Towards Anarchism.

        With the pandemic tapering off and austerity and unemployment facing the ordinary people, people will no doubt be looking for solutions to this onslaught of poverty. So we at Spirit of Revolt, thought that this month’s “Read of the Month” should perhaps point to one solution that is a possibility of solving our problems. It is another pamphlet from Errico Malatesta, "Towards Anarchism", from our John Cooper Collection, T/SOR-3-52-97.
      Have a read and perhaps delve into the multitude of pamphlets, booklets posters and other anarchist/libertarian socialist material we have on line, look, learn and act.

Read "Towards Anarchism" on line:

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk      

Our Kate.

          As usual the people at Kate Sharpley Library do a magnificent job in preserving and making available anarchist info and history, we at Spirit of Revolt, Archives of Dissent, take our hats off to them, as I'm sure lots of others will do likewise.  This latest bulletin is no exception, packed full of interesting info. Take a wee look.

2020

          Quite a lot has gone up on the website (and gone on in the world) since our last KSL Bulletin in September. We are not even thinking of trying to sum up our year. But we send you our good wishes and some anarchist history you might have missed.

Stuart Christie 1946-2020

Four months on, we’re still coming to terms with the fact it’s no good thinking ‘I must ask Stuart…’ John Barker, his friend and fellow defendant in the Stoke Newington Eight trial, has written a tribute: ‘I couldn’t stomach Bakunin and he Marx but when it came to the politics of the prison we acted as one. And something else, the great thing about Stuart as comrade and friend is that he was always cheerful and ready to make things both happen, and to work. […] With Stuart there was never any need to say, Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down.’
Read the rest of the tribute at https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/vhhpd8
 

Bob D’Attilio tribute from the KSL

For many years Robert (Bob) D’Atillio was an inexhaustible source of material on the Sacco and Vanzetti case. His loss is a tremendous one to those of us interested in the nuances of anarchist history. See https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/6wwrds
There’s a longer obituary by Luigi Botta at https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/vmcx9h
 

Other Anarchist Lives

Thoughts on Francesco Ghezzi
Francesco Ghezzi was an anarchist militant from Milan who was also active in France, Switzerland, Germany and Russia (and was imprisoned in the last three countries)…
On the 5 November 1937 Ghezzi was arrested for the final time. His case file records his frank replies to the secret police ‘I declare that I was and remain an anarchist, and that no one will change my convictions.’… (from the Gulag Anarchists blog) https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/fttgj8

Much more HERE:

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk    

Sparrows.

         It is always sad when a comrade dies, an action fades, a gap appears and memories flood in, but soon the action resurges, the gap is filled and the memories are cherished, that's the nature of anarchism. This from The Sparrows Nest, an archive, like Spirit of Revolt collects store and digitises the history of anarchists, anarchism and libertarian socialists history and literature, and makes it easily and freely available on the internet. I have no doubt the Sparrows nest  will miss Chris, but will continue from strength to strength doing what they do with a passion. 

 Sparrows Nest <sparrowsnestlibrary@gmail.com>

To sparrownews

Hello,

      With great sadness do we report on the death of our dear friend and comrade Chris Richardson, committed Socialist, proud fighter for LGBTQ+ liberation, accomplished historian and author of A City of Light. Chris was also a very generous and active supporter of the Sparrows’ Nest, and e.g. helped to compile our collections of local LGBTQ+ papers.

He is greatly missed.

       Please find his obituary on the website of People’s Histreh, and attached to this email.

       Chris’ life and legacy will not be forgotten anytime soon. Not only do so many people cherish vivid memories of him, he also left a rich trove of published and unpublished records. He is exactly the kind of person future students of history will stumble upon long after we have all gone too, just as he rediscovered so many amazing people and captured echoes of their lives and struggles. We will work to make those future historians’ work easier, and hope you can help them too.

        If you want to share any documents, photographs, audio andl/or visual records and not least your personal stories of Chris, please contact: info@thesparrowsnest.org.uk

       In light of the Covid-19 crisis, Chris’ partner Richard McCance and several close friends have decided to hold an event celebrating Chris’ life at a time when people can get together again without undue risk.

