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SKEEL LECTURE ROOM

Above stalls in People’s Palace

12 noon – 1.30pm
Fighting the Fash – from 1945 to the present day 

Returning home from a bitter war in 1945, Jewish veterans were appalled by the obscenity of Mosley resurrecting his new Nazi’s with its old hat demonisation of the cowardly black-market Jews. Morris Beckman talks about the ferocious “no quarter” assault which the 43 Group applied to utterly destroyed Britain’s post war fascists. Paul Stott will bring the fight against the fascists into the context of the present day. We will be showing a short film about the 43 Group followed by a talk by Morris & Paul and then a question and answers session. Paul’s blog can be found at: www.paulstott.typepad.com

Organised by: London Anarchist Bookfair Collective

2pm – 2.50pm
Greece – after the December 2008 insurrection

After the highs of last December, struggles in Greece continue at a level unheard of in the UK. They do so in the face of a massive counter-offensive by the allied forces of the Greek state, capital and the fascists. Hear a speaker from Greece on the up to date situation on the streets, and how the movement is responding. 

Organised by: UK ABC Network

3pm – 3.50pm
Tarnac 9 

In November 2008, French police arrested around twenty people, mostly from Tarnac, a small village in central France. Nine were then charged under anti-terrorist legislation in connection with the sabotage of train lines. While very little evidence was presented against them, the arrest proved to be clearly politically motivated. The Tarnac 9 were mostly prosecuted for their alleged authorship of a book, The Coming Insurrection, as well as for being associated with a movement that the scare-mongering government and media loosely termed “anarcho-autonomous”. Both in France and internationally a strong movement emerged to support them and in defence of civil liberties. The meeting includes members of the main French support committee and will be the opportunity to discuss state repression of political activism in France, the UK or elsewhere.

Speaker from the Tarnac 9 Campaign

4pm – 6pm
Capitalisms present crisis – how will it end? 

The capitalist system is facing years of crisis and social instability. This raises two questions. 1. what caused the crisis? Was it greedy bankers, the natural tendencies of the capitalist system or was it the resistance of the working class? 2. How will the crisis end? Will it end with more state regulation, more cuts in living standards or with working class revolution? The anarchist bookfair and Mute magazine have invited 3 speakers to debate these issues. Paul mason, presenter on BBC newsnight and author of Meltdown; John Holloway, author of change the world without taking power; William Dixon, Mute magazine contributor.

Organised by: London Anarchist Bookfair Collective & Mute Magazine

LECTURE ROOM 1

Below stalls in People’s Palace

11am – 11.50am
Indymedia London – Training Session

Training session for using the site and its new functions

Organised by: Indymedia London

12 noon – 12.50pm
Radical journalism, capitalist media and the labour movement

A talk on radical journalism, coverage of workplace disputes, grassroots trade unionism and the problems of capitalist media, featuring veteran radical journalist and anti-fascist campaigner, Pete Lazenby. Pete has reported on the mining industry since 1974 and is a contributor to the recent Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom book, 'Shafted: the media, the miners’ strike and the aftermath'. Other speakers to be confirmed. NUJ Left is an inclusive coalition of activists in the NUJ who work together to improve conditions for members and advance socialist principles within the union, the labour movement and society at large.

Organise by: NUJ Left

1pm – 1.50pm
The Coming Revolution

Mr.Wright and Mr. Bone - the stars of the anarchist firmament, the Abbot and Costello of anarchy, - this year they rip up the knockabout script and go serious. The revolution is coming. They'll probably name the exact day. This could be the last tour of two anarcho-legends. They're old sick men. Next year it'll be a tribute act. Your kids will ask...oh yes! 

2pm – 2.50pm
Stardust & Coaldust

Dave Douglass will present sections from the first two books in the forthcoming triology, Geordies Wa Mental and The Wheels Still In Spin, followed by a short discussion on issues raised. 

