at, and a gentrification of Camden. You see, every a secondary entrance for the less salubrious media circus to placate. Fuck Parade has a different flyer, a different of its tenants; no red-carpet valet service for Pandemonium ensues – there’s a fight motto and a different single issue. Focusing those minimum-quota-satisfying affordable- over some banner-connected polyprop. on single-issues works; it’s really easy, it lets housing-units shoved off to the side. Happy protester types and baton-waving, people relax, unwind and not have to get Another bang, and the camera toting lay- smiling Bobbies implore each other to fuck bogged down in a quagmire of manifesto- media types crowd round in excitement. off. Clearly, they want their bridge back and itis. Q: So what’s this all about then? A: Well, Now there’s smoke bombs and Gabba as so finally it’s time to move on – on and on, the rich don’t pay their taxes and they steal another sound system turns up with mas- though the streets of south London. Taking our homes and they cut down forests and sively-distorted dance music blaring; and on a more carnival atmosphere, a lovely day wear fur and buy electronic goods filled die-hard fans chuck out some shapes. out for the kids; and on, pissheads stumble with child blood and war minerals; plus my More purple smoke, more cans and more by the wayside and those cardiovascular dole’s been halved... The single-issue cause chanting sees the street taken over in a criti- exercises start to pay off; and on, speakers shines through; the single-issue MP, the sin- cal mass of people who are a little bit pissed continue to peak 808 kick-drums and happy gle-issue campaign group and, of course, and just want to dance. Familiar faces in the fun-times turns into the Anarcho London the single-issue mini-riot / 12v DIY boyracer- crowd; the masked contingent of trouble- Marathon/Drinkathon 2015; from Aldgate – sound-system-penis competition. makers we hear about hijacking ‘peaceful’ Tower bridge – Tooley st – London Bridge This time, Fuck Parade single-issue issue- demonstrations eager for destruction and – Holborn – Soho. Bollocks to that, but bet- d-ness was strolling down the Mecca of rampage. ter than a tour bus and a fuck lot cheaper; shame, the corporates’ take on the ‘alter- The pseudo-organic process of anti- solidarity and comradery swell the hearts of native scene’; the racks of Nirvana t-shirts kettling street-party-conga-line begins – a those few who finish the race. bringing on alternating waves of nostalgia direction-less mob, perambulating though Ultimately, the proof of concept had and disgust. the city; a ‘critical mass’ on legs; a bipedal noise-machine that stretches from the ea- ger keenos to the lagging types, who just stopped to have a wee. A torrent of smoke bombs spurt their wares as traffic on Tower Bridge screeches toa stand still. Banners unfurl and many a photo opportunity is there to be taken advantage of; lean back on a railing and crack another can; a little bit of dancing and the surely it’s time to move on as the flashing blue lights multiply. See, the British police are, controversially, very clever compared at least to what we see on the mainland – those cops armed with their water cannon and various gases to employ tactics of dispersion; running bat- tles with cops whilst getting a drenching/ exfoliation service pisses people off, height- ens blood pressure, heightens tension – and possibly lowers cholesterol – but ultimately ups the game in the next clash; the red queen hypothesis encapsulated. Whereas the massively-reserved British poo-lice work on a system of containment (how many times have you been kettled for hours and hours?); bored-fucking-straight Camden is surely the police’s nightmare – tinkle of broken glass. bar after esoteric-wine-bar. Distressed party- everyone is wearing black. This time we see See, what everyone really wants is for RTS goers ‘chaired’ estate agents’ windows and bigger and better banners dropped, lamp- to come back – banners larger than any elated rugby fans quaffed cheek-by-jowl post to lamp-post; traffic blocked and purple banners have the right to be, truck loads of with skankin’ punk kids alike. smoke (back by popular demand), a distinct sound systems, tripods on motorways, free Thud-thud-thud! Noise cascaded across lack of Gabba – as a house blows its tops, food and jack-hammers; thousands of peo- the crowd in an impromptu sound system but festive merriment ensues. As the bridge ple, proto-CJA fuck-you-very-much-parties link-up; Silicon Roundabout brought to a over Camden Lock is partied, Phoenix is told that were genuinely a lovely day out for all dead halt as car horns mingled with piercing to fuck off and the party continues; mutual the family. But rekindling those embers in a hi-hats. Fires started, effigies burned and it’s love and respect for all. different time, a different technological era really time to keep moving. More fire, more On later reflection, a serious opportunity and under a different