      If you wish to take part in the preparations or to be kept up to date with those plans, please contact: info@thesparrowsnest.org.uk

Thank you and stay safe

A Sparrow

Sparrows Nest <sparrowsnestlibrary@gmail.com>
to sparrownews

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk   

Glasgow Green.

        A month or so ago, Spirit of Revolt put up a new film, made by one of our members, on the history on Glasgow Green. Sadly I made a few mistakes in posting it, and it had to be pulled down. It is now back up and is well worth a viewing. A Radical History on Glasgow Green plots a trail of events that tie the Green to the hearts, folklore and history of the people of Glasgow, how it shaped them and they shaped it. A valuable trip through some of Glasgow's history and that of the ordinary people, a heritage of which we should never lose sight and be very proud.

 View the film HERE:

  https://spiritofrevolt.info/radical-history-on-glasgow-green/

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Anarchist Agitators.

          Spirit of Revolt, like other groups, has seen its activities curtailed somewhat due to this Covid19 pandemic. However we  can still function at some level and one of those is our "Read of the Month" feature.  For August “Read of the Month” we have chosen a booklet from our Bratach Dubh Collection, Anarchist Agitators: Information and correspondence organ of the Social-Revolutionary Anarchist Federation. This is issue 50, we have several other issues of this serial which you can read at Bratach Dubh Collection T-SOR-5-1-17. which run from 1976-1986. Enjoy.

Anarchist Agitators: Read on Line

  

   While at our website, why not browse and see what other gems we hold, all there for you to read and perhaps learn from, you could give us a wee feed back of what you think. Perhaps you have some material of your own that you would like to see get a good home, send us an email from our contact page. 

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk 

Our Mistakes.

         History is never dead, it tells us how we got where we are, it lets us see where we went wrong, it should teach us how not to make the same mistakes again. Sadly we don't always see those mistakes and also the powers that be will do what they can to conceal, distort or destroy those parts of history that might point to ways and means of getting rid of their power and privileges. The true history of the ordinary people is a history of perpetual struggle for justice and equality, a struggle that still continues today. Let's learn and spread our history so that we don't again repeat those mistakes.

The following is an extract from Orgrad, Organic Radicals:

       The spring of 1649 was a time of unprecedented hope for the people of England. Civil war had turned to revolution, King Charles I had lost his head and a republic had been declared.
      The victorious “roundhead” parliamentary army which had defeated the royalist “cavaliers” was heavily imbued with the radical ideas of the Levellers and at St George’s Hill in Surrey a little group of rural rebels were setting out to reclaim the land as a “common treasury for all”. (1)
        But the hope did not last and the moment turned out to be the high water mark of popular revolt. The agitators of the New Model Army were crushed at Burford by Oliver Cromwell’s cronies, the Diggers were attacked and evicted from their squatted land and “law and order” were restored. Eventually, of course, the monarchy came back as well, albeit in “constitutional” guise.
        Instead of becoming a country of free men and women, growing their own food and deciding their own destinies, England became the birthplace of liberal capitalism.
         The tyranny of privilege maintained by the old Stuart regime had not been ended, simply transferred into new hands.
     Popular anger against feudal hierarchy had been harnessed by the entrepreneurial and banking classes to get rid of all those inconvenient old-fashioned barriers to trade and money-making.
        Once the people had played their revolutionary role, and the old regime was gone, they became the enemy within and had to be quickly be put back in their place before things went too far.
        The essence of this commercial coup d’état is nicely symbolised by the fact that a lavish feast was laid on for Cromwell by the City of London to celebrate his crushing of the radicals at Burford. (2)
        By the first decades of the next century, Merrie England had already been replaced by the kind of society that is all too familiar today.

The Bank of England.

Read the full article HERE:

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Radical Map.

     As there was quite a fair bit of interests on my recent post on Glasgow's radical history pack, I thought I would put up this little piece my work on Glasgow's radical history. Hoping that it might help feed your appetite in that subject matter. Enjoy.

Just click on the link and learn and enjoy.

http://radicalglasgow.me.uk/?page_id=33

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Treason.

         Whilst we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Spirit of Revolt volunteers, like so many others, have been working from home when and where possible. Our archivist, Paula, is beavering away on a laptop at home, others are trawling through our catalogue to see where we can find improvements, and of course being another month, we can’t forget our “Read of the Month”.

