Northern Anarchist Network Statement:

 by Barry Woodling

I  AM shocked by reports on HelenSteel12 Twitter account and Mums Net that Helen Steel was physically assaulted and thrown out of the [Manchester] Anarchist Bookfair last Saturday.    The Partisan Collective hosted the event and has a duty of care to those who attended.     Helen is well known for her environmental campaigning and for her support for the Blacklist Support group.    She was handing out leaflets at the bookfair re the issue of trans gender and was then was dragged out.    This bookfair has form, it physically assaulted 2 Unite Trade Unionists last year and forcibly ejected them.     I have been banned from attending for the last 5 years for the specious and nonsensical reason that I am an anti-Semite, despite many of my mothers relatives perishing in the holocaust.   The Collective supported our ejection last year!     I would hope that the Partisan Collective treat this matter with the seriousness that it merits and initiates a full investigation into last Saturdays incident.    If the Collective continues to back the bookfair organisers under the pretext of "safe spaces" it will continue to alienate many of its erstwhile supporters.   

Barry Woodling

Northern Anarchist Network.

Another Anarchist Bookfair Drama in Manchester

by Brian Bamford

JUST beyond  the wrestling crowds of the Manchester Xmas Markets and the site of the current play 'The Producers' featuring 'Springtime for Hitler' at the Royal Exchange, in down town Salford on Saturday the 1st, December another knock-about farce took place seemingly provoked by a bunch of political drama-Queens at the Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair.

Based on the info on the Twitter, the website MUMSNET at around teatime on the night of the Manchester Bookfair, set up a thread which opened with the following:

Reports that Helen Steel and another woman were surrounded and physically dragged out of (another) anarchist bookfair for wrongthink

Since the night of the Manchester 'anarchist' bookfair not much else has been in evidence explaining why Helen Steel and the other woman were excluded from this event.  Northern Voices approached the bookfair organisers, and others questioned the Partisan Collective, the managers of the bookfair venue for an explanation, but answers came there none.  What we know of what happened comes mostly from comments on Twitter and MUMSNET.

This year's incident in Manchester follows the series of conflicts at bookfairs that started at the London Anarchist Bookfair in October 2017, when a dispute ensued between certain transexuals and some feminists over the distribution of leaflets criticising proposals in the new legislation on the Gender Recognition Act.  During that case Helen Steel somehow became involved arguing for free speech and the right to debate the issues.

Since that time Helen Steel and others who think like her have been labeled 'TERF's', and it is understood that the Manchester venue 'The Partisan' does not allow space for TERF's.

After the disaster of the 2017 London Bookfair and the later conflicts at other 'anarchist' bookfair's like Manchester, Milan Rai the editor of Peace News wrote an editorial in the December-January 2018 issue entitled 'How to destroy our own movements':
'Activists need to find better ways to struggle with each other and to fight with each other, argues Milan Rai

"People ask me how we would defend the bookfair from a fascist attack, but I’m not worried about them out there. I worry about what we might do to each other in here." – one of the organisers of the London Anarchist Bookfair, on 28 October.
'A few hours later, a group of trans rights activists stopped some feminists handing out leaflets that they found oppressive to trans women. A nontrans woman, Helen Steel, objected to this censorship. 'About 30 trans rights activists then surrounded Helen Steel and shouted at her for having stood up for the leafleters.
'The confrontation went on for a long time. Some people (including members of the bookfair collective) surrounded Helen Steel to protect her from possible assault. An unknown person then tripped the fire alarm, leading to an evacuation of the building.'

The consequences of this conflict between trans-rights activists and feminists still prevails as was evident in Manchester earlier this month.  But it is a symptom of a wider problem of the inability of the broader left to communicate owing to a righteous arrogance which has developed within its ranks.  It is inevitably that today an ideology which roots itself in an orthodoxies such as political correctness and identity politics was bound to suffer from the inconsistencies of its own contradictions.

