Eat the rich this Halloween

The LibDemCons worst nightmare – anarchists zombies in the area!

Bristol AF and ABC groups invite you to an (almost) apolitical zombie nite fundraiser this Halloween, down at our favourite undead venue, the Kebele social centre. There will be films from 4pm until late, with the usual Sunday vegan meal served around 6.30pm, plus all evening there’ll be cakes, popcorn and various dubious liquids.

Solidarity fundraiser night for persecuted Russian activist

This Sunday, 10 October, from 6pm, Bristol ABC is hosting a cafe and film night at Kebele social centre, 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol BS5 6JY. Half the proceeds from the cafe, and any other donations, will be sent off to support a Russian anti-fascist & anarchist who has been forced to flee his home city due to threats from both the state and right-wing groups.

Free Jock Palfreeman

Self-defence is NO offence.
An International Week of Action has been called by Jock’s supporters for the 15 to 20 October 2010 in the run up to Jock’s appeal (probably the one and only appeal!) on 21 October. See Jock’s campaign website, and see our previous articles about him.

Jock is a young Australian anti-fascist imprisoned for 20 years in Bulgaria, after being convicted of killing a right-wing football hooligan, and wounding another. Prior to visiting Bulgaria in 2007, Jock had lived for a while in Bristol, where he got involved in a number of campaigns. A number of Bristolians visited Bulgaria at the same time as him. The full callout for solidarity with Jock is below, but first here’s a few Bristol events to get the ball rolling, along with a local flyer (pdf download) Jock_flyer:

Tattoo Circus

A weird and wonderful DIY prisoner support benefit in London in a secure squatted venue. Includes stalls from Bristol ABC and the Bent Bars project. Full details on the image, ring 07404981936 for the squat location. Enjoy!

Smellie in court, but G20 Bristolian found not guilty

Sgt Smellie, a riot cop in the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG – fully trained riot thugs), has been up in Westminster Magistrates Court all week so far on a charge relating to the anti-G20/police brutality protests on 1 and 2 April last year in central London around the financial district. Smellie is charged with ‘common assault by beating’, which relates to his violent assault on a woman on 2 April when protesters gathered in response to the death of Ian Tomlinson the day before.

Legal progress for the EDO Decommissioners but one remains on remand

UPDATE: Read a report about the Decommissioners court hearing last Monday, by someone who was there.
Elijah ‘James’ Smith has been moved back to Lewes prison. Please write and send him your support and solidarity: Elijah Smith, VP 7551, HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1EA

Some good news today on the legal front for the EDO Decommissioners.

The 6 EDO Decommissioners from Bristol, along with the 3 campaigners from Brighton allegedly implicated in the case, were in court in Brighton today, 1 March,  to hear the judge rule on whether or not they could proceed with their defence. That defence is based on the arguement that whatever crime(s) they may have committed were justified by the fact they acted to stop a far greater crime – namely that by decommissioning the EDO MBM/ITT arms factory in Brighton they would contribute to stopping the Israeli state from bombing Gazan civilians during the attack in December 2008/January 2009. First reports from the court indicate the judge has ruled in their favour!

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.

Bristol EDO Decommissioner Elijah Smith a prisoner of war for one year

Elijah (James) Smith has now been locked up on remand for one year, ever since his arrest last 18 January 2009 after the EDO/MBM ITT factory in Brighton was trashed by 6 campaigners from Bristol. His and the other 5’s trial for that action commences on May 17 in Brighton (along with 3 other people from Brighton allegedly implicated in the action), however he faces being held on remand at least until his trial for the Raytheon 2 (formerly 3) starts in Bristol in early September.

Letter from Elijah James Smith Bristol EDO Decommissioner on remand

Back on 20 December, at the Bristol EDO Decommissioners solstice fundraising cafe at kebele social centre, a card was produced for Elijah (James) Smith by a Bristol ABC activist, and all present were asked to send him a seasonal and new year message. Elijah of course is still locked up in prison, now nearly for 1 whole year on remand, innocent until proven guilty – but locked away anyway by the state.

Well the card was sent, and on xmas eve Elijah penned a reply, that has now been received in the post. Here’s what he had to say:

Elijah Smith 11 months locked up without a trial

Today 20 December marks 11 months on remand for EDO Decommissioner Elijah (James) Smith. That’s 11 months locked away in a shitty little cell, deprived of all his freedom, and without any opportunity to argue his case in court. 11 months in prison without actually being found guilty of anything.

Elijah and the other 5 Bristol anti-militarists face a major trial in May 2010. Whilst the other five face stringent bail conditions, they are at least not locked up in a cell. Elijah however faces another 5 months locked away before getting into court. Compare and contrast this treatment of a man accused only of property damage, with the treatment of the cop who assaulted Ian Tomlinson, moments before he died, at the G20 protests in London on 1 April 2009 – who remains uncharged, at liberty and on full pay. British justice, what a farce.

Elijah presently remains in Lewes prison. Please write and send him your support, write to Elijah Smith VP 7551, HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1EA

Next big Smash EDO protest

Elijah, the other Decommissioners would welcome your support and solidarity, both in their case and in their campaign against EDO ITT and other profiteers from wars. To support the Decommissioners check their website, keep an eye on Bristol Indymedia for upcoming events, and also see the wider Smash Edo campaign. To support the anti-militarist campaign just find an arms delaer/manufacturer, anywhere, and DIY. There is a fundraising cafe & film night for the Decommissioners support campaign tonight, 20 December, from 6pm at Kebele social centre.

Solidarity!