💾 Archived View for gemini.spam.works › mirrors › textfiles › politics › SPUNK › sp000164.txt captured on 2022-03-01 at 16:12:28.
View Raw
More Information
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
COUNTER INFORMATION No. 38
October, November, December 93
JOY WAS MURDERED
When the police murdered Joy Gardner on 28th July 1993 the racism of the British
State, immigration laws, police force and popular press was obvious to all who
could see.
Joy was a 40 year old Jamaican woman who had been in Britain since 1987 and
was appealing against a Deportation Order, on compassionate grounds. She died
of hypoxic brain damage after 8 police officers raided her home at 6.30am and
restrained her using a body belt resembling slave manacles, and adhesive tape to
gag her. She had no advance warning of the raid and offered no opposition to the
police. Her solicitor only learned of her appeal being refused 2 hours after she
died.
Nearly 7,000 people were deported from Britain in 1992, an increase of nearly
400%. Since the changes in Immigration laws since 1988. Also in July a Nigerian
woman, Dorothy Nwodcki was deported after having had her thumbs broken, mouth
taped and legs tied together by a private security firm.
On September 8th Quaddus Ali, a 17 year old Asian man was attacked in Stepney
by a gang of racists and almost beaten to death. A peaceful vigil outside the
hospital two days later by over 300 people led to a night of rioting after large
numbers of police waded in. 9 young Asians have been charged with riot. 2 weeks
later another Asian youth was savagely attacked in Stepney. On the 19th &26th
September hundred of anti-fascists attacked and disrupted BNP paper-sales in
Brick Lane and the police had to intervene to save Richard Edmonds and his
fellow fascists.
Anti-racist resistance to these State attacks continues with over 1,200
demonstrating on 7th August at Joy Gardners death. On 10th July, 75 people
protested outside a London police station after Rita Porter, a black mother of
two was attacked then charged with assault by police after she refused to leave
her local electricity showroom until her supply was reconnected. The charges
have since been dropped. On 30th August,300 anti-fascists prevented a planned
march in the town centre of Burnley, Lancashire.
In Paris, a neighbourhood collective has been set up to take daily action
against police excesses after a number of murders & arrests of those protesting
against State murder. French National; Front leader, Jean Marie Le Pen was
unable to hold fascist seminars in Edinburgh and then Dublin after intense local
opposition. In Tokyo in late July a rally and march was held to protest at the
deportation of foreigners, mostly Iranians, illegally staying.
In Germany 1,000 activists from Anti Fascist Action descended on Fulda in
Hesse on 16 August to stop a secretly planned Nazi Rudolf Hess commemoration.
Though a massive police operation stopped most anti fascists entering the town,
anti fascists were encouraged by the fascists turn-out being much lower than
previous years.
OPERATION OPPRESS-U
WITH the threatened arrival of Operation Rescue (O.R.) in the U.K. we thought
we'd look into this anti-abortionist organisation.
O.R. appears to be made up of respectable soldiers of God but behind their
respectability are a mish-mash of nazis, ex- Klu Klux Klan grand-dragons (!)
and holier than thou Christians/Catholics.
O.R. picket, hassle and intimidate doctors, nurses, clinic workers, and women
who have chosen to have an abortion. They picket their homes, fire-bomb
clinics, and have also stayed quiet on the killing of a doctor killed by a
frenzied picketer.
They have their own training camps where they train IMPACT teams. They learn
how to terrorize and intimidate those of us who would control our own bodies and
lives.
But this harrassment has been met with resistance. In USA, Britain and
elsewhere, counter demonstrations have chased off the no-choice bigots in
defence of abortion clinics, staff and women who need to use them.
Be on the look out.
Rights are Wrongs
The 7 vote victory on a 44% turnout, representing 15% of those on the Electoral
Register in Millwall Ward, east London has boosted the media profile of the nazi
British National Party. We have to wage a class war to fight back against
despair & bigotry.
