The Autonomist

Most Insurrection-Tastic Evening Post Ever!

2011-11-09T12:37:00.001-08:00

Much as we despise the our local substandard fash-rag, today's edition contains two interesting items:

"Mad Vegetarian" blamed for string of attacks on butchers' shops...

...and Police describe simultaneous arson attacks on torys' cars as "suspicious".

Taking a Break

2011-09-04T03:55:00.001-07:00

As our sharper-eyed readers may have noticed, the promised September issue hasn't happened. We'd obviously love to blame this on the police - and having none of our equipment or files hasn't helped - but the fact is that we've been a very small, overworked group for quite a while now.

We'd love to keep producing the Autonomist, and we think it fills an important role in our community. Unfortunately we're also homeless, overworked, dealing with long-term health issues, and feeling very, very sorry for ourselves.

So if you think you can write cutting-edge articles on current events in 250 words or more, distribute newsletters to a street of shops near you, help collate event data from several dozen websites, or restore our faith in humanity, then please contact us at BristolAutonomist@Gmail.com

We'll probably check it in a few weeks.

September/October Events Up

2011-08-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here, or via the "Events" tab at the top.

Again, apologies to anyone we missed.

Evening Post Demonises the Homeless

2011-08-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

"All writers are propagandists" - Derrick Jensen

Writing newspaper articles is a lot harder than most people think. Complex issues and large amounts of information often have to be squeezed into a small word count whilst retaining reader interest and a certain level of narrative punch. Apart from making the lives of journalists difficult, one effect this has is that one must carefully choose which bits of the story get left in, and which get left out. When only a handful of facts about an event can be conveyed to a reader, each takes on an apparent importance, whilst those left out lose theirs.

For example, if I were to tell you that a heroin addict had beaten someone up, most people would assume that the drugs were a cause of the attack. Why else would I mention it? Likewise, after 9/11, lots of papers ran stories along the lines of "Muslim Leader Orders Attack on World Trade Centre", and none, as far as I'm aware, went with "Multi-Millionaire Orders Attack on World Trade Centre". Thus, the media presented an image of Islam as being pro-terror, and avoided any discussion of whether multi-millionaires tend to be pro-terror.

Recently, the Evening post has covered the murder of Karol Krawczyk (here, for example). Throughout these articles, they miss no opportunity to use the word "squat", or variations thereon. By doing so, they link squatting in the reader's mind with murder. When people who rent or own homes die, or kill people, this is never seen as worth mentioning.

These articles are by no means unique in their negative portrayal of squatters. The SQUASH housing campaign has tracked a recent rise in media demonisation of the homeless and squatters, and believes this to be a prelude to legislative attacks on these communities by the Tory coalition.

Having an Event in September?

2011-08-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

Are you or a group you're involved with having a meeting or putting on an event in September or October?

Would you like it to be listed for free in a local paper with a readership of around 500 people?

If so, email it to us at BristolAutonomist@Gmail.com within the next few days!

Police Repress Local Paper

2011-08-19T04:36:00.001-07:00

On the afternoon of august 17th, police raided a house in central Bristol where an editor of local newspaper The Autonomist lives. Riot police kicked down the door of the property without warning, detained the inhabitants for two hours, and seized articles relating to the production of The Autonomist. Delighted journalists from the Evening Post swarmed around outside, trying to photograph the detainees and remaining in contact with an officer inside by telephone at all times.

The grudgingly-produced warrant for the raid attempts to link the occupants to recent disorder (as did a frankly libellous sign erected outside by the police). It authorises the seizure of "rocks (may by having glass samples upon)" and "white paint", and refers repeatedly to "domestic extremisim [sic]". The list rounded out with such incriminating articles as "pedal cycles", "clothing", and "literature". Several other items not listed, such as passports, were also illegally seized.

The Autonomist is a popular but controversial local paper, produced by a small group of mainly homeless local people and distributed for free. They're dedicated to reporting unheard voices in the community, but this principled stance has caused problems in the past. Refusal to censor reports of the rising tide of sabotage attacks around Bristol, or to stick to police statements when reporting the riots in april, has earned the enmity of the police.

