For almost 4 months Gremlin Alley, the former Spin Bowling and Gaiety Cinema building on City Road, Cardiff, has been under occupation by The Gremlins. The Gremlins are currently under threat of eviction.

Poverty, homelessness and disability an are being systematically criminalized by the state. The recent law change regarding squatting is nothing more than an attempt to strengthen the power held by greedy landlords and property speculators. Profiteers, leeching off people in tenuous housing situations by creating a dependence on rent games and wage slavery.

The idea that legal possession of gremlin alley could be granted to a man who has left it disused and rotting for more years than we care to fucking count shows the legal system for what it is. A farcical theater dishing out (in)justice to suit the desires of capital, and sustain it’s fraudulent existence.

As Gremlin Alley, the building has been a hub of activity for social exchange, art, skill-sharing and has built strong ties with the City Road and wider Cardiff community. Having successfully resisted one eviction attempt by bailiffs, it stands as a symbol of defiance against the current regime’s determination to attack people seeking shelter. It exemplifies the strength of both the occupiers and it’s community and the ineptitude of the state and it’s goons.

We are inspired by the actions in Brighton on the 13th. We urge comrades everywhere to continue the fight against the system, continue squatting, continue resisting. Action is the best form of solidarity.

Solidarity with the Gremlins

Solidarity with Alex Haigh

Fuck the Fucking Fuckers

Squeebo

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Gremlin Alley website: http://welcometogremlinalley.wordpress.com/

Video communique from the Gremlins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-skLCa01TCI

Cyfathrebiad fideo gan y gremlins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfFUBG6SELQ

On the 30th of October 2011, a group of people entered the tredegar hotel in adamsdown with the intention of creating a social centre, from this action (and a chance trip by a bin) the red and black umbrella was found.

Nearly one year on, and to the group’s amazement, the red and black umbrella remains a part of the radical community in cardiff. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, periods of unrelenting action and crippling stagnation, but it is what it is and we want to celebrate that with you.

So @ 7.00pm Friday 2nd November we’ll be throwing a one year halloween birthday bash.
There’ll be acoustic music from:                                   (Alternate Poster)                         Daf of KilnABoy, Efa Supertramp, First Bender Since the Boneyard, The Red and Black String Band and some special guests, plus some awesome dancers and performers.

Not to mention, it will also be the unveiling of the prisoner art exhibition, which will be in Cardiff for the month of November. The event is pay what you can, all proceeds will be split between Cardiff ABC, Cardiff Migrant Solidarity and South Wales Hunt Sabs.

It’ll be a dark night, it’ll be a spooky night. Bring your section 666 as someone or something will be present at all times…

Following the success of the pot luck night we hosted last week, we will be repeating it next week @ 7pm, Wednesday 17th October.

Bring your VEGAN culinary delights to share, don’t worry if you can’t though, everyone is welcome to come, eat and enjoy the wonderful company of others for free!

Hope to see you there!

Hey all! We’re going to be having weekly open days every Friday from 2pm – 7pm at the Red and Black. It’s a good opportunity to get more involved in the centre or meet with others and do something even better. Come by and chat, browse the library, free shop and info stall or have a cup of tea by the fire and dream of burning cop cars. Whatever tickles your fancy. Hope to see you there.

7pm Wednesday 3rd October @ The Red and Black Umbrella

A social night, with food galore and (maybe) some acoustic music. What’s pot luck? It’s a gathering where everyone brings a dish along with them to create a truly random mealtime experience… or we could end up with a dozen bowls of salad.

So bring something tasty and VEGAN to share with everyone. Hope to see you there!

After a well earned break over the last few weeks the Red and Black Umbrella Social Centre is due to re-open this Friday 7th Sept. with a people’s kitchen/acoustic jam session from 7pm.

This event will be reminiscent of our first few events as the centre is without electricity for the first time since last year! With that in mind it would be a good idea to bring candles or torches to help you get about the place. We’ll do our best to light the place but can’t promise to light every little corner.

There should be plenty of acoustic music on show and everyone is welcome to play, bring your own instruments and create the entertainment for the night.

Hope to see you there, old and new faces, and catch up on all the goings on.

The Red and Black Umbrella will be closing for some periods in between now and September.

We are currently dealing with a bug infestation and this means cancellation, relocation or rescheduling of events. Have a look at event pages for more info. We do not know when this will be over so keep an eye out for announcements.

Further to this, we are closed for the month of August to give ourselves a well earned break. We hope to come back stronger than ever in September and are urging people who would like to help us out or do a workshop to prepare for this time.

This event is now cancelled due to the bug problem. We may try to rearrange it for another day. Keep an eye out for changes.

On Friday the 20th of July we’ll be hosting our first ever Anarchist Pub Quiz. There’ll be bonus anarchy rounds and a set of awesome prizes for the winners.

Entry is for donation but all proceeds go towards the Free Shaun Lloyd campaign, which campaigns for the release of Shaun and other I.P.P. prisoners who are held beyond their tariff.

So come down and enjoy a night of free-for-all quizzing from 7pm. See you soon!

Tuesday July 10th sees a day of events around migrant support.

There will be a training session at 2pm with activists from the Unity Centre in Glasgow to give volunteers of CMS the tools to campaign. The Unity Centre is a support office for asylum seekers and was part of the inspiration behind the setting up of CMS Wales. Email cardiffsolidarity@riseup.net for more info.

At 7pm there will be an open discussion about the role of detention and deportation in our system and what we can do as a movement to challenge it. Activists from the Unity Centre will be talking about their experience with campaigns, including the recent successes with the “Ahmed Must Stay” campaign.

For more information visit http://unitycentreglasgow.org/

On Wednesday 4th July we’ll be screening the film “Behind the Mask“.

This documentary sheds light on the brutal practices used against animals in industry, and traces the history and actions of militant animal rights activists.

Doors will open at 7:00pm with the film starting at 7:30pm. Until then.