Housmans Blog

I’m really happy to announce a new initiative for 2012: an online book club forum we’re calling ‘Housmans’ Reading Rooms’. It will work much like a normal book club, with a new book up for discussion each month, the difference being that instead of coming together in the shop to talk about it, discussions can take place over a longer period of time, and from the comfort of your home (or internet café). Hopefully it will also allow people from across the country, if not the world, to join in. What’s more, we will also try to arrange for the author of the book to join in the discussion.

If you’re not familiar with forums, don’t worry as it’s very simple, so please don’t be put off by the technology. Go to the Reading Rooms here: http://www.housmans.com/bookclub and register yourself. You’ll be asked to create a Username (we would encourage using your real name) for which you need to have an active email address. Once that’s done you’re up and running and will be able to post comments on ‘threads’ as they arise. Give it a try and you’ll soon get the hang of it.

We’re hoping to kick off the book club proper in March, with Mark Fisher’s thought-provoking book ‘Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?’ Mark will be giving a talk at Housmans, as well as joining in the discussion online.

But rather than wait until March to get involved, you can sign up and now and talk about any book you like, for example in the ‘Your best read of 2011’ thread
http://www.housmans.com/bookclub/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3
…or start a thread on a book of your choice.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A BOOK CLUB MODERATOR?

In order to make the book club a success we need a small group of individuals to help in its running, by being a Mod on the forum, choosing books, and most importantly reading the books and stimulating discussion. If this is something you think you might be interested in, please email me: nik[at]housmans.com

We’re running a competition for three pairs of tickets for two new plays showing in London.

THE TRICYCLE GOES NUCLEAR

Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road London NW6 7JR

9 Feb – 1 April

The Tricycle has established a reputation for groundbreaking political theatre, and their upcoming season, which will run across the theatre, cinema and gallery will continue this, exploring the Nuclear Bomb and its proliferation from 1940 to the present day, and the dangers we face.

The season includes ten short plays by some of Britain and America’s best playwrights performed in two parts, an extraordinary international film festival (with cult classics like Dr Strangelove and insightful documentaries like Countdown to Zero), exhibitions with talented artists including Ralph Steadman, and talks with experts including Baroness Shirley Williams. More details can be found on the website: www.tricycle.co.uk

For over 60 years now, Housmans has published its Peace Diary, one feature of which is that each date is accompanied by a quote of interest to activists – for example “January 1st: 1959 – Batista regime overthrown by Fidel Castro’s revolutionary movement, Cuba”, or “January 2nd: 1879 – Wilfred Wellock, pacifist activist, born, Britain”.

We have begun work on creating a calendar widget that displays the correct date and a corresponding quote.  A fair amount of work has already been done on this, but we could really do with some help from someone to create the GUI side of the widget – ideally someone with experience in RSS, DHTML, or XHTML, and a taste for front-end design.

The task will involve a minimal time commitment: the RSS feed is complete, we just need the widget to send it to! This work would have to be done voluntarily – the idea is to create a free widget that can be shared around the peace movement and beyond.

If you think you might be able to help out with this project please contact nik[at]housmans.com

Thank you.

Shut Guantánamo – End 10 Years of Shame

Public Rally

Trafalgar Square – top of steps, outside National Gallery (TBC)
2-4pm, Saturday 7 January 2012
Called by London Guantánamo Campaign, Save Shaker Aamer Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, CND

11 January 2012 marks ten years of torture, abuse and arbitrary detention at Guantánamo Bay – one of the world’s most notorious symbols of injustice. The illegal US military prison has held more than 800 prisoners – most of them released without charge or trial. 171 prisoners remain, without prospect of release. Over a dozen British nationals and residents have been illegally imprisoned at Guantánamo. Two remain: Shaker Aamer, a UK resident with a British family in south London, including a son he has never met; and Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian national from Bournemouth. Both men were cleared for release in 2007.

President Obama promised to close Guantánamo but has not. Now prisoners may be held indefinitely without evidence. The vast majority have never faced any charges. Kidnapping and imprisoning people indefinitely without charge or trial, denying them their freedom and human rights, gratuitously denigrating and abusing them physically and mentally: ALL OF THIS MUST END.

Speakers include: Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP (Lib Dem), Louise Christian (solicitor), Lindsey German (STWC), Kate Hudson (CND), Joy Hurcombe (Save Shaker Aamer Campaign) and others

- Join our rally on 7 January 2012 to say:
Shut Guantánamo – End 10 Years of Shame

- Sign London Guantánamo Campaign’s petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/release_aamer_and_belbacha/

For more details: london.gtmo@gmail.com or call 07809 757 176

http://www.facebook.com/events/252203821501996/

http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/2011/11/shut-guantanamo-end-10-years-of-shame.html

Write to:

o Prime Minister David Cameron, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AH
o Foreign Secretary William Hague, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH
o President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC, USA
o Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC 20301, USA

URGENT ACTION: Save Shaker Aamer Campaign

It is vital that the British Government secure Shaker’s release immediately, the alternative, namely inaction, could mean sentencing Shaker to a slow lingering death. PLEASE WRITE to the Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and to Jane Ellison MP (Battersea) and US President Barack Obama – address details see below.

Shaker Aamer’s life is in danger. Human rights charity Reprieve director Clive Stafford Smith saw Shaker last week and was “horrified at what he found”. The view of Clive Stafford Smith Director of Reprieve is that he is gradually dying in Guantanamo. Shaker has made it absolutely clear he is totally innocent of any crime. His incarceration in Guantanamo, the conditions in which he has been held, the abuse and torture he has undergone, have led to his present terrible state of health. It is now known he is suffering from many ailments – arthritis, asthma, prostate problems, pains in his kidneys and neck, shoulder and back pain resulting from beatings – a direct result of his unjust imprisonment.

SSAC has repeatedly requested the UK Government make a full medical assessment and regularly monitor Shaker’s health as well as the conditions in which he has been held. This is the very least British Governments should have done over the last 10 years since Shaker’s detention and rendition by the two US Administrations. Such action should be carried out by the British Government immediately. There can be no reason not to do this.

The British Government has gone on record as saying it wants the US to release Shaker Aamer back to the UK. It is now time for the British Government to demand that the US do so immediately. It is also time for Prime Minister David Cameron to use the ‘special relationship’ and intervene personally.

There is no justification for Shaker to be held in an illegal prison camp. Shaker is a UK resident, his wife and children are British citizens. There have been no charges made – no trial – and no declared intentions to do so in the future.

The US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has not certified Britain as a safe place for Shaker to be returned to, nor has he reassured the US Administration that releasing Shaker to the UK presents no security issues for the US. This is simply shocking and the British Government and all Members of |Parliament should be outraged that such a situation exists. If the British Government has made representations to Mr Panetta they clearly have not been expressed strongly enough. It is difficult to understand how this situation can be allowed to run year after year without any movement or progress.

How is it that the US is at great pains to point out its admiration for the British way of life, that the two countries have a special relationship involving extensive common interests, that we are trusted to be war allies, and yet we are seemingly perceived to be not effective when handling our own internal security?

British Government ministers have made occasional statements to the media that they are continuing to call for Shaker’s release and have also alluded to the fact British officials have regular discussions with US state officials in this respect. It is absolutely essential that the British Government make a full public statement condemning Shaker’s continued imprisonment and reiterating their determination to see Shaker returned to the UK.

With the news that Shaker’s health is extremely poor and failing him, with reports that his life is in real danger, that “he is gradually dying in Guantanamo Bay”, the British Government must act immediately to secure Shaker’s release back to the UK without any further delay. The alternative, namely inaction, could mean sentencing Shaker to a slow lingering death.

