MEET YOU AT THE CROSSROADS: WEEKLY PUBLIC IMAGE FROM THE GLOBAL STREETS
The aim of Meet You At The Crossroads is to circulate, document, provoke, inspire and support. It is a library of public images of resistance, rebellion, revolt and rebuilding occurring in cities right across the globe, often on the streets; in the public realm. You are invited to send in your images and sign up to receive a weekly public image.
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We began the newsletter in 2011, and in 2012 it continues to feel likely that 'Who Dares Wins'. There are attempts throughout the globe to quickly dismantle equality and social justice policies/ideas. Resistance and refusal is everywhere. Moreover people are working to move beyond the status quo and build something anew; a year of the possible.
The name for this library arrived as a result of discussions we were having around how everything (democratic deficit, financial deficit, confidence deficit, equality deficit etc) is seemingly at a ‘crossroads’. This year every idea, every concept, every policy is a battleground and ‘who dares will win’. This moment in history is likely to be a crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
Further references for the title include: Abdoumaliq Simone’s recent book City Life from Jakarta to Dakar, Movements at the Crossroads, the Red Shirts protest movement that occupied the main crossroads in Bangkok’s Central Business District, the physical crossroads where police in London have kettleld student demonstrators, Public Image Ltd (This Is Not A Love Song), the saying "I’ll see you at the crossroads", the metaphorical possibility for crossovers at crossroads, and of course Situationist International.
Since General Public Agency closed in 2010 we have missed receiving their weekly image email, so we thought we should set about doing it for ourselves. Submit your image from anywhere in the world or join the mailing list via the links above.
Idle No More Rally, Ottawa, Canada, 21 December 2012
On 21 December protests actions took place around the world in solidarity with the First Nations of Canada, who are in a battle to protect their rights, land and water.
Thousands gathered in front of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa - the seat of the Harper government who have passed a series of bills that will erode First Nations treaties made with the UK Crown.
More information.
This Is Not A Gateway
'STOP EXTRADITIONS WITHOUT CHARGE!'
A public vigil was held for Talha Ahsan and Babar Ahmad one day after British and European courts ruled they should be extradited to the USA.
They have been incarcerated for a total of 14 years together without charge or trial. The vigil was held in London at the same time that the young men faced their first court appearance in the USA.
More information.
'OUT OF HERE! IMF IS HUNGER AND MISERY!'
Between 660,000 and 1 million people of all ages took to the streets in more than 40 cities across Portugal and abroad to demonstrate against the crushing austerity measures being imposed by the EU/IMF bailout.
'EDUCATION FOR ALL!'
University and secondary school students and their supporters take to the streets to demand changes in the public state education system. Chileans, protesting against profiteering in the state education system, have been met with violence including water cannons.
The protesters aim to make Chile (the so called Latin American success story) a country where equal opportunity is more than just a slogan.
'ATOS KILLS FOR PROFIT!'
400 protesters, including activists from the Disabled People Against the Cuts and UK Uncut, shut down Paralympic sponsor Atos' headquarters and the Department of Work and Pensions.
This direct action was organised in resistance to the controversial back-to-work fitness tests run by the private health firm Atos. Atos administers a multimillion-pound UK government contract.
Melbourne, Australia, 22 August 2012
It is estimated over 100,000 West Papuans have been killed and many imprisoned under the Indonesian military occupation of West Papua.
This protest calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Filep Karma, a freedom fighter serving 15 years in jail for raising the Morning Star Flag at a rally in 2004.
Embassy of Ecuador, London, 17 August 2012
'CLEAN UP DIRTY CONTRACTS! JUSTICE FOR JANITORS!'
Janitors, civil rights and labour activists stage protests in downtown Houston during rush-hour traffic - the day before renewed bargaining talks, following a four-week strike over Houston-area janitors' wages.
The janitors’ contracts expired May 31, and they are seeking to increase their pay to $10 an hour over the next three years. The top pay for most janitors in Houston is $8.35 an hour, and most make about $9,000 a year.
'FREE MUMIA, END ISOLATION & MASS INCARCERATION!'
Mumia Abu-Jamal is an African-American writer, author of six books and countless columns and articles, who has spent the last 29 years on Pennsylvania's death row. A black panther and journalist, he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1982. In solidarity, a fellow civil rights activist has stood on Liverpool Street, for two years - to raise awareness about the campaign for Mumia's freedom and a new trial .More info.
Contributed by Deepa Naik
Guadalajara, Mexico, 07 July 2012
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the imposition of Enrique Pena Nieto as President of Mexico after voting irregularities in the country's election.
Contributed by Marte M.
Buraydah, Kingdon of Saudi Arabia, 29 June 2012
Brave Saudi women take to the roads to mark the one year anniversary of 'Women 2 Drive' - a campaign to end the ban on women driving in the Kingdom.
Contributed by Women 2 Drive
Leon, Spain 12 June 2012
Miners during a nationwide strike and 'sit-in' demonstration organised by unions bitterly opposed to reductions in coal subsidies from 300 million euro to 110 million euro.
Contributed by Raul G. Villalon
Santiago, Chile, 10 June 2012
Victims of Pinochet's regime protest against the screening of 'Pinochet', a documentary in homage to the dictator and organised by fascist groups. The audience in the Teatro Caupolitan included Augusto Pinochet Melina, grandchild of the former ruler.
The photograph shows a group of family members of the "detenidos desaparecidos" (the detained and disappeared).
Contributed by David von Blohn
'OUT TO LUNCH'
London, UK, 06 June 2012
Thousands of Tamil protesters staged a flash demonstration against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's presence at a 'Jubilee' lunch with the Queen. Rajapaksa is accused of presiding over torture and other human rights abuses.
Guests were served brie and avocado terrine, followed by wild sea bass, then an apple crumble souffle, apple pie ice cream and caramelised apple.
Contributed by The Tamil Guardian
'TEAR DOWN'
Cairo, Egypt, 03 June 2012
Presidential contender and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq loses his huge poster.
Spontaneous response to the acquittals of police at the trial of those charged with deaths of protesters in Tahrir Square in 2011.
Contributed by Bel Trew
'ROLL BACK PETROL PRICE HIKE!'
Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India, 24 May 2012
Demonstrations across India calling for a withdrawal of the unprecedented hike in petrol prices.
Contributed by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)
'OCCUPY YOUR HOME'
Chicago, USA, 16 May 2012
Activists gather in Chicago's financial district to protest against evictions and to demand a one-year moratorium on foreclosures.
Image contributed by Steve Rhodes
'FOR FAIR ELECTIONS'
Moscow, Russia, 06 May 2012
Rally against the election of Vladimir Putin, against the lying, the stealing, the empty promises of the government.
Image contributed by Sergy Kukota
'STRONG UNIONS NEED WOMEN'
Supporters of the Iraqi Communist Party during a May Day celebration.
Image contributed by Sabah Arar