Conservative govern- smoke, more Gabba and down a different was missed – with so many passers by, so ment is surely a humongous task. street; way more cops at this point and things many rent-a-mob out for a good time – to not Through the analogue-social-media- start getting heated; tussles, de-arrests and somehow utilise this energy for the forces of network-grape-vine Fuck Parade 3 (Single- one sound system gets a kicking. Getting good; but I guess it did turn into an anti-fash- issue: Shoreditch, grrr) was set to be big – tired, slowing down now, breaking up, dis- glassware-exchange-scheme – though more spectacular even. With more purple smoke, persing, returning from whence we came. out of anger for a lack of 1970s style Dub more fire breather/dancer/poi/staff types, More of an army of zombies wreaking ha- than anything else. How it was arranged, for more carnival-balloon-clown types, more vok than a formalised protest. More of a gag- a token handful of skin-head types to ap- die-hard Gabba types, more camera-phone- gle of voices shouting “fuck!” than a political pear on cue, remains a mystery. But given toting-media types – and definitely more mo- statement. More of a noise than a song. More the lack of police to harass they seemed like bile sound system types. of a wing than a prayer. More of a Fuck Pa- a much more deserving target. Bare-footed There was 1970s style Dub to keep peo- rade than an RTS. anarcho-Luddites punched, got punched ple chilled out, there was non-stop Gabba to But these are the times we live in, this is and punched back; as the air became lousy chew people out. Fire was breathed and a where it starts. Just like in FernGully –Help It with solidified molten sand. Then the rozzers window got a little red; the Parade gaining Grow... and who gives a shit about breakfast- turned up and Fuck Parade 2 ended with the in size as it meandered past esoteric-wine- foodstuff-emporiums? 23 Weeks Later... UK Teknival Update Six months on from the chaos of May’s UK sulted in detectives knocking on doors from the Lincolnshire copper who did this to... the teknival and the police investigations into the Wales to East Anglia and at the time of writ- Lincolnshire police force, who have surpris- weekend’s ruckus are still ongoing. Despite ing they’d gleefully announced that half of ingly said they’re currently unable to find a several month long Linconshire CID op- those pictured had been identified. This was the footage of the attack; and ‘cannot put a eration into what happened, and comically presumably due in no small part to the role timeframe’ on when the officer will be iden- announcing that they were on the hunt for of social media in the investigation, where a tified. As usual, this brutal incident seems a ‘Mr Uktek’, no arrests or charges have yet cursory glance showed people actually tag- to be fading into a web of back-scratching been brought against anyone for organisa- ging on Facebook pictures of their mates and cover-up, with a national media that has tion of the event. that had been released in the papers... the displayed no interest in this side of the story Instead, presumably under pressure to mind boggles! While (as far as we know) whatsoever – yet are happy to repeatedly show results after such a long and costly few the majority of those arrested are still on bail publicise the pictures of those the Old Bill months, and with (at the time of writing) the awaiting charges/trial, hopefully any criminal are still looking for. Unsurprisingly, an arrest majority of sound equipment having been trials that do take place will at least attempt is not expected to be forthcoming. returned to its respective owners and hire to highlight the excessive police brutality The lessons to be learned from the current companies – although with the condition that day, in the face of what was a largely police repression are unfortunately going to that it could be retaken for use as evidence passive crowd; and how the poorly planned, come too late for those arrested. If you feel if necessary – the focus of police repression and outright dangerous, police tactics led to the need to defend yourselves from the po- has shifted onto those they can charge with an easily-avoidable mass confrontation. lice, which in the face of the totally unneces- public order offences relating to the struggle Shockingly, despite happily running up sary and unprovoked scale of the brutality with the cops. and down the country arresting as many they employed was understandable, watch In September, publicly announcing that people as they could, the plod have an- for cameras, change clothes, wear a mask. they were now working on the investiga- nounced that they are totally unable to figure Protect yourself and your identity, because tion with Avon and Somerset Police – and out which of their own number left a raver a moment of unthinking action and putting widening their search for those they wanted permanently blind in one eye – a 21 year old yourself in the glaring spotlights of the cops to arrest to the West Country – the Old Bill man who was smashed in the face with a CCTV cameras could have repercussions released in the media pictures of 25 people baton by a cop as he offered him a flower. for years to come. they ‘wanted to speak to’ in connection with The IPCC, in its usual display of deliberate Solidarity and sympathy goes out to all the rave. These quiet, friendly chats have re- ineptitude, has entrusted the task of finding those facing the repression of the law. STEALTH POSTAGE Mailing illicit substances

