Alex Jones’ Nervous Breakdown

The RAIMers noticed that Alex Jones was really upset at the DNC Protests this last week.  The black magic the New World Order was using at the DNC to disrupt him and the rest of the Truthers must have been pretty powerful.  Here is our tribute to his mental state.

Ward Churchill Speaks at Recreate 68 Rally, End the Occupations

Ward Churchill laying it down. Thanks to Tryworks for the link.

Day 4, DNC Protests

Today was the Rage Against the Machine concert followed by an anti-war march led by Iraq Veterans Against the War. Both were held under the umbrella of The Alliance for Real Democracy, which composed of a number of more liberal groups which split from Recreate ‘68 some months back. We heard the march was being coordinated with Unconventional Denver, and it was announced that some of IVAW was planning on getting arrested, so expecting some action we decided to check it out.

The march began after the RATM concert let out, four miles away from where the Pepsi Center where the DNC was being held. Needless to say it was a long march.

And a slow one too. In the days before, the pigs split marches down the middle where gaps appeared. Using this as a rationale, the march stopped a number of times to keep a tight formation. Even though unpermitted, there was a visible showing of cooperation on the part of the pigs and the marshals. First sign of a typical liberal march, protest marshals in day-glo vests. It is likely that the march stopped so often as part of this cooperation, not as a tactic against police aggression as had originally been suggested. The front of the march stopped for traffic lights also.

The march was large, numbering several thousands. The Denver Pig Department oinked at between 3000 and 3500 protestors. But we all know that pigs are better at being pigs than counting.

All around it was a more passive protest- and more pro-amerikan too. Several protestors wore Amerikan flags over there faces. Chants about wanting peace, support veterans, and “can’t stop us” were prolific. Lacking were popular chants and expressions of supporting the Iraqis and other victims of Amerikan aggression and imperialism. Nevertheless, RAIM utilized the size of the march, as well as its duration (around 3 hours) to agitate and educate for anti-imperialism.

Marching with us under the U.$.A. Off The Planet banner was an anti-imperialist contingent composed of not just RAIM-Denver, but others from around the country. We got a few popular chants going such a “Number one terrorist, U.S. imperialists” and “Imperialism, tear it down. Capitalism, tear it down.” Less popular was “John Brown John Brown, driver the invaders to the ground,” the throwback “Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh, the oppressed will always win.” as well as a few Spanish slogans. At one point a couple of protest marshals reminded us that this was a march in solidarity with veterans. We informed them that we were marching in solidarity with the people of Iraq. We were trying to be courteous. Prior to the march we had decided not to chant “Fuck the troops.”

We also passed out a lot of literature, including the RAIM ‘Zine, Chapter 8 of Long Live the Victory of People’s War by Lin Biao, and Ward Churchill’s Ghosts of 9-11. In the course of doing so we managed to talk to a lot of people, pressing an anti-imperialist line and analysis the whole time. Many people agreed with us on key issues such as the nature and degree of parasitism. When they didn’t, it was usually in the form of Marxist-sounding dogma or vague general “left” idealist obscurations. As far as we could tell, when it came to the points, no one who disagreed with RAIM had a better, more realistic line or could defend their line as well as RAIMers.

After a number of hours, we finally reached the Pepsi center…and stopped. People started announcing that IVAW was trying to negotiate some sort of deal with the Democrats. At this point, we let out a collective “lame,” and started heading back. This march was hyped as being a major civil disobedience by IVAW, and many people gave up their direct actions to be on this march in solidarity. This having turned into a typical liberal march with protest marshals and symbolic “confrontations” turned many people off, but wasn’t too surprising considering the organizing groups politics.

As it turned out IVAW wanted to read a letter to Obama. Apparently, the letter read in part, “Sen. Obama, millions of people are looking to you to restore our reputation around the world…you symbolize hope for a better America” [sic]. Pro-Amerikan through and through.

However, before heading off we decided get a group photo and invited a few other anti-imperialists to join with us. So we rolled out the USA Off the Planet one more time and started posing for pictures. Before we could finish, exiting delegates and media began snapping picture and it turned into a brief photo op for anti-imperialism.

Tomorrow’s the last day of DNC protest action and we’ll be there.

Update: Just before this march, police attempted to raid the convergence center of Unconventional Action and arrested two people.

Click here for more.

Update 2: Tryworks has their take on this march, and like us, doesn’t hold back. Click here for more. Also, have a response from an “army sergeant” who objected to tryworks recap of the police led parade march:

“Again, my problem isn’t that the march was goofy. My problem’s that it wasted the time of a bunch of people who’ve got better things to do than negotiate with Obama underlings, an act most of us consider about as fruitful as hammering our kneecaps with a ballpeen hammer. There were even some who avoided direct action the whole week, as they considered this would be the highlight of the protests. They feel sold out.

And rightly so. They were sold out. By turning what was supposed to be a protest into a negotiation with Obama lackeys, the IVAW did nothing but reify the illusion that Obama has any intent of pulling the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. They legitimized exactly what it was they were supposed to be opposing.”

