Tuesday 21st May 7.00pm

Hydra Bookshop, 34 Old Market St., Bristol, BS2 0EZ

with Neil Faulkner

We face the greatest crisis in the history of humanity. Economic depression, imperialist war, climate catastrophe, and grotesque social inequalities threaten to tear the world apart. What is to be done? The lesson of history is that human beings make their own history.

Launching his new book, A Marxist History of the World: from Neanderthals to Neoliberals, archaeologist and historian Neil Faulkner argues that history is open and contested. It is an active process of creation in which different futures are possible. It depends on what we do.

Powered by the interaction of technological change, wars between rulers, and class struggle from below, history is a constant struggle for control over society’s wealth. For 5,000 years, that wealth has served greed and war. Now, in the great crisis of the early 21st century, we must act to create a different future.

The meeting will include plenty of time for questions and discussion. All welcome. Join us.

Described by The Guardian as ‘enlightening and apocalyptic in equal measure’, Dr Neil Faulkner is a research fellow at Bristol University, a revolutionary socialist activist, and the author of numerous books, including Rome: Empire of the eagles (2008). He was a lead consultant and contributor to Sky Atlantic’s The British.

The May Day Rally in Bristol saw a large Red and Black presence leading march through the centre.

The Radical Workers block contained members of Bristol SolFed, Bristol AFed, the IWW and other local anarchists. The march stopped outside Primark and called for solidarity with Bangladeshi garment workers who died in the Rana Plaza factory. It is now understood that over 600 people died and many more are still missing.

After the rally in Castle Park the Radical Workers block returned to Primark. Here they blockaded the entrance and turned many shoppers away.

Bristol Anarchist Federation have a report and photos from the march and demo here

Public Meeting for Workers’ Memorial Day: The Fight Against Blacklisting

Monday 29 April 2013 @ 7.30pm Tony Benn House, 92 Victoria Street, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6AY

Politicians and employers like to portray the blacklisting of trade union members for their health & safety activities as a thing of the past. That does not correspond with the reality of life for those who continue to stick their neck out to protect themselves, their workmates and the public.

The meeting will be introduced by:

Di Parkin is a historian and has published “60 years of struggle”, the history of Betteshanger, a militant Kent pit. She will be speaking about the actions of the Economic League who provided blacklisting information to employers in the 1970s and the impact this had on militants in places such as Cowley car works and the Kent coalfield.

An electrician who has worked in the construction industry for 40 years will talk about his experiences of victimisation and the campaign against blacklisting. He is an active member of Unite, a shop steward on a number of jobs and is the Welsh rep on the Rank and File National committee.

A discussion organised by Bristol & District Hazards Group & Bristol Radical History Group.

Acoustic and Electronica night at ARC bar

We have two rooms on Sunday 17th march at the ARC bar. Its St Patricks night so its not going to be your usual Sunday!

ROOM 1 and bar - Acoustic from 6.30pm  Rita Lynch and Clayton Blizzard set the pace with their talents. Rita is an iconic figure in the Bristol music scene with her high energy punk style. Clayton is a radical poet and guitarist.  Commander McNeil has some brilliant and amusing songs. Donkey in a clown suit are a small band with folk influence and unspecified alien landings!!!

The evening starts at 5pm  with a comedy film 'Down By law' directed by the enigmatic Jim Jarmusch. Its a story of three different characters who end up sharing a prison cell.

ROOM 2 From 8pm  Electronica/ Beats/Breaks ................

ONLY £3 before 9pm     £4/5 after