[g8-sheffield] Critical Mass: taking to the streets!..

[worldwarfree at riseup.net]

below is a copy of text i have done for a FLYER to build the week long planed
actions critcall mass anit war demo peace in the park i have used some text
from the exallnt one h has done and self writen other bits are nicked even more
from other places.. once i have an end copy once we have done the trade mark
anorak mash up for the meeting on wed and ill offer to print say 2000 copys for
ditrabution.. ill cover the cost from my pocket..

Critical Mass: taking to the streets!  Off Sheffield June 11th 8:30am
Devonshire Green To join the anit war demo on the same day..

WHAT'S IS ALL ABOUT?
Critical Mass is often described as an 'unorganised coincidence'. It happens
when a lot of cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and
decide to cycle the same way together for a while

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE?
"Everyday, all over the world, people are resisting the problem culture of the
car by getting on their bikes and riding, instead of driving. Critical Mass is
a celebration of the alternatives to cars, pollution, accidents and the loss of
public spaces and freedoms. Not an organisation or group, but an idea or tactic,
Critical Mass allows people to reclaim cities with their bikes, just by getting
together and out-numbering the cars on the road"

WHAT HAPPENS ON A CRITICAL MASS?
Each one is different and they follow no set route, with the direction being
spontaneously chosen as people cycle along. Anyone is free to join or leave the
ride as it pedals along. The ride lasts no more than a couple of hours
(depending on the weather!) and usually ends in a conveniently placed pub for
more drinks. Most all, they are peaceful, safe and fun!

DO I NEED A BIKE?
Nope! Critical Mass is not just for bikes - skateboards, roller blades,
wheelchairs, pogo sticks - in fact any form of non-motorised, non-polluting are
all very welcome!

So why a Crticall Mass / Anti War Demo on the 11th JUNE?
>From the 15th - 17th June the Justice and Interior Ministers from the eight most
powerful countries in the world - the G8 - will meet in Sheffield. Groups of
local people are coming together to show them how unwelcome they and their
painful policies are. But also to create space where we can share experiences,
learn from each other, and explore alternatives through which we can prioritise
the needs, dignity and joy of people and protect our environment. While the G8
Ministers are in Sheffield discussing policies and tactics of increasing
repression, we will make clear our rejection of them and work towards true
freedom, peace and democracy.

If you make people frightened enough they will agree to anything......
It has been argued by many that if you get people to be scared enough they will
easily give up hard won civil liberties and turn on others to protect
themselves. Is this what is happening to us – a constant bombardment of images
and sound bites from the media, politicians and other people who we are told
"know best", whipping up a disproportionate fear of crime, fear of foreigners,
fear of migrant workers and asylum seekers, probably even fear of our own
neighbours. Where will this end and where will it leave us and our communities?
What will our lives be like when we have traded in all our civil liberties to
protect ourselves from these exaggerated demons? No rights to be angry with our
government? No right to protest and demand change? Unlimited detention?

Trial without jury? Not knowing what we are on trial for? House Arrest? No scope
for anonymity and personal freedom - ID cards, CCTV, databases, DNA samples,
retina scans? No right to asylum and freedom from persecution and the wars
perpetuated by others? No right to work here and contribute to the economic and
social well being of our communities? How long will it be until we have no
rights at all and all that was hard won for us by past generations is lost?

No Justice No Peace.......
The Justice and Interior Ministers are meeting in Sheffield to discuss these
very issues - how people can be controlled and monitored, how much further
civil rights can be dismantled to aid the continuing so called "War on Terror",
how to keep out asylum seekers and other migrants without considering how the
warmongering, perpetuation of conflicts and economic exploitation of people in
other countries contributes to migration and how our own countries have grown
prosperous from the contribution of migrant workers. Nowhere in this dialogue
is there to be any meaningful use of the word "Justice".

This will be the start of a week of direct action a three day conyter confrance
and other events slef organised by people who are working AGAINST THE G8 in
Sheffield.

So how can I join in?......
The anti war demo will be marching to Peace in the Park where there will be more
Workshops talks and planning for Action when the G8 Circus comes to Town here
are some other planned events in the lead up to G8 coming to Sheffield.

A whole host of events are planned in Sheffield and are listed on the back of
this flyer, and there are many ways you can get involved - protesting, creative
actions against the G8, clowning around with the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel
Clown Army, banner making, counter-conference, workshops, benefit nights of
bands and sound systems, film nights, Peace in the Park festival - we hope you
will be able to join us in a week long festival of resistance and change in
Sheffield.

For more information contact g8-sheffield at lists.aktivix.org Join the email list
via our website at www.sheffield.dissent.org.uk  For people wanting to come
from out of town convergence places for people to stay have been organised.
Stay tuned to our website for details!

“If you go to one demonstration and then go home, that’s something, but people
in power can live with that. What they can’t live with is sustained pressure
that keeps building, organisations that keep doing things, people that learn
from the last time and do better next time.”