More here.

Alex Jones: a ranting white-populist crackpot with a fan base

Crazy Al pissed us off by circulating the lies that a) we planned on throwing urine and blood at cops during the DNC, b) we were the behind the scenes ringmasters of Recreate ‘68, and c) that are government black op bent on inciting violence during the DNC.

Well, actually it didn’t piss us off that much. But we still used it as an excuse to go after Jonesy for his white populist, pro-amerika bullshit.

Check it:

Careful Jones, its look like your reactionary white populist crackpot grandstanding is a chili dog away from a heart attack.

RAIM-Denver’s DNC Events Schedule

Below is a schedule of the main protest events and actions during the Democratic National Convention. Far from being complete, this schedule is limited to those which either RAIM is participating on some level or those which we feel are otherwise noteworthy.

[This is a limited online edition of our schedule. A fuller one will be available at the protests]

Sunday, 24th

8:30AM-3PM State Capital Building (begin) to the Pepsi Center
End the Occupations March and Rally
Obscure your face and join RAIM-Denver in an “USA Off The Planet” contingent to protest Amerikan occupations world-wide. Performances by Dead Prez and David Rovics and numerous speakers before and after the march.

3pm-5 State Capitol Building
RAIM Orientation.
Talk with RAIMers, find out what we’re about, what we’ll be doing over the course of the week and how you can help.

5pm [Super Secret Event]

Monday, 25th

9am-1:30 pm Civic Center Park to the Federal Courthouse
Freedom March
From Guantanamo Bay, to ICE detention centers, Mumia Abu Jamal and the disproportionate number oppressed nationals in Amerika’s prisons, join RAIM and Recreate ‘68 in a march for freedom.

2pm-5pm [Super Secret Event]

Tuesday 26th

11am-2:30pm [Super Secret Event]

4pm Civic Center Park
Third World Liberation/ First World Alliances teach-in
We have no idea exactly what this teach-in is about or who organized it. Nevertheless, we’re going to find out. So join RAIM-Denver for a teach-in on Third World Liberation and First World Alliances.

Wednesday 27th
6pm Skyline Park
RAIM-Denver Discussion Group: Anti-Imperialist Philosophy and Practice
RAIM-Denver will be holding a 3 person panel on anti-imperialism. We’ll be talking about imperialism as global system, its social and material implications and offer practical advice drawn from our own in experiences in organizing and activism. Followed by a Q and A.

Thursday 28th

9am Rude Park, one block south of Colfax on Federal (begin), to Lincoln Park (12th and Mariposa).
Immigrant Rights Rally and March
This march will no doubt be tinged with integrationist, pro-amerika sentiment. RAIM-Denver will be there supporting Mexican National Liberation and agitating for anti-imperialism.

It’s Not Easy Being Green: The White Nationalism of the Colorado Greens

The White Nationalism of the Colorado Greens

There has been much news as of late of the reaction of the Colorado Green Party to the stances of their presidential and vice presidential candidate ticket, Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente. For the treasonous act of attending events by Recreate 68 during the Democratic Convention protests, they have been made personas non gratas by their own party. The Colorado Green Party has been violence-baiting Recreate 68 because of their radical stances and hosting of events that agree with the politics of McKinney and Clemente. Looking further, it seems the Colorado Greens, at the very least their top leadership, is set in the white nationalist politics that affects much of the Amerikan faux-left.

Dave Chandler, anti-immigrant nativist, head of Colorado Greens

One of the co-chairs of the Colorado Greens is Dave Chandler. He was one of the key forces trying to kick McKinney off the ballot of their own party. Chandler attacks McKinney and Clemente on his blog for accepting endorsements from leftist political parties he doesn’t like, for advocating a Hip Hop political party (which he admits he does not know the definition of), and most of all their supposed advocacy of violence because they mention weapons (1). As the Black liberation struggle in the United $tates has often than not been a violent one, this would not be out of line, but for the Greens who can’t see past their white privilege, this has put them in a tizzy.

On the next item on his blog, Chandler comes out in favor of an ordinance to seize the cars of undocumented migrants who don’t have insurance, a measure supported by local right-wing groups (2). Looking at his other posts reveals Chandler is an advocate of population control via stopping immigration. In other words, let poor people in other countries starve and die so Amerikans can keep their high standard of living.

According to Chandler, immigrants lower wages, destroy the environment, and threaten the white middle class. Here’s a sample of the views of the Green Party Chairman:

” In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a skilled meat cutter could make a top wage of about $20 an hour. Today, a meat cutter might make about $11.50.

In Iowa an illegal immigrant meat cutter might make $5.00.

We make this observation in light of the protest this weekend in Postville, Iowa, against the May 2008, immigration raid at the Agriprocessors plant. The illegal, released women protesters in Iowa are way out of line; they allowed themselves to be co-conspirators in perpetrating identity theft and in undercutting decent standard of living for citizens.

This on-going story illustrates why illegal immigration is so corrosive to working class Americans — it illustrates how corporations shamelessly exploit illegals.

