Haringey Housing Action Group and other housing activists held an inspection of local letting agents to draw attention to high rents, short-term tenancies, discrimination against housing benefit claimants and high administration fees.

On Saturday 6 October, a team of Community Housing Inspectors took a tour of local letting agents along Green Lanes to investigate their practices. About twenty people took part in the inspection, asking letting agency staff about their company policies, including: whether they accept tenants claiming housing benefit; how many months deposit they require; what charges they make to tenants; and what is the longest tenancy period they offer.

Of the agencies visited, four agreed to take part, while Winkworths, Kings Group, Bairstow Eves, Brian Thomas and Anthony Pepe all denied access or refused to speak to the self styled inspectors.

The protest took place against a backdrop of housing benefit cuts, a lack of Haringey letting agents willing to accept tenants on housing benefit, rent inflation outstripping wage inflation, and a concern that landlord and letting agent practices are leading to a significant change in the local demographic.

Rent increases in the private rented sector are not driven by increased costs. In a recent survey by Shelter, only four per cent of landlords said they had increased rents because increased mortgage costs. By contrast, one in five had put up rents because their letting agent had encouraged them to.

Renting out property is not a business like selling luxury cars: housing is a basic necessity. When letting agents put up fees and rents, this pushes tenants further into poverty. Haringey Housing Action Group will support any tenants facing eviction because they cannot pay their rent.

The protest felt like a huge success. We managed to gather information that will be of help to prospective tenants in the borough (the results will be publicly available), and we put across our demands to the letting agent staff, as well as to hundreds of passersby, many of whom told us of their own bad experiences of local letting agents. We also shut down a handful of letting agents, possibly the ones who felt they had more to hide. And we turned the tables on the letting agents who carry out checks on our homes without permission.

Haringey Housing Action Group organised this action alongside Haringey Solidarity Group and Haringey Private Tenants Action Group. We are part of a growing network of groups in London who are beginning to take action around the increasing housing crisis, groups such as Hackney Housing Group, Housing for the 99%, Hackney Digs and Camden Federation of Private Tenants.

The Cuts Cafe held it first public meeting on October the 1st to to "give everyone – groups and individuals – the chance to find out more about the project and how to get involved."  The newly squatted space is a building oppened for the two weeks leading up to the Trade Union Congress demonstration on October 20th. Cuts Café will provide a radical space in Central London to build resistance to these devastating cuts, and to explore the real alternatives to austerity.

The successful meeting that was attended by around 100 people included a number of speakers such as those from Uk Uncut and the Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) groups, who explained what they are doing and also how this might tie into the cuts cafe. After that, a speaker from the Cuts Cafe group spoke to a now very excited audience about the variety of events the Cafe will be holding as well as the politics and ideas behind the space. See full unedited video of the meeting.

More info about the Cuts Cafe:

The government tells us that cuts to public services and social security are needed to save an economy in crisis, but in reality the crisis is capitalism.

For the two weeks leading up to the Trade Union Congress demonstration on October 20th, Cuts Café will provide a radical space in Central London to build resistance to these devastating cuts, and to explore the real alternatives to austerity.

It will be open for all of us who are affected, whether we are people with disabilities, women, migrants, workers, pensioners, students, unemployed… or anyone else not part of the privileged elite who are enriching themselves in this ‘crisis’.

By sharing this reclaimed space, we hope people working in their community, local anti-cuts, student, or autonomous groups, as well as the trade unions, will be able to collectively and democratically build positive alternatives with which to challenge the ‘politics as usual’ forced upon us.

This will be an opportunity for connections to form outside of those groups that we may already be involved with, and to reinvigorate the anti-cuts movement at the grassroots level.

Cuts Café, being part of a movement for creating equality and real democracy, will be organized without discrimination and, as much as possible, without hierarchy. We welcome you to come and participate in the running of the space.

If you or your group would like to facilitate a workshop or skillshare, screen a film, hold a discussion, or use the space in any other way please get in touch! You can also contribute by helping to provide some of the more material resources needed for the day-today running of the space, or just by coming down to share a bit of your time.

For more information email cutscafe@riseup.net or to propose an event get us at eventscutscafe@riseup.net.

Twitter: @Cuts_Cafe
Facebook: Cuts Café

Reconnect - bringing our community back together!

