03 May 2008

PARIS MAY 1968 - 2008 COMMEMORATION: Beneath the paving stones, the beach!

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May 1968 in France - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Beneath the Paving Stones: Situationists and the Beach, May 68. Feenberg, Andrew and Jim Freedman. When Poetry Ruled the Streets. Ferlinghetti, Lawrence. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1968 - 59k - Cached - Similar pages
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Slogans of May 1968 protests in France - Wikiquote Beneath the paving stones - the beach! Lisez moins, vivez plus. Read less, live more. L'ennui est contre-révolutionnaire. Boredom is counterrevolutionary. ...en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Slogans_of_May_1968_protests_in_France - 24k - Cached - Similar pages
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Barricades of May ’68 Still Divide the French - New York Times Students removed cobblestones from a street in Paris in May 1968. ... France Still Divided Over Lessons of 1968 Unrest (April 29, 2008) ...www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/world/europe/30france.html?ex=1367294400&en=5cea275029a9eca0&ei=5124... - Similar pages
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France enjoys nostalgia for May '68 - swissinfo PARIS (Reuters) - Forty years after May 1968, France is enjoying a wave of ... "All commemoration is stupid," Andre Glucksmann, another leading member of ...www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/France_enjoys_nostalgia_for_May_68.html?siteSect=143&sid=9037... - 41k - Cached - Similar pages
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eurotopics - 1968 - a European movement? May 1968 in Paris In France and Germany, on the other hand, there is plenty of writing and debating on about the events of 1968. "The commemoration of the ...www.eurotopics.net/en/magazin/achtundsechzig-2008-03/debatte-1968-2008-03/ - 42k - Cached - Similar pages
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May ‘68: France's politics of memory openDemocracy 29 Apr 2008 ... (1 February 2008) Todd Gitlin, "Rethinking the kinetics of 1968" ... The Paris barricades nurtured a wave of individualism that freed minds, ...www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/may_68_remember_or_forget - 55k - Cached - Similar pages
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History News Network The student riots of May 1968 radically shook an arch-conservative society ... there will no doubt be a moment when the 1968 commemoration becomes "real" to ...hnn.us/roundup/entries/49904.html - 28k - Cached - Similar pages
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G.

01 May 2008

MAY DAY GREETINGS, Remember 31 May 1831, Our Other Red Flag Day In Wales.

