From: "Margaret" <margaret-AT-rie.net.au>
Subject: AUT: Catholic Worker workshop banned from London anarchist bookfair
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2001 07:54:16 +1000


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.


From: Ciaron O'Reilly
To: mail-AT-martinpeacock.org
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2001 1:25 AM
Subject: Catholic Worker workshop banned from London anarchist bookfair


Dear Folks,

Thanx for a detailed response, such detail should have been there from the beginning when you decided to ban the Catholic Worker from giving a workshop at the anarchist book fair.  I had to chase you to find out we had been blacklisted, you didn't get back to us (have we got our 20 quid back yet???).

I'll be writing an open letter next week.............apologies that the emails os far have been emotive, but being censoreed by the anrchist movement is an emotional issue for me after taking a life time of shit (from the state, church bureacrats and authoritarian left) for being an anarchist.

I'll give some immediate reposnse and hopefully address some of the issues you raise in more detail in the open letter.



Dear Ciaron,
We have just read the e-mail you sent Martin/Anarchist Bookfair. We all feel quite surprised at the tone

(THE TONE IS OF ONE WHO HAS BEEN CENSORED, THE POWERLESS OFTEN LOOK/SOUND PISSED OFF WHEN THEIR RIGHTS ARE BEING DENIED AND THEY SENSE THEY ARE NOT BEING RESPECTED, MUCH EASIER TO REMAIN POLITE WHEN YOU HAVE THE POWER)

of your e-mail and at some of the points you make in it. As we have had a number of abusive (DON'T MISTAKE ABUSE WITH AUSTRALIAN VULGARITY)

e-mails from supporters of the Catholic Worker/yourself (we are not sure which), we would also assume you have e-mailed a number of other people making similar accusations about us.

 (I HAVE FORWARDED MY REPSONSES ON TO TRUSTED FRIENDS TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK, THE IRISH  GENERALLY SHARE MY PISSED OFF REPSONSE, THE ARE ENGLISH MORE APOLOGETIC BUT THERE ARE CROSS OVERS, ANARCHS CAN'T UNDERSATND YOU R POSITION ON FREE SPEECH AND CENSORSHIP WITHIN OUR PLURALIST MOVEMENT)

We would like to correct a number of points you have made, and make a few points clear:
1.. We have at no time banned either you or the Catholic Worker from the bookfair

(YOU HAVE BANNED US FORM DELIVERING A WORKSHOP AT THE ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR).

 We are more than happy to have either you or your group come along and participate in as many of the workshops as you wish

(WHY WOULD WE ENTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR RIGHTS ARE NOT RESPECTED WHEN WE CAN GET THAT TYPE OF THEATMENT FPORM THE STATE ON ANY GIVEN DAY),

and to swap information and comments with any stall holders.

2.. Further, we have not "banned" you or the Catholic Worker from speaking at the Anarchist Bookfair. When you asked to hold a meeting Martin brought it up at our regular meetings. We have never come across the Catholic Worker before, and a few of us were unsure how people could reconcile anarchism and the catholic church. Because of this we e-mailed you back asking for clarification on the Catholic Worker views (not your own view by the way) on certain issues =81Eto quote Martin's e-mail: "I guess a lot of people (including myself) haven't really come across you before and are puzzled by the combination of anarchism and Catholicism. Can you provide us with any further information? We are particularly interested in the areas of abortion, contraception, homosexuality and concepts of sin.....We're not against exploring issues of spirituality and the relationship between religion and anarchism - just have such strong reservations about the RC church".
Instead of replying to our concerns about Catholic Worker, you seemed to take this as a personal attack on yourself. In your e-mail you claim you have been censored by an anarchist movement. As we mentioned in our e-mail, we had not heard of your group before. Whenever we have now groups asking for stall at the bookfair we check out who they are. In the past we have had trot front groups wanting stalls, and there is every chance right wing libertarian groups would expect to have a place at the bookfair. Although we would not censor Trotskyism groups, we do not feel they fit into the remit of the bookfair, nor support the aims the anarchist movement is trying to promote, and so would not offer them space at the event. In terms of right wing libertarian groups, we see no reason why we should help them promote their brand of libertarianism. While we are not calling the Catholic Worker's group either a Trotskyism group or a right wing libertarian group, we will always try to check out new groups wanting stalls.