203 High Holborn

A celebration of local creativity, we've acquired a HUGE space this weekend with space for hundreds of artists, performers, etc to come and express themselves. 

the building has been empty for 9 years due to corporate waste and mismanagement of resources, the venue has 10 galleries each the size of football pitches and we are hoping to FILL it with only 5 days notice. :0)

Saturday, 6th October, 2012

12.15 - 10PM :: RECONNECT - FLASH MOB ART FESTIVAL
http://www.facebook.com/events/284503758317959/

12 - 6PM :: OPEN SKILL SWAP downstairs in Lobby, bring anything you can teach and see who'd like to learn something new: http://www.facebook.com/events/151698988307439/

12PM :: BANNER MAKING WORKSHOP #GlobalNoise
http://www.facebook.com/events/418641484852364/

1:00PM :: MEDIA TRAINING
3:00PM :: LEGAL TRAINING 
5:00PM :: LIVESTREAM WORKSHOP
6:OOPM :: AUDIO FLASHMOB WORKSHOP
7:00PM :: OCCUPY NEWS NETWORK MEETING

7.30 - 11.30PM - CABARET NIGHT 
http://www.facebook.com/events/175704065899943/

Its free, but all contributors and attendee's need to help us tell more people about this exciting event! try sharing this on facebook, inviting all you contacts, email, tweeting #reconnect, blogging, bringing video cameras, write to arts magazines, newspapers and reporters.

.....................................

A few people have been writing asking us how our staff will look after their works and asking questions about how the exhibition is organised appearing to have understood that this is an established exhibition centre, so i think i need to clarify the situation this weekend.

This is simply a giant space that people in the community can come to celebrate and display their creativity. 

We were approached by a group who were in possession of a huge building, they wanted to use the space for the benefit of the community and spread the word of a creative space that everyone can come to and use to celebrate their creativity, and they had heard that we put on positive community activities. They have given us assurances that they are currently in legal possession of the building and will be until Monday.

It is important that everyone understands that Focallocal does not have the capability to staff or manage an event or venue this size on such short notice and although many of our members may be attending we will have no formal presence.

Focallocal is happy to spread awareness of this wonderful idea to bring people from all areas of the community together to celebrate the creativity of the London community, and is very interested in giving London's creative community an opportunity to display their work in the very Centre of London, which we believe is far too difficult and expensive in our current society. 

The success of the day is relying purely on the positivity of its concept and the people who come along to join in the celebrations. everyone needs to make their own decision regarding the safety and security of attending as it will not have any form of insurance or management, its is just an open space for a celebration.

Focallocal's interest in this project is purely in its message of connecting people within our community and helping artists to display in central London. We strongly believe that wasted space like this should be opened up to positive public projects and are happy to spread the word of any projects benefiting our community, but we don't have any opinion on the methods used to gain temporary access to buildings like this.

times we've been told are midday till around 10pm every day. come and go as you please, you will be entirely responsible for your own works, so either stay with them or form friendships with others nearby and have them watch the works while you are exploring.

Gather with us around the Spanish Embassy (SW1X 8SB) at 6pm to show solidartiy to the people surrounding the Congress in Madrid.

As the protests spread to other countries and cities, join us in london

https://www.facebook.com/events/331009573661835/

http://www.15mlondon.org

ALSO Portugal Solidarity #29s 

3pm: 3, Portland Place W1B 1HR

In Front of the Portuguese Consulate in London: Protest Against Portuguese Government + European Troika's Totally Insane "Austerity Measures" :: In Solidarity With the Portuguese People & Other Southern European Peoples And Their Senseless Suffering Being Caused by the Implementation of Ultra-Liberal Policies and Ultra-Liberal Ideological Experiments

http://www.facebook.com/events/413351375391276/

Around 50 people attended the opening night of the Heygate cinema last Saturday. The event was hosted by the (provisional) Heygate Residents Association which screened the film ‘Doreen’ made by film-makers David Reeve & Patrick Steel. In the film, Doreen Gee - former Chair of the Tenants & Residents Association - reminisces about the culture of the estate and what went wrong with the regeneration.

Heygate Estate background info | Better Elephant | Campaign for a sustainable community at  the E&C | Southwark Notes

The evening was curated by Jerry Flynn, former estate resident and local campaigner. Doreen and both of the film-makers attended the event, which was followed by an animated discussion around the regeneration and wider housing issues. The audience included a number of former Heygate residents and residents from the neighbouring Aylesbury estate, who were treated to a bowl of hot soup and refreshments following the lively discussion.

The film was accompanied by a number of newsclips about the estate (see below) and an excerpt from the film-makers’ new feature-length documentary about the regeneration of the estate (Larry & Janet):

• Inside Out Heygate 03.03.09
• The Elephant
• Community Lost on the Heygate Estate

As you probably know, for the two weeks leading up to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) demonstration on October 20th, Cuts Café will provide a radical reclaimed space in London to build resistance to the cuts, and to explore real alternatives to austerity.

We’re holding a public meeting, to give everyone – groups and individuals – the chance to find out more about the project and how to get involved.

