North Korea’s hidden internet, and hacking warriors ‘unit 121′.

- James Allen

As the Korean peninsula braces for war, the first conflicts have already begun as underground hacker groups race to gain access to North Korean networks, both military and public access.
In this article, I interview a notorious hacker, known only as “Jester”, and contactable only through his twitter account @JΞSTΞR™. He casts speculation on the danger of North Korea’s government run “Unit 121” hacking squad and reveals his own personal efforts behind the attacks on North Korean cables.

On April the 16th, the hacker collective “anonymous” claimed responsibility for hacking 5 North Korean sites which usually broadcast propaganda. The hacks took place on the 101st birthday of North Korea’s founder, an extremely important day in North Korea, also known as “The day of sun.”

Anonymous claims it was able to plant defamatory images on the sites, depicting Kim Jong Un complete with pig ears and nose, with the text “Wanted. Kim Jong Un.” sprawled at either end of the image.

However, the lone wolf hacker ‘Jester’ has a different story to tell. After a few attempts to interview him about his work, he agreed through a direct message on his twitter account to a short interview. I was keen to see just what he made of the ongoing conflict and what his involvement in the recent hacks

@jjamieallen: So what do you make of the recent anonymous hacks of North Korean websites? do you feel there is a genuine intent behind them or is it just a sporadic uncoordinated attack?

@JΞSTΞR™: I was quick to highlight on my blog that I started these attacks and provided the foundation for the hacks. Anonymous ‘hi-jacked’ my efforts, and whereas is started out as a genuine attempt to gain an insight into North Korea, it ended up being a media showcase, a chance for anonymous to claim the spotlight.

@jjamieallen: I’m sorry to hear that, having read about your efforts, I am aware just how much your exploits go unseen by the media. The western world has quite a good insight into North Koreas technical abilities, with various defectors and other sources clarifying what the North is capable of, but what parts of North Korea’s electronic arsenal remain unseen? What do you know of their ‘hidden internet’?

@JΞSTΞR™: The vast majority of North Korean internet surfers have never actually seen the Web. At libraries and educational facilities, they log on to something called Kwangmyong (roughly translated as “bright”). It’s been around since the early 2000s and it’s a completely closed intranet system, operating via fiber optic cable. It most likely has no more than a few dozen sites, most of them for education or propaganda. We have a relatively good view of the server layout of this network, however, and hidden military cables remain to be seen.

@jjamieallen: Interesting, so there may be less of a military presence in North Korea’s internet network than previously assumed. One story that surfaces every now and again in conversations about North Korea’s technical capabilities is something named ‘Unit 121’, an undercover army of North Korean hackers. What do you know of them, and do you consider them a genuine threat?

@JΞSTΞR™: I don’t think NK cyber threat is anywhere near as advanced as PLA/China, for them to have competitive edge in the cyber world they have to be part of it. They have to have a pool of talent to recruit from, and considering nobody in NK can get on the web, there is no talent. The biggest threat is the fact their ‘glorious leader’ is a basket case.

@jjamieallen: Certainly reassuring words. Some journalists have compared North Korea’s military power to be only marginally more powerful than Ethiopia’s…

@JΞSTΞR™: Their capability may be lacking but the fact Kimmy is crazy makes up for it. After all this shit-talking for weeks, he has to do something or he will never be taken seriously again on a world stage. He knows this.

@jjamieallen: This means they will be using outdated communication methods and very little electronic warfare should they choose to act. Does South Korea have any grassroots hacker programs throwing stones northwards, or are the efforts entirely from American soil?

@JΞSTΞR™: I am pretty sure South K have got their own talent ‘throwing stones’ even if it’s not officially sanctioned. But again, targets are very slim, if you look at NK address space using SHODAN there’s under 20 targets, for the whole country.

Read more technology features from James Allen Here

A Quest to Make Rampion the Champion

By Samuel Peace

Ever since the proposal to build a wind farm off the coast of Brighton & Hove was made public, controversy was sure to follow. Protests against turbines is nothing new as farms can take up lots of land, destroy habitats and are considered eyesores by many people. Off-shore sites can often solve these issues. However, for a project the size of the proposed wind farm (named Rampion), there are still hurdles to overcome. The E.ON owned venture which will stretch between the Newhaven and Worthing coasts, has to please many people before it has the chance to make Sussex one of the UK’s greenest areas.