Especially as unemployment rises because of the deepening recession, we hope that those thinking about crossing the border into the U.S. illegally will reconsider …”(3).

And:

“I support stopping illegal immigration into Colorado and the United States.

My support for this proposition is based on two criteria: our environment and the economy.

We must stablize our population growth here in the United States (and around the world) if we are to create a sustainable natural environment for future generations.

We need to reivigorate and empower the American working and middle class if we are to remain free and prosperous” (4).

And:

“Working Americans lost in federal court. As soon as this Thursday, working Coloradoans may begin to lose in a more substantive way when Mexican trucking companies and Mexican drivers are permitted to haul Chinese-made goods and produce into the U.S. for distribution.”(5).

And:

“There he was yesterday, Colorado’s U.S. Senator Ken Salazar promoting an ‘immigration reform’ plan that will further hurt our environment and the standard of living for working class Americans… this new ‘immigration reform’ deal — if passed into law — would a dream-come-true for the oligrachical elitists who want to turn the United States into a low-wage nation. The Dimocrats …also seem to be operating under the vague impression that somehow increasing the pool of exploitable labor by millions and millions will pay-off in votes for them someday.

This plan would ‘legalize’ up to 20,000,000 illegal aliens already in the country, and in the future permit over a million new ‘guest workers’ and people with a host of various visas to enter the country every year.

My biggest objection to these ‘immigration reform’ proposals, however, has been their effect on our environment …I am willing to break the political taboo and talk about over-population and the ecology of the nation and the planet — we simply cannot afford millions and millions more human beings striving to grow into the natural-resources-consuming footprint of the American lifestyle.”(6).

Not knowing who said this, this is the same rhetoric that comes out of the Minutemen and other white nativists. This is just the left wing of white nativism. The Green Party chair serves to incite hatred and violence against migrants.

Of course there’s not going to be sealed borders. Amerikans have long been bought off by imperialism, and they get special privileges, one being they don’t have to do much real work. Amerikan capitalism is dependent upon cheap labor for lower costs, no doubt. With imperialism destabilizing Third World economies, labor comes to where that stolen money is, and business readily accepts it. Remittances are a major source of income for many Third World nations. Those crackers sitting on their lawn chairs watching the border aren’t scrambling to take jobs for $5.00 an hour doing back-breaking labor. Not to mention the issues of stolen land, exploited and oppressed nations, and reparations. No, the Green Party shows that its interests are with the white middle class. Despite rhetoric about environmental destruction, they want to keep Amerikans privileged standard of living built upon stolen wealth and environmental destruction.

It’s unclear how the rest of the membership of the Green Party feels about Chandler’s views, but as the Greens make a big emphasis on their “grassroots democracy,” we can assume these views are highly tolerated if not widely accepted. There has been no public criticism of Chandler that we know of. His views are not surprising, as the Green Party itself is committed to white populism, keeping the standard of living for white Amerikans, and the Amerikan environment preserved for their weekend hiking trips. Many still want it to be a party of the great white hope Ralph Nader, which would also explain their opposition to McKinney.

We at RAIM have no qualm about exposing the reactionary politics of the Greens and other fake leftists. We don’t support the McKinney campaign because electoral politics is a dead end for any radical politics, and have no illusions about voting in an imperialist system. But we do admire the McKinney campaign taking some principled stands against white populists within her own party, and the reactions of the Greens showing their real politics. RAIMD supports open borders, return of land to oppressed nations, and liberation of the Third World against U.S. aggression, including reparations. We put radical politics in command, and stand against reactionaries in progressive wrappings.

Sources:

(1). http://www.davechandler.us/2008/08/a-colorado-gree.html

(2). http://www.davechandler.us/2008/07/the-loony-left.html

(3). http://www.earthside.com/earthside/2008/07/blumner-lords-o.html

(4). http://www.davechandler.us/2006/06/super_highway_t.html

(5). http://www.davechandler.us/2007/09/mexican-trucker.html

(6). http://www.davechandler.us/2007/05/separation_of_c.html

Put A Little Love in Your Heart… Fight Imperialism!

From the Mouths of Babes…

We at RAIM like trouble-making punk kids. You know, the kind that piss off Cracker invaders who talk shit in the Mexican homeland. Below are some of our favorites.

Some 5 year olds sticking it to some Cracker-ass Minutemen:

A couple of kids stand up to adult Cracker threats:

Remember, the children are our future.

Benefit for Visualized Film Fest

Benefit for Visualized Film Fest
Wed, July 23rd
Hi-Dive, 7 South Broadway
featuring Asphodel, Pleistocene and Radical Knitting Circle
for more info check visualizedfilmfest.org

Coming Soon… Fuck the Troops 2!

Here’s a teaser:

Denver ZineFest

RAIM-Denver will be at the Denver Zinefest. This Saturday, May 31st, from 10AM to 6PM at the First Unitarian Church (1400 Lafayette)

Come by, check out our lit, grab a DVD and find out what we’re all about.

