AUTONOMIST UNDER ATTACK

In a blatant assault on activist media, police raided the home of one of the editors of a local Bristolian newspaper, the Autonomist. Police are desperate to link them to recent disorder, and figure that even if they can’t find any evidence, damaging the homes of members of the collective and confiscating their computers will put them out of business.

Whilst the police warrant justifies the seizure of rocks and white paint, it also extends to ‘clothing’ and ‘literature.’ It goes without saying that these items are only found in the hands of those that indulge in what Avon and Somerset police refer to as “domestic extremisim” (no- that’s not our typo, this time). If anyone suspects anyone of possessing any of these things, we advise them to contact the police immediately.

Luckily, living as we do in the modern age, the Autonomist is still online and still functioning. It  advertises itself as “the only local newspaper not funded by Banksy”, and has not been pulling its punches. While they report on acts of sabotage against corporate & state targets, it has been their coverage of the riots that has earned them the full on enimity of the police.

The newsletter is given out for free and mainly written by homeless people. Collective member Lucy Parsons says “The seizure of phones, computers, and paperwork relating to the production of the Autonomist just as we start to compile the September edition is a clear, worrying, and damaging attack on journalistic independence. The demonisation of those who report the news as “domestic extremists”, and the willingness to use violence to silence them, does not fill us with confidence in the police or the future of liberty in this country. Regardless, we will continue to produce the Autonomist, using computers at the library if we have to, and you can expect the September issue at the turn of the month.” Spoken like a true radical newsletter editor...