Benefit Gig - Friday 16th September, Star and Shadow

Second HSBC 3 Benefit Gig – Friday 16th September, Star and Shadow

Three more local bands have organised another benefit gig to defend democratic rights in Newcastle. With the appeal coming to court in September it is important that these events are happening to raise money for the defence fund and continue to expose the police attacks on protestors. Headlined by Demons N Angels – check out the Facebook event

Star and Shadow – Stepney Bank, Newcastle.
19:00 Friday 16th September.

TONIGHT: Reel News @ Star and Shadow

The second Wednesday of every second month is REEL NEWS. REEL NEWS is an activist video collective, set up to publicise and share information on inspirational campaigns and struggles - in this country and across the world. Anti-capitalist action, protests against cuts and privatisation, the growing social movements in Latin America, Mass-action, skill sharing. The evening will start at 7:30 with a 90 minute newsreel, followed by discussion, bookstalls, shared food, the Canny Library, an Open-Mike or radical DJ sets.

Where: Star and Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2NP
When: 7.30pm

http://www.reelnews.co.uk

Supporting those exposing the cuts!

An article on the government's spending on weapons - and the amount it is cutting from healthcare, education, benefits and housing:

Welfare not Warfare - Kat Hobbs from Campaign Against the Arms Trade

(from www.ukuncut.org.uk)

HSBC3 Appeal approaches - the time for solidarity!

The most crucial time of support for the HSBC3 Defence Campaign approaches,with the appeal against Mark and Patrick’s unjust convictions happening on Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th of September. This is the vital event for the campaign, and the main opportunity to show the public opposition to the acceleration of attacks on democratic rights. Big, well publicised demonstrations outside the Crown Court on both days of the trial will show the state that we will not stand by whilst the right to peaceful protest is robbed from us. 


There is an urgent need to speak out against the cuts, from attacks on healthcare to benefits, and housing to public services. It is necessary to defend those who come under attack whilst speaking out, to show that we refuse to be criminalised for fighting back.


Stand with us from 9am and defend the anti-cuts movement!

9am Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th September – Crown Court, Quayside, Newcastle.

NHS Reforms: Are They Within The Law? letter printed in the Journal 23rd aug.

With regard to the article in the Newcastle Journal, Tuesday August 16th entitled:
‘Government Under Fire Over Care Plans’.
In that article attention was drawn to concerns about the establishment of private bodies calling themselves ‘Clinical Commissioning Groups’. A few months ago, before the bill stalled in Parliament, these were calling themselves: GP Consortia.

The Government claims that these private bodies or companies will take over the management of health services once their NHS bill has been passed by Parliament.

The point with regard to the Law is, it hasn’t. The Health and Social Care bill has stalled due to lack of political support and therefore, it is not Law.
So who is commissioning these privateers? There are 14 such across our region.

On what basis is money being spent? How much has been spent so far? And, are these actions lawful?

These questions were asked at the last meeting of the North of Tyne Primary Care Trust that was held on: Tuesday 26th July at the NHS Trust’s HQ on the Great Park, North Gosforth. The Chair at that meeting advised that: “they had to put these bodies in place in order to prepare for the changes in the bill once it becomes law”.

But that did not answer the point about the unlawfulness and whether funding and establishing such groups before the bill has been passed by Parliament, is acting within the Law?

Next Meeting: Thursday 1st September at
St John’s Church Hall, Grainger St, Newcastle. 7.pm.
Secretary Martin Manasse.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Footage of our Pirates of the Tax Havens fun - 18 August - Northumberland Street, Newcastle

Thanks to Ewan for this great video clip, and to all the pirates of Tyneside for setting sail down Northumberland Street

Response to recent riots: Anti Cuts Network statement

Statement on the recent riots agreed at last ACN meeting:

Whatever we think of either the actions or causes of the recent riots
across the country, we do know they happened in areas of massive youth
unemployment and to communities facing cuts to youth services and
reduced accessed to education, as well as rising police repression.

We demand:

1. And end to police repression:
End "Stop and Search", disarm the police, and oppose increases to
police powers, including curfews, rubber bullets and water cannon.
As well as cuts in legal aid

2. Fight poverty and inequality:
oppose cuts to public services, decent funding for youth provision and
facilities
Restore grants and maintenance allowance for students
Decent homes for all, create more council housing
Trade Unions should organise the unemployed
trade Unions should fight job losses and not allow cuts by agreeing to
voluntary redundancies - every lost job is a lost service

3. For a labour movement inquiry into the causes of the riots

Agreed by ACN meeting 10 August 2011

Other local and national groups and trade unions have agreed similar statements like sunderlandagainstthecuts and lewisham anti cuts alliance and Stratford RMT branch

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Weekly ACN mailout, incl. Wed meeting and more..