WRITE NOW TO:
Prime Minister DAVID CAMERON, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AG
Foreign Secretary WILLIAM HAGUE, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH – email to private.office@fco.gov.uk
JANE ELLISON MP (Battersea), House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
PRESIDENT OBAMA, THE WHITE HOUSE, 1600 PENNSYLVANNIA AVENUE, WASHINGTON DC,USA

PLEASE CALL FOR SHAKERS IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND RETURN TO THE UK
and request the British Government:

demands the US Administration immediately arrange the release of Shaker Aamer and arrange his return to the UK
immediately arrange for a British medical team to be sent to Guantanamo to thoroughly assess Shaker’s state of health and well being for travel back to the UK
press the Defence Secretary Leon Panetta to provide the US with certification that Britain is a ‘safe place ‘ for Shaker to be returned to and that security concerns are not an issue.
make a clear public statement to the media reaffirming their commitment to securing Shaker’s release and return to the UK and that it is totally unacceptable for the US to continue to imprison Shaker Aamer in Guantanamo
Latest news:

Andy Worthington writes “A British resident with a British wife and four British children, Shaker Aamer has never been charged or tried, and yet, as Clive Stafford Smith reports, in an article, a press release and a letter to the British foreign secretary William Hague, all cross-posted below, he remains held, exactly ten years since he was first seized, even though he was notified that he had been cleared for release in 2007, and even though successive British governments have requested his return to the UK.”
Article here: http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2011/11/24/after-ten-years-in-us-custody-british-resident-shaker-aamer-is-gradually-dying-in-guantanamo-says-clive-stafford-smith/

Paddy McGuffin writes ” The last British resident in Guantanamo Bay is slowly dying as a result of his continued imprisonment, a leading human rights lawyer warned today. Today marked the 10th anniversary of former Battersea resident Shaker Aamer’s initial detention in Afghanistan. ”
Article here: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/112363
Ray Silk Sec. Save Shaker Aamer Campaign 07756493877

This January we’ll be having an extensive in-store sale: there’ll be lots of new books at greatly reduced prices, as well as some special £1 books that we’ve been keeping aside. We have also been in touch with publishers Phoenix, Freedom, Bone and Tangent and will have a wider range of their anarchist titles at greatly reduced prices.

On top of that, by way of saying thank you for all your continued support, we’d like to offer you an additional 10% off any purchases throughout January.  To get the discount just say ask for a “supporters discount” when you get to the till.

The sale will start on January 3^rd, and will run till the end of the month.

ALARM (All London Anarchist Revolutionary Movement) is a relatively new, cross-London anarchist collective, trying, amongst other things, to put on a more united front between the different anarchist groups out there. Flying in the face of defeatism they’re hosting a conference in the normally dormant week after New Year’s, and what’s more, in the large capacity venue of the main room of Conway Hall. Looks it could be a really useful conference:

ALARM Conference
Saturday 7th January 2012 10am-5pm
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL

You are cordially invited to a one day London anarchist conference hosted by Alarm at Conway Hall on Saturday 7th January 10am-5pm. The past twelve months have seen the political situation of the UK and London develop rapidly. This is only the beginning of a turbulent economic and social situation. We hope that this conference can give us a space as anarchists to reflect back on as well as look forward to fighting the class war that is currently being waged. We are hosting this conference in a comradely and constructive fashion and invite all those from the many headed hydra of anarchism and libertarianism to come together under the banners of mutual aid and solidarity.

The Format:
The conference will be made up of three main meetings.
Each meeting will be introduced by two key speakers for 20 minutes (10 mins each).
The topic will then be opened up for discussion and chaired by a facilitator.
The aim of these constructive discussions is to highlight clear strategies and goals.

Running Order:
10am Meet & Greet / Tea’s & Coffee
Opening Speech 10:45am

(1) Community and Workplace Organising 11:00am
Discussing strengthening the two key fundamental bases of organising.
How can we build community groups in every borough?
How can we support militant work place struggles?

(2) The Riots and New Movements 01:00pm
Reflecting on key developments in 2011.
Why did the UK explode into four days of unprecedented rioting?
How has the emergence of new movements changed the political terrain?

(3) Total Policing and the Future 03:00pm
Looking forward to the future we aim to discuss clear strategies to pursue over 2012.
What is the state’s strategy in attempting to silence dissent?
What are to be the tactics for a future street based movement?