What is Rampion? – Rampion (named after the county flower of Sussex) is a proposed wind farm which will be located 13-23km off the coast of Sussex. The area of the site will take up 167 square kilometres with water depths of between 19 and 50 metres. The installed electrical capacity of the farm is going to be around 700 megawatts; however, the number of turbines is as of yet unknown (though it will be no more than 195). The generating capacity for each turbine will be between 3MW (maximum height being 180 metres) and 7MW (210 metres). Based on wind speed data from existing off-shore wind farms around the UK*, E.ON is hoping to be able to generate over 2,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year. According to the Office of National Statistics census data, this would be enough to power 450,000 average homes, which is over two thirds of the homes in Sussex (including Brighton & Hove).

Sussex was chosen as an ideal place for such a venture via the Government’s Off-shore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The Crown Estate who owns the seabed around the UK awarded E.ON the development rights for Sussex in January 2010. With many old fossil fuelled power stations being closed because they can no longer viably meet the emissions regulations, the Government’s now looking for ways in which to get renewable (and cleaner) energy. Off-shore wind farms are one source they are focusing on. In the last three years E.ON has been working hard to build up the prospective plans, and to consult all relevant and interested parties. This also included the local community under section 47 of the Planning Act 2008.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust was one of the organisations who was consulted. They helped assess the possible effects the farm could have on the natural heritage of the county. Although the trust is all for cleaner energy, they found a number of issues which could seriously affect the local marine life. The main concern is over the seahorse population which has been spotted around the location of the proposed site. The seahorses are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them or to damage their place of shelter. Shell fish, herrings and other sea creatures were also thought to be at risk.

Timothy Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham commented on concerns raised about the safety of sea creatures by saying that the turbines would be “Beneficial for creating new marine feeding grounds”. His constituents were ‘mostly in favour’ however he said: “Those on Shoreham Beach were split 50-50 in a survey I carried out there”.

E.ON went on to create an Environmental Statement – made available online for the public to see in mid-2012. It details the project and the steps taken to ensure every potentiality is covered. This includes reports on all surveys undertaken and every consultation held. Because the farm will generate more than 100MW it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This means unlike most planning applications which are submitted to local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rampion proposal will instead be seen and considered by the Planning Inspectorate (formerly the Infrastructure Planning Commission).

The statement was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the planning application for the development on the 1st March 2013. After 28 days E.ON’s application was accepted for examination. This means that the Planning Inspectorate will fully examine the details of the proposal and will make the final decision of whether or not to grant or deny planning permission by mid-2014.

Peter Hunter a Specialist Off-Shore Wind Energy Consultant believes that the visibility shouldn’t be too much of an issue. He said: “The ‘cons’ are only visual and only applicable for those to whom it means something. What people did not realise then, but do today, is that it is very rare that the view at just above sea level is absolutely clear.  There is nearly always a sea mist or, during the summer, a sea haze.  Consequently the white/grey structures fade considerably to the land based eye.  At that time I said in a BBC interview that; “the wind turbines would appear as sea gulls dancing on the horizon”.

Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven also doesn’t think the visual aspect will be a problem. He said: “I think tourism may be enhanced because there will be people who will want to see the turbines.”

If permission is granted, E.ON expects to complete the farm by 2017/18. They estimate it will take two years to finalize plans and two years to construct, with a total cost of £2 billon.

Norman Baker MP for Lewes and Newhaven said in the Leader newspaper “I’m pleased that matters are moving forward. This development, if given permission, will create an initial 85 jobs in Newhaven, as well as helping the UK both to become more energy self-sufficient and cut carbon emissions.”

For more information on the project visit the links below:

Rampion Proposal & Map

Environmental Statement

Rampion FAQ

Current Status

To see the final proposal currently under examination from the Planning Inspectorate and to register your interest visit: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/south-east/rampion-offshore-wind-farm/?ipcsection=overview

*As stated on E.ON’s project information page.

Budget helps to cement Olympic legacy

By Tom Mackintosh

Usain Bolt will be among a host of non-resident athletes to benefit from new legislation after the Chancellor’s budget revealed plans to relax tax laws during the London Anniversary Games.

