Privatisation Equals Enclosures.

         It is sad that here we are in the 21st. century, still angry at the inequality, still complaining about being ripped off by our "betters" and at best most groups want to tinker with the system to make it a little bit fairer. A brief look at history tells you that all the reformers up to the present day have done nothing to change that inequality and injustice. Today the rich are richer than ever before, while the poor struggle to stave off deprivation. When will we ever learn.

        It's not as if we have been unaware of the injustice we live under, it has been recorded and catalogued in song and poem, and in the history of the struggles of the ordinary people, but still there is this sad belief, that reform, after centuries of failure, somehow will deliver. We have to wake up to the fact that capitalism cannot be reformed, under this system, any pittances won in struggle can and will be taken back at a later date, note the destruction of the hard won welfare state.

        How many more centuries will we allow our kids to be shackled to poverty, how many more centuries will we carry the burden of the parasitic rich on our backs, while we struggle for survival? The answer is in our own hands, we have the power, the ability, the means and the imagination to destroy this capitalist cancer that is devouring our world, all that is lacking is the will.

         This poem, by an unknown author from the 17th. century, highlights the awareness of injustice back then, but it still applies to our world today. The privatisation of the public assets today, is just a modern version of the enclosures of the past.

 

The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose off the common
But leaves the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from the goose.

The law demands that we atone
When we take things we do not own
But leaves the lords and ladies fine
Who takes things that are yours and mine.

The poor and wretched don’t escape
If they conspire the law to break;
This must be so but they endure
Those who conspire to make the law.

The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
And geese will still a common lack
Till they go and steal it back.

The book "Celebrating The Commons" can be downloaded free HERE:

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

The Commons Belong To The People.

Protect the commons wherever it is. 

From our friends on the east coast.

      For seven years local people have worked to keep Portobello Park free from development by the City of Edinburgh Council. In September 2012, the Court of Session confirmed that the Park is inalienable common good land and that it cannot be used as the site of the new Portobello High School.

     Despite the Council having identified alternative suitable brownfield sites for the new school, they are now trying to use the Scottish Parliament to give them permission to build on the Park through a Private Bill. If successful, this Bill could set a precedent for other councils to use this route to obtain permission to circumvent common good protection, putting common good land and open spaces across Scotland at risk.
      If you agree that building on green space should not be allowed when a brownfield alternative exists, and you are concerned about the implications of this Private Bill, please sign

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-green-space-across-scotland/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend

     Folk could also consider objecting to the private bill as we need as many folk across Scotland to do so.  It does cost £20 though! Representation is not cheap.  Here is a link to guidance for objectors:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/62502.aspx

      There is mention of adverse impact to people's interests and it seems to mention a list of points that look as though they are financial impacts but I think that even if people don't live in Portobello or Edinburgh it is acceptable to say that because of the fear of a precedent being set for other councils to follow that could affect other common good land and open spaces across Scotland, you have an interest in the bill as it could affect your local open spaces, adversely affecting your health and wellbeing, or something along those lines. If you do decide to object, can you let me know please as we would like to keep a tally of objections as far as we can.

Diana@dccairns.demon.co.uk

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The Commons And Common Goods.

     This land is our land, not a song but a statement of fact, in the words of the football pundit, "We wis robbed".

A reminder:
     Kinning Park Complex Sunday 26th May 2:00 - 5:00

There will be a small Radical Independent Bookstall at this event.


     ‘Show the people that our Old Nobility is not noble, that its lands are stolen lands – stolen either by force or fraud; show people that the title-deeds are rapine, murder, massacre, cheating, or court harlotry; dissolve the halo of divinity that surrounds the hereditary title; let the people clearly understand that our present House of Lords is composed largely of descendants of successful pirates and rogues; do these things and you shatter the Romance that keeps the nation numb and spellbound while privilege picks its pocket.’

Tom Johnston

INFO:
http://comglas.co.uk/the-commons-and-the-collective-imagination-gathering/#more-1660


Event Poster PDF
* the-commons.pdf (289 KB) hosted on Ubuntu One:
http://ubuntuone.com/123ne64QuAN8dhX07Rvwru

ann arky's home.

THE POP-UP SOCIAL CENTRE.

Pop-Up Social Centre Friday 10the February Kinning Park Complex

Urban Activism and the Commons (free entry)

6.30pm: Doors Open (Tea and Coffee and biscuits)

        7pm: Urban Activism and the Commons: This introduction to the evening attempts to dspel some of the myths surrounding common property in terms of what distinguishes it from private and public property and what rights we have in relation to it. By paying particular attention to ‘City Property (Glasgow) LLP’ (an Arm’s Length External Organization) the talk will also introduce the harsh reality for the future of both common and public property in our city if privatization is allowed to continue unchallenged.

       7.20pm: Kinning Park Complex: Given by a long-term and active participant in the Kinning Park Complex, this talk tells the remarkable story of the building thus far. This is a story of struggle, community solidarity and commitment in the face of powerful actors in local government and big business. Recent developments in the management of Glasgow’s property portfolio, would suggest that Kinning Park’s story is by no means over.

       7.40: Sustaining Activism over the Long Term: Towards the end of last year fellow activists from Glasgow and Edinburgh, along with likeminded folk from around Europe, took part in a week-long series of workshops in Northern Spain. These workshops were geared towards sustaining a commitment to social and environmental justice over the long-term. Some of those who attended the event invite you to participate in a workshop built around reflections of their experience.

       8.30pm: Film: The Garden – The 14 acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles was the largest of its kind in the United States. It was started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992. Since that time, members of south central’s community have created a green oasis in one of the country's most blighted urban neighborhoods. Growing their own food; feeding their families; creating a community. But now bulldozers threaten their oasis. The Garden is an unflinching look at the struggle between these urban farmers and the City of Los Angeles and a powerful developer who wants to evict them. Beer, softdrinks and pop-corn available throughout the duration of the film.

        9.45pm: Finished in time for last tube. Kinning Park tube station is directly across from Complex.

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