{{Short description|British website and internet forum}} {{Use British English|date=September 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox website | name = Urban75 | logo = Urban75 homepage.PNG | screenshot = | caption = Urban75 homepage in 2005 | website = {{URL|urban75.org}} | location = [[Brixton]], London, England | commercial = No | type = [[Community]], [[local news]], [[left-wing politics]] | owner = | editor = Mike Slocombe | launch_date = {{start date and age|1995|5|df=yes}} | current_status = Online }} '''Urban75''', also known as '''U75''' or simply '''Urban''', is a website and [[internet forum]] based in [[Brixton]], London, and online since 1995.<ref>[http://www.urban75.org/info/about.html Urban75 - about us]. ''[[Urban 75|Urban75]]''.</ref>
==History== Urban75 originated from a [[football (soccer)|football]] [[comic]] ''Bluebird Jones'' - an e-zine formed around football fans opposition to the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. The campaign received large amounts of exposure in the media, and in May 1995 an unknown helper on the campaign from [[Brighton]] put together the first version of the Urban75 site, using a modem donated by [[The Levellers (band)|The Levellers]].<ref>[https://londonist.com/2009/07/the_london_blogger_interviews_25_ur The London Blogger Interviews #25: Urban 75]. [[The Londonist]]. 27 July 2009.</ref><ref>Matthew Collin (17 June 1997). [http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/press/wired_17jun97.html Wired world: Eighties survivor cracks the zine scene]. ''[[Wired magazine|Wired]].''</ref> The site is characterised by an opposition to [[mainstream culture]] and does not carry [[advert|adverts]]. Its editor is founder Mike Slocombe.<ref>Jason Whittaker. The Cyberspace Handbook: Internet forums and e-zines. Routledge, 2003.</ref>
The site and forums expanded beyond football and [[direct action]] with a mix of [[left-wing politics]], [[drugs]], [[music]], and [[photography]] amongst other interests. As it grew in popularity, it was forced to leave its web host [[Demon Internet]], and was briefly hosted on the [[Head New Media|Head-Space Project]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 websites that changed the world |url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/10-websites-changed-world/article/1102817 |author=Rebecca Burn-Callander|date=7 November 2011|website=Management Today}}</ref> until it moved to its own domain in August 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get yer anoraks on - it's the Tech Stuff |url=http://www.urban75.com/Mag/tech.html |date=28 January 1998 |website=Urban75}}</ref> Early publicity was generated by [[Adobe Shockwave|Shockwave]] games in which politicians and celebrities could be virtually "slapped" or "punched".<ref>JL Perone (9 June 1998). [http://www.ojr.org/ojr/workplace/1017968134.php The Urban Web Warrior: Urban75's Mike Slocombe]. [[Online Journalism Review]].</ref>
==In the media== [[File:South London Press October 2005 Squirrels On Crack story.jpg|thumb|upright|left|'Squirrels On Crack' in ''[[South London Press]]'']] In March 2002, Urban75 [[Lambeth]] police chief [[Brian Paddick]] posted on the forums while he was conducting a [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] tolerance experiment. When the [[tabloid journalism|tabloid]] press discovered Paddick's posts on the site, a scandal ensued.<ref>Vikram Dodd (28 November 2003). [https://www.theguardian.com/gayrights/story/0,12592,1095048,00.html The Guardian profile: Brian Paddick]. [[The Guardian]]</ref> In particular, the press highlighted one such post where Paddick had said: "The concept of anarchy has always appealed to me". Paddick subsequently met with the [[Metropolitan Police Commissioner]], Sir [[John Stevens, Baron Stevens of Kirkwhelpington|John Stevens]], and accepted criticism of his remarks.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1866274.stm Police chief rebuked over 'anarchy' remark]. [[BBC News]]. 11 March 2002.</ref> No disciplinary action was taken and Paddick remained in his post until his retirement in 2007.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6599007.stm Met's Paddick set to retire early]. [[BBC News]]. 27 April 2007.</ref>
In July 2005, Rachel North posted on the forums her account of having been caught up in the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|2005 London bombings]]. This was reposted on a [[BBC]] [[blog]] in the days following the attack.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4670099.stm BBC News - UK - Coming together as a city]. [[BBC News]]. 15 July 2005.</ref> {{clear}} In October 2005, a forum post entitled "Can squirrels get addicted to crack?" was picked up by the local ''[[South London Press]]'', leading to a number of national newspapers also running the story.<ref>Ben Austwick (April 2006). Squirrels On Crack. [[Fortean Times]].</ref>
In September 2006 the technology news website ''[[The Register]]'' said Urban75 was "the naughty corner of British politics" after posters on the forum disrupted an online petition in support of then [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]].<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/08/blair_boosters_trolled/ Galaxy of saboteurs trashes 'Save the Blair' petition]. ''[[The Register]]''. 8 September 2006.</ref>
==Offline club== Urban75 held its first ''Offline'' club night in February 2004, and continues today hosting nights in [[Brixton]] venues such as the [[Ritzy Cinema]], Dogstar, Brixton Jamm Club, 414 Club, and the Prince Albert. Offline hosts a line-up of DJs and has also put on well known acts such as [[Alabama 3]], [[Sharks (band formed 1972)|Sharks]], [[Morton Valence]], [[Stewart Lee]], [[Josie Long]], [[Robert Newman (comedian)|Rob Newman]], [[Shazia Mirza]], and [[Howard Marks]].<ref>[http://www.urban75.org/offline/ Offline Club in Brixton]. ''[[Urban 75|Urban75]]''.</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.urban75.org/ Urban75 website]
[[Category:Internet forums]] [[Category:DIY culture]] [[Category:British websites]]