With Allies Like These - Meeting 25/4/18

April’s ACG libertarian socialist discussion meeting discusses the document With Allies Like These: Reflections on Privilege Reductionism by the now defunct Canadian group, Common Cause. The pamphlet criticises the theory and practice of anti-oppression politics.   

Meeting takes place on
Wednesday 25th April at 7.30pm at 
Regent Sports & Social Club, 102 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7DA

Midlands Discussion Forum, Birmingham 17/3/18

Reforms, Reformism and the Welfare State

The subject is reforms and reformism in the context of the recent years of UK austerity and public sector cutbacks and the rolling back of the 'welfare state' - with particular reference to how we relate to left and union lead campaigns in response to this (for instance with the NHS). Saturday 17th March at 2pm at the Woodman Pub back room, New Canal Street, Birmingham B5 54G (next to the parkway at the Curzon Stret end) and 15 mins walk from New Street or Moor Street railway stations. All Welcome. Following documents may be useful: HERE and HERE.

Meeting - What is anarchist communism? 21/3/18

What is Anarchist Communism?
Following on from the foundation of the Anarchist Communist Group, our next monthly libertarian socialist discussion meeting in Leicester is a back to basics, ‘what’s it all about this anarchist communism lark’ discussion.

7.30pm, Wednesday 21st March at the Regent Sports & Social Club, 102 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7DA

Day of Action Against Universal Credit

See also HERE for earlier article on the Day of Action.

Founding Conference of New Anarchist Organisation, the Anarchist Communist Group

On Saturday 17th February, anarchist communist militants met in Leicester to found a new organisation, the Anarchist Communist Group (ACG). Those present adopted  Aims and Principles and a constitution. The preamble to the Aims and Principles reads:

“We are a revolutionary anarchist communist organisation made up of local groups and individuals who seek a complete transformation of society, and the creation of anarchist communism. This will mean the working class overthrowing capitalism, abolishing the State, getting rid of exploitation, hierarchies and oppressions, and halting the destruction of the environment. To contribute to the building of a revolutionary anarchist movement we believe it is important to be organised. We are committed to building an effective national and international organisation that has a collective identity and works towards the common goal of anarchist communism, whilst at the same time working together with other working class organisations and in grass roots campaigns. We do not see ourselves as the leaders of a revolutionary movement but part of a wider movement for revolutionary change. In addition, we strive to base all our current actions on the principles that will be the basis of the future society: mutual aid, solidarity, collective responsibility, individual freedom and autonomy, free association and federalism.”

The discussion document “Potential Activities Of A New Organisation” was discussed and adopted. Initial emphasis would be on agitational literature and activity around Land Justice, housing and the NHS. In addition, there was a commitment to street agitation-stickers and posters.

It was decided that the ACG should focus on the campaign against Universal Credit using the Disabled People Against Cuts slogan “Stop It and Scrap It”. Leicester ACG agreed to make and circulate leaflets and stickers in regards to Universal Credit, capable of being locally adapted.

It was also agreed to hold Annual Day Schools. The first of these will be in early November 2018 in London on the subject of “Advancing The Class Struggle: Problems and Issues for the Anarchist Communists”.

It was agreed to bring out a newspaper that will be primarily agitational. The first issue should appear in April of this year. In addition we will be establishing a new website soon. We will also soon be producing a series of pamphlets.

It was agreed to seek affiliation to the International of Anarchist Federations and to attend the forthcoming international conference in Slovenia.

A motion was passed on Anarchist Communist Unity. It reads:

“Whilst recognising the differences between our organisation and others on the libertarian communist spectrum in Britain – Anarchist Federation, Solidarity Federation, Libertarian Socialist Federation, etc. – we should seek to promote where possible: joint solidarity work with comrades facing repression, imprisonment, bad health, either here or in the rest of the world; joint solidarity work over workplace struggles – joint bulletins where possible, joint fundraising and publicity etc.”

The conference was marked by a spirit of enthusiasm and by a business-like approach. We intend making ourselves known through our activities, propaganda and development of theory.

Enquiries about the ACG, membership, etc. should be sent to communistanarchism@gmail.com

1/3/18 Day of Action Against Universal Credit

Thursday 1st March

There will be a national day of action to call for Universal Credit to be scrapped on March 1st. We hope Leicestershire groups will be able to support this and please send details of any planned events to mail@dpac.uk.net

Day of Action against Universal Credit - local protests

Brighton – March 1st Clock Tower, Brighton, 10.30 am – 1pm information handout    https://www.facebook.com/events/327263861014031/
Bristol – March 1st at Broadmead Shopping Centre 12 – 2 pm all meeting up in the middle. Please wear black if possible.

Ceredigion – March 3rd 11am – 1pm Guildhall, Cardigan

SA43 1JL

https://www.facebook.com/events/1725015990888709/
Edinburgh
Thurs 1st March  1pm (till approx 2.30pm)
Leith Jobcentre, 199 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6JF
Edinburgh action called by Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty – grass-roots anti-austerity and disability rights groups invited to participate with their banners and stalls.
https://www.facebook.com/events/437482893334245/ 
Falmouth – March 1^st 8-11am at Penryn Jobcentre, Penmarin House, Commercial Rd, Penryn TR10 8SB
https://www.facebook.com/events/560750934288894/ 
Manchester- March 1st at 13:00–15:00
St Peter’s Square, Manchester,
https://www.facebook.com/events/382322465513090/ 
Norwich – Norwich City Hall 12.30 – 2pm
More info https://dpac.uk.net/2018/01/national-day-of-action-to-stopandscrap-universal-credit-march-1st/ https://dpac.uk.net/2018/01/dpac-position-statement-and-motion-for-union-branches-on-universal-credit/

A Bulgarian Anarchist's Story - Alexander Nakov

The following book is the autobiography of the 97 year old revolutionary anarchist communist in Bulgaria, Alexander Nakov. This first English translation was edited and contributed to by former AF members now associated with this Communist Anarchism blog.


 

The Dossier of Subject No. 1218 

A Bulgarian Anarchist's Story

by Alexander Nakov

ALEXANDER NAKOV, BORN 1919: “SECONDARY EDUCATION IN FASCIST PRISONS… HIGHER EDUCATION IN BOLSHEVIK PRISONS”

Of the few who managed to survive the horrors of Bulgaria’s Stalinist concentration camps, Alexander Nakov is possibly the most representative of the older generation of active and committed anarchists.

Initially reluctant to write his memoirs, Alexander was eventually persuaded by friends that his story needed to be told. And by telling that story, he now remains a vital link between the anarchist militants of the past and the youth of today.

In clear and concise prose, Alexander details his youthful activity, his subsequent imprisonment and his fierce resistance to an inhuman system.

As well as his memoirs, this book also contains official government and state security documents about the author – documents that give yet another insight into the anarchist Alexander Nakov, targeted by the "People’s State" and classified as "Subject No.1218."

Translated from the Bulgarian original by Mariya Radeva, edited by Rob Blow, foreword by Nick Heath.

* * * * *

Published by Black Cat Press
ISBN 978-1-926878-16-4 (paperback)
178 pp., index; 5 colour plates; 29 in-text graphics; 213x134x13mm, 245 g.

For a review of the book, click HERE
For more info on Alexander Nakov, click HERE
 

Send £14 - price includes UK postage
If overseas, drop us a line for any extra postage costs.

Taken from the Communist Anarchism publications page