George Osborne announced a one-off income tax exemption for overseas Olympians and Paralympians taking part in a repeat of last year’s track and field event.

The decision will mean athletes will not have to pay income tax on appearance fees, prize money and endorsement income earned in relation to the three-day event.

The event, which will be held at the Olympic Stadium in July, will mark the one year anniversary of the London 2012 opening ceremony and help maintain the Olympic legacy.

Osborne said: “The Government is determined to do everything possible to secure the Olympic legacy and I am delighted to grant this exemption.”

The temporary exemption in the Chancellor’s budget will persuade top athletes, such as Bolt, to participate when usual non-resident tax rules would prevent them from competing.

Bolt stole the show last summer winning gold in the 100 metre, 200 metre and 400 metre relay running events in blistering pace to secure his legendary sporting status.

The reappearance of the eight-time gold medal winner would boost the calibre of the event by luring back other high profile athletes and other international interest.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson welcomed the decision: “We want to attract the very best athletes, and this helps us do that.”

The financial constraints for foreign athletes with no provision in place could discourage them from taking part as they would make an overall financial loss.

Not only does the UK claim a proportion of the prize money and appearance fees, they also demand a share of sponsorship income.

The Government intend to include the policy as part of this year’s Finance Bill with the exemption applying only to income tax and will not cover resident athletes.

Brighton marches against the Bedroom Tax

By Rosie Murphy

Brighton residents opposing the proposed Bedroom Tax marched in the town centre today in solidarity with 57 protests across the country.

They gathered at North Street’s Clock Tower at 12pm to hear speeches and then slowed traffic by walking in Western Road.

Nation-wide people are protesting the new tax affecting the poor by cutting housing benefit by up to £14 a week for those deemed to have a spare room.

DEFEND THE NHS

By Malcolm Cook

At the latest DEFEND THE NHS meeting on Thursday evening (7th March).

There was recognition of the Mid Staffordshire crisis happening here in Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals  (BSUH) if we’re not very careful.

That means patients’ lives at stake which is absolutely unacceptable. We need to build this campaign and we need to do it quickly.

Solidarity has been offered from Sussex Uni students currently in occupation against privatisation plans and so we should reciprocate.

And others who share concerns over NHS privatisation – and we know that’s loads of you – I would seriously urge you to think about attending forthcoming demonstrations to show your support.

If we don’t fight for our health service NOW, it is going to be taken away from us. Simple as that.

http://stopthecutscoalition.org/brighton/

Best lines from the Brighton and Hove Council Budget

Protest at City College Brighton over increasing class sizes

Local Campaigning: To get involved with.

by Malcolm Cook

Students at Sussex have begun an occupation against the proposed privatisation plans of the university, well done. There is a demo tomorrow (Tuesday 11th Feb) at 1pm  if you can make it please do.

Solidarity statement: http://sussexagainstprivatization.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/solidarity-statement-sign-now/

Please sign the statement by sending your name and institution to occupysussex2013@gmail.com

Statement to staff: http://sussexagainstprivatization.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/letter-to-staff-at-the-university-of-sussex/

If you can be in the Lewes area, tomorrow also will see a lobby of East Sussex County Council at 9am over council cuts.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 12th February

Lobby East Sussex County Council Against Cuts

9am County Hall Lewes

Tuesday 12th February

Sussex Uni Anti-Privatisation Demo; Support the Occupation

1pm Library Square Sussex Uni

Tuesday 26th February

Stop Council Cuts Public Meeting

7:30pm Brighthelm Centre – Organised By Brighton and Hove Unison

Tuesday 26th February

Stop March for England: Planning Meeting

6pm Tuesday 26th February

Thursday 28th February

Lobby Brighton Council Against Cuts

3:30pm Hove Town Hall – Organised By Brighton and Hove Unison

Friday 1^st March

PCS DVLA Walkout

Trafalgar Street

Week beginning 18th March

Week of Action Against Workfare

Details TBC

Saturday 23^rd March

Keep Our NHS Public Mass Petition on local Privatisation

Details TBC

South East England MEPs speak about effects of European policy on Britain

By Anna Hayward

Britain has been caught up in fierce debate about whether we should be part of the European Union or not.

Two South East England Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) speak about their roles in this debate and the effect the European Union has on Britain.