Venue: Unite Head Office (ground floor suite), 128 Theobald’s Road, Holborn London WC1X 8TN
Date: Monday 1 Oct
Time: 7pm
Speakers: including Disabled People Against the Cuts (Andy Greene), Greater London Pensioners Associations, UK Uncut, and ourselves (Ewa Jasiewicz)
[Facebook event]

Cuts Cafe will be open between 8th - 19th October. If you or your group would like to facilitate a workshop or skillshare, screen a film, hold a discussion, or use the space in any other way please get in touch!

About Cuts Cafe

The government tells us that cuts to public services and social security are needed to save an economy in crisis, but in reality the crisis is capitalism.

For the two weeks leading up to the Trade Union Congress demonstration on October 20th, Cuts Café will provide a radical space in Central London to build resistance to these devastating cuts, and to explore the real alternatives to austerity.

It will be open for all of us who are affected, whether we are people with disabilities, women, migrants, workers, pensioners, students, unemployed… or anyone else not part of the privileged elite who are enriching themselves in this ‘crisis’.

By sharing this reclaimed space, we hope people working in their community, local anti-cuts, student, or autonomous groups, as well as the trade unions, will be able to collectively and democratically build positive alternatives with which to challenge the ‘politics as usual’ forced upon us.

This will be an opportunity for connections to form outside of those groups that we may already be involved with, and to reinvigorate the anti-cuts movement at the grassroots level.

Cuts Café, being part of a movement for creating equality and real democracy, will be organized without discrimination and, as much as possible, without hierarchy. We welcome you to come and participate in the running of the space.

If you or your group would like to facilitate a workshop or skillshare, screen a film, hold a discussion, or use the space in any other way please get in touch! You can also contribute by helping to provide some of the more material resources needed for the day-today running of the space, or just by coming down to share a bit of your time.

See List of stuff needed for space

For more information email cutscafe@riseup.net or to propose an event get us at eventscutscafe@riseup.net.

https://cutscafelondon.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Cuts_Cafe
Facebook: Cuts Café

#Oct20. Cut the crap. The problem is Capitalism.

CALL OUT: for a radical anti-capitalist presence on October 20th

The TUC (Trades Union Congress) is organising a mass demonstration in London against spending cuts and austerity. Up to a million workers may take to the streets.

We know an afternoon spent marching through the streets of London will not force the Government to back down. This Government – like any government – has no answers, or solutions. We need to face the real enemy: capitalism.

Capitalism exploits and oppresses the many, for the interests of the few. It is the source of countless hardships. It is the driver for climate change, as natural resources are plundered for profit. Capitalism dictates poverty and austerity.

Over the past 100 years, workers the world over have struggled against capitalism, winning – with greater or lesser degrees of success – a range of “concessions”. In the UK and Europe, for example, workers have won improved wages and working conditions, pensions and the welfare state. Now the elites are trying to claw back these hard-won gains, using the excuse of the financial crisis they caused. But people are resisting: in work places, within communities, on the streets.

The crisis of Capitalism is global. While we are divided and alienated by borders, capitalism moves freely, inflicting its misery world-wide. People across the continents of Africa, Asia, and South America have long lived at the coal face of this destructive system. Cuts and privatisations are imposed upon workers in the Global South to service crippling international debt repayments mis-sold as “poverty alleviation”. Our resistance to capitalism must also be global, linking up strikes, revolts, and solidarity across the world.

The time to join this resistance is now. Hence the call out for a radical presence on the streets of London 20th October. To organise for the day, there will be open meetings held from around 5 October on at the CUTS CAFE (an occupied meeting space in central London opening two weeks prior to 20th October to build resistance to the cuts, and to explore real alternatives to austerity).

For further info contact:
stopg8@riseup.net
https://network23.org/stopg8

WE ARE MANY, THEY ARE FEW, AND WE ARE EVERYWHERE.

signed:

StopG8 – StopG8 formed to prepare a massive anti-capitalist response to the G8 summit being hosted in the Uk in 2013 and help spawn a movement. We hope you’ll join us, starting October 20th.

Smash EDO – is a direct action campaign aimed at closing down the EDO arms factory in Brighton

Fitwatch

ALARM — All London Anarchist Revolutionary Mob

Frack Off

A Prisoner Art Exhibition, collected and co-ordinated by Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) groups and allies, has now arrived at Colorama #2 (or C2), South London, as it begins a year-long tour visiting over a dozen venues across England, Wales and Ireland.

Opposite the old Colorama Cinema, C2 is fast becoming a hub of activity as residents transform the office block and ground level warehouse into an anarchist social centre, while hosting the start of the ABC art tour for approximately 10 days. It will then move onto Britain's largest anarchist bookshop Freedom Press, in Whitechapel, before being displayed at the London Anarchist Bookfair in the University of London on October 27th.

