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Discover all the social change events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

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Social Change Events Today

Join in-person Social Change events happening right now

The Charity Lounge Social - Coffee and catch up
The Charity Lounge Social - Coffee and catch up
Join us downstairs for coffee and chat at Cafe Neros on Charings Cross Road. There's no theme or topic for these events it really is just an opportunity to say hello, chat and connect with other charity minded folk. I hope to see you there!
Scrabble and Socialising
Scrabble and Socialising
Beyond Inclusion: Rethinking what truly accountable, inclusive design looks like
Beyond Inclusion: Rethinking what truly accountable, inclusive design looks like
**Whose knowledge is centred in design? Whose voices are heard, and whose are overlooked?** Join us for an interactive workshop that goes beyond surface-level inclusion to critically explore power, culture, and equity in design practice. **What’s the event about?** We want to create a space where we can talk honestly and practically about what it means to go beyond inclusive design — to question who design is for, how it’s done, and how we might do it differently. It’s not a lecture, nor is it about having the “right” answers. It’s about exploring the topic together in a way that’s open, hands-on… and a bit of fun too. This event will include an interactive activity designed to provoke thought and discussion about what it means to design beyond inclusivity, creating space for deeper shared reflection. **Who’s it for?** This is for anyone working in or around design — whether you’re in services, research, strategy, policy, or community roles. You might: •⁠ ⁠Be curious about the term “decolonising” but not sure where to start •⁠ ⁠Feel a bit disconnected from this kind of conversation •⁠ ⁠Be looking for a more grounded, less academic way in •⁠ ⁠Just want to meet others thinking about design and equity in new ways **What can you expect?** •⁠ ⁠A hands-on group activity inviting you to explore an unfamiliar world, challenge assumptions, and think differently about power, culture, and design •⁠ ⁠Facilitated group reflection and conversation on how we talk about — and act on — the idea of decolonising design in our work •⁠ ⁠Informal conversations and networking at the pub to follow What you’ll take away •⁠ ⁠A practical framework you can adapt or reuse in your own work •⁠ ⁠A more grounded sense of what “decolonising design” can mean in everyday practice •⁠ ⁠A chance to connect with others exploring similar questions Whether you're completely new to decolonising design or already working with these frameworks, you'll find space to reflect, learn, and connect with others navigating similar questions. **About the Ticket** The ticket cost is to hold your place and ensure commitment from attendees. **All participants who attend the event will be offered the option to request a full refund of their ticket price.** This approach helps us plan effectively while remaining accessible to those with financial constraints. Come ready to participate, question, and imagine design differently.
Guy Debord, Society of the Spectacle: PART ONE [Chapters 1-3]
Guy Debord, Society of the Spectacle: PART ONE [Chapters 1-3]
***"The spectacle is the existing order’s uninterrupted discourse about itself, its laudatory monologue. It is the self-portrait of power in the epoch of its totalitarian management of the conditions of existence. The fetishistic, purely objective appearance of spectacular relations conceals the fact that they are relations among men and classes: a second nature with its fatal laws seems to dominate our environment."*** **\- Guy Debord\, *The Society of the Spectacle*** Welcome back readers! By popular request, we're bringing back (for a new generation of LMRG readers) an old favourite: the always-relevant Guy Debord and his masterful *Society of the Spectacle*. We'll kick off with the first three chapters. Find the next here: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm Often maligned as theorymaxxed nonsense but little-read, this slim volume is certainly dense with ideas - all of which carry as much relevance today as those half-forgotten postwar years when the Situationist International made its mark on the world, if not more. With the rise of the Internet and social media, the decline of literacy and the closing of the mass mind, the endless doom-loop of doomscrolling and bed-rotting, increasingly performative protest, the commodification of everything, the Epstein-approved culture war, and the theatre of spectacular cruelty that is imperialist colonial policy from Gaza to Venezuela, we really are living an age where everything that was once directly participated in has passed into representation. Every hand-grip one searches for to get some kind of grasp on the world seems to be a mirage; "participation" in anything, from politics to culture, has been reduced to fandom - limited to nothing more than expressing approval or disapproval through totally mediated social media platforms. Above it all stands an utterly corrupt, irresponsible elite class more and more transparent in how it relishes in conspiratorial play, power-games with unlimited stakes for us and no consequences for them. Such a world where power wears a shit-eating grin and keeps us off our balance by endlessly[ "flooding the zone"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_the_zone) (in Steve Bannon's terms) with distractions so intricate they short-circuit the collective brain is exactly what Debord not only predicted but described in frightening detail, with more than a little bit of humour. So let's dig in and find out: just what can we do to unplug from the spectacle? Is the spectacle even un-plug-from-able? Debord haters, cope and seethe: as a much more orthodox Marxist than he ever gets credit for, there really are some strategies in here. We just need to be creative. Take care and happy reading!