Meeting an MEP who flaunts a European Union coffin in his office and another who believes Britain’s survival depends on Europe was an intriguing experience.

Despite having different views Nigel Farage and Catherine Bearder both represent the South East England at the European Parliament in Brussels.

They tackle issues and debate legislation which affects British people.

Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence party (UKIP), is a controversial Eurosceptic.

He dismisses European policy by smoking in his office and believes that Britain should stay outside of the European Union.

Nigel said: “What first made me Eurosceptic was the thought process that we need to be engaged with a world economy. There’s no point having Westminster, there’s no point anybody sitting in Downing Street. Most of the big decisions in our lives will be taken by Brussels.”

However Catherine Bearder, a Liberal Democrats MEP who is pro Europe, challenged this view.

She said: “We have to stay inside. There isn’t an option for the UK to be a viable country outside of the European Union.”

Nigel left the Conservative party in 1992 because they signed the Maastricht Treaty.

He became an MEP in 1999 and is known for his provocative speeches which attack European commissioners.

Nigel recently visited Lancing to announce that his party would be standing for every county council seat in the area and to oppose off shore wind farms saying ‘these monstrosities are an ugly and expensive blot on the landscape’.

He describes himself as an ‘untypical MEP’.

When asked about this he said:  “Although I am a group leader, I came back from Canada last night, I’m here with Merkel today (Wednesday 7^th) and I’m filming ‘Have I got news for you’ on Thursday. New media, you tube has been a fantastic means to get people to understand what I do.”

Catherine Bearder became a Liberal democrat MEP in 2009.

She believes environmental policies should be at the heart of the European Union and opposes short haul flights and plans to build more runways at Heathrow airport.

Describing her role as an MEP, she said: “Most of the work for an MEP is done in committee. We have a committee week. We then have a group week where we get into our political groups and bring up any issues and discuss how will support that piece of legislation.”

The South East England is affected by Europe in a number of ways.

Small businesses are vital for economic growth and Europe helps them to flourish by giving the businesses grants and boosts trade by partnering them with European companies.

Catherine Bearder stated: “A lot of the South East is involved in modern technologies and research grants are supported by the European Union. Working across the single market you can buy parts from Spain or Germany and sell to them. Of all the regions London and the South East benefit hugely from being in the European Union.”

However some EU policies are restrictive.

The Common Fisheries Policy affects the livelihoods of fisherman including those in Worthing by forcing them to throw half the fish they catch back into the sea due to unfair fishing limitations.

A British campaign against this policy ‘Hugh’s Fish Fight’, has drummed up 836,312 supporters.

Nigel Farage said: “There is no subject that makes me angrier. Do you know what the South East fleet’s quota of the cod allocation for this year is? 7% and the French have 77%. I was down in Hastings on the beach there just eight weeks ago talking to the local fleet. The fish that swim in our seas are the greatest renewable source we possess.”

The future of British relations with Europe is uncertain but Nigel Farage is hopeful about Britain’s future.

He said: “Carry on, keep calm. I am optimistic about where the UK is going over the next few years. In the late 70’s things looked bloody awful but there was a revolutionary change just around the corner and I think we are in one of those periods now.”

Brighton’s trainee journalists visit Brussels

By Alex Barbuti

Last Monday, along with 11 other journalism students from City College Brighton and Hove, I embarked on a trip to visit the European Parliament in Brussels.  We had been invited by the press office of the EP who sought to educate us budding journalists in the day-to-day workings of a colossal political system.

Aside from the excitement of my first trip on the Eurostar, I was keen to see how the EP works to represent and govern the European Union and had high hopes that seeing democracy in action would help the topics we have been studying in the Public Affairs module of our course, (one of the harder ones to get to grips with), sink in.

I was not disappointed.  After settling in to our ridiculously nice digs for three days, (the EU budget certainly can’t be accused of sparing any expense when entertaining), we ventured to the heart of Brussels to meet our guide.  Paola, an EP press officer, was an unbeatable source of wisdom and insight on all things EU, describing the world of European politics and her role within it to us in a way that was infinitely more relevant and engaging than our text book.