If an individual is in a position where a match to known controlled substances. sensitive material through the mail they are forced to send sensitive materials Infrared and X-ray Scanners – Infrared There are three obvious vectors of attack through the postal network, they must do scanners and X-ray machines are both when mailing illicit items, the first being the so with the utmost care and due diligence. used to spot irregularities in items of mail, accidental discovery of the package by Sentencing for offences making use of a indicating that a specific package merits postal staff due to poorly secured or dam- country’s mail system – especially if in- closer inspection. aged packaging, and the second, discov- ternational borders are involved – is often Terahertz Ray Scanners – Terahertz Ray ery or snitching by nosy housemates, fam- significantly higher than for the possession Scanners illuminate packages using tu- ily, or those who have otherwise received of the equivalent amount of contraband neable terahertz radiation, analysing and or opened the package in error. The third within a country’s boundaries, and this, cross-referencing the resulting image’s ab- vector is that either the sender or the re- combined with the additional threat of theft sorption spectra with those of a database cipient is already under suspicion by the by observant postal workers, means that of substances of interest. Currently taking police and/or customs, in which case they carelessness in such matters is seldom ten minutes or so to scan each letter, the will require luck and fortitude to avoid be- rewarded. T.R.S. is likely used only to scan items of ing fucked over in one form or another. Below you will find selected information mail that have already been flagged. The following list covers most of the gleaned from someone else’s experience, Other Tools – Traditional law enforcement known attributes (‘flags’) considered sus- as well as from several online and offline tools and techniques including fingerprint- picious by customs, law enforcement, and sources. I would hope it obvious that the ing, tracking devices, forensic analysis of postal agencies. While a parcel possess- careful reader must use logic and reason handwriting, organic, and inorganic mate- ing one or two flags may be ignored, for when considering this advice, making sure rials, and the matching of type impressions each additional flag there is a proportion- to adapt and test the techniques to, as well and printer ID (search “printer steganogra- ately enhanced risk of interception. Con- as take personal responsibility for, their phy” for more on this) may also be utilised. sequently, when posting anything of a re- own requirements. Best practice source list for sending stricted nature, always do so only if certain Technologies available to Customs and Police for the detection of posted con- traband Drug Detection Dogs – Trained by Cus- toms to detect anything from trace to considerable amounts of controlled sub- stances, drug dogs are used by virtually all customs agencies worldwide. However, chance is on the sender’s side, with the sheer volume of mail traversing the globe each day enabling most to sneak their packages through without detection. Fur- thermore, rarer or more esoteric substanc- es (e.g. DMT or Ibogaine) are unlikely to be included in most dogs’ training. For an in-depth discussion of detection dogs, read my article on the subject, published previously in Rupture (Autumn-Winter 2014 issue). Drug Residue Detectors – Drug Residue Detectors are analytical instruments that collect traces of suspicious substances via a small filter in the end of a vacuum sweeper hose (previously tested to ensure it is clean). These detectors then ionize the resultant material, measuring the time its ions take to drift through an electric field, and using the resultant data to try to find that no one is interested in you in a legal III’. To avoid involving the innocent should fashion, and that the package looks, feels, a parcel be discovered, consider using a smells, and sounds utterly bland. For an block of flats as the return address, without additional layer of protection, arrange the including a number. contents of the package as innocently as • Make sure to include the correct post- possible, disguising the contents as best age, paid for in cash, and do not be tempt- you can. ed to recycle stamps! Use self-adhesive • All stages of the packaging process re- envelopes and