Listings (updated 25/1/08)

Edinburgh

UPCOMING EVENTS IN EDINBURGH AND AREA

Info from the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh

ACE info shop and Leith Wholefoods open at 17 West Montgomery Place every Tuesday 1-4pm, Thursday 6-8pm and Saturday 11am-6pm.
Cinema every sunday 3pm.
Edinburgh Claimants advice and solidarity every Tuesday.
ACE : 0131 557 6242
ACE is fully accessible

All events are Free / donation

SUMMARY
More info on the events, following summary…..

1) Sunday 27th January at 3pm at A.C.E.
ACE CINEMA presents….
Incident at Ogala : the Leonard Peltier Story (1998)
(90 mins) Dir. Michael Apted (narrated and produced by
Robert Redford)

2) Sunday 27th January 7pm at Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh
The Forum open discusssion
Does Non-Violence Protect the State?
US author Peter Gelderloos speaking about his book “How Non -Violence
Protects the State”
Venue fully accessible (ramp and lift)

3) 8pm Mon 4th Feb and 7.30pm Sun 2nd March at ACE
Organising Solidarity Networks for mutual aid in supporting people up against the authorities
4th Feb – planning meeting. 2nd March – public launch with speaker from London Coalition Against Poverty

4) Every Sunday 3pm at ACE
ACE Cinema presents fantastic films …..check out the full programme below

5) Sunday 3rd Feb 11am – approx 2/2.30pm at ACE
Leith Permaculture Group opening workshops and gathering
More on the amazing possibilities of this group below…..

6) 7.30pm first Wednesday of every month at ACE
Next meetings 6th Feb and 5th March
ACE monthly organising meetings, all interested very welcome

7) 7pm Tues 12th February at ACE
Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group organising meeting
Solidarity with the indigenous zapatistas in Mexico
www.edinchiapas.org.uk

Plus a brief mention of some regular events / activities

Womens Café planned for last Friday every month at ACE, 7pm onwards

Regular Queer Mutiny events planned for Edinburgh
www.queermutiny.tk
www.myspace.com/queermutiny (contains link to their webpage)

Indymedia Scotland meets at ACE last Tuesday of every month, starting tues 26th February www.scotland.indymedia.org

The IWW revolutionary union meets at ACE second Monday of every month at 7.30pm

Action on climate change, see online whatbettertime.livejournal.com plus check out indymedia Scotland for news of latest actions

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MORE INFO ON ALL EVENTS

Digest Item no.1)
Sunday 27th January at 3pm at A.C.E.
ACE CINEMA presents….
Incident at Ogala : the Leonard Peltier Story (1998)
(90 mins) Dir. Michael Apted (narrated and produced by
Robert Redford) A highly informative documentary that
traces the unjust incarceration of American Indian
Movement member Leonard Peltier. It contains a wide
range of interviews including FBI officers presenting
their version of the truth, jury members, reservation
residents, A.I.M. members, lawyers and witnesses
originally pressurised to give false testimony. Offers
insight into the injustice against which American
Indians in U.S.A. and Canada contend and the wisdom
and integrity with which they do so.


Digest Item no.2)
Sunday 27 January 7pm at Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh
Venue fully accessible (ramp and lift)

The Forum open discusssion
Does Non-Violence Protect the State?

US author Peter Gelderloos speaking about his book “How Non -Violence
Protects the State”and his position: information below.
Local anti-war protestors will also be there to participate.

We'll be in the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, 7pm - 9.30 pm,
with the usual stalls, free info table. Hope to see
you there for what should be a really interesting discussion.

http://forumcollective.wordpress.com

Tour Info
*Gandhi said it's better to resist violently than to use nonviolence to
hide your passivity. Meanwhile, Bono, the Burmese military, and 9 out of
10 humanitarian NGOs agree, peaceful resistance is the best!


Violence never solves anything. Violence begets violence. The government
Is strong when it comes to violence, we need to attack them where they are
weak!

