Tag Archives: demonstration

Demonstrations, Events, Submissions

No Kings! No States! [Anti-capitalist/anti-state bloc at edinburgh demos, 06/05]

Submission by comrades in Edinburgh.

Attention all anti-monarchists and opponents of capitalism and the state!

On May 6th, 2023, we are calling for an anti-capitalist and anti-state bloc at Edinburgh’s May Day rally at 12pm, as well as the anti-monarchy rally on Calton Hill at 3pm.

This will be a demonstration against the coronation of Charles and the entire institution of monarchy, as well as the state and capitalism.

We refuse to stand idly be as this archaic system of oppression is celebrated and perpetuated. The UK capitalist state is based on dispossession of the commons and colonial plunder, with the monarchy being the most egregious and obvious example. In Scotland, half of rural land is owned by 432 landowners, whilst everyone else spends most of their working lives exploited at work, paying off a debt on a small patch of land which is barely enough to accommodate a dwelling, if they can even get a mortgage at all. The capitalist state system is driving us towards extinction due to ecological collapse – we must radically transform our social and economic system before it’s too late.

We call on all those who yearn for a world free from domination to join us on May 6th. Let us take to the streets, make our voices heard, and demonstrate our collective power. Let us show the world that another world is not only possible, but necessary.

We stand as part of a long and proud history of revolt, from the Paris Commune of 1871 and the Spanish revolution of 1936 to the on-going revolutions of the Zapatistas and Rojava who are showing that a world beyond the state and capitalism is possible.

An elected head of state will not change anything, just simply give the capitalist state a more liberal image. Its neocolonial plunder will continue, it will continue to protect the interests of capital against the working class.

We propose smashing the state and replacing it with a confederation of autonomous participatory councils, communes and assemblies. Workers should take control of their workplaces, abolish bosses and place them under workers-self management. This federated grassroots participatory polity using recallable delegates and confederation should encompass the whole world into an international “commune of communes”. This would give power back to communities, and allow us to take back control of our lives. It’s been done before, from the Spanish revolution, to Rojava and the Zapatistas. We can do it here too.

Fire to the monarchy! Fire to the state! Take back the commons – for an international Democratic Confederalism and the commune of communes!

For contact: edinburghlibertariansocialists@proton.me

P.S. Clydeside Anarchist Noise is in a period of self-reflection, meaning we have taken a short break from outward-facing action. Meanwhile, we have been supporting local struggles and building networks of solidarity. Stay tuned, and see you soon on the streets…

Events, Solidarity

Solidarity coffee afternoon – Introduction

On 10/10/22, we organised a solidarity coffee afternoon for the Kenmure 3 at the Pink Peacock. The text below was read at the beginning of the event to give the discussion some direction in engaging with certain questions we have for the ‘movement’.

In May 2021 an immigration raid attempting to kidnap two residents was stopped by locals after an eight-hour stand-off with the Home Office goons and their protectors in Police Scotland. It was a huge victory, one of the most significant moments within all anti-border struggles on these isles in decades. For one short day, in one small part of Glasgow, we actually made reality the promise of “No borders, No Nations, Stop Deportations”. However, during the course of the day, three people were arrested and are now potentially facing time in prison, isolated from their community for the crime of defending it against the violence of the state. 

 
This is just one case in a long, bloody list of people paying hard consequences for standing up to state and police power, in Scotland and all over the world. As anarchists, we understand and expect that the state will defend its own power over us, and that in the final analysis, they will use their attack dogs in the police and prison system to that end, as the main defense of the system which is crushing us. Despite this,we can also see that solidarity with arestees is often not prioritised by our movement. That people often – too often – face court, and prison, alone.
 
Why is supporting those who are facing the most direct violence of the state so important for anarchists?
Why hasn’t the case of the Kenmure 3 attracted more attention and support?
What can we do to support them more? And then, to support those others who will face the same thing in the future?
What can we do for those who are already behind bars?