A-Infos (en) Britain, SchNEWS 824, - CUNNING STUNT As pussy riot flashmob hits brighton

Support for imprisoned punk trio Pussy Riot has gone beyond tokenistic internet 
clicktivism, and has hit the streets around the world. ---- Brighton was host to a 
particularly impressive flash mob on Thursday evening(16th). It had been organised by the 
Brighton Feminist Collective on the eve of the Pussy Riot trial verdict. Just after 7pm, 
over a hundred people turned up to show their pro-Pussy Riot solidarity. Chosing 
Brighton's Cathedral of Consumerism instead of a Russian Orthodox one, Brighton Feminists 
played the two minute song that got Pussy Riot arrested outside Churchill Square Mall - to 
a crowd of neon clothes and balaclavas. ---- As one of the Collective said "We just 
plugged in our amp, turned it up and went for it. Obviously we're totally against what's 
happening to the group.

We know that we're a long way away from russia but every little helps. It was great, we 
even had messages of support from Russia as it happened.

"The event had been heavily promoted on Facebook, but we didnt think it'd be all
that big. As it happened over 100 took part, and more were supportive but even
though they didn't dance. We only played the song for 2 minutes, but it was the
song that Pussy Riot played when they were arrested in the cathedral. Lots of
people felt strongly about what's been happening in Russia but didn't feel like
they had any way of expressing their feelings- at the flashmob people could be
there and show support. People turned up dressed in neon and wearing neon
balaclavas, everyone in Churchill square just stopped what they were doing to
look at us - I'd never seen so many camera phones out in one place."

There was a bare minimum of police at the event, just two coppers. The group
didn't want it to be confrontational, they wanted to do something fun, something
that could draw in people who don't normally demonstrate. As one of the
participants put it, "It was tongue in cheek, just as like Pussy Riot are."

The Brighton Feminist Collective have been pretty damn active this year. The
fundamentalist (emphasis on the mentalist) Christians spurred them into action
with their pro-life 'Forty Days for Life" campaign of harrassment against BPAC
(British Pregnancy Advisory Service) staff and service users. The feminists
countered that with "Forty Days of Treats" - showering staff with presents to
remind them that the vast majority of people support and value the work that
they do.

Even though the pro-lifers' demos have dropped off, Brighton Feminists have
continued to give BPAC staff cupcakes, brownies, flowers and cards. Staff have
found it emotionally difficult dealing with so much hostility from religious
maniacs, and the feminists' gift-giving actions have been a welcome relief to
hard-worked frontline health workers.

Brighton Feminist Collective are planning to organise a 'Reclaim the Night'
march for November. Watch this space.



Photos of the Brighton flashmob :
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.396902660364848.110322.293555967366185&type=1


http://www.schnews.org.uk/stories/CUNNING-STUNT

BRIGHTON FEMINIST COLLECTIVE

Welcome to our website! We're a new activist group of like-minded individuals who put on 
events and in order to support the egalitarian notion of feminism.

The Brighton Feminist Collective is a feminist activist and social group based in 
Brighton, with members from Brighton and the surrounding areas.

As a group, all of our activities abide by the following principles:

We are a non hierarchical group. We have no leader or chairperson. All decisions will be 
made by majority vote. Meetings will be run on a majority vote.
We are pro respect and anti shaming
We are Trans inclusive
We are pro-choice
We are anti-racist
We are sex positive and pro-sex worker rights
We are anti exploitation
We are pro-intersectionality and anti-kyriarchy
We are a pro knowledge/fact based group (i.e. we will not base our decisions on 
hearsay/rumour. We will always do our research before making decisions)
We will work to ensure that free agency is truly free
Open to everyone who agrees with our principles. The Brighton Feminist Collective is not a 
women only space.

By taking part in any Brighton Feminist Collective activism, you are acknowledging our 
Statement of Intent and agree to abide by its principles.
_________________________________________
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