Beyond ESF

The closing rally for the European Social Forum in London has been deeply marred by the intolerable behaviour of the British Organising Committee, and in particular by the forces that dominate it: the Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Action (the group behind London’s Mayor Ken Livingstone), and some trade unions.

Several hundred young people coming from the "autonomous spaces" (included in the programme of the Forum and who the day before had fiercely criticised, although without violence, the management of the Forum) were coming to the demonstration when the Police attacked them making four arrests (two Italians and two Greeks).  more

Working as a part of the Autonomous Spaces, the WOMBLES helped put on a 5 day and night event - Beyond ESF - at Middlesex University, Tottenham Campus in north london, with presentations, workshops, discussions from groups all over Europe as well as free live bands, cinema and food every night. In conjunction with diverse groups and individuals participating with both the official ESF and 'Beyond ESF' events, a large number of actions against state borders, racist immigration policies and authoritarian centralised control took place.  more

The relationship between the WOMBLES & the ESF process has been complex. Our involvement in the social forum discourse started when we were invited to participate in the first London Social Forum (LSF) in Oct 2003. The LSF had taken a critical position towards the various leftist parties (like the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) & their front group Globalise Resistance), who had sought to dominate the ESF mobilizing process while actively opposing local social forums. It was clear to us that there were progressive attempts to go beyond the hierarchical characteristics of traditional left politics & engage with the rise of anti-capitalism & its subsequent radicalization on a grassroots level. more

WOMBLES, September 2004: This text was discussed and prepared over a six-month period through a series of discussions, WOMBLES meetings and open forums to decide our reaction to the European Social Forum [ESF] planned for London in October 2004. Our consensus analysis decided that the ESF is incapable of achieving revolutionary change because it accepts the current hierarchical system and seeks minimalist-reformist change inside current governmental structures. We speak for our group and no-one else... more

Our involvement in the social forum discourse started when we were asked to participate in the first London Social Forum [LSF] in October 2003. The LSF had taken a critical position towards the various leftist parties (like SWP and their front-group Globalise Resistance) on the way they had dominated the ESF mobilising process. It was clear to us that there were progressive attempts by ex-leftists and academics to go beyond the hierarchical characteristics of their previous involvement in politics and engage with the rise of anti-capitalism and its subsequent radicalisation. more

«Beyond ESF» sera constitué de conférences, d'actions directes et de célébrations des cultures de résistance : un opportunité pour créer une alternative, un mouvement social d'une imagination et d'une créativité infinies, contre l'apathie de la culture capitaliste. Nous sommes pour une vie nouvelle, un monde nouveau, à construire à partir de la coquille décadente du vieux monde.  more

Beyond ESF sarà in parte workshop, in parte azione diretta, in parte celebrazione delle culture di resistenza - una opportunità di creare un alternativa; Un movimento sociale di infinita immaginazione e creatività contro l'apatia della cultura capitalistica. Noi siamo per una nuova vita, un nuovo mondo, creato dal guscio marcio del vecchio. more

"Beyond ESF" (Mas allá del FSE) estará compuesto de conferencias, acciones directas, y de celebraciones de las culturas de resistencia. Una oportunidad para crear una alternativa; un movimiento social con imaginación infinita y creatividad contra la apatía de la cultura capitalista. Queremos una vida nueva, un nuevo mundo creado del podrido esqueleto del viejo. more

Το Beyond ESF θα είναι εν μέρει ένα συνέδριο, εν μέρει άμεσες δράσεις, εν μέρει ένας εορτασμός των κουλτούρων αντίστασης. Μια ευκαιρία να δημιουργήσουμε κάτι διαφορετικό, ένα κοινωνικό κίνημα με απεριόριστη φαντασία και δημιουργικότητα ενάντια στην απάθεια της καπιταλιστικής κουλτούρας. Υπάρχουμε τελικά για μια νέα ζωή, θέλουμε έναν νέο κόσμο να δημιουργηθεί από το διαβρωμένο κέλυφος του παλιού. more