Featuring 32 pieces from seven current and past prisoners, including well-known artist Lucy Edkins and Phil Africa from the MOVE family, the exhibition shows the artistic talent of those behind bars, as well as highlighting the political cases of the prisoners themselves.

From collaboration between Bristol & London ABC, the art exhibition aims to be an extension of solidarity to those behind bars, as part of the many ways to support prisoners. The Anarchist Black Cross has been a banner name for prison abolition for over a century, with groups in the UK re-forming in the 1960's, and now a global network of anarchist prisoner support groups.

Commenting on the art exhibition in July 2012, Ben Gunn a recently released lifer who spent 33 years inside said; "In attempting to see into the darkest corners of the states activities, we are privileged to have the spotlight provided by prison artists... Struggling to obtain their bare tools for creativity they tower above their captivity to reveal their unique perspective - I hope that their art invites you to think - and be moved to ACT."

Full tour details to come very soon, watch this space!

Now - October 6th: COLORAMA #2, 44-58 Lancaster Street, Southwark, SE1 0RP (Viewings 2-6pm)*
October 7th - 26th: FREEDOM BOOKSHOP, Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX (Mon-Sat: 12-6pm, Sun: 12-4pm)
October 27th: LONDON ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS (Open from 10am until 6pm)

*the building with the double doors, ring the string bell round the left of the entrance

15M London Assembly convened to mobilize on September 25 in front of the Spanish Embassy in London, in support of the protests held in Madrid on the same day and other cities.

We conducted solidarity a moment of silence and discussion (content, action, coordination). Following events and decisions in Madrid we are back today:

Wednesday September 26....  See you back in front of the Spanish Embassy in London (SW1X 8SB)

We will be from 6 pm.

Here you can find information on how to get: http://www.15mlondon.org/actions/25-de-septiembre-estaremos-frente-a-la-embajada

Also the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/162469157210125/

https://twitter.com/15mlondon

www.15MLondon.org

[With several london folks out in Madrid filming today's 25s protest, here's a quick roundup of what happened]

Despite attempts to criminalise and repress the movement ahead of the 25s 'surround the parliament' protest, thousands of people followed the call and marched from different points to blockade the Madrid congress for several hours, chanting "we are not afraid". After some pulled at the security cordon fences riot police attacked the crowd with batons and later rubber bullets. Clashes continued with many people injured and thousands driven from the square, however some managed to stay with many resisting and sitting down until midnight and resolved to return at 7pm tomorrow (26s). Clashes also occurred elsewhere with police beatings and arrests. Estimates put arrests at 26 and around 60 treated for injuries with 30 or so taken to hospital. Further protests took place in Barcelona and other cities.

Diaganol Timeline | Web fotos [2] Another timeline | El Pais liveblog 

See also: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/sep/25/spain-public-financial-coup

PHOTOS: http://www.20minutos.es/galeria/8908/0/0/25-S/manifestacion/rodea-congreso/
http://fotos.lainformacion.com/asuntos-sociales/en-directo-fotos-desde-las-manifestaciones-del-25s_F_X6YTL3xFswIV5jYs3iEQm2/
http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2012/09/25/album/1348574023_950325.html#1348574023_950325_1348584395
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.447142025328291.95596.258039744238521&type=3
http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/fotos/20120925/25-s-marchas-para-rodear-congreso/101558.shtml

TIMELINE:

9:00 Masive polie opperation throughout Madrid's city center with a very high cost of public money. Report from eldiario.es: http://www.eldiario.es/politica/despliegue-policial-costara-personal-euros_0_51095375.html

9:00 The buses from Barcelona, Zaragoza and Motril (confirmed ones) have been stopped and the police registered the passengers.
Images:http://elventano.blogspot.com.es/2012/09/la-policia-retiene-autobuses-del-25-s.html
http://motrildigital.blogia.com/2012/092501--el-autobus-de-los-indignados-de-motril-desviado-por-los-geos-a-getafe-para-iden.php
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FynZhIVd7l4&feature=youtu.be

10:00 The Conselleria de Eduació de la Generalitat (Catalan government's education ministery) has been occupied by high school students.

11:48  A bus from Barcelona retained at 10km from Zaragoza. The police them is confiscating Anonymous masks, banners and a camera.- 20  Minutes in vivo@20mdirecto "in Zaragoza, the police has detained a bus  of the #25S and have identified and caching to those who traveled",  comments @PepePazYdesarmehttp://elventano.blogspot.com.es/2012/09/la-policia-retiene-autobuses-del-25-s.html

11:53 1,500 police surrounding the congress. 

12:09 The police returned the only confiscated banner and let the bus continue. Images:http://pic.twitter.com/R5skLQK6

12:18 Bus from Valencia arrived well.

