City Strolls - events - meetings
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Welcome to another Glasgow Autonomous update 31 May
Tomorrow, Thursday 1st June, a refugee family are calling for solidarity on the southside. They are due to be evicted from their family flat and moved to unsuitable accomodation at the YMCA in Red Road. For full details of how to get to the demo, and it's important to resist evictions like this, check out the Refugees section below. Meanwhile on Sunday 4th June, a peace picnic will be held at DM Beith in Ayrshire. The MoD has admitted in a recent court case, that Beith is used for the production, storage, testing and distribution of weapons used in Iraq. This event is designed to be family friendly, so bring the kids along and help make it a successful day. More info in the Anti-War section.
Have a good week!
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CONTENTS:
SOCIAL CENTRES
- Chalkboard Social Centre - ongoing
- GAP Meeting at the Chalkboard - Monday 5th June
- IWW meeting at the Chalkboard - Wednesday 7th June
REFUGEES
- Solidarity with family from DR Congo - Thursday 1st June
- Scottish Detainee Visitors Fundraising Gig - Saturday 10th June
- Please Support the Raja family - ongoing
- Donate to No Borders Glasgow - ongoing
- Brand Street Immigration Centre demos - every Saturday
- Creche volunteers needed for Sighthill English and Support Class -
ongoing
- No Borders Glasgow - new group
- Help a homeless asylum seeker: appeal from Positive Action in
Housing
PALESTINE
- Scottish Palestine Solidarity stall - every Saturday
ANTI-WAR
- Peace Picnic at Beith Munitions Depot - Sunday 4th June
- Faslane Peace Camp birthday party - Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June
- Anti-war vigil - every Thursday
- Faslane 365, get involved! - ongoing
- Faslane Peace Camp needs visitors!
- Join the Direct Action Against War network - ongoing
SUSTAINABILITY
- Talamh needs a gardener!
- Cre8 Summit Community Garden - ongoing
- Glasgow Critical Mass - Friday 30th June
TACTICAL FRIVOLITY
- Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army - Thursday 1st June
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SOCIAL CENTRES
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Chalkboard Social Centre - ongoing
A space for dropping in, having a chat and participating in the
community. A variety of radical and community groups meet here
regularly. Come along and see for yourself!
Open 2pm-7pm, Wed-Sun
www.chalkboard.org.uk
Georges Cross Chalkboard, 34 Clarendon Place, just off Maryhill
Road.
Nearest underground: St George's Cross
Buses: 20, 30, 40, 61, 66 from town centre to St George's Cross end
of Maryhill Road
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GAP meeting at the Chalkboard - Monday 5th June
We hold weekly meetings in our social centre, the Georges Cross
Chalkboard, at 8pm on Mondays. Everything to do with how the centre
is run is decided at the Monday meeting.
Georges Cross Chalkboard, 34 Clarendon Place, just off Maryhill
Road.
Nearest underground: St George's Cross
Buses: 20, 30, 40, 61, 66 from town centre to St George's Cross end
of Maryhill Road
All who agree with our vision statement are welcome at our meetings:
"We strive for a sustainable society where all people are free to
live
their lives as they see fit without fear of oppression, persecution
or marginalization insofar as this does not prevent others from doing
the same. We see this fulfilled thru a society built upon principles of
co-operation, solidarity, mutual-aid, direct democracy and freedom
of association."
http://www.chalkboard.org.uk/
If you are interested in coming along this week please send an email
to
glasgow-autonomy@lists.riseup.net
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IWW meeting at the Chalkboard - Wednesday 7th June
Radical union for workers not bosses. New members can sign up at
meetings.
7.45 for 8pm
Georges Cross Chalkboard, 34 Clarendon Place, just off Maryhill
Road.
Nearest underground: St George's Cross
Buses: 20, 30, 40, 61, 66 from town centre to St George's Cross end
of Maryhill Road
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REFUGEES
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Solidarity with family from DR Congo - Thursday 1st June
Source - Unity: Union of Asylum Seekers & Sans-Papiers in Scotland
Tomorrow (Thursday 1st June) a family from the DR Congo are due to be moved
from their flat in Shawbridge to the YMCA in Red Road. They are going to
refuse to move and have asked people to come along and support them.
