Workers Solidarity Movement

This weekend see's the launch of Seomra Spraoi's new autonomous social center. Already in full swing, this is the 'official' opening of the center. Come along, see what ya like and wonder at the joys of non hierarchical anti-capitalism in practice. You know it makes sense. Below is the timetable of events and further down some more info on about this collective of anarchists, libertarians and folks just like you
Our new space is at 10 Belvidere Court, off Gardiner Street in Dublin 1. There's a map/directions on our website at http://www.seomraspraoi.org
If you'd like to get involved in Seomra Spraoi, you can email us at seomraspraoi@gmail.com for more details

Friday 13th February
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7pm - 11pm

A night of acoustic music with Heathers, Cian Nugent & Jay Baker

http://www.myspace.com/heatherswhatsyourdamage
http://www.myspace.com/ciannugent

Saturday 14th February
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noon - 4pm
Bike repair workshop in the seomra, hosted by our newly formed bike group

noon - 2pm
A radical walking tour of the north inner city, hosted by local historian Terry Fagan.
places on the walking tour are limited to 15 and the cost is 6.50,
to book a place, please email seomraspraoi@gmail.com

noon - 2pm
Gardening & seed planting. help grow the new seomra's garden!

2 - 3pm
Lunch, Zapatista coffee and fancy cakes (Veggie/vegan & gluten free options available)
Cooked & served by Dublin's sexiest chefs The People's Kitchen

3 - 4:30pm
Stencil graffiti workshop

4 - 6pm
Social Centres Workshop - A popular education participatory exercise on the historical trajectory of social centres,
mapping out the link between capitalism, social movements and social centres

4 - 6pm
A workshop on electronic music hosted by Herv
http://www.myspace.com/hervmusic

8 - 1am
Paisean Faisean - fancy dress party with music from DJs Deki & Krossphader

Sunday 15th February
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2 - 3pm
Lunch - guaranteed to cure your hangover...
Veggie/vegan & gluten free options available.
Cooked & served by Dublin's sexiest chefs The People's Kitchen

3 - 4pm
3 Minutes of Infamy - A representative from each of the groups that use Seomra Spraoi
will speak for three minutes about their group, what they do and how you can
get involved.

4 - 6pm
A panel discussion on autonomous social spaces in Dublin with speakers from
Seomra Spraoi, The Joy Gallery & The Shed.

The Joy Gallery is a not-for-profit art space focusing on experimental art, music/art cross-collaborations and new
media work.
http://www.redspace.cc/

The Shed is a workshop space in the heart of Dublin, off Bolton street in Dublin 1.
This project has been created to give location to foreign artists resident in Ireland or in general artists
working on International Issues and their unconventional approach to art and communication.
http://www.myspace.com/mcbett

7 - 9pm

Film screening hosted by the Seomra's cinema group
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What is a social centre?

This is a gathering space without a profit motive. It can be a focal point for social movements, and a resource centre for people who are trying to make the world a better place. Seomra Spraoi hosts campaigning groups, and facilitates art and music. It is a centre for debate and the exchange of ideas. In a society where people are increasingly isolated and exploited, it can be a space of creativity and a hub of positive resistance. It is a point of contact for anyone interested in reclaiming the ability to shape our society.

Lots of people have got involved in the project in various ways. The spaces we have rented or borrowed in the city centre since 2005 have been used for numerous and diverse activities: meeting space, drop-in centre, political and campaign resoures, cinema, vegan café, music venue, kindergarten, library, direct action planning, crafts workshop, information and resource centre with wireless internet access, arts centre, bicycle repair workshop...

How is the centre run?

The Seomra Spraoi social centre is an autonomous space. This means that decisions are only be made by the people who are involved in the centre – it is independent of any business, church, local authority or political party. The centre is organised on the basis of libertarian principles. Eh? Simply put, this means that everyone involved in organising the space has an equal voice in deciding how it is run. People give their time and energy on a voluntary basis. Decisions are made through discussion and consensus. The centre is a model of participatory democracy.

There is no leadership or executive committee – this initiative is being organised by a collective of different people with different backgrounds and interests, working together in co-operation with a common purpose. We want to reclaim our lives and dignity, which have been degraded by a society based on inequality and corruption. We also want to put a bit of life back into the city.

Seomra Spraoi aims and principles

Aims

To create self-managed, autonomous social spaces in Dublin, the purposes for which are to:

* Provide safe, positive space, enabling people to be informed about and empowered through engagement in struggles for a more just, equitable & sustainable society.

* Demonstrate and promote viable alternatives to the profit-making, hierarchical power structures and social relations of capitalism - based on grassroots direct democracy, co-operation, consensus, non-profit, social justice and environmental sustainability.

* Provide resources for, and facilitate the needs of activists and campaign groups, enabling them to meet, discuss, plan, create links, recuperate, strengthen, consolidate, re-energise, and develop new ideas.

* Provide an environment in which people can access, create, play, and enjoy, music, art, theatre, film, poetry, etc; exploring and integrating ideas of creativity with activism

* To promote and support people having direct democratic control of their lives and the world around them, their workplace, communities etc.

Principles

Autonomy and self-management
Seomra Spraoi aims to run independently of local authority, government, church, business, or other controlling body. It is managed collectively by the people who use it.

Openness and inclusion
Seomra Spraoi seeks to be open and inclusive, providing a space that is welcoming to everyone irrespective of age, race, ethnic background, gender, class, sexuality and ability. We encourage - and aim to provide equal access to - participation in Seomra Spraoi.

Horizontal (non-hierarchical) organising
Seomra Spraoi believes in organising without leaders or bosses, and in everyone having an equal say. When power is shared equally in a group, it can be more effective and sustainable - as well as empowering - for all involved.

Collective decision making
We reach decisions by consensus, as far as practically possible. Consensus decision-making is about trying to find common ground and solutions that are acceptable to all. This attempts to ensure that everyone's opinions, ideas and concerns in Seomra Spraoi are taken into account.

Co-operation and mutual aid
In a world dominated by competition and conflict, we believe that working together, sharing knowledge, skills and resources, and helping each other out builds strong communities and networks of support and friendship.

Not for profit
Seomra Spraoi is a not for-profit collective. Fixed bikes, food and drinks, information, books, internet access and meeting space are available either for free or in return for donations. We strive to make our activities genuinely affordable - and accessible - to all.

Environmental Sustainability
In an effort to minimise the ecological damage we cause, Seomra Spraoi tries to reuse/recycle as much as possible. From reused furniture, bike and computer parts to recycling our rubbish, an ecologically sustainable outlook is fundamental to Seomra Spraoi.

Our new space is at 10 Belvidere Court, off Gardiner Street in Dublin 1. There's a map/directions on our website at http://www.seomraspraoi.org
If you'd like to get involved in Seomra Spraoi, you can email us at seomraspraoi@gmail.com for more details