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Happy Riotversary!

In 2011 Stokes Croft was finally on the rise. Due to the efforts of locals, artists and the greater community and in spite of the disinterest of the council, the area rose to become an important cultural quarter of the city. As is so often the case with success though, inevitably the money wanted in.

Ten years on from the Tesco Riots and, whilst a lot has changed in the city, the formative conditions - money over community, power over people - show no sign of relenting, with corporate domination over, and ownership of, our city still accelerating.

Despite being ostensibly Labour, the local authorities are absolutely in bed with the money - their behaviour echoing the current Government rather than the values of the movement that bears its name. They remain unwilling to take the time and effort to honestly engage with the people who live in the city. We're just consumers to the corporate profiteers, and, in wanting quality of life and local connection, our wants and needs run counter to theirs. We will always fight for positive change, for suitable leadership, for our neighbourhood and for our city. So the struggle continues.

Our latest mural wall, by Kesdrawsfights, Radley Cook & object...

School of Activism: Thanks!

The School of Activism 2021 is over. We would like to say a massive thank you to the thinkers, doers and makers who took the time to share their experiences and ambitions over last two weeks. Taken together the programme of workshops provided a genuine toolkit for creating positve social change as well as exploring some of the reasons why this work is so vital.

The legacy of the School of Activism – what’s next?

The programme may be over but the work has only just begun.

More Sessions: For various reasons several workshops had to be postponed. We are working hard to reschedule these sessions and we will make sure everyone knows about it when they are open for bookings again.

Library of Activism: Over the summer months expect to see resources generated at the SoA appearing on our website and forming the foundations for a free digital archive that can be used and accessed by any individuals or community groups looking to make change or to run a campaign.

Ongoing Work

The Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions generated a small working group who are now developing plans to create a series of P4C workshops in Bristol in the summer. Email Sarah at contact@sarasara.online to get involved or find out more.

The Know Your Rights: Painting Bristol session exposed the madness of Bristol City Council’s approach to Bristol street art, (promote it when it’s marketable and disregard it the rest of the time, unless condemnation is called for). A group will be working on improving this situation and coming up with ideas and solutions for artists painting on Bristol's walls. More on this soon.

The people behind the Conflict in Activist Groups event are in conversation with the PRSC about developing an ongoing series of workshops discussing different practical elements of activism and self-organising, and to produce a series of video resources from these workshops that can go into the library. Watch this space for more (and see their call out below for video help).

The wider issues explored such as land ownership, remembering social struggles, and telling our own stories are part of the very fabric of all of the PRSC’s work. Later this year we will be helping to launch share issues for the Stokes Croft Land Trust and we will continue to support the Right to Roam campaign in every way we can. We have offered the CARGO Movement free use of our office space (which previously acted as the incubator of The Bristol Cable) and will continue to work with them and with all other local radical historians to make sure we learn all the lessons from our past and not just the ones written by the winners. And we will also continue to support local artists, makers and poets, allowing their stories of protest, resistance and change to carry on being told.

If you want more of Pete the Temp after the excellent Technologies of Re-Enchantment creative writing workshop last week, we'd recommend checking out his podcasts - and if you're interested in taking it further, Pete also offers personalised tuition to develop your craft in literature and the performing arts.

The team behind the Video and Activism workshop are looking for anybody who likes video editing to assist with a film called 'Get Better With Activism - How Activists Might Achieve Their Aims'. If you fancy joining them for a test, please contact the VideosAndArticlesWorkgroup or email VideosAndArticles@gmail.com.

Hello Henry... Henry... Henry... Henry

Fresh from the kiln, 'Noble Descent' gives Big Henry a juicy Carmen Miranda makeover as his square-headed mini-mes look on. Available as either a plate or a pasta bowl, Bev Milward's latest creations will help you eat the rich in style.

Local Elections - May 6th

Why do we keep banging on about the local election? Who cares anyway?

Almost all the issues most relevant to local people, including the provision of social housing and public transport, who gets planning permission for local developments, how the city's waste is handled, which local businesses get licenses, whether vehicle dwellers are offered a safe and appropriate place to stay, whether street artists will be prosecuted, what happens in our parks, green spaces and childrens' play areas etc, are all decided by our local authorities - the Mayor and the city council - so who those people are, and which parties they represent matters.