12:31 First performance in Plaza España, there's a lot of police in the place. https://twitter.com/fgarrobo/status/250543073157849089/photo/1
https://twitter.com/al_segundo/status/250542321496633344/photo/1

12:33 Large crowd is gathering at the Cuesta de Moyano, Atocha, paseo del prado:http://msilvestre.tumblr.com/post/32254207111/hoyes25s?og=1&amp A lot of police at Neptuno (w/ a unit of dogs) press and some people: http://twitter.yfrog.com/oe7v1boej

12:50 Photo: Policeman with HK G36 assault rifle, 5,56mm in top of Reina Sofia museum 
https://twitter.com/alexgutiperez/status/250547935228592128/photo/1/large

13:04 Police is asking for identification to the all the people near the Congress.

13:40 https://twitter.com/afrilun/status/250559324303273985/photo/1

13:50 The police stopped some buses from Valladolid, Malaga and Salamanca 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=392156&l=5b83292a19&id=164073917059555

14:00 Police document of the seizure of a Guy Fawkes mask:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=525158394177476&set=a.224513557575296.74632.222880381071947&type=1&relevant_count=1

14:30 Popular meal at Paseo del Prado 
https://twitter.com/110010010011010/status/250571470688903168/photo/1
https://twitter.com/acampadagranada/status/250571852508966913/photo/1

15:22 People continues gathering, everything is calm https://twitter.com/fgarrobo/status/250554749181652992/photo/1

16:00Empiezan las asambleas informativas previstas en Plaza de españa España: 
http://bambuser.com/v/3008435
Prado: http://bambuser.com/v/3008445

https://twitter.com/apuente/status/250578902290948097

16:36 One arrested in Neptuno square, near Prado. 
https://twitter.com/El_Diagonal/status/250610187419926529 
He was shouting against the infiltrator policemen. Infiltrators: https://twitter.com/Enidal/status/250586915487760384/photo/1

17:15 People is gathering in front og the Andalucia's parliament. 
https://twitter.com/Artatxo/status/250613793208532992/photo/1

17:16 Marches are ready to go, Plaza España just started. They'll meet in Congreso.

17:28 Demonstrators block the Gran Via avenue.
https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250619955484188673/photo/1
http://twitter.yfrog.com/h3yledwjhttps://twitter.com/JordiAros/status/250619970625630208/photo/1
http://twitter.yfrog.com/kge1lgzj

17:37 The bus from Basque Country just arrived. https://twitter.com/DRYmadrid/status/250618214298554371

17:39 The march from Prado is surrounding the police line blocking the Congress 
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250619557742518272 And people is still arriving 
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250620021745782785/photo/1

17:41 The police arrested a person who jumped over the fence. 
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250620970845478912/photo/1

17:46 Neptuno square taken by the people
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250622463782838274/photo/1
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250621599949139968/photo/1
https://twitter.com/Nitsuga000/status/250624073556709377
https://twitter.com/juanlusanchez/status/250624534879813633/photo/1
https://twitter.com/Cafeinomania/status/250626575354187776/photo/1

18:05 The police cuts Canalejas st. and blocks the march to Plaza España.

18:13Última hora #25Sbcn imagenes de como esta el parlamento:
https://twitter.com/Acampadabcn/status/250627187990986752/photo/1/large 
Parlament: https://twitter.com/Eldaoron/status/250632055526916096/photo/1

Many people gatering in Barcelona. Rumours: Many police controls in Barcelona, seems like they're only daily routine.The police asked for identification to people near Ciutadella.
https://twitter.com/Eldaoron/status/250632055526916096/photo/1

18:17 Released a video from Düsseldorf in solidarity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCmKm3D6r6A

18:23Más gente se reune en el parlamento andaluz.
Imagenes https://twitter.com/DRYmadrid/status/250633374396473344

Even more people gathering in front of the Andalucia's parliament.
Images https://twitter.com/DRYmadrid/status/250633374396473344

In Madrid the police hides the guns because of the pressure of the people. 
https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250631588184989697

18:28 The march from Plaza España reaches Sol sq and it's headed to the Congress by the other side, where there are already demonstrators.http://bambuser.com/v/3008927http://twitter.yfrog.com/kkynjclj

18:34 The march from Plaza España leaves Sol and goes to the Congress.https://twitter.com/Vaneveo/status/250633378645291008/photo/1
http://twitter.yfrog.com/kkynjclj
https://twitter.com/El_Plural/status/250628799400660993/photo/1
Images from Barcelona arrived:https://twitter.com/Acampadabcn/status/250632795163078657/photo/1/large

