Free Speech.

            I have just started reading "Free Speech and the Suppression of Dissent during World War1, by Eric T, Chester. This is a meticulously detailed book backed up by extensive research. It highlights the extent the state will use its apparatus, police, judiciary and military to stifle dissent, and how it will raise its level of suppression in times of war. Among other events, t he book draws attention the savage brutality used against IWW and peace campaigners during WW1. One interesting fact that I was unaware of was how the American state looked to the UK for methods of suppression, as they considered the UK to be a master at the devious art of suppression of dissent. This book is well worth reading, though it refers mainly to WW1, similar methods are still being used today with the added benefit to the state of modern surveillance technology. To understand their methods is a step to being able to counter them and defend what freedom of speech we have and perhaps one day bring about complete freedom of speech unfettered by state legislation.
        It is available from the usual online outlets and W. H. Smiths, prices vary according to where you make you purchase, so it pays to shop around.

Book Details:
Free Speech and the Suppression of Dissent during World War 1
Publisher: Monthly Review Press.
ISBN paper: 978-1-58367-868-8
ISBN cloth: 978-1-58367-869-5 

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info    

Black flag.

        Lots of people recognise the Black Flag, but not so many are aware of its origins or the thoughts behind the choice. It's a symbol that is unmistakably anarchists, but where did it come from?
        Maurice Dommanget, claims Louise Michel was among the first to announce the black flag as a symbol of the anarchist movement, though there is some evidence of the Black Flag being present at earlier revolts, riots and revolutionary actions. At the twelfth anniversary of the outbreak of the Paris Commune Louise Michel made speech stating;

“No more red flags, wet with the blood of our fighters. I will raise the black flag, in mourning for our dead—and for our illusions."

Newspaper coverage depicting Louise Michel at a rowdy demonstration on March 9, 1883.

       An excellent article on the history of the Black Flag here on Crimethinc: 

       In the first article in this newspaper, entitled “The Premier of the Black Flag: To Anarchists,” the editors spelled out their aspirations:

           Is there a need for a program when we take the title “The Black Flag” for our newspaper; are we not already indicating what our course of action will be? In taking this title, we were inspired by the local history of the city of Lyon, because it is on the heights of Croix-Rousse and Vaisse that the workers, driven by hunger, displayed it for the first time, as a sign of mourning and revenge, and thus made it the emblem of social demands. By taking this title, therefore, it means that we will always be on the side of the workers against the exploiters, on the side of the oppressed against the oppressors.
         It is a commitment that we will not fail, taking inspiration from the campaign that our predecessors started with The Social Duty, The Revolutionary Standard, and The Struggle; we will see The Black Flag fly at the front in the assault that the anarchists carry out against this corrupt old society, which is already trembling on its foundations; an organ of struggle and combat, The Black Flag will wage war on all the abuses, all the prejudices, all the vices, all the hypocrisies, which, under the name of social institutions, are currently joining forces to delay the fall of this rotten old world, which, left to its own devices, would soon collapse under the weight of its infamies.
         Supporters of absolute freedom, we will wage war on all those pseudo-liberals, makers of laws, who only understand freedom when it is well regulated, for we believe that freedom is only real if it is unhindered; we will wage war on laws, codes, judges, police officers, and all institutions, in the end, whose real goal is to restrict this freedom, which we proclaim so loudly, and to promote the exploitation of the masses by a privileged minority.

Tina Modotti, “Woman with Flag”—a photograph of a woman walking “with the black flag of the Anarcho-Syndicalists” in Mexico City in 1928.

Read the full article HERE: 

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

More Fair.

 

         Just a few more photos from Glasgow's Radical Fair, such a great fun and positive day, let's stop the closures.   

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

The Fair.

