Mayday Monopoly
As the global capitalist misery machine
continues, so our struggle continues!
Mayday 2001 Reports
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Sale of the Century!
Despite the climate of fear created by police and politicians whipping the corporate media into a frenzy of outrage and horror at the impending destruction of all held dear by decent folks, Mayday Monopoly was an amazing success.
The Wombles squat crew had spent the past weeks locating a suitable building to function as the Mayday Convergence centre, finally opening up 'The Bacon Factory' in Southwark on the Friday night before the action. Within twelve hours the abandoned warehouse had become a bustling hive of mischeviousness, with banner-making, meetings, equipment-making sessions, legal advice, a free kitchen, kid's space and the cleanest toilets south of the river.
The cops had it under surveillance all weekend, tailing people to and from the tube station. Despite this, people from all over the country and beyond used the space to get some food, somewhere to sleep and catch up with friends, to plan actions and create affinity groups.
Gallery: Mayday 2001 Wombles >>>
In the early hours of the morning of Mayday, a furtive gang crept from the Convergence Centre and began to dance in circle, chanting and holding hands. In the middle of the circle was the object of the mysterious ceremony: a toy Great Uncle Bulgaria Womble. Those leaving the centre that morning were all placed under Section 60 and searched. Many were followed for the rest of the day.
Actions took place across London, with the Critical Mass cyclists keeping the traffic under control. Thousands gathered to protest at the World Bank offices, then marched towards Oxford Circus. By 2.30pm, many of these were trapped by a huge cordon of riot police.
The much-misreported Sale of the Century! action still went ahead, as an ever-growing band of WOMBLES and friends distributed special Mayday bank notes that challenged people to think about the true value - and cost - of money and capitalism. The newspapers had been full of hype, that riot-trained mobs were going to loot everything in sight. Dull-witted journos had fallen for the pig propaganda about the twisted plans of the evil Wombles - that we intended seizing Selfridges (!!???!!@) and smashing everything. If they had been to our large public meetings they would have known the pigs were lying, but it was easier for them to write the cop propaganda than report the truth.
When riot cops blocked the free movement of the citizens, the Wombles marched towards them shouting "No violence!", but the cops weren't listening. Down came the batons, on helmets, shields and bodies. Legs and shins were battered heavily: those Wombles without shin-pads were in trouble. Several clashes around Cavendish Square and the John Lewis store on Oxford Street allowed people to escape from another police cordon. The crowd marching with the Wombles grew to over a thousand as they headed to Holborn via Bond Street and Soho.
Those detained at Oxford Circus were held for up to seven hours, with many people injured by vicious baton charges. There were widespread reports of police brutality and abuse of their powers. Whole districts of London were under Section 60 orders, but Oxford Street remained boarded up all night - it is estimated that £25 million-worth of trade was lost to that street on Mayday.
See UK IndyMedia for the latest Mayday news >>>
Pictures of Mayday 2001 Wombling Fun >>>
See the Mayday Monopoly web site for details of other Mayday actions.
London Mayday 2001: Sale of the Century! leaflet PDF
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Mayday 2001: Monopoly
The theme for Mayday 2001 London events is the 'monopoly' game. Using the symbolism of the monopoly game, diverse groups will perform autonomous actions throughout London relating to squares on the monopoly board.
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- http://www.mayday2001.org
- http://www.infoshop.org/octo/mayday2001.html
- http://www.s11.org/m1/melbourne
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