UK Culture Feature Archive
Space for Cultural Diversity in Cambridge under Threat
07-05-2004 15:56
Café Afrika is one of only a few venues in Cambridge actively pursuing a culturally diverse program and, as they stated in their original response to the council decision:
We are the only venue which consciously promotes community values, cultural diversity, and equal access to the arts. We fundraise regularly for charity organisations, we always welcome local talent and local artists, we provide a free space for many promoters, community groups, meetings and activities.
A new social centre for Leeds?
03-05-2004 19:43
Do you think Leeds needs a radical space for information, to hang out and to hold meetings and events?If so come to the next Leeds ARC (Action for Radical Change) meeting on Thursday May 6th 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church Café on Boar Lane.
Through the Dissent! network (a network of resistance against the G8 - the Group of Eight most industrialised nations, whose 2005 summit will be held in Britain.) cash (max £10 K) may be available for local groups involved in the Dissent! network to set up and run a local Social Centre.
A number of people involved in Leeds ARC (Leeds’ Dissent! info point) have been discussing whether to open a rented social centre in Leeds. If this is to happen it will need to involve as many people as possible in the process right from the start deciding exactly what the project is, finding a building, plus organising and running of the centre. We hope for a radical space, 'owned' by many people and groups, beyond Leeds ARC, who we see as a facilitator in getting this idea off the ground.
At our last meeting we brainstormed some ideas of our vision for a social centre, which included an autonomous space, not focused on consumerism, which presents people with alternatives. It could include a café, library, info space, food coop, a large room (for meetings, gigs, workshops etc), a free shop, office space, creche, health space and garden. Obviously a lot of this will depend on the people involved and the space it ends up in.
We decided that we need a big meeting of everyone who might want to be involved in a social centre in Leeds, and decide how to move forward from here.
So come along and lets talk about what kind of a social centre you think Leeds needs and get involved...
On Yer Bike! 10 years of London Critical Mass
28-04-2004 21:26
Anarchism on wheels? Or just a bunch of cyclists getting together on a Friday evening? Sit back, close your eyes and imagine a thousand people cycling along a central London street... filling the street... there aren't any cars... the noise of the traffic is drowned out by music, whistles, bike bells and people having conversations while cycling together…
On the last Friday of April 1994 London’s first Critical Mass took place with about 50 cyclists, and this month's ride on Friday 30th April will be a celebration of 10 years of reclaiming London’s tarmac.
SchNEWS at Ten Tour
24-04-2004 11:00
As part of their 10th birthday celebrations some of the SchNEWS crew are hitting the road with the SchNEWS at Ten tour! The crew will talk about SchNews and their newsletter, show films and update people of what is happening with anti GM protests in the UK, the development of UK Indymedia and how activist groups are coming together to organise for the G8 in the UK next year, and facilitate general discussion about what mischief the people in Sheffield are currently up to. So bring you friends, drink some beer, have some laughs and indulge in some debate!
- Monday 26th April 8pm
- The Cricketer's Arms, Bramall Lane, Sheffield (opposite SUFC ground)
- Donation on the door
Also coming along with SchNEWS is the Undercurrents News Network who are on a promotional tour for this newly established service. Undercurrents will be screening several film shorts that they have either produced themselves or has been submitted to them by activist and culture jamming collectives from around the world.
There will also be a emphasis placed on the upcoming G8 meeting in the UK in 2005 and organising direct action against it. Check out the dissent site for more information.
Flyers have been poster to the newswire.
International TV Turn Off Week
17-04-2004 17:03
What happens during a seven-day experiment in life without TV? A whole new space to think emerges. You find yourself passing time in ways you never expected. And you start to wonder: when I reach for the remote, who is really in control?. Last April 5 million people switched off.
April 19-25 2004 marks this year's annual TV Turnoff 2004, a seven day celebration of tube-free existence. What will you be up to? Meeting neighbours, smashing up TVs, or just opting out? Maybe you could just switch to Manchester's Beyond TV and London's Pirate TV. Whilst you decide you could have a look at these action ideas, or to some related website links, or even you could download and distribute these MP3's and spots 1 + 2.
Fewer and fewer people control the media that shapes our worldview. And nowhere does this play out worse than on our televisions, where the corporate agenda reigns supreme. The media's role seems to primarily be that of feeding society with one-way stories, infotainment and mind-numbing hype. To keep us amused, but rarely informed or inspired. How can we move past this malaise, beyond the hollow din of reality shows and celebrity news, and back to a life that matters?. TV Turnoff 2004 is no ordinary social ritual, it is a statement against the dead-end couch culture. And when millions of people let the screen fade to black this year, they’ll also be helping to build the Media Carta movement, a campaign for the right of all citizens to access society’s most powerful forms of communication.