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Partisan Venue Denied Donation

Cavalier attitude by Manchester Anarchists to trade unionists

by Barry Woodling

I have to inform readers that a resolution requesting a  substantial grant of £1,000 from Unite the Union was not passed at a recent meeting of the Manchester Unite Area Activists in February after issues were raised concerning the events at the Manchester Anarchist Book fair on the 2nd, December 2017.  A meeting requested on the blacklist by Tameside TUC was turned down and 2 anti blacklist campaigners were forcibly ejected from the building. This meeting was hosted by the Partisan Collective who have a duty of care to its users.   

I am still awaiting a reply to my numerous e-mails asking for a proper investigation of the shocking events at that book fair which have studiously been ignored.   It is a serious matter when members of a trade union are denied access to a public event.   I sincerely hope that in the name of natural justice I am least given the courtesy of a reply.

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HATE CRIMES' REPORT

by Martin Gilbert (31.12.2017)
 Editorial Note:
SINCE Martin Gilbert wrote this report on the Manchester Anarchist Bookfair at the end of December, the Anarchist Federation [AF] in London has fallen apart, and issued a statement on New Year's Day critical of many in its former leadership who have now left the AF party.  The Trans' faction having taken over the party are now denouncing these skedaddlers.  This curious coup by an exotic tendency has thrown into relief the serious intellectual and moral bankrupcy of affiliated anarchism.
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BRIAN Bamford has asked me to recall, to the best of my ability, the first five minutes or so of events around a Manchester anarchist book fair. That event was on Saturday 2^nd December 2017, held at 'The Partisan' Cheetham Hill Road.  I have added some back-ground information to that event, for clarity and to show that the incident was not unique or isolated.  I was in the company of Barry Woodling, Brian Bamford and Bob Crane.

Owing to past hate-filled incidents against Barry, and Brian we were all very uncertain about our reception at that book fair.  We all four met the previous evening to discuss our main purposes of that visit.  It was agreed that we were not looking for trouble of any kind.  We wanted to see the books and pamphlets on offer.  My suggestion was readily agreed to that we should try to negotiate with the book fair organisers about a better relationship between us.

Some years previously Brian had published (in my opinion) a highly insensitive obituary of Bob Miller [in Northern Voices No.12].  No apology was given in any form.   Bob’s widow Sally responded violently.  Soon after, at a London anarchist book fair Sally wrecked Brian’s stall, causing costly damaged.    Mr. Ilyan Thomas, a man in his 70’s was pushed to the ground by Sally’s supporters when he tried to intervene.   
For contemporaneous eye-witness report see:  

Www.fiveleavespublications.blogspot.com/2012/10/salad-cream-days.html

Subsequently, a book fair was organised in Manchester by the same anarchist faction that had supported Bob Miller and Sally.  They are now very small in number, calling themselves 'the anarchist federation'.   

 

Barry Woodling has long been a critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza.  On attending the Manchester book fair Barry was accused of being 'anti-Semitic' and man-handled out of the room at the People's History Museum.  The accusation was foolish, there being a vast difference between sympathy for victims of Israeli colonization and being anti-jewish.  It was merely an excuse to eject one who was and is a friend of Brian Bamford.  Also, Barry Woodling and I are of Jewish extraction. 

 

As we entered 'The Partisan', I was stood a little apart from my three other companions.   In that first five minutes Brian and Barry were not recognised immediately.  Peter Good, a long time opponent of 'Northern Voices' had his stall close to the entrance.  I believe that Peter Good signalled for Barry and Brian to be removed.  Barry called out that those who were pushing him were following orders.  Brian was then seized by young men half his age, as was Barry.  Bob Crane and I were untouched at that point.   

I immediately began explaining the vast difference between anti-Semitism and being critical of Israeli colonisation.  I am a public speaker with a loud voice.  I was then also similarly assaulted.  In this turmoil I glanced that Brian had been pushed close to Peter Good’s stall and happened to touch it.  Brian was pushed to the floor where he went limp as they carried him outside.  

