Radical media, politics and culture.

Announcements

November 8, 2004 - 10:46am -- jim
Announcements
Events

"Resisting the Clash"

Marhaba Europe Tour


Fear is quickly becoming again the main foundation for power in the
post-sept 11 world. For a long time, thanks to the living memory of
colonialism and World War II, those in power had to pay lip service
to the values that stood at the core of liberation struggles in all
continents, such as equality, freedom, justice, anti-racism, a fair
distribution of wealth, democracy of some form or another, etc. But
people are now bombarded all over the world on a daily basis with
messages designed to provoke a shift in their priorities. Human
rights and emancipatory social values, which for 50 years were held
as the goal by most of the world's population, are losing ground at
increasing speed as mainstream media and so-called 'experts'
and 'academics' continue promoting the security paranoia, the idea
that we need a strong state that is able to keep suspicious strangers
under control, and the racist notion that we are at the beginning of
a long-lasting conflict between 'cultures' or 'civilisations'.

November 8, 2004 - 10:09am -- jim
Announcements
Events

Call for a Second European Day of Action and Mobilisation

April 2, 2005

Last year a European day of action, on January 31st, against
detention centres and for the legalisation of undocumented migrants was
launched during ESF in Paris. On the 31st of January 2004 demonstrations and
actions were held in more than fourty cities in Europe; it was an important day
in the development of a networking process amongst migrant struggles and
activists on a European level.


We propose a second day of action and demonstrations on April 2nd, 2005,
claiming freedom of movement and the right to stay as an alternative to the
european constitutional process based on exclusion and exploitation.

November 7, 2004 - 12:36pm -- jim
Announcements
Rants

translocales writes:

Building for a North American Social Forum

Translocales


The Party’s Over
Suggestions to Dry your Eyes & Organize
A North American Social Forum?

The election is over and Bush is back. It really stinks.
Despite the almost complete lack of expectations most of us had in Kerry, it was at least a message to people around the world that yes — people in the US would like to do a diplomatic act of service by at the very least ridding the world of Bush as president after all that had been done and said — so much for that.

November 7, 2004 - 12:31pm -- jim
Announcements
Rants

Anonymous Comrade writes:

"Fuck Bush Day"
First Tuesday of Every Month

Brothers and Sisters,


Hey, we've been brainstorming over here on what to do next in terms of the farcical state of American politics, etc. And, one of the things I'm sure we all find to be absolutely disgusting is this whole deal with most Democrats and so-called liberals and the line of thinking that goes:


"This is the most reckless administration in American history",
only to follow-up with;
"but now is the time for healing..."


What a pile.

November 6, 2004 - 12:26pm -- jim
Announcements
Events

National Conference on Organized Resistance

Washington, DC, February 3-6, 2005

Call for Proposals

 

The National Conference on Organized Resistance (NCOR) has happened each January in Washington, DC at American University for the last 7 years. It has served as a vibrant meeting space for radical activists of all varieties. There have also been countless amazing workshops, discussions, skillshares and more. Each year NCOR has gotten a little bigger and hopefully a little better. But it has also gotten a little, dare we say it, predictable? You know which friends you'll see, your favorite old standard workshops from years past-familiar faces and themes. This year we want to shake things up.

November 6, 2004 - 11:01am -- jim
Announcements
In the Streets

CadmusOnez writes:

Reenact Rev. Billy's Crime Against Starbucks


Get some bad Elvis hair, a white collar, white
jacket and enter a Starbucks store. Deposit information about child labor in coffee fields on the tables. Hallelujah! Feel the Spirit!



As you read this, the Rev is on trial for destruction of property and malicious mischief. But his April 19th laying on of hands upon a cash
register, with the help of the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir and LA activists, channeled what all coffee industry monitors have warned: billionaires like Starbucks chief Howard Shultz make money by harvesting coffee for virtually nothing.