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May Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays. [1] In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day - 55k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Red flag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The plain red flag is often used at communist or far-left rallies and has been used as temporary flags of nations that have had a socialist revolution. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_flag - 47k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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RED MAY REMINDER, on 28 May 1871 The Paris Commune falls, see previous post. Forty years previous workers in area of Pentre Penderyn and Hirwaun were about to rise up in what becomes known as the Merthyr Rising. On 31 May 1831, Merthyr Chartist Thomas Llywelyn comes to Hirwaun, the previous day he had spoke at an huge Chartist Rally at Twyn y Waun Common. He was hoping to hold a similar Chartist Reform rally on Hirwaun Common under a White Reform flag, however militant workers more concerned with ''natural justice'' than ''political reform'' had other ideas. The ''natural justice'' radicals as Lewis Lewis, Dic Penderyn and others however, had their own plans and after seizing the white reform flag, they sacrificed a calf (local tradition speaks of a lamb) and bathed the white Reform flag in it's blood. This Red Flag became their Flag of Liberty over tyranny and would lead them forward seeking ''natural justice'' from the oppression and exploitation of Iron Masters and their lackeys. By 1 June, the workers had established ''Armed Positions'' in the ''Barrios'' of Heolygerrig and Cefn Coed, by 2 June marching on Merthyr, the militant workers and their radical leaders soon raised up the populace in revolt - WELSH INSURRECTION 1831.
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The next day outside the Castle Hotel in centre of Merthyr, a large crowd had gathered and at about 12 Noon, Soldiers guarding a meeting of Iron Masters and Town Bourgeoisie opened fire. When the smoke had cleared some 28 people lay dead, this should be a date made more known and annually commemorated as the 3 Mehefin 1831 Merthyr Massacre. Over the years since, particularly in our own contemporary times there has been much focus on the matter of Dic Penderyn, a Martyr yes, but it is now more accepted that he did stab the Scots Soldier Donald Black. It has become a matter of a rather misguided ''Political Correctness'' to focus on Dic Penderyn and ignore Workers Hero, Lewsyn yr Heliwr who has been generally condemned to the shadows of Welsh History. Further, largelly ignored and forgotten is the heinous and murderous crime of the Merthyr Massacre that took place on 3 June 1831. See previous posts and note in particular my calling for fitting 31 May and 3 May memorials and annual commemorations. For reasons stated in previous post, I cannot do much myself this year but I hope others will, there are annual events in Merthyr organised by the Dic Penderyn Society, so it would only be a short step to also gather at site of the 3 June Massacre to say a few words in remembrance and lay flowers for the 28 people shot by the soldiers that day. Do note the terrible massacre of Communards following fall of Paris Commune of 1871, the French state carried out vicious revenge on the insurrectionists, excellent histories on web about these events. Idea/Suggestion: Why not have Merthyr link with Monmarte district of Paris which was main area of the Paris Commune of 1871, someone in Merthyr, why not suggest to your Town council. Do let me know if this idea moves forward, see link >>>Montmartre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Montmartre is a hill which is 130 metres high, and also the name of the surrounding district, in the north of Paris in the 18th arrondissement, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre - 45k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Other than this I would like myself to focus more here on how to mark occasion of 31 May 1831, regards remembering rising up of the Red Flag on Hirwaun Common. I have said much about possibilities in this connection in previous posts. So here I am going to focus on another possibility, if there is no official commemorative gatherings. Quite simply but only if there has been a prolonged period of good sunny weather to dry the common. You could organise your own RED FLAG 1831 RAMBLES on Hirwaun Common, even have RED FLAG 1831 PICNICS at some suitable locations on the Common. Do consult maps on the web for foot paths, of which there are a few and they are marked, you may also want to contact the nearest Ramblers group or/and Tourism Information Office for further Information. Do dress for the occasion and wear good walking shoes, and take flasks of Soup and food of course. If your visiting Hirwaun, note it has a number of Inns plus a god cafe, I believe there are restaurants in the area too. If intending to organise a larger commemorative gathering, I have noted in previous posts best place to hold such with car parking space close by, if however those who wish to park in Hirwaun itself, note you can walk or march from the town to the common (see google maps). Hope that's helpful, have a good day with purpose to promote this important date and event in Welsh History.
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Below I make further tribute to the Hirwaun Red Flag, by posting up unpublished fotos of my attending closure of Tower Colliery earlier this year. Very windy day.
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Indirectly connected to above is later Chartist History, not least of 1839 Newport Rising and 1848 "Year of Liberty" aka "Spring of Nations", of which 2008 is 160th Anniversary. 1848 is also of course important in Welsh History regards the infamouse Blue Books which is very much connected to events of 1848 and 1839 in a number of ways. I shall be dealing with all these matters in a number of post features in The Welsh Patriot blog at http://welshpatriot.blogspot.com/ about mid May, certainly before I go over to France for the Paris Commune 1871 Commemoration 2008. At moment just want to touch on a recent controversy that came out of recent pre election PLAID (Cymru) conference in Newport. At this Conference PLAID M.P. Adam Price presented Plaid members with a ''Chartist Flag'', in fact it was a Green, Red and White Welsh Republican Flag, first used by the WRM 1949 - 1959, a version of which I have made for 1797 Garreg Wasted Commemorative purpose and occaisionally I have raised it at Anti - Monarchist protests. The Chartist flags, were either in first place (1830's) a white Flag and by 1848, they had adopted a Chartist Republican flag which was a Green, Blue and White Flag, as pictured above.
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Adam Price went on to claim that Chartism was a PLAID legacy, this caused Welsh Labour to respond by saying it was "their legacy", and I must agree with them, as to why see previous posts in this blog's earlier posts. Suffice to say here, that Chartism does lead to British constitutional reform, rise of British Trade Unionism and eventually the very British Labour Part.y. Adam Price went on to describe what his ''Chartist Tri-Colour'' meant, what the Green, Red and White stood for, I want argue with that description, sounds OK to me. But If anyone of a patriotic mind wants to lay claim to a true historical Welsh Flag of Liberty then it must be the 1831 RED FLAG.
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Same to regards these events of our 19th century history associated with both popular struggle and the the rise of what Proff Gwyn Alf called ''Primative Socialism'', then it is the event that took place on Hirwaun Common on 31 May 1831. Not least in this connection our Political Hero to lay claim to would be Lewis Lewis, Lewsyn yr Heliwr the ''Primative Rebel'' and Radical Revolutionary Worker hero and not Thomas Llywelyn, the Political Reformer. He, if I remember correctly did a ''runner'' during Merthyr's Red Week and took no part in this Welsh Insurrection.
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In all this connection coming up in future posts, I shall explore further Welsh Chartism history and Rebecca's Rural Revolt, begging answers to the questions why do we remember Rebecca but tend to ignore the Scotch Cattle? then why do we remember Dic Penderyn as a Martyr but not Edward Morgan? Then what about Sir Thomas Phillpot, Lord Mayor of Newport in 1839, who ordered the Soldiers to fire on the workers, but in 1848 becomes defender of the Welsh against the ''Shame of the Blue Books''. Ironically, Sir Thomas Phillpot and the Llanover Circle as proto Political Cultural Nationalists are more of a PLAID Legacy, true? yes! In recent times, Newport Tories have declared Sir Thomas Phillpot their hero whilst condemning the Welsh Left's Chartist Leader John Frost. Then there's that "Man from the Alamo" and the matter of John Humphries disagreeing with Ifor Wilkes on their separate interpretations of the 1939 Newport Insurrection. Such are the many confusions, contradictions and convolutions of Welsh History, myself I say take what you like and run with it, if the shoe fits and why not. So Adam Price did nothing particularly mistaken or wrong, nor more so than most Politicians and even historians when it comes to interpreting history, I could give you loads of examples in any History not least our own.
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Next flag to rise up is the one of ''Peasants Rural Revolt'' on Mynydd Bach, Ceredigion on some suitable and appropriate anniversary date. I will keep you informed and provide information on posts on history of Peasant revolts and land wars, in the past and present, keep viewing this blog. Plus I got to get around to making this flag as well, no one else will? will you? The more the merrier for making good impact on Mynydd Bach, I spose it in a little way kind of as some contemporary present signifigance regards the Nationalist Rural Revolt in the North (& West?) mostly and ironically from within Plaid Cymru much due to the consequences of it's coalition with Labour in the Welsh Assembly. Such is Welsh Politics, getting as Confusing, Contradictary and Convoluting as Welsh History.

