London's 2012 Olympics: gentrification, corporate interest and resistance, 4pm @ RTF 5

from email, 3 September 2009:

It is now under 3 years until the London Olympics. Construction of the site is already well underway, with social displacement, gentrification and privatisation the inevitable outcomes.

The effects of this supposed project of 'regeneration' have long been apparent in the north east of London, with the decline of (already sub-standard) social housing and community facilities and an increase in pervasive surveillance technology systems.

Whether in Vancouver, Beijing or London, economic accruements of the Olympics have never been intended to benefit the local communities affected by the games.

The broadscale measures of gentrification that the Olympic project entails have therefore been met with resistance and criticism from numerous and diverse groups.

Although it is generally accepted that we do not have the capacity to stop the Olympics, the question nevertheless remains as to how to organise effective resistance to the Olympic project, using the spectacle of the Games to both strengthen existing networks and create alternative structures.

Come along to our meeting to take things forward at Reclaim the Future this Saturday 5th September at 4pm.

Venue to be confirmed as it's a squatted event - check http://www.rts.gn.apc.org/ or http://www.wombles.org.uk/features/rtf

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | newsvine | furl | google | yahoo | technorati