Reclaim Brixton movement - meetings and April 25th protest planned

[editor]

It's still in its infancy, but there's good things happening here, and everyone is invited to get involved.

Last night, an important community event was held upstairs at the Ritzy, tasked with bringing together “activists, concerned residents, fans of Brixton and beyond on a soundtrack of some good music over a few drinks.”

With gentrification fast destroying much of Brixton’s character, the meeting was billed as an opportunity for locals to meet up, chat, network and perhaps find ways to work together to help preserve the soul of Brixton’s community.

Activists and residents gather for the first Reclaim Brixton event

Second Reclaim Brixton meeting attracts a growing number of local activists and residents

A protest has been planned for midday on April 25th.

More:
Reclaim Brixton Facebook
#‎reclaimbrixton‬

 

[cuppa tee]

standard writes

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...-protest-against-gentrification-10158208.html

 

[The39thStep]

Not many people of colour in those pictures of the second meeting .What happened?

 

[gabi]

This bit struck me as slightly ironic

We really need Graphic Designers, publicists and media folk to volunteer and offer their services to assist in this movement if it is to be a success.

 

[Pickman's model]

Not many people of colour in those pictures of the second meeting .What happened?

not many people in the picture of the first meeting

 

[Pickman's model]

This bit struck me as slightly ironic

yer quite right. i wonder how many people at either meeting post here.

 

[gabi]

I kind of support some of the issues, mainly housing. But it does smack quite a bit of NIMBYism. Brixton will always be changing and to be honest some of the changes I've noticed since returning after two years have been quite good.

 

[Orang Utan]

Is this the London Black Revs event?

 

[editor]

I kind of support some of the issues, mainly housing. But it does smack quite a bit of NIMBYism. Brixton will always be changing and to be honest some of the changes I've noticed since returning after two years have been quite good.

Which ones have been "quite good" out of this list: Protest, dirty politics and bloody Pop:Brixton – how Brixton Buzz reported all the local news for March

 

[editor]

Is this the London Black Revs event?

No, That's earlier on the same day.

 

[gabi]

Which ones have been "quite good" out of this list: Protest, dirty politics and bloody Pop:Brixton – how Brixton Buzz reported all the local news for March

Well I quite like having a huge selection of quality eateries for one

 

[cuppa tee]

Well I quite like having a huge selection of quality eateries for one

theres nothing like a nice slice of battenburg when times get tough.........

 

[editor]

Well I quite like having a huge selection of quality eateries for one

That wasn't the question I asked.

 

[superfly101]

Who and WTF is Black Blockade?

 

[Gramsci]

I kind of support some of the issues, mainly housing. But it does smack quite a bit of NIMBYism. Brixton will always be changing and to be honest some of the changes I've noticed since returning after two years have been quite good.

The way things are going I will not have a back yard left in a few years time.

Which is why I think Reclaim Brixton was started by a couple of locals.

A huge increase in eateries means nothing to the residents of the Loughborough Estate whose TRA has voted to join the demo on the 25th.

Brixton Rec Users Group committee at meeting on weekend also agreed to join Reclaim Brixton.

Its the threat to the arches that imo was the tipping point that kick started this off. Doubtless if Network Rail get there way there will be an improved shopping experience and more eateries on that stretch of road.

 

[Gramsci]

yer quite right. i wonder how many people at either meeting post here.

Not many from what I have seen.

Its easy to sneer.

Two local residents have managed to get it together in short amount of time to set up an umbrella organisation for all those groups and individuals who are totally fed up with the way Brixton is going.

They have done a great job getting people together from disparate groups. All praise to them I say.

 

[gabi]

Who are they trying to 'Reclaim Brixton' from exactly?

I'm reminded of a certain poet who posts on these boards' little ditty 'I'm more Brixton than you'

I think maybe it needs a bit more thought before going out protesting. Needs to be slightly more targeted.

 

[Gramsci]

Its worth putting here the FB page for the 25th

Brixton is widely known for its vibrancy, which is another word for social & cultural diversity. But Brixton's vibrancy now has a question mark on it. Will Brixton turn into a living museum or will it live?
Meet up in front of the Black Cultural Archives on Windrush square on Saturday 25 April, midday to reclaim Brixton.

Earning less than £25,000? Or long-standing Afro-Caribbean resident? Maybe artist, musician? Shopkeeper? Librarian? Community worker? A teenage skater? A senior resident? A child who likes to play outside pens? Show the world your love for Brixton.
The fight against gentrification starts here!!

Homes are ripped apart? Recreate Brixton homes & interiors on the square!
Businesses, community spaces, venues get shut? Re-enact Brixton's bustling activist & artistic scene on the square!
Bring deco, props, musical instruments, picture frames, explanation tags, organise audio-tours, anything that highlights the threat of disappearance & tokenisation of Brixton people and Brixton culture. This is a demo and a party, create, participate, think, share and have fun!

Brixton is known for its vibrancy, its social & cultural diversity, not only throughout the UK, but also internationally.