Hi all

1. Next ACN meeting - 5.30pm, Wed 24 August, Tyneside Irish Centre
(meeting room 1, second floor - use lift opposite the bar)
Don't forget to get lift up to second floor, meeting room one
see you all there
----

2. Protest against cuts to Youth Services
Some of us went to support Lizi and others youth service users angered
at the cancelling of My Place youth centre planned for city centre.
They met with Labour and Council Leader Nick Forbes, and next week
Lizi will share with the meeting how he responded to the meeting and
our solidarity protest outside the civic.
See photo on the blog, Lizi Amd others will give feedback on what
council leaders said last week

----
3. Protest against Tax Havens to follow on from the meeting in the
City Library (see details below). So the plan is for a big roaming
protest targeting stores who use tax havens, DRESSED UP AS PIRATES!
protest last Thursday was huge success. More on blog tonight and you tube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBM6dUGWsFE
Thanks to Ewan for this!
More protests planned

----
4. Statement on the recent riots agreed at last ACN meeting:
Whatever we think of either the actions or causes of the recent riots
across the country, we do know they happened in areas of massive youth
unemployment and to communities facing cuts to youth services and
reduced accessed to education, as well as rising police repression.
We demand:
A. And end to police repression:
End "Stop and Search", disarm the police, and oppose increases to
police powers, including curfews, rubber bullets and water cannon.
As well as cuts in legal aid
B. Fight poverty and inequality:
oppose cuts to public services, decent funding for youth provision and
facilities
Restore grants and maintenance allowance for students
Decent homes for all, create more council housing
Trade Unions should organise the unemployed
trade Unions should fight job losses and not allow cuts by agreeing to
voluntary redundancies - every lost job is a lost service
C. For a labour movement inquiry into the causes of the riots

Agreed by ACN meeting 10 August 2011

----
5. http://anticutsnetwork.blogspot.com/
This is our blog. Don't forget to visit it, post comments on articles,
share articles on facebook.
If you want to post stuff to the blog, email this list and we will put
it up there.
If you want to help with artilces for the blog, and updating it, come
to Wednesdays meeting and volunteer or email us.

----
6. Facebook group
Join our fb group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/anticutsnetwork or search anti cuts network

----
7. FInally ACN needs YOU!
We know that we can't all make meetings in Newcastle on a Wednesday
night, which is fine. But perhaps you can do other stuff:
a. Help with blog and fb group
b. Do some research on cuts
c. Share our events with friends on facebook and help us build bigger campaigns
d. Do press releases
e. Design leaflets, posters, tshirts etc
f. Help with fundraising (benefit gigs, socials, etc.)
g. Make links with Trade Union branches, community groups
EMAIL back to us at this email address with any information on your skills?


PS DONT FORGET TO EMAIL US WITH INFO ON OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS GOING ON.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Pirates of the Tax Havens 18 August, Northumberland St, Newcastle

Twenty activists from Anti Cuts Network took part in a Pirate themed protest against the use of Tax Havens on Northumberland Street, Newcastle.

Pirates set sail past Boots (who moved head office to Switzerland to avoid paying tax on it's annual £475,000,000 profit, only paying 3% of it's profit in tax). Next Vodaphone ( 20 subsidiaries in Mauritius to avoid capital gains tax In UK, and recently struck a deal to reduce £6 million in uk tax to just £1 million)

The afternoon protest also took in Philip Greens store Evans (green who paid himself £1.2 billion wage and avoided £300,000,000 in UK taxes which could have paid for 15,000 more nurses or 40,000 univeristy student places alone)

The protest also focused on HSBC, NatWest and Barclays. (Natwest and RBS chief earned £2.4 million while sacking 9000 workers, these banks are reported to have 550 subsidiary companies in tax havens to avoid paying uk tax, HSBC recently reduced it's tax to just .25% from profits of the recent PFI projects to build hospitals.)





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newcastle Upon Tyne,United Kingdom

Defend Youth Services on Tyneside

The proposal to build a new youth facility in the centre of Newcastle with £5 million Myplace funding from central government was scrapped by the incoming Labour administration.


Poor quality of previous bid, lack of business planning, and opposition from local pool users (closure of part of city baths was part of initial proposal) are the reasons given by council leaders. But young people who had spent months putting together proposals with youth workers and the previous administration are angry that they have not been involved in discussions to turn down the £5 million of national funding.

