Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Cyberspace Lenin: Update on Clare Solomons deletion from facebook
I set up a new fb profile and this has also been disabled. So has Mutiny's. This is now more than a coincidence or glitch.
I was asked to enter security words to prove I am a human and here is what I was provided with:
Update 2pm: Now Vicky Gartzoni, the person who set up the reinstate clare & andrew fb group, has been deleted...
This is the new profile i set up-it has now also been deleted
|
URGENT: I have been removed from facebook
people of greece' and ask why I have been removed.
So has Andrew Burgin.
We need to mount a campaign to facebook to get our accounts reinstated.
Thanks. More soon.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Democracy on Trial by Mutiny
From our main blog Join the Mutiny
You’ve possibly voted by now so…time to question whether it was worth it!
Jump to CommentsTickets available on paypal from Http://lovemutinytickets.blogspot.com
As a post-election analysis and what to do next, May 12 is the date for the next Mutiny.
With a goody bag already worth about 10 times the entrance price of £3/5 you have bags worths of reasons to come along.
Amongst the highlights so far:
- A special Mutiny TV made video of Tony Benn and Caroline Lucas
- Poetry from Angry Sam
- Activist Kate Connelly on ‘Reform or Revolution’
- QM lecturer Emma Dowling on ‘Alter-globalization’
- Archeologist and regular on Time Team Neil Faulkner speaking on the history of democracy
- An interactive technology installation – “is this what democracy looks like?”
- Live DJ set from Bon Bon Jovi Jovi
- Live painting
- a Democracy Wall
- and much more...
Also, bring a blank Tshirt or other item (bag, hat etc) and our DJ Steaz will tag it with the Mutiny logo (Debra’s brilliant recycling idea rather than buying new clothes)
Read about and watch previous events HERE
Join the Google Group for involvement HERE
On Twitter here.
…the Facebook Group HERE
…and make suggestions as a comment anywhere on this blog and we will try to incorporate them
We are looking for artwork, musicians, poets, visual artists, films, speakers and, of course, participants for the evening.
Join the team or send us any ideas & suggestions by emailing us at jointhemutiny@gmail.com
More info on how to get involved coming soon.
SOAS motions on Msex Phil campaign and Censure of Wes Streeting, NUS president
2. Save Middlesex Philosophy
Proposed by: Alexej Ulbricht
Seconded: Shanti Ulfsbjorninn
This union notes:
2.1 That on April 26th Middlesex University executive decided to close its Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy (CRMEP), and in the course cut all philosophy programmes, undergraduate, postgraduate, and MPhil/PhD;
2.2 That CRMEP is one of the most important centres for the study of modern European philosophy in the English-speaking world, and is well known for its social and political engagement;
2.3 That philosophy is the highest research-rated subject at Middlesex, with the RAE rating 65% of its research as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’;
2.4 That the MA programme in philosophy is the largest of its kind in the country, with 42 students admitted in 2009;
2.5 That as such, the department also generates a substantial amount of revenue for the University, currently contributing close to half of its total income to the University's central administration;
2.6 That despite all this the Dean for Arts and Humanities, Edward Esche, has stated that the reasons for closure where simply financial, and that the department made no ‘measurable’ contribution to the university;
2.7 That a ‘Save Middlesex Philosophy’ campaign has been formed to oppose the closure;
2.8 That this news follows a whole string of announced cuts around the country: at UCL, at Kings, at Westminster, and elsewhere;
--
This Union Believes:
2.1 That there is nothing to justify the closure of CRMEP;
2.2 That this is a foreboding sign of the kind of pressures that are going to hit Arts and Humanities subjects, if even a university’s most prestigious department faces the axe;
2.3 That taking action against these measures is fundamental to defend the quality of Higher Education not only at Middlesex, but nationwide;
2.4 That allowing a precedent of this kind paves the way for further cuts to be implemented in other institutions;
2.5 That the SOAS academic tradition has always been at the forefront in Arts and Humanities, and is as such incompatible with cuts of this kind;
--
This Union Resolves:
2.1 To formally support the Save Middlesex Philosophy campaign;
2.2 To support every form of action that students at Middlesex are going to take against the announced measures;
2.3 To send a letter to Dean Esche, voicing our opposition to these plans;
2.4 To circulate the petition to save Middlesex philosophy in the next Union email;
2.5 To mandate the Students' Union executive to lobby the School to express its opposition to the damaging measures taken by Middlesex management.
==============
5. Condemn Censure at National NUS Conference
Proposed By: Elly Badcock
Seconded By: Symeon Brown
--
This Union Notes
5.1 That Durham University Union Society planned, in March 2010, to invite the British National Party to a formal debate.
5.2 That the National Union of Student’s LGBT Officer and Black Student’s Officer wrote a letter to Durham Student Union requesting that they cancel the debate due to both the danger posed by inviting fascists onto campus, especially to black, LGBT, disabled and women students, and the NUS No Platform policy which they are mandated to campaign for within Student Unions. They stated in the letter that if the debate was not cancelled then they would organise a protest alongside Unite Against Fascism
5.3 That Durham Union Society cancelled the debate.
5.4 That Durham Union Society argued that the letter was threatening because of the line “if students are hurt around the event, responsibility will lie with you”.