From Insight to Impact: Women’s Health Design Jam – Manchester
From Insight to Impact: Women’s Health Design Jam – Manchester
More Infro and Sign: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-insight-to-impact-womens-health-design-jam-manchester-tickets-1982205961390?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Tango Classes and Dancing near Oxford street & Baker street
Tango Classes and Dancing near Oxford street & Baker street
Our venue is: St. Paul's Church Marylebone 5 rossmore road NW1 6NJ / nearest station: Marylebone 7:30 - 9:00pm Class (£15) 9:00 - 11pm Social Dancing (Class + Dancing £20) • What we'll do We will learn the Argentine Tango from basics leading you through an exciting journey. Our teachers are professional with many years of experience and will teach you the authentic Argentine Tango. ***Socialise, chat and meet people over a drink and nibbles Stay to dance practice and chill out, listening to a fantastic music selection of the best Tango tunes. Occasionally - we will have dance performances by top world renown Tango artists, live music, film projections, special events. No need to come with partner or have previous dance experience. Just bring yourself with good mood and leather sole shoes. ***We have new protocols due to Covid-19 to keep you safe Only pre-booking, no turning up read and book here: http://www.raquel-tango.com/news/ladivina/ • What to bring leather sole shoes (so you can slide and glide on the floor - no trainers), comfy clothes • Important to know We run those meet ups on Thursdays evenings and Saturdays afternoon at Marylebone location. Tickets, timetable and details can be found here: http://www.raquel-tango.com/news/onlineclasses/ We always have special offers for new members so don't forget to email us: info@raquel-tango.com
LCC RUNNERS: Hackney & QEII Parklands Trail Running [~3km] EVENING SESSION
LCC RUNNERS: Hackney & QEII Parklands Trail Running [~3km] EVENING SESSION
**Welcome back to LCC's Trail Running Club! For our next outing we're finally heading east to take on Hackney Marshes and the parklands and canal towpaths of the QEII Olympic parks. We should be looking at a bit more evening daylight this time of year!** **This will provide us a nice flat trail run. We'll be looking at roughly 30-45 minutes, covering around 3km at a moderate pace, ideal for beginners and intermediate runners. Whatever your speed, our organisers will always keep you in sight!** We'll meet at Hackney Wick station - look for me in the neon-yellow vest! Meeting time is 6:30, we'll head off at around 6:45. We'll head from there north over Hackney Bridge, up the towpath to Hackney Marshes, and then make a loop around and back down, over the footbridge to the East Marsh, following the River Lea southwards through Alfred's Meadow and back up via the Olympic Stadium to return to the Wick. There are toilets at Hackney Wick and at cafes located around the QEII parkland paths. I'll also be bringing plenty of water along with me, so if you forget yours, fear not. I've got a few spare bits of kit as well - if you would like a running sleeve to put your phone in or a pouch belt for keys and things, just shoot me a message on here ahead of time! All are welcome - we're a mix of skill levels and leg lengths, so I'll be maintaining a relatively relaxed pace and will make sure no one winds up too far behind. Our standard bit of info about our running group and why it's good is provided below: \-\-\-\-\- Humans evolved to run and sprint; no wonder then that when we do it regularly (within moderation and with plenty of rest days), our brains as well as bodies thank us. Running has recently been shown to [improve neuroplasticity,](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6148340/) heal [brain damage](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6148340/) in affected individuals, and foster [better mental health](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-truth-behind-runners-high-and-other-mental-benefits-of-running) including elevated mood at rest and enhanced task-switching ability. Doing all this in nature, as opposed to busy London roads dodging commuters and street cleaners, also helps deliver the well-known [benefits](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-spending-time-outdoors-to-refresh-your-mind/) of time spent in nature to mood, anxiety levels, cognition and memory. All these things matter a great deal in an age where burnout and exhaustion are a constant presence either in our own lives or those of the people we care about [who you should totally invite along]. It matters especially for people trying to eke out a percentage of their time and mental capacity for transformative social and political organising: the better we feel, the more we'll be able to do. In a nutshell, running is great for you and you should do it. Trail running is even better. Best of all is doing all this with a supportive group of comrades, especially one which includes knowledgeable folks who can provide some structure to what can be a puzzling sport to get started with if building up to something, like a 10k or half marathon, is your goal. Part of our running group's programming will be building a series of events aimed at building people up, slowly but surely, towards specific goals, using progressive programmes similar to the [NHS's Couch to 5k](https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/) system. \-\-\-\-\- Take care and see you on the trails!

