From IMC UK:

1 June 2012

Bristol has a strong history and present of destroying billboards and subverting adverts [*], and the amount of ripped down and subverted adverts around Bristol) In the last few weeks we made a contribution to this by making three attacks on the advertising industry.

We burned a Clear Channel van (one of the main advertising companies) in Staple Hill by setting fire to the front grill and causing an engine fire, most likely writing-off the vehicle.

We also tore down a billboard on Netham Road, by sawing through the wooden supports and pulling it down with a rope. Over two weeks later it has still not been replaced.

We attacked a second billboard, a giant free-standing, back-lit one on St. Philip’s Causeway by climbing up and cutting the advert on both sides and prying open the electric box, switching off the power and cutting wires and ripping out components. This space was “liberated” from advertising for more than three days.

This is for every advert that reminds us that women equal sex.

For every advert that creates and exploits our insecurities.

For every advert that gives ecocidal industry a friendly green face.

For every advert that endlessly re-inscribes impossible standards of masculinity and femininity, that are anyway ridiculous constructs.

For every advert that tokenises people of colour, whilst still normalising whiteness as the default cultural standard.

For every advert that shouts that happiness is the latest smart phone and fulfilment is an 4×4 on the drive of a suburban home.

We want to expose this relentless assault as psychological warfare; a violation of our senses so complete that we can find no sanctuary in civilisation’s cage. Billboards provide a mirror in which we see reflected the true value our lives have in Capitalist society – as consumers. The value at which we are bought and sold along with our desires, bodies and aspirations. A society that brings people together only to fulfil commercial rituals.

Christos Stratigopoulos is someone who refused to buy this tranquilising dream, and who chose instead to steal back some livelihood outside of wage slavery. He is imprisoned in Greece, having claimed political responsibility for robbing a bank in 2009. The state is trying to stop his return to the streets by now accusing him of a second robbery. We don’t forget you Christos – In social war no fighter stands alone.

We refuse the identity of consumer. We want to break the mirrors and rewrite our lives. This present reality is not the only one within our reach, and through it’s destruction we can discover our immense potential for freedom.

Smash Capitalism, Patriarchy, White Supremacy, the State! Long live anarchy!

30 May 2012

We attacked Bristol Conservative Association, just off Whiteladies Road, because let’s face it, their windows are calling out to be broken. We broke the main windows and threw paint. We sprayed “SCUM” and an anarchy sign over their front door and wall to make it difficult to remove.

This is a rejection of all party politics. The whole system must go.

Brand A, or Brand B, Pepsi or Cola, Labour or Conservative, we are allowed to chose anything we want as long as it’s within the pre-written guidelines of capitalism, the state, and the myth of democracy.

These non-choices will not contain us, despite the Tories proposed increase in state surveillance powers.

The Con-Dem government have slashed benefits, criminalised squatting, cut back services, denied access to the “justice” system and generally continued and escalated Labours war on the poor.

This isn’t a reformist gesture, but a small gesture of our defiance. Governments have proven throughout time that their only interest is serving the rich and they don’t give a fuck about the rest of us. The only way we will find true freedom is through the destruction of the state and capitalism.

Abbiamo tirato giù un cartellone in Netham Road, tranciando i supporti di legno e tirandolo giù con una fune. Dopo due settimane non è ancora stato ripristinato.

Abbiamo attaccato un secondo cartellone gigante situato in St. Philip’s Causeway scalandolo e tagliando il cartellone su entrambi i lati, sottratto la centralina elettrica, tolta la corrente e tagliati i cavi. Questo spazio è stato “liberato” dalla pubblicità per più di tre gi
orni.

Questo è per ogni pubblicità che ci ricorda che le donne equivalgono al sesso.
Continue reading en it – New sabotage actions in Bristol (UK) →