In fact this year several parties are running mayoral candidates who are standing on the policy of scrapping the Bristol Mayor and rolling this into the new position of WECA Mayor so this election makes a particular difference.

But it's not worth voting. What difference does one vote make anyway?

Despite everything listed above, a lot of people don't see the point of voting in their local elections. This means that actually a very small number of voters get to choose our council and our mayor, and sometimes just a handful of people can make the difference between one candidate and another.

If you are an activist, if you want to make change, if you believe in building a better world, if you care about what happens in your neighbourhood, then you need to use all the tools at your disposal. And one that thousands of our ancestors marched, fought and suffered to get for us was the vote. So use it.

What and who am I voting for?

On the Who Can I Vote For? website you can find lists of candidates for the following positions:

Can't vote in person?

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote by mail is 5pm on 27 April, although emergency proxy votes will be available up until 5pm on election day if voters need to self-isolate.

Mayoral hustings & other pre-election events

Recommended Reading

Bristol is now the UK’s leader in ‘authoritarian democracy’ - an opinion piece diving deep into the current state of our city's politics
The Bristol Cable's 2021 Election coverage includes articles, interviews with candidates, and a Citizens' Agenda
Mayors Are Blairite Nonsense and We Don’t Need Them - another opinion piece championing more devolution, less mayors

An update from the Bristol Citizens' Assembly

The Bristol Citizens' Assembly have spent several months discussing and preparing to respond to the important question ‘How do we recover from COVID-19 and create a better future for all in Bristol?’. A formal report describing Bristol’s citizens’ assembly journey and full details of the recommendations will be presented in May, following the local elections.

Community News

St Anne’s House

Bricks are thrilled to launch St Anne’s House, a new creative and community hub in Brislington, offering events, community activities and artist development opportunities over the next year.

Want to be part of it? There are big, light, studios, offices and desk space for rent at affordable rates. Apply now »

Lend a hand in Netham Park

Come and lend a hand in Netham Park to make it a better place for people and wildlife. Bristol & Bath Park Foundation are running a variety of activities and tasks as part of their Your Park project, including digging, clipping, planting wildflowers and more. Join in 9.30am to 12.30pm any Saturday mornings from 24 April to 26 June. Contact George.Tapp@bbpf.org.uk or call or message 07926 787360 to find out more and register your interest.

Solidarity is our best defence

Were you arrested at or since any of the recent Kill the Bill demos in Bristol?
Were you injured by the police at any of the protests?
Did you witness or record any arrests or police violence?

Get in touch with Bristol Defendant Solidarity, who are offering legal support and advice, help preparing for trials and legal action, and access to emotional support. They are also collecting evidence of police brutality. Reach them on 07510 283424 or bristoldefendantsolidarity@riseup.net.

Things To Do

Festival of Ideas Democracy Season

Bristol Ideas are hosting a new series on the future of democracy and freedom of expression with sessions on new thinking, citizens’ assemblies, the future of liberalism and conservatism, women and freedom of speech, how to deal with strongmen leaders and debates with the candidates for both the city and WECA mayor. Also recommend watching Andrew Kelly in conversation with Amy Slipowitz on 'Why is Democracy in Decline and What Do We Do About It?'.

Everybody Welcome: protect your Right to Roam

Right to Roam is teaming up with XR for a special action THIS SATURDAY 24th April, marking the 89th anniversary of the Kinder Trespass. They are asking people to go on a trespass walk, swim or paddle on a local area out of bounds to public access, to highlight the absolute necessity for greater access to nature, not just for our public health, but for the health of the environment. There's plenty of supporting resources, including a letter to the landowner, a welcome sign, a press release, and a Trespassers Guide for a quick insight on what to do if challenged. Read more here »

While we're on the subject, Nick Hayes - artist, author, activist and Right to Roam campaigner - discusses trespassing on the latest edition of the Eatweeds podcast, an audio journey through the wonderful wild world of plants exploring their past and present uses in human culture. Listen here »

Cube's Bluescreen turns 20!

The Blue Screen held its first short film night at the Cube Microplex on April 26 way back in 2001, evolving from past film jams & experimental screen events into a space for local filmmakers to show their films to an actual audience. Twenty years on, Bluescreen continues with the same ethos of the early days, currently screening/streaming films via Cube TV as Bluescreen:Bluestream. Join the Bluescreen team as they screen a celebratory selection of short films from their murky cinematic archives, Monday 26 April from 7.30pm. Watch for FREE here »

From the Ground Up II: Taking Action - starts tomorrow!