Collective member Lucy Parsons says "The seizure of phones, computers, and paperwork relating to the production of The Autonomist just as we start to compile the september edition is a clear, worrying, and damaging attack on journalistic independence. The demonisation of those who report the news as "domestic extremists", and the willingness to use violence to silence them, does not fill us with confidence in the police or the future of liberty in this country. Regardless, we will continue to produce The Autonomist, using computers at the library if we have to, and you can expect the september issue at the turn of the month."

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Note to groups, etc - We've lost all of the event listing data. If you've got events on in sept/oct, contact us at BristolAutonomist@Gmail.com

Note from occupants of the house to people who know them - We've not been able to contact a lot of you due to our phones being taken. We're all ok at the moment, and please pass this message around.

August's Issue

2011-08-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

Sadly, won't be happening due to other life commitments. And bailiffs. With sledgehammers. Probably hired by the Bath Bomb editorial collective using the last of their corporate funding before they officially merge with 1831 next week.

However, specially for our online readers, a brief glimpse at what you've missed:
- Freeshop Eviction: Now going for longer than the Paris Commune. National Eviction Team have pulled a no-show. Pop down for your weekly fix of free clothes with other people's prints on.
- Bristol Pride: Fun but vapid, with all analysis ruthlessly beaten out of it using Cabot Circus' chequebook. The usual distressing appearances by Pete Tatchell and Stonewall (now sponsored by EDF!)
- Immigration Advisory Service closure: This is really, really bad. To the point where hopefully we'll cover it next month despite it being so long ago.

We'll all be back for the September issue.

July Issue Out Now

2011-07-05T03:21:00.000-07:00

Victory at the Freeshop and more!

Autonomist Issue 8 (pdf)

Autonomist Calendar Issue 8 (pdf)

July / August Events

2011-06-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

I've been lunching out the directory pages on here for a while, but the new events listings for July and August are now up.

The print version isn't going to press until the 1st, so if you see a mistake in the directory, let us know! In return, we'll make you an official Unpaid Proofreading Intern. It'll be like having a graduate job at the daily mail, except that we promise not to swear at you.

1831

2011-06-23T01:58:00.000-07:00

Apparently, those lovely folks over at fellow bristolian freesheet 1831 are willing to hand out free cider to anyone who'll give them a positive press release.

So -
1831 is the best radical newsletter in Bristol. Bar none. Cheers!

June Issue Out Now!

2011-06-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Or rather, it's been out over a week, but we've only just got it online.

Autonomist Issue 7 (pdf)

Too Much News...

2011-04-28T05:58:00.001-07:00

Dammit. Here I am trying to finalise the layout for the May issue, and people keep sending me callouts for demos. All I ask is that everyone take the last week of each month off and do nothing newsworthy until we've gone to print...

Anarcha-Fem Updates

2011-02-17T05:07:00.000-08:00

An article from the anarcha-feminist network which sadly missed the last issue, and we felt should be shown in public now rather than just waiting for the next issue:

Bristol anarcha-feminists are planning an event to celebrate
International Women's Day on March 8th.

The Sunday before, March 6th, there's a skillshare by and for women: a
supportive space to learn new things from each other. There will be
workshops on self-defence, carpentry basics, bike maintenance and more.
It's open to all women (cis and trans) of all ages and experiences.
Workshops run all day from noon at the Factory, 28 Portland Square, St
Pauls.

More information about these events, our regular meetings and more is
available by emailing us at bristolanarchfem@riseup.net and at our
in-progress blog at http://bristolanarchafeminists.wordpress.com/

Better Late Than Never

2011-02-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it took a while. But the new copy of the Autonomist is now completed and should be available in hardcopy by the weekend. View/download below:

Autonomist February/March 2011 (pdf)

Autonomist Directory February/March 2011 (pdf)

November Issue Out Now

2010-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Autonomist November 2010 (pdf)

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Police Attack Local Anti-Cuts Demo

Around 800 protesters marched through Bristol city centre on October 23rd to voice their anger at the government’s cuts to services and welfare and their attack on the working classes. Many trade unions were represented along with community groups and an anarchist contingent.
There were a large number of cops, and as soon as the demo left the park the police tried to snatch an anti cuts banner in the anarchist bloc. Their attempt failed as marchers hung on and pushed the cops away. A second attempt to take the banner was more violent, injuring some protestors.