We plan to meet at 9.30 outside Pollokshaws Library and Learning Centre, 50/60 Shawbridge Street, Glasgow
First Bus 22,45,48,57 from City Centre. The 22 bus stops outside the library
theunitycentre@btconnect.com
The family are just one of many families from the DR Congo who seem to have
been targeted to be moved to the YMCA. Families are being asked to leave
their flats where they have set up homes for their families over the last
three, four or five years into the YMCA hostel which was originally intended
for single people.
Many families have come forward expressing deep reservations and fear about
moving to the YMCA. Worries include the disruption to their children's
schooling, losing contact with established friends and neighbours and support services and greater insecurity.
Several other issues relating to the YMCA include:
- The fact that it is impossible to lock the flats in the YMCA with no
dead-locks on any doors and the snibs having been removed from all Yale
locks;
- Guests are not allowed into the YMCA after 10pm making it impossible for
relatives or friends to stay overnight, baby-sit, etc:
- The lack of washing machines in any of the flats and only a communal
laundry area (not that convenient for families with babies and small
children):
- Families being only allowed to take small items with them to the YMCA and
not any furniture or any other larger items they have managed to acquire:
- And not least, the requirement for signing in and out and daily signing.
Also there is deep-felt concern about certain members of staff at the YMCA
who have been seen as hostile and patronising, as well as about the amount of
'co-operation' with detentions and removals by the YMCA and its partnership
with the IOM and that, so far, it seems that only families from the Congo are
being made to move there.
The YMCA and NASS claim that these moves are due to the shortage of
three-bedroom flats in Glasgow and that the YMCA tower block is the only
place where they are now available. However considering that the Angel
company and the YMCA together still only provide less than 20% of housing for
the 6,000 asylum seekers in Glasgow (despite attempts to take 50% of
accommodation out of the hands of Glasgow City Council) this does not stand
up to scrutiny. There is no shortage of suitable empty flats in other tower
blocks owned by the GHA where all other asylum seekers are currently housed.
Nor does it explain why only families from the DR Congo seem to be targeted
for this disruption, as DR Congolese families are not noted for being
particularly large.
One thing is clear however and that is that the Glasgow YMCA is falling short
of its declared aims
1. To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2. To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among
people are characterised by love and understanding.
3. To work for and maintain conditions within the YMCA and in society, its
organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and
creativity.
4. To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify
the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5. To work for the development of the whole person.
We do not expect tomorrow to be very confrontational, we plan to go along to
show that there is support for the family and they also expect other DR
Congolese and families from Africa to be there as well. There are several
other families who've asked for us to come along to support them over the
next week or so with two more expected on the 6th next week.
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Scottish Detainee Visitors Fundraising Gig - Saturday 10th June
Music from:
Scott MacDonald
Michael Simons
Craig Campbell
8-11pm
Doors open 7pm
St.Helen’s Hall, Langside Avenue, Glasgow
Tickets £5 on the door
Refugees and asylum seekers free
All proceeds raised will go to Scottish Detainee Visitors who provide social,
emotional and
practical support to detainees in Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre
For more information on Scottish Detainee Visitors, contact Kate on
0141 248 9799 or
info@sdv.org.uk.
---
Please Support the Raja family - ongoing
Asad and Tahira Raja are currently living in a small cold flat in
Sighthill with their small baby. They have lost all NASS benefits.
They have no income. They are living with their baby in cold and
unsuitable accommodation and are surviving on food parcels and
charity and a small amount of money paid out by Social Services to
help with their child.
In April 2005, Asad and Tahira learnt that UK Home Office had
refused their claim for asylum. The family say that they have never
received any formal letter advising of this decision, and their
lawyer confirmed that nothing had been communicated to his office in
reference to this asylum decision. Asad and Tahira only discovered
this negative decision when they received a letter from NASS in
April 2005 notifying the couple that they would no longer be in
receipt of any NASS support because of their negative asylum
decision.