5.5 That the signatories pointed out that this line was in reference to the statistically proven link between the BNP organising in an area and the rise in hate crime and violence.
5.6 That, subsequently, a campaign was staged at Durham to disaffiliate from the NUS, with a referendum voting narrowly for disaffiliation.
5.7 That at NUS National Conference 2010, a motion of censure was brought against both the Black Student’s Officer and the LGBT Officer, and was passed only against the Black Student’s Officer.
5.8 That Wes Streeting, current NUS President, as well as six other NEC members voted for this censure, and that the censure passed by exactly seven votes.
--
This Union Believes
5.1 That wherever fascists organise in an area, hate crime and violence rises.
5.2 That fascists threaten the very right of black, LGBT and disabled students to exist and are extremely misogynistic.
5.3 That the BNP are a fascist organisation seeking a veneer of respectability, but that their comments belie their true fascist nature. Speaking about the Holocaust, their leader Nick Griffin stated: “I have reached the conclusion that the‘extermination’ tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie, and latter [day] witch hysteria.” On the subject of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, he said: ““Everyone down there knows he was notorious for taxing kids for their dinner money and he was a drug dealer. According to many people within the Metropolitan police, he was killed by another black – not a white racist attack at all.”
5.4 That fascists are not welcome in our Student’s Union.
5.5 That the Black Student’s and LGBT officers were right to request the cancellation of the debate, and to organise a protest.
5.6 That censuring a Liberation Officer for anti-fascist work sends out an extremely dangerous message that will be seized by the BNP as evidence that they are a legitimate party.
5.7 That censuring a black woman and not a white man for the same actions is disturbing at best.
5.8 That the censure of the Black Students’ Officer and attempted censure of the LGBT Officer gives the false impression that the NUS and (therefore NEC) does not support our liberation campaigns and their officers.
5.9 That these false impressions, if not corrected, have the potential to damage the organisation further, up to and including discouraging participation from Black and LGBT students and constituent members like ourselves who represent a high proportion of students from these campaigns.
5.10 That the Liberation Campaigns (Black students, Women, LGBT and Disabled students) are autonomous and should be mandated by and answerable to their members.
5.11 That it is shameful for seven NEC members to vote for this censure.
5.12 That the NUS must take a strong, anti-fascist stance and actively defend the case for No Platform.
--
This Union Resolves
5.1 That we have no confidence in Wes Streeting and the NEC members who voted for the censure.
5.2 To pass a motion of censure from SOAS Union against Wes Streeting and said NEC members.
5.3 To call on the NEC to release a statement which re-affirms its support for the No Platform policy of the NUS
5.4 To call on the NEC to further include in this statement a re-affirmation of its support for both the Black Students’ Campaign, LGBT Campaign and all liberation campaigns
5.5 To affiliate to and continue our work with Unite Against Fascism
5.6 To implement a No Platform for fascists policy in SOAS Union
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Statement from the student occupation at Middlesex University.

The student occupation at Middlesex University now covers the entire Mansion Building at Trent Park campus. The occupation was extended earlier this evening in light of continued management refusal to meet us and discuss our opposition to their plans to shut down Middlesex’s world-renowned philosophy department.
Our occupation is in protest at this abrupt, unjustified and unacceptable decision. We want it reversed. Students have been occupying the executive boardroom at Trent Park since yesterday morning. Today, management again refused to meet our representatives or enter discussions with the students affected by their decision to close the philosophy programme.
We affirm that the university is a site for education, not for profit. It belongs to the people who study, teach and work here, not to those who view the institution as a mere instrument for making money or for furthering their careers. As such, we see the extension of our occupation as a restoration of the university to what it should be, and a reversal of what it has become.
We invite everyone to come and visit the occupied Mansion Building at Trent Park and show their solidarity – not just with our campaign, but with all other struggles against education cuts. We view our occupation as an integral part of a wider movement of student protest, and we are proud to have representatives of these other campaigns with us.
We want this site to become an open hub of culture, politics, thought and creativity. We will be organising a cultural programme and a philosophy teach-in, details of which will be released shortly. Everyone who supports our vision and struggle is welcome here.
Sunny Surani
Vice President Communication & Activities
Middlesex University
Mobile- 07540569979
Email -S.h.patel@mdx.ac.uk
Middlesex occupation spreads to the entire admin building...
--
In solidarity Clare Solomon
http://solomonsmindfield.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/solomonsmfield
TODAY: Middlesex demo & party
Thank you so much to everyone who has written to protest the closure of Philosophy at Middlesex. The international support for the campaign has been a tremendous boost; Middlesex students & colleagues are mobilising quickly, and the administration now has a real fight on their hands.
The campaign blog has been moved tohttp://savemdxphil.com/ ; it includes regular updates, press links and a small sampling of the many hundreds of letters of support we've received. We'll be reorganising and expanding it in the coming days.