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G.Gruffydd.





25 April 2008

PARIS COMMUNE 1871 COMMEMORATION 2008 Plus Information and memo re our own 1831 Commemoration 2008.

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I might miss out on any Insurrection Hirwaun/Merthyr 1831 Commemoration this year as I am hoping to go over to France for the annual Paris Commune 1871 Commemoration. I say hoping as all attempts thus far to get a good package deals are being stacked up against a cheap trip by ''supplements'' as evidently it's a busy period in Paris. I had been hoping to do it by train straight through to Paris but now it may be by bus/car and ferry?My purpose in going is one of treating myself to a break but also to do some history foto research for this blog plus study up on the commemoration. Whatever, any one else out there that wants to attend these commemorations note these travel problems and sort out your travel arrangements well in advance ok! Anyway, for further information on the commemoration, click this Paris Commune 1871 Commemoration Web Site link >>> L'actualité de la Commune - 09:45- [ Translate this page ] L’Association des Amis de la Commune de Paris-1871 a mis en place des commissions, comme l'avait .... Gilles Plas. 77470 Trilport. PAROLES DE MILITAIRE. ...lacomune.club.fr/pages/Actua2005B26/pageactua/page6.html - 52k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this . It's excellent, in time we need same for a proposed major INSURRECTION 1831 COMMEMORATION ANNUAL FESTIVAL Web Site. However, do note that apart from my blog there exists a Dic Penderyn Society Web Site advancing information on Dic Penderyn, 1831 and an annual Merthyr Commemoration they have been organising for many years, see via this link >>> Dic Penderyn Society These were the last words of Dic Penderyn (real name Richard Lewis) who was one of 28 men and women tried on charges connected with the Merthyr Rising. ...www.alangeorge.co.uk/dicpenderynsociety.htm - 26k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this .My efforts in the main are to inform more on Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Lewis Lewis heroic leader of the Insurrection and promote commemorative activity at Pentre Penderyn and Hirwaun prior to the main Commemoration in Merthyr (Red Week) and at possibly Parc Cyfarthfa? This year with my planned trip to Paris on horizon, I cannot actually organise anything over at Pentre Penderyn or Hirwaun, so I advise make most of the Bank Holiday weekend. If it's sunny treat yourself to a ''Socialist'' day or two out in the country side, noting that The Lamb Pub has a Beer Garden, if weather's good this will be great for you and any children you take on a trip into some Welsh Socialist history. Whilst meandering about Pentre Penderyn think on the following idea, why not like minded people work towards establishing there something similar to the Appalacian Socialist HIIGHLANDER FOLK SCHOOL - Research & Education Centre, for further information, see via link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_Research_and_Education_Center . Seems to me a pretty good idea, what do you think? If interested in getting involved in setting up a working party to look into this initiative, contact me via g.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com . In meantime all views, opinions and your own ideas very welcome.
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Gethin.

