worthing anarchists

Click here for statement on 23TOPIA @utonomous squat in Worthing.

Anarchy in Worthing

There have been times over the centuries when the spirit of anarchy has been more noticeable than others. Such as during the times of the peasants' revolt in the 14th century, or the uprising of free thinking in the 1600s that led to the English Revolution.

In the 19th century in Sussex there was more revolt against the increasing industrialisation, centralisation and control of English life, with age-old folk customs and freedoms trampled over by the requirements of the "economy". And you thought Thatcher was the start?

Sussex burned during the Swing Riots and Worthing become known as a hotbed of revolt with its Bonfire Boys creating havoc under the banner of the November 5 celebrations and the Skeleton Army, reknown for its street battles to kick the Salvation Army out of Worthing - outsiders with a "no fun" agenda of closing pubs. The authorities had to use heavy tactics to put down the riots in town.

But it wasn't until the 20th century that some Worthing people actually started calling themselves "anarchists". A worthing anarchists group was set up in the late 1970s and was very active for a while. Then in 1998 the worthing anarchist teapot was formed and ran a series of squat teashops/anarchist info centres in the town.

This led to a weekly Saturday lunchtime stall in the town centre, which originally served free hot drinks, but later decided to concentrate on distributing literature without coffee stains all over it.

What we get up to

Worthing anarchists today are very active on the Worthing political scene, though perhaps not as visible as we should be, due to our helpful habit of getting involved in other campaigns. We were very much at the forefront of the anti-war action in the town - remember the black flag during the street blocking? - and have been involved in environmental struggles such as the Titnore Lane controversy and the successful Arundel bypass protests. We also contribute to the production and distribution of The Porkbolter, Worthing's alternative newsletter. We are part of the worthing eco-action network. Our anarchist stall crops up at various events, in addition to the usual Saturday lunchtime in Montague Place. We make a point of publicising major anarchist activities - such as the May Day protests and the annual anarchist bookfair in London. We also, of course, attend these big events, travelling up as a group.

Like most anarchist groups, we do not have a formal membership. If you think you're a worthing anarchist, then you are. If you want to join in our activities or just meet and chat, then get in touch. There are no age limit, lower or upper, no dress codes or other restrictions - only police officers are not welcome on our activities! On the other hand, you can be a worthing anarchist without ever having anything to do with any of us. The way you live your life, the things you say to other people, the stuff you get up to in your spare time - all of these can also make you an anarchist. For some of us, however, that in itself is not the way we want to express our revolt and we feel the urge to organise directly and politically under the black banner of anarchy.

What is anarchy?

Very briefly, anarchy is society without government. We argue that this is how society is supposed to work - organically, naturally, using customs that have built up from below and bind communities together without the need for laws, courts and police. Anarchists regard every human being as born free. We have no "duty" or "contract" to obey the laws of a state we didn't ask to be part of. We owe no allegiance to any "nation" that claims us as its own. We cannot be ordered to do anything, forbidden from doing anything - except by our own conscience.

Anarchists do not recognise the concept of "authority" as wielded by the state. That does not mean we are stupid. We know that the state does still have the physical power to impose its will on us, by incarcerating us, using violence on us or stealing our possessions. But its behaviour is that of a powerful criminal gang and its "law" has no moral substance behind it.

With that in mind, anarchists do not co-operate with the thugs and tyrants who try to control and exploit the once-free human race. We do not ask "permission" to hold protests. We do not take part in their sham democracy in which we are invited to select our jailors from a handy shortlist. Anarchists are in revolt against the whole way our society is organised. That does not mean we are against "society" itself. We look forward to a better society, a co-operative society, a society of mutual aid and support, a society where people aren't out to rip each other off all the time, but to respect each other and work together to create a decent life for us all.

If we had a real democracy in this country, we would have that better society already. After all, that's what most people want. But we don't have democracy. We have corruption, power, money and an increasingly repressive central state. Any initiatives to take power away from the powerful or to take wealth away from the wealthy are regarded as "subversive" or even "terrorist"! This has always been the case. Anarchists have always been aware of this fact. And that is why we anarchists have always been ready to fight for our dreams.

Nothing was ever won by asking politely, by writing letters or sending in petitions. We must demand justice! We must demand freedom! We must demand a future! And we must never take "maybe" for an answer!

Contact us - or not!

worthing anarchists

worthing anarchist youth

If you'd like to get involved with any of our activities, or find out more, you can contact one of these addresses. We'd be pleased to hear from you. Alternatively, if you already know one or more like-minded people, why not form your own autonomous cell and work underground to oppose the capitalist system? You can draw on any of the many resources listed here to revolt in your own way and hopefully avoid the state surveillance that has always been deployed against all those who challenge authority.

Links

anarchist bookfair

guerrilla news

Worthing

the porkbolter

SchNEWS

indymedia

urban75

loombreaker

save titnore woods campaign (POW!)

south coast against roadbuilding

worthing hunt sabs (email)

worthing against war

wubfur

tatty seaside town

flatpig

Squatting