After a quick spruce up we were treated to a three-course feast, unlimited wine, (the nice kind), and introduced to two expat journalists living and working in Brussels.  Rory Watson and Geoff Meade, working for the Times and Press Association respectively, brought to life the hectic and glamorous world of political journalism many of us had longed to hear of.  After a series of sobering talks about the lack of jobs in journalism from our regular guest speakers back in Brighton, it was invigorating to feel that glimmer of hope once again that life in our chosen profession might play out a little like an episode of The Hour after all.

After a thought-provoking visit to the city’s Parlementarium, a sort of museum of all things EU, and the reminder that the 754 MEPs in Brussels represent a staggering 500 million citizens across 27 member states, we ventured into the depths of the EP to meet and interview five of the MEPs who represent the South East of England.

With the thought fresh in our minds that the European Parliament is now a co-legislator for almost all EU law our interviews, and their big names, seemed all the more intimidating.

Across two days we met and interviewed one Labour, one Liberal Democrat, one Green Party and two Conservative MEPs, all of whom represent the South East of England amongst the 72 MEPs elected nationwide.

After a shaky start and some fierce encouragement from our tutor, we hit our interrogative stride with our third, and by far most controversial, representative, Daniel Hannan of the Conservative Party.

We had asked each member questions about hot topics in the region, including: transport; hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”); and a living wage, but it was Hannan’s staunch views on Britain’s membership of the Union, and his desire for a referendum on the subject, that left a lasting impression on us all.

Putting political opinions aside, the consensus among our group was that most surprising and refreshing of all was the division amongst members of the same political groupings.

We met Hannan and James Elles during our trip, both members of the Conservative Party in Britain and in Brussels the European Conservatives and Reformists but they certainly weren’t singing from the same hymn sheet.  Asked about Hannan’s vehemently anti-Europe stance and assertions that Britain can go it alone, Elles described his colleague’s views as “romantic”, adding that Hannan is part of the “grumpy brigade” and “not known for his business experience”.  Plainly put, Elles insists: “We (the UK) do not have the economic muscle to do this by ourselves.”

The seven groupings of the European Parliament, (members sit among those with aligned political preferences, not fellow countrymen), are not exactly equivalent to British political parties but it seems unlikely that opposing views like these would be so readily expressed in British Parliament.

With the absence of political whipping it seemed members were able to speak far more freely and honestly, and as such their views and the resulting debates were encouraging and engaging.

A tour of the Parliament’s exceptional multimedia facilities and archive; free to use for any accredited journalist, demonstrated to us all that there can be little excuse for national media not to cover the Union and Parliament in depth.

So why is it that, among the 26 people on our course, only three or four had any working knowledge of the role of this powerful institution before our trip?  We are students, after all, who have chosen to study a subject that’s core basis is knowledge of the things that are relevant to and affect our lives.

Maybe the majority of people in Britain just don’t realise that what happens and is decided in Brussels can have a real effect on the policies that govern their lives.  It is certainly not something any of us remembers being taught in school.

Are we sceptical that MEPs living in another country cannot truly understand the issues we face in the South East?  If that’s the case, don’t we share all the more reason to try and understand their role and hold them accountable to it?

For this aspiring journalist at least the EU Observer, the news website of the European Parliament will be the newest addition to my favourites list.

Record low turnout at Police Commissioner elections

By Jamie Maguire

The first police and crime commissioners were voted for across the UK on Thursday, with record low levels of turnout at an estimated average of 15% or less.

Many people across Sussex, and the rest of the country, have expressed a great disappointment not only at having no say in whether or not we should have had these elections, but also at the general lack of information regarding the candidates.

The website http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk said “In late October, every household in England and Wales (excluding London) will receive a booklet explaining more about these elections and how to fill in your ballot paper.”

However, this was not the case for many people who in fact only received polling cards and have not felt able to make an informed decision. One source says: “How are we expected to make an informed decision on a vote when the information about the nominees has been dreadful? I’ve not had any information through my door and if you go to the official website you get three paragraphs about each candidate. None of them offer to tackle different issues and none explain how they will achieve their objectives.”

An information gap was not the only issue with these elections. Many people, including some police officers themselves, feel that the elections were not necessary, and were a waste of time and resources. One police officer posted online: “16,000 police officers cut across UK with government ‘reforms’. Cost of farcical police commissioner elections amounts £100 million, the same it would cost to fund another 3,000 officers. Nice one.”