At College Green the Police attempted to film individual marchers - a common tactic used to gather evidence of political involvement and harrass acitivists. When people blocked the filming, mounted police were sent in. Many of the protesters split from the main rally to help, and the cops were forced back.

Bristol Council are embarking on a programme of cuts to local services to meet government demands for savings. Jobs are being cut in many departments, planned social care homes have been abandoned, and the price of school dinners is going up. Meanwhile all the mainstream media seem to care about is the loss of child benefit by those poor few who somehow manage to earn more than £40,000 a year.

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End Violence Against Women Week Exhibition

A variety of bristolian organisation are holding events between the 22nd and 26th of November for End Violence Against Women Week. The events aim to increase awareness and visibility of the prevalence of gender-based violence, which the UN estimates affects around 70% of women.

Bristol Feminist Network are putting on an exhibiton of art and writing by survivors of domestic violence. Exhibition organiser Jan Martin says "The idea behind this project is to communicate the message emotionally, in words and images that are the direct experience of survivors. Hopefully it can encourage a change in attitudes from the ground up, and so bypass the need to persuade the politicians and policy makers."

Bristol Anarcha-Feminist Group meet at 8pm at the smiling chair every thurs.

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The 28 Portland Square social centre has seen off an eviction attempt after a judge ruled that there was no immediate legal reason to evict. Further attempts are expected, but the occupants have vowed to keep the centre open as long as possible. "As the government presses ahead with cuts, the closure of council services to the poorest communities is inevitable, and self-run spaces such as this will become even more vital" one of the collective said.

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Five vehicles left Bristol last month to join the Roads to Hope Convoy to Gaza. Travelling by road across northern Africa, the group of 11 will attempt to break the Israeli-imposed blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. If they make it there without being shot by over-zealous Israeli soldiers, they will donate the vehicle's loads of medical and educational materials, plus the vehicles themselves, to local community groups.

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The nuclear power station at Hinkley Point was blockaded by local activists in protest at Edf's plans to build 8 new nuclear plants throughout the country, including a new one at Hinkley. The activists, who were mainly from Bridgewater and the surrounding area, wore badger masks and used arm tubes to prevent their removal. The morning shift were unable to get to work for four hours until the people responsible for protecting us from horrific nuclear accidents remembered they had another gate.

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Activists from Bristol and Bath Rising Tide dropped a banner reading 'Import Coal: Export Poverty' from Avonmouth bridge near Royal Portbury Docks as part of a global week of action for climate and environmental justice. The docks contains one of the largest coal import terminals in the UK. There are currently plans to build several new coal power stations in the UK, and 71% of coal used in Britain is imported. Tracy Jones from Rising Tide said “Coal extraction devastates communities, from villages destroyed by floods in Pakistan to landgrabs in Colombia.”

November Events Calendar

2010-10-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Things are looking up this month after last month's printing nightmares - here's the events and spaces calendar for the window of your autonomous space, the wall above your desk, or for flyposting over right-wing posters:

Autonomist Calendar November 2010 (pdf)

The paper itself is underway and hardcopies should be ready in time for the Free Vegan Food Fair on the 30th (Broadmead Baptist Church, near Tesco)

How Autonomous Is The Autonomist?

