While Rome Burns
@while-rome-burns.bsky.social
Anarchism, anti-fascism, history
The past "flashes up at a moment of danger" (Benjamin, 1940)
Also at whileromeburns_ on Insta
https://whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com
The past "flashes up at a moment of danger" (Benjamin, 1940)
Also at whileromeburns_ on Insta
https://whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com
That is an insane headline.
Now is Trump just being characteristically volatile? Or is he being savvy in seeing which way the wind is blowing and moving with it?
Either way, it looks like an amazing win for Mamdani which will hopefully keep the Federal Gestapo out of NYC.
Now is Trump just being characteristically volatile? Or is he being savvy in seeing which way the wind is blowing and moving with it?
Either way, it looks like an amazing win for Mamdani which will hopefully keep the Federal Gestapo out of NYC.
November 22, 2025 at 12:51 AM
That is an insane headline.
Now is Trump just being characteristically volatile? Or is he being savvy in seeing which way the wind is blowing and moving with it?
Either way, it looks like an amazing win for Mamdani which will hopefully keep the Federal Gestapo out of NYC.
Now is Trump just being characteristically volatile? Or is he being savvy in seeing which way the wind is blowing and moving with it?
Either way, it looks like an amazing win for Mamdani which will hopefully keep the Federal Gestapo out of NYC.
In this day & age it’s nice to find something that can bring everyone together
“Freedom from British rule is the single most popular secular festival anywhere in the world. Every six days, somewhere celebrates freedom from British rule”
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
@empirepoduk.bsky.social
“Freedom from British rule is the single most popular secular festival anywhere in the world. Every six days, somewhere celebrates freedom from British rule”
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
@empirepoduk.bsky.social
307. Austen vs Brontë: Unmasking Slavery Heiresses
Podcast Episode · Empire · 13/11/2025 · 42m
podcasts.apple.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In this day & age it’s nice to find something that can bring everyone together
“Freedom from British rule is the single most popular secular festival anywhere in the world. Every six days, somewhere celebrates freedom from British rule”
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
@empirepoduk.bsky.social
“Freedom from British rule is the single most popular secular festival anywhere in the world. Every six days, somewhere celebrates freedom from British rule”
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
@empirepoduk.bsky.social
Still relevant bc the same shit keeps coming around
...or gets worse.
2012 me:
"In a way a little similar to George Orwell, it always makes me feel almost patriotic to observe the general lack of overt patriotism in this country."
whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/p...
...or gets worse.
2012 me:
"In a way a little similar to George Orwell, it always makes me feel almost patriotic to observe the general lack of overt patriotism in this country."
whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/p...
Poppies are opiates that make you forget: the politics of remembrance and the rise of nationalism
This is a previously unpublished piece from 2012. It seemed relevant now.1 “The struggle of people against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting” – Milan Kundera. It is true that often…
whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Still relevant bc the same shit keeps coming around
...or gets worse.
2012 me:
"In a way a little similar to George Orwell, it always makes me feel almost patriotic to observe the general lack of overt patriotism in this country."
whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/p...
...or gets worse.
2012 me:
"In a way a little similar to George Orwell, it always makes me feel almost patriotic to observe the general lack of overt patriotism in this country."
whileromeburnsjournal.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/p...
Zohran Mamdani shows one way to resist fascism.
Where the far-right is weak is that it is backed by billionaires and produces zero tangible benefits for working people. All it does is say - “Look over there! An immigrant!”
Where the far-right is weak is that it is backed by billionaires and produces zero tangible benefits for working people. All it does is say - “Look over there! An immigrant!”
BONUS - Zohran: The Final Stretch
Podcast Episode · Chapo Trap House · 30/10/2025 · 17m
podcasts.apple.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Zohran Mamdani shows one way to resist fascism.
Where the far-right is weak is that it is backed by billionaires and produces zero tangible benefits for working people. All it does is say - “Look over there! An immigrant!”
Where the far-right is weak is that it is backed by billionaires and produces zero tangible benefits for working people. All it does is say - “Look over there! An immigrant!”
Putting this in context it is kind of astonishing.