        For April we have chosen, Treason: Against the State. No. 7  a 1981 pamphlet from our Bratach Dubh Collection.  

       These are trying times and with the confined to barracks regime in place at the moment, perhaps you are looking for something interesting to do. Well why don’t you spend some time perusing our catalogue, there are thousands of articles, papers, pamphlets, booklets, etc. to read your hours away, at the same time learning something about our history, the history from below, the history the ordinary people in their day to day struggles for that better world for all. With today’s conditions what better time to start to think of how we can change the system to one that benefits us all. Happy reading, stay safe.

Treason: Read on line

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

People's Global Action.

      Spirit of Revolt‘s February “Read of the Month” is from our KM Collection and is called, Peoples Global Action. Worldwide Resistance Round-up. UK Edition. Bulletin No. 5. A little look into what was and is still happening here and in other parts of the world. Our archive is full of these rare and fascinating publications, with thousands already digitised and on our website for you to read in the comfort of your home, pub, cafe or wherever. There are heaps of documents, pamphlets, publications, personal letters and a myriad of other artifacts, etc. that help paint a truer picture of the struggles of the ordinary people in their desire for that better world for all. Why not pay us a visit, delve into our contents and enjoy and perhaps learn. Also we are still growing and welcome material on people’s struggles that is not associated with political parties or trade unions.
      Any queries, questions or ways in which you can become involved, you can contact us via our Contact Form, or email us at info@spiritofrevolt.info

Read on line:

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

SoR Stall For You.

        As usual, folks at Spirit of Revolt have been busy, doing all the things necessary to keep the Archive growing and accessible to the public. We have also been busy at trying to reach out to all you friendly folks. Two events that we will be having a stall at in our attempt bring your history to you, and you to your history.

       First up will be our stall at the Workers Theatre Group,  www.workerstheatre.co.uk February 15th. Ceilidh, 8:00pm, Pollokshaws Burgh Hall doors open about 7:30pm. where we will have info about Spirit of Revolt Archive, leaflets, books, CDs, T-shirts, badges, etc, plus info on how you can get involved, along with friendly chat. Why not come along and have a chat with us before you dance your heart out.

        The next event that we will take part in is The Dundee Anarchist Bookfair, March 14th. 2020. dundeeanarchistbookfair.org. Again we will have a stall with lots of interesting “stuff” plus the usual friendly members on hand to give info and friendly chat.

       Both events are well worth supporting, come along, have fun, meet old friends, make new friends, gather info, network.

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Spirit of Revolt, More Digitised Collections.

      The volunteers at Spirit of Revolt are as always busy trying to bring the people to the archive, and bring our history to the people. We are delighted to state that two more of our collections have been fully digitised and therefore you can now read them from the comfort of your home, library, cafe, etc. No need to make you way into the Mitchell Library to do so. Though you will always be made welcome should you wish to visit us at the Mitchell.

The two collections are:

GB243 T/SOR/23 Collection No. 23, Clydeside Hunt Saboteurs.

GB243 T/SOR/35 Collection No. 35, Shirley Sampson Collection.

      Enjoy perusing these wonderful and informative collections from the comfort of your home. Of course there is a wealth of information already digitised on our website, so you could spend endless hours in that comfy chair trawling through the thousands of documents, leaflets, booklets, posters, letters, photos etc. all from grassroots activities in your local Glasgow/Clydeside area, with lots from further afield. Have a look and let's know what you think. 

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk 

Spirit of Revolt's Workers City.

       Spirit of Revolt's latest Show and Tell FREE event is, from the feed back, looking like a very popular event. The line up of speakers is a roll-call of some of Glasgow's well known names, most of whom were involved in that wonderful event from the 1990's, Workers City, which was a counter organisation to Glasgow's European City of Culture. It highlighted that other culture, that of the ordinary people of the city and further afield.

     A lot has changed in our city since 1990, so this is a not-to-be-missed, event to remember the past, but also to see and assess where we are in today's culture of the ordinary people of our city.

     Approximately two weeks to go, so mark your diaries, tie a knot in your fingers, so as not to forget, keep that slot free, so that you can learn about the enthusiastic and radical thoughts and actions of that time, enjoy the open discussion, add your piece and take part as you please. See you there. 

