Class War

Class War is an anarchist group[1][2] and newspaper established by Ian Bone and others in 1983[3] in the United Kingdom. A reforged incarnation of Class War was briefly registered as a political party for the purposes of fighting the 2015 general election.

Class War at the Anti Austerity demonstration, London, June 2015

Class War protest at Downing Street, 2016
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Events

In the 1980s, Class War organised a number of "Bash The Rich" demonstrations, in which supporters were invited to march through and disrupt wealthier areas of London such as Kensington, and Henley-on-Thames, bearing banners and placards with slogans such as "Behold your future executioners!"[4]

A third Bash the Rich event, scheduled to march through Hampstead, in 1985 was largely prevented by a heavy police presence and was acknowledged by Class War to have been a failure. This event was seen by many as a major setback for the group and many members left to form other groups or drifted away.[5]

2010s onwards

In the 2010s, Ian Bone revived Class War as a political party.[6] Their activities included a weekly protest about "poor doors" outside One Commercial Street in Aldgate, with Action East End and Freedom News.[7] These protests ended in partial victory in November 2014.[8][9] Group member Lisa McKenzie was found not guilty under joint enterprise for causing criminal damage.[10]

Class War also encouraged a demonstration against the Jack the Ripper Museum.[11]

Seven candidates stood for election in 2015, gaining a total of 526 votes, a total voteshare of less than 0.002%. The party was deregistered with the electoral commission in July 2015.[12]

In April 2020 Class War returned as an online daily newspaper.[13]

References
  1. Walker, Peter (29 September 2015). "Class War accuses Cereal Killer Cafe owners of 'milking publicity'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  2. Haynes, Gavin (2015). "This Is How London's Anarchists Prepared for This Year's May Day Protests". Vice News. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. Barberis, Peter; McHugh, John; Tyldesley, Mike; Pendry, Helen (2000). Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations: Parties, Groups and Movements of the Twentieth Century. London & New York: Pinter. ISBN 9781855672642.
  4. "Even anarchists like a little romance". 13 February 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  5. Home, Stewart (1988). The Assault on Culture: Utopian Currents from Lettrisme to Class War. London: Aporia Press & Unpopular Books. ISBN 9780948518881.
  6. Croucher, Shane (8 April 2015). "This party is standing at #GE2015 'because all other candidates are scum'". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  7. "Poor Doors - Class War". Class War. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  8. "Anarchists Have Nearly Defeated the 'Poor Doors' On a London Block of Flats | VICE | United Kingdom". VICE. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  9. "CLASS WAR WINS ROUND ONE IN POOR DOORS BATTLE - Class War". Class War. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  10. Gayle, Damien. "Class War protester cleared of criminal damage at 'poor doors' demonstration". the Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  11. Gayle, Damien (21 October 2015). "Class War protester cleared of criminal damage at poor doors demonstration". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  12. http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP2269
  13. https://classwar.uk/
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