On this day, 11 July 1981, it was rumoured that fascists were planning to attack Asian communities in Bradford, UK, so the United Black Youth League decided to organise defence of the community and assembled a cache of petrol bombs.
The League included Black and Asian members, and the event occurred against a background of repeated racist attacks and firebombings.
Police found the Molotov cocktails, and 12 young Asian men were arrested and charged - the Bradford 12. Following a big campaign in their defence, they were all acquitted on the basis that their actions amounted to community self defence.
Learn more in our podcast episodes 33-34 with one of the defendants, Tariq Mehmood: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/09/18/e28-29-asian-youth-movements-in-bradford/
You can listen to our podcast on our website, or on Apple, Spotify, Google podcasts, or any other major podcast app. https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1758792017639274/?type=3
Barnes and Nobles is gonna start serving food and alcohol.
Everybody’s cracking jokes about how it’s a desperate attempt to stay relevant in the age of Amazon.
But you know what? Props to them. This is exactly what Blockbuster didn’t do. At no point was Blockbuster like “Hey, movie rentals aren’t the lucrative enterprise they once were. Perhaps it’s time we become known for our cheesy garlic bread.”
Okay but…if someone wants to take me on a date to a Barnes and noble and get me dinner and a drink and then let me peruse the stacks like I’m not saying no. A sandwich, a beer, and 2-5 books on various topics I hope I’ll someday read about? Good night.
The Swedish equivalent of Blockbuster is now best known for its candy, snacks and sodas.
This is El Ateneo Grand Splendid, an old theatre turned bookstore in Buenos Aires:
The stage itself was turned into a cafe:
You can’t even begin to comprehend the massive amounts of money this place makes, despite the fact that they turned the theatre boxes into reading nooks like this:
I’ve literally spent days holed up in there reading books for free while also consuming massive amounts of coffee and pastries.
Adapt or die, people.
Take me to Buenos freaking Aires… Leave me in this bookshop… Never look for me, you will not find me again.
