SKEEL LECTURE ROOM

12 noon – 1pm

43 Group
Morris Beckman 

Returning home from a bitter war, 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. Add the holocaust and the ferocious “no quarter” assault which utterly destroyed Britain’s post war fascists was inevitable. 

We will be showing a short film about the 43 Group followed by a talk by Morris and then a question and answers session.

1pm – 3pm 

Lucio Urtubia 

Fleeing from Spain to France in 1954 Lucio began work as a bricklayer. However, he soon undertook a series of robberies and holdups to fund revolutionary causes. Seeing the dangers in robberies, he moved onto falsification of documents. No guerrilla or exile left him without false papers. Uniting with other libertarian companions, he began forging currency to finance numerous groups while attempting to destabilize the capitalist economy. 

The masterful blow that changed his life was the forgery of Citibank travellers checks, which  damaged the bank so severely that its stock price fell. The stolen money was used, as always, in the aid of guerrilla movements in Latin America and Europe. 

This session will consist of a film about Lucio Urtubia’s life then an introduction by Lucio followed by a question and answer session.

3pm – 4.30pm 

John Pilger 

Journalist John Pilger will be talking with a member of the London Anarchist Bookfair collective about current world issues, followed by a questions and answer session with those at the meeting. Come and listen and participate in the meeting. After the meeting John will stay around to do book signings.

4.30pm – 6pm 

The Paris Commune – the most modern revolution there’s ever been
Paul Mason 

Paul Mason, BBC journalist and author of Live Working or Die Fighting, How the Working Class Went Global, talks about his new research on the women barricade fighters of the Paris Commune. Paul will also be signing copies of his book after the meeting.

LECTURE ROOM 1

11am – 12 noon 

Dodgy Development - How Department for International Development cash is developing profits at the expense of the poor in India
Film and discussion, hosted by No Sweat 

The UK government has given £1 billion to India in the last five years, with the stated intention of helping to reducing poverty. However, much of this money is spent promoting privatization of public services, driving people from their land and furthering the interests of UK companies at the expense of people. Film-maker and activist, Richard Whittle, will introduce the film he has made with Indian film-makers, activists and workers, affected by Department for International Development’s actions.

12 noon – 1pm 

New Site Launch
Indymedia London

The Indymedia London website has been developed and will in future include more political events and media along side the direct action reporting from the streets. We plan to help grassroots groups to report their actions by enabling them to have their areas on the site that they edit and promote. This session will introduce the new site and talk through upcoming developments and discuss how groups and individuals can get involved.

1pm – 2pm 

Bouganville, Bolivia, Bogata or Bermondsey, Birmingham, Blackburn
Ian Bone and Martin Wright

A hard-hitting look at the dilemma facing Anarchists/Activists today. Whether to support movements in distant lands or to gear up for the bitter struggles and confrontations that will emerge here once the economic and political crisis starts to bite. Are we up for it? Are we up to it? 

2pm – 3pm 

Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism
Peter Marshall

To celebrate the publication of a new, updated edition of his classic 'Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism',  Peter Marshall will examine the most recent developments in anarchist theory and practice, including 'post-anarchism', 'anarcho-primitivism' and the anarchist contribution to the Global Justice Movement. He will also suggest a way out of the present ecological crisis and political impasse gripping the world. 

3pm – 4pm 

The anarchist movement in North America
Workers Solidarity Movement

In 2008 Andrew Flood spent 16 weeks speaking in 44 North American cities from Miami to Montreal to Eugene to LA.  While on tour he had private discussions on organising with hundreds of local anarchists and carried out audio interviews in 17 of the cities visited.  Based on these experiences and conversations he presents an audio-visual talk on the anarchist movement in North America and the new organizations that are currently emerging. The talk will also look at the general conditions face by workers in North America and some of the movements that exist in response to these conditions. The meeting will be educational but also provocative in terms of considering the parallels with Britain. The meeting is for anarchists, activists and anyone interested in North American radicalism.

4pm – 5pm

Climate, Class and Coal
Dave Douglass & Jim Paton 

“Me and Arthur Scargill enter another big field to fight the corner for the miners and our coal industry and cause. Last time it was that field at Orgreave, this time it’s the Climate Camp at Kingsnorth Power Station and instead of thousands of cops there’s thousands of eco-warriors who now believe coal is killing the planet and want to stop all new coal stations.” Dave Douglass, Yorkshire NUM website  August 2008 

Dave Douglass and Jim Paton debate climate, class and whether coal has had its day. Dave Douglass is a former NUM Yorkshire Area Executive member, was on the picket lines in the 1984 miners strike and has been involved in class based struggle ever since. 

His recent visit to Climate Camp and subsequent article, reproduced on Indy Media have kick started a debate on class and coal which this workshop aims to take further. 