(APPRECIATING THIS GEOCENTRIC UNAWARENESS OF THE ROLE OF THE C.W. ON THE U.S. ANARCHIST SECENE...I SUGGESTED WE CHANGE THE WORKSHOP TO A LAUNCH OF MY BOOK ON EAST TIMOR AND A REPORT BACK FORM ANTI-GLOBALISATION ACTIONS AT CHOGM.........WHEN YOU DECIDED NOT TO TAKE UP THIS COMPROMISE YOU MOVED FROM A BAN ON THE CATHOLIC WORKER TO A BAN ON ME PERSONALLY.

3.. To reaffirm our position, we ARE concerned how your group can claim to be both supporters of the catholic religion and anarchism. However, we kept an open mind until we heard back from you in respect of the questions we had asked. We had hoped to have an informed discussion on this. Unfortunately, all we got back from you were comments like "I'm wondering if it is more (maybe subconscious anglo anti-celtic prejudice than anything to do with anarchism). I am quoted in "Demanding the Impossible" " and "have spoken and given workshops at the anarchist conference in Sydney, during the Chomsky tour =81Equot;. As we assume not all the Catholic Worker's group are "celtic" we find it hard to understand how having "anglo anti-celtic prejudice" would prejudice our decision about a group as a whole. Further, just because you personally are quoted in "Demanding the Impossible", doesn't mean we no longer want clarification from the Catholic Worker's group on their views on original sin; abortion; contraception; and homosexuality. It is the group we are inquiring about =81Enot you.

READ THE BOOK FOR AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHRISTIAN DIMENESION OF THE ANARCHIST MOVEMENT, LISTEN TO UTAH PHILLIPS TRACK "ANARCHY" ON THE ALBUM "tHE PAST DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE", READ , READ TOLSTOY, READ JACQUES ELLUL , SEE THE MOVIE "ENTERTAINING ANGELS" ABOUT THE LIFE F DOROTHY DAY ETC ETC.

4.. As we have stated already, neither you or the Catholic Worker's group have been banned from the anarchist bookfair.

(OUR WORKSHOP HAS BEEN BANNED, I HAVE BEEN BLACKLISTED FROM LAUNCHING MY BOOK ETC.)

We are more than happy to discuss the issues that concern us with A view to putting on meetings at next year's bookfair. If you have come to the bookfair before you will appreciate that meeting space is always very limited.

SPACE WAS NOT AN ISSUE WHEN WE SENT OUR 20 QUID IN.......YOU DID NOT GET BACK TO US, YOU STALLED..OLD MANAGEMENT TACTIC ETC.

We have now filled up all this space for this year, which means that in 2001 we cannot provide space for either the Catholic Worker or yourself. However, we have no problem Catholic Worker having a meeting at next year's bookfair, if after talking to the group they can put our minds at rest that the groups views on certain issues do fall within broad anarchist beliefs. After all, just calling oneself an anarchist does not necessarily make one so.

IT'S A PRERTTY BROAD DEFINITION "WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, DOMINATION ETC"..IT'S A NEGATIVE DEFINITION, ANARCHISTS SHOULD NOT BE SCARED OF DEBATE AND DISCUSSION AND CLARIFICATION........................CHANCES ARE A LOT OF THE ANARCHIST GATHERING WON'T VIEW EACH OTHER AS "REAL ANARCHISTS"

5. Although we e-mailed you in connection to the Catholic Worker's group, we are surprised that most of the e-mails we get back from you talk about yourself rather than the group you are part of.

AS MENTIONED ABOVE, IT MOVED FORM A BAN ON THE CATHOLIC WORKER TO A BAN ON ME LAUNCHING A BOOK, GIVING A WORKSHOP ON ANTI-GLOBALISATION ACTIVISM AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES........I HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD AWAY FROM MY COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST 5 WEEKS

Again this concerns us. As anarchists, we do not believe in leaders or "the cult of the individual". It is very rare, in any of your e-mails, that you talk specifically of the Catholic Worker's group or on behalf of this group. The tone of your e-mails is that it is you who we are "banning", or you who has to prove his credentials, or you who speak for the group you are part of. It is the group's views we are asking about =81Enot yours.