18:35 Tension in Sevilla, the police showed some rubber bullet guns to charge 
https://twitter.com/Artatxo/status/250633106141347840/photo/1
More people arrives to Barcelona:https://twitter.com/SantsTV/status/250633632849489921/photo/1
The police cuts Preciados st. and the march goes by Alcalá st. 
https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250635943491555329/photo/1

18:36 The police is blocking the way between Canalejas and the Congress, they blocked 100 to 200 demonstrators inside.The Congreso right now: https://twitter.com/Fgarea/status/250634842457378816/photo/1

18:45 In Barcelona demnstrators yell at the deputeeshttp://bambuser.com/v/3008987

18:47  "Here they're are with armor on, and on the other corner they're not." - translation of streamer

18:52 Some politicians just broke the kettling and went into the demo 
https://twitter.com/carlosbardem/status/250638222386925568

18:53 More people in Neptuno sq.http://pic.twitter.com/gOCIckJH

18:56 The politicians that broke the kettling are now inside the kettling 
https://twitter.com/antoniombeltran/status/250633585059590145/photo/1

19:00 Barricades are broken down by crowd, one officer beating protesters with their hands up in the air.Charges in Neptuno sq.The police went out of the line and a group went isolated.

19:04 First arrested people by police in Madrid
http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20120925/congreso-amanece-blindado-policia-protesta-del-25s/564903

19:05 Extreme brutality by the police. People being dragged on the floor, batons, many arrested.https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250642916660346880/photo/1/large

19:07 In Canalejas st. the police took out their identifications, looks like a charge.

19:09 The people sits with the hands up, the police goes back.
https://twitter.com/search/%23SinMiedo25s/slideshow/photos?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2Fay9z66

19:12 The police is breaking the demonstration with vans and brutality.
https://twitter.com/tiro_t2000/status/250642969944809473/photo/1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTQVAw3Is30
https://twitter.com/Igualitarista/status/250644127241363458/photo/1
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246792_383595425046095_1165582562_n.jpg

19:14un hombre mayor con la cabeza abierta herido por la policia ayuda a calmar los ánimos 
https://twitter.com/Igualitarista/status/250644127241363458/photo/1/large
Cada vez llega mas gente https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250664377546584064/photo/1

19:19 The ambulance is taking people in stretchers. 
https://twitter.com/cgttelemadrid/status/250646596956602368

19:21 The police split the demonstration in 2 in front of fences. Crowd is one mass behind them.
http://instagram.com/p/QAaviOJgV4/

19:25 Neptuno sq. after the nonsense charges for create tension 
https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250647728252678144/photo/1

19:38 Discongreso frisbe action underway see:https://yovoy25s.wordpress.com/discongreso/

19:55 Human chain to avoid the reinforcement vans pass through.
https://twitter.com/isaachacksimov/status/250653798417174528/photo/1
https://twitter.com/isaachacksimov/status/250653237659705344/photo/1

20:02 Human chain reaches Sol sq.
https://twitter.com/isaachacksimov/status/250656298847330305/photo/1/large

20:03 Some little charges. The people sits down and resist.

20:04Seguimiento del #25s en una pantalla situada en el Pilar de Zaragoza, apoyando a lxs compañerxs en lucha en Madrid http://pic.twitter.com/HAmiGpj0 
https://twitter.com/acampadazgz/status/250655245867290624/photo/1/large

20:12 Released the entire video of the charges:
http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20120925/congreso-amanece-blindado-policia-protesta-del-25s/564903.shtml

20:12 (Fuente: http://www.publico.es/espana/442909/el-25s-en-directo-nueva-carga-policial-en-neptuno-con-varios-detenidos - Some sources confirmed to Publico that right now there are 9 people arrested. EFE said there are nine injured.

20:13 The human chain reaches the ministery of education.http://twitpic.com/ayadw4

20:17 Some journalists were forced to be inside the perimeter "for safety" http://pic.twitter.com/llr4J2fx

20:18 The human chain extends itself to all the streets in downtownhttp://pic.twitter.com/Dw7XHfQa

20:19 Charges in Hotel Palace, journalists on the floor. Solfónica group is starts the show in Cerarcos st. 
https://twitter.com/Arganda15m/status/250660721887703040/photo/1

20:26 Streaming #Barcelona: http://bambuser.com/v/3008987#25sBcn | Streaming #Sevilla: http://bambuser.com/v/3009206#Sevilla25s | #SinMiedo25s Una persona más arrestada.

20:26 One more person arrested.

20:27 The government, says Europa Press, talks about 15 people arrested in total.

20:30 The police is chaging again in Sol. Seems not hard. Police broke a camera.

