Festival of Alternatives: Workshops, Talks & Discussions
One of the main aims of the Mayday Festival of alternatives is DIY skills-sharing, empowerment and political discussion. To this end there will be a series of workshops on themes as diverse as the history of Anarchism, juggling & plumbing. Some workshops will offer a hands-on chance to learn new skills, others will consist of theoretical discussion.
Practical Workshops
Tuesday 30th April
Making Websites Easy-Peasy - 11am - 2 hours
How to guide to making a website for campaigns, protests or just news
and comment. You don't need your own computer, expensive software
or years of computer training. This will help you make a site, publicity,
images, domain names, email and all the other stuff you need to know.
Recomended for beginners to the internet as well as those who know a little
more. A Hand-out with all the info provided.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner of
Parfett St.,
London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel & Aldgate East)
Run by media activists group Pop Star Liberation Front: http://www.popstarliberationfront.org.uk
Marching band workshop - 3pm
Join the Anarchist travelling circus marching band. All musicians
(even bad ones) welcome. Especially trumpeteers.
followed by:
Samba Dance workshop - 5pm
Venue: Social Centre - 10 Great Eastern St, EC2. Nearest tube:
Liverpool St.
Theory & Discussion
Tuesday 30th April
Workshop: Outlaw Women - 1pm
From the Chinese straits, Mediterranian, Atlantic and Caribbean, to the
streets of Philly, Bonn, Delhi and London, this workshop charts the rise
and fall of gender-bending pirates, radical black eco-warriors, gun slinging
bandit queens, freedom fighters and beatnik bomb girls - critically.
Venue: Social Centre - phone: 07786 716 335 on Friday 26th April
for details of venue.
Post-revolution and post-capitalist visions - 4pm
An brief history of counter-revolution and insurrectionary failures;
including 1930s Spain, France 1968, English Civil war and beyond, followed
by group discussion amd simulated scenario outlines, focusing on post-capitalist
social organisation, culture, and the shape and scope of counter-revolutionary
elements; How could we be recuperated?What will we do about police, paedophilia,
politicians with secret weapon stockpiles, us with weapons stockpiles?,
food production, industry, work, religion. Could it happen here? And what
would it look like if it did? If we cannot make it here, where will it
smoulder first? What about the concept of an anarchist Permanent Revolution?
Venue: Social Centre - phone: 07786 716 335 on Friday 26th April for
details of venue.
Why is Hackney up for Sale?
Come to an open meeting of the Hackney NOT 4 Sale group for a discussion
on how Hackney got into the mess it is in and what alternatives there
are for the future.
7pm at The Old Firestation, Corner of Brooke Road and Leswin Road,
Stoke Newington, N16
Talk from Ex-Black Panther, Robert King Wilkerson. 6pm.
Robert King Wilkerson was held in solitary confinement in Angola maximum
security prison, Louisiana, for 27 years for a crime he didn't commit.
He was framed because of his political organising at the prison as a member
of the Black Panther party. Released in February 2001 after a long campaign,
he's now spending his time doing speaking tours around the world to raise
awareness of the brutality, corruption, racism and injustice of the Louisiana
criminal justice system. His co-accused, Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace,
are still in prison and entering their thirtieth year of solitary confinement.
Venue:
The Union Tavern, Camberwell New Road. Nearest
tube Oval, Buses 36 or 185.
Wednesday 1st May - Mayday
The Documentary Filmmakers Group is hosting a special event for Mayday.
The evening will include screenings of activist video shot earlier in
the day as well as completed Direct Action documentaries. This will all
be followed by a panel discussion with speakers from Media Workers Against
War, Undercurrents and Indymedia.
