AN APPEAL TO ALL RADICALS AND ANTI-AUTHORITARIANS
Why we should all help form radical local community-based groups

Our goal should be the creation of a society free from the exploitation of capitalism and the oppression of the state – a society which is non-hierarchical and in which everyone is free, yet works together collectively. This will be achieved when the mass of the working class share these goals; in other words, we need to help build mass grassroots movements in which radical and anarchist ideas and ways of doing things can flourish in our communities.

Radicals are involved in a wide range of activities. The media tend to stress the more visible and physical roles such as the direct action at demos, arrests etc. But to overcome isolation and not just be a mere pinprick in the side of capitalism and the state, we must also reach out to the mass of the working class.

So what can we do?
The groups that are linked into the Radical London network believe that setting up local radical/anarchist/solidarity groups and networks, with the aim of engaging in local community actions as well as supporting local workplace struggles, is a key way of spreading ideas, solidarity and resistance amongst the wider working class. In addition, we are strengthened by our connection to others and we are in a better situation to actually participate in and win struggles.

For example…

• Campaigns against cuts, to save a local market or a green space, or challenging the impact of the Olympics;
• Supporting community groups and activities such as tenants and residents associations;
• Local industrial disputes and supporting local workers involved in national strikes;
• Practical solidarity work with claimants, people fighting eviction etc;
• Fighting oppression, working with others to challenge racism and other forms of oppression;
• Putting on activities such as film-shows, public meetings or radical history walks;
• Producing leaflets and news-sheets with alternative ways of thinking about current issues & organising.

The groups in Radical London (and around the UK) are doing all of these things. If there were groups throughout London and the UK doing similar things and sharing our experiences and learning from each other, it would be a crucial step in making anarchist & radical ideas influential in a range of grass roots struggles – and a serious alternative to the current establishment / status quo.

The next Radical London meeting is on  Saturday 12th March 2011, 4-6pm at the London Action Resource Centre (LARC), 62 Fieldgate Street, E1.

We have had whispers that a couple of people from Lambeth and Camden will be at the meeting on Saturday, who are interested in getting something together in their area.  So if you live in or near those areas and would be interested in meeting them, please come along.

There are currently active groups in Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lewisham, Newham/Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel. In addition, at our last meeting, we had two new people from Harrow and Redbridge turn up, who are also keen to explore possibilities or organising locally.

Radical London meetings are for all locally organising anarchist / automonous / libertarian groups in London – or for people wanting to set one up in their area. We use the meetings to network, swap ideas and support each other.

We will be focusing on areas of London where there is not an existing libertarian/anarchist group. So if you’re interesting in trying to set one up, then please come along.

We had a very succesful day at the Anarchist Bookfair in October, with over 150 people signing up to say they wanted to organise locally in their area.  About half of these were in areas where there is not an active group.  So there is plenty of potential for new groups to emerge.

Come along and find out who else is there from your area!

The meetings are a forum for existing groups to support each other and exchange ideas, as well as give a helping hand and encouragement to anyone wanting to set up something new in their area.

It is open to anyone interested in setting up a local anarchist/libertarian group in London. If you would like to come along, please email Radical London for venue details.

Currently involved are groups from Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Newham & Tower Hamlets, Walthamstow and Whitechapel. With the possibility of a new group starting up in Lewisham.