pagemaker 5 copy:
(no, we don't sell exotic "fish")
The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh has been running as a social centre/ campaign space out of "the old fish shop" for 2 years this February. Wow. After 24 months of worrying about rent and bills and staffing and seeing some folk get involved and others take a step back, it seems like a good time to assess what exactly ACE has accomplished and what its ambitions are. Even the people currently really involved in ACE sometimes have trouble pin-pointing this down.
There's been some real high points, such as successful claimants and anti death penalty demos, packed meetings to hear Dave Morris and activists from France and the States, some tremendous gigs, friendships formed and lots of day to day solidarity over benefits and other hassles. There's also some people who obviously aren't getting all that they had hoped for out of the space. The anniversary seems like an ideal time to get together and talk about the last two years, share each others' experiences and discuss how our hopes and dreams can be made reality in the months to come.
12noon SAT. 13th FEB.
So we're calling a special general meeting, at ACE, to discuss the past, present and future of the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh. Bring along your perspective and experiences, whether with ACE or similar projects. Newcomers to Edinburgh or ACE are more than welcome; everyone has something to contribute!
The last several MUTINY UnLtd benefit nights at the Tap of Lauriston have been huge successes.. good turnouts and good performances (both from bands and readers) guaranteed everyone a good night and ACE with a more stable future financially. Big thanks to all the performers (too many to name here), everyone who helped out and, of course, the punters!! NEXT EVENT:
SAT 20th FEB
so far we know that A ACCIDENT will be performing as well as the guts and glory of Edinburgh's spoken word scene kicking off at 9pm. If you have any ideas about bands or acts, phone ACE.
The Mutiny Collective is going to meet at the Tap on the 1st of Feb to finalise the upcoming gig and brainstorm about future benefit nights.. Come along and get involved- we meet at 8.30 pm (right before KRZYCZ plays, a very heavy, strange Polish band).
is a recently formed collective. Our weekly meetings include women from many different cultural, racial, class and sexuality environments who are both visitors to and residents in Edinburgh. Our aims are to provide services, support and information to all women. We run a child friendly women's drop in at the ACE Info Shop each Monday 2-5pm where you can access resources, learn and use computing, or just chill out in a relaxed atmosphere. We are also holding a film, spoken word and music event in February.
If you'd like more information about AWE or any of our activities please phone 229 5197, or the ACE Info Shop 557 6242.
Or write AWE, c/o ACE.
ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA
Tel: 0131 557 6242
Weekly Activities
TUESDAY
ACE open 12 - 4pm. Claimants' day with advice and solidarity on benefits and poll/ council tax hassles. Get involved in the claimants' fight back! Plus full access to Info Shop and library.
WEDNESDAY
ACE open 2 - 6pm Info shop, library, computer access.... Monthly meetings 7.30 p.m on the first Wednesday of each month.
SUNDAY
ACE open 2-6pm. Internet access day - very cheap access for ACE members, unwaged or if looking up campaign/ resistance stuff. Also access to e mail. Anarcho Potluck? If anyone wants to keep the flame of the popular food evenings lit, contact ACE.
National Demo against Hillgrove Farm
Sat 20 Feb. Witney, Oxfordshire
Info on transport from Scotland from 01592 743166. Hillgrove breed cats and kittens for the vivisection industry.OTHER GROUPS:
Also based at ACE are Angry Youth, Edinburgh Hunt Sabotuers, Edinburgh Claimants, and the InterNet Projects..send SAE for leaflets or to be on the mailing list.
Animal Rights meeting at ACE 7.30 Thursday 4th Feb 99 and fortnightly thereafter.
We are looking to rent out (for a very modest amount) a back room that has become available. Anyone interested should contact ACE.UPCOMING EVENTS
April Conference
Grand conference for all anti authoritarian revolutionaries, anarchists, earth firsters, womens liberationists and all
Glasgow 3-4 April 1999
People expected from all over Scotland, and beyond.
A follow up to the successful May Day 98 conference in Bradford. Discussions will include the 18 June Global actions (see overleaf).
If interested contact ACE or radfest@yahoo.com
Monday 15th February 7am - 6pm
info on 0141 339 1482 or TP2000@gn.apc.org
in Glasgow (350 Sauchiehall Street) on 20 Feb as part of "Civil Disobedience" season of talks. Other dates including: George Mckay (diy culture), Camilla Berans (protest culture), John Jorden (RTS), Hellegonda Reitveld (rave culture).
Several hundred people marched through Edinburgh on 16th January to mark the 10th anniversary of the racist murder of Axmed Abukar Sheekh. Axmed was a refugee from Somalia. Fleeing persecution in his homeland, he met a violent death in Edinburgh's Cowgate, stabbed by a gang of racist thugs.
In a case with parallels to that of Stephen Lawrence, Terence Reilly, the only murderer brought to "justice", was sentenced to a mere 21 months.
More info 556 0441.
The bombing of Iraq in December saw opposition in Edinburgh, including 2 demos at the Mound and at least 2 at the USA Consulate. News of world-wide protests, from New Zealand to the US itself, reached ACE through E mail.
The 100-strong anti war demo at the Mound on 19 Dec. was joined by supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the framed activist on death row in the USA. Mumia, a tireless campaigner against racism and oppression, has been refused an appeal and faces possible execution.
Following the 19 Dec. demo, "persons unknown" covered the USA Consulate in Regent Terrace with posters, leaflets and stickers demanding freedom for Mumia and opposing the war (more info and a photo in Cruelty Free Living, available at ACE).
Get the FREE MUMIA leaflets from ACE, spread the word..