Lizi, Kiah and others met with Council Leader Nick Forbes and supporters of Anti Cuts Network turned up to a small Solidarity protest and hand out PSA leaflets against cuts to Connexions and Youth services which have also seen massive cuts in Newcastle and across the region and country

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newcastle Upon Tyne,United Kingdom

This weeks events and info

Hi all ACN folks..
In this weeks mailout:
1. This weeks meeting - the Hardest Hit
2. Tax Havens Protest & meeting
3. The blog
4. Facebook group
5. Can you help

----
1. This weeks meeting - the Hardest Hit  Wed 27 July - 5.30pm
Video of Hardest Hit March (biggest march of disabled people in history against cuts to welfare - thanks to Reel NEws) plus discussion on local campaigning with local groups invited Alisdair and others from WRAG and Stuart Bracking will introduce some discussion
All welcome, tyneside Irish centre, gallowgate, 2nd floor (take lift to second floor)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=252337891443382
----
2.  Last weeks meeting came up with the idea of a protest against Tax Havens to follow on from the meeting in the City Library (see details below).  So the plan is for a big roaming protest targeting stores who use tax havens, DRESSED UP AS PIRATES!
So the sun will be shining and if you are not on your hols then join us on Sunny Northumberland Street (Thurs 18 August, from 4pm) more details  to follow including FB group etc...  our August meeting (10 Aug - 5.30, Irish Centre) will be given over to an open planning meeting for all groups who want to be involved.... Why are parents against tax havens (because we arrrrrrggggh!)
Thurs 18 August  - Pirates against Tax Havens Protest, 4pm, Northumberland Street, watch this space
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201175406599866

Also Tues 16 August - 5.30pm Tax Havens in 2011 - hottest desitinations in today's global economy
Come and hear Nicholas Shaxston (author 'Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men who stole the World') explains the role of the tax haven.  Newcastle City Library (room 1, level 2, next to cafe)
----
3. http://anticutsnetwork.blogspot.com/
This is our blog. Don't forget to visit it, post comments on articles, share articles on facebook.
If you want to post stuff to the blog, email this list and we will put it up there.
If you want to help with artilces for the blog, and updating it, come to Wednesdays meeting and volunteer or email us.
----
4. Facebook group
Join our fb group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/anticutsnetwork or search anticutsnetwork
----
5. FInally ACN needs YOU!
We know that we can't all make meetings in Newcastle on a Wednesday night, which is fine. But perhaps you can do other stuff:
a. Help with blog and fb group
b. Do some research on cuts
c. Share our events with friends on facebook and help us build bigger campaigns
d. Do press releases
e. Design leaflets, posters, tshirts etc
f.  Help with fundraising (benefit gigs, socials, etc.)
g. Make links with Trade Union branches, community groups
EMAIL back to us at this email address with any information on your skills?

Pirates against the cuts

Anti Cuts Network are calling all pirates, sailors and assorted seafairers to a protest on Thursday 18 August on the good ship Northumberland Street! We shall be assembling from 4pm (time and detailed to be confirmed)

As summer hits the UK, tax havens of the super rich and big businesses are being used to nick our well earned booty, and billions in pounds of treasures are being stolen from our NHS, schools, colleges and local jobs and services.

Join the facebook groups and events to find out more, or search for "pirates against cuts" on facebook

20 July Whickham teachers strike against academy status

NASUWT members at Whickham School in Gateshead took strike action yesterday after a 70% yes vote in a ballot against turning the school into an Academy (i.e. opting out of local authority control)

Academies can be more like independent schools, setting curriculum admission policies and being selective and often opt out of buying services from local council (i.e. special education support etc.)

bbc coverage

more info when we know it

Events and meetings in July and August

After the announcements that the average tuition fees for Higher Education will be £8,500, despite the government lies that this would be the exception, this week we will discuss how to support and unite student campaigners at our meeting on Wed 13 July. We will also be discussing other campaigns and opposing proposed governments attacks announced this week of more privatisation and attacks on public services..
Hope to see you this Wednesday (5.30pm, Tyneside Irish Centre, Meeting room upstairs, second floor - take lift)

Thanks

Anti Cuts Network Events and supported events coming up:

---Wed 13 July 5.30pm
ACN planning meeting : building a united student movement and fighting
to defend free education a meeting proposed from the gathering to
discuss with various student campaigns. All welcome, tyneside Irish
centre, gallowgate, 2nd floor

--- Tues 19 July - 7pm: Launch meeting for the jarrow march for jobs in Newcastle.
Speakers include Ben Robinson, Chair of the campaign, alongside speakers  from the RMT, Unite and the PCS young members network.
All welcome! Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate,, Newcastle Ne1 4SG

- ---Wed 27 July - 5.30pm
ACN meeting: The hardest hit - video of Hardest Hit March (biggest march of disabled people in history against cuts to welfare - thanks to Reel NEws) plus discussion on local campaigning with local groups invited
All welcome, tyneside Irish centre, gallowgate, 2nd floor


Other events:

- -Thurs 14 July, 7pm
What is capitalism doing to our planet
Tyne and Wear Left Unity public forum Shirley Ford (Green Party
European Parliament candidate) and Dave Byrne
7pm, St Johns Church Hall, Grainger St, Newcastle.

