On 8th February we say NO to City Council budget cuts!

Bristol is one of the two cities in England that they have a mayor. Mr. Ferguson, architect and founding director of The Academy of Urbanism, was elected 15 months ago has decided to transform Bristol to the paradigm of ‘entrepreneurial city’, to the paradigm of city-enterprise. He has been planning this transformation focused on the interests and the profits of the few, of the entrepreneurs without accounting for the future of the workers, especially the workers of the City Council, and the quality of life in specific neighbourhoods of Bristol, especially the poor and degraded ones. This is the plan of Mr. Ferguson, the mayor of our city, ‘our’ mayor.

Mr. Ferguson has been extremely consistent to his ideas. His promises in the pre-election period have started to be realised in the last 12 months. Initially, the liberal mayor has promised tens million pounds cuts of housing, transport and local care services. Afterwards, he decided to apply the anti-social Bedroom Tax in the area of Bristol ‘contributing’ to the murderous policies of Con-Dem government.

Eventually, in December 2013, he decided to reveal the whole of his plan. He proposed £90m of City Council cuts. This is more than the 25% of the current budget. As a result, 1,000 more people will become unemployed. Many services, such as libraries, kindergartens, care services, public toilets and public parks, that Bristol residents relied on will be greatly affected. We demand that the City Council (is meeting on 18^th February and we will be there!) opposes the cuts!

This is not an accidental decision. It is positioned in the broader policies that have been applied in the last five years by the urban, regional and national States under the European Union directives in order to confront the consequences of the current global crisis. These policies have been focusing on murderous austerity and budget cuts and have led to deeper economic recession, increase of unemployment and degradation of workers’ living standards. Rich have become less and richer while poor are more and poorer. These divergent trends are the only way of confronting the crisis in favour of the rich businessmen and against the workers.

Since December 2013, major reactions and protests took place in the city of Bristol against Ferguson’s decisions. The outcome has been the emergence of the campaign ‘Save Our City’ which is supported by, among others, Bristol Trades Union Council, GMB, Unison, Unite, NUT. The next important date is 8^th of February and the demonstration at 13.00 at Castle Park.

Real Democracy Bristol supports and participates in this demo and, in overall, in this struggle until we cancel Ferguson’s plans! We will not take the cuts lying down!

We demand that our elected mayor withdraw these proposals to cut £90m from local services and sack 1,000 workers. Instead he should defend Bristol and demand back money taken from our city by the Con-Dem government.

We call all the people of Bristol to join the demo on Saturday, 8^th February, 13.00, Castle Park, and reject these policies!

We oppose City Council budget Cuts!

 

 

Real Democracy Bristol

Victory to the struggle of the University Staff

In the last four months the University Staff is taking industrial action after a democratic decision of the University College Union. 30^th October was the beginning with a big joint strike of UCU, Unite and Unison in all the universities of the UK. This struggle went on and on 3^rd December when UCU hold a national 24 hours strike. In 2014 two 2 hours strike on 23^rd and 28^th January were the initial key actions. The next one is the 24 hour national joint strike of UCU, Unite and Unison.

The University Staff decided to take industrial action since they have been offered a pay rise of 1%. This highlights the incentives of the employers if we account for the inflation that is around 3%. Since 2008 this policy has led to a 13% pay cut in real terms. It needs to be noticed that the surplus in higher education is around £1bn. This pay rise (1%) will be applied until, at least, 2016 as the British Government has decided.

We decisively support this struggle! The workers in the university struggle for a better salary, for better working conditions in the context of the current crisis that leaves social ruins in its development. Rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer! Professors, researchers, technicians, administrative staff and cleaners struggle for a better university! We support and we express our solidarity to them! This struggle is a struggle of the whole society! All the workers, unemployed and youth need to stand united and defend the education and health system, their life!

 

We call every youth, student, unemployed and worker to join the struggle of University Staff, and specifically on Thursday 6^th February the picket lines outside of the most of the university buildings (from 8.00 am) and the joint rally that will take place in University of Bristol outside the Senate House at 10.30 am.