3pm – 3.50pm
Participatory Economics

Participatory Economics (parecon for short) is a type of democratic economy including new institutions and guiding norms proposed as an alternative to contemporary capitalism and central planning. Parecon is a direct and natural outgrowth of hundreds of years of struggle for economic justice as well as contemporary efforts with their accumulated wisdom and lessons. The talk will introduce the key institutions of Parecon, including some practical examples of how to get to a participatory economy, followed by a Q&A session. running the meeting: Joe Sweetman and Robert Miller Organised by: Project for a Participatory Society U.K

4pm – 4.50pm
The truth about ‘Peter the Painter’

The ‘Houndsditch Murders’ of December 1910, when five policemen were shot and three killed by Latvian anarchists, are still regarded as the single worst police murder in British history. The men responsible entered into East London folklore when they took on Winston Churchill and the British Army in ‘The Siege of Sidney Street’. But no one ever accounted for the mysterious leader of the gang: ‘Peter the Painter’. Phil Ruff reveals the violent events in London to be part of a much bigger story of class war, revolution and survival.

5pm – 6pm
Marking the 25th Anniversary of the Miners strike

A exposition by David Douglass. Followed by debate & discussion.

ROOM EB1

Below Octagon Room stalls

11am – 11.50am
Meeting to discuss Freedom to Protest conference 2010

The state, their police, courts and media have been involved in horrendous repression over the last few years in particular. Many activists have found themselves bullied, harassed, lied about, imprisoned and assaulted simply for questioning those in power. We want to fight back and claim our right to dissent against a society drenched in the blood and sweat of its victims. The conference is about how we can continue our struggle as activists, what we can learn from one another and methods we can use to counter oppression in the streets, the fields, the prisons, everywhere! In the workshop we need plans, ideas, thoughts and people to come and get involved with planning the conference. All activists welcome.

Organised by: individuals from different campaigns

12 noon – 12.50pm
What's wrong with angry? : Gender, Sexuality and Struggle.

A free discussion on developing a revolutionary, class analysis of sexual orientation, gender identity and male dominance.

Organised by: Anarchist Federation

1pm – 1.50pm
Anarchists Against the Wall  

We are a direct action group that fights against Israeli apartheid and oppression in all its forms. For five years the group has waged a constant struggle against Israel's Wall. The work on the ground in the West Bank, alongside the Palestinian popular movement is breaking new ground in the joint struggle for Palestinian liberation. The state's attempt to repress the Israeli resistance movement are constantly increasing, members of Anarchists Against the Wall continually pay the price for our activism, including being shot, beaten, arrested and indicted. We desperately need funding for legal support for both Palestinian and Israeli activists who are arrested and charged in the course of the struggle.

Organised by: Anarchist Against the Wall

2pm – 3.50pm
Anarchist Movement Conference 2009 & 2010

This session will look at the positives & negatives of the recent Anarchist Movement Conference held at Queen Mary’s in June this year. We know what we think, but we want to hear what you thought of the ides, even if you didn’t come along, so come and let us know if you think the format, subject matter, event worked or not – and why. We think the event should happen in 2010 as we never find space to discuss our politics in depth. Do you agree or not? If it should happen, where and when. Or, are we mad trying to bring the anarchist movement around these shores together. Is it much better it is a disjointed rabble?

Organised by: Some of the 2009 conference organisers

4pm – 4.50pm
Earth First! UK ecological direct action comes of age

Since 1991 a loose network of groups and individuals have organised under (or at least somewhere approximately nearby) the Earth First! Banner and the principles of “non-hierarchical and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the earth and its inhabitants”. This meeting will provide a brief history, with space for discussion.

Organised by: Earth First! Action Update

5pm – 6pm
Sex Work from an Anarchist Perspective 

Sex work is a controversial subject on which everyone has an opinion. Is all Sex Work degrading and exploitative or can it under some circumstances be empowering? Do criminalisation, lack of rights and social stigma cause many of the problems associated with the sex industry? In an anarchist society, would people exchange sex for money or would prostitution and pornography be abolished? Who decides? The LAF presents a debate on this controversial subject initiated by a panel of speakers from various perspectives and followed by an open facilitated debate. All views are welcome as long as they are prepared to listen and reason.

Organised by: London Anarchist Forum

ROOM EB2

Below Octagon Room stalls

11am – 11.50am
Corporate Games - London's 2012 Olympics: Gentrification, Corporate Interest and Resistance  

It is now less than 3 years until the London Olympics. The construction, displacement, gentrification and privatisation associated with the Games are well under way, but have been met with resistance and criticism from diverse groups of people. The Games impact on a broad range of social and ecological issues from access to housing and environmental destruction to increased surveillance and a decline in community facilities. Can we make the most of the situation and use the spectacle of the Games to strengthen networks working on the problems it exacerbates? This workshop will discuss the effects of the Games and how we can continue to challenge and create alternatives to gentrification in London and beyond.

Organised by: Corporate Watch

12 noon – 12.50pm
Talking History and Making History

Celebrating and learning from radical history, linking in to our present and future experience. Is history irrelevant? IS studying the past just avoiding the present? Or can struggles, movements and personalities from 'history' inspire us and offer lessons, ideas and links that persist through time. A chance for people involved in anarchist or radical history projects, and anyone else interested, to swap and share their ideas, experiences and motives of using the past to reinvigorate and inform the present and transform the future.

Organised by: Past Tense

1pm – 1.50pm
Too Many Prisons, Not Enough Justice 

In the first of our two workshops, we will explore the factors that increasingly contribute simultaneously to the criminalisation and victimisation of communities, including political activists. Out of respect for other workshop participants, please arrive on time.

Organised by: Bristol and Brighton Anarchist Black Cross

2pm – 2.50pm
Philosophy & Revolution

Throughout modern history, philosophy has stimulated and influenced revolutionary movements, while revolutions – their achievements, limitations and failures – have posed new problems for philosophy. Our age has been shaped by revolutions that have remained limited or even transformed into opposite. Can dialectical philosophy help us advance towards real human liberation? Join us for a discussion of these issues.

Organised by: Hobgoblin

3pm – 3.50pm
Desert !

What possibilities for liberty and wildness might be closed, or opened up, by massive unstoppable global climate change with civilisations of constant surveillance in the centres and collapse at the peripheries? Talk and discussion

Organised by: Wildwood

4pm – 4.50pm
Whitechapel Anarchist Group  

WAG mark their one year birthday with the launch of an annual and a discussion on setting up a local group. From writing, designing, printing and distributing a popular local paper (2000-3000 circulation per issue), organizing social events (Radical History Pub Crawl, Spitalfields Fair) working in local struggles (Resisting evictions, College Strikes) and being infiltrated by the Daily Mail (Yeah right). Members will share honest and personal reflections on the pro’s and con’s of establishing an anarchist group, their plans and aims for the next 12 months and encouraging the establishment of local groups across London and the UK.

Organised by: Whitechapel Anarchist Group

5pm – 5.50pm
Digital Security and Privacy

A discussion and workshop on alternative tech, security resources available to activists, encryption and the anonymity of the 'net.

Organised by: Anarchist Federation

ROOM EB 4

Below Octagon Room stalls

11am – 11.50am
Challenging racism in the anarchist spaces

We all have racism socialised into us. It may be mostly unconscious, but it has an effect which has an impact on how people of colour (POC) are able to participate equally in anarchist spaces. POC often speak with anger at how marginalised they are in this context. This workshop will look at some of the theory around how oppression operates, how we take part in it, and what concrete steps we can take to help dismantle it. Organised by: Activist Mediation Network

12 noon – 12.50pm
Anarchist Organisation : Decentralised Society

It is generally supposed within anarchism that society would be decentralised in a post Capitalist world. But how would this work? To what degree would such local communities be autonomous or federated? Would all communities be based on the same political and economic system or would a patchwork of diversity be more realisable? How would industry be organised in such a society? The LAF will present a few ideas on this tricky topic before opening the floor to debate.

Organise by: London Anarchist Forum

1pm – 1.50pm
Resisting NETCU, Fighting FIT

In the past year or so, the Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT) have begun to be effectively challenged in their attempts to repress dissent. Meanwhile the National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU), designed to combat the animal rights movement, has been operating increasingly as a new political police force aimed at countering any effective resistance to corporate power. One of NETCU's strengths has been the seeding of negative stories in the media in order to limit public support for radical movements. This workshop organised by Corporate Watch, NETCU Watch and FIT Watch will discuss how we can continue to challenge FIT teams and begin to resist NETCU's attack on our movements.

2pm – 2.50pm
Men Women Black White Rich Poor: Understanding Our Privileges and Vulnerabilities in the Crash

Many of us here today live privileged lives, many of us are white, educated, articulate; our lives serviced and subsidised by poorer, more vulnerable people. As radical feminists we understand that, in times of scarcity, the privileged hold onto their power and the vulnerable suffer. Conservatism becomes entrenched along with increased tolerance of racism, class privilege, anti immigration sentiment and violence against/contempt for women. We see it in employment stats, miniscule rape conviction rates, and the lack of funding for Crisis services and the increasing commodification/pornification of culture. As capitalism collapses around us, how do we keep our humanity and courage intact, in order to work together across widening divisions in society, and to protect the most vulnerable?

Organised by: Autonomous Radical Feminists

3pm – 3.50pm
Beyond Direct Action Casework - Collectivising Struggle

While Direct Action Casework gains concrete victories for individuals and families, it is not enough. Mass organisations need to be built to collectivise our struggles.

Organised by: London Coalition Against Poverty

4pm – 4.50pm
Dig where you stand: mutual aid, self-activity and current anarchist strategy

This meeting is for people interested in the current wave of occupations and revival of direct-action casework. It asks how this new culture of resistance can bring about generalised class confidence and help us in our own struggles at work, at the job centre etc.

Organised by: Anarchist Federation

5pm – 6pm
Gustav Landauer, Erich Mühsam, and the German Revolution of 1918-19

Gustav Landauer (1870-1919) and Erich Mühsam (1878-1934) arguably remain Germany's most influential anarchists. Both were key figures in the Bavarian Council Republic of 1919, the most ambitious attempt by left-wing radicals to create an egalitarian and socialist society on the ashes of the German Empire. English language material, in particular primary texts by Landauer, Mühsam, and fellow radicals of the era, are scarce. PM Press has now announced a series of publications providing sources that have long remained unavailable. An extensive Gustav Landauer reader will be published in March 2010. An Erich Mühsam reader and a reader on radical currents during the German Revolution will follow in subsequent years. Gabriel Kuhn will give an introduction to Gustav Landauer and Erich Mühsam, discuss German anarchism, and outline the PM Press projects.

ROOM EB4a

Below Octagon Room stalls  

11am – 11.50am
The struggle against Shell in Mayo - a decade of resistance

For the last decade residents of Erris in Mayo have been fighting the attempts by Shell to impose a dangerous experimental gas pipeline on their community. They have been joined by campaigners from all over Ireland opposed to the billions of euro of gas and oil being handed over to the energy corporations by the Irish state. Over the summer the Irish state deployed 300 police, two Navy gunboats and Airforce planes to back up 200 private security in protecting a key phase of the project. This presentation which will include photos explains the key events and causes of this struggle.

12 noon – 12.50pm
No Borders London: Update focusing on migrant solidarity in Calais

Since the Calais No Border Camp in late June activists have maintained a presence in the town in active solidarity with undocumented migrants living there who are under constant threat of repression including arrest, deportation, and destruction of their camps. The situation in Calais reflects a current escalation of repression against migrants and Roma people across Europe, including the recent destruction by police of a 13 yr old refugee camp in Patras, Greece, and mob attacks on Roma camps in Italy. This workshop will look at practical ways to support the solidarity efforts in Calais as well as examining the political context of the situation.

Organised by: No Borders London

1pm – 1.50pm
Libertarian Socialists – new booklets

The Libertarian Socialists Communists are producing several new publications and we will be using this meeting as a launch for these.

Organised by: Libertarian Socialist Communists

2pm – 2.50pm
Co-operative Living and Setting up a Co-op 

This meeting does exactly what it says on the tin.

Organised by: Radical Routes

3pm – 3.50pm
From Hillgrove Farm to Highgate Farm: the rise and fall of animal rights activism in Britain, 1999-2009?

When the laboratory cat breeder Hillgrove farm closed 10 years ago, campaigners were buoyant, but since then a combination of repressive laws, long gaol sentences, and a loss of morale and support means the movement is now in trouble. This workshop will ask whether this outcome was inevitable and to what extent - if any- activists were the architects of their own downfall. We will also examine how anarchist ideas can help us to understand the situation and find a way forward.

Organised by: Paul Gravitt

4pm – 4.50pm
Anarchists for Prison Abolition

In the second of our two workshops, we will discuss ways of preventing the criminalisation and over-policing of our communities and ways of opposing the growing "prison society". Out of respect for other workshop participants, please arrive on time.

Organised by: Bristol and Brighton Anarchist Black Cross

5pm – 6pm
Radical London

Over the last year a number of new groups have formed in local areas of London along anarchist/libertarian lines, working together through the new Radical London network. How can these, and more established groups, best support each other to strengthen and extend such activities? This is a meeting for all Londoners who are interested in discussing practical ways to develop radical, locally-based groups througout all parts of London.

Organised by the Radical London Network

ROOM LG1

In basement of Physics Building  

11am – 11.50am
Liberty and Solidarity is one years old!

Come and hear about why we started, what we do, and what we want to achieve. Three speakers on L&S's structure and ideas, our community strategy and our industrial work. Admit it, you're intrigued.

Organised by: Liberty & Solidarity

12 noon – 12.50pm
Countrywide Opposition to Welfare Reforms

With increasingly punitive attacks on Jobcentre users, claimants across the UK are organising to defend social welfare.

Organised by: London Coalition Against Poverty

1pm – 1.50pm
Capitalist crisis and workers' resistance

The past 12 months has seen unofficial industrial action challenge, and in some cases defeat, this country's reactionary industrial action laws. The Solidarity Federation invites you to an overview of recent struggles and a discussion as to how we can support and encourage this upsurge in fighting spirit.

Organised by: Solidarity Federation

2pm – 2.50pm
Chomsky, Revolution & Nonviolence

According to Noam Chomsky – probably the world’s best-known living anarchist – there is nothing inherently radical in either law-breaking or civic disobedience. This session will explore his thoughts on strategy for creating institutional change. Session run by Milan Rai editor of Peace news and author of “Chomsky’s Politics”. Prompt start!

Orgainsed by: Peace News

3pm – 3.50pm
Anarchism and (contemporary) Social Struggles in southern Africa 

This meeting will open with brief history of southern African anarchism and anarcho-syndicalism and the current situation South African anarchists face. Followed by a talk on the current context: the xenophobic pogroms of 2008; the recent election of Jacob Zuma as president and what his administration means for the popular classes; effects of the global economic crisis on SA; the recent wave of strikes and community revolts etc. and activities anarchists are involved in. If time, we will also look at the situations and struggles in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, and try and relate this in to relationship these countries have with the UK.

Orgainse by: Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front (from South Africa)

4pm – 4.50pm
Defend Jobs and Services in Education - How should Education Workers respond?  

Education workers speak out against against the ongoing process of cuts and job losses in education. Followed by an open debate on practical action.

Organised by: Education Workers’ Network

5pm – 6pm
Fighting the Military Machine

This meeting is an introduction to the Anti Militarist Network, with speakers from various campaigns around the country including Smash EDO.

ROOM LG7

In basement of Physics Building  

11am – 12.50am
Symposium on the crisis of the economy - (credit crunch, debt crisis, climate change)

Why old ideologies, like the orthodox marxisms, the anarchisms, including the Situationist International, all subscribe to simplistic analyses, like class struggles, class war - and thus impede change. Today more than ever, value (commodity fetishism) rules all over the world - the working class being part and parcel of the capitalist system, Nothing will change if people do not update their ideas and criticise work at a deeper level. In fact, if we don’t update we help the system to survive. Thus it is a real dilemma and a challenge for everyone on the planet."

Organised by: Principia Dialectica

1pm – 1.50pm
Free Our People

An introduction to the Disabled People's Liberation Movement (including the Independent Living Movement) and its relationship to other minority liberation movements and other radical social movements, discussing the Social Model of Disability and what it can contribute to a revolutionary libertarian socialism."

Organised by: Direct Action Network

2pm – 3.50pm
Primitive communism and its contemporary relevance

The chief value of the study of human origins is that it nails the myth that ‘no revolution can ever change human nature’. It shows, on the contrary, that everything distinctively human about our nature - our ability to speak, to see ourselves as others see us, to aspire to act on moral principle - has come to prevail in our species thanks precisely to the greatest revolution in history, ‘the revolution which worked’. This 'human revolution' broke out in Africa more than a hundred thousand years ago gave rise to an egalitarian, essentially anarchist, lifestyle which lasted in most parts of the world until only three or four thousand years ago. We know we can win the coming revolution because in a real sense, we won it already when language and culture were first established. We are a species designed for communist egalitarianism, not class society or capitalism.

Organised by: Radical Anthropology Group

4pm – 4.50pm
Anarchist Women Unite!

Workshop in response to lack of recognition of females in the Anarchist Movement raised at the Anarchist Conference. A challenge to all women in the movement to draw up an Action Plan.

Organise by: Class War Women

5pm – 6pm
Free Space for Emergency Meeting

See Info desk for details