News
If the Cowfolk are doing it, this is where it’s at…
Protection and Resistance to Genocide Network Brazil needs help!
From our friend Danilo, a member of Autônomos FC, a brazilian anarchist team that played in Europe some years ago:
“Well, as you may know, the political and pandemic situation in Brazil is awful. We are living under a neofascist government, which means that violence against the poorest, that was aleady huge, is even bigger. I’m a member now of a network called Rede de Proteção e Resistência ao Genocídio. Translating: Protection and Resistance to Genocide Network. We give social and juridical assistante to young people (and their family), usually black, from the poor neighborhoods of São Paulo, that got killed or falsely acused and imprisoned by the police – or the police militias, that are growing exponecially over here. At this moment, there are at least 140 cases that we are dealing with, and we do not have people enough to deal with all the cases – the total number is much much bigger.
Besides the State violence, these neighborhoods are the most affected by the pandemic. So, we are doing a campaign to raise money to buy masks and protective equipment, and to spread information about how to protect yourself against the virus. Vaccination here is very slow, only 20% of population got the first dose, and there are no dates for people under 55 yet. I’m reaching out to you basically to ask for donations. Our currency is very devalued, so any doantions in foreign currencies will become much more money over here.
Please feel free to contact me if you need or want any more information. My email is the same I use for PayPal and, if you use Twitter, I’m @kadjoman on it.
Thanks in advance, Danilo”
To donate, send to Danilo on PayPal.
The money will be used to buy masks and protective equipment, and to produce flyers and other materials to be used at social centres, schools etc about how to prevent infection.
For more information, see the webpage, instagram, facebook or twitter.
And a note from Cowboy Jesse…
“Hey up cowfolk, some-one who hadn’t met Danilo from Brazil asked me recently if I vouch for him in terms of sending money for the project that he mentioned… (they help people in an a poor area, predominantly of colour, victimised and often murdered by facist police and militias. Now they need money to help tackle corona virus in the same area as their governement is letting people die). So I thought I’d write this in case anyone else was wondering who the fuck this Brazilian asking me for money is?! I defintely do vouch for him, he’s totally kosher and that money will get to that good cause if you send it. I lived on his sofa and in his spare room for 3 months when skint, he charged me nothing nor paulius from FC Vova, nor the people who came and went from couchsurfers website, his mates stayed when they were stuck and we all lived with a stray dog that Danilo had rescued from the streets. Point is he’s definitely not interested in money, just a very committed anarchist who believes in sharing and helping and is constantly up to something along those lines. So if your wondering whether to send anything to him it’ll be fine. Cheers all, Jesse.”
Copas Lindo & Sandino 2021!
Dear Futbolista,
Hope you are enjoying the Euros! After much careful consideration and discussions with Ashton Park sports centre, Bristol Link with Nicaragua has decided to proceed with this year’s Copa Lucrecia Lindo (women’s) and Copa Sandino (mens) tournaments on SUNDAY 25 JULY. Matches will start at 10:30am.
It will be at Ashton Park secondary school and we will maintain as COVID secure a tournament as is possible with your support.
Several teams have expressed an interest to play so we will aim to have 10 teams on two pitches with teams staying within their bubbles when not playing. We will move the food area nearer to the pitches and allocated women’s toilets will be in the sports centre. Sorry no showers and no barbecues!
Viva Nicaragua,
Viva Nicaragua, Alix
Full club AGM
Baggator garden at 7pm. Bring your own chair, otherwise you might be sitting on the floor.
The proposed agenda is as follows:
1. Nominate and confirm committee for next year
2. Update on actions from previous meetings
3. Can we add “anti transphobic” to our constitution – SFW
4. Cowboys Kit – Ivan
5. Kill the bill tournament – 31st July – Jake Lake
6. 30th anniversary tournament ?!
7. Monthly / Bi Monthly Cowfolk knees up – Luke Baines
8. Finance review – Vic (What’s going on with internet banking?)
9. Zapatistas UK Tour (Can we do a fundraiser? Can we add some club funds? Are any women coming?) – Kev
10. CACKK goes camping update – CACKK
11. New Saturday men’s football secretary needed- Tom M
12. Danilo/Brazil fundraising – where are we with this? What else can we do?
13. Keep Fit club for women who want to exercise in private (at Baggator). Can the Cowgirls help (netters and footie)? – Linner
Kill the Bill Coalition footy tournament
SISTERS UNCUT COALITION AND CLAPTON CFC ARE JOINING FORCES TO BRING YOU…. THE KILL THE BILL COALITION FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT!!!