Everyone working for social change is familiar with the cliches of
pacifism. And to many people it seems that using more radical, illegal, or violent
tactics is naturally isolating. But what if it's actually our supposed
allies, or our own revolutionary practices, that are isolating us? What if
violence issomething diverse, undefinable, a hopelessly broad category that
encompasses institutions that perpetuate oppression and actions that can empower and
liberate us? What if we are all cogs in a violent system, and what if
pacifists are tools of a violent system?

People working for social change face plenty of difficult questions, but
sometimes matters of strategy and tactics receive low priority. Among
many activists, the role of nonviolence as the default mode of struggle bears
little scrutiny. Even as it pretends to contain moral strength, nonviolence is
a majorobstacle in global movements for social change. Nonviolence is based on
anumber of historical falsifications that enforce an inaccurate understanding of revolution, it protects white privilege and the privilege of the Global North, it can reinforce patriarchal dynamics, and it makes anti-authoritarians complicit with the authorities, preserving the State monopoly of force. Ultimately, nonviolence is
created and encouraged by the State, and antithetical to anarchist revolution.

Digest Item no.3)
8pm Mon 4th Feb and 7.30pm Sun 2nd March at ACE
Organising Solidarity Networks for mutual aid in supporting people up against the authorities
4th Feb – planning meeting.
2nd March – public launch with speaker from London Coalition Against Poverty

Edinburgh Claimants have for some time been working
on setting up a Solidarity Network phone tree, whereby there would be a
group of people willing to turn up to show support/ take action to back
up people in conflict with the authorities.

This could be at a dole office, a workplace, a landlords office, at the home of someone menaced by sheriff officers for debt, a Council office or wherever someone or some people were in need of direct support. Edinburgh Claimants has an excellent record of winning such struggles through making determined representations, but on occasions when the authorities refuse to see sense….we need to act.

The Edinburgh branch of the revolutionary union the IWW have agreed to back the Solidarity Networks, and we hope many people will become involved.

Sunday 2nd March will see the public launch of the network at ACE, with a speaker from London Coalition Against Poverty, who have been successfully operating a solidarity network phone tree for some time.

Digest item 4)
ACE CINEMA - film screenings, every Sunday 3-6pm

All ACE film screenings are FREE ENTRY!! Donations most welcome :o)

WINTER/ SPRING SCHEDULE 2008

27th January, see above

3rd Febuary
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY - How CUBA SURVIVED PEAK OIL [Dir. Faith Morgan]
[2006] [53mins]
In support of the newly created Leith Permaculture Group we are showing
this film on the Cuban community response to the rising price and
dwindling reserves of accessible energy.
There may also be time to show some short introductory films/clips on permaculture
and low impact living.

10th February
3pm - "DAS NETZ" - LSD, THE INTERNET & THE UNIBOMBER [Dir. Lutz Dammbeck]
[2005] [121mins] [English subs.]
German documentary about the rise of the internet, mind control and other
military experiments and the unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. Forms an essay on
the change in society and the encroachment of technology for better or
worse into our lives.
5pm - STEAL THIS FILM - PIRATES OF THE INTERNET [The League of Noble
Peers] [2006] [33mins] [English subs.]
Film series documenting the movement of internet activists against
intellectual property. Part One, shot in Sweden and released only via the
Internet using BitTorrent peer-to-peer software, it combines accounts from
prominent players in the Swedish piracy culture (The Pirate Bay,
Piratbyrån, and the Pirate Party).

17th February
3pm - CONTROL ROOM [Dir. Jehane Noujaim] [2004] [84mins]
Thought-provoking look at the perils of war reporting, targeted journalist
killings, reporting bias from the pperspective of AlJazeera .vs. FOX News
during the initial stages of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.
5pm - SHADOW COMPANY [Dir. Nick Bicanic & Jason Bourque] [2006] [86mins]
Thousands of private soldiers operate in Iraq alone... and many more
around the world. Thjs film provides a look behind the scenes at the
mercenaries and security companies hired by the Pentagon to assist in the
invasion, occupation, fermentation of civil war and "reconstruction" of
Iraq.

