Running riot - Jennifer Allen
Following the Arab Spring and the UK riots, Jennifer Allen highlights the commonality of urban insurrection throughout history.
Let me begin with a disclaimer: I have no authority to comment on the recent UK riots. Like many foreign observers watching from afar, I looked for answers from politicians and commentators in the wake of the destruction – without much success. Perhaps a few pieces went missing from the puzzle: the history of the city mob and of vandalism.
Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers strike after factory collapse
Submitted by Steven. on Apr 26 2013 11:24
Hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike on Thursday in protest at the deaths of hundreds of workers in a factory collapse the previous day.
Workers downed tools and blockaded major highways in several industrial areas outside the capital Dhaka, forcing factory bosses to declare a day's holiday.
Factories where the owners did not grant the day off were attacked.
The chief of police told press that many of the workers also "wanted to donate blood to their fellow workers", over 1000 of whom were injured in the collapse.
‘We don’t forgive, we don’t forget’: anti-fascists commemorate ten years since the murder of Davide Cesare
Submitted by StrugglesInItaly on Mar 17 2013 17:50
Ten years after the murder of leftist militant Davide Cesare aka DAX, stabbed to death by fascists on March 16 2003, thousands of activists march in Milan to commemorate his death and to carry forward his ideals.
On Saturday 16th March 2013, around 10,000 people took part in a demonstration in Milan to commemorate ten years since the murder of Davide Cesare aka ‘Dax’ by fascists.
The rebellion contained: the empire strikes back
Submitted by automattick on Mar 16 2013 19:41
Will from the east coast revolutionary collective, the Fire Next Time, analyzes the ongoing events in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Last night the Empire struck back. It is too simple to say that the NYPD is what I am referring to. No doubt the NYPD came out in greater force and presence then the night of the rebellion. Cops were not only in the air, on horse, but on top of the buildings. There was virtually no escaping the eyes of the law last night.
Queens, hookers, and hustlers: Organizing for survival and revolt amongst gender-variant sex workers, 1950-1970
Submitted by wojtek on Mar 13 2013 15:30
A selection from Mack Friedman’s Strapped for Cash: A History of American Hustler Culture.
From the Introduction:
Ulster loyalism, flag protests and the failure of zero sum politics
Submitted by Maloney on Jan 9 2013 12:12
The continuing opposition by loyalists to the decision by Belfast city council to limit the flying of the Union Jack is a product of a deeply sectarian colonial settlement that smothers the importance of class.
The disturbances were pretty predicable in the context of summer riots over parading, intra unionist rivalry and rising anger in traditional protestant working class communities over shortage of jobs, housing and perceived gains made by the ‘nationalist’ community.
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”
Editorial - Looting, arson and organisation
Originally published in September 2011.
As a magazine we have always tried to published commentary on current affairs in movement politics, as well as allowing for undogmatic, critical reflection and debate. Recently this has been particularly challenging; a pattern has emerged for the Shift team over the last year. It goes like this.
Insurrection and a conservative revolution: some thoughts on the recent riots - Raphael Schlembach
Raph Schlembach looks at the London riots and the absence of any Left presence. Originally published in September 2011.
1. What if there was a riot and we weren’t invited?
The question sums up the dilemma that an undogmatic and autonomous left has battled with since the riots and looting that started in Tottenham early last August.
Once upon a time there was a place called Nothing Hill Gate…
Submitted by Steven. on Nov 18 2012 14:13
A personal account covering 20 years of working class history in Notting Hill, including the Carnival, the 1987 riot and the conflicts on All Saints Road. Published by BM Blob in the spring of 1988.
Preamble
The following is a personal account covering a more or less twenty-year period in Notting Hill Gate (also called North Kensington and colloquially known as "The Gate".) It is sketchy here but detailed there focusing, on the main event: the Notting Hill Carnival, particularly the 1987 riot and the years of conflict on All Saints Road.
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