£3 on the door
7:00pm - Late
Arrive early for seats (120 seater cinema)
Venue: London Film School, 24 Shelton Street (nearest tube Covent
Garden)
more details at: http://www.dfglondon.com
Thursday 2nd May
Showing of a documentary film (Spanish,
no subtitles) of the SINTRAEMCALI trade union occupation
of the Emcali tower in Cali, Columbia. On Christmas Day last
year, 800 workers occupied the nerve-centre of the state-owned municapal
company which runs water, electricity and telecoms, for over three
weeks,and won their fight to stop essential resources being privatised.
A talk by Carlos Gonzales, member of Sintraemcali and participant in
the occupation plus a member of the Colombia Solidarity Campaign, follows.
Colombian food possibly available.
Venue: The Union Tavern, Camberwell New Rd, nearest tube Oval or
BR Vauxhall, in the luvly back room called The Latin Palace.
7.30pm
Friday 3rd May
Prisoner Resistance! - 11am.
Introduction to the UK prison system, reform, revolt and how life has
changed for prisoners over the years. The Parkhurst riots (1969), Grisley
Risley victory (1989) and Strangeways uprising (1990) plus the shape of
future resistance (i.e Detention centre uprisings Yarl's Wood,UK and Woomera,
Australia) are all explored and their origins and impact on prison life
evaluated.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
Rising Tide: Workshop on Climate Change - 2pm
We know climate change is happening, so it’s time to take
action for climate justice!
Rising Tide UK is a new rapidly growing grassroots network. It supports
community initiatives and local protest against climate change, and for
climate justice. It’s also a part of the international Rising Tide
network.
For more info see: http://www.risingtide.org.uk
Venue: London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1
Workshop/discussion: Feminism 101 - 4pm.
Challenging the (capitalist lie that) we live in a post feminist world,
so don't need to talk about: Sexism, male power and patriarchy as political
issues! How can men taking women-related issues (like feminisation of
poverty, work, childcare, domestic violence, rape...) seriously? Should
men be involved in those struggles and, if so, how? Most of us have some
privilege/s and can be oppressors as well as oppressed. How can we--men,
women, white/black, class divides, etc etc.-- acknowledge our privilege/oppressor
behaviour without it being a big/divisive deal?
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
European Social Consulta: discussion - 7pm
The ESC is a product of the ideas and visions of social movements that
are struggling against capitalist globalisation and its neo-liberal policies.
Our mobilizations have created spaces of convergence where we have become
aware of the importance and complementary nature of our social struggles.
Given our growing capacity for mass mobilization, the system is creating
the conditions necessary to control us: police impunity, restriction of
basic liberties, intimidation and manipulation of information. Because
of this, we believe it is important to deepen our contact and communication,
strengthen our networks, connect to the rest of society and decentralize
our struggles.The ESC will allow our social movements to take the initiative,
to build a precess complementary to mobilizations around international
summits and forums and to support the cohesion of European social movements.
The ESC is therefore meant to be a project that will reinforce the efforts
of local groups and networks and to connect local and global struggles.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
Sunday 5th May
Introduction to D10 and anti-Militarist direct action - 7pm
D10 is a anti militarist group made up of a diverse collection of autonomous
activists from many different backgrounds. We have chosen to define ourselves
by our actions. Recent actions have included blockades at Northwood
and throwing paint bombs at a military presentation. This workshop explains
the philosophy behind D10, lends insight into anti-militarist action in
the UK and offers people a chance to get involved.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
Monday 6th May
Workshop: Food Autonomy - 4pm.
A one to one-and-a-half hour talk plus gorgeous slide show featuring images
of diverse agriculture and grass roots resistance to corporate control
of the food chain. Workshop also includes updates from the Resistance
is Fertile ( www.resistanceisfertile.com/english/
) actions in Den Haag April 8 - 19 against the Sixth Meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (phew! - aka
Cop6) which looks at the commodification and privatisation of 'genetic
resources'- plants, ecosystems, land, agriculture, and knowledge.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1 (corner
of Fieldgate St & Parfett St). Nearest tube: Aldgate East or Whitechapel.