24th February
RIVERS & TIDES - ANDY GOLDSWORTH WORKING WITH TIME [Dir. Thomas
Riedelsheimer] [2002] [90mins]
A quiet study of some of the artwork and methods of Andy Goldsworthy, who
makes his art entirely out of things in nature, generally resulting in
pieces that will be consumed by nature through the normal process of
entropy.

2nd March
3pm - IRAQ FOR SALE - THE WAR PROFITEERS [Dir. Robert Greenwald] [2006]
[75mins]
Horrifying documentary about the state of war profiteering in Iraq as
allowed or encouraged by Washington and the Pentagon. Immoral corporate
activity and no-bid contracts plaguing Iraqi commerce and reconstruction
efforts.
5pm (approx) - MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY [Dir. Laura Poitras] [2006] [90mins] [English subs.]
Six months in Iraq, culminating in the national election on January 30,
2005. We watch logistic preparations for the election, with UN, US,
Australian, and local personnel unsure if the election will be held as
scheduled, bracing for violence and for world attention. We also cut back
and forth to Dr. Riyadh, a Sunni physician who practices at the Adhamiya
Free Clinic. Will his party participate in the elections? Will he vote? Is
his family safe?

9th March
YASMIN [Dir. Kenneth Glenaan][2005][87mins][English subs.]
This film looks at a young Muslim woman living in Britain campaigning for
the release of her immigrant husband from his detainment in a holding
centre. Yasmin lives two lives in two different worlds: in her community,
she wears Muslin clothes, cooks for her father and brother and has the
traditional behavior of a Muslin woman. Further, she has a non-consumed
marriage with the illegal immigrant Faysal to facilitate the British stamp
in his passport, and then divorce him. This session also to incorporate
some feminists short films in support of International Women's Day.

16th March
3pm - INSIDE IRAN - THE MOST DANGEROUS NATION? [Dir. Ted Koppel] [2006]
[89mins]
Discovery channel report on the rich history, peoples, culture and
international relations of Iran. Ted Koppel, who was given three weeks
rare access to make this documentary, was based in Iran for 444 days,
reporting for American news networks during the 1979 hostage crisis at the
American embassy in Tehran. The program's title comes from a G.W.Bush
quote from 2003.
5pm - SELECTION OF IRANIAN FICTION [Dir. various] [2000-8] [60mins]
Collection of short fictional films from Iranian filmakers/directors.

23rd March
GERMANY IN AUTUMN [Dir. Alf Brustellin, Hans Peter Cloos et al] [1978]
[123mins] [English subs.]
Melancholic semi-documentary about the West Germany's traumatic autumn of
1977 known as "Deutschland Herbst". The prominent businessman Hanns Martin
Schleyer who was a member of the board of directors in Daimler Benz and
leader in several employer and industry associations was kidnapped and
killed by extreme-left Red Army Faction (RAF). He was formerly SS and
worked as an important deputy and adviser to Bernhard Adolf, one of the
German economic leaders. Schleyer's uncompromising position towards
workers made him a target in the West Germany.

30th March
3pm - WITHOUT TEARS - THE LENNY BRUCE STORY [Dir. Fred Baker] [1972] [78mins]
The story of the pioneering taboo-breaking comedian Lenny Bruce, The film
makes the case that Bruce was impoverished and broken by a series of
unjust arrests and prosecutions in the 1960s. Clips of Bruce performances,
"bits" as he calls them, dominate the film, from Steve Allen's TV show to
night-club appearances late in life when he would mine his arrests for
material.
5pm - OUTLAW COMIC - THE CENSORING OF BILL HICKS [Dir. Andy Schatzberg]
[2003] [74mins]
Story of the life and work of the "Dark Poet" comedian Bill Hicks, his
struggle communicating his alternative message to the ignorant and battles
with television censorship. Includes clips of some of his best known
material and previouly unaired segments.

6th April
3pm - FALSE-FLAG & STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM - A HISTORY [Presented by Webster Tarpley] [2007] [120mins]
Recorded presentation given last year in Edinburgh documenting the long
history of states and governments funding and carrying out terrorist
attrocities for political, strategic and financial gain.
5pm - THE 911 ISSUE - THE KEY TO STOPPING WORLD WAR 3 [Presented by
Webster Tarpley] [2005] [120mins]
An in-depth look at the media and government propagated myths surrounding
the events of 911 and their relation to subsequent formation of foreign
policy, middle-eastern invasions, resource wars and the phoney "War on
Terror".