I am a claimant of J.S.A who was asked to attend a New Deal interview on my usual signing on day. I was sent a letter telling me to go to the second floor (Torphicen st. bru) to be interviewed by my New Deal adviser, Louise Curnyn. I ignored the letter and went to my usual signing on point on the first floor. There, I was told of the interview. I asked if it was compulsory, the claimant adviser lied to me and said it was compulsory for the over-twentyfives if they'd been signing on for more than two years.
I had no choice but to attend the interview as I would be signed on there. I went up, was called for interview and before ms. Curnyn could launch into her spiel I informed her that New Deal wasn't compulsory for the over-twentyfives and I just wanted to sign on. At this point she got flustered and began asking me if I knew what it was about. I told her I wasn't interested but if it was compulsory I would do it and if not I wouldn't. I also informed her that I'd completed my Jobseeker's Agreement for that week and only wanted my giro.
She exploded- she battered her hand off the computer monitor and said something to the effect of "two jobs- you've only applied for two jobs- ever!"
At this point I told her I didn't want to talk to her and demanded she get me the manager. She stormed off.
The assistant manageress came over and asked if I would accompany her into her office. I agreed. She brought over my signing on book. When inside her office she informed me that New Deal was not compulsory for the over-twenty fives. I told her I knew that and complained about my treatment by my lying claimant advisor and the angry Louise Curnyn.
The assistant manageress tried to reassure me that New Deal was a good thing and nothing like Project Work ( last year's joke!). She then focused on my Jobseeker's Agreement and asked if I thought it was still valid. She even suggested that I might benefit from a computer course at Lauder college- the Jobplan Workshop college!
It was beginning to remind me of a restart interview so I stopped her and asked to sign on, stating that I'd completed my Jobseeker's Agreement for that week. She let me sign on and as I was walking out she said that New Deal may become compulsory later in the year- can't wait..
Some thoughts to help assess the usefulness of the ACE premises.....
¥ meeting place and organising base for Animal Rights Group, Edinburgh Claimants, Angry Youth, Autonomous Women of Edinburgh.
¥ info exchange between people and groups though leaflets, books and magazines at ACE. One stop campaign point.
¥ cross fertilisation between groups and people, drawing together different struggles
¥ both local residents and visiting activists to Edinburgh find it easier to drop in and make contact.
¥ evening socials (though not happening at present)
¥ postal address and telephone contact point for many groups
drop in point for benefits advice and solidarity.
¥ Being resource to people eg computers, e mail facilities, internet access.
Within 2 months the Tap O Lauriston is to be demolished to make way for a hotel for rich business people and tourists.
This will have a devastating effect on the local Alternative music scene and the punk community.
The Tap is an important meeting place for Punk/ Alternative musicians. It is also famous on an international level as a good place to play and has attracted many bands from Europe and the rest of the World.
There is already a lack of gigs for touring bands in Scotland as it is , with few bands not bothering to come north of the border. The closure of the Tap will make a very bad situation worse , so in theory this concerns EVERYBODY who is into the Punk/Alternative scene , NOT just people from Edinburgh !!
So the time to FIGHT BACK MUST START NOW! before it's too late.
We want to campaign to stop this closure , or at least to be offered an alternative premises for gigs, meeting's, etc.
You can help by collecting signature's for a petition, holding benefit gigs in your area, writing letters of complaint and generally getting involved.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW, SAVE YOUR SCENE!! Contact c/o ACE
please email us on
ace 'at' autonomous.org.uk
to go on our email list
Waited ages to get housing benefit?
Don't put up with it. If your claim hasn't been sorted out two weeks after you have given all the information needed, then the Council are legally obliged to make you regular interim payments. This is under The Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987.
You need to ring them up, and tell them of their legal obligation. If they are still reluctant, mention a complaint to the ombudsman for Council maladministration - this often concentrates their minds.
For support or more info call in or ring ACE on a Tuesday 12-4pm. We are planning a leaflet and other activity to publicise the facts about Interim payments, if interested in helping please get in touch. Already available is the pamphlet HOUSING BENEFIT A CLAIMANTS GUIDE.
We hope to circulate the Claimants Solidarity Network phone tree soon. This will enable people to contact each other to find someone to accompany them to dole interviews, etc., and will be an emergency response network if someone needs lots of people to support them quickly. If you haven't already joined the Solidarity Network, please contact us.
Report all harassment to Edinburgh Claimants and we can discuss what to do.
*************** we want to keep up the pressure.
There have been some threatened poindings recently. If you're getting hassled by sheriff officers don't worry, contact us for advice and solidarity. If you're interested in helping support people who are being threatened, let us know - remember the anti poll tax movement,. Shoot the sheriff!
¥ To coincide with the annual meeting of the G8 leaders
¥ In recognition that the global capitalist system is at the root of our social and ecological troubles
¥ All round the world, especially in financial centres, there will be demos protests actions pickets shut-downs sabotage leafletting blockades games hacktivism street parties and more
There will be major action in the City of London....and in Scotland?
Organised by a growing alliance of social and environmental movements including Reclaim the Streets 0171 281 4621 London Greenpeace 0171 713 1269 if interested please also contact ACE, we should try and get a Scottish meeting together on this along with others interested....More detailed leaflets available from ACE and RTS
Finally if you'd like to mail us with your publications and stuff or come and visit us...
ACE, 17 W. Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA. Tel 0131 557 6242
This document is well out of date but has been left here for historical interest despite fact it has been mutated since it was placed on the web. Issues of Info is Strength are produced at least twice a year often more. We don't feel there is a demand or need to add copies to our web site.