WOMBLES
Part of a series on |
Anarchism |
---|
The WOMBLES (White Overalls Movement Building Libertarian Effective Struggles) were a loosely aligned
Beginnings
The WOMBLES formed as a group in the early 2000s in London. The name stood for White Overalls Movement Building Libertarian Effective Struggles.[1] Activists who had witnessed first hand the tactics of the Tute Bianche in Italy decided to use similar methods of protest in London. Tute Bianche ('White Overalls') had formed in 1994 and were known for storming barricades whilst dressed in comical padded outfits and helmets to protect themselves from police violence, as for example at the 27th G8 summit in Genoa.[2]
The preferred tactic of the London
Social centres
The WOMBLES were also inspired by
As well as organising in physical spaces, the WOMBLES used the internet to reach a wider audience, enabling solidarity networks.[10]
The third European Social Forum (ESF) was held in London in 2004. The WOMBLES organised a countersummit held at Middlesex University called 'Beyond ESF' which provided a space for European radical social movements to meet and engage, focusing primarily on the issue of precarity.[11]
In the media
External audio | |
---|---|
Interview with a member of the WOMBLES |
The WOMBLES quickly became a personification of the anti-capitalist and
Even after the WOMBLES had ceased to organise large scale demonstrations, the media continued to use their name as shorthand for a notorious group of anarchists. The WOMBLES were said to be organising against the G20 in 2009 according to the Mirror.[15]
In popular culture
The song Time for Heroes by the band Libertines reference the WOMBLES:
Did you see the stylish kids in the riot?
Shovelled up like muck Set the night on fire Wombles bleed truncheons and shields
You know I cherish you my love
Police infiltration
Between 1999 and 2010, the WOMBLES were infiltrated by at least three British police officers, namely Mark Kennedy, Rod Richardson and Jaqueline Anderson.[16] Kennedy later apologised for his actions, saying "I hate myself so much. I betrayed so many people. I owe it to a lot of good people to do something right for a change... I'm really sorry. If I can help in any way then I'd like to."[17] Anderson was involved with the Radical Dairy and was known then as 'Massage Jacky' since she offered massage sessions. She told other activists she lived in a flat with Carlo Neri, who was also later exposed as a police spy.[18]
See also
- Anti-globalization
- Civil and social disobedience
- Disobbedienti
- London Action Resource Centre
- Ya Basta
- Zapatista Army of National Liberation
References
- ^ S2CID 143032260.
- S2CID 219698298.
- ^ a b Peel, Lilly; Ward, Helen (1 May 2002). "Inside Wombles' HQ with Target H". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ Guardian Staff (2001-05-01). "The London May Day protests at a glance". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
- ^ "May Day protest issues still burn". 2004-04-30. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
- ISBN 9781317017356. Archivedfrom the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
- ^ McCarthy, Dec. "'Looking back on the Dublin EU summit protests - Mayday 2004'". anarkismo.net. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Police raid 'anarchist' base". 1 April 2001. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ "Today in London's squatting history: Ex-Grand Banks social centre opens, 2004". past tense. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- S2CID 145336405.
- ISBN 978-1-409-42678-3.
- ^ "Prepare for May Day madness | News". www.thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Underground with the Wombles | News". www.thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ Rosser, Nigel (2 May 2002). "The timid child who rebelled". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ "Anarchy back in the UK". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "UK political groups spied on by undercover police – search the list". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Undercover Pc Mark Kennedy 'really sorry for betrayal'". BBC News. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ ZB (18 April 2018). "Spycop Inquiry: six more cover names released". Freedom News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
External links
- Official website archived in 2002