20:30 Mucha gente en Plaza del Sol (http://t.co/xZd0uRoh)
(Fuente: https://twitter.com/radiocable/status/250666199355125761)

20:39 The human chain still grows https://twitter.com/eldiarioes/status/250665728984883200/photo/1
https://twitter.com/m_domenech/status/250664566147653633/photo/1
20.42 FOTO aérea: Miles de personas siguen concentradas en Neptuno, absolutamente lleno. 
http://pic.twitter.com/To4LARVC

20:43 Published the image of the fences pulled http://skp00.epimg.net/Imagenes/5E/71/1348598234-e5d663375112818e92adc2bef28f240e.jpg

20:50 The human chain is complete surounding the Congress.

20:51 One person injured and arested by the police.

20:53 (Tiene tiempo por la luz) Policía agarrando a una chica 

20:54 Charges, the police goes on in Neptuno. A group of people prepare shields in front of the police, some people ask for calm. More brutal charges and arrested people. Rubber bullets, people goes back. Some people injured a policeman caught charging into crowd too

If you happened to glance at a recent BBC Surrey news website report entitled: ”Runnymede squatters: National Trust wins eviction order”,  you could be forgiven for thinking that the Digger’s 2012 Runnymede Eco-village was situated on land owned by the National Trust.  We are taking this opportunity to clarify that Runnymede Eco-Village is not situated on land owned by the National Trust. It is situated in the disused woodland of the ex-Brunel university Runnymede Campus owned by the private property developer: Orchid Runnymede.   The National Trust manages the Runnymede Estate which is next to the Runnymede Campus.

We: a group of 15 people, have been living on the Runnymede Campus since June 15th.  The 65 acre campus lies in the Green Belt (although it is designated as a major development site) but since 2007 has lain largely unused.   Orchid Runnymede has been granted planning permission to build ‘luxury homes’, elderly care units and student accommodation on the site.  This plan has attracted concern and criticism from local residents (see this local news article from last year). The area of woodland where we are living has no management plan and is heavily populated by Sycamore and Ash trees.  In places it has been fly-tipped with fridges and other items.  Since our arrival we have established the Runnymede Eco-Village community here.  We’ve built a long house and other low impact structures made from the renewable timber provided by the Sycamore trees.  We’ve also dug a well (where we draw water from), setup solar panels for producing electricity and started to plant crops, and fruit trees.

We have been evicted from the Runnymede Campus (by bailiffs paid for by Orchid Runnymede) three times .  The last eviction took place on July 12th (watch a video of the eviction here).  Each time we have been evicted we have been forcibly displaced along with our belongings onto National Trust land at Cooper’s Hill Woods (next to the Runnymede Campus).  After each eviction, we have returned back onto the Runnymede Campus.  The first time we were evicted on June 27th, we briefly camped on the border with the Runnymede Campus in Cooper’s Hill Woods, before moving our tents and equipment back onto the campus and carrying on with our eco-village on the disused land there. Partly due to complacency, we neglected to move 3 tents (two of which were unoccupied) which were just inside the border of the National Trust land).

As well as the VPO, the NT also attempted to obtain an injunction against Diggers2012 and Persons Unknown from ‘trespassing’ on the Runnymede Estate.  The Runnymede Estate is home to the Magna Carta monument: the site where King John is said to have sealed the Magna Carta in 1215 and is heralded as the birthplace of modern democracy.  This injunction if granted would have given the NT powers for forcibly remove any unwanted persons from assembling at Runnymede, taking part in a procession or just going for a walk.  At a court case on the 13th September in Slough County Court, following objections from three Runnymede Eco-Villagers, a district judge decided not to grant the injunction against ‘Persons Unknown’ (meaning it couldn’t be used against everyone) but adjourned the case and narrowed it to the three Runnymede Eco-Villagers (for more on this click here).

As Runnymede Eco-Villagers, It is not and never has been our intention to setup an eco-village on the open National Trust land at Runnymede.  We recognise that the Runnymede Estate is well loved by visitors from near and far.  It is also looked after and managed successfully by both volunteers and paid NT workers.  It does not fall into our criteria of ‘disused land’.  On June 09th, we set out with the intention of finding disused land on which to start an eco-village and this is what we have done on the Runnymede Campus.

The development of the Runnymede Campus appears to have stalled (something reported by local residents).  Whilst the site remains in a state of disuse, we intend to carry on living here as a community in a way that can be sustained indefinitely within the ecological capacity of this beautiful woodland environment

On Saturday hundreds of activists took part in SlutWalk London 2012 to demonstrate against victim-blaming in cases of rape. The protest is part of the global SlutWalk movement and also involves the campaign groups Women Against Rape and Global Womens Strike among others. 

The global SlutWalk campaign was formed following the international outcry after a police officer in Toronto, Canada addressing students in January 2011 said that in order to avoid being raped "women should avoid dressing like sluts".