Social Change Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

FEVER FRIDAY: 20 - 30's SOCIAL MEETUP
FEVER FRIDAY: 20 - 30's SOCIAL MEETUP
Get ready to turn up the heat… **FEVER FRIDAY** is the ultimate Friday night social for 20–30s ready to start the weekend right. Whether you’re coming with friends or solo, it’s the perfect place to meet new people, spark new connections, and make it a night to remember. **Cocktail Offers** Unmissable drink deals all night long. **Open Room Karaoke** Grab the mic and own the stage. **Live DJ** Party anthems and throwbacks to keep you dancing. Dress up. Show up. Catch the FEVER.
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹 ALDGATE - Language Exchange & Social  🇩🇪🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹 ALDGATE - Language Exchange & Social 🇩🇪🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ! Welcome to the Highest Rated International Language Exchange group in London,🏆 with 1400+ reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Join us on **Friday** for our weekend global language exchange and social 😊🍻🥂 TO ATTEND THIS EVENT YOU **MUST**👇👇 1. Have your Meetup confirmation visible on your phone when you arrive. 2. Collect & wear your badge as soon as you arrive and always BEFORE buying your drinks and food. 3. Pay the £2 event fee. The event starts at 7pm. **The event fee is £6 if you arrive after 8:30pm** Start meeting the community and having fun...lots of fun! www.languages.london 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬🇭🇰🇺🇸🇨🇴🇺🇦🇹🇷🇷🇺🇦🇺 WHEN & WHERE This Friday we'll be returning to The Craft Beer Co, St Mary Axe.** **Address: 29-31 Mitre Street, London, EC3A 5BU** https://maps.app.goo.gl/49HnHGap8hQMbQNWA **HOW WE DO IT** It's simple .... \~ When you arrive please collect your personalised language badge from us. We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 \~ Please wear your badge during the event and always return it before you leave ♻️ \~ Start meeting the community and having fun...lots of fun! Please buy something from the bar to support the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇵🇱🇹🇼🇲🇽🇻🇳🇧🇬🇵🇸🇸🇪🇮🇱🇨🇦🇳🇱🇿🇦🇭🇺🇹🇭🇵🇪🇧🇴🇳🇬🇳🇿🇨🇭 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. We have the largest number of languages and countries represented in our weekly language exchange and social events in London. This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers..... Everyone! Are you an 18 to 24 year old? Come and explore our events. This is the event for a truly global community and for citizens from around the World. Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English.... that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the love...Bring your friends 💙 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. We want to remain the BEST language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. These are real events with real people. We don't fill our events with inflated numbers and fictitious attendees 👻 **Community members that no-show at our events and inactive members are regularly removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing ... English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovakian, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇷🇴🇬🇹🇨🇿🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮🇨🇾🇺🇾🇪🇬🇧🇬🇦🇷🇰🇪🇱🇰🇲🇦🇹🇳🇩🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We don't like single use paper name tags, stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? ...Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 🏆👍 So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - https://www.languages.london/ We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇵🇭🇦🇪🇦🇱🇧🇪🇮🇪🇰🇿🇱🇦🇯🇴🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇰🇭🇨🇱🇲🇳🇨🇺
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹 CLERKENWELL Language Exchange & Social 🇩🇪🇨🇳🇪🇬🇧🇷🇰🇷
🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹 CLERKENWELL Language Exchange & Social 🇩🇪🇨🇳🇪🇬🇧🇷🇰🇷
**Important - Please Read** LIMITED SPACES - **You must have a confirmed place to attend this event. ** Welcome to London's Highest Rated International Languages Exchange group with over 1400 reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇨🇳🇪🇬🇭🇰🇺🇦🇺🇸🇹🇷🇹🇼🇷🇺🇵🇱 To learn more about us and our community visit [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) WHEN & WHERE Join us on Saturday for our global language exchange from 6pm. The venue is The Craft Beer Co. in Clerkenwell, a really friendly pub with a great selection of drinks (especially beers!) including non-alcoholic options and **we have the whole first floor space exclusively for our event!