Benefit for Big Mountain/Black Mesa Resistance

the Strength of the Earth
is my strength
the thoughts of the Earth
are my thoughts

-traditional Dine ‘song of the Earth Spirit’

Benefit will be held at the Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street
May 15th, 2008, Beginning at 9PM
Art raffle, free literature, and giveaway items included!

Hektor Munoz, Performance Artist
Sarah Morelli and gueass, traditional classical dance/music from North India
Zay and guests with World Percussion
The Asia Jazz Project
Poetry by Ted Vaca and Renee Fajardo
Raffled Art by Estevon Lucero and Eric “Elfego” Baca

Speakers include:

Elder Keith Johnson (Plingit-Alaska)
Antoinette Redwoman (Northern Cheyenne)
Glenn Morris (Prof. at UCD and AIM Activist)
Sarah Graves, member of the Villa Vilekulla collective speaking about her recent trip to Chiapas

Hosted by Big Mountain Friends and Supporters

RAIMD Responds to Truthalliance.net Article

Jonathan Elinoff and Alex Jones are liars

by

RAIMD

Various distortions and lies about RAIMD have recently been made on various web pages and on the Alex Jones radio show by Jonathan Elinoff, of the 9/11 Truth Alliance Network and We Are Change Colorado, and by Alex Jones. Elinoff’s libelous article was posted to the Truth Alliance and other web pages on April 16, 2008.(1) Elinoff was interviewed by Alex Jones that same day. In the radio interview, Elinoff made even more baseless allegations, with Jones joining in.(2) RAIMD is setting the record straight.

RAIMD will not address the many other statements made about other organizations by Elinoff and Jones. RAIMD will stick to the statements made about our organization. We are not going to address every single distortion or lie made by Elinoff or Jones. To unpack every single bit of nonsense would be too tedious. Instead we will focus on the main claims against us.

Allegation #1: Elinoff’s nose grows an inch

Elinoff writes, “After speaking with RAIMD, We Are Change Colorado became aware that they intend to throw bags of urine and blood on cops at the DNC protests, all under the name of the umbrella organization ReCreate 68. See their website here: http://raimd.wordpress.com/.” (3)

RAIMD did not make these statements attributed to us. In fact, RAIMD did not make any statements that even approximated these. The statements attributed to RAIMD are completely invented by Elinoff, they are based on absolutely nothing. In fact, if RAIMD ever exchanged words with Elinoff, it would have been a friendly exchange in passing, probably when distributing our materials. RAIMD would never flippantly discuss illegal activities of the kind that Elinoff alleges.

Not only did RAIMD not make the statements, RAIMD wholly disagrees with them. RAIMD is a non-violent organization. RAIMD does not promote violence or participate in violence. RAIMD believes that violence is not a viable means to accomplish positive social change within United States borders at present or in the foreseeable future. This isn’t to say RAIMD rejects violence in principle. All revolutions have been violent. Even the Amerikan “revolution” was violent. There is a time and a place. Plus, throwing urine and blood is hardly violence. It’s too passe for us anyway. It’s been done.

RAIMD has been involved in activism for a long time. RAIMD has never been involved in any violence at any protests. In fact, the only violence that RAIMD has witnessed at Denver protests has been committed by the police, not the protesters. The most militant protesters have never been violent by any stretch of the term. Those that stroke up fears of violence from activists, as Elinoff does, are basically assisting the state in quashing dissent.

RAIMD is an educational organization. RAIMD’s main role in the broader activist community is to distribute anti-imperialist, anti-Amerikan, anti-racist, pro-national liberation, pro-youth liberation materials. RAIMD believes that Amerika is the biggest enemy of humanity. We do not hide our message, our message is straight forward for all to see on our blog. Despite our politics, which many liberals may find “out there,” we have had good experiences working with people from diverse activist circles. RAIMD does not agree with everyone in the activist community, as many don’t agree with us. However, we understand that we do not have to agree with people on every little detail to work together in a coalition. RAIMD’s experience with local activists has been mostly positive.

Allegation #2: Elinoff’s nose grows another inch

On the Alex Jones radio show, Elinoff alleged that RAIMD are “the real leaders of Recreate 68.” RAIMD does not lead Recreate 68, despite what Elinoff claimed in the interview on Alex Jones. RAIMD supports Recreate 68 because they are the most effective group organizing protests against the DNC. Recreate 68 will amplify the voices from sectors of the community that are drowned out in mainstream political discourse. In addition, Recreate 68 is non-sectarian. It is our experience that they seek to include as many alternative voices as possible. Also, Recreate 68 has a participatory approach to organizing. Recreate 68 involves as many people as possible in the decision making processes. The organizers are always willing to listen to new ideas. RAIMD supports Recreate 68’s efforts and lends our modest support where we can.