A young man known as 'Veg' spoke at length with Brian and I, we were not provoked by his violently insulting language.  'Veg' seemed to know nothing about the long standing dispute between the handful of 'class war' supporters and those who are closer to our blog / 'Northern Voices'.  A main organiser of that event (who I only know as 'David-under-the-pavement') then wanted to talk with me.  He apologised for delay in contacting me about a matter of mutual political interest.  'David' then angrily asked why we had come 'where we knew we were not welcome'.  His tone gave no room for attempted negotiation.  It was all 'I will talk and you will listen'.  Days before this book fair I spoke with Chris Draper who is a long time supporter and contributor to our blog/ magazine 'Northern Voices'.  Chris complained that 'David-under-the-pavement' had accused him of threatening violence against him, a charge utterly without substance.

Eventually, Bob Crane was allowed to look at the book fair.  Later that evening he returned to 'The Partisan', where he got on quite well with other anarchists who were present earlier at the book fair.
 

On 4^th December, after the above events I received a phone call from 'David-under-the-pavement'.  He again asked 'why had we come…'   I argued that we had come to see a book fair and try to

negotiate/ explain past misunderstandings.   But this was a waste of time with him and his associates.  Abruptly I ended this conversation.
For more go to: Northern Voices: Alice-in-Wonderland 'Anti-semitism' Charge Against ... 

www.northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com/2012/12/alice-in-wonderland-anti-semitism.html

www.northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com/2014/.../banarchists-at-peoples-history-museum.htmt

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Forensic Analysis of M/c Bookfair etiquette

STRANGE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN RUN UP TO M/C BOOKFAIR

ON the 26th, October, I wrote by e-mail to 'David Under the Pavement' asking for a space to organise a talk at the then forthcoming Manchester Anarchist Bookfair.  I wrote as secretary of Tameside Trade Union Council asking for the opportunity to hold a meeting about blacklisting in the British building trade, and I offered to try to get Ricky Tomlinson of the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign to come to speak at a Tameside TUC sponsored event.

On the 6th, Nov., I wrote again reminding David of my original offer.  Yet, reply came there none!

In mid-November 2017, Martin Gilbert applied quite separately to the Bookfair organiser 'David Under the Pavement' for a meeting space at the same Manchester Bookfair to take place on the 2nd, December.   This time Mr. 'David Under the Pavement' acknowledged Mr. Gilbert by text asking him to ring him on his mobile phone.  Martin Gilbert now says he rang the number David gave him on about eight occasions before the date of the Manchester Bookfair and had no reply.

Meanwhile, on the 25th, November we at Northern Voices received the following e-mail from the Manchester Anarchist Bookfair organisers:

'Here is potential list of talks for next Saturday's Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair.
'This is likely to change so keep an eye on website for updates.
https://bookfair.org.uk/talks/'

On the 1st, December, at 4.37pm, Northern Voices was sent the following e-mail invitation:

'Interested in anarchism and anarchist ideas?
'Come along to the Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair tomorrow at Partisan from 11am.'

In addition we were promised that if Northern Voices attended this Manchester Bookfair event and went 'Upstairs there will over ten talks covering introductions to anarchism, brandalism, radical bird watching and more!'
'Plus,' the Bookfair organisers offered 'to feed your body as well as your mind, there will be vegan food available from Hulme's Teatime Collective.
'This is a free event and everyone interested in finding out more about anarchist ideas is welcome.'   Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair

Despite all these lavish and tempting invitations to attend the Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair, when I went to the Partisan venue for the Bookfair at around 1pm on Saturday the 2nd, December, I was thrown out by four people including a bookfair organiser.  Other people with me were ushered and pushed out.  So far as I know no one was specifically asked to leave.

