Manchester Culture

Squat Manchester - an uprising of autonomous activity

24-04-2008 00:14

This weekend saw an uprising of unauthorised squat related activities, including a squatting film night, banner drops, a new squatted social centre, public family fun day, a No Borders March, the occupation of Jacksons Wharf and a busted 'free' party. Check out this summary of the weekends' events.

Up to 200 squatters and supporters followed a call for an unauthorised demonstration in the city centre from Manchester's No Borders group. Accompanied by a samba band (Rhythms of Resistance) and two soundsystems mounted on bike trailers. "With the cops not bothering to show up, we marched undisturbed from Victoria Station into the Northern Quarter, along Market Street and Kings Street , through Spinningfields into Castlefields."

The lead banner read FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR ALL - DEFEND AUTONOMOUS SPACES. Hundreds of copies of the Mesho were given out to passers by. The Mesho was a squat themed spoof news paper was also distributed in other participating cities.

The aim of the widespread action was is to develop interconnections and solidarity between autonomous spaces and help create more visibility for them as a political movement. In the UK the scale of the actions were extensive. Fuller coverage is here.

(A summary of the weekend ) (Demonstration of squatters turns into mass occupation) (Pics of demo and mass action | Video of demo Stream or Download Mpeg1

Also on the subject of immigration and fighting gentrification Check this upcoming event.
Movement for Justice in El Barrio is a grass roots organisation of immigrant communities fighting against gentrification in El Barrio (East Harlem) 7.30 pm Thursday 8th May 2008 at the Town Hall Tavern, Manchester - more info

Two Days of Action Target Climate Criminals

06-02-2007 04:37

Over the weekend of 3-4 Feb 2007, actions up and down the country and beyond targeted dangerous 'greenwash' being desperately pushed by corporations and politicians. The actions came in the wake of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released on Friday, which warned of world temperature rises of over 6C by the end of the century. The report indicated that a 4 degree rise would mean a 10% loss in global food production due to draught, flooding, water shortages. While the world slowly wakes up to the magnitude of climate chaos, Shell and Exxon Mobil last week announced record breaking profits. With the figures laid out so clearly, the nauseating hypocrisy spouted by corporations and politicians has spurred action from Paris to Aberdeen.

The "Mental" Hospital Parties

16-05-2005 20:31

So kids, did you have a good time Manchester styleee? Hope so, because I certainly did. I have been to going to parties in Manchester centre, outskirts, Wales and Leeds; for a number of years. This was one of the most exciting parties I've ever been to down at the old hospital again. This event will surely be remembered for a long time for good and unfortunately relatively minor bad reasons.

For in excess of 99% of the time and for 99% of the people; this night was an amazing experience, of unity, freedom, celebration, understanding and peace. With a huge number of sound systems attending and an amazing Victorian setting, this meeting was an event not regularly witnessed. A creation of freedom for freedom, and a sly finger-up to the laws and lores of modern western society.

Full Report

Free Party in Manchester

31-03-2005 18:58

Strangeways on the case again. The only crew who continue to represent the party scene in Manchester. This collective is like a machine that dont stop, and if they say they are gonna parrty, they will. Regardless of anything that might get in their way. For example if they cant get a venue, those in the know still get to party in their basement!

So they got the venue together at the last minute, and a fine huge warehouse it was too. A bit far outta town, but not hard to find. Strangewayz setup with the projectors atop the huge van. Amazing visuals, the main projection was 60+ feet across, plus a second projector and lazers. The system seemed to be runnin as it should. The scoops pumping out enuff bass when you were close up. Although they were experiencing problems with the generator and they lost power a few times. They got this sorted out and kept the party rockin.

Report

Are You Thinking What We're Thinking? Er... No

28-03-2005 15:20

Spring is in the air and with it the talk (yawn) is of elections. But all is not lost for the season also sees the return of the time honoured pastime of defacing election billboard posters. The Conservative Party, in particular, has been on the end of some widespread street level heckling,

Far from thinking of locking up refugees and throwing away the key, grassroots organisations are putting together a European wide day of solidarity with migrants and refugees on April 2nd, in recognition of the appalling and tragic circumstances that so many refugees have to endure. A significant turnout is expected in Manchester, where three separate marches are planned from the north, south and centre of the city.

Buy Nothing Day

06-12-2004 19:06

Saturday the 27th November was buy nothing day, and to celebrate, a bunch of people from the Manchester based "do summat collective" got together to encourage people to think about consumerism. They made and distributes a zine and also gave tips on how to get stuff for free in manchester. A free shop was set up - with food and plenty of cakes, as well as free clothes and toys

The folks involved said they were surprised at how well it went. Families, old couples, kids and youths all came and had some cake, or took some clothes and a flyer or zine.... and within just one and a half hours everything, including the actual clothes rail, had gone.

There was some more fun and frolicks as people played anti-consumer games in a number of shops - from hide and seek in selfridges - to stuck in the mud in diesel.... Reclaiming consumer space and having some fun.

Report|BuyNothing Christmas|Trade Free Zone Declared In Cambridge!

Buy Nothing Day

04-12-2003 02:25

Since its launch twelve years ago, Buy Nothing Day has grown into a worldwide celebration of consumer awareness and simple living. Observed about a month before Christmas, the West's busiest shopping period of the year, the campaign has sparked debate and raised awareness of our consumerist culture.

As part of international day of action 'Buy Nothing Day', actions took place in various places in the uk and other parts of the world:

London: GAP clothing outlets will remain closed, one for each shopping day of the week.
Manchester: A stretch of JCDeceaux street advertsisements along the A6 in Salford were redectorated to re-enforce the advertisers' messages. Also, a number of 'Whirl Mart' actions took place.
Sheffield: A shopping centre was visited by people who just wanted to have a good time in this pleasant community area.
Sussex: University students disabled as many of the banking facilities on campus as possible.
Birmingham: A Santa Parade, exorting people to "Buy More, Be Happy" and "Work! Spend! Don't think!" took to the streets.
Prague, activists from Slovakian Food not Bombs gave the cashiers symbolic red tulips.
Paris (French report): Actions against the advertising aggression and against cops. Pub panels were covered and advertising posters were decorated. [Report (fr) | Photos]
Poland actions [Photos]
New York: Reverend Billy and the Church Of Stop Shopping Busted on Buy Nothing Day. [Photos]

Buy Nothing Day strikes again

25-11-2003 15:55

Saturday 29th November is Buy Nothing Day in the UK.

The DoSummat group organised a day of festivities in Manchester including subvertising, shop stopping, outdoor workshops and a procession. Check out one of the Huge Subverts done here.

For inspiration take a look at this BND video , these anti-Diesel subverts or the Subvertise.org website .

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Kollektives

Manchester Actions 2006

Manchester Actions 2003

Manchester Culture

Squat Manchester - an uprising of autonomous activity

Two Days of Action Target Climate Criminals

The "Mental" Hospital Parties

Free Party in Manchester

Are You Thinking What We're Thinking? Er... No

Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day strikes again

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