Allegation #3: Elinoff.. yet another inch

Elinoff writes, “On Tuesday, August 26th, the “Immigration Rights Rally” will take place that Glenn says he will be inviting all illegal immigrants down to the DNC to protest their “right” to be here. This day will be very dangerous to protesters because the activist group RAIMD has been handing out dvds and inciting physical violence towards “White Americans” for stealing land from Mexico and killing millions of natives and using slavery as their exploit to achieve dominance in the past. The RAIMD activist group has asked people to prepare for throwing bags of blood and urine on cops and they have discussed how to build molotov cocktails.” (4)

Once again, these statements attributed to us never happened. RAIMD distributes DVDs and materials that explain the origin of Amerikan affluence by linking it to 1) genocide, 2) theft of indigenous and Mexican land, 3) the slave trade, and 4) continued imperialism against the Third World. One of the videos on the DVD that we distribute encourages people to “hate Amerikkka, it’s the right thing to do.” Nowhere does this DVD or other RAIMD materials encourage violence as described by Elinoff.

In addition, the April 13th Recreate 68 community forum was taped by an independent media source. At no time did anyone mention anything about blood, urine, or Molotov cocktails. Hopefully, they will make the videos available so that everyone can see what a jackass liar Elinoff is.

Long nose, hot air

Throughout the interview on Jones’ radio show, both Elinoff and Jones demonstrate no actual knowledge of RAIMD. They make outrageous statements again and again about RAIMD. Yet, not once did either Elinoff or Jones actually try to contact RAIMD for an interview or comment before slandering us all over the web and airwaves. Elinoff and Jones are not interested in truth. They are interested in sensationalism. Facts do not matter. Otherwise they would have contacted us and done a proper interview. Jones did not even try to contact RAIMD for comment before broadcasting slander against us nationwide.

Interestingly, we did not even know who Elinoff was until this article and interview started circulating. The only thing we really remember about Elinoff at the community forum is that he seemed strangely fixated on the fact that hip hop artists The Coup were mentioned as one of the acts that might play at the DNC protest events. Apparently, The Coup had an album cover that was released before 9/11 that showed the World Trade Center blowing up as a statement against global capitalism. The Coup’s Boots Riley explained this album cover publicly shortly after 9/11. (5)

It was news to us that Elinoff had a beef against Recreate 68. We gather from Elinoff’s own statements that he is upset about not getting the spotlight for the 9-11 Truth Movement at the DNC protests. For Elinoff, if he doesn’t get the spotlight for 9-11 Truth, then, all of a sudden, everyone else is an agent, according to his logic. If he doesn’t get his way, then he’ll try to wreck the hard work of others. So, Elinoff spouted off a number of sensational lies against RAIMD (and others) in order to try to wreck Recreate 68. RAIMD is a natural target because our politics are already considered controversial even within the activist scene. Not to mention that in the interview Elinoff often mixes up various individuals and groups. None of this mattered to Alex Jones, who is hardly concerned about accuracy. Jones is just looking to make a sensational splash. So, Elinoff was given airtime on national radio by Jones to bully the local Denver activist community, of which Elinoff is not even a part.

RAIMD, as an organization, has no official position on the 9-11 events. RAIMD is not opposed to legitimate research into unanswered questions pertaining to 9-11. RAIMD is opposed to the underlying racism and anti-migrant populism in the 9-11 Truth Movement, and will continue to oppose it. RAIMD is opposed to pinocchios like Elinoff who slander real activists. The 9-11 Truth Movement often complains that they are ignored. With unprincipled clowns like Elinoff as your pointmen, what do you expect?

Notes.

(1) http://truthalliance.net/Archive/tabid/67/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/723/Default.aspx

(2) http://truthalliance.net/Profiles/MyProfile/tabid/113/PID/5/Default.aspx

(3) http://truthalliance.net/Archive/tabid/67/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/723/Default.aspx

(4)ibid.

(5) http://www.daveyd.com/bootsonthewarpolitics.html

Reminder

Events this weeks:

Beyond Chicanismo Presents….

Madeleine Albright Protest. Flyer pdf here.

White trash throw hissy-fit over Absolut Vodka Advertisement, re-unified Mexico

A hellofabunch of Amerikkkans are having spasmic fits over an Absolut Vodka ad that features the previous borders of Mexico before the U.$. invasion, land grab, and occupation of 1848. Under pressure, Swedish-based Absolut pulled the ad. (see: “Absolut apologizes for Mexican vodka ad,” ).

The crack analysts as Monkey Smashes Heaven look at the wider implications of the vodka ad controversy and what it means for Amerikkka:

White trash throw hissy-fit over Absolut Vodka Advertisement, re-unified Mexico

(source: monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com)

Controversy has erupted in White Trashland over a recent advertisement for Absolut Vodka. The ad features a map of Mexico prior to the losses in territory suffered between 1836 to 1848. In little over a decade, White settler imperialists stole and occupied roughly half of Mexico. Texas, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado continue to be occupied to this day.

Predictably, racist pundits like Michelle Malkin are using the ad to whip up anti-Mexican sentiment. (1) The Drudge Report made sure to link to the L.A. Times’ blog where the story originally appeared. The L.A. Times’ blog post is sardonically entitled, “Mexico reconquers California? Absolut drinks to that!” (2) Yet more evidence of the Mexican reconquista plot planned by Lin Biao, executed by MECha. If only. (3)

Read the rest here.

