my cartoon for this week's schnews which also includes lot's of information about the 'alternative' ESF next weekend in London:

The European Social Forum is coming to London next week. “A giant gathering for everyone opposed to war, racism and corporate power, everyone who wants to see global justice, workers’ rights and a sustainable society.” Which sounds pretty good, but behind the scenes the ESF has been hijacked by authoritarian organizations such as the Socialist Worker’s Party. Racist, war crazy corporate whores Neo Labour have even got in on the act through Ken Livingstone and the GLA, who have been involved in organizing and funding the events. And it’s not just grassroots environmental and direct actions groups that are complaining about all this. Recently a coalition of the UK trade justice and environmental NGOs wrote in a letter: “Many British NGOs are keen to get involved in the ESF but have found it difficult to do so because of the lack of transparency and openness in the UK process”.

So, instead of standing idly by while the ESF claims to be the new representative body of “sensitive, political active citizens”, we want to demonstrate “another possible world” - a world which is already here today. The world of Autonomy, Self-Organisation, Solidarity and Sustainability. There’s a whole load of free/donation events happening 13th-17th, for a full programme www.altspaces.net

BEYOND ESF is a free direct action conference and celebration of self-organised cultures of resistance. The 4 main themes are Autonomy & Struggle, No Borders & Migration, Casualisation, and Social Control & Repression. There will be food, cinema and live music each evening. Beyond ESF: at Middlesex University, Tottenham Campus, White Hart Lane, N17. www.wombles.org.uk/auto On the Friday there will be A Day of Dissent Against the G8, featuring workshops, discussions and a benefit party from 11am. Details

TACTICAL MEDIA PRODUCTION 4 days of events will tackle issues around communication rights: from Community and Alternative Media to Surveillance and the Security State to Intellectual Property. An Indymedia centre will be running all week to report on the ESF, autonomous spaces events, as well as covering protests and actions. There will also be a bar with cheap food, social events film screenings, media training and public access internet computers. All this at The Camden Centre, Bidborough St ( Kings Cross), WC1 more and more

RAMPART squatted art and social space will have film shows, music and workshops, food, internet access, audio & video editing and prop & banner making. It is also home to the Mobile Carnival Forum and the Lab of Insurrectionary Imagination RampART is at 117 Rampart Street, Whitechapel E1.


SOLIDARITY VILLAGE Space for co-operative practical projects for a sustainable economy. Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn and LSE Clement House, Aldwych.

WOMEN’S OPEN DAY There’s no money for subsistence farming, caring, volunteering, fighting for justice – but plenty for war. Women speak out together. 10am-10pm, 14th, Kings Cross Methodist Church, 57a Birkenhead St,WC1.

RADICAL THEORY FORUM hosts a series of discussions on the theme of “How can theory inform action?”, followed by a party with films, art, spoken word and music. 11am-late, 14th, 491 Gallery, 491 Grove Green RoadLeytonstone E11. 491 Gallery

FAIRFORD COACH APPEAL HEARING Demonstrate against detentions without arrest –In March 2003 three coach loads on their way to protest at Fairford Airbase were turned back to London. Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand W1. 9-10am, 14th/15th Fairford Coach Action

CRITICAL MASS Bicycle Protest. 15th, Meet noon at the National Theatre (under Waterloo Bridge) for an afternoon ride, or 6pm for an evening jaunt. London Rising Tide

URBAN FORUM Neo-liberal policies mean the public realm is forever decreasing. This forum will debate reclaiming the rights for citizens. 15th/16th The Bartlett, UCL, Wates House, 22 Gordon St, WC1. see here

LIFE DESPITE CAPITALISM - discussions of alternatives to capitalism for today, rather that waiting for the ‘revolution’. 16th-17th, Old Theatre and Clement House at the LSE, Aldwych.

* There’s a radio and Indymedia have a breakfast show during the ESF on Resonance FM 104.4; 8am-9am, 15th-17th.

* 20,000 copies of the Autonomous Spaces free newspaper are available now from autonomous info-points around London. It has full details about all the events happening at the autonomous spaces with a map of venues. Get copies from LARC, Fieldgate Street or RampART, and the Camden Centre (during the ESF)

SchNEWS have our very own conference. “How Direct Action Can Save the World”.
Active, popular opposition to oppressive rulers has been the force of change throughout history. Find out first hand, how to get involved, organize, plot and discuss resistance to the onward march of capitalism.

2-3pm: WORK: Our lives, their profits – how we fight exploitation.
3-4pm: WEATHER: Climate change – capitalism’s legacy to the world.
4-5pm: WAR: The warmongers and how to oppose them.
5-6pm: WINNING: How direct action can save the world.

Saturday 16th At The Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, (nr. Kings Cross) WC1. more details