24 April 2008

RED STAR OVER HIRWAUN.

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Wales gets its first Communist councillor since 1970s - icWales
It may not rank alongside storming the Winter Palace in St Petersburg but gaining a foothold on Hirwaun and Penderyn Community Council is being hailed as a ...icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/.../2008/04/15/wales-gets-its-first-communist-councillor-since-1970s-91466-20764172/ - 44k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Communist Party, Wales.
THE end of mining at Tower Colliery, Hirwaun, saw the media in all its ... TO CONTEST 11 SEATS IN WELSH ELECTIONS · WELSH COMMUNISTS GATHER TO PLAN COUNCIL ...www.welshcommunists.org/index.php?id=122 - 24k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Local council election candidates - urban75 forums
4 Nov 2008 ... 11 CP in Swansea, RCT, Merthyr (where they have one seat), .... has got in unopposed on Hirwaun Community Council for the Communist Party. ...www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=7358843 - 131k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Local election round-up: April 16 Politics Guardian Unlimited
16 Apr 2008 ... The Conservatives have one seat on Manchester city council - their ... 48, was elected to Hirwaun and Penderyn community council as a member ...blogs.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/04/local_election_roundup_1.html - 61k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Lotta Continua!



23 March 2008

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If you think Class War is dead, your wrong! Ian Bone is alive and well and still bashing it out to the rich, link to below>>>>
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TIME FOR RETURN OF CLASS WAR CYMRU = CRACHWAR!
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IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW EVENT - LOOKS WORTH MAKING EFFORT TO ATTEND, ESPECIALLY HAS NOTHING SIMILAR IN WALES LOOKS LIKE HAPPENING, ALTHOUGH THE CRACHACH HAVE TIPPED THEIR TINY TOES INTO THEIR MEMORIES OF '68. YES PEACE MARCHES, CIVIL RIGHTS AND CyIG TEARING DOWN SIGN POSTS, not particularly revolutionary but as sure as hell, got good jobs for a great many of them in a future Welsh Establishment? For further information look into Ian's web site above or click on to links below>>>

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An international conference and bookfair to celebrate the hopes and dreams of May 1968 - forty years after 1968 and All That / Be Realistic! Demand the Impossible! Saturday, 10 May 2008, 10am - 10pmConway HallRed Lion SquareLondon WC1 Talks Films Food Art Debates Books Speakers from France, USA, Russia, Germany, Eastern Europe and Britain. Free registration in advance: just e-mail us your name. This event is listed on Facebook where you can make contact with others coming to this happening. There are a small number of stall places now left for the Book Fair. The cost is £75 if booked before the end of March. Please let us know if you would like to arrange a talk or show a film - there will be facilities for both. If you have a question or would like to register or book a stall, please e-mail: 1968@andrewburgin.com. Books about 1968 are available on-line through AndrewBurgin.com

"Sous les pavés, la plage."

19 March 2008

St Athens Miltary Academy Demonstration, Cardiff 26 April.