EPSON MFP image
THIS IS HAPPENING AT MABLEY GREEN IN HACKNEY FROM 10AM-4PM ON THE 31ST JULY. There will be stalls, music, food, drinks and speeches, and hopefully….. The Zapatistas (although not confirmed 100% yet)!!!
There are so far 16 teams, including activists from Sisters Uncut, IWGB, No More Exclusions and 2 refugee teams. We would like representation from the Cowfolk!!!
I have assigned the Cowfolk one 6-a-side team (so 8 people including subs) but I am sure we could squeeze a couple more in if there is the demand for it!
All players will arrive and we will join everyone together so teams are all mixed gender, mixed ability and have an opportunity to get to know new people and build solidarity with others, whether they are politically active, refugees or just there for a good time!!
WE NEED YOU COWFOLK!! WE NEED YOU TO BRING THAT SPECIAL VIBE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN MATCH!!!
PLEASE SIGN UP AND COME TO LONDON FOR THIS EVENT!!
We can try and help with travel and accommodation if necessary.
All my love to all of you!
Jake xxxx
Let’s get the Zapatistas here!
The Zapatistas are hoping to come to the “UK”*! There are a lot of hurdles to get over first, inlcuding covid, visas and, as always, finances. In order for them not to be denied entry they need a certain amount of money in their bank account, so to help this along there is a crowdfunder. Donate to the crowdfunder here (and get some great gifts in return!), and please share.
As a lot of you know we have a long history with the Zapatistas* so let’s make sure they have a good experience coming all the way here from Mexico!
Love and solidarity, and FORZA COWFOLK 
*The Zapatista Solidarity Network refers to the UK more appropriately, and recognising the autonomy of our regions, as the collective territories of Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and England, or the WISE Islands (Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England).
**For more info on the ECCSSC’s history with the Zapatistas and the Zapatista struggle in general, the Kiptik website is a good place to start, with loads of useful links.
Here is more information on the trip from the Zapatista Solidarity Network:
Sisters, brothers, hermanoas:
Zapatista Solidarity Network
Compañeras, compañeros and compañeroas:
It is with great joy, excitement and hope that we share with you the
news of the journey of the Zapatistas to Europe.
On October 2020, the Zapatistas announced their ‘planetary journey’ to
the five continents. In May 2021, seven Mayan indigenous people (4
women, 2 men and 1 non-binary person) who are part of the Zapatista
communities set off on a sailing boat across the Atlantic on an
“invasion” to Europe to mark 500 years since colonisation. The first
group, the Squad 421, arrived in The Azores, Portugal, on June 13th, and
is now on route to Spain. Plans of their journey across Europe and the
arrival of a larger delegation will be announced soon. Among other
countries, the Zapatista delegation plans to arrive in the wrongly
called United Kingdom. Collectives and compas from different cities,
towns and regions are coming together to receive them in the islands and
we call everyone to join us in this historic time to listen, share and
learn about diverse resistances and struggles for another world where
there is room for everyone [todas, todos, todoas].
This “Journey for Life” represents a historical moment, one filled with
significance and importance for decolonial movements, indigenous rights,
and the potential for European movements and grassroots organisations to
learn from the Zapatista experience in autonomy and dignity, persevered
against overwhelming odds for over a quarter century. The Zapatistas
have spoken about their planetary journey as one that will bring
together struggles, people and worldviews. We have been invited to meet
and exchange experiences about our struggles against colonialism, the
fight against patriarchal capitalism, gender violence, racism, and for
the protection of land and natural resources.
We have set up a crowdfunder to support the Zapatistas on their journey
to and travels within the “UK”, so as many people as possible have the
opportunity to meet the Zapatistas, learn about indigenous resistance,
and discuss what we in Europe can do to create a fairer, better and more
ecological world. The collected money will be used for: paying travel
expenses (including accommodation and food), covering COVID-related cost
to keep the delegation safe and supporting the compas on their trip to
other geographies. Any money which is left unused will be donated to the
Zapatista communities (Caracoles) in Chiapas, Mexico.
