Thoughts from Bristol Anarchist Federation about Rememberance Sunday, original article here

“War is nothing like a John Wayne movie. There is nothing heroic about being blown up in a vehicle, there is nothing heroic about being shot in an ambush and there is nothing heroic about the deaths of countless civilians.

Calling our soldiers heroes is an attempt to stifle criticism of the wars we are fighting in.

It leads us to that most subtle piece of propaganda: You might not support the war but you must support our heroes, ergo you support the war.
It is revealing that those who send our forces to war and those that spread war propaganda are the ones who choose to wear poppies weeks in advance of Armistice Day.” – Ben Griffin, Ex-SAS Soldier, 2010, Wales online

Revolution at Point Zero: Housework, Reproduction, and Feminist Struggle Date: Wednesday 14th November, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Venue: The Hydra Bookshop
With: Silvia Federici,
Price: Donation

Public Lecture by Silvia Federici and launch of her new book: Revolution at Point Zero: Housework, Reproduction, and Feminist Struggle (PM Press, 2012)

Written between 1974 and the present, Revolution at Point Zero collects forty years of research and theorizing on the nature of housework, social reproduction, and women’s struggles on this terrain—to escape it, to better its conditions, to reconstruct it in ways that provide an alternative to capitalist relations. Indeed, as Federici reveals, behind the capitalist organization of work and the contradictions inherent in “alienated labor” is an explosive ground zero for revolutionary practice upon which are decided the daily realities of our collective reproduction. Beginning with Federici’s organizational work in the Wages for Housework movement, the essays collected here unravel the power and politics of wide but related issues including the international restructuring of reproductive work and its effects on the sexual division of labor, the globalization of care work and sex work, the crisis of elder care, the development of affective labor, and the politics of the commons.

Tuesday November 6th 8pm. The Cube Cinema, Dove Street, Bristol  Entry £3/£4 (But nobody turned away due to lack of funds)

We are pleased to welcome to Bristol a representative of Abahlali base Mjondolo (or Shack Dwellers).  This grassroots movement was begun in the squatter camps around Durban, South Africa in 2005.  Akin to the landless peasants movements around the globe such as the MST in Brazil, the group now has tens of thousands of supporters from more than 30 settlements and as a result have found themselves under attack from the forces representing the state.  The movement has organised a highly contentious but very successful boycott of the March 2006 local government elections under the slogan ‘No Land, No House, No Vote’. Amongst other victories the Abahlali have democratised the governance of many settlements, stopped evictions in a number of settlements, won access to schools and much, much more.

Recently Abahlali base Mjondolo have been vocal and active in their support of the striking miners, the deaths of some which had made this headline news around the globe. Join us at the Cube to find out more about the struggle of poor and working people in South Africa and where we can make common cause as the 1% continue their attempts to lock-out the 99%. 

INCENDIARY HIP HOP BAND MAKE THEIR BRISTOL DEBUT AT SPECIAL TRINITY GIG

Influential hip hop act The Coup make their Bristol debut this month, as part of a short UK tour, their first since forming in the early 1990s.

The event is a fund-raiser to set-up a fund for helping local activist groups/people put on events etc. There is also a meeting being arranged on the Sunday where the Coup will meet local people to talk about their role in Occupy Oakland and the impact that Occupy has been having in the states. The Trinity event on SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER features an evening performance with a full live band, as well as a FREE daytime gig for Under 16s at 5pm.

Not heard of the Coup? Where have you been? Next to Public Enemy, they are probably the best known political hip hop band in the world. The group first exploded on to the scene in 1993 with their debut album Kill My Landlord, a beautifully subversive blast of hip-hop that utilized Boots Riley’s gifted wordplay and addressed topics ranging from racism to police brutality and class warfare. Described as one of the “10 most influential people” by Vibe Magazine, Riley has collaborated over the years with Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Atari Teenage Riot and more. He is a prominent figure in the Occupy Movement, participating in actions and speaking out throughout the world.

Free Pussy Riot! - Benefit
Weds 24th October - 8pm @ Bristol County Sports Club, 40 Colston St, BS1

On 17th August 2012 Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevitch were sentenced to two years imprisonment for their involvement in a Pussy Riot action at a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow.

In a protest that was halted in less than a minute, Pussy Riot performed this song - http://youtu.be/ALS92big4TY

As queers, feminists, anarchists, punks, activists, performers we stand in solidarity with their actions, and we will continue to support them as they fight for freedom from the prison walls of a penal colony and a repressive nation state. Arrests, detention, court hearings, legal representation and campaigning costs lots of money - all profits from this event will be donated to their ongoing struggle.