The BNP campaigned under their racist slogan: Rights for Whites. With local
people denied jobs in expanded Finance and Newspaper employment in the area,
overcrowding due to a lack of public housing, and unpopular Tower Hamlets
Council expenditure such as a new Town Hall. The Island has given rise to
dockers supporting Powell 's race policies in 1968, an eccentric Declaration of
UDI for the Isle of Dogs, and now a siege mentality scapegoating the Bangladeshi
community over spilling into the north of the ward after a Ring Road scheme led
to the relocation of residents.
Faced with the Race Relations lobby demanding positive treatment for Asians,
& the Left tail-ending the State, the BNP have manipulated local working class
anger into the cesspit of racism and diverted attention away from Big Business
and the empty private houses unavailable to bangladeshi & white residents alike.
The vote was a silent protest with no BNP posters in windows & few hard-core
Nazi supporters. As a protest-vote it has given publicity to grievances that
can be bought-off by reversing the run-down of public housing and jobs.
RESIST PENSIONER GENOCIDE
DON'T pay VAT on your fuel bills or on standing charges. Help keep older people
alive, contact your local Pensioners Rights Group for practical ways to show
SOLIDARITY. Loughborough Pensioners Rights Group.
The addition of 8% VAT from April 1994 and 17.5% a year later will cause
pensioner genocide say the group, as older people have to choose between eating
and heating.
Contact: Loughborough Pensioners Rights Group, c/o Gorse Covert Community
Centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough LE11 ORZ Tel. 843752
UNITED NATIONS CAN'T END WAR!
The endgame is being played out in Bosnia-Hercegovina. With partition being
negotiated, rebellion is growing amongst the population, including troops,
against the war economy. In Somalia, UN "peace-keeping" has been hijacked by
U.S. gun-toting farce. Elsewhere, the 'new world order' has become a tired
cliche for "new, improved" death and destruction on a world scale.
In CI 32, 2 years ago, we denounced the "Plague of Nationalism" and
anticipated a Bosnian conflict "reminiscent of Lebanon": 100,000 dead , 2
million displaced and embittered refugees, 50,000 women raped, thousands maimed
& scarred by a so-called "civil" war. What was a multi-ethnic society, with low
religious observance by those termed muslim, has become ethnically cleansed
areas based on nationalist myth and intolerance. The agenda of the Serbian and
Croatian states has been realised with the collusion of western diplomats such
as Carrington who gave the green light to partition, and the illusion of US led
intervention which led the Bosnian elite to cling to increasingly hollow
threats of airstrikes*.
Smart bombs can't liberate
In Somalia there is no delay. Even the humanitarian aid effort has been
jeopardised by the use of force often against protesters and townships. General
Aideed may have used women and children as a a human shield, but the U.S. is
callously using southern Somalia as a training ground for 3rd World insurgency
based on the Cortina training at the Fort Chafee base in President Clintons
Arkansas. The U.N. has behaved like another warlord and is no longer trusted by
a population subject to of warlord & superpower barbarity.
Confusion on the left has accompanied the fascist glee at Balkan barbarism.
The leftist theory is that each conflict demands "taking sides" with one State
because it is "objectively" resisting imperialism. Hence you have the RCP
siding with Serbia in the mistaken belief that western crocodile tears for
Bosnia=a threat to starve and bomb the anti-Nazi Serbs. On the other hand,
German encouragement of Slovene, Croatian independence was not matched by
France, USA and especially Britain. The WRP and assorted liberals argue that
as anti-imperialists you must support the Bosnian State and its multi-ethnic
legitimacy.
No solidarity with States
Following similar humanitarian missions, a Workers Aid convoy has taken off
from the Timex to deliver supplies to the workers of Tuzla. The motives of many
taking part are to be applauded. However, the interests of the ruling elite,
Bosnian included, must always be viewed as distinct from the aspirations of
working people, especially those in Sarajevo preserving a multi-ethnic society.
In central Bosnia, revenge ethnic cleansing and atrocity, a mutual process with
Croat forces, is driving a wedge between working people and promoting
fundamentalism.
The selective response of the United Nations to preventing war is demonstrated
elsewhere by the unrestrained Armenian advance in Azerbaijan; Unita restarting
the civil war in Angola after they lost the Election and U.S. support; the Khmer
Rouge in Cambodia; the continued State terrorism in East Timor, Kashmir,
Burma, Kurdish areas etc. The move to democracy in South Africa and the
PLO/Israel deal for limited autonomy cannot bring peace. War, death and
destruction is central to capitalism on a world scale. Only social revolution
can end the barbarism of nationalist conflict.
- see articles in Here & Now 13, c/o 28 King St., Glasgow G1 5QP & Subversion 13,
Dept 10, 1 Newton St., Manchester M1 1HW - samples free, send large stamped
addressed envelopes.
Cracks in the Armour?
Disaffection is beginning to show among some soldiers but at present their aims
are confused. Serbian soldiers have taken control in Banja Luka, northern
Bosnia. They are holding local officials and demanding an end to war
profiteering and corruption in local government, supported by people suffering
from hyper inflation. Other army units are reported to be taking similar
actions, notably at Brcko.
In Serbia, Trade Union officials, pressurised by angry members called for a
General Strike for August 2-6 to protest at 50% daily inflation, 50%
unemployment, production down 60% since Sanctions were imposed. Recent strikes
have included 18,000 miners, 10,000 chemical workers and actions by enginering
and transport workers. Farmers in annexed Vojvodina have been blocking roads
in protest at low grain prices offered by the Belgrade Government.
At the end of 1992, Serbian reservists refused mobilisation against Croatia.
6,700 in Kragujevac reported for duty without weapons and refused to go to the
front; in Valijevo, 200 returning from the front forced the Commander to
discharge them; at Markutsika on December 18th,700 refused further duty after
their 45 day service ended. 150 Belgrade reservists were sent back from the
front after a 3 day hunger strike.
Citizen groups exist to help the victims of war and pressurise Governments to
stop promoting the conflict. They document human rights abuses, give
pyscho-social counselling for rape and other war victims, and support
conscientious objectors. In Serbia, Radio 852 broadcasts alternative new &
information. With international support and networking these civil society
groups can continue their work.
Source: ContraFlow, Kick It Over, Bad Attitude.
UNEMPLOYED REVOLT!
UNEMPLOYED people are rebelling against compulsory Jobplan Workshop. Claimants
unemployed for over a year are being forced on to this one week course under
threat of 40% benefit cuts.
But many courses are ending in disarray as the conscripts argue with the
trainers and generally refuse to co-operate. Claimants groups are leafleting
the courses encouraging maximum insubordination. On 8 June 16 claimants walked
out of their workshop in Lambeth.
50 Jobplan resisters stormed Brixton Job Centre on 12 July. The hour-long
occupation was organised by Lambeth Unemployed Action Group.
In Edinburgh a dozen claimants halted work at High Riggs Unemployment Benefit
Office on 10 August, playing drums, displaying placards and distributing
leaflets against Jobplan Workshop.
Contact:
Lambeth Unwaged Action Group, 12-14 Thornton St, London SW9 Tel 071 733 5135;
Edinburgh Unemployed Workers Centre, 103 Broughton St. Tel 031 557 0718
McLibel
TWO unwaged London Greenpeace supporters are defending themselves against McDonalds in a major libel case. Defiance
is growing.
- In some towns weekly pickets now besiege McDonalds
- There have been protests in a dozen countries
- 15 - 17 Oct. is World Anti-McDonalds Weekend, Demonstrate 15th at 4.30 pm
McDonalds HQ, High Road, (East Finchley tube) - and in your area!
Contact: McLibel Support Campaign, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N!
BEATING THE BULLDOZERS
Public opinion seems to be U-turning against most of the Governments gigantic
insane road expansion programme. This follows a Spring and Summer of
widespread, often intense, struggle - given occasional media coverage - by a
broadbased diversity of environmental eco activists ranging from liberal middle
class groups (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth) to the more encouraging direct
actionists aligned to Earth First and Green Anarchist.
Overcoming setbacks, the initiative has switched to the protesters,
following a series of reverses for the roads lobby. This is especially
symbolised by the cancellation of the 300 million road through Oxleas Wood
after a vigorous campaign, and continued delays & resistance at Pollok Estate
(Glasgow) and Twyford Down to Tarmac and fellow scumbags Group 4.
An appeal for more help from activists prepared for direct action has been
circulated. Action is underway at Wanstead, Jesmond Deane in Newcastle upon
Tyne, the Wensum and Wyndum valley road links near Norwich, the A30/303
Improvement in the West country, he Tin Hat Oxford by-pass, the Birmingham
northern relief road, the M25 widenings and the Skye Bridge in Highland Region.
Usually well away from rich suburbs, road developments pose threats to health
and safety of nearby residents, destroys areas of rare natural beauty and drives
away wildlife. Working class residents in North Pollok (Glasgow), Tottenham/
Haringey & Hornsey/ Wood Green in London, and Kirkby(Liverpool) have taken
action against speeding cars & business commuters after recent child deaths.
Parallel environmental actions centre around the imports of tropical
rainforest hardwood by British/ Multinational companies, and the Store Wars,
with green field sites for shopping malls and superstores(eg Yeovil). 38
arrests on 20th September at Faslane/Coulport highlighted the continued nuclear
convoys which speed through Glasgow and other cities. Despite slick advertising
campaigns, the Thorpe Reprocessing plant at Sellafield is still being resisted.
A week of action - October 31st - November 5th - has been arranged around the
old Nuisance period of Halloween/Guy Fawkes.
For international news of environmental actions contact Green Anarchist(Box M)
and Earth First(Box E) both at 111 Magadalen Rd., Oxford OX4 1RQ.
Joint Enterprise
CHRISTINE Sawbridge was only 15 when she visited her friend Ethel to escape the
ravings of a violent, possessive boyfriend, T. Shortly after, T arrived at the
flat and forced his way in. When Ethel protested, T struck her with a bottle.
When she screamed, he knifed her.
Christine escaped, but didn't report the murder, mostly because of violent
threats from T. She was eventually arrested and charged, along with T with
joint enterprise to rob! Joint enterprise is an old police dodge usually used
to convict innocent bystanders.
In court, Christine was fitted-up by - thats right, the West Midlands
Serious Crime Squad. She was found guilty. She writes. "I am now 24 years
old and have been in prison for nearly 4 years. Last year I finally realised
the futility of writing to the Home Office. I refuse to be shut away like I
don't exist. But I'm here until they admit they make mistakes. Christine would
welcome the formation of a support group.
Contact: Christine Sawbridge, D30409, Drake Hall, Dylan House, Eccleshall,
Stafford
Prisoners rioted at Wymott Prison, Lancashire, on 6 September.
MOST of the inmates participated in the 9 hour riot. At its height, fires
burned throughout the jail, a fuel tank exploded and a group of prisoners
almost reached the front door by using sledgehammers to smash the walls of the
control centre. Damage is estimated at 20 million.
Repression in Peru
PERUVIAN anarchist Andre Villaverde was falsely imprisoned - untried - in
October l991 on nonsensical charges of belonging to the authoritarian Marxist
Shining Path.
Recently, while visiting Andre inside, 2 Peruvian comrades were arrested by
DINCOTE, the national security police. A third visitor from the US Love and
Rage Collective, evaded prison security and left the country.
If tried, Andre will face a Faceless Tribunal of sinister masked judges who
disdain legal rights and rules of evidence.
These arrests, along with DINCOTE raids on anarchist homes, are part of a
co-ordinated policy to discredit and destroy the Peruvian anarchist movement.
Prisoners food must be brought in by outside friends, or they starve. Money
is desperately needed. Protests at Peruvian interests are essential.
Contact Peruvian Solidarity Project, c/o WSM, PO Box 1528, Dublin 8, Eire
All donations acknowledged.
Danish demo
2,000 people marched in protest at the shooting of anti-EEC demonstrators on the
night of Denmarks Yes vote to join the EEC and called for the release of 35
prisoners. The Danish consulate in Gronigen, Netherlands was attacked in
response to the shootings and demonstrations and actions have taken place in
Oslo, Stockholm and Berlin.
Poles Apart
Poland. 500-600 people meet in Gdansk to celebrate May Day with shouts of
"Factories to the Workers". The meeting was broken up by police. In Wroclaw,
300 turned up for May Day organised by Anarchist Federation and Anti-Nazi Front.
In June, the Solidarity (Trade Union) threatened a general strike in support of
health workers and teachers. The government was dismissed and MPs passed a vote
of no confidence.
Burnsalls Battle On
The strikers at Burnsalls in Smethwick, West Midlands have been attacked by
scabs, the police and now they've been told by the GMB union that the strike
is over. The strikers, mainly Asian women, and supporters are determined to
continue the struggle and have demonstrated outside the GMB HQ.
Burnsalls Strikers Support Committee (LONDON) c/0 LONDEC, 205-217 INSTRUMENT
HOUSE, LONDON WC1. Tel: (071) 713 7907.
Mushrooming Pickets
Supporters rallied in Selby, Yorkshire on 24th July to show solidarity with 89
strikers from Middlebrook Mushrooms. The workers, mainly women, were sacked by
Middlebrook (a subsidiary of Booker PLC) when they refused to accept a pay cut.
Information, tel: 0977 662923.
Miners Strike
The miners strike in the USA had spread to involve 17,000 workers across 7
states by late August. London-based Hanson PLC is one of the companies
involved in attacking workers conditions. Mass pickets of up to 1,000 have
clashed with police and scabs. The miners are seeking national and
international solidarity. Info: UMWA, tel. (618) 942 6112
Striking Against Racism
Council housing workers in Southwark, London took unofficial strike action in
late July against racial discrimination and authoritarian management. Although
only 36% of the workforce are black, 84% of those disciplined are black.
A FIGHT FOR EVERYONE !
A country-wide crisis is sweeping the Health Service. Many NHS Trust hospitals are
running out of money and stopping all non-emergency NHS operations. Britain -wide
some hospitals face complete closure.
But at University College Hospital (UCH), North London, workers have fought
back. Nurses and porters were on indefinite strike, with emergency cover, from 17
August till mid- September to resist the hospital's closure.
As we went to press the UCH workers had reluctantly voted to return to work,
following their Union Unison withdrawing support from the strike.
Earlier, other UCH staff and workers at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and
Middlesex hospitals had struck for short periods, and a general campaign to "Defend
the NHS" developed.
The resistance to the UCH closure has involved: ambulance workers refusing to
move UCH patients out of the hospital; patients refusing to be moved!; workers and
community activists occupying a UCH ward for 10 days in September; BT and other
workers not crossing the picket line to dismantle the wards; Camden Council workers
walking out to join the picket ; posties leafleting their rounds and Goodge St.
tube workers broadcasting strike reports over the station tannoy!
There have been mass pickets, three unofficial marches and occupations of the
chief executives office and UCH foyer.
Management used agency nurses to strike-break and refused strikers access to
the building - five nurses were threatened with the sack for trying to provide
emergency cover.
The Union, UNISON, before their final act of sabotage, sent circulars to other
hospitals ordering workers not to support any unofficial action by the UCH workers.
But the strikers said "This is a fight for everyone. We are appealing for your support".
Now the UCH workers are discussing how to continue the battle against the
hospital's closure. Spreading the struggle to involve as many in the community and
in other workplaces as possible will be vital.
Islington Nursery Occupation
TWO nurseries on the Harvest and Springdale Estates in Islington have been occupied
by a Parents Action Group since the 5th of May. On Mayday staff were given 3 months
notice of closure despite protests from the local community. The 24 hour a day
occupation aims to overturn the council decision.
Contact : Islington Under Fives Action Group, c/o Springdale UFEC, 15a Springdale
Rd., London N16. Tel. 071 923 0263
Anti Water Privatisation
AQUATIC activists made a splash with a Wash-In against Water Privatisation in
Edinburghs Water of Leith on 10 July.
This followed the Government announcement that 3 new Scottish Water Boards will
replace today's Council-run set-up. Under orders to maximise private sector
involvement, the Boards are a stepping stone to privatisation.
Activists are urging community-based direct action to defeat any sell-off.
Contact: Stockbridge New Town Solidarity Network Tel 031-667 4299
Easey Street
Unemployed people in Collingwood, Australia have occupied the Easey St. drop-in
centre, with help from local supporters. Despite sabotage, threats of eviction
and police hassle the venue is to be opened up again and used for what it should be - a local drop-in centre self-managed by local users.
Angry People PO BOX 4434 Melbourne University, Parkville, Victoria 3052
Sporting Behaviour
For the second year running and despite advanced planning by the authorities, the
celebrations which followed another championship win for the Chicago Bulls turned
into rioting, especially in the West and South side housing projects. Wealthy
shops were attacked and over 100 police were injured. Unfortunately 1000s were
injured by the police and 682 were arrested. Wind Chill Factor
General Strike
Despite threats from General Babangidas military government, a 3 day general strike
demanding an end to military rule was solidly supported, especially in the
commercial capital Lagos. Government offices, banks and shops were closed and
public transport was brought to a standstill...meanwhile in the oil-rich south-east
of the country, the Ogoni people continue to fight the state and the Shell Oil
company, demanding political autonomy and more compensation for the environmental
damage caused by the oil industry. Several traditional chiefs have been forced out
of the community for opposing the tough stance taken by the people.
Water Fight
In June, united action by 4,000 families in an exclusively working class barrio
(district) of Mexico City succeeded in getting a 40% cut in water rates. In some
areas people are only having to pay 20% of the rates. Working class people are
bypassing the corrupt unions and setting up peoples assemblies to organise their
struggles. Unite 10/7/93
Boycotting Timex
"We have lost everything. All we have left is the fight".
Roger Letty, Timex striker.
THE Timex workers are continuing their battle against the multinational following
the closure of the Dundee factory on 29 August.
Despite innovative grass-roots initiatives, the struggle has so far been unable
to definitively break free from the dead weight of trade union/STUC bureaucracy;
the aim of the most militant workers - occupying the factory before it closed -
was not realised.
Nevertheless the international workers and consumers boycott of Timex is
developing. 14 sacked workers picketed the Timex plant at Besancan, France, for 2
weeks in September, and further visits are planned. An international Timex workers
conference is on the agenda.
The new Timex office in Forfar is picketed daily. And Support Groups, such as
in Edinburgh, are picketing H Samuels and other shops selling Timex watches.
Contact: Timex Strike Committee, c/o AEEU, 2 Union St, Dundee Tel 0382 22406
Edinburgh Support Group Tel 031 556 0903
COUNTER INFORMATION is produced by an independent collective, based in Central
Scotland. Our aim is to assist in the struggle against all injustice, oppression
and exploitation. We invite you to - send us articles and information - subscribe
to Counter Info and take bundles of CI to distribute (donation requested) - make
a much-needed donation (Stamps welcome, Cheques/P.O.s to Counter information.
Write for a Standing Order form). Please write if you aee interested in becoming
involved in the CI collective. We can provide addresses of anti authoritarian
revolutionary groups, and movements to resist injustice (e.g. anti-racist and
community solidarity groups) in most areas of Britain.
COLLECTED BACK ISSUES 1 - 37 $6 from CI EDINBURGH.
For information on CI distribution and revolutionary activities in the north of
England, please write to fellow collective members at Counter Info c/0 52 Call
Lane, Leeds LS1 6DT.
For all other matters please write to COUNTER INFO, PIGEONHOLE CI, C/O 11 FORTH
St., EDINBURGH EH1, SCOTLAND
This issue went to press 29-9-93 Stay in touch!