13th April
3pm - OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [Dir. Rachel Boynton] [2005] [87mins]
American mercenary consultants led by James Carville go to Bolivia to
influence and control the 2002 Bolivian Presidential Campaign. They claim
to represent the candidate who stands the best chance of improving the
plight of the Bolivian people, but in fact they are representing the
candidate willing to pay them to come to Bolivia. Their client Gonzal
Sanchez De Lozada is an arrogant ruling class cigar-chomping goof who does
whatever the consultants say.
5pm - AMERICAN BLACKOUT [Dir. Ian Inaba] [2006] [89mins]
Chronicles the recurring patterns of the disenfranchisement of African
American voters and other minority groups witnessed during US elections
from 2000 to 2004, while following the story of Georgia Congresswoman
Cynthia McKinney, who took an active role in investigating these election
debacles and allegations of voting fraud.

20th April
3pm - TAKING LIBERTIES SINCE 1997 [Dir. Chris Atkins] [2007] [101mins]
Film documenting the infringment of civil liberties in the UK over the
last 10 years. Looks at new legeslation, police powers and technology and
its effects on the right to free speech, the right to protest, the right
to privacy, the perpetuation of fear in the "war on terror" and the
general quashing of political dissent.
5pm - SUSPECT NATION [Dir. Neil Ferguson] [2006] [47mins]
A technology focussed look into the UK slide towards a "Surveillance
Society", "Big Brother", CCTV, ID cards, Biometric Passports, and the
increasing "Database State" which is beginning to penetrate almost every
aspect of our lives. The program communicates the unfortunate reality that
these so-called security measures and legislation effectively label us all
as criminal suspects and do very little to actually protect people from
terrorism and crime (their stated purpose) in proportion to their cost.

27th April
CHAIN CAMERA [Dir. Kirby Dick] [2001] [90mins]
>From the director of "Sick" comes a film made with footage from 10
camcorders shared between 4192 school kids from John Marshall High School,
Los Angeles. Original and candid, this documentary represents our
multi-cultural environment.


Screenings begin promtly at 3pm, please try to be there on time; sessions
also include time for discussions and a swapshop for related materials.
You are welcome to bring along drinks & snacks to share plus there are snacks and drinks available for sale in ACE. If you have any ideas for films you think need to be seen, or suggestions for alternative screening times/days, please do let us know.


Digest item 5)
11am onwards Sunday 3rd Feb at ACE
Leith Permaculture Group Presents...
Low Voltage Sound Systems

Permaculture is about making walls out of shit, roofs out of old bits of car,
wildlife corridors and compassionate communication as much as it is about
growing vegetables in your bedroom.

To demonstrate the holistic nature of permaculture the first learning opportunity will be on alternatives to the national grid. Matt will be taking the first workshop. He will be showing us a small 12volt mobile sound system he has designed that is towed on a small
trailer behind his bike. We will also be looking at retro fitting houses with low
voltage systems, local generation possibilities and wider issues surrounding
energy. No experience needed.

This workshop will be preceded by lunch and a first group meeting. This is timetabled at
1.5 hours, 3hrs in total approx followed by a few short films

Home Brewing
Why give such a high proportion of your disposable income to the
government? Everyone knows they only go and spend it on bombs for illegal wars in
Iraq after all.... Take yourself out of this hideous dynamic by brewing your own
delicious beer. You can make it so easily with only four cheap, readily available
ingredients: water, sugar (organic of course), brewers yeast and a flavouring of your choice (eg nettles, raspberry, gooseberry, elderflower). You make a tea with whatever flavouring you like and then add the other ingredients, wait and then you've got free bevvy.
Mmmmmmmm!