Details:

FREE event,

12noon-2:00pm.

Monday, 16th. September, 2019,

Blythswood Room,

5th. floor,

Mitchell Library, G3 7DN.

 

 

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Glasgow Workers City Free Event.

       It is getting closer, mark your diary, it is only a few weeks away, Spirit of Revolt's Show and Tell. Our regular free event held in the Mitchell Library, where we show case a particular section of the archive, and where the public can have a look at the material ask questions, etc. This is followed by an open discussion, this session will be on the subject of Glasgow's Workers City, a series of events that ran counter to Glasgow's European City of Culture 1990. Some members of the Workers City group will be in the audience, to say their piece and answer questions, the discussion will be opened by Workers City member Tommy Kayes. This should prove to be a very interesting and informative lunch break. Also members of Spirit of Revolt will be on hand to answer any questions you may wish to raise regarding this archive.

Details of Workers City FREE event:

Monday, September 16th.
12 noon-2:00pm.
The Blythswood Room,
Level 5, Mitchell Library,

Glasgow, G3 7DN. 

 

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Be Proud Of Our History, And Carry It Forward.

      History tells us that the struggle of the ordinary people has always been the only means by which they gain anything in the quality of life. To date this struggle has been endless, and will continue to be so until we finally take control of our own lives, free from the throttling and exploitative hand of state and capitalism. 

      The people of Glasgow have a rich and varied history of struggle through the ages, and that struggle still continues. We should remember those who took up the baton before us, we owe them much, and we should be proud to take up that baton of struggle today, it is our only way to a free and just society.

      To the memory of those valiant working class warriors of the past I will repeat a post I wrote in March 2015, I think it is important that we realise that today's problems are not something new, but are part of that same struggle our forefathers fought and we continue today, a struggle for a just society.

Workers Know Your History, Glasgow 1848 Food Riots.

   The citizens of Glasgow have always been a rebellious bunch, like other large cities across the UK, they have been involved in a long struggle to improve their conditions, and sometimes that struggle has been bitter and violent. You could say Glasgow has been a City of Rebellion, from the union in 1706, we had anti-union riots, and many more after that, some being violently put down, there was the 1725 Malt Tax riots, Feb 1800 crowds breaking into shops, and the troops called to quell their anger, 1812 the weavers strike, and so it goes on, with other protests and riots in between. However, today March 6th. marks the 167th, anniversary of the Glasgow food riots, back then society hadn't the safety valve of "food banks".

     The trouble started when the mass unemployed were expecting some sort of handout of provisions, which never materialised. The angry and starving crowds started marching through the main streets in the city centre, smashing their way into food shops, and went further, starting breaking into gun shops. The entire city centre came to a standstill all business closed. By now the starving angry and armed crowds were covering the city centre marching and shouting, "bread or revolution". 

     The authorities read the "riot act", the crowds were spreading into other districts of the city, breaking in to any food shop they came across. The city fathers called on more troops troops from Edinburgh. March 7th. crowds again gather in Bridgeton, a young boy threw something at the troops and was arrested. However the crowd were not having that, stormed the troops and rescued the young boy. It was then that Police Superintendent, a Captain Smart, gave the order to open fire, in the ensuing minutes, five of the crowd were shot, also a police officer was shot in the cross fire. For some days after this event crowds still lined the streets, however every public office in the city was securely guarded by troops.

       And so the struggle goes on, the rent strike 1915, the Upper Clyde work-in, 1971/72. In between the bitter and sometime violent struggles we have had an endless catalogue of smaller battles, but never the less important, and part of our history, a history that proves that it is only the ordinary people who carry forward this struggle for a better world for all, against an elite of rich and powerful, that will do their damnedest to hold on to their privileged position. So let's not forget those who challenged that elite, at times with great personal sacrifice and on occasions, death.

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Just A Few More Photos.

 

        At the risk of being a bore, but Saturday's Spirit of Revolt Showcase, was an excellent, fascinating and informative exhibition, so I'll just hit you with a few more photos. I promise I will shut up on this one after this post.

 

So mark your diary for Spirit of Revolt's next free event Glasgow' Workers' City.


         Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk