SPEAKER’S CORNER AT ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR

Talked to Tony one of the bookfair organisers and we have agreed to have an outdoor SPEAKERS CORNER from 3pm at this year’s event in order to give support to a new generation of rabble rousers. Here’s my original post:

Years ago you would find the anarchist women from 121 bookshop regularly speaking at Speakers Corner and the mendicant JIM HUGGON would set up anywhere. Now we have lost both venues – speakers corner now dominated by religious nutters and unfunny hecklers – and the Tower Hill site beloved of Donald Soper reduced to a wall plaque. Yet we really could do with speakers from the anarchist movement who are haappy rabble rousing outdoors – for otherwise we remain mute and leave our politics unspoken or find we have merely created a space for others.

OLIVE MORRIS SPEAKING IN RAILTON ROAD

Soooo………..I’m going to put it to the bookfair organisers that we have outside space for a speakers corner this year where anyone can try out with their friends and gain confidence……could address the complaints about lack of women speakers at anarchist rallies by having a women only session if wanted. Helpful tips like how to handle a megaphone would be useful to me as blasting out unintelligibly aint much good….usually to cries of ‘turn it on’. Two of my sons said they’d like to have a go so they’re going to bring their mates for mutual support. Be great to get some young speakers… bring your mates.