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Class War

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Class War protest at Downing Street, 2016

Class War is an anarchist group[1][2] and newspaper established by Ian Bone and others in 1983[3] in the United Kingdom. An incarnation of Class War was briefly registered as a political party for the purposes of fighting the 2015 United Kingdom general election.

Events

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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

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Class War at the Anti Austerity demonstration, London, June 2015

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]

In the 2015 United Kingdom general election, Class War stood seven candidates which received a total of 526 votes. The party was voluntarily deregistered with the electoral commission in July 2015.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Walker, Peter (29 September 2015). "Class War accuses Cereal Killer Cafe owners of 'milking publicity'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  2. ^ Haynes, Gavin (2015). "This Is How London's Anarchists Prepared for This Year's May Day Protests". Vice News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Even anarchists like a little romance". 13 February 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  5. ^ Home, Stewart (1988). The Assault on Culture: Utopian Currents from Lettrisme to Class War. London: Aporia Press & Unpopular Books. ISBN 9780948518881.
  6. ^ Croucher, Shane (8 April 2015). "This party is standing at #GE2015 'because all other candidates are scum'". International Business Times UK. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Poor Doors - Class War". Class War. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Anarchists Have Nearly Defeated the 'Poor Doors' On a London Block of Flats". VICE. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  9. ^ "CLASS WAR WINS ROUND ONE IN POOR DOORS BATTLE - Class War". Class War. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  10. ^ Gayle, Damien (21 October 2015). "Class War protester cleared of criminal damage at poor doors demonstration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Class War [De-registered 06/07/15]". The Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
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