Seminar on Political Organization Essex March 12th
Essex Centre for Work, Organization and Society Seminar

Lessons of 2011: Three Theses on Political Organization
Rodrigo Nunes, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul
March 12th, 4PM-6PM @ University of Essex Room 5N.7.23

With the Arab Spring, the Spanish indignados, Occupy and so much more, 2011 is likely to go down in history as a very special year – perhaps even the beginning of something. But what would that something be? This presentation attempts to draw some conclusions about the present state and future of politics and organization by examining the practices of the movements that erupted in the last year. Thinking beyond their usual representation by the media, trying to avoid either describing them as something entirely new and unheard of or as manifestations of an ultimately non-political culture, what can be the lessons of 2011?

Underground Politics: Belarus
Friday, March 9, 2012 - 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Occupy Chicago Headquarters, 500 W Cermak, Room 501,

This teach-in will explore the effects of state repression on contemporary political practice in Belarus. When “traditional” methods for free speech and civil disobedience aren’t available, how does one adapt? The facilitator, a young anarchist philosopher from Minsk, will discuss some of the noncommercial and alternative spaces in his hometown that have thrived under the blanket of neoliberalism. A short video about recent crackdowns will be shown, as well as a film about the Masterskaya squat that existed in Minsk from May to October of 2008. We’ll also hear about Rebel Studies Library, an educational project he began with friends.

The Return of International Times
IT (International Times) – Europe’s first underground newspaper, founded in 1966, is back. Irish poet Niall McDevitt is its editor

IT is the only blog with two rooms at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The original newspaper has been archived at the V & A and also made available online. It covers four decades of alternative journalism, cultural criticism, and sheer art anarchism.