 

Victory  to the struggle of the University Staff! We will not pay for their crisis!

 

 

Real Democracy Bristol

RDB ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY 31st JANUARY, 18.00, YHA

Agenda:

 

1. England:

-City council budget cuts

-UCU and university strikes

-Bedroom Tax updates

-EU migrants’ benefits

-Far right wing developments

-Others

 

2. Elsewhere:

-Discussion of news from all over the world

 

3. Actions/activities:

-Feedback on affecting Women, Refugees/Immigrants and environment groups

-6^th February Strike UCU, Unite and  Unison in the Unis

-8^th February Anti-cuts demo

-8^th of March: International day of woman

-22nd of March: Global action against racism/fascism

 

4. Others

 

5. Next assembly

RDB ASSEMBLY, SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER, 18.00, YHA

REAL DEMOCRACY BRISTOL ASSEMBLY

SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER, 18.00, YHA, 14 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA, Bristol

AGENDA

-Discussion on news from all over the world
-Evaluation of previous actions
-Future actions
-Discussion on how to approach more people (possibly different for everyone depending on their interests/social activities/background/…
-People who have not yet made clear with what they would like to get involved/follow/where to attract people from, to state their suggestions (like .. with bedroom tax and … with UCU)
– Distribution of tasks, dividing into groups
-Agenda and place for next assembly

REAL DEMOCRACY BRISTOL

https://www.facebook.com/events/1426791627534128/?ref=5#!/events/1429938613888735

Riot police raids the selforganised ERT TV/Radio station in Athens

Riot police attacked the building of the Greek Public TV station (ERT) at 4:30 in the morning. Evicting the workers who were occupying it maintaining it for many months now as self-organised TV and radio station when the government decided to shut it down overnight. Detains and a lot of violence, tear gas was used against the solidarity demonstartion which was formed spontaneously in front of the building.

ERT 3 the Thessaloniki self-organised channel (formerly state owned) still streams live.
http://www.ertopen.com/apps/tv/ovp_et3.html

An emergency call for solidarity gathering in front of the building was called.

The very last minutes of the self-organised ERT radio. The journalist is broadcasting sourounded by the police, while he waits to be detained, eventually they force him to stop.

Source: http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/11/07/riot-police-raids-public-tv-station-building/

Bonfire of Austerity

BRISTOL  Tuesday 5/11 @ Fountains, 5:00 p.m.

NO MORE AUSTERITY AND CUTS! WE WILL NOT PAY THE CRISIS THAT THEY CREATED!

Workers, unemployed, students and pensioners are being victims of the measures based in austerity and budget cuts all over Europe. This is the consequence of the neoliberal policies that the states and institutions (like the European Union or IMF) are applying in order to confront the current crisis, to restore the profit rate, to service the total debt and to bailout the banks.

THESE MEASURES DO NOT SAVE PEOPLE’S FUTURE! THEY WORK FOR CAPITAL’S SURVIVAL FROM ITS CRISIS!

Due to these unfair policies the poverty is increasing every day, as well as the gap between rich and poor. The consequences of austerity policies have been evident mostly in the periphery of the European Union, where unemployment, precariousness, massive immigration, huge loss of benefits in health and education, the increasing number of homeless people and suicides, as well as the emergence of fascist phenomena endanger people lives.

Apart from the peripheral states, austerity is also a reality in the U.K. The neoliberal attack in the post workers, as well as the deterioration of the health and care system and the significant cuts in education seem to be only the beginning.

WE HAVE PRODUCED THEIR WEALTH, BUT NOT THEIR CRISIS!!

We stand by the struggle of fire-fighters, university staff, teachers, post workers and all the fighting parts of society! We should take action and struggle as reaction to the huge waves of austerity and budget cuts, defending our social and economic rights and achieve social justice.

 

WE WILL NOT PAY FOR YOUR CRISIS!

