Weekly round-up blog: 2 November
2 November 2012: The week around the web and upcoming actions, with Izzy Koksal
The No Dash For Gas activists who occupied two chimneys of the UK's newest gas fired power station on Monday are still up there almost a week on. This morning 8 came down from one of the chimneys in order to preserve supplies for the remaining 6. You can follow their antics on their twitter and facebook sites. These social media savvy folk have also been making youtube videos of life up on the chimney. Ewa Jasiewicz explains why they're up there and Danny's blog also gives some good arguments against the dash for gas, however, Tory minister John Hayes comments this week on wind turbines – 'enough is enough' – also sums up quite nicely the need for more direct action like this.
Meanwhile, in Bristol, Boris Johnson was being followed by people shouting 'Tory Scum' at him. He turned around and meekly responded with 'Lefty Tossers' – but his heart wasn't really in it. This is a joy to watch and we need more of it.
In other street politics video news, the team behind The Revolution will be Televised have taken on promoting Barclay's food speculation to passers-by. Turns out that most people think profiting from others people's hunger is not a good idea. Armed police turn up
This week saw the conclusion of the Fortnum and Mason appeal with 5 people having their appeals accepted whilst the other 4 had their conviction for 'intent to intimidate' upheld. How the law decided that 5 people entered the shop in a non-criminal way whilst the other 4 people's entry was criminal...Alfie and Zak's retrial continued this week with a heavy police presence around the protest in support of Alfie and Zak and a heavy police presence inside the court room intimidating the supporters.
A local community and supporters are resisting the attempt by Lambeth council to sell off their co-operative housing. The irony of the self-declared 'co-operative council' attempting to destroy a co-operative project has clearly been lost on the council. Housing struggles like these are emerging everywhere as the attack on our right to shelter intensifies. In the context of this housing crisis, other, more communal ways of living 'look increasingly sensible' Owen Hatherley argues.
Finally, here is an interesting and useful analysis of the English Defence League and the response of the left.
Events and actions
Lindela Figlan from Abahlali baseMjondolo speaking at various locations across the UK
Ending this Saturday 'Noam Chomsky quotes: an exhibition of letterpress prints by Adam Burton' at 201/ Unit 3, Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9NQ
National Union of Students Activism Conference 2012, Saturday 3rd November, Goldsmiths, London
Justice for cleaners: Militant mobilisation against MITIE at the Tower of London, 1pm, Saturday 3rd November.
Anti-workfare protests will be happening in Brighton, Leeds, and Kilburn this Saturday. See here for more details.
Capitalism is Crisis: Another World Is Possible, 11am, Sunday 4th November, Ashbee Hall inside Toynbee Hall, 28 Commerical Street, London, E1 6LS
Liverpool City Council Budget Cuts Protest, 4pm, Wednesday 7th November, Liverpool Town Hall
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
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
Meet Red Pepper’s new co-editor, Michelle Zellers Michelle Zellers introduces herself, her reasons for wanting to be part of Red Pepper and her hopes for its future
Bedroom tax: Lessons in morality from Iain Duncan Smith Kara Moses reflects on the experience of protesting at the Tory minister’s mansion – and offers a glimpse of the luxury he enjoys while lecturing us about ‘fairness’
Reviewing the NHS – speaking ill of the dead Junior doctor Paul Teed says patient satisfaction surveys give an illusion of ‘choice’ in the NHS – but bad reviews don’t create more capacity or employ more staff
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
Jeremy Hardy thinks… about the right to exist 'We’d all say a person has a right to a home, but we wouldn’t say their home has rights.'
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