A lil’ bit of organizational theory from Jo Freeman (aka Joreen)

‘The Tyranny of Structurelessness’

by Jo Freeman (1970)

---

During the years in which the women’s liberation movement has been taking shape, a great emphasis has been placed on what are called leaderless, structureless groups as the main form of the movement. The source of this idea was a natural reaction against the overstructured society in which most of us found ourselves, the inevitable control this gave others over our lives, and the continual elitism of the Left and similar groups among those who were supposedly fighting this over-structuredness.The idea of ’structurelessness’, however, has moved from a healthy counter to these tendencies to becoming a goddess in its own right. The idea is as little examined as the term is much used, but it has become an intrinsic and unquestioned part of women’s liberation ideology. For the early development of the movement this did not much matter. It early defined its main method as consciousness-raising, and the ’structureless rap group’ was an excellent means to this end. Its looseness and informality encouraged participation in discussion and the often supportive atmosphere elicited personal insight. If nothing more concrete than personal insight ever resulted from these groups, that did not much matter, because their purpose did not really extend beyond this.

The basic problems didn’t appear until individual rap groups exhausted the virtues of consciousness-raising and decided they wanted to do some- thing more specific. At this point they usually floundered because most groups were unwilling to change their structure when they changed their task. Women had thoroughly accepted the idea of ’structurelessness’ without realising the limitations of its uses. People would try to use the ’structureless’ group and the informal conference for purposes for which they were unsuitable out of a blind belief that no other means could possibly be anything but oppressive.

If the movement is to move beyond these elementary stages of development, it will have to disabuse itself of some of its prejudices about organisation and structure. There is nothing inherently bad about either of these. They can be and often are misused, but to reject them out of hand because they are misused is to deny ourselves the necessary tools to further development. We need to understand why ’structurelessness’ does not work.

Formal and Informal Structures

Contrary to what we would like to believe, there is no such thing as a ’structureless’ group. Any group of people of whatever nature coming together for any length of time, for any purpose, will inevitably structure itself in some fashion. The structure may be flexible, it may vary over time, it may evenly or unevenly distribute tasks, power and resources over the members of the group. But it will be formed regardless of the abilities, personalities and intentions of the people involved. The very fact that we are individuals with different talents, predisposition’s and backgrounds makes this inevitable. Only if we refused to relate or interact on any basis whatsoever could we approximate ’structurelessness’ and that is not the nature of a human group.

This means that to strive for a ’structureless’ group is as useful and as deceptive, as to aim at an ‘objective’ news story, ‘value-free’ social science or a ‘free’ economy. A ‘laissez-faire’ group is about as realistic as a ‘laissez-faire’ society; the idea becomes a smokescreen for the strong or the lucky to establish unquestioned hegemony over others. This hegemony can easily be established because the idea of ’structurelessness’ does not prevent the formation of informal structures, but only formal ones. Similarly, ‘laissez-faire’ philosophy did not prevent the economically powerful from establishing control over wages, prices and distribution of goods; it only prevented the government from doing so. Thus ’structurelessness’ becomes a way of masking power, and within the women’s movement it is usually most strongly advocated by those who are the most powerful (whether they are conscious of their power or not). The rules of how decisions are made are known only to a few and awareness of power is curtailed by those who know the rules, as long as the structure of the group is informal. Those who do not know the rules and are not chosen for initiation must remain in confusion, or suffer from paranoid delusions that something is happening of which they are not quite aware.

For everyone to have the opportunity to be involved in a given group and to participate in its activities the structure must be explicit, not implicit. The rules of decision-making must be open and available to everyone, and this can only happen if they are formalised. This is not to say that normalisation of a group structure will destroy the informal structure. It usually doesn’t. But it does hinder the informal structure from having predominant control and makes available some means of attacking it. ‘Structurelessness’ is organisationally impossible. We cannot decide whether to have a structured or structureless group; only whether or not to have a formally structured one. Therefore, the word will not be used any longer except to refer to the idea which it represents. Unstructured will refer to those groups which have not been deliberately structured in a particular manner. Structured will refer to those which have. A structured group always has a formal structure, and may also have an informal one. An unstructured group always has an informal , or covert, structure. It is this informal structure, particularly in unstructured groups, which forms the basis for elites.

The Nature of Elitism

‘Elitist’ is probably the most abused word in the women’s liberation movement. It is used as frequently, and for the same reasons, as ‘pinko’ was in the ’50s. It is never used correctly…

Read on

Saves us the trouble of jumpin’ him in.

Saves us the trouble of jumpin’ him in.

Amerikkkans blow up kittens in Iraq.

Northern Cheyenne meeting with Russell Means

 

Announcing grassroots Northern Cheyenne meeting with world renown activist/actor Russell Means, Oglala Lakotah, Director of the Treaty School Ranch POB 99 Porcupine South Dakota.