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UK Indymedia - Curiouser and Curiouser: St Athan Military Academy ...7 July at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff to plan a campaign against the building of a new military academy at St Athan. The vast, privately-owned training ...www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/07/375464.html - 36k - Cached - Similar pages
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Cardiff Permanent Revolution Cardiff Permanent Revolution. socialism unlimited ..... All socialists should reject the dead-end of class collaboration represented by the so-called ‘party ...cardiffpr.wordpress.com/ - 67k - Cached - Similar pages

11 March 2008

PRIVELLEGED POLITICIANS POSH NOSHING: If Ever One Photo Could Move Us To Reviving Class War Cymru - This Is it?

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Amidst all the D&D about Assembly A.M's Wage Hike, the below photo and associated feature turns up on front of the WM TV Mag 8 - 3 - 2008. Essentially the feature is about how much English Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas likes to stuff his face at least once a week with posh nosh curry. This feature is about a bit of publicity for the Cardiff Indian Food Week, so we are entertained by a number of photos of 'Dic Sion Dafydd' and other Crachach ''Tikka Taffs'' with their snouts in the trough , so to speak! The Cardiff Indian Food Fesival is by the way organised by a Berwyn Rowlands, surely this is not the same BR as BR of Aberystwyth, then Cardiff Welsh Film Festival Fame, is it? some one let me know ok!. Whatever, or rather whom ever, this BR co - owns THE FESTIVALS COMPANY, a Cardiff based events management company. So it's not Mr Producer ''Stiffone Parry'' this time, then?
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After reading three pages of posh nosh shite we finnaly get to find out some hot facts about Mr Machiavelli Cymru 'Dic Sion Dafydd'. But I don't think you really care, the important news is where the ''Scumbag'' likes to feed his face; The North Bali House in Llanwrst, South Bengal Brassiere and Mango House in Caerdydd. OK! now you know where to get some good ''Crachach Curries'', and please, if you eating there and 'Dic Sion Dafydd' turns up, remember the Curry House Plot, remind him? A little bird tells me that after he has eat is ''Tikka Taff Crachach Curry'', there is nothing the old swinger (from left to right) likes better than hanging around the Cameo Club, THE CAMEO CLUB It’s the most exciting location in Cardiff for business or relaxation with ... THE CAMEO CLUB > 2 PONTCANNA STREET > CARDIFF > CF11 9HQ T 029 2022 0466 F ...www.cameoclub.co.uk/onecardiff.htm - 28k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this .
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You will find the Cameo Club in the Crachach Colony of their Patria Pontcanna Patagonia aka Cymru Bach beyound Wales? Much hated by Red Revolutionary Class Warrior Udo Erasmus, who last I heard was advocating an Ian Bone type Class War march on ''The Colony'' (by way have you seen the film Zardoz, beats Marx for lessons in up and at it Workers Action against the bosses). Whatever, I do not know if Udo will organise and lead this Class War Invasion of the Pontcanna Patagonia, after all his Anti - Dewi Day Parade never came off did it, then he said it was only a wind up? So I think all we are likly to get out of Udo is his slogan and call to Workers Action>>>>>>STOP THE GENTRIFICATION OF PONTCANNA BY THE MEDIA SET! >>>>> If it is ever likely to come off, let me know.
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Myself, I am more in favour of a March on the Assembly, but mindful of the steps there, I think we better take a look at the film The Battle Ship Pontemkin. Pay attention to the ''Steps Scene'', the film is great but I also read a great book on this significant piece of Peoples history but cannot remember the name of it. I am sure you will find plenty to read on the web about these events, what has always stuck in my mind was reading of the conviction and commitment of the Communist agitators to win over the sailors to the Revolution, we need more of that in Wales. Courage of Conviction and Commitment!
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Coming your way soon, call for Red Ramble on Hirwaun Common on 31 May 2008 to commemorate 31 May 1831 Rising of Red Flag. But only if the weather has been very good as the common can get boggy. However, there is an easy access location you may go to rise up your Red Flags. Details in fourth coming posts. In mean time some interesting stuff for you to read via following links:
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Hirwaun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 11:14 uring the Merthyr Rising of 1831 the red flag that later came to represent socialism was raised on Hirwaun Common for the first time. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirwaun - 25k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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MerthyrRising his is presented in the ‘natural justice’ protest on Hirwaun common, such radicalism prior and since is seen as representing a long history of Welsh ...merthyrrising.blogspirit.com/ - 39k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this blogspot.com/ - Similar pages - Note this
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froing’ on Aberdare Blog the Merthyr Rising of 1831 starving ironworkers captured a calf on Hirwaun Common, butchered it and it was from this that the first red flag was ever ...www.aberdareblog.co.uk/?s=froing - 25k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Your chance to shape Britain's radical heritage Newsblog ... raised the red flag dipped in lamb's blood above Hirwaun common and thus instigated the challenge to reactionary repression; many paid with their life. ...blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/2006/07/your_chance_to.html - 81k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this.
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Lotta Continua!
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Gethin Gruffydd.

01 March 2008

HAVE A NICE St DAVID's DAY 2008: Participate? Protest? Boycott?

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Whatever, but do not demonstrate against the St David's Day Parade, that would just be negative and you would win over no one to any cause, certainly not any Socialist Struggle. I have suggested however, that even Socialists could participate and use to their own 'Agit - Prop' purpose? Some Radical Nationalists are using the parade to advance their calls for a Parliament with more powers whilst others are using the parade as a Platform for Welsh Independence. However, myself and I would advise Radical nationalists, Republicans and Socialists not to participate in the parade, but boycott in protest regards the organisers ''politicising'' the event in favour of PLAID.
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This is a big mistake of the parade organisers, but after all they are Nationalists, and most of them are members of PLAID or otherwise support that party. The parade has a bit of a ''Roman Circus'' about it, in so far that the parade marches into the lap of English Lord and Devolution Dilettante Dafydd Ellis Thomas. I have no doubt that it will also be to the advantage of PLAID Minister of Heritage Rhodri Glyn Thomas, and so what you might say? Well work it out! Thus, yes I say, I hope Socialists will not demonstrate against the Dewi Day Parade but boycott and pop off down to the Assembly to hold alternative positive and practical protest about issues close to your Socialist Heart, or even make call for the setting up of a Welsh Workers Republic but do so separate of the Parade unless you are detirmined to make a positive contribution, in one way or another.
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At same time, all that aside if anyone wishes to hold placards under the nose of Dafydd Ellis Thomas with the message TA! TA! THOMAS - English Lords Not Wanted In Wales! Also if it comes upon you heckle or boo him. why not? Other than that, well the British Army is in the City, why not demonstrate against them recruiting Welsh Lads to fight in England's foreign wars. I would have thought that this is what Plaid Left, Cymru X and CND Cymru would have been doing anyway rather than parading in memory of a misogynist old Welsh Saint? Ble Mae'r Bethan, Leanne a Jill Nawr? So much for their Socialist Republicanism???????
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Above is a little Dydd Dewi Artwork, my Dydd Dewi Day greeting, I do it with Red Daffodils, as I doubt if you would appreciate Yellow 'Investiture' Daffs. I send greetings in particular to all Socialists who have been having an healthy and interesting debate in St David's Day - COUNTER DEMO - Page 7 - urban75 forums
St David's Day - COUNTER DEMO Wales/Cymru. ... St. David's Day is to celebrate Welsh national feeling, .... Last edited by Karac : 22-02-2008 at 20:12. ...www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=7147934 - 76k - Cached - Similar pagesMore results from www.urban75.net »
Nice one! best discussion of an arising issue that I have read for a while, useful to me and others, the discussion even persuaded me on a number of points which I will give further due consideration. Thus Udo, Lewis and Penderyn right on comrades! I think we will all be discussing this issue again, as I can see the day coming around when the Welsh Regiments/British Army will want to march in the parade. After all Dydd Dewi always has been part of the Welsh Regiment/British Army from AZINCOURT 1415 to Revolutionary America and Ireland in the 18th Century, to present day Iraq and Afghanistan, just watch the TV Sat night.
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G.Gruffydd.

27 February 2008

LEWIS LEWIS 2008 DEBATES ST DAVID's DAY DEMONSTRATION?