Various sources have spoken out about how they feel that the elections were undemocratic, and that adding more politicians is not the answer. There have also been cries out against what is seen by many as a politicising of the police force. One person has said: “people will just end up voting based on their existing political allegiances.”

Concerned that its warnings about the elections were not heeded by government, the Electoral Commission has vowed to launch a thorough review. Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said yesterday: “The low turnout at the Police and Crime Commissioner elections is a concern for everyone who cares about democracy…we will talk to voters, candidates and Returning Officers to understand what worked and what didn’t.”

Unknown Warrior

by Malcolm Cook

On September 7th 1920, in strictest secrecy four unidentified British bodies were exhumed from temporary battlefield cemeteries at Ypres, Arras, the Asine and the Somme. None of the soldiers who did the digging were told why…

The bodies were taken by field ambulance to General Headquarters at St-Pol-sur-Ternoise. There the bodies were draped with the Union Jack. Sentries were posted and Brigadier-General Wyatt and a Colonel Gell selected one body at Random.

A French honour guard was selected, who stood by the coffin overnight. In the morning of the 8th a specially designed coffin made of oak from the grounds of Hampton Court was brought and the Unknown Warrior placed inside.

On top was placed a Crusaders Sword and a shield on which was inscribed ‘A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 For King and Country’.

On the 9th of November the Unknown Warrior was taken by horse drawn carriage through Guards of Honour and the sound of tolling bells and bugle calls to the Quayside. There it was saluted by Marshal Ferdinand Foch and loaded onto HMS Verdun bound for Dover.

The coffin stood on the deck covered in wreaths and surrounded by the French Honour Guard. On arrival at Dover the the Unknown Warrior was greeted with a 19 gun salute, normally only reserved for Field Marshals. He then travelled by special train to Victoria station London. He stayed there overnight and on the morning of the 11th of November he was taken to Westminster Abbey. The Idea of the Unknown Soldier was thought of by a Padre called David Railton who had served at the front during the Great War and it was the Union Jack he used as an altar cloth at the front, that had been draped over the coffin.

The intention was that all relatives of the 517,773 combatants whose bodies had not been identified could believe that the Unknown Warrior could very well be their lost Husband, Father, Brother or Son.

Every year on the 11th of November remember the Unknown Warrior…

TEDx Brightons’ ‘The Generation Gap’ is today.

by Malcolm Cook

TEDxBrighton is a one-day conference in the Brighton Dome – Corn Exchange on October 26th 2012. The event will showcase influential speakers with connections to Brighton and this year’s theme: The Generation Gap.

All presentations look at The Generation Gap and help challenge generation perceptions: where does it lie and does it even exist?

Outside of the conference hall, the Ideas Lab will offer the people of Brighton the chance to engage with a variety of interactive ideas, exhibitions and projects.

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, Ideas Worth Spreading. The program is designed to give communities, organisations and people the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated by independent, enthusiastic people, operating under a license from TED.

The first TEDx Brighton at the Sallis Benney Theatre last year was a free event. This year tickets cost £30.

Will McInnes is a Brighton-based entrepreneur. As MD of a company founded on democratic principles, Will suggests how business can evolve to celebrate Happiness, Openness and Participation and in doing so offer more to society than profits alone. His talk is shown in the video above where he emphatically implores the audience to catch up and start radicalising business.

It just may save us all a lot of needless hardship.

http://tedxbrighton.com/

My experiences of marching for a future that works

The photo, taken by Alan Stanton, highlights clearly that all ages were protesting!

By Lucette Davies

On Saturday 20^th October many people travelled to London to demonstrate against current government policies. This demonstration attracted many different people and all of them upset and angry with this government.  The anger was evident by the noise and I found it pleasing to see such a variety of opinions expressed in so many different ways.  The photo shown highlights that clearly all ages were protesting!  The day left me thinking and questioning my own beliefs, so I chose to write this piece to reflect my thoughts.

A group of us eagerly met on Saturday morning at Eastbourne Station to get the train to London and join the March for a Future that Works.  The TUC had allowed Eastbourne a number of free rail tickets.  Considering that the travel was free and there was no early morning start I hoped that there would be a sizeable group attending.  I cannot seem to be able to grasp why so many people do not want to engage in politics.

