Class War
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Class War is an anarchist group[1][2] and newspaper established by Ian Bone and others in 1983[3] in the United Kingdom. A reforged incarnation of Class War was briefly registered as a political party for the purposes of fighting the 2015 general election.
Events
In the 1980s, Class War organised a number of "Bash The Rich" demonstrations, in which supporters were invited to march through and disrupt wealthier areas of London such as Kensington, and Henley-on-Thames, bearing banners and placards with slogans such as "Behold your future executioners!"[4]
A third Bash the Rich event, scheduled to march through Hampstead, in 1985 was largely prevented by a heavy police presence and was acknowledged by Class War to have been a failure. This event was seen by many as a major setback for the group and many members left to form other groups or drifted away.[5]
2010s onwards
In the 2010s, Ian Bone revived Class War as a political party.[6] Their activities included a weekly protest about "poor doors" outside One Commercial Street in Aldgate, with Action East End and Freedom News.[7] These protests ended in partial victory in November 2014.[8][9] Group member Lisa McKenzie was found not guilty under joint enterprise for causing criminal damage.[10]
Class War also encouraged a demonstration against the Jack the Ripper Museum.[11]
Seven candidates stood for election in 2015, gaining a total of 526 votes, a total voteshare of less than 0.002%. The party was deregistered with the electoral commission in July 2015.[12]
In April 2020 Class War returned as an online daily newspaper.[13]
References
- ^ Walker, Peter (29 September 2015). "Class War accuses Cereal Killer Cafe owners of 'milking publicity'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ Haynes, Gavin (2015). "This Is How London's Anarchists Prepared for This Year's May Day Protests". Vice News. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ Barberis, Peter; McHugh, John; Tyldesley, Mike; Pendry, Helen (2000). Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations: Parties, Groups and Movements of the Twentieth Century. London & New York: Pinter. ISBN 9781855672642.
- ^ "Even anarchists like a little romance". 13 February 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Home, Stewart (1988). The Assault on Culture: Utopian Currents from Lettrisme to Class War. London: Aporia Press & Unpopular Books. ISBN 9780948518881.
- ^ Croucher, Shane (8 April 2015). "This party is standing at #GE2015 'because all other candidates are scum'". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "Poor Doors - Class War". Class War. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "Anarchists Have Nearly Defeated the 'Poor Doors' On a London Block of Flats | VICE | United Kingdom". VICE. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "CLASS WAR WINS ROUND ONE IN POOR DOORS BATTLE - Class War". Class War. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ Gayle, Damien. "Class War protester cleared of criminal damage at 'poor doors' demonstration". the Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ Gayle, Damien (21 October 2015). "Class War protester cleared of criminal damage at poor doors demonstration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP2269
- ^ https://classwar.uk/