stamps – if this is not pos- quire gloves to be worn. Use cloth gloves sible, use a damp sponge instead of lick- that are tight fitting, covering them with ing them. latex gloves when handling your good- • Always opt for the fastest method of ies. Once you have vacuum-sealed and/or shipping, as long as it is not reliant on the wrapped the payload with whatever mate- recipient’s signature. This will minimise the rial, remove and destroy the latex gloves, time for available for a) possible detection, prior to touching the outer packaging, to and b) legal and logistical preparation for a avoid contaminating it. bust operation, as well as to provide a red During all stages of the process, wear flag should the package be delayed. dedicated clothing and a hairnet, all of • If available without user registration, which is to be put on only for these purpos- online delivery confirmation/tracking is a es. Subsequently it is prudent to remove, bonus, especially for packages originating clean, and store this apparel, to avoid fur- from other countries. When tracking such ther contamination. deliveries, use either cash in an internet • Package your material as tightly as cafe without CCTV, the TOR browser and a possible within a minimum of two to three VPN proxy, or another location that is easily vacuum-sealed bags, washing the outside available yet difficult to associate with any of the previous layer subsequent to the of the involved parties. addition of each new bag. Mylar moisture • Some prefer to place a stamped ad- barrier bags may be substituted. Secure dressed envelope containing the pack- the vacuum-sealed bag to some thin card aged material inside another stamped ad- using heavy-duty tape, to minimise noise dressed envelope, in the hope that, should while the package is in transit. Do not add the package be damaged in transit, it won’t ant in any way), abandoned building (not masking scents – they will not mask any- be discovered, instead being immediately recommended), or PO box (small inde- thing, and may even draw unwanted atten- forwarded on. Others believe that using pendent mailbox companies are less likely tion to the package. this technique can only invite suspicion. to require photocopies of your ID, or to • Where possible, send smaller amounts • Send the package from a random have a comprehensive CCTV system – use of contraband inside standard-sized busi- post-box, within a reasonable proximity of disguises and stagger your visits). ness envelopes with a thickness comfort- the listed return address. While mailing the • For reasons listed above, when arrang- ably within the maximum allowed under item, it is prudent to disguise the face and ing to receive illicit material, ensure the your country’s postal system. Standard let- other distinguishing features, and to avoid/ sender uses the fastest method of shipping ters are less likely to be sorted by hand, minimise coming into contact with CCTV that does not require a signature. ‘Anony- and thus more likely to escape the scrutiny cameras en route. mous’ online tracking is a bonus too. of inquisitive postal workers. If possible, do • Use your imagination – While it’s never • Where possible, ensure that your deliv- not tape up your package. going to fool the determined investiga- ery is from a domestic source – if interna- • Make the package appear as nonde- tor, dependent on your material it is worth tional; try to avoid items sent from known script and ordinary as possible, with noth- making some effort to disguise your pack- drug-friendly/producing countries such as ing obvious to attract undue attention. Do age (I won’t list examples here for obvi- Bolivia, or the Netherlands). not write ‘anxious’ messages, (e.g. “Pri- ous reasons), as this can save you from • Although of debatable benefit, the truly vate”, “Confidential”, “To be opened only exposure through damage in transit, nosy paranoid might wish to write ‘Return to by named recipient”, etc.) acquaintances, basic customs scans, etc. sender’ on the package and leave it by the • Make sure that everything is spelt cor- Moreover, it is fun to do! front door for a week or so prior to opening. rectly, including the correct title for the Receiving contraband material through • It is relatively rare to be busted if you recipient. Type and print the label using the mail – Security and deniability use common sense and luck is on your a printer with no traceable connection to • Investigate your options – you have a side, but, if it does all go tits up – keep you. choice of where to receive your delivery, it civil, say nothing, get a decent lawyer. • Vary the sender name and return ad- each with its own advantages and disad- Make yourself aware in advance of your dress for each new package sent, to avoid vantages. The choice is yours – residential basic legal rights and how to handle police profiling. Ensure the name is believable, address (keep it clean and free of anything interactions (the free Release Bust Card is so no ‘John Doe’ or ‘Foxington Maverick illegal, or that could be construed as devi- useful for starters), just in case. Migrant BAD SEKTA NEWS - AUTUMN 2015