Someone who calls himself a socialist just won Mayor of New York.
A Muslim just won Mayor of New York.
Someone who is willing to say Israel is committing genocide just won Mayor of New York.
www.dsausa.org/statements/z...
Someone who calls himself a socialist just won Mayor of New York.
A Muslim just won Mayor of New York.
Someone who is willing to say Israel is committing genocide just won Mayor of New York.
www.dsausa.org/statements/z...
Zohran Mamdani Wins! National Political Committee Statement - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s win is a win for the working class. NYC DSA and Zohran proved a better world is possible. Join DSA to help build it.
www.dsausa.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Putting this in context it is kind of astonishing.
Someone who calls himself a socialist just won Mayor of New York.
A Muslim just won Mayor of New York.
Someone who is willing to say Israel is committing genocide just won Mayor of New York.
www.dsausa.org/statements/z...
Someone who calls himself a socialist just won Mayor of New York.
A Muslim just won Mayor of New York.
Someone who is willing to say Israel is committing genocide just won Mayor of New York.
www.dsausa.org/statements/z...
An amazing victory in New York.
All the more impressive that all the billionaires and right wing maniacs weren’t able to come up with anything to stop him.
All the more impressive that all the billionaires and right wing maniacs weren’t able to come up with anything to stop him.
November 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
An amazing victory in New York.
All the more impressive that all the billionaires and right wing maniacs weren’t able to come up with anything to stop him.
All the more impressive that all the billionaires and right wing maniacs weren’t able to come up with anything to stop him.
Another arrest in connection with the Peacehaven mosque arson. Also it’s now being handled by counter-terror police, although still not being called a terrorist attack (presumably bc the victims are Muslims).
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/11/04/a...
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/11/04/a...
Another arrest as terror police take over Peacehaven mosque arson case
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) are now leading the investigation into the arson at the Peacehaven mosque
www.brightonandhovenews.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Another arrest in connection with the Peacehaven mosque arson. Also it’s now being handled by counter-terror police, although still not being called a terrorist attack (presumably bc the victims are Muslims).
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/11/04/a...
www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/11/04/a...
It’s really interesting seeing corporations lean into dystopianism.
November 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
It’s really interesting seeing corporations lean into dystopianism.
This is an excellent history of Lewes Bonfire that draws out the contradictions of the event - a strange survival of another time that has somehow been passed down with mutating meanings
And as is generally the case with history - nothing is really as of as great antiquity as people like to believe
And as is generally the case with history - nothing is really as of as great antiquity as people like to believe
November 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is an excellent history of Lewes Bonfire that draws out the contradictions of the event - a strange survival of another time that has somehow been passed down with mutating meanings
And as is generally the case with history - nothing is really as of as great antiquity as people like to believe
And as is generally the case with history - nothing is really as of as great antiquity as people like to believe
Confirmation: it is indeed a post-Southport thing to stop the far-right burning asylum seekers alive every time there's a crime
Still doesnt stop them though. Currently far-right Facebook is speculating the alleged attacker changed his name to sound more English
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Still doesnt stop them though. Currently far-right Facebook is speculating the alleged attacker changed his name to sound more English
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
November 3, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Confirmation: it is indeed a post-Southport thing to stop the far-right burning asylum seekers alive every time there's a crime
Still doesnt stop them though. Currently far-right Facebook is speculating the alleged attacker changed his name to sound more English
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Still doesnt stop them though. Currently far-right Facebook is speculating the alleged attacker changed his name to sound more English
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by While Rome Burns
A gang of us travelled from Brighton yesterday to support the anti-racist demo in Newhaven. About 300 people joined the ‘Everybody’s Haven’ march which wound around the town centre before finishing with a rally and music at the bandstand on Denton Island.
November 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A gang of us travelled from Brighton yesterday to support the anti-racist demo in Newhaven. About 300 people joined the ‘Everybody’s Haven’ march which wound around the town centre before finishing with a rally and music at the bandstand on Denton Island.
Interesting that the Huntingdon train attack has to be reported in this way.
On the one hand feels reactionary to be immediately flagging up the ethnicity of the attackers.