Please print off and send this letter to McNulty back to the
campaign. More details: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/newszin67/raja.html
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Donate to No Borders Glasgow - ongoing
No Borders, with other groups and individuals, are planning to open
an office early in March. We need volunteers to help renovate and
decorate the office to get it ready. We also need office equipment
such as some desks and chairs, filing cabinets and computers. If you
can help – either with painting, etc or with office equipment -
please get in touch
noborders-glasgow@riseup.net or leave a message on 0141 423 9055
---
Brand Street Immigration Centre demos - every Saturday
10am - 12 noon
Picket/Vigil outside Brand Street Immigration Centre (near Cessnock
Underground - turn left out of station and then left into Brand
Street - the Immigration offices are about 200m along Brand St.)
Stop dawn raids and deportations!
---
Creche volunteers needed for Sighthill English and Support Class -
ongoing
Teaching English
GCtWR’s English & Support Class in Sighthill is needing some help
with the
crèche side of its regular Thursday evening class (between 7pm and
9pm). If
you are interested and are either Disclosure checked or prepared to
be, then
please contact Sheila on 07718 896 041.
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No Borders Glasgow - new group
No Borders Glasgow is committed to practical solidarity, mutual aid
and
direct action in the fight against deportation, detention, poverty
and
racism.
The main thing for us at the moment is being involved in the growing
resistance to deportations in Glasgow - e.g. the recent occupation
of the
Immigration Reporting Centre in Govan - while putting forward the
arguments against all migration controls (often ignored or opposed
by
other groups).
We have a weblog for updates on actions, campaigns,meetings, links
to
other groups etc at www.openborders.org.uk and a discussion/updates
email
list at: https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/noborders-glasgow
No Borders Glasgow
email: nobrders-glasgow@riseup.net
weblog: www.openborders.org.uk
---
Help a homeless asylum seeker: appeal from Positive Action in
Housing
Over the last few weeks Positive Action in Housing has needed to
find homes for
several refugees who have been evicted or who have unstable living
situations.
They would like people to get in touch if you have a spare room in
your house
and would like to welcome a refugee into your home.
www.paih.org
Positive Action in Housing Ltd, 98 West George Street, Glasgow G2
1PJ
tel: 0141 353 2220
fax: 0141 353 3882
email: home@paih.org
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PALESTINE
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Scottish Palestine Solidarity stall - every Saturday
2pm-4pm at the Junction of Hope St. and Sauchiehall St. (opposite
Watt Bros.) The Scottish PSC stall attracts supporters to sign
petitions or sign-up sheets, get information about coming meetings
and events, collect literature, or buy a ribbon, tee-shirt or
Palestinian headscraf (kiffeya) and more.
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ANTI-WAR
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Peace Picnic at Beith Munitions Depot - Sunday 4th June
BUILT IN BEITH TO BOMB BAGHDAD
BEITH – BAGHDAD - TEHRAN NEXT?
FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN
CALL AN END TO WAR AND AGGRESSION.
Come to Defence Munitions Beith where missiles which were used in
the
Iraq war were stored, produced and tested.
1pm Peace picnic
3pm - naming of some of the dead Iraqi children.
Meet outside the main gates. Families welcome.
Bring food to share for the picnic, flowers for the fence and to
make a
large wreath, and small toys and baby clothes to lay at the fence
when
naming the dead.
DM Beith is just outside Beith and is signposted on the A737 which
bypasses Beith (onto the B706, Barrmill Road.) Transport from
Edinburgh
& Glasgow to DM Beith and pick ups from Barrmill and Beith. See
http://www.act4peace.org.uk/ for more details or contact tel:
07876698736 email info@act4peace.org.uk
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Faslane Peace Camp birthday party - Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June
Bands, decks, poi, music, fun, food and drink.
Hoping to set up one stage, with 12 bands over the two days. Also a bar with hot food thro the day.
And a banquet on the saturday.
Looking for bands to play.
Any help would be appreciated.
faslaniapeacecamp@yahoo.co.uk
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Anti-war vigil - every Thursday
Hands off Iran! No nuclear war!
Thursday 5-7 pm at the Donald Dewar Statue, Buchanan St.
Check out www.iransolidarity.endofempire.org for upcoming events,
and to publicise your own anti war events.
