[ssf] WAKE UP FOR A Critical Mass

[zerosevenfour two]

WAKE UP FOR A Critical Mass: On the Streets! Off Sheffield
June 11th 8:30am Devonshire Green

To join The Anti 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!) We aim to join the anit war demo on the same day 
and bike with them to peace in the park however Most off all, it will be 
peaceful, safe and fun!
Do I need a bike?

Nope! Critical Mass is not just for bikes - skateboards, roller blades, 
wheelchairs, pogo sticks — space hopers are more than wellcome, in fact any 
form of non-motorised, non-polluting are all very welcome!
So why a Crticall Mass / Anti War Demo?

>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 some 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 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!
Stop press Stop press Stop press

There will be another Critical Mass: On the Streets! Off Sheffield June 15th 
4:30pm Devonshire Green when the g8 arives in town to meet a planned demo 
for 7:30 same night..

Check www.sheffield.dissent.org.uk for upcoming details for info of events. 
Not on the web then try The BBC city center. Any local library.. Open from 
Monday to Saturdays.(check there times) There is also Access space open 
Tuesday to Saturday 11 to 7 one sidney street Sheffield.

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