But on the other hand, after the racist riots last year, everyone’s trying to get in ahead of the far right rumour mill.
On the one hand feels reactionary to be immediately flagging up the ethnicity of the attackers.
But on the other hand, after the racist riots last year, everyone’s trying to get in ahead of the far right rumour mill.
November 2, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Interesting that the Huntingdon train attack has to be reported in this way.
On the one hand feels reactionary to be immediately flagging up the ethnicity of the attackers.
But on the other hand, after the racist riots last year, everyone’s trying to get in ahead of the far right rumour mill.
On the one hand feels reactionary to be immediately flagging up the ethnicity of the attackers.
But on the other hand, after the racist riots last year, everyone’s trying to get in ahead of the far right rumour mill.
So many grifting cults been covered by @iwriteok.bsky.social
What really struck me w this one is the symbiosis btw USA’s lack of decent healthcare and the opportunities it creates to prey on the desperate
I guess that’s America: Capitalism x Christianity baby!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
What really struck me w this one is the symbiosis btw USA’s lack of decent healthcare and the opportunities it creates to prey on the desperate
I guess that’s America: Capitalism x Christianity baby!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Part One: Bishop David E. Taylor: Jesus Christ's Best Friend
Podcast Episode · Behind the Bastards · 28/10/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 AM
So many grifting cults been covered by @iwriteok.bsky.social
What really struck me w this one is the symbiosis btw USA’s lack of decent healthcare and the opportunities it creates to prey on the desperate
I guess that’s America: Capitalism x Christianity baby!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
What really struck me w this one is the symbiosis btw USA’s lack of decent healthcare and the opportunities it creates to prey on the desperate
I guess that’s America: Capitalism x Christianity baby!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Nice window display Amnesty bookshop
October 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Nice window display Amnesty bookshop
Looking forward to seeing the "specialist experience and skills" of the British Army in bringing peace to the Middle East.
news.sky.com/story/britis...
news.sky.com/story/britis...
British troops deployed to Israel to 'monitor Gaza ceasefire' after US request
Defence Secretary John Healey told a London audience on Monday that UK forces could play an "anchor role" by contributing their "specialist experience and skills" to securing a long-term peace.
news.sky.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Looking forward to seeing the "specialist experience and skills" of the British Army in bringing peace to the Middle East.
news.sky.com/story/britis...
news.sky.com/story/britis...
The episodes of Empire with Caroline Elkins on Palestine between the wars are really extraordinary.
Shows British imperial techniques of violence, the Black and Tans and Bomber Harris were essentially the founders of the IDF.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Shows British imperial techniques of violence, the Black and Tans and Bomber Harris were essentially the founders of the IDF.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
299. Gaza: The Palestinian Revolt, The Black and Tans, & Bomber Harris (Part 9)
Podcast Episode · Empire · 15/10/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The episodes of Empire with Caroline Elkins on Palestine between the wars are really extraordinary.
Shows British imperial techniques of violence, the Black and Tans and Bomber Harris were essentially the founders of the IDF.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Shows British imperial techniques of violence, the Black and Tans and Bomber Harris were essentially the founders of the IDF.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
There are multiple clips from various locations of far right hotel protesters calling for asylum seekers to be burnt to death and laughing about the idea
Sometimes the British press even turn these people into popular heroes and stick them on the front page of the paper
metro.co.uk/2025/10/05/f...
Sometimes the British press even turn these people into popular heroes and stick them on the front page of the paper
metro.co.uk/2025/10/05/f...
Anti-migrant protesters laugh as firefighters rush to Canary Wharf migrant hotel
The Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf was searched for signs of fire, London Fire Brigade confirmed.
metro.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
There are multiple clips from various locations of far right hotel protesters calling for asylum seekers to be burnt to death and laughing about the idea
Sometimes the British press even turn these people into popular heroes and stick them on the front page of the paper
metro.co.uk/2025/10/05/f...
Sometimes the British press even turn these people into popular heroes and stick them on the front page of the paper
metro.co.uk/2025/10/05/f...
Has global politics ever been driven so obviously before by one man’s petty rancour?