Crisis The label commiserates ten years of and a video for Ukrainian producer Lec- Bad Sekta this November – big shouts/ tromagnetic. She also recently collabo- You can’t see the fields from the house. massive respect to all artists and other rated on the short film ‘Have a Nice Trip!’ Masser built the place that way contributors – THANK YOU! The future is (featured at this year’s Sitges Festival), on purpose, so we wouldn’t have to see as yet undecided; keep checking www. as well as on the Catalan feature ‘An- them dirty field-hands at they work. badsekta.com or join our mailing list. We tonio Cumpla Cinquente’ (premiered in do not currently check social media. Barcelona) – www.oddscene.com (new We keep this place clean, genteel, Our first vinyl, BADvinyl001, is only website soon) nice just the way Masser likes it. available directly from the label (although Will Phuq recently contributed a Bad He say we like refined sugar. Love Love Records may still have a few) Sekta mix to Music Day UK’s Mixcloud I like the way he say, Re-fined. – a limited, 180g 12”, featuring five excel- series, and is still researching for a com- lent and exclusive tracks from Ascetic, prehensive and up to date book about And he treat us good. Has cook Lastboss, Phuq, Ronin and weyheyhey!! ketamine. K users and ex-users, fill out prepare us meals for when we tired Orders also receive five FLAC/MP3, an anonymous questionnaire – www. after the long day 38mm badge, A6 print, and info sheet – fearcontrol.info/ketaminequestionnaire. getting the big house ready. www.badsekta.com/vinyl.html You can also email the author at phuq23@ Lastboss continues to be prolific dur- gmail.com. Watch out for multiple other One glory-hot day, I be walking ing his sojourn in China, self-releasing projects from Phuq (and a funky new out near the fields-edge, the nine-part ‘Mutations’ series of EPs, as website) bubbling to the surface over the so close I could hear the stripe well as an ambient album, ‘NaL’, and an coming months too – www.phuq.net of the overseers’ whips. album-length film soundtrack, ‘She Owns Finally, check the Fear Control web- the Night’. All available via Bandcamp – site for recent digital and print pub- www.lastboss.bandcamp.com lications from/featuring Bad Sekta Oddscene is her usual busy self, work- family, including the marvellous ‘The ing on projects including a mammoth Complete Timetable of Missed amount of modified Barbie’s (doll dona- Buses’ (Hell’s Pigeons/Network20p) tions welcomed! Contact via website), www.fearcontrol.info

I hears a psst-psst and there, IKLECTIK Zine Library stands a field-hand in her rags, puffy-raw face, babe in arms project Open Call held close to her breast. Iklectik Art lab aims to open an interna- She say, ‘Please, missy, please tional library of zines and is calling out would you take my baby on up to artists/ collectives who would like to to the big house? Please don’t make her participate. work and work and work these fields I’klectik Zine library is to display both zines and any other sort of paper based ‘till she be bones under ‘em.’ artist publications, coming from all over I tell her there ain’t a-nothing I can do. the world. I’klectik provides artists with Ain’t no room up in the big house. a physical space located in the center Ain’t no place for no field-hand child. of London where you can exhibit your zines. Zines can be sold at the library, Masser say he gonna build me a fence and all the money goes to the artist. two mules high, keep the field hands In order to participate the artist only from the door. He say, ‘Don’t you worry, needs to send two copies of their ain’t nobody gonna take yo’ position.’ publications and make a one-off do- nation of £10 to cover the costs of Masser must build that big fence soon, maintaining the library. In case the must hurry quick cause those field-hands book is sold, we will inform you and is getting hungry. Hungry for this big pay the full amount within seven days. house, hungry for this life: clean, genteel, For more information please contact: re-fined. [email protected] Sebestyén Hedvig ally possible’. As someone who is always timistic approach, the ability to let some- [ tidsoptimist 10 minutes late, no matter how hard I try to one know we’re running late and therefore be on time, I can fully identify with this term not feel bad about it, or is it the pace of tids·op·ti·mist and with the concept of seeing perpetual western life where we feel we have to cram (n.) lateness in a more positive light, perhaps into the day more things than are humanly 1. ‘time optimist’; A person who’s seeing it for what it essentially is. possible in order to be productive and habitually late because they think they Those who somehow manage to be also be able to enjoy life…? have more time than they do.] on time seem to fall into two categories; those who see our tardiness as rude, in- We