From 22-25 April 2021, the COP26 Coalition are hosting From the Ground Up II: Taking Action, their second global gathering for climate justice. The four day online gathering is free to attend, and offers 18 sessions dedicated to some of the key issues facing our movements today, plus space for activists and community members to discuss, plan and strategise about how to build a powerful, effective and inclusive climate justice movement. Read more & register here »

Making art for a change

This week's Lunchtime Talk at Pervasive Media Studios is from Colombian-British artist Matthew Plummer-Fernández, who will be sharing his latest work-in-progress and ideas around digital art practice in response to the climate crisis. Streaming Fri 23 April, 1pm. Register here »

Summer Term Creative Courses @ CYN

Registration is now open for Creative Youth Network's Summer Term (26th April - 9th July), including craft, arts, dance, songwriting, animation and more. Read more & register here »

Buy Secondhand

Now that distanced mingling is allowed, and the weather is nice, markets are back on. The M32 Fleamarket is happening this Saturday 24th April from 11am-4pm, and again on 29th May. Under the M32 flyover, by the DIY Skatepark, Eastville, BS5 6PE.

Have Your Say

Hold Facebook to account for their role in Amazon destruction

An explosive BBC investigation has just found that huge chunks of Amazonian land, which are supposed to be protected, are up for sale on Facebook. The Amazon rainforest helps regulate the climate and is home to millions of people – many of whom are Indigenous people or traditional communities - but Facebook’s Marketplace is allowing huge swathes of protected and Indigenous land to be sold on its platform at the click of a button. Please sign and share the Greenpeace campaign »

Help Feed Bristol survey

Help Feed Bristol are conducting research into food poverty in Bristol - specifically accessibility to cooking facilities, equipment and resources -to improve their support of food banks and those experiencing food poverty. Complete the survey »

Jobs & Opportunities

RELAY project space open call

Artists, producers, makers - Bricks are looking for inventive proposals for month-long projects in their temporary project space, RELAY. This might be curating a show, making new work or collaborating with other artists, but Bricks are open to hearing your ideas! Deadline: 21 May. Find out more & apply »

Project Coordinator with Bristol Bike Project

Bristol Bike Project need someone to coordinate and grow their volunteer programs, coordinate their co-op’s governance and membership, implement and develop their HR policies and practices, and support their fundraising and trading work. Deadline: midnight, Sunday 25 April 2021. Find out more & apply »

Work with Bricks

Bricks are currently advertising for three roles based in St Anne's House. The deadline for all applications is 10am on Tuesday 11th May 2021.

Kickstart roles with Bristol Old Vic

A brilliant opportunity for five young people to begin a career in the cultural sector, working with Bristol Old Vic as they reopen and rebuild. These roles - Broadcast Assistant, Events Assistant, Ferment Coordinator, Heritage Assistant, Workshop Assistant - will be supporting their in person and live stream programme plus their developing digital work, a new food and beverage business, a busy workshop and their artist development and engagement departments. Applicants must be 18-24 and on Universal Credit. Applications must be made through the Job Centre via a DWP work coach. Deadline: 30 Apr 2021, midday. Find out more & apply »

More Kickstarting at Noods Radio

Backed by the same government Kickstart Scheme, Noods Radio are looking for a Marketing Assistant and an Assistant Studio Manager. Deadline: 12 May.

Freelance filmmakers required

Unique Voice - creators of films for charities, schools and organisations that wish to make a positive social impact - are currently on the hunt for freelance filmmakers who are able to lead on the whole lifecycle of a project. Closing date: Friday 14th May 2021 Find out more & apply »

Through the Lens

The art of protest, from last Saturday's Kill the Bill demo (next demo: May 1st)
Gatton Road. Something's coming...
New paint on Turbo Island
Teeny little community garden in Montpelier.
Easton housing - M32 Skatepark...
...and Eastville Park
Archaeology of street art, Lawrence Hill
More layers on Jamaica Street
Homer gets political in St Pauls
Art on the Croft

Throughout this crisis our work with rough sleepers continues. Please click on the button below to support this ongoing work.

Donate to support our homeless community
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Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft
17-35 Jamaica Street,
Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS2 8JP
United Kingdom

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