(A: probably)
He’s laying it on with a fucking trowel. He so obviously wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bc Obama got one and Obama once made fun of him at a White House dinner in 2011.
(A: probably)
He’s laying it on with a fucking trowel. He so obviously wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bc Obama got one and Obama once made fun of him at a White House dinner in 2011.
October 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Has global politics ever been driven so obviously before by one man’s petty rancour?
(A: probably)
He’s laying it on with a fucking trowel. He so obviously wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bc Obama got one and Obama once made fun of him at a White House dinner in 2011.
(A: probably)
He’s laying it on with a fucking trowel. He so obviously wants a Nobel Peace Prize just bc Obama got one and Obama once made fun of him at a White House dinner in 2011.
I’m sure the people who get lifted for this will turn out to have no connections at all with the sort of noble patriots who attach flags to lampposts.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Man arrested over suspected arson at Peacehaven mosque - BBC News
The front entrance of the building and a car parked outside were damaged, Sussex Police say.
www.bbc.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I’m sure the people who get lifted for this will turn out to have no connections at all with the sort of noble patriots who attach flags to lampposts.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Superhero team up with the Mud Wizard to defeat all cops
October 6, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Superhero team up with the Mud Wizard to defeat all cops
I have quite a lot of respect for what @defendourjuries.bsky.social are doing.
Many ppl were critical of XR’s tactics of getting everyone arrested. It feels a bit like they’ve now found their moment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Many ppl were critical of XR’s tactics of getting everyone arrested. It feels a bit like they’ve now found their moment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Civil liberty groups express concern over plan for more anti-protest powers
Home secretary says police can consider ‘cumulative impact’ of demonstrations as Palestine Action ban opponents vow ‘escalation’
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I have quite a lot of respect for what @defendourjuries.bsky.social are doing.
Many ppl were critical of XR’s tactics of getting everyone arrested. It feels a bit like they’ve now found their moment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Many ppl were critical of XR’s tactics of getting everyone arrested. It feels a bit like they’ve now found their moment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Little bit hard to see how the government is going to ‘ban’ protests at which everyone is already getting arrested for terrorism offences.
October 6, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Little bit hard to see how the government is going to ‘ban’ protests at which everyone is already getting arrested for terrorism offences.
Shabana Mahmood is more outspoken than Starmer. And welcome as it is for someone publicly to be raising the alarm, nevertheless, the answer she comes up with is the same rhetoric we've had in Britain for decades - what Sivanandan called "the numbers game"...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Shabana Mahmood calls Nigel Farage ‘worse than racist’ over ‘dog-whistle politics’
Home secretary also tells Labour conference fringe event of the abuse her family have been subjected to recently
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Shabana Mahmood is more outspoken than Starmer. And welcome as it is for someone publicly to be raising the alarm, nevertheless, the answer she comes up with is the same rhetoric we've had in Britain for decades - what Sivanandan called "the numbers game"...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
What we're seeing with Trumpist fascism is America's imperial boomerang
All the vast militarised security state build up by both parties especially after 9-11 that was meant to be deployed against 'them' is now coming home: the army on the streets, extra judicial disappearances and black sites
All the vast militarised security state build up by both parties especially after 9-11 that was meant to be deployed against 'them' is now coming home: the army on the streets, extra judicial disappearances and black sites
September 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
What we're seeing with Trumpist fascism is America's imperial boomerang
All the vast militarised security state build up by both parties especially after 9-11 that was meant to be deployed against 'them' is now coming home: the army on the streets, extra judicial disappearances and black sites
All the vast militarised security state build up by both parties especially after 9-11 that was meant to be deployed against 'them' is now coming home: the army on the streets, extra judicial disappearances and black sites
So we're at the rounding-up-all-my-political-opponents stage
good good
all on track
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trumps-nsp...
good good
all on track
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trumps-nsp...
Trump’s NSPM-7 Labels Common Beliefs As Terrorism “Indicators”
New directive targets “anti-Christian,” “anti-American,” and “anti-capitalism” opinions
www.kenklippenstein.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:57 PM
So we're at the rounding-up-all-my-political-opponents stage
good good
all on track
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trumps-nsp...
good good
all on track
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trumps-nsp...