No Borders - 6pm
A participatory discussion about the current strengthening of nation state
borders and the proliferation of immigration controls. Come and join in
a discussion about recent struggles against these controls and how the
resistance can spread in the future until everyone can enjoy freedom of
movement.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
Incitement to riot - 6pm; followed by a followed by a discussion
about how police tactics during public order situations have changed over
the past few decades.
"Incitement To Riot" is an hour long video that does just what
it says on the box! Packed with footage from all the best riots of the
past, and a hard hitting soundtrack, from Gil Scott Heron to Conflict!
Venue: London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1 (corner
of Fieldgate St & Parfett St). Nearest tube: Aldgate East or Whitechapel.
Simon Jones Campaign: talk & film - 8pm.
Film charting the struggle of Simon Jones' family and friends to secure
justice for their loved-one's death. Simon was killed on his first day
of work four years ago when the grab of a crane virtually decapitated
him. He was sent to work at Shoreham Docks for Euromin by Personnel Selection
– a Brighton employment agency. He had had no health and safety training
whatsoever and had never worked at a dockyard before.
Film is followed by a talk describing how the campaign was set up, gained
momentum, succeeded in prosecuting Euromin - the company responsible for
the health and safety breaches which caused Simon's death - the political
issues behind corporate killing - casualisation, flexible labour, unscrupulous
employment agencies, the use of direct action, and and the future tactics.
Venue: London Action Resource Centre: 62 Fieldgate St., corner
of Parfett St., London E1. (nearest tubes: Whitechapel, Aldgate East)
Alternative Health
Radical Yoga:
free yoga classes with opportunities for discussion, practice and
meditation. You will be very welcome to participate…wearing loose
clothing, bring a happy heart, an empty stomach and an open mind.
There will be 3 free yoga sessions throughout the week:
Saturday 27th April: 3pm-6pm – Diorama One (Movement Room
1st floor), 34 Osnaburgh Street, NW1.
Monday 29th April: 3.30-5pm - Social Centre - phone: 07786 716
335 on Friday 26th April for details of venue.
Thursday 2nd May: 4:30pm-7pm – London Action Resource Centre,
62 Fieldgate Street, E1. (part of a 'Health & healing' day - see below
for details).
Thursday 2nd May:
'Health & healing' day
Central to Anarchism is the belief in self-empowerment and the notion
that we, the community, should control our lives as much as we possibly
can. One way we can do this is through looking after both our own health
and that of the wider community. We are holding an alternative health
and healing day in order to learn more about how our bodies work, their
relationship with the earth, and how we can help one another in the community
to cut out the state (doctors) and capital (pharmaceuticals) as much as
we can.
Contrary to popular belief, revolution can be good for our health!
Stress, contamination of food air and water supply, global warming, alienation,
not to mention the police batons .... capitalism is bad for us in lots
of different ways, and it is the end result of several millennia of patriarchy,
with its drive to enslave the body and stifle desire. Come and celebrate
the innate human instinct to heal ourselves and others, often persecuted
and hindered, but never crushed. There will be a variety of workshops
and therapies on offer, including shiatsu, aromatherapy, massage, ear
acupuncture, radical yoga, herbal medicine, women's health, the politics
of madness, and more, in a chilled out atmosphere and beautiful venue,
and yes it's all free. Open at about 11 am; hopefully there will be some
food, but bring your own or to share if you can.
If we can heal ourselves we can help others heal themselves, and together
we can heal our society and our planet.
Venue : London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1.
Details below (further details tba):
Sports massage - 5pm
radicalyoga - free yoga classes with opportunities for discussion,
practice and meditation. You will be very welcome to participate…wearing
loose clothing, bring a happy heart, an empty stomach and an open mind.
4:30pm-7pm – London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street,
E1
Throughout the Week
A temporary Social Centre, will host many of the
workshops, in addition to many other events. ofind out more about the
social centre, go
to social centres page>>>