Building a Low Impact Roundhouse

The idea of a community hearth seems sensible for group sustainability. The
double allotment site we have at Craigentinny Allotments has room enough for a small
structure to be built. Group and other community members may temporarily flee the
elements and also store tools etc here. A firepit outside the roundhouse completes the
picture providing a welcoming, simple pleasure for all, a true asset for the community.

Community Garden Project

The allotments at Craigentinny provided at no cost by the council provide the group with
an valuable resource. Although the site is partially waterlogged and therefore
not suitable for traditional allotment style veg growing water loving plants will thrive:
'The problem is the solution' as they say in permaculture. The idea of an indigenous
herbal patch being incorporated into the design has been suggested. Tying this into the
existing Leith Wholefoods food coop and plans for further workshops around
the theme of homoeopathy are ideas that have been proposed...

Guerilla Gardening

The Land Is Ours! There is so much unused land in Edinburgh why wait to
be issued an allotment? It is possible to take control of your own food
supply and grow at least some of your own food, free!!! Now!!!
Method 1
Ask your neighbours if you can use their land. They will probably be delighted to let
you and it means they don't have to worry about costly 'boring' garden maintenance. Don't be shy, people with big gardens are often too busy to be bothered with their
gardens and are often embarrassed / guilty the little use they make of it. Mutually
beneficial, all nice and legal!
Method 2
Don't even ask anyone! Find a patch of unused land (eg a derelict tenement back
green) and just start using it. This can present small problems, so you may only get away
with it for one growing season, but people do it all the time! It can often be better to
get 'retrospective' permission. Once people see what a lovely job you're making
(with the assistance of your friends at Leith Permaculture Group for all the jobs you can't
handle on your own of course) they will be impressed and possibly even want a shot.
Small projects like that can serve as inspiration nurturing both the land and its
people!

LETS

The money centralises power and wealth by its very nature. Kick it in the
balls by opting out as much as possible! Edinburgh has its own thriving
cashless trading system. Trading without money means that HM Govt. can't hawk in on
your hard earned. It is not classed as taxable income so you've saved 25% before you even start. Interested?

Plus... people on benefits can trade legally under the scheme. These schemes are as old as humanity itself and are brilliant.
It's simple: after you join the scheme, you are given an account number and a directory of
goods and services. You ring up say a hairdresser and negotiate a deal for a number of
'Reekies', the currency unit. Your account is then debited. You square your account by providing services to others by any means you see fit, or by participating in the admin of the scheme.
Volunteers are always needed to run, use and publicise this revolutionary
alternative to the status quo...

email: leithpermaculture@gmail.com for more info or 01315544995


Digest item 6)
7.30pm first Wednesday of every month at ACE
Next meetings 6th Feb and 5th March
ACE monthly organising meetings, all interested very welcome

ACE is completely volunteer-run, and we need more volunteers! Come along and find out how you can get involved, eg helping staff ACE during public opening hours, helping organise fundraising socials/ gigs, and millions of other things.

If you have a little spare cash ACE is very much in need of donations to keep going – if you can manage it, a standing order is ideal, forms available in ACE, or e mail us to get us to post you one.


Digest item 7)
7pm 12th February at ACE
Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group organising meeting
Solidarity with the indigenous zapatistas in Mexico
www.edinchiapas.org.uk
We are twinned with a group of 40 zapatista villages, and raise funds and awareness for the autonomous health clinic and schools in zapatista autonomous municipality 16th February. Zapatista handicrafts plus calendars and DVD “Health and Solidarity” available in ACE.

---------------------------

ACE also offers a range of workshops and resources to the local community
including: Leith Wholefood Co-op, Local Permaculture Group, Edinburgh Claimants Support, Alternative Film Screenings, Free Internet Access,
A room for meetings, Local News and Information, Campaign Literature, Magazines, Books and much much more... Why not pay us a visit sometime?!

Child-friendly and wheelchair accessible

Regular Opening Times: Tuesdays 1-4pm, Thursdays 6-8pm, Saturdays
11am-6pm, Sundays 3-6pm

Phone: (0131) 557 6242
Website: http://www.autonomous.org.uk
www.edinburghclaimants.org
Email: ace@autonomous.org.uk



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