Cut out a thick strip of white cardboard and seal it over the back your neck with some duct tape: that's your collar. Throw some cement on your hair and wear a white outfit. Now you're a preacher! Have a friend follow you with a video camera.
When you get to the store:

  1. Stand outside the Starbucks with that mermaid logo in view,
    displaying a sign with your town, state and country
  2. Enter the Starbucks and place your fact sheets on the tables
  3. Raise your arms into the air and preach what the Spirit
    tells you, but make clear that the $4 lattes come from the DEVIL and
    child mortality rates in Guatemala are soaring.

    4. Noooooo!


Be polite to the baristas, they're just doing their jobs. Have your fun
and leave, you've done your job! Follow these links to info on
grievences with Starbucks:

US
LEAP

Organic
Consumers Association

Global
Exchange



Be sure to send a copy of your tape to PO Box 1556, New York, NY 10013.
We’d appreciate a note of permission to use your footage in our
documentary (for release next year). Hallelujah! See you in the
Starbuckses!



Questions/comments:

michael@revbilly.com

917-825-3562

November 6, 2004 - 10:58am -- jim
Announcements
Independent Media

GlimpseCulture writes:

"Sixty Cameras Against the War"

Feb. 15, 2004 Documentary


Feb 15 2003 saw hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in NYC, and Julie Talen's "Sixty Cameras Against the War" presents a unique document of that day. Talen collected footage from sixty different videographers present at the march, and edited it together in multiple screens. This multichannel narrative at times juxtaposes the experiences of activists across Manhattan, and at other times provides different angles on a single arrest or happening.



The film presents the NYPD's use of pepper spray, horse charges and barricades to cleave the march in two. Feb 15 turned out many people, in NYC and all over the world, but I think if more Americans saw how New Yorkers said "no" in the leadup to war some opinions about Iraq would change. Also, those who see demonstrators as an inhuman mob should see regular people facing extreme cold and claustrophobic conditions to make a moral stand.



The film toured swing states before the election, and has screened in exhibits in NYC and Los Angeles. Anyone can download the film for free, under a Creative Commons license. Take a look at a film that is both visually interesting and painfully relevant.

November 5, 2004 - 8:54am -- jim
Announcements
Rants

Marry An American, Eh?

Read All Aboot It


Ladies and gentlemen,
drop your borders! No good American will be left behind!

Now that George W. Bush has been officially elected, single, sexy, American liberals — already a threatened species — will be desperate to escape. These lonely, afraid (did we mention really hot?) progressives will need a safe haven.

You can help. Open your heart, and your home. Marry an American. Legions of Canadians have already pledged to sacrifice their singlehood to save our southern neighbours from four more years of cowboy conservatism.

November 4, 2004 - 9:01pm -- jim
Announcements
Electoral Politics

Post Election Message

Ralph Nader

First of all, thank you so very much to the thousands of volunteers, our
Corporate Crimebusters, State, Regional and Campus Coordinators, our valiant
staff here in Washington, DC, all of our generous donors and every one of
you who voted for Nader/Camejo 2004.


Well, it should now be clear to all: the Democratic Party cannot get the job
done against the worst Republicans in a long time. So much time and money
was spent by the Democrats, only to push a message that ultimately said,
"Don't vote for George W. Bush." It's a shame.

If losing to George W. Bush
isn't the breaking point for Democrats who have been fed up for years by the
leadership in their party, then I can't imagine the indignities that they
are further willing to endure.

November 4, 2004 - 12:57pm -- jim
Announcements
Theory

New Cultural Studies: Adventures in Theory

Call for Contributions

Edited by Clare Birchall and Gary Hall

Contracted by Edinburgh University Press

Brief Description

New Cultural Studies: Adventures in Theory is intended as an
authoritative guide to theory's past, present and most especially future
role in cultural studies, written from a cultural studies perspective
that is sympathetic to, but not necessarily uncritical of, 'Theory' with
a capital 'T'. The aim of the book is to reposition cultural theory
(after the attacks of the likes of Terry Eagleton) and reaffirm its
continuing intellectual, and indeed political relevance, to both
cultural studies and culture and society at large.

Pages

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