Home | 3rd May 1996 | Issue 72

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER WATERTIGHT...

SchNEWS
Download PDF

RECLAIM THE GROUND!!!

..As Seagulls Get Into Direct Action

WARM UP:

Last Saturday (27th April) supporters attended what they believed to be the last ever game at the historic Goldstone Ground, home to Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club for almost a century. Last summer, the dodgy Directors sold the ground to property developers. This left the club groundless and facing extinction. Emotions were running high. Protest was inevitable, and yer on-the-ball SchNEWS was there.

FIRST HALF:

Just 15 minutes into the game dozens of fans ran onto the pitch, quickly followed by hundreds, which turned into thousands. People of all ages and backgrounds joined in, including the opposing York fans who swapped shirts with their Brighton counterparts, and united in chants of 'sack the board.' Fans sunbathed in the centre circle, played frisbee, and a mass beach ball game broke out. Surrounded by a bemused line of fully clad riot police, the crowd refused to leave. The ground was reclaimed! The match was abandoned (for only the third time in football history due to crowd involvement). The occupation played on for a symbolic 90 minutes (the duration of a normal match) and ended peacefully as subdued fans left the Goldstone for perhaps the last time.

Ex-manager Liam Brady called the demo 'a plea for help from the Brighton supporters'. Tony Lake, Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police said, "The main thing is there was no significant public disorder".

SECOND HALF:

RAMPAGE!! SOCCER SHAME!! FOOTBALL RIOT!! screamed the press. "It's a return to the worse hooliganism of the 70's" , yelled the BBC, "...rival fans had to be kept apart...it could have been another Hillsborough!" Rent-a-gobs lined up to blame rent-a-mobs for a riot that no-one had seen - except via media manipulation. It was even claimed that outside agitators in the form of Combat 18 were responsible for the 'yob violence'. Considering the number of grandfathers and children amongst the 5000 strong demo we must assume that Combat 18's recruitment drive had changed radically! Once again an overwhelmingly non-violent action was rubbished by the media focusing on sensationalist imagery.

INJURY TIME SHOCKER:

Monday 29th April. They think it's all over. With just minutes to go before a deadline that would have seen Albion's death, Chairman Dodgy Dave Bellotti announces that his ridiculous groundshare scheme with distant rivals Portsmouth is off and Brighton will stay at the Goldstone for another season. Direct action works! Up until Saturdays pitch demo the Board had insisted that there was no chance of staying at the ground. "The agenda has been changed as a result of the action of supporters". (Brighton Independent Supporters Association) Over the moon fans were unanimous that 'the pitch demo helped the cause of the Albion.'

POST MATCH COMMENT:

Certainly a game of two halves, Jimmy! Goal mouth incidences were few as the goal posts 'vanished' during the demo (anyone offering large white posts at 'knockdown' prices should be reported)! The truth of Saturdays events was shafted by a disgracefully sensationalist media factory intent on whipping up hysteria against manufactured 'threats to society', be they protesting 'hippies, 'anarchists' or in this case 'football hooligans'. In reality it is those at the top of our institutions, government, civil service, police or indeed football clubs who are the true 'yobs on the rampage'. Through their mismanagement and shady dealings this country and its people are going down the pan.

EXTRA TIME

Football may or may not interest you but events in our national game are reflected in our nation at large. The money men have taken over, and they care about nothing but money. Their money. "Football is a business now. We're in a business world' (Richard Costabady, Sports Correspondent). It's the people who lose out. "Fans have been treated with contempt", said Chris Caplin, former Brighton manager.

By direct action Brighton fans may have scored in injury time, but it only takes the game to extra time. Chairman Bellotti's press release on Monday was priceless: "Our club does not want those yobs who've bought shame on our club" This from a man whose sold people's memories and dreams off for a retail park. It's enuff to make you sick as a parrot.

LATE SCORE

Michael Howard is investigating the introduction of water cannons for crowd control following the events in Brighton! Isn't there a hosepipe ban?

OWN GOAL:

"There was no riot and little violence. I was on the pitch and I just felt sad. I listened to the York City fans chanting in support of us. I saw a policeman make a big detour so as not to get in the way of a man taking a photo of his family. I watched thousands of North Standers showing restraint and dignity". This article appeared in the Sussex rag the Evening Anus (May 2nd) who'd earlier ran the headline RAMPAGE!! TURMOIL!! A VIOLENT FINALE!!