          Glasgow's Radical Fair went ahead in what was unusual weather for the Glasgow Fair, (second fortnight in July), the Glaswegians always expect it to rain during their annual holiday. However we had a wonderful sunny day and a good response, the Big Yin's boots proved very popular with passers by enjoying getting their photo taken wearing his big banana boots. Of course they all went away with some free literature in their hand. John MacLean managed a visit to show is disgust at the Glasgow City closures and the Bailie didn't look to happy about the comments on these savage cuts to the much need amenities in our fair city. We have to keep shouting loud and clear, we won't accept this harsh austerity being piled on the people of Glasgow, all to meet some financial Mafia's idea of economics.
       All in all a very pleasant and I think, productive event. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed being there.

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info 

Big Yin.

     

      Glasgow Wee Radical Fair on the Green is all set to go, so do pop along, we'll be there July 17th. from 1pm, stall, free literature and free Glasgow Keelie paper. A Bailie will be there for you to spout your anger at for all those Glasgow amenities closures. Come along and have your say. Jist ti gee's a wee helpin' haun we thought we wid call oan the "Big Yin". Come along and try his boots for a selfie.

Visit ann arky's home at:
http://strugglepedia.co.uk/index.php?title=Main_Page

Tomorrow.

          I, like many others have always stated that this pandemic, obviously a painful and devastating disaster to millions, is also the greatest opportunity we have had in generations to change the way we structure our society. As in all disasters, the human reaches out to help each other, and this one was no different. Mutual aid groups sprang up across the planet, people rallied to help each other without the thought of personal gain or profit, it worked and it felt good. As the pandemic seems to be receding across the planet, we mustn't let that feeling of community fade, we should foster it and struggle to make mutual aid the fabric of our communities. Grow the structure of coming together, see and feel the benefits of mutual aid, and use that structure to change the shape and fabric of our unequal, exploitative, profit driven and destructive society, to one that is sustainable and sees to the needs of all our people, mutual aid is the foundation of that better world we all seek. Mutual aid is humanity, humanity is mutual aid.

The following extract from It's Going Down:

           Report from Mutual Aid Disaster Relief about the massive and deadly impact on the coronavirus epidemic and the importance of continued mutual aid organizing.

        Starting in 2019/2020 and now continuing into the summer of 2021, global civil society is witnessing the biggest neoliberal disaster capitalist shock yet: COVID-19. Millions of people have been and continue to be killed by this unprecedented disaster. Like most catastrophes, those historically oppressed and least responsible for this pandemic are nevertheless those most impacted. The death toll is comparable in magnitude of lives lost to another World War.
         Every age has it’s kairos, those moments of possibility where the fate of humanity and all life on the planet hangs on the smallest of threads. What we choose to do or not do in these moments of twilight has the greatest of consequences. The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos was/is chronological or sequential time, while kairos signifies a moment of truth – the time for action – pregnant time. Similarly, crisis, in its etymology, is a turning point, a moment where there are multiple paths in front of us, and we must make choices on which path to walk. The Zapatistas, likewise, taught us about the crack in the wall:

        Most of the time the wall is a big marquee where “P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S” repeats over and over. But the Zapatista knows it’s a lie, that the wall was not always there. They know how it was erected, what its function is. They know its deception. And they also know how to destroy it.
        They are not fazed by the wall’s supposed omnipotence and eternity. They know that both are false. But right now, the important thing is the crack, that it not close, that it expand.

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

Keelie.

           Yes, its that time again, the latest issue of Glasgow's own pocket rocket of information and criticism the Glasgow Keelie is out. As usual packed with what is going on in our fair city, and behind those closed doors in the corridors of power in the Kremlin in George Square. You can grab yourself a copy at the Radical Glasgow Fair on Glasgow Green this Saturday, from 1pm. next to the People's Palace.

           The Glasgow Radical Fair on the Green this Saturday from 1pm will give you an opportunity to voice your opinion on the numerous closures of Glasgow's public amenities, libraries swimming pools etc. pick up interesting literature, including the Glasgow Keelie, it's free. come and just chat to those on the stall, let's hear your views on the Glasgow version of austerity and what it means to your community and as said before, meet our friend the Bailie.

 

       Also see let us know what you think of our wheel-of-fortune.

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info