5pm – 6pm 

Crunch Time: A New Wave of Struggles?
Mute Magazine

David Graeber and others discuss the impact of the financial crisis on social movements and explore the potential for a new cycle of struggle from peasants and oil workers to logistics industry employees and anti-finance activists. 

ROOM  EB4A

11am – 12 noon 

Fitwatch – Kicking the Forward Intelligence Teams Off Our Streets 
Fitwatch 

This meeting is to build on the work done by Fitwatch to counteract police repression and intimidation.  Aimed at anyone who has experienced police intimidation and wants to do something about it. 

12 noon – 1pm 

Introduction & Debate on Participatory Economics (parecon)
Project for Participatory Society UK 

Members of PPS-UK will make a presentation on participatory economics before opening up the meeting to general discussion. This will be a good opportunity to learn about Parecon, or for those familiar with it to share their opinions on the kind of economy Anarchists are working for.

1pm – 2pm 

Why anarchists should organise locally
Haringey Solidarity Group 

Organising in local communities needs to be an essential element if we are to transform society from its present form to a more anarchist one. A brief intro by Haringey Solidarity Group and others, followed by discussion and contributions about the ways groups have successfully organised, and why local organising is important.

2pm – 3pm 

Stardust and Coaldust
David John Douglass

Stardust and Coaldust, is an autobiography in Trilogy, published by Christie Books, beginning with book one: Geordies. Wa Mental (wa off wa fuckin heeds !) Dave Douglass, Geordie internationalist & life long coal miner; union activist; Anarcho-Syndicalist-Marxist will take the opportunity of the bookfair to launch book one of his Trilogy, with selected readings and maybe a couple of songs.

3pm – 4pm 

Syndicalists and the Trades Unions
The National Shop Stewards Network 

In June the NSSN held its second conference. Nearly 300 trade union activists were there, including syndicalists, council communists and independent marxists. Are we truly independent? Are we in hoc to the trades unions? What is a revolutionary trades unionist? Come along: ask and discuss these and other questions.

4pm – 6pm 

The Human Revolution
Chris Knight 

In “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State”, Friedrich Engels set out his case that the first human society was communist, was established by a revolution that overthrew primate aggression, and that the oppression of women was a late development in human history. This case has long been dismissed or ignored, but developments in modern science give us good reasons to think that Engels was right all along. Anthropologist Chris Knight will lecture for one hour. There will then be an hour’s discussion on the relevance of the theory for today’s activists.

ROOM EB4

11am – 12 noon 

Objectification, Exploitation, Capitalism and the Destruction of the Planet (or, You Can’t Eliminate One Hierarchy without Eliminating them All)
Autonomous Radical Feminists 

Aim of Meeting: To make clear the connections between the objectification and exploitation of women through the capitalist sex industry, including the trafficking of women and children into pornography and prostitution, and how the sex industry is invading and altering our personal lives, and the objectification and exploitation of the environment, and the creation of artificial material needs by the capitalist system. 

This talk is aimed at both women and men, those who consider themselves already to be feminists, and those who have not considered how the aims of feminism connect with ecological and anti-capitalist concerns. 

This meeting should achieve a greater understanding of feminism, and how feminist struggles are not a ‘minority’ interest, but a vital part of the ecological and anti-capitalist movements

12 noon – 1pm 

DEEP EQUALITY - Anarchism in everyday life
Jocelyn Chaplin

This talk, based on Jocelyn's new book Deep Equality(O-books.net), explores the links between hierarchical structures of society and thinking and psychological problems. She describes an alternative structure /paradigm based on the theory of equalizing rhythms. Jocelyn shows how the new paradigm can be danced with in daily life, and on street protests, as well as at carnivals and raves.

Jocelyn Chaplin is a psychotherapist, a pagan, feminist, anarchist and a member of the Dionysian Underground. Her other books include 'Love in an Age of Uncertainty'. (Aquarian Press).

1pm – 2pm 

Feminist Health
Brighton’s Women’s Health Collective 

A workshop with Brighton’s Women’s Health Collective launching their new website containing resources, workshop outlines and information and hoping to inspire others. Feminist health looks at how the patriarchal capitalist system affects our health and how we can collectively change this, and support ourselves through learning, sharing information and experiences.

2pm – 3pm 

What is direct action casework – and how to use it
Jointly hosted by London Coalition Against Poverty (LCAP) and Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty (ECAP)

LCAP and ECAP have worked alongside tenants, claimants and others confronting poverty to win concessions from councils, landlords, benefits agencies and employers. We work using Direct Action Casework: a tactic developed to empower those we work with; providing advice, knowledge and practical support. In doing this we attempt to draw out the directly political nature of everyday struggle and fight the issues on those terms. Find out what questions this raises for activists.