FOR OUR NEEDS! FOR OUR FUTURE!

 

REAL DEMOCRACY BRISTOL

BONFIRE OF AUSTERITY – The UK People’s Assembly

 

Bonfire of Austerity – Local actions

London – Block Westminster Bridge – Assemble at Jubilee Gardens at 6pm, contact office@thepeoplesassemblyorg.uk/ Facebook
Bring your energy bills: we will be burning our energy bills on the bridge to highlight the massive rise in energy prices which have left people choosing between heating and eating.

Anonymous – Trafalgar Square, 6pm

ACTION FOR RAIL Leafleting across the country on NOV 5 – check here for details

Join us at stations across the country, meeting passengers and letting them know about our campaign for a national, integrated railway under public ownership.

Barnet – Assemble at 6pm outside Hendon Town Hall, the Burroughs, NW4 4BG, see here for more details

Birmingham – Assemble at Waterstones, High Str. at 5pm, contact birminghampeoplesassembly@gmail.com

Bolton – Campaigning against Zero Hours Contracts, Bedroom Tax, Pay Day Loans & NHS Cuts, organised by Bolton Trades Union Council

8AM – 9AM Leafleting, petitioning at the Bolton Railway Station

12:30PM – 1:30PM Leafleting, petitions, mock Bonfire outside Sports Direct (Bolton Town Hall Square)

Blackpool – 16:20 outside the Town Hall,  Anonymous Protest

Bridgwater –  ”Democracy? They’re Having a Laugh” A mass binning of Tory policies at the Cornhill, Bridgwater (TA6 3BY) 17:00 – 18:00

Brighton – Assemble at the Clock Tower at 12pm, contact pplsassembly.brighton@gmail.com / Facebook

Bristol – 5th November, 5 PM, 5 Campaigns
Assemble at The Fountains opposite Hippodrome

Come along and burn some austerity policies. Bring a placard with a policy you want to burn! We’re going to being making some noise and a presence in the centre of town so as well as placards, some will be in fancy dress, bring drums, whistles, horns or anything else that will grab attention.
Contact bristolpeoplesassembly@gmail.com / 07971630005 / Facebook

Cambridge – Contact cambridgepeoplesassembly@outlook.com
“Break the Chains of Austerity” – Time 5/6PM, details TBC.
We will form a chain gang led by David Cameron, dragging behind him various victims of austerity: a schoolboy/girl, a nurse, a train conductor, a fireman/woman… and march through Cambridge singing the old union song “Which Side Are You On?”
Rehearsal on Nov 4 at 7.30pm, we will meet at the University Centre (Grads Cafe, 3rd floor).
Contact cambridgepeoplesassembly@outlook.com / https://www.facebook.com/events/570519243017788/

Darlington – Assemble outside at 4.30 pm outside the Town Hall for a protest organised by Darlington Against Cuts and supported by the Teesside Peoples Assembly Against Austerity. Contact TeessidePA@gmail.com / Facebook

Doncaster – Set up a food bank in a bank, Meet at 11am, Clock Tower, Doncaster  contact doncasterpeoplesassembly@gmail.com/ 07587697028

Durham – Protest, 12:30 PM at Market Place, https://www.facebook.com/events/157323847811577/

Dundee – March and Rally
Assemble at Hilltown Park 11.45 am
March to City Square for Rally 12 noon
Followed by Picket of Home Scotland
Contact: 07894901688 /raymond.mennie@googlemail.com /https://www.facebook.com/dundeepeoplesassembly

Ipswich – Contact: suffolkpeoplesassembly@runbox.com
7.00 -8.30 Ipswich Station
Action for Rail – Leaflet to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Rail Privatisation and support public ownership of rail.

11.30 am – 1.00 pm Silent Street, Ipswich
Vigil outside ATOS and Job Centre.

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm near  Boots in Tavern St
Living Wage Activity.  Joint activity with NAPO members on strike.

