We haven't gone away, ya know

Seomra Spraoi opens new autonomous social centre.
Seomra Spraoi is back. After 10 long Seomra-less months a new home has been found, and work is underway to transform the space into a fully functioning social centre. A lot has changed since being forced from our last space. We've been pretty busy too.

Since moving out of our last address (at Mary's Abbey), we've been kept busy organising Ireland's first social centre gathering, hosted a large talk at the Dublin Anarchist Bookfair, and ran lots of fundraising gigs/quizzes. We've provided catering, kids' activities & entertainment at the Grassroots Gathering, organised a beach party, several people's kitchens & kids days. We've also restructured our working groups & learnt a lot about fire safety.

Related Links: Seomra Spraoi | Social Centre Stories | Seomra Spraoi on Indy.ie

Sraid Ken Sarowiwa go brath!

Thirteen years ago today, on November 10th 1995, nine men from Ogoni land were hanged at Port Harcourt prison Nigeria. They had been tried in a military court by the Nigerian dictatorship. One of the men, the famous human rights campaigner Ken Saro Wiwa had been a particular thorn in the side of the Shell oil company, which found itself unable to operate in parts of the Niger Delta because of the work organisating people to peacefully resist against their destructive activities.

In stark proof of who controlled Nigeria at the time, his family had been told by Shell executives that he would be spared if he would help the company. Saro Wiwa preferred to die with honour.

Related Links: Who is Ken Saro-Wiwa? Ken on indy.ie Shell 2 Sea

Cycling in Galway (Portumna) - A Faster Way to Travel

Statement issued by Cyclist.ie on behalf of Dublin Cycling Campaign, Cork Cycling Campaign, Galway Cycling Campaign, Limerick Cycling Campaign, Maynooth Cycling Campaign, Skerries Cycling Initiative and Waterford Walk-Cycle Campaign. These Irish cycling lobby groups have combined to form a new umbrella body, "Cyclist.ie". Its main concerns are ensuring a dramatic improvement in road safety and traffic conditions for cyclists. It views the realisation of these aims as vital to facilitate a marked increase in the numbers of people choosing the bicycle as a means of daily transport.

Related Links: Cyclist.ie | Mobility Week in Cork | Rebel Pedal | Indymedia.ie Cycling Related Stories

Breaking the Barcodes

Nov. 5th sees the world's first attempted co-ordinated action against commercialisation in education (including against fees for education). So far, activists in 22 countries have signed up to have mass co-ordinated events. This essay seeks to look at some of the issues involved in commercialism in education.

Since we have not reached the level of commercialism in our schools that pervade an education system such as the American one, perhaps now is the time to begin the fight against the commercialism that is present, before it becomes too much to be countered.

Related Links: Protest Against Education Cuts | Green Party Sponsor Garden for Private School in Cork | It'll Be a Winter of Discontent - The Old and the Young Arrived at the Dáil | Int. Day of Action (Nov. 5th) Against Commercialisation of Education | Opposing Tesco's "Computers for Schools" Voucher Scheme

Observe the Children of Ireland, Marching Towards the Dáil

Thousands protested outside the Dáil against the government's education cutbacks.

Related Links: Protest Against Education Cuts | Green Party Sponsor Garden for Private School in Cork | It'll Be a Winter of Discontent - The Old and the Young Arrived at the Dáil | Int. Day of Action (Nov. 5th) Against Commercialisation of Education