I Intend To Escape ......................And Come Back

On Events At City University

The Steampunk Shariah website has published an article condemning the alleged interference of the authorities at City University in London, with the Friday prayers held by the University Islamic Society. You can read the artcle here:

My response is 'awaiting moderation' - in case it is not published, here it is below:

A few things are missing from this piece, whether by accident or design. The first is the local history of City ISOC. Its past racist comments to a Sikh student journalist who had investigated its extremism is perhaps the worst example, but its long term dispute with the University has to be considered relevant. Here is a libertarian socialist analysis from 2010 on some of the issues raised by City ISOCs past conduct:

Many Universities are now moving towards the creation of multi-faith spaces, to be shared by all religious societies on campus, and/or are encouraging religious groups to make use of local religious buildings off site. I would hazard a guess if City ISOC did this, few local mosques would stand for the sort of nonsense they have got up to in the past. Either way, I am not the only person to observe how willing some religions are to share space in this way, and how reluctant ISOCs are. Universities will increasingly make the decision for them.

I do not much care for Marine Le Pen, but comparing a one-off appearance at the Cambridge Union with the broader treatment of University ISOCs is a tad cheeky. Universities are more concerned, not with occasional debates, but the responsibility they have to regular users of their premises. Put simply, use their facilities on a regular basis, obey their rules. That is what City ISOC is struggling with.

Finally there is the much broader issue, which you mention solely in relation to fascist terrorists. Do you really want me to list all the serving or former ISOC members convicted of terrorist offences in the past twenty years? Or the numbers involved in actual or attempted suicide bombings?

We are talking about over a score of individuals, something that outstrips the examples of far-right terrorism in this country. 

The Jam - Absolute Beginners

I have recently come across this video from The Jam's single Absolute Beginners way back in 1981. 

For some reason I can't remember seeing this at the time, even though I was a big fan of the band. Looking at it now musically it has aged pretty well. The video induces pure nostalgia - it is not the clothes, seeing the streets and cars that takes you back to the early 1980s. I found myself shouting out a 'Ford Cortina, a Rover' and desperate for the street scenes to continue.

 

 

Who Was Behind The Attack on Freedom Press?

Freedom Bookshop at 84b Whitechapel High Street re-opens today after the arson attack against it in the early hours of Friday morning. You can find more details on the Freedom website, donations at this time are obviously particualarly welcome.

The last time Freedom was attacked - in 1993 - it was by the fascist Combat 18 group, so speculation inevitably falls on this being an attack by the far--right. Interestingly, shortly before this attack, Britain First was circulating details to supporters of the launch of a new co-ordinating organisation for 'patriotic' street protest, to be called the English National Resistance. This was hyped as bringing together the English Defence League, Britain First, the English Democrats and South East Alliance.

The announcement stated: 

"The 'English National Resistance'  will confront, demonstrate and protest nationwide against the politically correct enemies of our country."

And the ENR comes complete with a fancy crest

The declaration continued:

Among the historical problems that the 'English National Resistance' is resolved to address is the chronic lack of discipline at demonstrations, the lack of ideology and direction, a weak hierarchical structure and the elimination of outside influences and agendas.

These problems will be solved once and for all by the'English National Resistance'.

The 'English National Resistance' will also take the form of an 'association', whereby existing street protest groups can join the new cooperative organisation and take a seat on the governing council, and several groups have already taken this step and joined forces.

The 'English National Resistance' will build a new disciplined organisation that mobilises patriotic activists against any attack on our culture, rights and heritage.

This is an exciting new dawn for patriotic politics, and we need the unbridled support of all of our supporters to make this a success.

Unfortunately for the ENR, their first planned demonstration - at Abu Qatada's home in north London on Saturday 2 February -  was postponed after a High Court injunction was taken out by Mr Qatada's  ever busy legal team. Whether the ENR took their frustrations out by attacking Freedom books instead is not yet known, but entirely possible. 

Other suspects emerge. The first is some sort of secret state chicanery. The work Freedom does brings it significant enemies in London's police force, in the national public order intelligence units and of course amongst those spooks even deeper in the shadows. When Freedom was attacked in 1993 the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, known for its close links to the security services and habit of smearing Anarchists, suggested other Anarchists were responsible. So far, Searchlight has remained silent, although journalist Brian Whelan, closely associated with Searchlight splinter Hope Not Hate, has been at Freedom interviewing staff. 

A second possibility is an attack by Islamist elements. Local Muslim youths have attacked squats in Whitechapel before (which it seems they idiotically believed were associated with the EDL) and two youths were jailed for a mob attack on the Blind Beggar pub just down the road earlier this year. Again the 'we thought they was the EDL' defence was given.  We have also seen 'Muslim Patrols' on the streets in Tower Hamlets by a small number of fundamentalists, several of whom have since been arrested. 

The third possibility - the least likely - is perhaps less political - someone wants Freedom out, in an area of high property values, as they want that building. 

All of the above explanations now are possible, but unproven. The important thing now is to get behind Freedom, to donate books and to donate money. Attacking Freedom shall not pass.

 

A Derelict Football Stadium: Rockingham Road, Kettering

There are few sights sadder for any sports fan than a decaying football stadium. Earlier this week I took some pictures of Kettering Town's derelict Rockingham Road ground, which has been empty since 2011. 

Kettering Town currently play their home games at the ground of rivals Corby Town. They are bottom of the EvoStick Southern League, having had 10 points deducted during the course of the season, a transfer embargo and speculation the club would not complete its fixtures. Although their results have been relegation material, a spirited fans campaign is keeping the club alive, after 140 years of tradition. 

You can view the Poppies Fans forum here, and listen to Poppies Radio for match commentaries, and follow Save KTFC on twitter. Or better still if you are in the area - got to a match and show the team some support.