January 29th and 30th

Charging Horse Casino

Lame Deer Montana

HWY 212

Calling all Northern Cheyenne to attend. Come hear, listen and learn about our treaties with the United States government. We invite all surrounding tribes to join us, the Assiniboine/Souix (Nakota) of Ft. Peck, Mt. and the Crow (Apsalooka) tribe of Crow agency, Mt.

Absolutely no drugs or alcohol.

For more information contact:

Tim “Nightbear” Lamewoman Sr.

406-477-6062

406-592-3854

Antoinette “Morningstar Woman” Red Woman

720-229-7190

wosidah@yahoo.com

fastthundermedia.com/cheyenne.html

Isadore White Wolf, Elk Horn scrappers warrior society

Volunteers needed for events

Send all monetary, food, etc. donations to Tim “Nightbear” Lamewoman, Sr. POB #628 Lame Deer, Montana 59043

Refreshments and traditional meals will be served at the Charging Horse Casino. Elders need scarfs and gloves. Children need warm clothing and coats.

Sponsors: General Council, Wild Hog Legal Services, Cheyenne Country tours

Graphic flyer/Source: http://www.fastthundermedia.com/cheyenne.html

Anarchist National Liberation

US, Anarchist People of Color National/Inter-Regional Gathering 2008

Date Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:32:10

A couple of individuals from New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles met informally and wanted to propose a national/inter-regional gathering for Anarchist People of Color. —- This is just a draft proposal, it is not the final say in how this shit is going to happen or what’s going to happen at it. — This is being put out to initiate some discussion around this idea. — This conference will be a serious gathering to strategize, dialogue, plan, follow through, and create the foundation for real solidarity and revolutionary movement throughout different regions. — Nothing has been set for the conference so that is why I’m putting this out there to people. There are some initial ideas that need to be built on. The conference will be taking place in the summer or sometime in the fall, but needs to happen as soon as we can pull it together.It is a crucial time in history and their is important organizing we are all doing and need to be doing. We need to support each other in our work and help each other strategize. Hopefully this can be the first step to building the foundation for a revolutionary movement. Among the topics that are proposed…

-Building Black and Brown Unity!!! The work that we need to be doing, the
responsibility that we have to do this. We must go beyond just talking about it.
This is a key question in building unity amongst all colonized people.

-National Liberation — Our position in supporting National Liberation in the
process of creating autonomy and self-determination of colonized people

-Class Struggle within APOC — who is APOC and why we have nothing in common
with sell-outs

-Political Prisoners, our role as anarchist people of color in this movement.

-Follow through from the first APOC conference

-Popular Education and other strategies for organizing in our communities

-EZLN and Magonismo: other movements in Latin America and the third world

-Creating New models of organizing

-Indigenismo and anarcha-indigenism

-Our experiences as anarchist people of color and supporting each other, having
solidarity and building

-The intersection of gender and sexuality to race and class

-Building APOC as a revolutionary movement

others… etc (these are all still proposals)

We want to get a good core group of committed people who want to help make this
happen discuss this seriously to make it happen.

There were proposals for cities/states/regions: Los Angeles, Minnesota, Colorado

The city/collective in the city will have to help coordinate space, housing,
food, etc.

Each city will have to do some fundraising to send people and for general funds.
Hopefully we can also raise money to help other cities with limited resources.

Lets discuss this seriously, and make this happen.
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
http://ainfos.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/a-infos-en
http://ainfos.ca/en

KKKolumbus Day: White trash spectacle opposed, over 80 arrests

RAIM-D report from Transform Columbus Day

The AIM/TCD march kicked off once again in Denver, the birthplace of the KKKolumbus Day holiday. This being the 100th anniversary of the celebration of genocide against the native peoples, all out efforts were made for this protest. And it came off as one of the more militant demonstrations against the holiday since protests against it began in the 90’s.

Start off, early morning, Saturday

The demonstrations began early in the morning with the Four Directions March. RAIM-Denver was in the West end of Four Directions March at Auraria campus, with a couple hundred others. All the directions had a color. RAIM-D and their allies were at this direction with a sizable contingent, with banners and sky blue and Mexican flags, including our new one “Turn the World Upside Down.” Pigs were there on red dirtbikes, possibly purchased by Homeland Security money coming for the DNC next year. These dirt bikes gave them great mobility.

The other directions converged at the State Capitol building for a short rally. Over 1000 people showed up to oppose Kolumbus Day. Glenn Morris and Russell Means, among others, spoke to the crowd. Then the march proceeded to downtown to confront the Kolumbus Day parade.

[The above video provided by FeistyAphrodite]

And It’s On!!!

From the capitol steps, the march proceeded down 16th Street Mall stopping one of the bus lanes. At the intersection of Stout and 15th St. the rally gathered to oppose the parade in the streets. The Denver Pig Department and the piglets of the Sheriff’s Department were out in force, many in riot gear. There were also pigs in tan uniforms. Perhaps state police? SWAT-type teams were present as were pigs with some new kind of gun that looked like a modified AR-15 with a bulge on top and a non-standard ammo clip. It may have been some kind of “non-lethal” modification to the weapon. They looked like the occupying army that they are.