* SchNEWS would like to hear from all footie fans treated roughly by the authorities. Write to Chris 'North Stand' Natural c/o the Justice? office.

* Save the Seagulls! No, not the Albion this time, but in Hastings the council are considering a cull of seagulls in the area who are apparently prone to attacking joggers around nesting time!

* Uproar at Croydon magistrates' court as Palace fan Matthew Simmons launched a kung fu style attack on the prosecuting lawyer, kicking him in the head, after being found guilt of inciting Eric Cantona's kung fu style attack on himself. 'Press scum...it's all your fault' he screamed. He was fined £700 and later apologised!

* A legal network of sixteen friendly footie-fan solicitors has been compiled. Details from 0171 274 8029.

STOP PRESS!

In connection with Saturday's events, there was a dawn raid (code named Operation Edgar), on seven addresses in Littlehampton, Brighton, Hove and Lancing yesterday morning - after police had had time to view the video footage. Six have been charged - and the police say they expect to make further arrests.

Were you there?

Anyone present at the end of the Valentine's Day Reclaim The Streets Party in Brighton will know that the police were out of order - they even admitted as much at a recent court case. The subsequent public meeting was loud, angry and vociferous, but now what? Court cases have begun, people are getting charged and crying out for witnesses, but where are they? It's all well and good getting angry on the day, but if we don't keep the authorities on their toes, don't follow up our anger with action, don't stick up for each other -then what are we really about?

Did you see any arrests/assaults by coppers? Ring the office! Were you unfairly treated? Sue! We know a friendly solicitor, we've got hours of video footage, we'll give you any support you need. What more do you want?

* London Reclaim The Streets Ill (Saturday 13th July - pencil it in to yer diaries now) promises to be a biggie - but they need musicians, DJ's, acrobats, clowns, caterers, artists, campaigners, speakers, magicians, etc. If you are interested call: 0171 281 4621

* And we think we're hard-core? 19 rural workers were gunned down by police after blocking an Amazon road in a land protest. Forensics found at least 10 of the dead men had been shot in the back of the neck in execution-style killings.

* GET ACTIVE! Are ya in Brighton? Wanna help with SchNEWS? Come along to our fortnightly get-together. Next one Wednesday 8th May - ring office for details. Don't forget SchNEWS live at the New Kensington Pub every Friday 7pm.

INDONESIAN COPPER RIOT

Rioting broke out in towns surrounding the Freeport copper mine in Irian Jaya in Indonesia last month, leading to the mines being shut for four days. The protest began when a tribal man was hit by a car driven by a Freeport employee. He was taken to a company hospital, where relatives were denied access to him. Believing he was dead, 6,000 indigenous people attacked the offices and caused damage to the property. Just rewards for a company that has seized tribal lands and is guilty of human rights abuses.

The mine brings wealth for the American owners and American lifestyles for the mine workers while fucking over the native people, many of whom still lead traditional lifestyles more in harmony with the land. Tel: 0171 242 1441.

SchNEWS in BRIEF

SCHOOPS ! A huge sorry going out to the person whose telephone number we inadvertently gave out last week as a contact for Hackney Anarchist Week. It's wrong. We are duffers. Sorry! Contact Hackney Anarchist Week at BCM Active, London WC 1 N 3XX, or e-mail them at anarchy@phreak.intermedia.co.uk

*** Help keep us afloat! We have a series of 21 wicked 'n' wild anti-CJA postcards available at the knockdown price of 30p each or £5 for all 21 designs. We still have copies of the 'witty and wonderful' SchNEWS Reader, a compilation of the first 50 issues plus pages of cartoons by Kate Evans, a bargain at £4. Please send cheques made payable to Justice?

*** Manchester-based Fresh Air Now culminated a fortnight of actions leading up to the local elections with Challenge Anarchy Day, where a burnt out derelict playground in Mosside is being turned into a playground. 90 local kids turned up on the day, and were asked what they wanted. Three quarters of the area is to be turned into a basketball/football court, and the remaining third to be a wildlife garden .Any offers of help? Contact 0161274 4665

*** One of the camps along the route of the M66 is facing eviction very soon. They need more people urgently to help build defences. Contact 0161 628 4727

*** Wicked new book `Senseless Acts of Beauty' by George McKay is published by Verso this week. Authoritative account of counter-culture from the days of the Windsor Free Festies in the early 70's til the present. Well worth a read, order it from your local library

*** Activists Networking crew meeting at the Land is Ours Occupation on Friday 10th May from 3pm onwards to chat about July's RTS Big Green Gathering July 24th - 28th; CJA March Sep 7th; JSA and lots of other stuff.

