[Marxism] Leila Al Shami shouted down at Anarchist Bookfair by PKK supporters

[Louis Proyect]

Today I was invited to speak at the London Anarchist Bookfair, an event 
I was excited to attend, to talk about the situation in Syria. 
Unfortunately the event did not take place.  We were shut down by a guy 
called Amir Taaki (a British-Iranian who claims to be a developer of 
Bitcoin and someone who apparently Forbes magazine considered ‘their top 
30 under 30 list for 2014’ as he had previously proudly told me by 
email) along with around seven of his friends (one dressed in full 
military garb, a real revolutionary maybe?)

Firstly, I would like to apologize to those who attended the event and 
had wanted to learn about the situation in Syria, an issue of critical 
importance. Some had come from as far afield as Birmingham to hear 
myself and Robin Yassin Kassab speak. Unfortunately as we were about to 
begin, Amir and his friends stormed the event chanting “PKK”, “YPG” and 
accusing myself and Robin of being “fascists”, “Arab nationalists” and 
“supporters of jihadi groups such as Ahrar Al Sham which advocate 
stoning women to death”. I will not respond to the claims as anyone who 
is familiar with mine or Robin’s work will know they are absurd. And for 
those not familiar, I refer you to our book ‘Burning Country: Syrians in 
Revolution and War’ (Pluto Press); make up your own minds.

full: https://leilashami.wordpress.com/2016/10/29/london-anarchist-bookfair/