SEE ABOVE

6 We would be happy to have a meeting at next year's bookfair discussing something along the lines of "can anarchism and organised religion can go hand in hand".

YOU REALLY NEED TO READ THE RELEVANT CHAPTERS IN "DEMANDING THE IMPOSSIBLE", THERE ARE ANARCHIST TRADITIONS IN A VARIETY OF RELIGIONA/ SPIRITUALITIES, GODDISTS INDIGENEOUS CULTURES ETC ETC

 We would also be happy for anybody from the Catholic Worker's group to participate in the meeting, as we would for any person from any organised religion. However, we would want people for and against, and then an open discussion from all those at the meeting.

7 From your e-mail dated 20th September 2001, you state you will be writing an "Open letter to the Anarchist Movement about this censorship", and that you will "hopefully have it out by the bookfair". As you are obviously a man of principle, we assume that you will mention our concerns; the fact that you are NOT in fact banned; and that we are trying to have an ongoing discussion with your group (and not only you personally =81Eas you keep trying to make it). Otherwise, this "Open Letter" would be very biased =81E

ALL LETTERS ARE SUBJECTIVE I GUESS

something I am sure the Catholic Worker's group is much against. As you mention there does need to be a "commitment to free speech and public debate".

8 Again quoting your e-mail of 20th September 2001. You state "I think it has a lot to do with you folks being English rather than anarchists...you come from a colonial culture (that is not multi-cultural like the US) you have very distinct ideas about what is proper regarding folks spiritual and sexual orientations". We will pass on the debate of whether the UK or USA is more of a multi-cultural society than the other =81Ealthough holding up the USA as some kind of beacon does amuse us.

ALL THIS IS GUESSWORK ON MY PART .............TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW I CAN BE BANNED FORM GIVING A WORKSHOP AT ANA ANRCHGIST GATHERING ..........I'M SEARCHING FOR CULTURAL AND CLASS EXPLANATIONS...BECAUSE IT HAS FUCK ALL TO DO WITH ANARCHISM, FREE EXPRESSION ETC.

What we would comment on is the second part. We find this rather rich coming from somebody involved in a group which in may aspect we assume (until you inform us otherwise) supports Catholicism. We support, and at times with our own bodies, the right for all people to choose their sexuality as well as their right to choose over other aspects of their own body. We also feel very strongly, that people should not be made to feel guilty for the choices they make. We find it hard to see how Catholicism can say the same =81Efar from it. This is one reason we have problems understanding how a group can reconcile anarchism with Catholicism. A question we have already asked your group and one we have had no response to.

YOU REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE TRACK RECORD OF THE CATHOLIC WORKER (ESPECIALLY IN THE U.. SCENE) OVER 70 YEARS IN TERMS OF SHELTERING THE HOMELESS, FEEDING THE HUNGRY, CONFRONTING IMERIAL POWER ETC. ETC. AND COMPARE IT TO ANY OTHER ANARCHIST ORGANISATION/MOVEMENT OVER THAT HISTORY AND IT LOOKS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE..........FOR YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT SEXUAL MINORITIES IN THE MOVEMENT, YOU SHOULD TALK TO GAY, TRANSGENDER, CELIBATE MEMBERS OF THE MOVEMENT............THERE IS A GAY CW CAUCUS, I COULD TRY AND PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH....

9 You use the terms "free speech and open debate" quite freely. These are very emotive terms to throw around, and can mean a multitude of things to different people. We would assume you would not give space

PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE SHOUTED DOWN, THERE IDEAS WOULD BE ENGAGED AND DEBATED

.........THAT'S WHAT FREE EXPRESSION IS ABOUT, DEFENDING THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE YOU DISAGREE WITH TO EXPRESS THE IDEAS YOU DISAGREE WITH..........................

 on your speaking tours to people who wanted to promote violence, rape and fascism. This could be constructed as not being open to "free speech and open debate" by some =81Ealthough not by us. Likewise it is unlikely we would give space at the bookfair to groups who wanted to push ideas which do not fit in with, broadly speaking, anarchist ideas.................