When Nelson Mandela came to the UK as a free man, his first stop was in Brixton, to thank the community for its unwavering support. One of 2014's most acclaimed British films, Pride, tells the story of a colourful alliance between a resourceful Brixton LGBT group and Welsh striking miners. Prince Charles shopped in our markets to help launch the Brixton pound (and bid to turn the Railway Hotel into a community centre, now sold to the Wahaca chain of restaurants). And Will Smith himself visited our schools (where he spun a Fresh Prince rap) in a quest he said to 'see London's Harlem'. Examples like these are never ending. Or are they? Will the Brixton of 2017 be visited, admired, celebrated?

Today vibrancy is sold to garnish property development posters and overpriced bar branding, but in doing so, it is also slowly being killed.

Social diversity is driven out by lack of truly affordable housing. Local businesses are driven out by increasing rents and redevelopment schemes that benefit national & multinational businesses, siphoning money out of the area. Local spaces for people to meet, celebrate, get support or education are being decimated as community groups, long-standing pubs, music venues, libraries & colleges are being relocated, down-sized, repurposed, disappeared.

Brixton's vibrancy now has a question mark on it. Will Brixton turn into a living museum or will it live?
Join us on April 25th to celebrate, group and regroup around what makes Brixton Brixton.

 

[Gramsci]

Who are they trying to 'Reclaim Brixton' from exactly?

I'm reminded of a certain poet who posts on these boards' little ditty 'I'm more Brixton than you'

I think maybe it needs a bit more thought before going out protesting. Needs to be slightly more targeted.

I was chatting to one of the market traders on weekend. Told him I was really glad to read his forthright remark in the SLP about the threat to arches by Network Rail- "No to turning Brixton into yuppieland."

As he said its a class and race issue. The people he ( and me) talk to around Brixton feel they are getting pushed out.

I was also chatting to one of the street artists on weekend doing one of the arches and she said they same thing is happening across central London. Shoreditch being and example. Its not just Brixton its across London.

Just look at what is happening at Sweets Way and the Aylesbury estate at the moment. Just two examples.

 

[Gramsci]

Daughter of local resident did these two artworks in support of the shops in arches and for the demo on 25th

 

[Gramsci]

Who and WTF is Black Blockade?

This is Black activist organised protest on same day as demo at Windrush square.

From there FB page

London Black Revs is a self-determined working class URBAN revolutionary organisation. Our principles and offensives range from anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic and anti-fascist campaigns and operations. We are a democratic-militant organisation that encourages self-leadership but strictly adheres to fighting oppression and exploitation in non-abstract forms. We combine practical versatility, modern methods for organising, self-emancipation, direct action, militant defensive's and offensives and full commitment to the struggle as cornerstones of London Black Revolutionaries.
Our organisation is for those who see nothing else but struggle and will not settle for anything less than a world rid of oppression and exploitation.

And the mission statement says:

Black Liberation and the end of oppression and exploitation

Wickipedia entry

 

[Pickman's model]

Not many from what I have seen.

Its easy to sneer.

Two local residents have managed to get it together in short amount of time to set up an umbrella organisation for all those groups and individuals who are totally fed up with the way Brixton is going.

They have done a great job getting people together from disparate groups. All praise to them I say.

sorry, where's the sneer?

 

[Nanker Phelge]

Earning less than £25,000? Or long-standing Afro-Caribbean resident? Maybe artist, musician? Shopkeeper? Librarian? Community worker? A teenage skater? A senior resident? A child who likes to play outside pens? Show the world your love for Brixton.
The fight against gentrification starts here!!


I'm none of the above listed types....can I not come out to play then?

 

[aussw9]

Earning less than £25,000? Or long-standing Afro-Caribbean resident? Maybe artist, musician? Shopkeeper? Librarian? Community worker? A teenage skater? A senior resident? A child who likes to play outside pens? Show the world your love for Brixton.
The fight against gentrification starts here!!


I'm none of the above listed types....can I not come out to play then?

Gentrifer!

 

[Nanker Phelge]

Gentrifer!

Only lived here for 20+ years.....what a rotter I am....

 

[editor]

Earning less than £25,000? Or long-standing Afro-Caribbean resident? Maybe artist, musician? Shopkeeper? Librarian? Community worker? A teenage skater? A senior resident? A child who likes to play outside pens? Show the world your love for Brixton.
The fight against gentrification starts here!!


I'm none of the above listed types....can I not come out to play then?

You don't identify with artist /musician types then?

 

[Pickman's model]

.

 

[aussw9]

You don't identify with artist /musician types then?

I think the question is why do you have to identify with any of those types? Shouldn't you just have to have connection to Brixton and care about your community?

 

[Nanker Phelge]

You don't identify with artist /musician types then?

In some ways, yes, I do...

 

[editor]

I think the question is why do you have to identify with any of those types? Shouldn't you just have to have connection to Brixton and care about your community?

I don't think their statement was intended to be an definitive list, just an example of the sort of people who may feel disenfranchised by the changes.