In Syria, deep in ISIL territory – the Rojava independence struggle continues. The aim is a Kurdish state run by women, but also a state where Kurds, Christians and Arabs can live in harmony. It’s a bold dream and complex.
Here’s a link to one site and a BBC video. You can google for more links!
Ruigoord Cultural Freeport outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Ane early squat turned arts and fesival community space.
A Colombian intentional community/peace village. It was established in the aftermath of tragic massacres of villagers in 1996-97. But the military presence has continued and the peace village exists under threat. Many have been murdered. To find out more of their harrowing existence follow the links to their official site and to a 2010 video.
Schnews. Alternative newscasts, reportage and more from the frontline of activism in the UK and beyond.
Established as a micro-nation by Major Roy Bates in 1967 on a former British sea-fort platform (Roughs Tower) and pirate radio station – this independent nation has a chequered history of fires, invasions, legal battles and more! His son, Michael, is current Prince Regent of Sealand. “Holding the Fort”, as he puts it (also the title of his book).
You are also invited to join Sealand's aristocracy - at a price...
A reality stranger than fiction!
Controversial ‘conservation’ group with lots of activist supporters and a number of critics. Particularly active in campaigns to prevent the slaughter of whales, sharks and dolphins. Describes itself as:
“Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.”
Here is the link to the official site.
The Sierra Club. One of the oldest environmental action groups in the world. Jointly established by John Muir from Dunbar in Scotland. Currently particularly active on Arctic drilling.
SPACES was a three year project for artistic and cultural action in public space, taking place in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It lasted from December 1st 2011 - November 30st 2014 and a film was produced called ‘Free Spaces’, which shows examples of how artists can become political activists in their community spaces.
The film looks of interest but we cannot find a link to it on line. It’s been filmed in the German language. The description is:
“FREE SPACES, based on the Spaces project, shows a new image of four major Eastern European cities. Ina Ivanceanu followed artists and activists who try to regain their right to the city and their freedom of expression with wit and creativity. A cinema gets occupied, an old Soviet circus reactivated, a gloomy underground passage transformed into an ironic but glamorous arena and a factory site converted into a cultural Agora. The film shows that conditions are similar in Tbilisi (Georgia), Yerevan (Armenia), Chisinau (Moldova) - and in Kiev (Ukraine), where civil society revolts, led by artists. All actions and projects reclaim public space in artistic and innovative ways.”
The film seems to have been produced by the Amour Fou film group in Luxembourg and Vienna.
This link to the Freq Nasty site offers some of the ‘tales’ from the free party scene that Spiral Tribe and other rave sound systems were involved with.
Plus a link to the video of Spiral’s FFWD The Revolution. There are lots more to be found in youtube-land.
Squatting Europe resource bank. With articles and information of events and books.