TRUST ME, THE GENERAL ANARCH OPINION IS THAT THE CW (LIKE IT OR NOT) COMES UNDER THE GAMBIT OF AN ANARCHIST PHENOMENON.............DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE AGREES WITH THE WHOLE THANG...BUT IN OZ,NZ,U.S. CIRCLES ANARCHS RESPECT IT A S PART OF THE MOVEMENT..............THAT'S WHAT LEADS ME TO THINK IT'S AN ENGLISH PROBLEM, BUT YOU FOLKS CLAIM YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE cw, DODORTHY DAY ETC...........................I GUESS ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAS COME OUT OF THIS INTERACTION IS THAT NOW YOU HAVE..............THEY PLAYED THE DOROTHY DAY FILM ON CHANNEL 5 A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE I LEFT ENGLAND..........

10 In your e-mail you say : "It probably has a lot to do with you folks not being anarchist activists but rather the retailers of the movement". You know nothing about any of us involved with organising the Anarchist Bookfair, or what other things we have been involved in past or present.

 AND YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME , EVEN THOUGH I HAVE GIVEN YOU RELEVANT WEBSITES AND REFERENCES....THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT MY RIGHTS ARE BEING DENIED AND YOURS ARE NOT

You talk about prejudice and then make sweeping statements about things of which you have absolutely no knowledge. It might be worth finding out your facts first before you judge others.

YEP, A LOT OF IT IS GUESSWORK ON MY PART BECAUSE YOU DID NOT GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION OF WHY OUR WORKSHOP WAS BEING BANNED FROM THE BOOKFAIR

We find your tone arrogant

ARROGANCE IS WHEN YOU'VE GOT POWER, I'D SAY THE TONE WAS MORE DESPERATE THAN ARROGANT................LOOK MAN I'VE SPOKEN THIS WAY TO SCREWS WHO ARE TREATING ME LIKE SHIT, COPS WHO HAVE SEXUALLY ABUSED ME ETC ETC.              TRUST ME IT'S THE TONE OF POWERLESS DESPERATION=81E

although we apply this to you personally, not to the Catholic Worker's group as a whole.

THAT'S KIND OFYOU

11 We find it somewhat sad that you seem somehow jubilant

IRONIC RATHER THAN JUBILANT, ON THE SPEAKING TOUR I WAS ALSO BLACKLISTED FORM SPEAKING AT LIBERAL CHURCHES........TO HIP FOR THE STARIGHTS, TO STRAIGHT FOR THE HIPS

 that you can introduce yourself on your speaking tour as someone "banned from the London Anarchist Bookfair". You have not been banned, and to claim that you have in order to boost your publicity

IT'S MORE A SAD JOKE (THAT ONLY A SMALL SUBCULTURE WOULD UNDERSTAND...HARDLY A PUBLICITY BOOST)

seems like self-promotion and egotism. It is also somewhat strange that you feel the need to deceive your audience about this, rather than stating the facts .

In conclusion, we do have concerns about your self publicist stance

ENGLISH RESERVE AND IRISH SCEPTICISM OFTEN CONFUSES SELF-CONFIDENCE WITH ARROGANCE AND EGOTISM (tHE AMERICANS DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM THANX TO THE IMAPCT OF OUT THERE LATIN AND AFRICAN INFLUENCES ONT HEIR CULTURE.........) =81Ealthough you are probably a really nice guy and probably totally different from the way you come across in your e-mails.

YEP, EMAILS ARE A PRETTY VULGAR FORM OF COMMUNICATION And yes, we still have concerns about the Catholic Worker's group's views on a number of issues.

WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE ALLOWWED OUR WORKSHOP AND WE COULD DISCUSS THESE CONCERNS

But the two are separate issues. We are more than happy to discuss the latter, with a view to seeing if the Catholic Worker's group and the organisers of the Anarchist Bookfair can work together in the future.

THIS WAS RECOGNISED WHEN IOFFERED THE COMPROMISE WORKSHOP OF LAUNCHING MY BOOK AND REPORTING BACK ON (THE NOW CANCELED)CHOGM

Finally, in the "ongoing commitment to free speech and public debate" we assume you will forward this e-mail to all the people you have previously e-mailed before about this matter.

OK I'LL GET A MORE DETAILED LESS EMOTIONAL OPEN LETTER OUT NEXT WEEK PEACE

CIARON

Yours truly,
The organisers of the London Anarchist Bookfair.

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