Curiously, given what had transpired at the Bookfair on Sunday the 3rd, December, we at Northern Voices received the following e-mail from the Bookfair organisers:

'Thanks to everyone involved in this year's Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair.
Hoping to announce next year's book fair early in 2018.
In the meantime a date for your diary: Liverpool Anarchist Bookfair Saturday 7th April at the Black-E'

Some folk are now suggesting that the Bookfair organisers keep inviting us to attend their events just so they can have the pleasure of throwing us out when we get there.?

Well it might be more of a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand does.  On Monday evening the 4th, Dec.,. 'David Under the Pavement' finally got back to Martin Gilbert and began remonstrating with him in a self-rightous manner for daring to attend the bookfair.  It seems in the end that we were not welcome, and also that he'd neglected to ring Martin earlier before the Bookfair because he'd 'been away' somewhere.

MORE ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR VIOLENCE!

by Chris Draper

ANOTHER Bookfair, another outrage!  On Saturday 2nd December 2017 two gentlemen calling themselves, “Veg” and “Under the Pavement”, assisted by assorted other subterranean botanicals physically assaulted and ejected two anarchist comrades from the “Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair”.

As bystanders witnessed, the pair had done nothing to disrupt proceedings yet were set upon without rhyme nor reason.

Another Isolated Incident?

Anarchism is viewed as an essentially violent, destructive and irrational pursuit by most normal people in Britain and the organisers of this “Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair” (2.12.17) are evidently the latest self-proclaimed “Anarchists” to add substance to this popular prejudice.

Bookfairs in London, Bristol and Manchester, Liverpool’s Casa Club and London’s Angel Alley have all witnessed violent attacks on comrades in recent years and almost every anarchist website is littered with foul personal abuse.

Generally, perpetrators hide behind anonymity or pseudonyms such as, “Battle Scarred” or “Under-the-Pavement”, pseudo-identities that reinforce perception of anarchists as juvenile, aggressive phantasists.  Anonymity encourages irresponsibility and fuels fake courage. In the 1960’s anarchists were popularly perceived as tolerant, morally courageous, peace-loving individuals, now sociopaths are to the fore and good comrades have allowed themselves to be pushed aside.

Another Brick from the Wall

I live in rural Wales, but apparently I’m banned from both FREEDOM (ironic) BOOKSHOP and “Manchester & Salford Anarchist Bookfair” because both cliques dislike my opinions and that’s the crux of the current malaise.  When the Soviet Empire collapsed it torpedoed the popular appeal of Marxist politics and many youngsters who would formerly have drifted into some variety of Trot organisation instead attached themselves to Anarchism as it appeared untainted as well as sexier and more street cred.  Down the line we’ve ended up with the lunatics running the asylum.  The wall might have been torn down but these faux anarchists are reusing the bricks as brickbats.

I don’t propose an inquisition, banning, censorship or blacklisting (all currently in operation in Angel Alley) I merely appeal to decent anarchists to kick open the closet and speak out.  When you have to be positively vetted before you can join the so-called “Anarchist Federation” and to register and accept the party-line before you can post on “Lib-Com” or “Freedom” it’s clear that free-speech, tolerance and fellowship have given way to narrowing ideology and party-building.  Our clothes have been stolen by the intemperate and intolerant.  By people who refuse open debate.

Prior to the Manchester debacle Messrs “Pavement & Veg” received formal applications from one anarchist (not myself) to host a workshop on “Toleration in the Anarchist Movement” and another from Tameside Trades Council offering a workshop on “The Blacklist Campaign” (with the prospect of Ricky Tomlinson, one of the blacklisted Shrewsbury Pickets taking part).  Neither offer was taken up, no excuse was provided.

Northern Voices remains a rare outpost of tolerant, outspoken anarchist opinion that positively relishes a frank exchange of views but the bigots keep quiet and prefer to operate in the shadows.  I challenge “Veg & Co” to come forward and explain themselves and maybe even have the courage to do so in their own names but I suspect I’m more likely to get an answer from a carrot in my fridge. 

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