all know at least one – I am one. Its considerate and as a blatant disregard for got a good ring to it, but is it actually a the value of other people’s time; and then Stripped word? Tidsoptimist is a Nordic word which there are those who know us tidsoptimists for M. is not officially included in the current Eng- will most probably arrive late, so they take lish language, yet. It was submitted on 31 it into consideration or use the ‘extra’ ten You reach your right arm out, August 2012 to Collins dictionaries and minutes to check their emails or have a take a deep breath and wait was rejected. Collins said ‘We can’t find coffee while they wait for us to arrive. much evidence of this word in actual use. I read quite recently that our use of mo- for a flutter of wings to brush your face If you find more evidence please feel free bile phones and communication technol- and a crystal clean columba livia to resubmit the word.’ ogy somehow excuses people and lets So what constitutes actual use? The word them carry on being late. Years ago I sup- to land on an outstretched finger. tidsoptimist has been made into those at- pose mobiles weren’t so readily in use You clear your throat and start to sing, tractive looking quotes to be shared, re- and people made more of an effort to be posted, tweeted, re-tweeted and generally on time, whereas now we can just drop to it, a calm, old-fashioned bandied about on social media; proving someone a text saying “RUNNING LATE, song of loss, then smash that many English speakers feel affinity THERE IN 20 X” therefore wasting nearly with the word. Does its use in social media half an hour of their time. its tiny fragile head make it legitimate? Apparently a word is But what is really to blame? Is hard against the edge checked to be in use in context in a vari- it our tidsop- ety of forms of both written and spoken where its brains splatter, stain word, and social media is now with red the baize-lined table, one of these. “I am definitely a tid- and I assume soptimist, ‘tid’ meaning this means that you ‘time’ in Scandinavian countries…” Nicole, intend to raise Bristol. as you place Most evidence suggests tidsoptimy its now very limp body between us. to be in use in the And, of course, I’m not gonna make a Swedish language, fuss, with its origins be- ing both Nordic just start a-tugging at my ear; and from the Latin and when it tears and comes off clean – optimist. I first came put it next to the bird. across this con- Then, as both pools of blood cept in social media a few go mingling, months ago, al- you grin though it was worded a little and place your cards face up. differently; ‘a per- Hoo boy, what luck, a royal flush. son who is con- stantly late due All I’ve got is two, numbered, pair, to believing that so it don’t take long to infer they can achieve more in a given time I’ve lost my looks, the pigeon too; space than is actu- Sebestyén Hedvig we’ve got no clothes on. I love you. Meat for the Masses

I hop on and keep my cap low; meet no man’s I WANT TO, YOU MOTHERFUCKING spread no no diseases they call our off- eye, London-style. Lights strobe as we pass a BUNCH OF CUNTS. spring outbreak. We say go go go go forth ghost station, fuct up old trains. Thing’s ain’t I started off unperturbed, imagining that the and multiply. Multiply multiply. right, it’s all a bit offkey; no one seems to be momentary loss of my motor-skills was worth Let me out! A wordless scream as we shoot lookin’ at their phones or even checkin’ the the plethora of plaudits I would receive on my through darkened tunnels, a screeching of metal Metro. I’m probably just a bit rekt, innit? I look discovery of this rare breed. These are, I dis- on metal. Chained to a ball of darkness as count- round to see if there’s something cray I didn’t cerned, surely nothing more than wall lice or less mouths suck me dry; sleep paralysis mixed catch. Nothin’ – no aliens from hell or gender- crimson ramblers; perhaps with merely a slight with mutant spawn. Let me go you microscopic benders with their cocks out. I shouldn’t have mutation, a genetic defect if you will. What hoards of Satan! Let me go, Goddamn you – let got blunted before I left my yard; bare para- a find! If this was a properly documented af- me go! noia for nothin’. I shake my head and swipe my fair – obviously I must be diligent and not just I blame myself for not getting the bedbug feed; I’m blatantly just being a mug. skirt over the proper research process – but if problem sorted in the first place; I left it If only Tommy would call, I’m and left it and it spiraled out of sick to death. Riding his bike control. Not that these were any when he’s so tired; not that I normal bedbugs; these ones are was any different, but that’s mutants. I wouldn’t be surprised not really the point. Does life if they’re UV and like industrial really have to be that fast? noise they’re so abhorrent. At All the time? No care for any- the beginning I used to joke that thing anymore, like when was they had been drawn to my flat