---
Faslane 365, get involved! - ongoing
Faslane 365 is a civil resistance project focussed in Scotland to
apply critical public pressure for the disarmament of Britain's
nuclear weapons by a continuous peaceful blockade of the Trident
base at Faslane.
We are inviting groups and individuals from a wide range of public
interest organisations to join in the blockade and to use the
opportunity to raise awareness of the issues that each group is
working on and to make the links between its core issues and how the
UK's nuclear weapons system affects them.
www.faslane365.org
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Faslane Peace Camp needs visitors!
Faslane Peace Camp recently celebrated its 23rd year of direct
action to oppose the Trident nuclear submarines stationed 30 miles
north of Glasgow. Visitors are always welcome, for a day, a week,
or longer!
Directions: Train from Glasgow Queen Street or 216 bus from Jamaica
Street to Helensburgh Central. Then catch the 316 bus to the peace
camp.
For more info and to check the current situation: 01436 820 901
faslanepeacecamp@hotmail.com
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Join the Direct Action Against War network - ongoing
Visit us: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/directactionagainstwar/
To join our network, please send a blank email to the address below,
& then wait for the confirmation message:
directactionagainstwar-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The DAAW message board was initially created in Jan 2003 to improve
communication around direct action, as protests and demonstrations
were carried out to protest the arrival of US B52 Bombers to the RAF
Airbase in the otherwise sleepy Cotswold village of Fairford. Since
then the message board has become home to a wide range of campaigns
and protests, from info on the next Disarm DSEi 2005, to planning
objections to the expansion of the Atomic Weapons establishment, to
defending the right to protest in Parliament Square.
Most events or actions which are asking more than just the signing
of another petition, or which are more than another march from point
A to point B, will be considered for approval as a form of direct
action.
We look forward to receiving your subscription request.
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SUSTAINABILITY
---
Talamh needs a gardener!
Talamh Housing Co-op is looking for a new member who has enthusiasm
and time enough spare to co-ordinate gardening. Talamh has a large
productive polytunnel, organic veg terraces, and soft fruit bushes.
Talamh grows for those living here, and we'd like to increase this
amount but need help to do this from someone keen to help
co-ordinate growing for next year.
Anyone who is interested, and thinks they'd like to live in a busy,
sometimes chaotic community, but fun too, is welcome to visit and
stay
to see what they think. Talamh is home to 10 adults, 4 children,
visitors, 4 dogs, a cat, and chickens. It's a member of Radical
Routes,
a network of co-ops working for social change.
Contact: talamh@lineone.net or phone 01555 820555 or 820550
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Cre8 Summit Community Garden - ongoing
Over the time of the G8 summit, Southside residents and visiting
anti-G8 activists started to create a community garden. People are
welcome along at any time to enjoy and add to the garden.
http://www.dissent.org.uk/content/view/230/108/
The garden is behind the billboards at Eglinton Toll. Bus Numbers
44,22,23,57
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Glasgow Critical Mass - Friday 30th June
A happy coincidence of cyclists (i.e. YOU) getting together to ride
through Glasgow, have fun and make our streets more human, less
hostile.
All welcome!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass
http://www.citystrolls.com/z-f-page/critical.htm
http://www.citystrolls.com/z-temp/bike-runs-pics.htm
Last Friday of every month, 5:30pm, George Square
N.B. This month's Mass has a carnival theme - dress up if you feel
like it!
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TACTICAL FRIVOLITY
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Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army - Thursday 1st June
The Glasgow Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army meets weekly on
Thursdays at 5:50 in the upstairs gallery of the Lansdowne Church
(across from Kelvinbridge Underground).
Come along to clown around and plot sinister plans for revolutionary
silliness. Contact Major Pan-Sweat, mashtram@yahoo.co.uk
www.clownarmy.org
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PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT EVENTS HAPPENING IN AND AROUND GLASGOW SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE THEM NEXT WEEK.
Preferred format is a short summary, with practical details of when and where, and a link to a web page for more detail. If you do not have a web site of your own, the excellent http://scotland.indymedia.org/ allows anyone to easily create a page letting others know what you have been, or are up to.
Send that to glasgowautonomyupdates@lists.riseup.net before Monday for inclusion in the following week.
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Bob, 17:41