2010-10-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

Head over to our latest post on Bristol Indymedia for what looks to be shaping up to be an interesting discussion...

http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/693613?&condense_comments=false

October Issue Out Now

2010-09-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

This won't be hitting the press for a couple days whilst we sort some ink out, but it's all here in PDF and text:

Autonomist October 2010 (pdf)

We've also done a 2-page A4 expanded directory, intended to be displayed at social centres and so on, but also useful if you like your roaching material to be a little more radical:

Autonomist Directory October 2010 (pdf)

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Local Anger as Tesco Application Crawls On

“We never expected the council to stop Tesco today”, reads an anonymous communique sent to the Autonomist after the council planning decision on the 22nd September. “Even though the members of the planning committee clearly wanted to oppose the development, they are mere puppets of the system, helpless beneath the wheels of capitalism.”

By now you probably already know what happened - the applications by Tesco were tentatively approved, with conditions, and a letter will be sent to the government complaining about the intricities of the planning system. PRSC are calling for a judicial review, but the fact remains that the store has all the permission it needs to open - this is just about rearranging the deckchairs.

Local feelings have always run high about the chain moving into Stokes Croft. Earlier in the year the former Jesters Club, where the store will be built, was occupied by squatters and turned into a community social centre for several months until it was evicted in what was dubbed “The Battle of Stokes Coft”. Campaigners have vowed to keep fighting the development. “We do not need our leaders to save us,” concludes the communique, “for we are willing to take whatever action is needed to drive [them] out of our community.”

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EDF-Off

Local campaigners blocked the road entrance to Hinkley B nuclear power plant for an hour last weekend in protest against EDF's plans to build a new nuclear plant there. Despite not having received planning permission, EDF have begun preliminary works, trashing wildlife-rich fields and woodland and cementing over badger sets.

If it goes ahead, Hinkley C will be the first in a line of new plants across the country. Nuclear not only presents serious health risks and leaves us with centuries of radioactive waste, it also commits us to a centralised model of energy production, unlike wind and solar which can be produced locally. It's a dangerous distraction that diverts funds from clean energy.

Bristol-based activists from several different groups plan to campaign against the new plant and take direct action where necessary.

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Disgraced former leader Tony Blair's planned book signing in Bristol was cancelled due to protests at other signings, a large anti-war demo outside the bookshop, and local activists sneakily moving copies of his book into the 'crime' section of the store.

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The Natwest branch on Gloucester Road has had its windows smashed and paintbombs thrown inside one night in late september. The action was dedicated to imprisoned anarchists in Chile, whose government has strong financial links to RBS, owners of Natwest.

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Residents in Ashton Vale have successfully had land near their homes declared a town green, protecting it from development into a football stadium. Meanwhile, Bristol council are planning to sell off more green space around the city, prompting a wave of petitions and complaints.

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Taking its first tentative steps towards the Big Society, the council has cut funding to Connexions, who help young people find employment, by £2million, resulting in 55 more people looking for employment in the city.

October Deadline

2010-09-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

fast approaching! Get your news and events in (BristolAutonomist@Gmail.com) by the 20th if you want them to be in the October edition.

Benefit Gig Friday 17th!

2010-09-07T05:29:00.001-07:00

Those lovely folks at the Bastard Squad Collective are putting on a benefit gig for the Autonomist on friday 17th September. It's at the White Hart on Whitehall road. Doors open at 8pm, entry is £5. Playing are;

Future Ruins
(Devestating, bleak, dramatic swedish crust-core)

Murder of Crows
(Easton's sludgy d-beaters)

Belladonna
(Dynamic international noise-rock)

9/11 at Hamilton House...

2010-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Apologies to the fine folks at Bristol Anarchist Bookfair collective, whose article had to be cut this month so we could fit it all on one page. As a consolation, here's the full text:

September 11th 2010 – Start a War on the Tories!

As the fist of capitalism clenches tighter, the Labour party, who still have the audacity to label themselves as socialist, have been ousted and the Conservatives are back in Downing Street. The Liberal Democrats too, have shown their true colours by making a grab for power at any cost.

Deep cuts in services and spending and mass unemployment are inevitable to keep the ruling classes afloat, with threats to cut winter fuel allowances, child benefit and working tax credit to name but a few.

Anarchism is the only truly viable alternative to the present government, the Greens and the SWP cannot help you now. You can not afford to be apathetic any longer and we call on you to fight back. Arm yourself!