- -Thurs 14th July, 6pm
Public Meeting: Vote No to the Byker Trust!
The Chevron, Gordon Road, Byker NE6 1RP
Public meeting to discuss action we can take against the Byker Trust.
We demand decent affordable homes fro all, without any strings
attached.

- - Thurs 21 July:  Hardest Hit Public meeting  Ashington - Buffet provided
Northumberland PSA public meeting about attacks on disabled.
Bothal Suite, Ashington Leisure Centre, Institute Rd, Ashington, NE63 8HP

- - Tues 16 August - 5.30pm Tax Havens in 2011 - hottest desitinations in today's global economy
Come and hear Nicholas Shaxston (author 'Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men who stole the World') explains the role of the tax haven.
Newcastle City Library (room 1, level 2, next to cafe)

Thanks - Next meeting

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Anti Cuts Gathering; it was a good day of discussion, planning, and proposing events and action.

Thanks to everyone who helped organise, publicise and prepared great food. Thanks to Star and Shadow for the venue and volunteers.

Anti Cuts Network meeting TONIGHT: 5.30 @ Tyneside Irish Centre (by the gate to Chinatown).

See you there!

Anti Cuts Gathering - Get involved!

Hi all.

Agenda is here for 25 June. We have volunteers for food and a couple of others for the day.
But we would like a few volunteers for desk and also volunteers to help sessions run to time (and scribe action points from workshops on flip chart)

Finally if you want a stall its £5... let us know


Agenda and details for Gathering - Sat 25 June - Star & Shadow Cinema

10 am             Registration
10.30 - 11.30    Workshops A (see list below)
11.30 - 12.30     Workshops B (see list below)
12.30 - 1.15        Lunch (cooked and made by our able volunteers and thanks to Unite the Union for financial support)
 1.15 - 2.45        Forum: Fighting the Cuts - what role for Unions and Strikes (local activists, trade unionists and 30th June strikers)
 2.45 - 3    .00        Break
 3.00 - 4.00        Where next for Anti Cuts movement (discussion on principles, strategy and concrete action)
 4.00 - 5.00        Workshop C (see list below)


Workshops A:
1. Police Harrasment and Defence Campaigns / Right to Resist (HSBC 3 Defence Campaign & Right to Resist)
2. Newcastle College campaign to save jobs and education (Vanessa Maughan UCU and Stacy SOS)
3. Community Campaigning - Vicki Gilbert and Paul Baker (Left Unity, Keep Metro Public and other campaigns)
4. Consensus decision making / listenings skills (to be confirmed!)

Workshops B:
1. Education Forum: Including Bob and Daniel (NCAFC) and local NFEN, SOS, and student protestors)
2. Benefits and Disability campaigning (Helen - Claimants Union, Stuart Bracking and Alisdair Cameron)
3. Keep Our NHS public (Dr Helen Groom - tbc / Pete Campbell from KONHSP)
4. How to organise a strike (North East Shops Stewards Network to be confirmed)

Workshops A and B can come up with ideas or suggestions for the 3pm - 'Where next' session, but we don't what that session to be taken up with just report backs, but proposals or points that we all need to discuss

Workshop C:
1. Self Defence - Trev Bark
2. Use of social media (Pete / Gabe / NFEN)
3. Banner making / Placard making for 30th June strike day

Demonstrate against political policing....

Saturday 9^th July, 12pm, Grey’s Monument, Newcastle

Last Saturday’s demonstration against political policing had to be called off after about 40 minutes due to torrential rain. It was a great shame as the turnout was good and lots of people were eager to speak out against what police have been doing at demonstrations, and what they represent. A crowd had gathered watching the speeches, and many members of the public were really supportive. A predictably large amount of police were present, as well as two English Defence League (EDL) members who attempted to challenge the demonstration with some repeated shouting of ‘get a job’ and ‘ get a wash’. Yet more confirmation of the anti-working class politics which lead the EDL to support the cuts, and the wars in the middle-east.

Join us on 9th July....

A demonstration to defend democratic rights and stand in solidarity with all those being targeted and criminalised by the police.

Called by HSBC 3 Defence Campaign. Supported by Anti-Cuts Network, Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! Glasgow Defence Campaign, Subversion, Tyneside Community Action Against Racism, UK Uncut

As the government assault on public services begins we must oppose the police in their attacks on democratic rights and attempts to criminalise direct action against the cuts.

The only way we can defend our rights is by getting out onto the streets in a show of strength. Please join us.

Whose Streets?  ! Our Streets! Whose Police?! Their Police!

With an open mic for people to speak out against police harassment, intimidation and racism.

June 30th: Organise through this blog

Hi all,

June 30th - Strike Planning 

Got an idea for the pickets, or action on the day? Or want to organise banner-making?

Here is an open space to plan action for June 30th. All are welcome to comment, and you will be able to organise publicly - simply 'comment' on this link to start the discussion. By keeping all discussion to this post (just keep commenting!), it will be clear what has already been organised, and will give everybody the opportunity to discuss action.

This post can always be found by clicking on 'June 30th Organising', in the 'Labels' section on the right hand side of the blog.

Don't panic - organise!

Volunteers needed and events

Hi all

Another week and loads more stuff occuring...

Thanks to all who helped with stall this week and to bands who played
for free on wed night at benefit gig ( Rathaus, 60ft Squid and
Negative Impulse) and all you punters who helped raise money for
defence campaign.

Volunteers needed can you help? (REPLY TO THIS EMAIL)
a. Stalls this week, Sat 11 June 12noon monument and wed 15 June 4.30 monument
b. Posters and leaflets for Gathering on 25 June. Can you take some
posters and put up on your community, workplace, college? Can you take
a bundle of leaflets or come out with others and put up around town.
c. help on Sat 25 June. We need 10 volunteers for the day?
Registration desk and ACN stall, someone in each workshop to record
comments and ensure runs to time, to help at lunch, to help set up

Anti Cuts Network events this  week and next:
Sat  - Stall at Monument 12 noon can you help with this? at Protest
against political policing, Greys Monument supported by ACN
Wed 15 June ACN stall at monument 4.30pm before planning meeting
Wed 15 June - ACN next planning meeting 5.30pm, Tyneside Irish Centre
Sat 25 June - Anti Cuts Gathering, 10.30am, Star and Shadow, Newcastle
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=14467073560675
Other events this week
Mon 13 June Keep NHS Public meeting 7pm St Johns Church Hall
Tues 14 June - 30 June organising assembly to Generalise the Strike
7pm, Star and Shadow Cinema
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=127879713959350
Wed 29 June COR/ Unite the resistance meeting 7pm, Black Swan Centre

And of course
30th June Big Strike day! PCS, NUT, UCU, ATL plus others will be on
strike against attacks on conditions, pensions and cuts! There will be
more info about picket lines next week, a march from Centre for Life
to Monument (12noon tbc) and loads more fun, if you not on strike,
take the day off, if you at college or school walk out!
Get in touch

THOUSANDS of jobs will be lost on Tyneside as a result of Government cuts, a secret report has revealed.

Experts at jobs agency One North East have released a damning dossier setting out how £2bn will be taken from the region by 2015.

The cuts will see a predicted 50,000 people lose their jobs.

Some 20,000 of these will come from private businesses, with the rest coming from councils, hospitals, police forces and Government offices.


Newcastle city council is cutting over £50 million pounds and 600 jobs are going at the council this includes:
- £2 million cut from adult care services (2 day centres closed)
- Many libraries being made unstaffed and library charges increasing
- Connections service reduced by 50%
- Cuts in children services and Sure Start of 15%
- cuts to youth services Including axing new Youth Centre - MyPlace
- Every team or dept facing massive staff cuts in next 12 months
- Ran out of money to refurbished west end flats so knocked them down

Gateshead council facing massive cuts including:
- Sure Start nurseries all planned to close

School building programmes
- Darlington Programme scrapped
- Gateshead programme scrapped
- Northumberland Programme scrapped
- all this will leave hundreds of schools in terrible disrepair and thousands of construction workers put out of work
- Privatisation of schools / academies across the region will pull millions of pounds out of local authorities cutting services especially in special needs and family support and schools can become selective, others will be forced to close

NHS
- NHS walk in centre in Newcastle closed (had 20,000 patients visit last year!)
- Blood donor centre proposed privatisation and threatned with closure
- Heart unit threatened with closure
- NHS threatened with wholesale privatisation
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust forecasts a net staffing reduction of 119 full-time equivalent posts from 2010-14.
- County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust anticipates cutting 700 staff posts between 2011 and 2014
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is reducing its workforce by the equivalent of around 331 full-time staff between 2010 and 2013, which is 10.8 percent of staff
- Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, which focuses on mental health, plans to cut its workforce by the equivalent of 405 full-time staff between 2010 and 2012. Much of the reduction is due to the transfer of the Trust’s social and residential homes to new providers

Transport
- East Coast trains to axe 200 call centre jobs in Newcastle and relocate abroad
- Metro trains have been sold off

Private sector
- thousands of jobs already cut
- AEI in Birtley just sacked it's entire workforce with no notice or redundancy pay

Further Education college jobs

Job losses:

Bishop Auckland College - 95
South Tyneside College - 62
Newcastle College - 171 or 500 staff forced to leave or take massive pay cuts
East Durham College - 76
City of Sunderland College - 69
Tyne Met College - 66
Stockton Riverside College - 23

Arts

Darlington Arts Centre and Civic Theatre will be closed if Council plans to cut support from £1.2million to £zero go ahead. Darlington for Culture is a newly formed organisation proposing a Community Interest Company to take over running the Arts Centre on a much reduced budget. Darlington Borough Council may have to cut as much as £22m from a £107m total.


Support for students

FE and school students
The cuts to EMA mean poorer students will loose hundreds of pounds in support
Closure to many courses will mean choices and fees will also increase
ESOL courses are threatened with massive cuts or closure

University students
All of the regions universities are proposing annual fees of between £8500- £9000 up from £3000! Students starting a 3 year degree 2012 with have an additional debt of £27,000 just for fees, this is on top of student loans to cover living costs. Its estimated a three year degree would cost you £50,000



 

June Events... Join us!

Hi all,


We've been out publicising the Gathering, and thanks to all who came to planning meeting last week, and those who put up posters on Friday and leafleted Green Fest on Sat & Sunday.

Anti Cuts Network events this  week and next:

• Wed 8 June - 5.30pm, Bridge Bar (downstairs) planning meeting for Gathering on 25 June
• Wed 8 June - 7.30pm, Benefit Gig for HSBC, upstairs, Bridge Hotel with Rathaus, 60ft Squid and Negative Impulse. (£1 min. donation)
• http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=100999899994493
• Tues 14 June - 30 June organising assembly to Generalise the Strike 7pm, Star and Shadow Cinema
• http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=127879713959350
• Wed 15 June - ACN next planning meeting 5.30pm, Tyneside Irish Centre
• Sat 25 June - Anti Cuts Gathering, 10.30am, Star and Shadow, Newcastle
• http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=144670735606755

Other events coming up include:

Mon 13 June - Keep our NHS public meeting - 7pm, St Johns Church Hall
WEd 29 June - COR eve of strike public rally Unite the resistance - 7pm Black Swan Art Centre (with speakers from UCU, PCS, KONHSP and more) 

Also, can you help?

Can you help with leaflets and posters, we have A3 red black and white posters, can you put up in your workplace or college or communty? 
Get in touch 

Publicity for Anti Cuts Gathering

Next Anti Cuts Network Meeting

Join us for the next Anti Cuts Network meeting:

Wednesday 1st June - 5.30pm
@ Tyneside Irish Centre

Organise together to fight the cuts!

Anti Cuts Network supports Demonstration Against Political Policing. Defend the right to protest!

Join us for a Demonstration Against Political Policing – Sat 11th June

Posted on May 13, 2011 by defencecampaign

A demonstration against political policing is being planned by the HSBC 3 Defence Campaign and supported by Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, on Saturday 11th June. The protest will be held at monument from 12pm, and there will be an open microphone for all contributions against political policing. We will have representatives from other defence campaigns and groups, making the links between different instances of police repression, and exposing the conscious and planned state strategy behind it. This kind of demonstration is vital to defending our democratic rights and raising awareness about the behaviour and interests of the police. We need to be out on the streets showing solidarity with all those who are being targeted and criminalised in their fight against the cuts, and making it clear that the state’s repressive tactics will not intimidate us into inaction.

We welcome involvement in building and planning for the demo from all other groups and individuals who oppose political policing – to get involved email defence.campaign@gmail.com or come along to the Anti Cuts Network planning meeting on Wednesday 1st June, 17:30 at the Tyneside Irish Centre.

If you are supportive but unable to come, please send us a short message which we can read out on your behalf.

Defend the right to protest! End political policing!

HSBC3 Benefit Gig - Weds 8th June 7:30pm. Join us!

Anti Cuts Network committed to defending the right to protest:

Following the launch of the HSBC 3 (http://defencecampaign.wordpress.com/) financial appeal to raise £1000, a benefit gig has been organised for Wednesday 8th June. Local bands Rathaus, and 60ft Squid will be performing in the upstairs room at the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle, along with a guest band to be confirmed. The minimum entry donation will be £1, but of course all donations will be a great help to the campaign. The gig will begin at 7:30.

HSBC 3 Update (see Defence Campaign blog for further details):

We have now heard from the solicitor that the appeal will be heard at the Crown Court over two days – 27th and 28th September. Taking the case to appeal carries the risk of further charges over the initial £760 fines. However, to allow any real opposition to the savage public service cuts to be successful, it is vital to challenge the verdict; to oppose the criminalisation of legitimate protest, and to support anti-cuts direct action everywhere. Money raised will put us in a position to fight the appeal, and if successful, the money will be used as a defence fund for future arrests of anti-cuts activists.

Anti Cuts Network - delayed update!

Hi all,

Apologies for the delay in the blog... we've been actively trying to promote the Anti Cuts Network at events since our last post - please see below for updates from May Day. Please check the blog for updates, and future action:
Find us on Facebook too, at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_164838200232624

Update: MAY DAY (Saturday, April 30th)

The Anti Cuts Network marched from the Centre for Life to Exhibition Park in Newcastle, to stand in solidarity with international workers, and to campaign against the cuts to public services. As people begin to feel the effects of the cuts, it is even more important to realise the role international workers play, both here, as asylum seekers and immigrants, and around the world.

Marchers demonstrated their anger at the cuts to public services - cuts which we know affect the most vulnerable first, and which attack the living standards of people across the country. Angry members of the public and activists exposed the cuts which are affecting Newcastle - they also showed the importance of fighting back, and the need to organise collectively, within communities. Join us in organising locally and fighting the cuts!

Images from May Day (thanks to Dory).

Together we will fight ALL Cuts!

Can you help with these actions this week....

Events and actions coming up this weekend, volunteers wanted.

1. Anti Cuts Network stall - 12noon onwards at the monument.

2. All weekend Save Chirton House campaigners will be leafleting to Defend Adult Care Services and build for public meeting
Info from Paul:
Propose following 4 areas:
1. Gosforth/salters Lane/kenton rd/Gosforth High Street ; 2. South Gosforth to Ilford Rd.Mathew Bank and into West Jesmond
3. Jesmond Vale/Brandling Village/Osborne Road streets.;  4. High Heaton/Wellburn Park/Heaton Rd-Cartington Tce/Sandyford Lane
Meeting places can either Pauls  flat in Heaton / Byker (just by Morrisons) call 2650906, or Regents Centre Metro
Paul mob 07599 717 707  or appleinyoureye@googlemail.com
Can anyone able to give up an hour leafleting streets or who can just take a bundle of leaflets from Paul contact him as above

3. Meeting to make placards and banners (and planning anti cuts conference in June - meet at 5.30pm at Star and Shadow)

4.  Don't forget to build for the Anti Cuts Block on the May Day March (Sat 30th April, meet 11am, Centre for Life, near Newcastl station, bring banner, placards and more)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165495160175372





5.  Next ACN meeting - Wed 4 May  5.30pm, Irish Centre, Gallowgate Newcastle

5. Put 25 June in your diary and help plan for Anti Cuts conference

Plus leaflet:

http://anticutsnetwork.blogspot.com/

Minutes of 20 April Meeting

Anti Cuts Network Meeting notes 20 Apr 2011 (19 people in attendance)

1. Newcastle College reports
After the strike action against job cuts last week, people reported on the success of the strike supported by ACN
Lecturers were banned from holding union meetings on campus and a meeting of UCU members voted unanimously for no confidence in the College Director Dame Fisher and of full confidence in their branch sec Dave O'toole.
Stacy reported on the student Save Our Staff campaign and proposals to continue to build support from students, and a meeting with Student Union and the college.
It was proposed that we encourage ACN and other anti cuts group to show support for Striking Lecturers and UCU by using photo of people holding placards (Like the campaign to support vicitmised students at Sussex) will  liase with SOS and NFEN on this.
It was agreed that we will raise with UCU including ESOL campaign alongside opposition to job cuts, as we a aware that staff and students and community will be affected by both attacks.

2. May Day
Agreed to build the may day Anti Cuts secton:
- to have a leaflet supporting those taking action and including support for all those taking action including, strikes, walkout, demos and campaigns, also promoting the conference (Date and details to follow)
- to organise placard / banner making (meet outside Star and Shadow Wed 27 April 5.30pm, Ed to check venue)
- agreed to ask for speaker at May Day
- agreed to put out call for chants on the march and have megaphone (perhaps not right behind the brass band)
- agreed to have chants specifically aimed at Vodaphone, HSBC and Barclays and to make a big noise approaching these shops on the route.

3. Stall at Monument on Saturday agreed we would have two stalls one next to the Unite on St Georges day - anti racist music event, but also on other side of monument so people can talk about the cuts and not disrupt the music. Agreed on stall to have a ACN sign up sheet, HSBC three petion, ESOL and college petions and leaflet about may day and future meeitngs.

4. HSBC campaign. Tom showed the produced statement for raising funds for appeal and this was agreed
IT was agreed to aim for a benefit in June, possibly the date of conferecne

5. Conference to oppose the cuts
It was agreed to plan more for this 25 June conference at teh banner making on Wed 27 (meet at 5.30 outside Star and Shadow)

6. Pete gave report from NUS conference - pressure from left was evident, many students supported the Newcastle college strike

7. Stuart reported on ASOS week of action and will send stuff to list to be circulated

8. Ed reported that more on Chirton House campaign and leafleting about Saving Adult Care in NEwcastle and will circulate info,

Next meeting - Wed 16 March -5.30pm Tyneside Irish Centre, Gallowgate

Next meeting Wed 16 March. 5.30pm Tyneside Irish Centre
Mainly to coordinate transport to 26 March Demo

Minutes of last meeting:

Anti Cuts Network
Minutes 9 March 2011

Agenda
1. Lobby - 2 March 2011
2. Coaches - 26 MArch
3. Role of network
4. Organisation - web/ email etc.
5. Future action / events

Attendance (16 people in attendance, a number of apologies given)

1. Lobby
80 - 100 people, council locked us out
Got good newspaper coverage (whole page in Chroncile) and Gerry got to debate Leader of Council on BBC Newcastle the next day.
We needed to publicise more, leaflets, door knock.
Unions didnt organise any protest / action around the budget
Discussion about other tactics for future protests

2. Coaches / Train
COR / Gateshead PSA - £25 waged / £10 unwaged
Unison / UCU and other unions have train tickets, just for own union members
UCU coach (probably just for UCU members)
Newcastle Uni SU coach - possibly open?
UCU@Newc College?
Sunderland against the cuts
RtW coach

False economy website has 3 listed
Anyone can add to this website. Agreed someone will also set up a list of this information on Facebook

2a. Discussion about our own coach to go down Friday not Saturday
£1350 cheapest quote for 53 seater (£26 each if fully booked)
Other options:
- go on Saturday buses, but stay down and come back on Cheap buses on Sunday instead of same day (Mega bus approx £11-£13)
- Gerry can arrange crashpad accomodation for people who need it
- Other info Dave Otoole offering to sponsor 3 students to attend
- General discusion about pro and cons of where the demo will start and coaches drop off
- Unite offered some support with costs
- TUC website for march has listed 400 coach drop off points in the centre of London, so people need to investigate these options with all local coaches


Actions:
Dave OToole to check UCU coach and where it will drop off
Lizzy - COR coach and where will drop off
Lizzy - to ask COR about getting UNite Support for our coach
Mae - Newcastle Uni coach and drop off points
ACN to send rep to next COR meeting to discuss further (6.30/7pm next Wed)
SAm to coordinate number for interest in coach

Agree to meet again next Wed 16 March - 5.30 (poss Irish Centre to sort transport esp.)

Rowan/ Ed to coordinate email list

3. Role of Network / Organisation

Proposed that we were set up as a "network" that would be bottom up / activist network where other groups could come to, to coordinate action together.
Both calling own actions and supporting other actions and helping to coordinate better and get support for other campaigns (i.e. Occupation, Newc College, Chirton House etc.)
- agreed
Suggested we meet fortnightly - agreed
Suggested we should structure meetings around specific campaigns - agreed
Agreed to support call for day of action against attacks on benefit
Agreed to plan for weekedn event, workshops, discussions, training (May / June) and ask other groups to support this
Agreed to support the NE School Students Union / Network

Practical stuff:
FB group set up Anti Cuts Network
Blog - www.anticutsnetwork.blogspot.com
Email group - Rowan / Ed coordinating
Gabe setting up better website
Frankie to set up action group on FB for just coordinating actions and activity

Events:
Next THurs 17 Matrch - Chirton HOuse Campaign meeting: 5.30, Byker Community Centre, Longheadlam st Byker
Leaflets and stall meet saturday 12noon Byker Metro
Thurs 24 March - ESOL demon - 4pm @ Newc College
Thurs 17 March - VC Expenses Demon - 1pm, KIngsgate, called by NFEN

Other announcements:
Claimants Union meeting  next Fri 5pm
Action on 4th April against benefit cuts

Wed 2 March - No to Council Cuts - 5pm Civic Centre, Newcastle

Anti Cuts Network will be joining unions, service users and community groups in lobbying the council to oppose the round of cuts announced this year.
Many different activists with descend on the Civic Centre as the council leaders prepare to vote through there share of Con Dems cuts part of the biggest attack on our community in a generation. This is just the beginning. This year they are proposals include:
Cut daycare centres for Older People and Adults with Learning disabilities (don't believe the lies about delivering services differently they are cutting £2million from the budget!)
Eight libraries will become unstaffed and the books budget slashed (yes the buildings will be there but this year 8 will be unstaffed and without new books, for shorter hours, this is a closure in disguise)
Cuts to services to Young People 22 jobs in Connexions going (as well as massage cuts to voluntary sector youth projects across the city many face closure)
Cuts to Sure Start, Benefit workers, support staff and many more mean 700 jobs will go this year, this will hurt us all, less and worse services, more unemployment, no jobs for those leaving schools and colleges.
The council chief has had a pay rise this year, while workers face another year of pay freeze and 10% of them face the dole.
This while the college announces 171 job cuts and the university will be putting up fees, and grants to college and school students are axed. We are not all in it together.
But on Wed 2 March - we should all be there.