Sheffield activists fight militarism

SHEFFIELD HAS recently seen the formation of Sheffield Activist Network, a grouping involving socialists, anarchists and animal rights campaigners.

Its primary focus so far has been on fighting militarism. Sheffield University, receiving some £42 million a year from various 'defence' companies, is fourth in the country for subsidy by the arms trade.

Our successful first action involved disrupting a lecture held by an RAF air marshal, and on 15 February we followed this by blockading an armed forces recruitment centre in town. The centre was effectively shut for the day.

This action, despite some arrests, was highly successful. We established a bold visual presence, and were only removed through ostentatious force on the part of the police. We encountered many people who fully supported us, including two ex-squaddies and several relatives of soldiers.

The mood to bring our soldiers home and prevent them and the people of this country being dragged into conflicts for the sake of capitalist profits was palpable.

This campaign will not be stopping anytime soon.

Chris Hyde, Sheffield