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 20^th 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 27^th October, assembling at Bigg Market, Newcastle

Anarchist bookfair 10am-7pm, Saturday 27^th October, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS

Plan C London General Assembly, 6.30pm, Tuesday 30^th 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