White Dot - The International Campaign Against TV | TV Turnoff Network
First OCSET Cafe deliciously successful
14-04-2004 22:08
We sat at candlelit tables and drank from crystal wine glasses to enjoy the two-course meal [pictures]. One such happy table sat on the pavement outside, giving passers-by an opportunity to see the positive purpose of the OCSET space. Children and pets felt very welcome. Diners contributed a small donation and/or helped to cook, serve and clean.
OCSET is intended as an open space for organising events, of which the cafe is just one, and welcomes everyone's planning and ideas. More cafe evenings are set as groups come together to run them; the next one will be on Tuesday, 20th April, 7:00pm. Skip TESCO, eat at OCSET!
Open Office Invitation!
Also, an office and meeting room for free community use is to be opened at OCSET. We hope to be able to connect ADSL (broadband fast internet connection) soon. To get the office kitted up, what we need now is donations of gear (CPUs, accessories, etc, etc); just drop it in at OCSET.
Oxford indymedia will be running the office space for now, so if any community group would like to use it for a meeting, just contact us by e-mail at imc-oxford [at] lists.indymedia.org, or contact OCSET directly at oxsocial [at] linuxmail.org .
SchNEWS 10th Anniversary Tour
13-04-2004 10:55
SchNEWS is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a tour across the UK from April 10th to 30th. The weekly direct action news sheet was born in a squatted Courthouse in 1994 as part of Justice?, Brighton's campaign against the Criminal Justice Act. It has been part of the anti road protests [M11 1 + 2, Newbury], the big Reclaim The Streets events of the nineties, worker’s struggles such as the Liverpool Dockers, fights against privatisation of public services and many activities around social centres and sustainable futures.
Since the PGA conference in 1998, SchNEWS includes global news: the Global Street Party at the G7 Summit in Birmingham, J18, the WTO protests in Seattle, Nov 1999, which brought the anti-capitalism movement to the attention of the world and marks the beginning of the indymedia network.
In the spirit of the 90s uk protest movements, SchNEWs links up party & protest, and excels in a tongue-in-cheek approach to authorities (crap arrest of the week). The anniversary tour includes workshops on alternative media, short films, info on the upcoming G8 summit in Britain [dissent], launch of the Indymedia handbook, music, party ...
schNEWS tour dates | Tour info | Fantastic Night with SchNEWS!
OCSET: New Social Centre Opened in Oxford!
07-04-2004 22:58
The office space that has been created in the new oxford social centre is still mainly empty at the moment. It would be perfect for grassroots activist groups looking for a place to meet, etc., and as a space to organise workshops, training, etc. We hope loads of groups will feel able to use OCSET.
The main meeting area would be excellent for workshops, social events, screenings, cultural and artistic activities, etc. Workshops for kids after school or dancing lessons and meetings can be held there too. Other ideas include an alternative library, an infopoint for activism, and many more - it's open to anyone who wants to get involved! Just drop in and arrange a time; there's a calendar on the wall. Bring your own ideas!
Events planned this week:
See the above calendar or the one on the wall in OCSET.
People there need loads of things but mainly more people! Also computers and tools to fix things, sofas to sit on, sofabeds, big cooking pots, plates, cups, food and carpets and bookshelves and the books to go on them. People at OCSET can be reached by email on oxsocial [at] linuxmail.org .
Use the space or lose the space!
Reports: [1] [2] | Pictures: [1] | OCSET (Oxford Social Centre) website: http://free.hostdepartment.com/o/oxsocial/ | General info about squats: Advisory Service for Squatters
The European Social Forum is coming to town!
12-03-2004 23:00
Landmark Low-impact Roundhouse Ordered To Be Demolished
28-02-2004 16:45
Stop The Apartheid wall at The Hague!
21-02-2004 23:00
At the International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Hague - Netherlands, from the 23rd to the 25th of February, there is a hearing as to the legality of the Apartheid wall being erected across Palestine [court schedule].The wall's construction - which has been criticised by the International Committee of the Red Cross - is widely seen as further land grabbing by the Israeli government, who couch its existence as a necessity for security in protection of the Israeli state.
