April 2009

Anarchism in Ireland - 1997 to 2007 - Video

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In 2007/8 WSM member Andrew Flood spent a total of 16 weeks touring North American and Canada, giving talks in 44 cities. The topic was 'Building a popular anarchism in Ireland' which involved a history of anarchist involvement in struggle from around 1997 to 2007. This video is formed from the audio of the talk and images of the anarchist movement in Ireland from the mid 1990's to the present day.

Tralee: Capitalism Is Failing ... Anarchism Is Fighting Back

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They got us into this mess but now they want us to pay the price for it too!

With the economic crisis now in full swing, anarchists are arguing for fundamental change and an end to capitalism. How can we achieve this and how should the new society be organised?

Dublin: Picket of Subway for sacking pregnant worker

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Natalia Szymanska, a young Polish woman was sacked from Subway in her fifth month of pregnancy on a dubious charge of being in breach of the company's health and safety policy. In response to this people across Ireland and Britain will be picketing local branches of Subway, in Dublin we will be picketing the branch at 47 Nassau Street Saturday 4th April from 12 - 2pm

Government attacks workers through hiring freeze in public sector

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In the latest round of attacks on ordinary workers in order to force us to pay for the crisis in capitalism the government had "declared a moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service with effect from 27th March". This is both yet another direct attack on public sector workers and an indirect attack on all workers as it means our access to health, education and other essential services will be further reduced.

Workers occupations spread at Visteon Plants.

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“Don’t wait for politicians and people high up in the unions- just do it yourself”, says Unite shop steward John McGuire.

Protests spread, as workers continue to occupy Visteon/Ford plant in West Belfast.

Anarchist Panther Ashanti Alston in Dublin -Video

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In March Ashanti Alston, a former member of the Black Panther Party and a Black Liberation Army solider, came to Ireland to speak at the Dublin anarchist bookfair. This is the video of his presentation. In it he talks about his experiences in the Black Panthers and BLA, the lessons he draws from them and what he thinks of revolutionary politics in Ireland.

Dublin: Iranian Revolution – the hidden history

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Date: 23 April 2009
Venue: Teachers Club, Parnell Square, Dublin
Time: 8pm

Stanley Aronowitz on Popular Education in a Time of Struggle' - Audio

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This is a recording of Stanley Aronowitz speaking on 'Popular Education in a Time of Struggle' to a Workers Solidarity Movement meeting in the Seomra Spraoi Social centre, Dublin the end of March 2009. Stanley Aronowitz is professor of sociology, cultural studies, and urban education at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is also a veteran political activist and cultural critic and an advocate for organized labor.

The Budget – More of the Same only Worse: Where’s the Reaction?

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Lenihan’s budget has continued the political strategy of defending the wealthy. Where is the reaction? Where is the anger?

Hundreds rally in support of Visteon workers occupation

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Over 200 people marched today from Andersonstown to the factory in Finaghy for a rally, which was addressed by Unite Shop Stewards Charlie Maxwell and John McGuire, including representatives from the SDLP and Sinn Fein.

Waterford then Belfast - workplace occupations spread

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Following on from the occupation of the Waterford Glass plant in February which managed to save some of the jobs and improve redundancy conditions workers in Belfast at Visteon occupied their factor last week. With plant closures happening across the island both these occupations provide an example of workers taking direct action to preserve jobs and/or force employers to improve on redundancy conditions. Here we present reports from WSM members from these occupations and background articles.

Why we have occupied Visteon, Enfield

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The text of the leaflet produced by workers in occupation of the Ford Visteon factory in Enfield, London explaining why they had joined the occupations in Belfast and Enfield.

Letters of support from German ex-Visteon workers

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Two letters of support from workers at Tedrive - formerly Visteon - car plants in Germany.

Letter from Worker at Tedrive, formerly Visteon in Wuelfrath, Germany

Report from the Belfast Visteon occupation

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Interesting article with background information about the occupation of the West Belfast Ford Visteon plant, and how Ford ran it down.

Dublin - Food Fight Café, Seomra Spraoi

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'Food Fight' Café with talk on local struggles and food sovereignty in latin America by Alberta Cariño Trujillo

Politicians continue to ‘sponge’ off the system

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If truth be told, should we be surprised by revelations in recent weeks concerning the expenses of ‘our’ politicians?

Belfast rallies against job cuts- Lions led by Donkeys

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Belfast City Centre was brought to a standstill last Friday lunchtime in a rally organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) against the latest job losses in the manufacturing and textile industry.

TWO DECADES ON- THE GREAT POLL TAX REVOLT

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If you’ve been following media reports on the 25th Miners’ Strike anniversary closely enough

Celebrate Mayday in Belfast

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Mayday is a time of reflecting and renewing the proud tradition of working-class resistance and commitment to social revolution. The spirit of class struggle continues to burn in our class from the Visteon workplace occupations to the school occupations in Glasgow and beyond. As we continue to bear the brunt of job cuts, house evictions and police brutality, the powerful message of direct action and solidarity against the bosses and the state is as relevant and necessary as ever before.

Belfast: 'The history of Mayday and its relevance today'

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As part of this year’s activities the Anarchist Communist Discussion Group formed by the WSM, will be hosting a talk on ‘The roots of Mayday and its relevance today.” The talk will take place on Tuesday 5th May at 7pm in the Belfast Unemployment Centre, 45/47 Donegall Street in the city centre.