6.30 pm  Bonfire of Austerity
Consign Austerity to the Bonfire on the Green by Felaw Maltings (assemble in Mather Way)

Kings Lynn – “Pin the blame on Cameron” 11AM – 15pm outside Boots/ Wimpey/ Burtons – If you’re mad at the Coalition, here’s your chance to let them know.
Come and meet Mr Clegg Cameron, your two-faced government.
Let him know how you feel… and why. Contact  jackiemulhallen@btinternet.com / Facebook

Kingston upon Hull – Assembly 12:30pm, Queen Victoria Square – Dress up, bring placards, whistles, drums! Make some noise, get your voices heard! Let’s show the people of Hull that there IS an alternative to the government’s damaging policies of austerity. Facebook / Contact

Lambeth – Contact 07913496012 /  lambethpeoplesassembly@gmail.com

Leeds –  4pm in Dortmund square (outside the St John’s Shopping Centre). Action jointly organised by the West Yorks People’s Assembly and Unite Community Branch

Morning action –  7:30am, Leeds train station for a leafletting action with Action for Rail. Contact: west-northyorkshirepeoplesassembly@live.com

Leicester – 4PM – Assemble outside De Montfort University’s Hugh Aston Building
Planning 2 demonstrations – one around the NHS and one around the Bedroom Tax. Contact: Leicester.PA@gmail.com / Facebook

Liverpool –  Contact andrea@merseysidepeoplesassembly.org/ Facebook
10AM – Assemble at St George’s Hall – there will be actions throughout the day.
Join the email list to keep updated (http://www.merseysidepeoplesassembly.org/join-us/)

London (Brent) – 9AM at Brent Magistrates Court  – “No Council Tax Benefit Cuts” Facebook
Protest called by Unite the Union – Community Members, West London Peoples Assembly, Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group, Brent Housing Action, Zacchaeus Trust (Z2K)
Brent Council has summonsed 12000 people for non-payment of cancel tax .   Many  of these cant pay as their council tax benefit has been cut in the new council tax support scheme.  Come and voice your objections to the cuts to the benefit and show support to those who have been summonsed. Debt advice charity Z2K will be at the court giving advice to those who have been summonsed.

London South – Contact peoplesselondon@gmail.com / text 07806545279 / http://www.carnivalagainstcuts.org.uk / Facebook

10AM – Deptford High Street / New Cross Road  – An action against poverty, led by the local Foodbank
1:30PM – Deptford Lounge public square – A performance against austerity politics
4:30PM – Catford Town Hall to Lewisham High Street – A procession against austerity, the bedroom tax and local cuts. Finishing with
6PM – The grassy Knoll, opposite Lewisham DLR – Bonfire of Cuts with music, speakers and effigies

London West – 12PM – protest against loan sharks – H&T Pawnbrokers and The Money Shop, 22 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherds Bush

Manchester – 5PM – Anti austerity torch lit tour of the city  Assemble at ATOS HQ Albert Bridge House Bridge street M60 GAT  More info

At 8 am we will be leafleting workers as they arrive in the city and local tram and bus depots.

Medway – contact medwaypaaa@gmail.com / Facebook
7am – Chatham Station, leafletting action with RMT
12pm – outside the ATOS centre on Bachelor Street, Chatham
2pm – Picket at the Jobcentre

Middlesbrough  – flashmob-style sing-a-long protest against austerity in the town centre around lunchtime/early afternoon in a location where we suspect it will be noticed. Contact the Teesside People’s Assembly: TeessidePA@gmail.com / Facebook

Newcastle – Assemble from 5pm outside Haymarket metro station.
Actions begin at 5:30pm which will highlight local examples of tax-dodging, loan-sharking and zero-hour-contracting
Contact peoplesassemblyne@gmail.com/ 07515676025/ Facebook 

Norwich – Planned vigil outside the Town Hall, Facebook

Nottingham – Assemble at 5pm, Brian Clough Statue, Market Square – Firesculpture, Fire Breathers, NHS petition. Contact shalforty@gmail.com/ Facebook

