Billy No Mates

Many of us have had the experience . We’d love to do some serious revolutionary rabble rousing or secret subversive stuff in our hometowns - if only we could find others to do it with.

This is actually a long overdue write up of a workshop that happened at the 1999 EF! Summer gathering in Suffolk entitled 'getting groups together'. The aim was to come up with some practical suggestions of activities that could set you on the path to a viable local group. It was aimed at individuals, with maybe one or two ‘up for it’ mates, who were feeling thwarted by a lack of comrades.

Some discussion was given to different ways of organising (affinity groups, collectives, open groups etc.), but it was felt those ideas were mainly useful at the point you’d actually found some people to work with. Having said that it was also noted that having clear ideas about how you wanted to organise for what can help enthuse and inspire those you meet (there are a lot of folk who’d like to do something but aren’t sure what).

If You Can’t Organise, Agitate

Stickers, flyposters, Graffiti, the materials are cheap and a couple of people can make their area look like somewhere rife with exciting radical ideas. A simple info, with publications and leaflets from other groups, can be taken to local events, or just set it up in the high street. This offers the chance to get talking to people too. Distribute publications like the Action Update . Having set the scene, and possibly found a couple of new friends, consider organising a public video showing or speaker on something that inspires you, advertise it well and make sure there’s space for drinks and chats afterwards.

Advertise An Action

- something accessible that people can just turn up on like a critical mass or MacDonalds picket. Again, the point about adequate advertising was made (posters and leaflets in the 100’s not the 10’s) and remember that you’ll need to be responsible for sorting out the equipment (leaflets, banners, bust cards etc.)

Some Actions Don’t Need Many People

Subvertising; picketing supermarkets for example. Some pixieing actions can be done alone. It might not seem as exciting as 100’s of people on the street but it is possible for 2/3 people to take action.

Get Involved With Other Local Stuff

Is there really nothing happening where you live or just not quite what you want to do?

If it’s the latter be prepared to go alone and work with other groups such as hunt sabs, claimants groups, resource centres etc. Forming working relationships with other politically active people gives the chance to find common ground. They might be up for your stuff too. A lot of the more liberal groups have the odd dissenting member up for something more radical. It may be worth attending the odd meeting and see if you can get chatting.

Keep In Touch With The National Scene

It can be easier to get friends to join you on an action organised elsewhere than start something local. Taking action together can be an important first step. Go to EF! Gatherings, for ideas and inspiration. There are usually regional forums at the EF! Summer Gathering, make sure you go, there maybe others local to you after all.

Keep Your Heart In It

It can get frustrating. Getting the AU and keeping in touch with what’s happening elsewhere staves off isolation. Reading about radical ideas and history can help you focus on what you’re wanting to achieve and provide inspiration. Avoid becoming an embittered cynic who moans incessantly about no one being prepared to do anything productive.

Obviously there are no easy answers. Eventually finding a group may well seem quite accidental. You somehow discover there is a 16 strong revolutionary cell 3 streets down from you and one of them used to date your flatmate - or maybe that’s just Norwich. Also apologies too for the urban bias of this article, it reflects the experience of those involved. And best of luck.