Showing posts with label IWW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IWW. Show all posts

Saturday 4 April 2015

Bairns Not Bombs, Glasgow.

 
       Glasgow's Scrap trident march on Saturday April 4th, was a very well attended affair. I'm no mathematician, but I put the attendance around the two thousand mark. The march was a colourful affair with an array of banners from different groups around the country, from Stirling to Ayrshire to Edinburgh and more. There was the ECAP banner, (Edinburgh Campaign Against Poverty) IWW, peace camps, CND, Scottish Socialist Party, and a Black and Red anarchist flag. There were literally hundreds of Bairns not Bombs placards, which I think encapsulates the mind set of the Scottish people.


FILE0012 from ann arky on Vimeo.








Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Tuesday 3 March 2015

Workers Know Your History, Death On The Picket Line.


      Last March, at the start of the 30th. anniversary of the 1984/85 miners strike, Spirit of Revolt, along with Clydeside IWW and Glasgow Anarchist Collective, co-sponsored  a talk in Glasgow, by Dace Douglass. After the talk, Dave asked if we had any knowledge of a recording of The Ballad of Freddie Mathews. Freddie Mathews was a Hatfield miner who was killed while on the picket line.
      Sadly we drew a blank, nobody seemed to know of a recording, so I approached Alun Parry and asked if he could make a recording. This he done, and he will be performing it at the Hatfield Colliery Gala in Doncaster, later this month.
       Thanks Alun. Settle down and enjoy a tale from working class history and struggle.


After almost a year of bitter and brutal struggle, the strike ended on March 3rd. 1985.


Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Saturday 27 December 2014

An Injury To One----!!!

       Divide and rule has always been the strategy of the rich and powerful, and the politically aware individuals among the ordinary people, have always called for unity in our struggle to combat the continuing onslaught against our conditions.
       However we are stuck in the past if we see the struggle on a national scale, calling for unity against our national government, as if that would solve the problem. It is not, and never has been a national struggle, it is an international struggle. The powers that be, will still use the same tactic of divide and rule but they work on a pan-European, pan-world scale. As we struggle with the austerity attack here in the UK, the exact same thing is going on across Europe, and elsewhere in the world.
 
      Our struggles are replicated across the world, but our babbling brook of bullshit, the mainstream media, doesn't give much cover to these struggles. Ireland for example where recently 100,000 people took to the streets in the continuing struggle against water charges. Or in Belgium, where a strike on December 15, across public and private sectors, brought thousands onto the streets in several areas across Belgium, bring the country to a standstill.
     We in each of the countries of Europe should see these struggles as our struggles and organise accordingly. An injury to one is an injury to all, is not a national slogan, it is a basic philosophy of all the ordinary people battling under the repressive capitalist system. We, here in the UK, should be organising in support of the Irish and the Belgium people. Likewise these countries should be involved in supporting our struggles here. Our unity is unbeatable, as small groups, they are, and will continue to, kick the shit out of us.
       Finance and corporate power doesn't recognise national borders as they attack the ordinary people, why should we the people, recognise these borders, in our struggle for justice?
 
      A European country in crisis. Men in black come to the rescue. With the complicity of the national government, they impose painful measures on the population. Men in black never forget to be nice to their friends, so the measures include a provision to privatize public water services. As a reaction, massive citizen’s mobilizations take place. The story sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
     We have already experienced this situation in Greece, and just a few months ago, Greek citizens won the battle, and water will remain in public hands. Now history repeats itself, and the struggle against water privatization and commodification is at boiling point in Ireland.
Continue reading:
On the Belgium strike:


     To understand the events, the political context should be pointed out. In Belgium, the attacks against workers have been going on for 25 years coming governments in which the social democrats participate. After the long political crisis following the 2010 , marked by the victory in Flanders of the NVA, the SP Prime Minister estimated that “to save the country” it had to step up these attacks, so that the Flemish traditional right could beat the neoliberal-nationalists and that the coalition with social democracy could be continued.
     This policy - which cost the workers the trifling sum of 20 billion Euros - was a terrible fiasco. Last May, the return of the coalition seemed the most likely option. But, to general surprise, the French-speaking Liberal party, put into the saddle by the Palace, formed a homogeneous rightwing coalition with the Flemish Christian Democrat , the Flemish Liberals and the NVA. This latter agreed to keep quiet on its separatist , in return for an ultra-neoliberal program.
Continue Reading:
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

 




Tuesday 23 September 2014

The Miners Strike In Glasgow.

      Wednesday evening Dave Douglas will be in Glasgow talking about the 1984/85 miners strike, a monumental class struggle that showed just how far the state will go to crush any working class resistance. It was the Thatcher era, the cull on the working class.
      Come along to the Fred Paton Centre, 19 Carrington St., G4 9AJ at 7pm and hear first hand experience of this legendary struggle, from a miner who was there and felt the wrath of the Thatcher state, come along and add your stories, ask questions, learn about your history. There will also be stalls and displays. an interesting and informative evening is guaranteed, and it is free.
     Carrington Street is between Great Western Road and West Princes Street, near St George's Cross, Glasgow.
      Dave talks in a Channel 4 special about what Thatcher meant to him: stoking a fire of donated old shoes just to keep his family warm through the winter.




Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Thursday 18 September 2014

Dump The Bosse Off Our Backs.


       Election day in the Scottish independence referendum, if it is a yes vote, let's hope that it is just the first step, for the next step, Utah Phillips pointed the way.


Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Monday 23 June 2014

New Forms Of Workers Organisation.


     Thanks to City Strolls for this, also thanks to Glasgow Anarchist Federation, Clydeside IWW, Spirit of Revolt, and Radical Independent Bookfair for sponsoring and organising this valued discussion. A book launch and talk/discussion, by Immanuel Ness on new forms of workers organisations held in Glasgow on Wednesday 18 June at the Fred Paton Centre.


Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Saturday 3 May 2014

May 4th. Glasgow's (Sanctioned) May Day.

 Glasgow May 1st. 2012.
First posted on Glasgow Anarchist Federation:

Radical Workers Bloc of Mayday March
Sunday, May 4 at 11:30am

South West corner of George Square (opposite Greggs) Clydeside IWW will be assembling to take part in the STUC post-mayday march, and welcome any radical workers to join them on the march itself, and then for an informal social after the march in Mono (10-12 King’s Court, King Street, G1 5RB).
Information on the origins of Mayday: http://www.iww.org/history/library/misc/origins_of_mayday

 ***ALSO***
Queer-Trans-Feminist-Sex Worker- LGB and more… Bloc
Sunday, May 4 at 11:30am

George Square
Lets walk with our colleagues, co-workers, community members in solidarity for ALL workers’ rights and against austerity. Against transphobia, sexism, homophobia and all discriminations; for sex workers’ rights! – join us!
**********
Mono Baby Disco
Sunday, May 4 at 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Mono Cafe Bar 10-12 King’s Court, King Street, G1 5RB
This Sunday MONO BABY DISCO!
A fun-time wiggle for babies, toddlers and early schoolers with resident DJ Sci-fi Steven (Bis). Come along!
Recommended donation £1 if you can.
MONO BABY DISCO is on the first Sunday of every month.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk




Tuesday 29 April 2014

Glasgow May Day.






       May Day, May 1st. there will be a gathering of like minded people on Thursday 1st May, from 12:30, in Buchanan Street opposite Gordon Street. People who believe that May Day should be celebrated on May Day, not some convenient day that wont upset commerce. 



        So if you also believe that the ordinary people should gather and indulge in fun, banter, catch up with friends and celebrate workers day, labour day, May day, on the proper day, then come on down and join them. 



      There you will meet Clydeside IWW supporters, members of Glasgow Anarchist  Federation, Glasgow Solnet Network, among others. buy papers, get leaflets, chat, ask questions, add your comments and thoughts on what is happening to your world, make contacts, join a group. It's your day, come and join us.






Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Saturday 11 January 2014

Workers Know Your History, Bread And Roses,1912.


    
      We can pick a year, a month, a week, a day, and there will be a workers struggle to remember. Some short snap revolts, other long planned and organised battles for decency in our lives, and for justice. Some explode into the public consciousness, others, just a whisper in somebody's heart.
    This year the 11th. January marks the 102nd. anniversary of one well organised struggle on the other side of the world, in the textile mills of Massachusetts, USA. The Bread and Roses strike 1912.
    The trust and solidarity required to mount a successful strike was not magically born on January 11 and 12, 1912, when workers walked off the job due to a reduction in their pay. Some 20 active foreign-language chapters of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) were present in the city for at least five years. IWW organizer James P. Thompson stated in the October 1912 issue of Solidarity: "It is absolutely foolish to say the strike 'happened without any apparent cause'; 'that it was lightning out of a clear sky,' etc. As a matter of fact, it was a harvest, it was a result of seeds sown before. . . "
Read the full article HERE:

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Monday 16 December 2013

Student Protest Is Back!!



      Student protest is back, claims an article in popularrestance. Well I hope it is, but that is not enough, protests have to be across the spectrum of society. Those who are hurting must organise and fight back, the low paid, the unemployed, the disabled, pensioners, single parents, they are all being attacked by the "austerity" measures, they are all hurting, they are all being wounded by the attacks of this millionaire corporate cabal we refer to as the government. As the IWW would say, an injure to one is an injury to all. Each group has to join with the other groups, and support each other, solidarity is a winning weapon. To borrow one of their slogans, "we're all in this together", but it against them, drivers of the corporate greed machine.

Students at University of London march through the streets of Bloomsbury as they continue their Cops Off Campus campaign. (file photo)
Students at University of London march through the streets of Bloomsbury as they continue their Cops Off Campus campaign. 