The group put out a statement saying: “SlutWalk wants justice for the thousands of rape survivors who were told by the police and courts that they were dressed too provocatively, they didn’t scream loudly enough, they were too drunk or too young or too mentally ill to understand what had happened to them, they must have consented because the rapist was their (ex)husband or (ex)boyfriend, they were sex workers and should be prosecuted rather than their attackers, they were asylum seekers and should be sent back to the detention centre or deported.”

“By marching again this year, we are letting the authorities know that we will not go away until they take rape seriously by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting, so that more rapists are convicted, men generally are discouraged from sexual violence, and women get the safety and justice we deserve. We all have a right to live free from the fear of rape.

“We demand a change in police and prosecution priorities, so more rapists are convicted and we get the safety and justice we deserve. We want the freedom to live without fear of rape.”

We are delighted to be joining women, girls and our supporters of all ages and backgrounds at SlutWalk in London, part of global protests against rape and victim-blaming. As we prepare to join, we we’re circulating a response to Black Women’s Blueprint, the US group that discouraged Black women’s participation, though women of colour on every continent joined or organise marches.

Women of colour involved in Global Women's Strike stated: 

"This Saturday 22 September we aim to bring out our experience fighting rape by landlords, police, partners, soldiers, immigration officials, security guards, clients, employers, boyfriends. We think that thousands of women publicly identifying as “sluts” is a piece of power against rapists and other attackers who use the excuse of what we wear and how we look to dismiss violence against us. We hope to see you there!"

- Women of Colour @ Global Women Strike UK and US

------------------

From their website:

Why I am marching

I’m marching because my body is MINE and I can wear what ever I chose to.  

I’m marching for all those girls in abusive relationships that never leave and never call it rape and never report it.

I’m marching because my father hasn’t spoken to me in over two years because I’m a “slut” and “sex slave.”

I’m marching for all those ignorant men out there who blame women for men’s vile actions. We blame ourselves anyway. We judge ourselves and chastise ourselves and hurt ourselves.   

I’m marching for the deputy head at my CATHOLIC SCHOOL that told me “don’t start things you can’t finish.” Reassuring words to tell a traumatised teenager. What hurts more is that I know she has experienced the same thing. 

I’m marching for them not removing him from my classes and moving me instead to lower sets, even though I’m more intelligent than him, further instilling the idea in other’s minds that I’m at fault, I’m to blame and I’m a liar.

I’m marching for all those women whose cases are swept under the carpet by people in positions of power, people who are supposed to help us. 

Every day I am angry. Even in my dreams I am livid.

He took all my power away.

He took away my peace of mind.

He took away the control I felt I had over my body.

I will wake up every day and I will live and I will survive this because it has not and will not kill me. I was a victim once but that doesn’t mean that’s my label forever. I am not a slut and I am not a victim. I am a human being who was hurt and is hurting and I’m doing my damn best to heal.

I have never been able to write this down and even though it has caused a lot of tears writing it, I’m glad that Slut Walk has given me a reason to.

No one should have the power to silence us.

Sri Lanka: UK continues with mass deportation despite overwhelming evidence of torture on return

Activists mount blockade at detention centre

With little sign in a reduction of stop-and-search under PACE since the Met's supposed change in approach residents and campaign groups in east London are taking matters into their own hands by educating young people of their rights, encouraging the wider community to stop-and-monitor the police as they conduct their searches and orchestrating a culture of complaining everytime a victim is abused or litigating whenever possible.

DESPITE the Metropolitan Police Commissioner announcing a new approach to stop-and-search in January after a report linked its aggressive and repeated misuse to the riots last year, thousands of innocent people are being detained every week prompting concerns that the foundations are being laid for further unrest.

Police officers stop-and-search a thousand people a day in London, according to the Met's own statistics, arresting little over ten per cent. Figures on how many are actually charged are currently unavailable.

While Section 60s, where a stop-and-search can be conducted without suspicion of criminal involvement, have dropped significantly young people between the ages of 10 and 24 – particularly black males – are still being heavily targeted through PACE (the Police and Criminal Evidence Act).

Most are suspected of being involved with drugs or weapons, according to the Met's stats, although most of the young people I have spoken to say they are accused of matching the description of a burglar or robber.

While few are arrested, teenage victims of stop-and-search complain of being manhandled, treated like criminals, and humiliated in front of their friends, neighbours and even parents while hanging out or making their way home from school.

One teenager from Hackney said he missed a GCSE exam after being stopped on his way in to school.

Ondre Roach, who says he has been stopped about 30 times, said: “It affects your confidence. You're just going about being teenagers. We would go somewhere to chill and have a joke after school and then someone would be stopped by the police and it would just change your whole mindset and we would get annoyed and say something and they would say something back and that's when the problems start.”