Support the London 2009 Gaza protesters facing heavy prison sentences

Early 2009 saw many protests in Bristol against the Israeli bombing of Gaza. In London there were a number of large angry marches opposing the bombing of families in Gaza. Some of those protesters are now facing heavy prison sentence. This report from NoMoreIsolation:

93 ARRESTED, 73 CHARGED, 10 JAILED SO FAR

Olympic resistance continues despite arrests

(Update: some direct action solidarity took place in Bristol late on 23 Feburary. A communique posted on the Bristol Indymedia newswire claimed an attack on the Royal Bank of Scotland in central Bristol).

Opposition to the winter olympics on stolen native land continues, across Canada and internationally, despite heavy policing and arrests.

Bristol protest photo

There is a report of the 17 February protest in Bristol here.

Ongoing discrimination against indigenous peoples in Canada

Yesterday 17 February saw a small low key protest in Bristol, organised in solidarity with the anti-olympic protests in and around Vancouver in the Canadian state of British Columbia. The protest was called after Bristol ABC hosted a cafe and info night at Kebele social centre on Sunday 14 February, which focused on the attacks on the rights of indigenous (native) peoples in Canada, and the ongoing theft of their lands – which has been going on for over 500 years.

The promotion and organisation of the winter olympics in Vancouver has stimulated growing resistance from a broad coalition of communities and campaign groups, that has received an increasingly sympathetic hearing amongst the wider population as the massive costs of the olympics has become clearer, and the information known about the environmental impact has become more detailed – for example in excess of 100,000 trees have now been felled to accommodate the olympics. The Canadian government faces growing anger in relation to the olympics, and the economic mess Canada is currently in. No surprise then that at the end of December 2009, the Candian PM suspended Parliament until early March 2010, in a move that also put an embarassing inquiry into Canada’s complicity with the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan onto the backburner. The olympics and democracy? Yeah right!

Solidarity fundraiser for Russian anti-fascists

(Update: From Russia With Love – the fundraiser enabled some £300 to be sent to comrades in Russia, who have sent a big ‘thank you’ in return. Details at Bristol Antifa).

Recent years have seen a rise in right-wing nationalism in Russia. Dire economic problems alongside a lessening of Russian influence on world affairs has led many of its politicians and industrialists to foster nationalism as a way of diverting the anger of workers and land workers down a path that will not threaten their power. Unsurprisingly there has been a growth of racist and fascist groups, including a growing and violent skinhead/hooligan culture, that take their anger out on vulnerable groups in society.

Latin American pages being updated!

Dear anti-prison blog readers,

our Latin American pages are in the process of being updated. We’re translating new articles and information on anti-prison struggles and anarchist/activist prisoners. Keep in mind that most of the links are in Spanish only, and most of the prisoners can’t write in English. A short file on common greetings and phrases to write on cards is on its way…in the meantime, have a look at the page! Comments and suggestions welcome.

Saludos rebeldes