On September 11th in Hamilton House, Stokes Croft, Bristol Anarchist Bookfair collective along with Bristol Indymedia, Bristol Radical History Group and some 58 groups, campaigns book sellers and publishers offer you the tools for revolution.

50 tables of books, pamphlets, videos, CD's and merchandise, 27 hours of workshops, films and debates, live acoustic acts, vegan café, crèche, photography and art work and YOU!

Experience a true coalition, you only have to step through the door...

For information www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org

September Issue Out Now!

2010-08-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the start of the month, the september issue of the Autonomist is here! Download the PDF, or see below for the text-only version.

Autonomist September 2010 (pdf)

Police Violently Evict Squatters

Avon & Somerset Police showed that they have no understanding of the law when they illegally evicted squatters from 54 Fremantle Road. 20 police officers, mobile CCTV, 2 dog units, armed response units, helicopter, plain clothed officers and CID were present at the eviction.

They accused the occupiers of causing criminal damage to the property, using this as a reason to break down the door. This is despite them turning up at the premises on two separate occasions in the past and agreeing that this was a civil matter.

Occupiers resisted the illegal eviction with impromptu barricades, fire extinguishers and at one point a packet of frozen food to fend the fuckers off! After dismantling the door and most of the porch the officers entered the building to find it empty – most of the squatters being long gone by this point. Two occupants who had become trapped in the basement were later arrested at taser-point after the filth broke the window and forced entry.

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The Rich At Play

The countryside is filled with death all year around, but as autumn arrives the killing will rise with the start of the shooting season and the more notorious fox hunting season. From early September Fox Hunts will be out across the country at first light, training the new hounds of their pack by setting them on fox cubs to be ripped apart. Then from the 1st of November the main killing season starts. Fox Hunting may be illegal at present but that doesn't stop them, just as laws against us stopping them killing will never stop us.

Stepping in and saving animals' lives by Hunt Sabbing can be just as much about fighting a class war against the ruling class as it is about saving wildlife from being ripped apart in the name of sport. Knowing that you have saved an animal from being ripped apart is a great feeling as is knowing that you've ruined the day of the ruling class scum.

See the back for contact details to get involved.

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The 13 members of Bristol & Bath Rising Tide who blockaded the train line out of Foss-y-Fran opencast coal mine have been granted conditional discharges. They're also banned from the area of the mine, but this may be challenged in the court of appeal.

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The offices of G4S were attacked on the evening of Wednesday 11th August. Their plaque was removed and the intercom was left hanging from the wall by 5ft of wire. The growth of the security industry was cited as the reason for the action.

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Also in the firing line this month cleaning firm MITIE. 43 windows were smashed at their national headquarters at Emersons Green.

Two vehicles were attacked in Staple Hill and Lockleaze for the same reason. The actions were claimed in solidarity with workers who have been mistreated by MITIE.

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EdF have begun work at the 400-acre Hinkley site, even before they get planning permission to build two giant reactors. The “preparatory works”will include removal of the majority of trees, hedges and habitats, including ancient woodlands, stripping topsoil and vegetation to make a terraced area for the proposed reactors, and the demolition of three historic agricultural barns.

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Local people turned up outside Crown Prosecution Service to show solidarity with the family of Ian Tomlinson, who was murdered by the police during the G20 demonstrations in 2009. The CPS had recently decided not to press charges against the officer filmed striking the fatal blow.

September Deadline Approaching

2010-08-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

The submission deadline for the september issue of the Autonomist is this friday, the 20th August. We might still accept stuff we receive after that, especially if we're behing schedule too, but we'll grumble while we do so.

As well as events, groups, and spaces, we're after short updates on what's been going on to compress into our single-paragraph newsbites, plus two larger articles. These should be around 200 words long.

Articles can be emailed to us at BristolAutonomist@Gmail.com

Autonomist Issue 1 Version 2...

2010-08-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

Seems the Monogamy article from the first issue was getting a very negative reception, so we've replaced it with one about Noah's Ark Zoo Farm for the print run.