Earlier this afternoon (Tues 4 May) around 40 students decided to occupy the Middlesex Trent Park campus, after Dean Ed Esche and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Margaret House cancelled a meeting scheduled for 10:30am. See http://savemdxphil.com/2010/05/04/students-in-occupation-in-the-boardroom/ and the campaign Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119102561449990) for more information.
If you can get to London tomorrow, especially if you're planning to take part in one of the various strikes & UCU rallies, PLEASE COME TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT OCCUPATION and to celebrate Philosophy at Middlesex at our annual Philosophy Society party, Weds 5 May from 4:30pm. The party/rally will be taking place in The Drawing Room (M005) in the Mansion Building of the Trent Park campus;directions below,
yours in solidarity,
Sent from my iPhone
Greek solidarity for immediate release
>
> contact: Clare Solomon 07850 177 637 claresolomon @ gmail.com
> contact: Andrew Burgin 07939 242229
> andrew @ andrewburgin.com
>
> Greek Embassy, 1A Holland Park London W11 3T
> Wednesday 5 May 2010, 1.00 - 2.00 PM
>
> On the eve of the British General Election a protest is being held
> in support of Wednesday's General Strike in Greece. We urge
> rejection of the austerity measures being imposed on the people of
> Greece by the International Monetary Fund and the EU. These measures
> will provide a template for dealing with the fallout from economic
> crises elsewhere.
>
> The IMF are demanding that Greek wages be cut and public services
> and pensions decimated. Kriton Orfanos, a psychologist at a family
> centre in Athens, estimates that he has already lost 10% of his
> salary and fears that his future pension will be slashed from 1,100
> to 650 euros (£953 to £563) a month.
>
> It is unacceptable that ordinary people should be made to suffer for
> a crisis caused by financial speculation and the relentless drive to
> profit. Since the beginning of the international economic crisis the
> very rich have manoeuvered to make themselves even more wealthy. In
> Britain the collective wealth of the richest 1000 people has grown
> by a third in just one year, an increase of £77 billion.
>
> We must not allow the Greek present to become our future.
>
> Many people in Greece are resisting these measures. As Britain goes
> to the polls a general strike will take place in Greece. We ask all
> those who wish to defend jobs and services in this country to send
> messages of support to all those in Greece who are defending their
> jobs, wages and services.
>
> For further information and how to send messages please contact:
>
> 07850177637 / 07939242229
>
>
>
>
>
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Middlesex students occupy Deans Office...
Middlesex Students Occupy Dean’s Office
Students and lecturers at Middlesex University (Trent Campus), campaigning to stop the closure of the phiolosophy department, were stood up by their Dean this morning – and took matters into their own hands. Some students are staging a sit-in in the corridor outside the Dean’s office, others have locked themselves inside, demanding that the Dean turn up and face his accusers. The proposed closure of Middlesex Philosophy has provoked wide outrage and gained a significant profile in the press.
The occupiers need our support: send messages of solidarity to http://www.facebook.com/solomonsmindfield?ref=profile#!/group.php?gid=119102561449990&ref=ts
The campaign has also agreed to send a delegation to the UCU strike demo in Central London tomorrow, starting at 1pm in front of the King’s College picket lines, Strand WC2.
From: http://educationactivistnetwork.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/middlesex-students-occupy-deans-office/
Monday, 3 May 2010
Friday, 30 April 2010
Petition to Save the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy, Middlesex University
The abrupt closure of the Philosophy programmes at Middlesex University is a matter of national and indeed international concern. Not only does it flatly contradict the stated commitment of Middlesex University to promote 'research excellence', it represents a startling stage in the ongoing impoverishment of Philosophy provision in the UK.
Planning for the resistance meeting today at 3pm at the Trent Park campus. See the facebook event HERE
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Reminder re Counterforum-have you booked yet?
But Counterforum is also hotting up.
With sessions on Feminism, Fascism, the Internet, the Crisis and much more we certainly are covering ground that is new to many of us.
Get tweeting, texting and 'sharing' the details for registration to make sure your friends don't miss out.
To clarify - this event is on TWO days
1) A feminist manifesto for the 21st century with Lindsey German and Nina Power is on SUNDAY at SOAS at 5pm...
...and is FREE
http://counterfire.org/index.php/theory/133-counterforum/4676-public-event-a-feminist-manifesto-for-the-21st-century
2) The rest of the sessions are on Monday: http://counterfire.org/index.php/theory/133-counterforum/4603-counterforum-the-crisis-the-movement-and-the-left
There are 'Tweet' buttons on both of them so you can share nice and easily.
You can register HERE: https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8UN-89gficGfHqbidhopLEj-LgYVxkJhRH2XpwuMAdnqR5pYmFKFXka0MQq&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b5efedb82468478c6e115945fd0658595dbb4bda98e0c5f8e
As the crisis in Greece is hotting up you can show your solidarity by joining the facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=116447805051816&ref=ts
and organising an action of solidarity wherever you are in the world.
I think that is enough for now.
See you at the weekend. Please do contact us if you need any more info.
Counterfirers...
--
In solidarity Clare Solomon
http://solomonsmindfield.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/solomonsmfield