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St David's Day - COUNTER DEMO - Page 4 - urban75 forums - 3 visits - 08:17
...and also misses the range of positions within "nationalism". Do you think the St Davids Day parade is a Plaid rally? ...still waiting for some positive ...www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=239885&page=4 - 149k
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Cached - Similar pages - Note thisMore results from www.urban75.net »
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Anarchists in Wales have a number of platforms and forums, I have yet to suss them all out and decide which of many is the appropriate one to place here. Whilst I ponder on this go search web for Gagged - South Wales Anarchists, if you have suggestions let me know ok!

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The following may be of some advantage perhaps, check it out and use if you consider appropriate to do so >>>Revolutionary Platform Network To read messages from me, I particularly recommend my socialist blog (which is my only moderated forum) and the Foundation for PR-based Socialism Yahoo! ...www.revolutionaryplatform.net/ - 16k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
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Gethin.

25 February 2008

INSURRECTION 1831: The Forgotten Heroes, Lewis Lewis and others.

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Forgotten Heroes.
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If Dic Penderyn is martyr of the 1831 Insurrection then there is no doubt as to whom stands out as it's leader and largely ignored and forgotten hero, but not fortunately by professor Gwyn Alf Williams who in his book makes it clear that one man stands out as an heroic leader of the 1831 Insurrection. That is Lewis Lewis best known in those times and now as Lewsyn yr Heliwr, at one point in his book Gwyn Alf compares Lewsyn to Emiliano Zapata. It is as men of such standing that Lewsyn steps upon the stage of history to become hero of the 1831 Insurrection and through course of events of the Hirwaun and Merthyr Rising to his trial Lewsyn stands out in the crowd. It is perhaps no great mystery of this whole story that at the trial of those to be perceived as ring leaders, it is Lewsyn that the Establishment wants to really nail down, in such a way that he is made out of sight and out of mind. It is sad that after over 175 years since these events of 1831 that Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr has been placed into the shadow corners of our history by the Welsh History establishment and others with political motives. To Welsh Establishments since 1831, of both certain Socialist and Nationalist minds, it has been more profitable to their purpose to present to the people as an example of virtue, the ''passive martyr'', Dic Penderyn. For the truth is that Lewsyn yr Heliwr was far too much percieved to be an example to a down trodden, oppressed and exploited people. Thus Lewis Lewis was to become the forgotten hero of 1831, time we did something about that! Thankfully, Sian Ifans has been working hard to this end in researching the life and times of Lewis Lewis and is now near to completing a book on Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Forgotten Hero. I have seen the draft and it's going to be an excellent and very informative read which will definatly lift Lewis Lewis out of the dark shadows of our history. But more it will make sure he his placed on a plinth along with coutless other Workers Heroes, to be remembered - NOT FORGOTTEN!
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Our views today tend to be distracted by the martyrdom of Dic Penderyn, his innocence or guilt? Myself considers that there is no doubt that Lewsyn is leader of the Insurrection and as Gwyn Alf points out Lewis and others have planned an insurrection. It is thus as leader, plotter and planner of rebellion that Lewsyn is without doubt an hero to the people of the Penderyn, Hirwaun and Merthyr. Myself considers it sensible to state that if Lewsyn was hung there quite possibly would have been very violent retribution and re occurrence of rebellion in perhaps the whole of the industrial areas of 'Blaenau Morgannwg'. For such reason it is poignant that Dic Penderyn is hung given an obviously comradely relationship between the two men. There are many reasons for us to remember the story of Dic Penderyn and he being remembered as a Welsh Working Class Martyr but in this commemoration I feel the time has arrived for us to remember also the other heroes of the 1831 Insurrection, not least Lewis Lewis also known as Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Welsh Workers Hero.
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I am very mindful of fact that 28 other heroes were shot by the soldiers in and around the Castle Inn, Merthyr Tudful on the 3 June 1831, the memory of whom need to be remembered at 12 noon in area of Castle Inn site annually on 3 June. In time hopefully a suitable memorial mural or sculpture should be placed there, not in the too distant future, I would hope. Tommy Cooper can get a fitting memorial tribute in Caerffili but Lewis Lewis, Dic Penderyn on other heroes of 1831 cannot? Something very wrong about that, want to discuss it! Do something about it! Contact me gethin.apgruffyd@ntloworld.com
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In Spirit of Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Wokers Hero, I have made this baner but a Cymdeithas Lewsyn yr Heliwr awaits greater interest, if interested contact me via email address above.
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G.Gruffydd.