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N16 asked the Radical Dairy to explain what they're about.
Conceived by a bunch of mates (the Ragged Army!) in January 2002, the Radical Dairy has
been operating as N16's Autonomous Social Centre (there are others across the city,
country, world) for 6 months now, a wide range of social, political and cultural
activities in a borough that's ... well, we don't need to patronise you about the state of
Hackney. Suffice to say that the 'Dairy' is an essential space in this area.
Amongst the events/classes are radical yoga, Spanish, English, cookery, carpentry,
gardening, sustainable living, DJ and acoustic music workshops, benefit gigs, parties and
spontaneous socials. The library/ bookshop on the top floor is often host to discussions
on various topics from GM crops to local rent prices. We are also having three cafe nights
a week now. All events are free and based on self -management and mutual aid. We find that
people usually make a donation for things, sometimes in cash, other times in kind.
So why
did the cops try to shut us down in April? Well, we reckon that they are merely the
footsoldiers of the state and capitalism, which don't like it when people organise
themselves in a nonhierarchical, not-for-profit way for the good of themselves and the
community. So, in they came, all 30 of 'em, fully tooled up with riot gear etc. They
sealed off the surounding area, booted down the door, searched everyone in the place,
nicked our computers and chopped us of the national grid! This meant that, up until very
recently (we've just got a generator), we've been unable to provide free internet access
and DJ workshops for the kidz. But, as usual, the people came out in droves, many we'd
never met before, to express their disgust at the police's behaviour, and their support
for the project.
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The Situationist slogan from the
1960's re-adoped by the Dairy |
Into July now, the owners of the building have been round again, and,
again, they see how positive the place is and don't have the heart to evict us; the old
bill's backed off (for now), the sun's out, the garden's flourishing, the collective's
growing and the place is buzzing with the energies of the universe! Up and coming events
include a Spanish Civil War night featuring discussion, film, food and flamenco; clay oven
making workshops, mural painting, nature walks and, of course, lots of sunbathing!
We are open all day, every day. So if you ain't been 'round yet, get yerselves here and
catch a glimpse of the new world. Better still, come help create it'.
The Radical Dairy; 47 Kynaston Rd, N16 Tel: 020 7249 6996 email. theradicaldairy@hotmail.com

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