From popularresistance.org
       In 1967, the London School of Economics suspended two students for taking part in demonstrations. The harsh treatment of the duo inspired their peers to hold a sit-in protest and a boycott of lectures. Within weeks, the suspensions were lifted. This began a decade-long student movement that took on social injustice at every turn. Protesting racism, US foreign policy and a whole host of other issues went hand-in-hand with studying in the UK.
     Fast-forward 46 years. The University of Sussex suspends five students for their involvement an occupy-style campaign. University management refuse to release evidence of the disruption they have caused and the student body is moved to action. More protests are arranged, a petition is started, messages of support flood in from MPs and academics. Within less than two weeks, senior management buckles to the pressure and the students are reinstated – with a renewed confidence that they can stand up to authority and force through change.
Student protest is back.
Read the full article HERE:
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Monday 9 December 2013

Glasgow, Police Helicopters And Accidents.



      Like many, many people across the country I have been deeply moved and saddened by the loss of life and the injuries from the recent tragic accident of the helicopter crash onto the roof of the Clutha in Glasgow. Everybody accepts it was an horrific accident, but like all accidents, we have to carefully analyse the events and attempt to guarantee that this will never happen again. I have no doubt that the experts will point to some mechanical failure, but there are other aspects that must be looked at, for example, why are there low flying helicopters over dense urban areas? This was the second police helicopter crash in Glasgow, that's two too many.
    I received this from an IWW member and I whole heartedly endorse the contents. 
 Ground Surveillance Helicopters – Permanently!
      The Clutha Vaults tragedy on 29th November touched so many. It killed 6 pub users and injured many others, physically and emotionally. It happened because of the increasing practice, of low-flying helicopters being used in dense urban areas. We are mourning the dead, some like John McGarrigle immortalised in print.
    But “an injury to one is an injury to all “, as the wobbly slogan puts it. From mourning we should take the step to organise to highlight, oppose, and demand the end to the use of helicopters in this way.
Helicopters are used to convey the sick and injured – but that is a different use from that of the Police. How many of us have got up from our sofa to be met by a bright light, like a searchlight, barely clearing our tenements and houses/
    The Clutha had a great reputation as a haven for radical & literary ideas, for poetry and live music. But in addition to commemoration, or rebuilding the Clutha/ we can add our opposition to the use of surveillance helicopters This is not to blame the pilot, but to identify the practice, and the record of accidents and near misses associated with this practice/ As with other aspects of the creeping surveillance State – we ask , what are they useful for, and to who?
Campaign to put an end to their use, this winter of discontent!
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk



Tuesday 19 November 2013

Workers Know Your History, Joe Hill.



      An anniversary worth remembering, a fighter for his class, November 19, 1915, Joe Hill was murdered by firing squad by the state. He was charged with murder but subsequent evidence proved he was innocent. Joe Hill was an organiser for the IWW and spent his short adult life fighting for justice for the ordinary people.

My will is easy to decide,
For there is nothing to divide.
My kin don't need to fuss and moan,
"Moss does not cling to a rolling stone."

My body? Oh, if I could choose
I would to ashes it reduce,
And let the merry breezes blow,
My dust to where some flowers grow.

Perhaps some fading flower then
Would come to life and bloom again.
This is my Last and final Will.
Good Luck to All of you,
Joe Hill




Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Sunday 3 November 2013

Workers, Remember Your History,--Kurt Gustav Wilckens.

      An anniversary we should celebrate, November 3 1886, saw the birth of Kurt Gustav Wilckens, warrior of the working class who dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom and justice for all people. Our history is written in the blood of such people, ordinary people who become giants. Our's is not the history of kings and empires, of greed for power, but a struggle for justice for all.
This from FlagBlackened:
     KURT GUSTAV WILCKENS was born 3 November 1886 at Bad Bramstedt in Schleswig-Holstein, close to the Danish border in Germany, one of the five sons of August Wilckens and Johanna Harms. Of average height with red hair and light blue eyes, he loved nature and hated cities. Starting work as a miner in Silesia, he emigrated at the age of 24 to the United States where he got work in the Arizona mines.
     In Arizona he became involved in the agitation of the revolutionary workers’ organisation, the Industrial Workers of the World (popularly known as the Wobblies). Wilckens took part in strikes and became an orator in the miners’ mass meetings, The IWW organised successfully among Mexicans and South Europeans, the lowest paid of the miners. As a result of the growing might of the miners in the Bisbee area, the local businessmen and scab miners organised into Loyalty Leagues. Early on 12 July 1916, 2000 Loyalty Leaguers commenced a round-up of miners. One miner shot dead a Loyalty leaguer in self-defence and was gunned down. There were robberies, vandalism, and beatings and abuse of women carried out by the Leaguers during the round-up. 1,186 men, including 104 Wobblies, among them Wilckens, were herded into cattle trucks and dumped across the border in the New Mexico desert. Wilckens, by now an anarchist as well as an IWW member, was interned in a camp for German prisoners. He escaped from there, was recaptured and deported to Germany in 1920 from where he departed to Argentina, arriving there in late September.
---
Read the full article HERE:

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk