Anarchy, conspiracy- its just a click away, its just a click away
An A in a circle, spray painted on walls in city streets, is the nearest most citizens come into contact with anarchism. The media spectacle that the anarchists themselves find comic and tragic, has no room in its schedules for the ideas and actions of the anarchists. But they have chosen to live on the margins, in a kind of political exile, and that is the way it must be. The support group set up on behalf of the five anarchists now facing conspiracy charges at the Old Bailey is called, appropriately, Persons Unknown. Marxists say that anarchists don’t live in the real world. But a lighthouse is as real as a supermarket. Some of those who shop in the supermarket of ideas are attracted to anarchy, but most aren’t. It does not have the academic respectability of Marxism. (Students, after all, answer questions on alienation under examination conditions.) Yet the anarchists have always had an influence, even in Britain, out of all proportion to their numbers…
From a 22 November 1979 New Statesman article which is based around the Persons Unknown conspiracy trial, and includes an interviewette with Crass. Many thanks to Darren at Inveresk Street for finding and posting this historical treasure.
For slight return, click here.
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