3pm – 4pm 

Anarchists Organising Against Imprisonment
Bristol ABC 

This meeting is an open discussion on challenging the State’s use of the legal system as a tool of social control, including the incarceration of asylum seekers. We’re hoping that people currently working on prison and policing issues can come together to share experiences and tactics, with the aim of working better together in the future.

4pm – 5pm 

Weaving a web around London: forming anarchist initiatives where you live
Camden Anarchists Group & Haringey Solidarity Group 

Recent months have seen a number of new groups forming in London along anarchist/libertarian lines.  How can these, and more established groups, best support each other to strengthen what is already formed, and extend these groups to other areas.  This is a meeting for all Londoners who are interested in discussing practical ways to develop radical, locally based groups. 

5pm – 6pm 

The Abolition of the State -
What this Means and How to Achieve it!
Wayne Price

 What is the state?  What roles would still need to be carried out in a stateless society? What are the implications for today? Wayne Price will present the ideas of his book, The Abolition of the State: Anarchist & Marxist Perspectives.  He is a member of the Northeastern Federation of Anarchist-Communists (NEFAC) in North America.

ROOM EB2

11am – 12 noon 

Hammered by the Irish
Ciaron O’Reilly 

"Introducing Harry Browne's recently published "Hammered by the Irish" (Counterpunch/ AK press) discussing non-violent resistance to ongoing wars on Iraq & Afghanistan, court solidarity, making the most of prison time! Speaker Ciaron O'Reilly acquitted in Ireland of $U.S. 2 1/2 million damage to U.S. war plane, previously served 13 months in U.S. jails for disarming a B52 Bomber in New York on the eve of the '91 Gulf War. . . . "

12 noon – 1pm 

Anti-Capitalist Climate Action
Rising Tide Network

As climate change opens up new markets for capitalism to exploit, as campaign groups of all political and ideological stripes enter the struggle, and as increasing numbers of people are turning in panic to authoritarian responses, what are the right targets, tactics and goals of radical climate change activism? A discussion facilitated by participants in the UK Rising Tide network.

1pm – 2pm 

Enforcing your rights at work.

Solidarity Federation

A workshop aimed at everyone who either has problems at work or who is interested in organising in their workplace. The workshop will cover a brief introduction to employment rights,

common problems, models of workplace organisation, methods of direct action, conditions for success, longer term objectives. There will be room for those attending to contribute current real life scenarios and problems for discussion. A casework surgery will be available all day at the SF stall for people to bring their problems.

2pm – 3pm 

More is More: Independent media distribution
Mute Magazine

More is More is a web based system for distributing independent media for sale at local outlets and events. The network connects independent video, magazines, books, software and other literature to book shops, meetings, gatherings and events. Find out more about the project, how to join, and how the network supports independent media producers and outlets by contributing to a sustainable economy.

3pm – 4pm 

Sustainable Activism
Activist Trauma Support Group 

Activist Trauma Support will talk about their work over the past few years and facilitate discussion on the practical, personal and political aspects of sustainability within autonomous groups working towards radical social change. Please note: this will not be the best place to talk about personal experiences at length. However you can talk to ATS before/after the workshop, or at out stall, if you’d like to arrange support for you or somebody you know.

4pm – 5pm 

Introduction & Debate on Participatory Polity

Project for Participatory Society UK 

Members of PPS-UK will make a presentation on 'parpolity' vision before opening up the meeting to general debate. This will be chance to discuss the political structures Anarchists are working towards.

5pm – 6pm 

Earth First 

This meeting is a brief introduction to UK radical ecological direct action. It will be a presentation with an open question and answers session.

ROOM EB1 

11am – 12 noon 

Mexico: Solidarity with Zapatista communities under attack
Organised UK Zapatista Solidarity Network http://ukzapatistas.wordpress.com/

The Zapatista communities in resistance, with their autonomous schools, clinics and decision-making structures, have been an inspiration to the anti-capitalist movement.  Now Zapatista villages and lands are sustaining increasingly violent attacks by the state and paramilitaries.  Hear what’s happening and discuss what we can do. 

12 noon – 1pm 

Housing Co-ops, worker co-ops, social centres and Radical Routes - a quick guide
Organised by Radical Routes Housing Co-ops

Housing without landlords, work without bosses, socialising without, er... money going to big breweries. Radical Routes is a mutual aid network of co-operatives whose members are actively engaged in social change. Depending what people want to know, this workshop can cover: how to set up a housing co-op, worker co-op or social centre, living on the land, what's the purpose of Radical Routes, what Radical Routes can do for you and/or why we could do with another half million pounds (well, who couldn't?). Radical Routes - putting autonomy, mutual aid and non-hierarchy into practice.

1pm – 2pm 

Two Faces of Anarchy?
London Anarchist Forum

What motivates your commitment to anarchism? Are we seekers of liberty with noble aims as many idealists like to view themselves, or reactionary victims of society eaten up with resentment and hate as our critics have sometimes charged? Steve Ash argues that an element of both may be true with either extreme being dangerous. 

2pm – 3pm 

"Kropotkin, Mutual Aid & Evolutionary Theory Today
Iain McKay 

2009 sees the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of the 'Origin of Species'. With those celebrations in mind, Iain McKay will start a discussion about Kropotkin's influence on modern evolutionary theory."

3pm – 4pm 

Is there a need to update critical theory in 2008?
Principia Dialectica 

The meeting will look at the limits of the various anarchisms, or the marxisms, including the Situationist International. Meeting facilitated by the editors of Principia Dialectica.

4pm – 5pm 

Beasts of Burden - Animals, Capitalism and Anarchism
Vegan Campaigns

 An analysis of animal exploitation under capitalism, the ideas and tactics of the animal rights movement, and the anarchist response. The aim is to bring the animal rights and anarchist movements closer together.

5pm – 6pm 

Why oppose borders and states?

Discussion hosted by London No Borders, plus updates on current activities

Come and hear updates from London No Borders on current activities against immigration controls and in solidarity with migrants, and find out how to get involved. Followed by a discussion about the reasons to oppose borders and states, and how a 'No Borders' perspective is useful to all kinds of activism.

ROOM LG1 

11am – 12 noon 

The State of Education
London Autonomous Students Network

LASN started in October 2007 in response to the continuing privatisation of education; corporate involvement with universities; the increasing surveillance and repression of students (CCTV, undercover police, criminalisation of student activism etc) as well as other issues and to the general need for more autonomous groups free from NUS and SU bureaucracy to organise on campus. Join us for a discussion workshop on what we've done so far and how we can continue to build a network of autonomous groups on campus. 

12 noon – 1pm 

Revolutionary Education: What it could be & how to get there
Industrial Workers of the World IU 620

Workers' control, student choice, freedom from the market, creativity, etc. - we all know the basic principles, but what about the practice? In this session, members of the IWW education workers section will talk briefly about their personal views on radical change in the British education system. Wobblies will talk about the future education system they want to see, as well as the nitty-gritty of how we can change the system we have now. This will be followed by a general discussion of the issues raised. All education workers, students and other interested people welcome.

1pm – 2pm 

Taming the Trots: Resisting the Red, White & Blue, and other stories’
The Anarchist Federation

Why and how do Left parties cause such problems in political campaigns? Often hardworking, usually sectarian but sometimes 'coalition-building', Trotskyists are hard to avoid in struggles. By setting up front organisations, creating their own versions of existing networks, or by inserting themselves into grassroots and anarchist-inspired initiatives, the Trot-left aims to lead, control, and even sabotage political movements in order to build their parties. Using recent anti-fascist activity and other examples (UAF, Globalise Resistance, No Sweat, Workers Climate Action, Education Not for Sale, Feminist Fightback), the AFed debates countering the authoritarian left.

2pm – 3pm 

It’s the stupid economy
The Anarchist Federation 

By the time of the Bookfair, Capitalism will have already collapsed in a global financial melt-down! Hooray! In reality though, whilst we have a great opportunity to prove that the economic system is indeed inherently fucked-up, we face a long cold Winter of increased poverty and social insecurity, rising prices and endangered pensions, unemployment and a clampdown on benefits. We could also see a turn to the Right, with migrant workers under attack. Anarchists will respond by helping the working class fight back. Our response will lay the foundations of a better world. But how do we do this best? In local or national campaigns? In a generalised movement against poverty & bosses, or specific worker/unemployed/migrant campaigns? Come and mull it over with the AFed.

3pm – 5pm 

Social War not Climate Chaos: Copenhagen 2009 and Beyond
The Anti-Authoritarian Barrio at Climate Camp 

What is the possibility that the combined ecological breakdown and economic disintegration of the next few years may provide a once-in-a-lifetime moment for revolution? Yet the politics of the UK Climate Camps are still are confusing at best, and absolutely bourgeoisie at worse: witness George Monbiot calling for state-controlled austerity measures on the poor at Heathrow and Kingsnorth! Yet on Nov. 30th 2009, Danish anarchists involved with the Ungdomshuset struggle have called for an international mobilization against COP15 in Copenhagen, the largest United Nations conference on climate change in history, which will likely be ratifying a bankrupt carbon-trading market. Come to talk politics, strategy and tactics. The first hour will be a reflection of the politics of the UK Climate Change movement, while the second hour will discuss with two Danish anarchists from Klimax 2009 the mobilization for Copenhagen 2009.