State sponsored protests
On Monday the 23rd, Zionist groups are having a high profile demonstration in front of the ICJ. The local Israeli embassy has sponsored students and members of Zionist groups in support of the wall to protest outside the Court and has provided full colour pictures of bomb victims to 'Christians for Israel' who are carrying them on street protests. ZAKA, an Israeli 'rescue organisation', has brought to the Hague the two halves of a Jerusalem bus destroyed in a suicide bombing.
Anti-Apartheid Wall protests
25 anti-Wall protestors will be there to represent the concerns of the Palestinians along with the Palestinian Environmental NGO’s Network (PENGON) and other Palestinian solidarity groups, who have organised symposia, exhibits and protests around the time of the hearing. These groups will be bringing to The Hague Palestinians whose lives are affected by the Wall, including Sharif Omar (farmer from Jayyus), Fayez Tanib (farmer from Tulkarm) and Terri Balata (school administrator from Abu Dis separated from her school).
The Mayor of The Hague, Deetman, banned anti-Wall protesters from demonstrating in the morning, which will limit press awareness of the anti-Wall presence. The anti-Wall protestors will now march in the afternoon and hold a vigil outside the ICJ, remembering Palestinian victims of the Israeli occupation. Meanwhile, in Palestine, people are organising strikes, direct action and marches in support of the hearings in The Hague.
a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk">Indymedia UK - check the 'Latest News' section. Or, why not follow the streaming video live from the hearing?
The Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign | Amnesty International - legal background | International Solidarity Movement | Palestine Monitor | Electronic Intifada | Gush Shalom: He, En, Ar
Culture of Capitalism - “WELL, what a year it’s been!” says Mike Storey
22-01-2004 00:44
What happened after the war on Afghanistan?
15-01-2004 23:00
On 7 October 2001, the US and UK began air attacks on Afghanistan. At that time, so soon after 11 September, there was some support for military action (1). On 7 December 2001, Kandahar, the last Taleban stronghold, fell prompting those in the West to declare the war to be won. (2).
But what was the end result of this war? Certainly Osama Bin Laden wasn't captured, though some Al-Qaeda infrastructure may have been destroyed. In the immediate aftermath of the war, it appeared that the UK and US' most obvious achievement had been the overthrowing of the Taliban - harbourers of Bin Laden, supporters of Al-Qaeda and oppressors of the local Afganistan population. So what did this mean for the people of Afghanistan?
Buy Nothing Day
04-12-2003 01:25
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]
Background information: Buy Nothing Day UK | Adbusters | Diesel subvertising [1 | 2], Global Indymedia | Video
| Screenable Vid of Anti-Diesel Action
Buy Nothing Day strikes again
25-11-2003 14:55
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 .
Boundaries-to-Bridges Tour 2003/2004
29-10-2003 00:00
A caravan of artists, media activists, scientists and technicians from all over the world is presently gathering in Andalucia in the South of Spain. The Euro-African project will cross the Straits of Gibraltar in December, and move south along the west-coast of Africa [map], reclaiming the Straits as a bridge, not a boundary. The Caravan describes itself as "a sound system, a circus, a mobile cinema and a stage for theatre and performance". It is constantly open for everyone who wants to participate.
news about the tour | german version
Palestine update & Hiphop Tour
04-10-2003 22:07
Educational charity Markaz at-Tanwir are bringing a Palestinian Hiphop outfit called DAM to the UK for an awareness raising tour and to generate funds for a computer centre in the Rafah refugee camp. Only last week in Rafah, the IOF demolished 18 Palestinian homes, leaving 44 families homeless. Also, 9 Palestinians, including a child who died of fright, were killed and more than 30 others were wounded by the Israeli occupying forces.
The tour kicks of on Thursday at the Scala, London with Fundamental. Full tour details HERE
Electronic Intifada | Palestine Solidarity Campaign | Arab Media Watch | Al-Awda | Palestine Report
"Trading Freedom" Film Screening
29-09-2003 23:34
Download and distribute a poster for this event.
Edward Said Died
27-09-2003 18:13
As an indymedia activist and one of the people who read some of his books and articles, I'm sad that he is gone and will miss his voice. Edward Said showed that there is a way to throw radical critique at the Israeli government without going down the road of antisemitism - and being a renowned he was heard.
A report from the Pink Picnic
19-09-2003 11:27
Pink Picnic was a free event “where everyone can enjoy [...] gay culture by removing barriers and stigmas to promote tolerance and understanding of peoples sexuality”. The Picnic was non-commercial and aimed to cover its costs. There were many sponsors including the trade union UNISON.