The group was very small and we had a think about how much money was wasted by the TUC on train tickets not used.  Someone told me that numbers were expected to lower than of those that turned out for the March for the Alternative in 2011.  That also puzzled me as I know there were many people who in 2011 said they had some confidence in the government but now believe the opposite. I thought on the train about the local people I know whose living standards are very poor as a result of coalition policy.  I wondered why they were not with us.

The march was upbeat and many people had made a lot of effort with placards and banners.  It was quite amusing to see how many placards had the word ‘pleb’ within the caption.  I hope Andrew Mitchell has realised that he drew a lot of attention to himself with delaying resigning until Friday.

Twitter was telling me that the rally in Hyde Park had started long before we got to Parliament. Quite exhausted we arrived at Hyde Park even if it was towards the end of the rally. We saw a few speeches and used copies of the Morning Star to sit on the wet ground so we didn’t get wet. The train was not till quite late and if we had sat in Hyde Park any longer we would have been cleared away with the litter!  The only thing left was to head towards Victoria station and a convenient pub.

Walking down Victoria Street made me remember that I find this side of London odd.  There we were; walking boots on, placard rolled up and heading for a pint, when we had to stop as a ridiculously long limousine tried to get round a corner.  People bustled in and out of expensive office blocks while others were sleeping rough in doorways. (I have read there are 50% more rough sleepers in London this year than last). We passed Harvey Nichols and I quietly hoped that if I ever became rich I wouldn’t be spending that much on a skirt.

I saw a young man walking along the pavement and I wondered how he could walk as the soles of his shoes had half torn away.  Immediately after this I saw a group of gentleman off to somewhere in black tie. This bizarre existence where there are people with vastly more than they need, alongside people with so little of their needs met, is what I find extraordinary.  I wondered why these so wealthy people cannot give to ease the suffering in others.  But then I wondered why I had walked past so many of the rough sleepers and not given a penny to any of them.

I claim to be a socialist and to not understand why inequalities happen.  However, I need to think about why I didn’t give to those rough sleepers on Saturday myself.

Mass protest blasts London

Hundreds of trains and coaches from all over the country headed for the capital yesterday to vent their disgust at towards the government cuts and tax evading companies.

The people have been abandoned while politicians and corporate interest benefit fraudsters rape and pillage across the world.

While our politicians harp on about cutting us off they have given financial institutions and corporates more money than has ever been invested in research for the whole of human history, as in the amount that it took to put man on the moon four and half times over.

This is a humanitarian crisis of biblical proportions and the bankers, hedge funders and speculations are pocketing your future and the future of the planet.

A lot of docile consumers are still blissfully unaware anything economic, political or ecological that is going on in the world around them.

If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.

Stop the Cuts

Lots of Anti-Cuts Events going on in the next few weeks below so please do go out and get involved!

by Malcolm Cook

The TUC 20^th October Demo Train from Brighton to London is filling up fast so if you do want a seat and haven’t booked yet please do so sooner rather than later. Just Reply to this email, it’s that easy!

brightontradescouncil@gmail.com

A number of Trades Council delegates will be out leafleting at midday this Saturday at Churchill Square about the demo so come along and help if you can.

Lewes Stop the Cuts Public Meeting – Fighting the Cuts to Council Tax Benefit

Friday 12^th October

West Gate Chapel, Lewes 7:30pm

Protest Against Anti-Squatting Laws

Saturday 13^th October

Meet Victoria Gardens 2pm

Ministry of Justice Anti-Privatisation Protest

Organised by PCS against the privatisation of the justice system

Monday 15^th October 12:30pm Brighton Magistrates Court

Keep Our NHS Public Fund-raiser

Thursday 18^th October

8pm Latest Music Bar

Prior to this at 6:30pm there is a Defend the NHS meeting in the King and Queen

A Future that Works – Mass TUC Demo

Saturday 20^th October

Central London

38 Degrees/Keep Our NHS Public Meeting

Monday 22^nd October

7pm Community Base, Queens Road

Stop the Closure of Brighton Care Homes Council Lobby

Thursday 25^th October

3:30pm Hove Town Hall

Stop the Cuts Organising Meeting

Thursday 1^st November

7:30pm King and Queen

http://brightontradescouncil.blogspot.co.uk/