[The above video provided by some idiot white trash racist blogger.]

Shortly after gathering at 15th and Stout, there was an odd incident. One participant was almost arrested. Another person was arrested and taken away. Undercover police were seen in the area. They were plain clothed, in bandanas and sunglasses. The undercovers were filmed talking on police radios. We later found out that this was the first arrest of the day.

A bucket of fake blood with baby doll parts was thrown into the street where the “Convoy of Conquest” was to come through.

For those that have not seen the Convoy, it is a sight to see. It is a spectacle of white trash.

The Kolumbus Day parade, supposedly a celebration of “Italian Pride,” is symbolic of the parasitism of cracker Amerikkka. It began with the Sons of Italy on motorcycles, racist bikers (it was nice that they found time between beating their wives and cooking meth to attend the parade), followed by Denver cops on their motorcycles. How appropriate, pigs on hogs. Then it followed with a procession of gas-guzzling Hummer vehicles and other cars that looked right off the dealership. Lots of flat bed semis with empty floats and shitty cover bands. A handful of paraders with signs of cities named after Kolumbus was led by two people dressed like a mascot Indian, with feathers and dress, and a Spanish conquistador — how nice. There were U$ military personnel and/or ROTC there. And, the libertarian party was there to defend white property rights. The many vehicles were needed to make up for the lack of actual people for this pathetic white garbage dump of a parade. If you needed any more reason to hate Amerikkka, this parade will do it. Most of the paraders were very old, so it is encouraging sign to know that these crackers will leave this earth very soon.

Several people placed their bodies between the Convoy and the parade route. There were several groups of people and many random individual acts to stop the racist parade. The Denver pigs used pain compliance methods against the protesters who blocked the street. In one instance, pigs may have sprayed mace into some of the arrestees eyes at close quarters — we are not sure about this yet. The pigs also beat and manhandled many individuals.

[Demented and abusive pigs smile. Photo from The Metropolitian, October 11, 2007.]

RAIM-D did not witness every brave act of that day. RAIM-D did see one woman in the first circle of arrestees badly hurt by the pigs. Her arms were twisted very badly. Another woman was hit in the face. In another group of arrests, two women got manhandled and hurt with pain compliance by the demented pigs. One of these women was dropped on her head. She looked injured. Russell Means and Glenn Morris were arrested in the streets. One elder in a wheelchair was arrested. The pigs took the AIM staff from one person in the streets. Individuals with a banner walked into the street and were arrested. The police arrested another pile of people who put their bodies on the line. One Indian had his face smashed up, swollen and bloodied by the pigs’ use of force. Pigs refused this individual medical treatment. The favorite tactics of the Denver pigs were pain compliance and dog piling the protesters with brute force.

[Photo provided by the Colorado Daily]

These brave efforts delayed the parade for over an hour.

A white-trash blogger or similar scum was in the protest crowd trying to stir up people. RAIM-D members and others confronted them many times. RAIM-D did its share of agitation to give balance to the regular liberal sentiment and chants. RAIM-D is tired of the lame “hey hey ho ho chant fill-in-the-blank has got to go” and tried to mix it up a bit with “down with all settler states, down with the united snakes.” Many asked us to tone it down, but many others appreciated our efforts.

[Photo provided by RAIM-D, please credit when using.]

After the parade, the marchers went to the City and County building to await word on their comrades arrested earlier. While gathered there, a number of people took down the Amerikan flag flying above and turned it upside down and secured it in its new position with a lock. It was flying that way for hours.

We later regrouped at the county jail awaiting releases. The sheriff piglets were dragging their feet in releasing people, even those that made bail. RAIM-D and others marched around all sides of the jail. We signaled to our comrades and friends with flags, signs, and our hands. People released said it was a big morale boost seeing us from the jail windows.

Everyone was finally released by the end of Sunday, 88 people were arrested last time we checked. Much abuse went on. Those with injuries did not receive medical treatment. One blind detainee had his cane taken away and was left without assistance. Many detainees reported their property stolen by the jailers. Lawsuits against the city and police are planned by the arrestees.

RAIM-D was happy that so many people of good conscience took a stand. We saw many of our friends and allies there.

Overall, this event was more confrontational than those of previous years. The pigs were taken by surprise by the actions of the demonstrators, not expecting this level of protest. The pigs had lots of new toys and techniques, likely to prepare them for the DNC next year. The media coverage was abysmal, no surprise to anyone here. As tryworks reported, the pig media released the arrest reports, making it easier for vigilantes to harass people. Typical.

The celebration of Kolumbus Day is one symptom of Amerikan imperialism, and the only way to end Kolumbus Day is to end Amerika.

Check out tryworks’ excellent coverage here and here.

Support the Denver 88 by TCD on Fire Witch Rising’s blog.

RAIM-D will eventually try to put up some of our video of the events.

Update 1: A video featuring Savage Family on TCD, click here

Update 2: Westword slideshow of the TCD events, click here