Autonomist August 2010 Print Version (PDF)

And here's the new article for those of you who're allergic to PDF:

Activists “Determined to Close” Noah's Ark Zoo

On Monday 26th July, three members of BARC attended Noah's Ark Zoo Farm for a tour of the zoo. In an attempt to win over the protestors, who have been staging regular pickets of the zoo over the treatment of the animals inside, the small group were shown around half of the site.

The activists described themselves as “distressed and saddened” by what they saw. During the visit they witnessed vultures injuring themselves by” flying repeatedly into the walls and roof of [the] aviary”.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm have recently gained notoriety after reports of the mistreatment of their animals, including rare tigers, caused inspectors to review their license. They have also come under fire for their promotion of Creationism – which hasn't stopped them recently winning an award from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. It's an odd world...

August Issue out now!

2010-07-28T03:30:00.000-07:00

Here you, are, the very first issue of the Autonomist - available in non-copyrighted, printable and distributable PDF for those of you who want to do our work for us, or plain-text, no-layout online version for those of you who want to ignore all the work we've already done...

Autonomist August 2010 (pdf)

The Factory Opens its Doors

On the 7th August The Factory, Bristol's latest squatted social centre, will be opening it's doors to members of the public for their second Open Day. Following on from the success of the previous Open Day on 8th May (which saw such interesting events as; a vegan cake stall, free fruit and veg market, slide shows, tours of the building and spooky tours of the basement) this month's event will include; a donations based café, cinema room screening various political films, games in Portland Square and even the possibility of live acoustic artists!

The Factory was occupied by a group of people earlier this year looking to create a free and open space for the community. Since it has opened it has hosted such events as film nights, workshops, cafés, discussion group, meetings and lots of other things! The Factory relies on your participation to survive, and if you have an idea or project you'd like to see take place then come along to the Open Meetings every Thursday at 7PM.

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Monogamy Kills

Recent events in Easton serve to highlight the human costs of abusive relationship models. In a dispute involving an alleged affair, a young man was fatally stabbed. One life is over, another is likely to be spent in prison, and one has almost certainly been turned upside-down by the sudden loss of two lovers at each others' hands.

The anger and pain that caused this tragedy stems from monogamy: the idea that a human can – and should – be owned, controlled, and monopolised by another. When this ideal runs afoul of the reality that it is neither healthy nor possible for one person to provide for all of another's needs, events like this become inevitable.

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13 people from Bristol and Bath Rising Tide are due to be sentenced on friday the 13th for blockading a coal train. All 13 have been found guilty of a lesser charge than that originally brought. 5 others were acquitted.

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An anti-patriarchy group has been set up in Bristol. Although aimed at men, it welcomes all genders – see the back for meeting details.

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The Smiling Chair Library has seen off an underhanded eviction attempt, and is looking for people to help with occupation and staffing. Get down to their weekly meeting if you're interested.

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Calais Migrant Solidarity have taken a vanload of essential supplies over to Calais. The supplies, including blankets and tents, were largely sourced from stuff abandoned at Glasto by wannabe hippies.

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A Radical Reading Group has been set up at the Factory. They'll be reading and discussing a zine every fortnight. All are welcome – drop in at the factory for the latest zine.

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People living near the former site of the Bristol Eco-Village have formed a community group to purchase and use the land for a similar project. The Eco-Villagers themselves are rumoured to be preparing to take a new site soon.

The Autonomist Needs an A3 Printer!

2010-07-28T03:21:00.000-07:00

Just finished arranging the content for issue 1, and sadly had to lose a lot of it to fit on two sides of A4. The obvious solution is for everybody to stop doing so much stuff, but otherwise we may make a move to four pages as soon as we can find a cheap way of doing so. If you happen to know one, get in touch.

The Autonomist needs YOU!

2010-06-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

...and your friends. And specifically information about what you're doing. If you're part of a radical group or space, drop us a line to be included in our directory. If you're putting on an event, let us know so that we can advertise is in our events listing. Or if something's happened lately in your campaign, let us know so we can add it to the news section.