Closing Speech 04:45pm

Evening Entertainment:
Red & Black Club @ 8pm Larc (London Action Resource Centre) 62 Fieldgate Street Whitechapel E1 1ES

We look forward to seeing you on the 7th!

ALARM
All London Anarchist Revolutionary Movement
www.soundthealarm.org.uk
Facebook.com/Alarmists

A Kabul street market in winter.

Maya Evans is a peace activist who writes a regular column in Housmans’ sister newspaper Peace News. She became the first person in the UK to be convicted under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration within 1 km of Parliament Square, at which she read aloud the names of British soldiers who had been killed in Iraq following the 2003 Iraq war.

Maya is today setting off to visit the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, on a voyage of peace and discovery. She will meet with Afghanis committed to nonviolence and an end to the conflict in Afghanistan. She’ll be blogging as she goes (internet access permitting) here:  fromhastingstokabul.wordpress.com

In June 2010 Maya won “a partial victory” in the High Court, when it ruled that Afghans detained by British forces could no longer be transferred to a detention centre in Kabul run by Afghanistan’s intelligence agency (NDS), because of the risk of torture. Since then, the UN has found compelling evidence of systematic torture in five facilities run by the NDS – including at least one facility deemed safe for detainee transfers by the High Court.

Maya says: “Last year, as a result of a legal challenge brought by British activists, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for Britain to transfer Afghan detainees to the secret police in Kabul, because of the high risk that they might be tortured. However, this ruling provides no protection for the thousands of Afghans who are being detained by Afghan forces – despite the fact that these forces are trained, funded and equipped by the US and Britain. The British Government remains complicit in torture in Afghanistan, and so long as this is the case I intend to continue challenging it.”

When she returns she’ll be giving at talk at Housmans, to discuss the continuing conflict across Afghanistan, and will be reporting back from the human rights workers and other activists she met in Kabul. The talk was scheduled for 7th January, but due to travel difficulties she will not be able to make this date. We hope to get a new date for it soon. Please keep an eye on the Housmans events page.

We wish her a safe (and warm) trip.

Saturday 24^th Dec – Open from 10am, but may close early
Sunday 25^th Dec – Closed
Monday 26^th Dec – Closed
Tuesday 27^th Dec – Closed
Sunday 1^st January – Closed
Monday 2^nd January – Closed

Our friends at Dalston’s Arcola Theatre are offering Housmans supporters a special discounted rate of £10 seats to see ‘Goodbye Barcelona’ (normal price is £17), the highly acclaimed new musical inspired by the International Brigades. http://www.arcolatheatre.com
http://www.goodbyebarcelona.com

Call 020 7503 1646 after 1.30pm and ask for the ‘£10 offer’, The offer applies for Monday to Saturdays at 7.30pm till Friday 23rd December (including a matinee on Friday 23rd at 2.30pm), and for Saturday Matinees at 2.30pm. The theatre is at 24 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL

‘this highly enjoyable and inspiring production – should definitely be seen’ The Socialist

‘fervently sung and warmly felt’ The Observer

‘a triumphant work of tender love, not to be missed’ Morning Star ‘Karen Rabinowitz’s production has plenty of punch’ The Guardian

We’ve written in the past why Amazon is bad news: it exploits its workers, it union-busts, rips-off publishers and authors (some of whom make no money at all from Amazon sales), and it is clear has every intention to monopolise the market (not just in books). To read all about that, click here.

All of which is bad enough, but Amazon is hitting new lows with it’s latest ‘promotion’. It is encouraging shoppers with smart phones to go into bookshops and use a special Amazon app to scan a book, then walk out of the shop and buy it from their site – the reward for doing so is $5 for each book you don’t buy, up to a maximum of $15.

On the one hand they are trying to turn bookshops into free  showrooms for Amazon products, and on the other they are trying to drive real shops out of existence – all very reminiscent of the aggressive monopolisation policies of Wal-Mart.

Here’s a source for the story.