Oxford – Contact oxfordpeoplesassembly@gmail.com / 07954365186
9.30 am Lobby County Council
11 am Austerity on Trial: Bonn Square
12 noon Probation officers’ strike begins: St Aldate’s
5.30pm Bonfire of Austerity: Bonn Square
6.30pm Where next? Town Hall Contact oxfordpeoplesassembly@gmail.com / 07954365186

Pembrokeshire – Saturday 2 Nov –  Dress up as politicians for a symbolic bonfire – actions will focus on post offices, NHS, fire stations. Contact pembrokeshirepeoplesassembly@yahoo.co.uk / Facebook / Website

RCT/ Bridgend – “Unite Against Austerity” – Rolling demonstration – Actions focused on workfair and zero-hour contracts, the Bedroom Tax and local cuts proposed in RCT. Contact bridgend_rct.peoplesassembly@outlook.com / 01443 227996

10:30AM – Bridgend Valleys2Coast housing association. Meet outside the entrance to the shopping centre, Caroline St in the centre of Bridgend.

13:00 – McDonalds on Llantrisant

14:30 – Pontypridd Job Centre

From 16:00 – Pontypridd town centre by the fountain to oppose the RCT cuts.

Salford – Assemble 2PM at Stott Lane by Meadowbrook and Salford Royal hospitals.
Protest against the closure of mental health wards in Salford and Bolton by Gtr Mcr West NHS Trust. The protest is organised by United Service Users Committee and Salford Against Cuts, and supported by Keep Our NHS Public.

Sheffield and South Yorkshire –  4pm at the Town Hall for a celebration and a demonstration – Actions also planned during the day, contact sheffieldpeoplesassembly@gmail.com/ 07814420319 / Facebook

Shropshire – ‘Sit-in’ at the banks in Shrewsbury. Meet at The Square, Shrewsbury between 12-12.15pm. Contact  shropsfightback@virginmedia.com / Facebook

Southampton – contact spaaa4ever@gmail.com / Facebook
12.30 outside the local ATOS centre
1.00pm outside the Job Centre
5.30pm we will be holding a demo at the local BBC studio, Opposite the Civic Center

St. Albans – Contact stalbanspaaa@btopenworld.com

Stroud – Stroud Against the Cuts is joining  @pplsassembly Nov 5th ‘Bonfire of Austerity’ protests:
Assemble outside the Stroud Jobcentre at 12.30PM
and @ Neil Carmichael’s office 4.00 – 6.30PM

Tameside – Contact NIGEL 07709056079
DAYTIME
OCCUPY A PUBLIC SPACE TIME: 12.30PM
ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE GOLD MEADOW FISH & CHIP CAFE, OLD ST, ASHTON-U-LYNE

EVENING
TAMESIDE’S BONFIRE OF AUSTERITY TIME: 6.00PM
JOIN US AND BURN THOSE AUSTERITY BLUES AWAY
ASHTON MOSS ALLOTMENTS, MOSS LANE, OL7 9LA
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Wilts and Dorset – Sunday 27 October – “Balls to the Cuts” – Gather at 12pm at Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset for a photo of people in a No Cuts formation. Contact wiltsanddorsetpa@gmail.com / Facebook

Wrexham – Gather at Queens Square Wrexham at 10am for a day of rolling action / 12PM for a rally. Contact redmolotov21@googlemail.com / Facebook 

York – City centre from 1pm – Model bonfire of austerity measures

Assemble at 4pm at St Helens Square for ” A festival of free speech against austerity” – an open mic event so bring speeches, poems, songs and anything else, dress up, bring props and join in a festival against austerity. Contact yorkpeoplesassembly@gmail.com / website

 

source: http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk

Assembly on 1st November is cancelled

We are sorry to announce that the Assembly of Real Democracy Bristol on Friday 1st November is cancelled. We will keep you updated for the next assembly of our group.

 

Real Democracy Bristol