Uproar about legal costs for Marikana workers reflects a political retreat
A short article arguing that the debate around the state's refusal to carry the legal costs of Marikana mine workers reflects a retreat into the politics of reconciliation.
In a recent article Jackie Dugard defends Dali Mpofu against accusations of greed and self-promotion made by Nathan Geffen and Jack Lewis among others. Mpofu is an advocate representing mine workers injured and arrested last year during the strikes associated with the Marikana massacre.
An anarchist theory of criminal justice - Coy McKinney
This paper is a critique of how the state, the legal system, and the criminal justice system function in American society. The paper argues that the racial disparities in society are not by chance, but design, as they represent the original intent of the rich, white men that drafted the Constitution. Ultimately, the paper calls for an anarchist approach to society that would remove the discriminatory, oppressive frameworks we currently live under. Time is spent debunking preconceived notions of anarchism and explaining why it is a viable path.
This paper is a critique of how the state, the legal system, and the criminal justice system function in American society, and calls for an anarchist approach to how society should be organized that will remove the oppressive frameworks we currently live under.
Tinley Park five accept non-cooperating plea bargain
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 10 2013 21:07
From Anti-racist action - On January 4, 2013 all members of the Tinley Park Five accepted a non-cooperating plea bargain in which they each plead guilty to three felony counts of Armed Violence in exchange for “lenient” sentences and the guarantee of ‘day-for-day’ good behavior. Jason Sutherlin was sentenced to 6 years. Cody Lee Sutherlin and Dylan Sutherlin were sentenced to 5 years. Alex Stuck and John Tucker were sentenced to 3 1/2 years due to their youth and complete lack of criminal history. Each will be placed upon two years of supervised release upon release from prison.
Before the plea was accepted, the State offered the Tinley Park Five one last chance to betray their comrades in exchange for their freedom. What a waste of time! As anarchist and antifascists, the Tinley Park Five are no more capable of selling out the struggle than their broken system is capable of reforming itself! They laughed at the offer and bravely accepted their fate.
POA Cry-Wolf at Morton Hall Immigration Centre
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 3 2013 00:16
Several prison officers are reported to have been injured during a serious disturbance at the Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre on Christmas Eve. One prisoner is said to be in a serious condition in hospital with a head injury. Between 30 and 40 Prisoners are believed to have started a peaceful protest against conditions within the facility, and refused to return to their cells when instructed to.
Despite the UK border agency playing down the incident, the POA (Prison Officer Association) claim that around 50 individuals were involved in serious violence that included the use of home-made knives, pool-cues, and snooker balls. They also claim that there was a serious escape attempt thwarted on Christmas day.
Russian prisoners fight-back against corrupt and brutal screws
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 2 2013 20:19
Hundreds of prisoners at Prison Number 6 in Kopeisk, in the Urals region of Russia, have fought fierce battles with screws and security forces and launched a rooftop occupation in a protest against draconian conditions, torture, extortion, and the use of solitary confinement. Four inmates have died at the prison in recent years following beatings from staff. The protest lasted for two days before the police and army special forces managed to regain control.
The trouble started when around 250 prisoners refused to follow the prison rules and routine, demanding the immediate release of those in solitary confinement. An end to barbaric treatment and extortion were the main demands that the prisoners had. Whilst on the roof, the prisoners unfurled placards that read, “Help us”, and “We have a thousand on hunger strike”
Kenyan police murder four squatters during eviction
Submitted by working class s... on Jan 1 2013 17:45
Four people have been killed and ten others seriously injured when police opened fire on squatters protesting about being evicted from the 1200 acre Twiga Estate farm in Kenya, which they have lived on since 1952.
152 families (4,000 people) have been living on the farm since 1952, but claim they have owned the land since 1965 when itwas given to them by a white settler. They built homes and schools, and farmed the land for over 60 years.
Some reflections on sexual violence and the struggles against it - Kavita Krishnan
The following article was written in April 2012, before the recent anti-rape protests of December 2012 in India. Though we may take issue with some of its political conclusions and general orientation, it nevertheless provides some useful analysis and context for gender relations and the function of rape in Indian society. It also gives an indication of the thinking of a section of the Indian feminist left.
Following a series of instances of rape in West Bengal, the Chief Minister first denied the rapes, cast aspersions on the morals and veracity of the complainants, and then announced restrictions on timings of bars, nightclubs etc.
Class justice in 1920
Submitted by Battlescarred on Dec 19 2012 11:16
A short account of the attack on the anarchist speaker Sydney Hanson
The bus conductor and anarchist Sydney Albert Hanson had just delivered a fiery speech in Hammersmith Grove in April 1920 and started walking home with his wife and child. Hammersmith Grove had long been a site for anarchist meetings. James Tochatti had his shop around the corner and had influenced many local workers towards anarchist-communism.
Fascists and state repression
Submitted by working class s... on Nov 8 2012 17:52
Some brief observations regarding attitudes towards the repression of the far-right by state forces.
The following observations are in no way typical of the majority of anarchists, just a small minority I have encountered in recent weeks.
The last few months has seen a marked increase in the active interference by the Police in the activities of various far-right groups, such as the English Defence League, Infidels of Britain, National Front, and the Combined Ex Forces (CxF).
Labour law and order
Submitted by wojtek on Nov 2 2012 23:56
An article by Preston Clements for Freedom on the repeal of the Trades Dispute Act in 1946 and the reactionary nature of both the Labour Party and T.U.C.
Hollywood could not have better staged the repeal of the Trades Dispute Act than did the highly publicised politicians at Westminster.
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