** The venue has excellent access to public transport via, tube, train and bus. HOW WE DO IT It's simple .... \~ When you arrive please collect your personalised language badge from us, **BEFORE** you order your drinks. We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 \~ Please wear your badge during the event and return it before you leave. \~ Start meeting the community and having fun, lots of fun! Confirm your place to attend. There's a small fee of £2, which you can pay when you arrive. Please buy something from the bar to support the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇲🇽🇻🇳🇧🇬🇵🇸🇸🇪🇮🇱🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇱🇨🇴🇭🇺🇿🇦🇹🇭🇵🇪🇧🇴🇳🇬🇪🇬🇳🇿🇨🇭 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. Our weekly events in London have the highest number of languages and countries represented. Note - This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers..... Everyone! This is the event for a truly global community and for citizens from around the World 🌎 Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English, that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the love, bring your family, friends and colleagues 💙 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. These are real events with real people. We aren't one of those groups that fill our events with fictitious attendees👻 We want to remain the **BEST** language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. **No-shows at our events are always removed from the group.** **Inactive members are also regularly removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovak, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Gaelic, Icelandic, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇷🇴🇬🇹🇨🇿🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮🇨🇾🇺🇾🇪🇬🇧🇬🇦🇷🇰🇪🇱🇰🇲🇦🇹🇳🇩🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We never use paper stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 👍 So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇵🇭🇦🇪🇦🇱🇧🇪🇮🇪🇲🇹🇰🇿🇱🇦🇯🇴🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇰🇭🇨🇱🇲🇳🇨🇺
Dutch socials - Make new friends
Dutch socials - Make new friends
An event for Dutch speakers who want to chat and make new friends in a friendly environment. Pop in and discuss your interests. For organisational purposes, please kindly change your reservation in case you can no longer attend.
LCC RUNNERS: Hyde Park Foundation Session [~1km] BEGINNERS
LCC RUNNERS: Hyde Park Foundation Session [~1km] BEGINNERS
**Welcome back to LCC's Trail Running Club! This is our beginners' session in which we'll be training from the ground up, building strength and endurance in line with the NHS-approved [Couch to 5k programme.](https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/)** Beginners' training sessions are all about what's right for you, so we won't be following a fixed route or a set pace. We'll aim to do around 1km, alternatively jogging and walking, based on how we feel. Everyone is welcome no matter how little running you've done in your life so do come along and invite your friends, we'll be making sure no one gets left behind. There are [toilet facilities in Hyde Park](https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park/faqs) which cost 20 pence (£0.20) to access; contactless payment cards are accepted but cash is not. If you haven't got a card but need the loo, don't worry, we got you. I'll also be bringing plenty of water along with me, so if you forget yours, fear not. I've got a few spare bits of kit as well - if you would like a running sleeve to put your phone in or a pouch belt for keys and things, just shoot me a message on here ahead of time! Our standard bit of info about our running group and why it's good is provided below: \-\-\-\-\- Humans evolved to run and sprint; no wonder then that when we do it regularly (within moderation and with plenty of rest days), our brains as well as bodies thank us. Running has recently been shown to [improve neuroplasticity,](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6148340/) heal [brain damage](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6148340/) in affected individuals, and foster [better mental health](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-truth-behind-runners-high-and-other-mental-benefits-of-running) including elevated mood at rest and enhanced task-switching ability. Doing all this in nature, as opposed to busy London roads dodging commuters and street cleaners, also helps deliver the well-known [benefits](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-spending-time-outdoors-to-refresh-your-mind/) of time spent in nature to mood, anxiety levels, cognition and memory. All these things matter a great deal in an age where burnout and exhaustion are a constant presence either in our own lives or those of the people we care about [who you should totally invite along]. It matters especially for people trying to eke out a percentage of their time and mental capacity for transformative social and political organising: the better we feel, the more we'll be able to do. In a nutshell, running is great for you and you should do it. Trail running is even better. Best of all is doing all this with a supportive group of comrades, especially one which includes knowledgeable folks who can provide some structure to what can be a puzzling sport to get started with if building up to something, like a 10k or half marathon, is your goal. Part of our running group's programming will be building a series of events aimed at building people up, slowly but surely, towards specific goals, using progressive programmes similar to the [NHS's Couch to 5k](https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/) system. \-\-\-\-\- Take care and see you on the trails!
