Comedian turned activist says 'politics is dead' at cafe launch

(26 Mar 2015) RUSSELL BRAND DECLARES POLITICS "DEAD" AT LAUNCH OF TREW ERA CAFE
Russell Brand continued his crusade to change the world on Thursday (26 MARCH 2015) with the opening of his Trew Era Cafe in Hoxton, London.
It's the latest venture from the comedian-turned-activist who has been tirelessly campaigning to change the political system since the release of his book "Revolution" last year.
Before speaking to the press at the cafe's launch, Brand addressed the crowd and declared: "politics is dead."
"This is the end of politics," he said. "What we are discussing now is what comes after. Something worse of something better?"
He then warned that governments were anticipating social unease with the current system and were "preparing for something worse."
"Police are becoming militarized across the world," said Brand. "We have an opportunity to create something better. It will start with small enterprises like this which will put the power where it belongs with the people."
The cafe is being co-run by the residents from the New Era Estate in East London, who campaigned with Brand when they feared that US investor, Westbrook Partners, was going evict them from their homes.
As detailed in his book, Brand said he wanted their cafe - which was set up using the profits from his book - to serve as an example and inspire others to do the same.
"This is just the first one of that," said Brand.
"'A cafe and production company run to create community not money. Democratically managed by the workforce. No bosses, no profit, no bullsh*t. Selling food sourced ethically, grown locally and served by people who have had a revolution in their own lives and are now able to learn and give back,'" stated Brand, reading from his book.
Brand, who lives near the cafe, said he hopes this business model would be replicated "again and again and again and again until there is nothing left but freedom."
The opening of the Trew Era Cafe coincides with the release of the paperback version of Brand's book, "Revolution."

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