the last time they washed this for the techno cock – that’s the train exactly? I dread to think! Wi-Fi, it’s a running gag; being Mountains of dirt – that must as the biggest mast in Hack- be what’s making me itch. ney sits directly above where Focus, focus Stevey, you can I sleep. I think of it as a penis do this. If you can lift up your shooting forth it’s technological arm, start a ruck, a fight, some spunk, binding us together in confusion; something, any- a web of delight; that was back thing! It ain’t happening – my before my little friends came muscles aren’t moving. They to visit – now I guess the joke know… they know I’m trying is on me. Maybe the critters are to get myself banged up, or even laughing at me, that is in- better yet quarantined. They between munching on my fresh know. They’re watching and tattoo. This is so depressing, es- feeding and shitting inside my pecially as me and my nest, for- mind. merly known as Dave’s beard, EH, EH, EH. THAT’S ONE is probably the epicenter of UP YA; THE SMELL OF MY this disaster. My facial hair has

OWN SHIT. SHIT MYSELF AS A Joe Fur given birth to a bug apocalypse FUCK-YOU TO YOU INSECT – now that’s a status. I guess it WANKERS; YOU THINK YOU makes a difference from posting CAN CONTROL ME? EH, YOUR FUCKIN’ done to it’s fullest extent this case study could my dinner; and I thought being a hipster HIVE-MIND DOESN’T FUCKING CON- find me showered me with accolades aplenty. was bad enough. TROL MY ARSE DOES IT? I SHIT, I AM I can’t say it was immediate, but it slowly The ssssucculent juice of a human freshly AND THAT’S FUCKIN’ ALL. dawned on me that I was paralysed. This was fed fed fed, fat the sugar content, mmm FUCK ME BACKWARDS I WANT TO not momentary, as I had first thought, but com- content so high it makes our mandibles DIE. I FUCKIN’ MEAN IT. I HOLD MY plete; I dribbled and thought it an achieve- twitch with gleeeeeee. BREATHE, THE LIGHTS STROBE LIKE ment. I had completely misjudged the forti- Edgware. The doors go shutdown, the lights A BANGIN’ RAVE BUT I KEEP BLOODY tude of the insects’ venom. go cold. No man does one. I try to check the BREATHIN’, THOSE TINY LITTLE SHITS Now, after some minutes without move- other peeps, but I’m mash-up. I try to scream, ‘AVE GOT ME AND THEY DON’T WANT ment, it strikes me that I have one final ex- but I can’t even whisper. My brain goes POW ME TO KICK IT. FUCK THEM, THOSE periment before me; one last thing to discover and some hive-mind hooks a man up. It tells me LITTLE FUCKERS – I’LL DIE WHEN I – what it is like to be slowly eaten alive. what I don’t want to hear – no one here’s mak- FUCKIN’ WANT TO, I’LL SHIT WHEN They they they call us parasites but we in’ tracks, we is all just meat for the masses. Adam Pearson sculpture ment are valued as equal – and art can be find out more check out: Changing Faces a powerful tool to inspire such change. Charity – www.changingfaces.org.uk; by DAGMAR Aka Sister Adam has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Centre for Appearance Research – Dagger Bli$$ a genetic condition that causes excess www1.uwe.ac.uk/hls/research/appear- body tissue to grow predominantly on his anceresearch Adam Pearson is an Actor, TV producer, face. After hearing his story, and develop- Public Speaker and Campaigner against ing a friendship with Adam I felt inspired stigma towards people with a visible facial by his positive attitude, bravery and de- difference. termination to break down barriers regard- On the surface it may seem that appear- ing how people with a disfigurement are ance is equated with success. However, viewed and treated. In my portrait I was representations of beauty, appearance determined to capture these qualities and and disfigurement are conditional. In the show him as an individual. UK today, over 540,000 people have a fa- The portrait will be on display at TAA this cial disfigurement; many are stigmatised November (see listings). and discriminated against, e.g. difficulties Sister Dagger Bliss in housing and jobs. Perceptions need to sisterdaggerbliss.tumblr.com change so that people with a disfigure- If you are interested in this and want to

REVIEW: see of their lives, if they looked in. It could some spaces are relatively secure, others seem basic from the outside, but the in- spend their time anxiously anticipating the Angeniet Berkers’ timate interior images show us their pri- bailiffs turning up. vate and compact worlds; the wonky book One of the final images of the book is of 15m² of Freedom shelves full of books, the unmade beds a hogweed plant – in a way it is symbolic and the unwashed mismatching cutlery; in its similarities to the traveller community. This is a photographic documentation they are all small fuck-you’s to the mono- Often dismissed or unwanted; there is a of homes people have created for them- lithic expectations of ‘normal’ society. beauty only some can see or appreciate. selves in trucks and wagons around the Having recently travelled through the This life will continue to spring