Click the link for the full article or read the text below for a shorter summary (Key arguments in Bold): http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/31/westminster-police-anarchist-whistleblower-advice There was no warning about other political groups, but next to an image of the anarchist emblem, the City of Westminster police's "counter terrorist focus desk" called for anti-anarchist whistleblowers stating: "Anarchism is a political philosophy which considers the state undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, and instead promotes a stateless society, or anarchy. Any information relating to anarchists should be reported to your local police." "It unfairly implies that anyone involved in anarchism should be known to the police and is involved in an dangerous activity," said Jason Sands, an anarchist from South London. "There is nothing inherently criminal about political philosophy whatever it is. The police work under the convention on human rights which disallows discrimination against people because of their political beliefs and even the request for information would seem to be in breach of that. It also seems to be a bit useless as a way of gathering intelligence. It isn't focused on anything specific and they are just asking for general information. Imagine calling up and saying 'there's an anarchist in my building. What should I do?' It doesn't make sense." Sean Smith, external relations officer for Solfed, the British section of the anarcho-syndicalist International Workers' Association, said of the call for whistleblowers: "It's pretty absurd, but not surprising, when the state seeks to criminalise ideas it deems to be dangerous to its own survival". "We are a revolutionary union initiative," he explained. "Members of our organisation believe in bringing about radical social change through workplace and community organising, not acts of terrorism. We have made extensive information about our ideas and strategy freely available online." Small groups of anarchists masked and dressed in black did cause some damage to shop windows in central London during anti-cuts demonstrations in the Spring, but there has been little activity of late. The next big anarchist event in London appears hardly likely to concern the police. It is a book fair in October with "all-day cabaret starring assorted ranters, poets, singers and comics; all-day film showings and two kids' spaces".
It is just like the police to try and supress all other political veiws at the behest of their master like the loyal lapdogs they are.
It's difficult to comment without seeing the entire document being discussed (which the Guardian failed to provide). I've not been able to find any sign of it, only the same references to it repeated in different places. I wonder if anyone of the people with quoted sound bites saw the actual document or were only responding to what the Guardian reporters told them. There also doesn't seem to have been any attempt to offer the police right of reply. Based on the limited information available, I wouldn't expect the police would want to be inundated with information about innocent "anarchist" events like the one described at the end of the article and the issue would be one of poor wording (or deliberate misunderstanding to stir up trouble?) rather than bad intentions. I'd certainly need more evidence to accuse anyone of the latter.
Anarchism is an ideology and terrorism is the use of terror to try and force a specific political outcome.* or impose an ideology on others.
No. As bad as anarchist violence is becoming in the UK, the idea of the state attempting to crack down on free speech and peaceable association is anathema to an American at least. I'd imagine to most in Europe as well. Free Speech and the Right to Assemble are basic liberties. However I think if people do see like a Facebook page promoting a Violent Flash Mob Riot at X place at X time.. they SHOULD report it to the police.
Perhaps I did not make myself clear, I believe that terrorism the use of terror to try and force a specific political outcome or to impose a preferred ideology on others. Anarchy is an ideology, a school of thought, anarchists like any ideologues may use terrorism
If you feel so strongly about the injustice of the law that you feel you must break it to make a stand, then you must be prepared to accept the consequences of your actions.
I've met anarchist. Not anarchist in theory but in the flesh. You kno9w, pushing shopping carts full of rocks and gasoline bombs. The anarchists burning a home or a bus. Those are the anarchists that I am concerned with. The adolescent sitting with his friends and whining doesn't concern me. When our problems started there was a crowd on the street in front of my house. They were allegedly "teachers". Six young men with skeleton masks were standing by my front door. I asked if they were teachers and they all laughed and said, "We're anarchists and we came to Oaxaca for the party." Well, the party lasted for six months. I do not ever want to see another "anarchist". I understand that burning, breaking, smashing, and killing are fun but I won't tolerate it.
No is actually winning this poll? It just goes to show that this site is made up mostly of pro-crime, anti-racist, morons. White society deserves to crumble and fall. Too many appeasers.
I don't know about reporting anarchists but how about the President of the United States asking people to forward emails opposing Obamacare to the White House?
LOL, only I say this LOL. Nonsense, and nonsense. Has you met anarchists? I am anarchist and I have many anarchist colleagues and no one would burn things, and less kill.
I don't believe you for a minute. I bet there were Nazis who said, "I am a Nazi and I have many Nazi colleagues and no one would burn Jews." I'm sure there were communists in the USSR who said, "I'm a communist and I have many communist colleagues and no one would starve Ukranians." I saw what they did and I saw them doing it. I met thugs who identified themselves an anarchists. I have seen them spray painting their silly little logo on people's homes and businesses. They're thugs. They might be your friends and colleagues. They aren't mine.