SchLIVE DATES

SchNEWS & Conscious Cinema's on the load this week
Mon 6th - GlastonburyAssembly Rooms - 7pm
Tue 7th - Kebele Com Centre - 7pm
Weds 8th- Cardiff - Robert's Emporium - 8pm
Thurs 9^th - Exeter - The Cavern Club - 2pm
Frid 10^th - Plymouth - The Coo Perridge - 8pm
Sat 11th - Fairmile Protest Site - If it's sunny!

Town Of The Month

In another brand new feature, we want to highlight your actions. We know it's not just Brighton that's 'avin' some... But what are YOU up to? Nominations Please.

McLIBEL UPDATE

On 16th May, the 'McLibel Trial' will have been in court for a record 250 days, the longest running civil case in British legal history. Paul Preston, McDonald's UK President, is in the witness box next week. Get along to see the greatest free show in London -Royal Courts of Justice, Strand (Holborn tube) or check out the web-site http://www.McSpotlight.org/ or ring 0171 713 1269.

Inside SchNEWS

SchNEWS has just received a letter from Sky, a traveller on the road for 13 years . now detained for four years at Her Majesty's Pleasure for running over a copper's foot. He wrote: " I am s ad and very much alone...I am locked up without any vibes from anyone, I don't have any music. My family live in Scotland, so I will not have any visits to keep my head strong. Can you help me by finding someone to write to me?" Write to: Clive Dalrymdle, PB 2529, HM Prison, Pentonville, Caledonian Road, London, N7 8TT.

Almost and finally

Following our report 'Is Oral Sex Vegan', we feel it is our duty to ask - are YOU enjoying cruelty free sex?! The Crawley Rights for Animals Campaign have taken issue with condom producers Mates and Durex, who both use casein (derived from mad cows milk) in their latex lovelies, as well as being blatantly responsible for supporting animal testing. For more info, contact CRAC, 39 Green Hedges Avenue, E. Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 1DZ.

And Finally

While Brighton and Hove Conservatives are getting their knickers in a twist about Justice? ('the inappropriately-named anarchist squatters organisation.. terrorise elderly folks by encouraging squatters to take over their homes and... encouraging all manner of anti-social activity. sociopathic, criminal drop-outs ... blah, blab, blab...) local Wokingham Tories have seemingly taken our message of direct action more on board. In local election blurb they promise (and we can always trust a politicians promise, can't we?!) "Conservatives believe in action not words to protect your environment", Deeds not words? Have they been swotting up on our old t-shirt designs? SchNEWS waits with baited breath to receive some stamps for subscription and will hopefully meet up with them all at the Earth First! Gathering in June (12-18).

* Ian Mills, Tory MP for Meriden and piss artist extraordinaire, was found slumped in a doorway in Westminster by a Met police officer last week. The MP, who campaigned against drink-driving in the past, was given a warning for drunkenness.

DISCLAIMER

The SchNEWS warns all readers not to attend any illegal gatherings or take part in any criminal activities. Always stay within the law. In fact please just sit in, watch TV and go on endless Xmas shopping sprees filling your home and lives with endless consumer crap. you will then feel content. Honest.

Subscribe! Keep SchNEWS free! Just send 1st class stamps (eg 20 for 20 issues) or donations (payable to Justice?) Mark 'Original' if you plan to copy: SchNEWS c/o on-the-fiddle PO Box 2600 Brighton East Sussex BN2 2DX. SchNEWS is free to prisoners tel/fax: (01273) 685913. email: justice@intermedia.co.uk e-SchNEWS: http://www.cbuzz.co.uk

Next Justice Meeting: 15th May at Brighton Unemployed Centre 7.30pm...

Congrats to Dan and Justine, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Millie

SchNEWS, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 0EF, England
Phone: +44 (0)1273 685913
email: schnews@brighton.co.uk

@nti copyright - information for action - copy and distribute!