Class War is an anarchist group[1][2] and newspaper established by Ian Bone and others in 1983[3] in the United Kingdom. An incarnation of Class War was briefly registered as a political party for the purposes of fighting the 2015 United Kingdom general election.
In the 1980s, Class War organised a number of "Bash The Rich" demonstrations, in which supporters were invited to march through and disrupt wealthier areas of London such as Kensington, and Henley-on-Thames, bearing banners and placards with slogans such as "Behold your future executioners!"[4]
A third Bash the Rich event, scheduled to march through Hampstead, in 1985 was largely prevented by a heavy police presence and was acknowledged by Class War to have been a failure. This event was seen by many as a major setback for the group and many members left to form other groups or drifted away.[5]
In the 2010s, Ian Bone revived Class War as a political party.[6] Their activities included a weekly protest about "poor doors" outside One Commercial StreetinAldgate, with Action East End and Freedom News.[7] These protests ended in partial victory in November 2014.[8][9] Group member Lisa McKenzie was found not guilty under joint enterprise for causing criminal damage.[10]
Class War also encouraged a demonstration against the Jack the Ripper Museum.[10]
In the 2015 United Kingdom general election, Class War stood seven candidates which received a total of 526 votes. The party was voluntarily deregistered with the electoral commission in July 2015.[11]