The Red Pepper round-up: 26 October
26 October 2012: The week around the web and upcoming actions, with Izzy Koksal
Last Saturday’s march saw hundreds of thousands march against austerity in London, Glasgow, and Belfast – but there was a conspicuous absence of anger. Aaron Peters and Hannah Forbes Black reflect on the day asking what has happened to our anger and do we really want a future of work.
Whilst rage may not have manifested itself on Oct 20th it is no doubt there and will no doubt be intensified. This week, the government introduced even more punitive benefit sanctions that could see someone lose their Job Seekers Allowance for 3 years. Steven digs out research by the DWP itself which shows the impact of the previous sanction regime. Claimants were forced to miss meals and stopped using electricity and heating.
The privatisation-of-everything project is unravelling though. This week 300 GPs resigned from Virgin Care. As Dr. Eoin Clarke reports, this ‘destroys any hopes Virgin Care have of winning various chunks of NHS services throughout England.’One private healthcare provider down...
Although the Cuts Cafe in London has closed its doors for now, their website is still a wonderful resource and is having lots material added to it. Videos, reports, and photos of some of the events will be uploaded, so keep an eye on it. Cuts Cafe is a do-it-yourself project, so if you are keen to set something up where you are, then get in touch with them.
The London Queer Social Centre - House of Bragg - is another brilliant project in south London. It’s looking like they might be evicted soon, but they’re on the search for a new venue to keep the project going. To understand the true nature of the ‘law enforcers’ take a read of the House of Bragg’s recent experiences.
Actions and events
Hardest Hit – Fight Cuts to Disability Benefits – March and Rally, 10.30am, Saturday 27th October, assembling at Bigg Market, Newcastle
Anarchist bookfair 10am-7pm, Saturday 27th October, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS
Plan C London General Assembly, 6.30pm, Tuesday 30th October, Centre for Possible Studies, 21 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HR
This blog hopes to provide a small platform for us share our work as so much good stuff can get lost or missed in the blogosphere - send me your links so I can add them to next week’s! @IzzyKoksal
Dawkins vs democracy Leigh Phillips looks at Richard Dawkins’ proposal to put scientists instead of bishops in the House of Lords
The Spark of learning Morten Thaysen Laurberg previews a week of workshops, skill shares, organising, and talks in London in the lead up to the G8
Right-to-buy in the great rip-off economy On the Woodberry Down estate in Hackney, all the council homes are being demolished in a £1billion regeneration project. It is a perfect illustration of why we have such a housing shortage says Koos Couvée
Fasting to support Guantanamo Bay hunger strikers We spoke to Maya Evans during her fast over the weekend in solidarity with Guantanamo Bay hunger-strikers
A new party of the left comes one step closer Salman Shaheen of Left Unity, the group supporting Ken Loach’s call for a new left party in Britain, reports from its first national meeting
Diary of a ‘wannabe MP’: local elections, UKIP and the left Davy Jones is Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown at the next general election and a member of Red Pepper’s board. This is the second of a series of regular blogs on his campaign
South Africa’s poor resist home attacks Amid Britain's decision to cut aid for South Africa by 2015, Caroline Elliot hears from poor shack dwellers who vow to resist the destruction of their homes.
Open House begins this weekend in London A nine-day event bringing together people facing the housing crisis across London to organise and take action around our collective housing needs
Call to protect Colombian human rights defender On 10 October 2012, a man pushed a gun into the chest of Alfamir Castillo and told her that both she and her lawyer were going to die.
Beyond the Fragments is more than history The book was part of challenging the left's methods of organisation, writes Alice Robson - and that struggle continues today as it is republished
Confronting the Climate Crisis: Graham Petersen interview On Saturday 8 June the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group is holding a conference bringing together climate scientists, trade unionists and environmental activists. Red Pepper's environment editor Kara Moses speaks to Graham Petersen, UCU environment and Greener Jobs Alliance co-ordinator
Tapping the resistance in Greece A combination of opposing privatisation and putting forward practical alternatives is helping water campaigners mount an effective challenge to austerity in Greece. Hilary Wainwright reports
The seven faces of Michael Gove Mike Peters looks at how the Tory education secretary uses the words and ideas of the left to win support for his policies
The Brighton pay dispute: the union view GMB union organiser Rob Macey puts the workers' side of the argument
The pay dispute at Brighton council: a Green view Davy Jones, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown, gives his view of a dispute that has caused huge debate among Green Party members in the city and across the country
Red Pepper is a magazine of political rebellion and dissent, influenced by socialism, feminism and green politics. more »
Get a free sample copy of Red Pepper
The UK's leading supplier of Fair Trade products
Get our email newsletter, with news, offers, updates and competitions.
Become a Friend of Red Pepper
Help keep Red Pepper afloat with a regular donation
Watch films online
See free trailers and support Red Pepper by streaming the full films:
Cocaine Unwrapped
The War You Don't See
44-48 Shepherdess Walk, London N1 7JP
+44 (0)20 7324 5068
office[at]redpepper.org.uk