up in spaces Netherlands and Germany. It captures Netherlands and Germany, visiting many that have been forgotten and abandoned; both personal and communal spaces; and squats and staying at a Wagenplätz in and although not always purposefully, their offers a unique glimpse into an alternative Berlin, there seems to be many more well- simple existence represents a resistance way of living that remains unseen by many. organised, free and autonomous spaces to the constrictive grey world we are ex- The current interest in ‘small homes’ and in comparison to the UK. Despite the pected to adhere to. Here we see a refusal self-sufficient living might seem like a mid- higher numbers, each space does have to die and the flowers continue to break dle-class wet dream; trapped in a hard- it’s own luring threat of eviction from de- through the concrete, despite the force cover on a shelf full of unread titles. 15m² velopers who will eventually turn up and against them. of Freedom is in contrast to this trend – it demand their property or land back. This captures the spaces of those who chose to book captures a simpler way of living; out- More info on how to get a copy of the book achieve their dreams, with a DIY attitude, side of consumerism and where although is available at www.angenietberkers.nl rather than just talk about it on weekends. The traveller movement of the 90s grew from the punk and rave scene and, for those who choose to spend years working on and converting their trucks into homes, this is often a continuation of the anti-es- tablishment ethics of those scenes. These subcultures have more often been docu- mented in the high-energy environments that come with the music -– what these photos offer is a peaceful documentation of the normality and comforts that exist even in this unconventional setting. The photos series shows no people, just the spaces they choose to exist in. The ex- terior images of the trucks and communal spaces show what the outside world may VJ LONDON presents Listings AV DEPOT 05.12.15 A warehouse full of cutting edge audiovisual performances and interactive art to cel- MODERN PANIC ebrate the launch of VJ London’s brand new 13-21.11.15 website. AV performances and interactive A unique and powerful collection of surreal, installation playground. controversial & provocative international art- £5 entry. Doors at 6pm, show from 8pm, ists. 11am - 7pm daily, £3 entry. Apiary Stud- finish at 1am. ExFed - warehouse space, ies, 458 Hackney Road, London E2 9EG behind New River Studios, 199 Eade Road, www.guerrillazoo.com N4 1DN facebook.com/events/509503689152410

COMMUNITY PAYBACK 28.11.15 Community Payback return to the Black SLIME CITY RECORDS presents Swan to bring you our last onslaught of NAPALM DISCO 2015, The Nightmare Before Christmas! 11.12.15 10pm-6am. Tickets £7-12. MOTD. Speedcore / Death Metal / Noise / Cyber- The Black Swan, 438 Stapleton Road, grind. Featuring 8 acts crammed into one Eastville, BS5 6NR Bristol nightmare! 7pm-1am, £5 entry. T.Chances, facebook.com/events/345436562316643/ 399 High Road, Tottenham N17 6QN

PIGS EAR BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL MUSIC DAY 1-5.12.15 WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY Annual celebration of the raising of the wrist. 19.12.15 The Round Chapel, 1D Glenarm Road, Music Day UK celebrate the turning of the E5 0LY London. season and the return of brighter days facebook.com/events/632995193508818/ with a right-royal knees-up with live music, cabaret, live visuals, food and drink! 7pm- 1am. £5 entry. T.Chances, 399 High Road, Tottenham N17 6QN facebook.com/events/950945424978474

JIGSORE VS. RUTFUK presents WINTER SOLSTICE CIDER FEST RAVEAID! 20.12.15 04.12.15 Warm up the shortest weekend of the year Punk vs Rave mashup. Every artist, per- with a half - dayer of live music and cider former soundsystem etc is playing totally put together by New Cross Inn and Firepit for free to support charidee. Powered by Collective. New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Jigsore, Under Konstruction and Irritant with Road, SE14 6AS London performers stage outside. £10 early birds, facebook.com/events/1072946792718058/ £12 adv, £15 OTD. The Black Swan

Dybbuk 438 Stapleton Road, Bristol BS5 6NR facebook.com/events/976779332365104/ NEW YEAR PARTY 31.12.15 – 03.01.16 Agadir area, Morocco. . shockraver.free.fr/infoparty23.htm

FOR FURTHER LISTINGS c8.com / www.residentadvisor.net Advisory Service for Squatters For gigs: www.partyviberadio.com/forums www.squatter.org.uk Search for T.Chances on Facebook; FURTHER LINKS Squatting News – en.squat.net Eroding Empire – Eroding.org.uk News and events – www.rabble.org.uk Fight for Aylesbury Estate Campaign – International free-parties: Anarchist news and bookshop – fightfortheaylesbury.wordpress.com shockraver.free.fr/infoparty23.htm www.freedomnews.org.uk London Wide Eviction Resistence – Other events: E15 mums – www.focuse15.org evictionresistance.squat.net www.squatjuice.com radicalhousingnetwork.org