Please take a moment to visit the crowdfunder page with the full
information. Any donation counts and the first hours of the campaign are
critical to reach a broader audience and gather support for the
delegation!: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/zapatista-solidarity-network
You will notice that you can choose to make your donation in exchange
for a reward if you wish. We have amazing products from books, posters,
postcards, embroidered blouses. Your support is invaluable for us and we
are deeply grateful for it! Please share it with your contacts and
spread the word!
Please note that our first event in preparation for the Zapatista visit
is the Webinar ‘The Zapatistas in Europe’, TODAY Thursday 17th at 5pm
(BST). Please register here for the event:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-zapatistas-in-europe-why-their-visit-to-europe-is-important-tickets-157827061991?fbclid=IwAR3Yup3-xLpLB2LDSPvQg2yVtFJCH3ultNLcFvJI8hNgFJjbgH0bGZ2XCfs
¡Gracias!
Big Ride for Palestine
A bunch of Cowgirls are cycling from Bristol to London as part of the Big Ride for Palestine fundraising event.
“The ongoing siege and occupation of Gaza have traumatized children & caused psychological problems. Physical activity improves mental and physical health. The Big Ride for Palestine is teaming up with MECA to raise funds for building a new playground and sports field in Rafah, Palestine. Ride with us for Freedom, Justice & Equality for the Palestinians! Sign up for the Big Ride at www.thebigride4palestine.com and support our fundraiser.”
Donate at http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/easton-cowgirls
CACKK goes camping!
9-11 July 2021. Save the Date!
Rather than organise an event this year CACKK have booked a lovely field in Somerset so Cowfolk kids and their families can just go camping together instead. The event that was due to happen early June is now not taking place. All Cowfolk families are welcome ( it’s a big field) so please do come along and chill out and relax!
The site is set within a picturesque six acre plot in Ashcott, Somerset and we’ve been allocated our own field so we can kick back and spread out safely. In light of the government announcement about the delay to the easing of lockdown we have spoken to the campsite owner. We are pleased that as we are not organising an “event” and all families are camping separately, we can continue with our current arrangement. We will have a private field where we must ensure we space out, socially distance, and gather together there in groups of no more than 30. We hope everyone is still looking forward to coming, and can be reassured we are following guidelines to keep everyone safe.
Few answers to questions we’ve been asked…
- Yes you can have bbqs/fire pits as long as raised off the ground
- Yes there are hot showers and toilets
- Yes dogs are allowed, need to be kept on leads
- No we aren’t planning to do a bar this year so BYO.
Any questions or suggestions, please shout. Thank you for your patience while we’ve been getting this sorted.
If you haven’t yet confirmed you’re coming, please join the CACKK Facebook page and rsvp to the event, or email Saskia.
Join CACKK’s Facebook and get involved!!!
If you have kids please do join our Facebook group where you can share news from different bits of the club, meet other Cowfolk families and of course come camping 9 – 11th July. It’s gonna be lush!!!! We cannot wait!!!
Find CACKK (Cowboys And Cowgirls Kids Klub) on Facebook here.
We raised £22,500!!!!
The Community Care Package Mega Raffle has raised enough money to keep us providing fresh, healthy food to the community until September!!
Huuuuge thanks to everyone who donated prizes and bought tickets – amazing result!!
Don’t forget you can still donate (here) to keep that love flowing for as long as this crisis continues. Everyone is giving their time voluntarily, so all money donated goes to buying food and PPE.
You can also order a fruit + veg box to collect on Tuesdays and Friday afternoons. Each box is £10 or £15 for a bumper box, with £5/10 covering the cost of the produce and £5 buying a box for someone who can’t afford it.
BS5 solidarity fund
BS5 Mutual Aid have set up a fund to help cover the costs of practical support to those affected by coronavirus, such as providing food, accommodation and medication, particularly whilst people self-isolate.
Read more and contribute here: https://bs5mutualaid.org.uk/solidarity-fund/
Our aim as a mutual aid group is not only to meet people’s needs during the coronavirus pandemic but to help create strong communities that can support each other long into the future. The end of the pandemic will not be the end of the crisis. The economic impacts will likely put our livelihoods, homes and health under threat for years to come. Services and charities that have so far survived austerity and are helping people now may disappear. It has been inspiring to see neighbours supporting each other over the last few weeks and in the process getting to know each other and build a more connected and supportive community and this will become more and more important. This is what we want to help support and grow.
BS5 Mutual Aid