The Justice Trap: Law and the Disempowerment of Society
The Justice Trap: Law and the Disempowerment of Society
Hello Everyone, For this meeting, we’ll be reading and discussing Peter Gelderloos’ essay **[“The Justice Trap: Law and the Disempowerment of Society.”](https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/peter-gelderloos-the-justice-trap-law-and-the-disempowerment-of-society)** It’s a provocative text that questions what happens when social movements rely on “justice” through legal frameworks and state institutions, and how the justice system can end up weakening collective power, autonomy, and even community bonds. The essay also explores alternatives: restorative approaches to conflict, decentralized ways of resolving harm, and what “social peace” might look like without policing and prisons. Gelderloos argues that the “justice system” can harm movements even when it appears to be fair. He describes how repression can work without convictions: two people are arrested, and an entire community ends up “punished” through stress, time-drain, fundraising, legal admin, fear, and disruption — meaning the **process becomes the punishment**, even if the court later “absolves” them. He also pushes us to separate *resolving harm* from *justice institutions*. He gives examples of restorative and community-based ways of arbitrating conflict without police, prisons, punishment, or a legal code. In these models, conflict is often **defined subjectively** by the people involved, based on shared cultural values that are **not codified** into law. Resolution is **decentralized** (not one official space, not one official outcome), and responsibility is **shared rather than specialized**. Instead of punishment, communities may use **social sanctions meant to discourage harmful behaviour** — from criticism and ridicule to withdrawing social ties, sometimes escalating to ostracism in serious cases. The underlying assumption is that most people want to remain part of the community and can be brought back into relationship through accountability and repair. **Guiding questions for the discussion** • Subjective conflict: if conflict is defined by individuals, how do we prevent constant conflict or bad-faith accusations — and how do we ensure real harms aren’t dismissed? • Non-codified norms: what do we gain from not codifying values (flexibility, context)… and what do we risk (arbitrariness, bias, exclusion)? • The spectrum of sanctions: which sanctions feel acceptable in your context, and which feel dangerous? Where is the line between “discouragement” and “punishment”? • If we step away from the justice system, what practices or structures could communities use to address serious harm and protect people, without reproducing prisons and policing under a different name? Looking forward to seeing you all for what should be a stimulating and welcoming session.

Social Change Events Near You

Connect with your local Social Change community

Humanist Program: Fighting the Efforts to Insert Religion into Public Education
Humanist Program: Fighting the Efforts to Insert Religion into Public Education
The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon
🎳 Bowling at Pins Mechanical 🎳
🎳 Bowling at Pins Mechanical 🎳
Get ready to roll at Pins Mechanical 🎳🍻 Join us for a laid-back, high-energy meetup at Pins Mechanical Company—where vintage bowling lanes, craft cocktails, and old-school arcade vibes set the stage for a great night out. Whether you’re a bowling pro or just here for the good times, this is the perfect chance to connect, compete, and kick back. Expect friendly games, plenty of laughs, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to mingle. Grab a drink, lace up some bowling shoes, and let’s knock down a few pins together. No experience required—just bring your good vibes and get ready to roll! 🎉 Free bowling starts at 8pm
Eat Pupusas. Skate. Support Local. 🛼🎉
Eat Pupusas. Skate. Support Local. 🛼🎉
Join us for a fun Saturday evening starting with dinner at Ranchero Kitchen at 6:30 PM, where we’ll be supporting an immigrant-owned local business. Pupusas: Beans, Potatoes, Veggie Homemade juices: Passionfruit, Tamarind, Horchata, Pineapple-cashew After dinner, we’ll head to Skate Zone 71 from 8:00–10:30 PM for skating, music, and good vibes. Come hungry and ready to roll! 😋🛼 Locations: Ranchero Kitchen 984 Morse Rd Columbus, OH 43229 (Same plaza as Ohio BMV license bureau) Skate Zone 71 4900 Evanswood Dr Columbus, OH 43229
Yarn Social at Northwest Library
Yarn Social at Northwest Library
If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, working with yarn, this is the group for you. Meet new friends, bring your projects, learn from others.
We normally meet a few times a month during the week from 6-8pm. We will occasionally meet on weekends during daytime hours.
Sunday Brunch
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!