September 12th, 2016
PDF: “Individuality and the anarchist group” by Conspiracy of Cells of Fire – Urban Guerrilla Cell.
Individuality and the anarchist group
Prologue
This title from Black International, “Individuality and the anarchist group”, written by Gerasimos Tsakalos of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire – Urban Guerrilla Cell, is about a topic that concerns many of those who are an active part of the anarchist tension. Concerning not just the way comrades negotiate and conduct themselves within minimal organisational structures (clusters, networks, affinity groups) of informality and attack, and the effect of those forms on individuals, it also looks at the problems that can arise and some possible solutions. All this can add to a notional ‘to-be-completed’ mapping of some of the borderlands between the peripheries of the social and the clandestine for those traversing such terrains.
Written from the lived experience of an armed anarchist urban guerrilla who is imprisoned in the isolation dungeon of Korydallos prison in Athens, Greece, this is not a dreamy fantasy but a text which was developed in the furnace of practical theory and it’s consequences. The horizontal forms of organisation which are described here are ones that have been used and developed in practice, not from scriptures, but in the actual chaos of the everyday.
For a black international of anarchists of praxis.
September 2016
–
Individuality and the anarchist group
Instead of a Prologue
About the subject of “Individuality and the anarchist group”, one could say that it’s a timeless issue within the anarchist milieu… Is an anarchist individuality subjugated or liberated within a group? How does the individual encounter the collective? Can disagreements between comrades of the same collective be creative or do they inevitably lead to disputes, rivalries, intrigues, competitions and end up in rupture?
How are friendships and cliques able to bring about a cancellation of an anarchist group?
What is the relationship of an anarchist organization to the expulsions of members who participate? How can informal hierarchies and their members-followers survive in an anarchist project?
These are some of the issues that arise from the explosive relationship between individuals who try to coexist in anarchist groups.
The pamphlet “Individuality and the anarchist group” is an experimental testimony of political experiences from the interior of anarchist illegal infrastructures of revolutionary violence. The relationships that are formed in such cores are acrobatic at the sharp end because they are tested in extreme concentrated conditions and options. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Analysis, Athens, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire - Urban Guerilla Cell, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire : Imprisoned Members Cell, Gerasimos Tsakalos, Greece, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Revolutionary Front, Korydallos Prison, PDF, Zine
Posted in Library |
September 12th, 2016
Received:
video of prison strike solidarity noise demo, fireworks, flares. smoke bombs at juvenile ‘detention centre’ in Narrm (so-called ‘Melbourne’) Wurundjeri land
Tags: Australia, Demo, Melbourne, Prison Labour Strike
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 10th, 2016
The 9/9/71 marked one of the most important dates for the struggle against prisons. The uprising in Attica would still be a major event, even without the subsequent massacre committed by the cops who acted in compliance with the mandates of the Law and Order doctrine, which has found various diversified applications in the western world until today.
Back then, the liberation movements (black liberation, anti-war movement, feminist movement etc.) that were active outside prisons influenced a substantial number of US prisoners, who chose to position the prison -as a space and institution- in the core of struggle for change in the status quo.
Prisons constitute a fundamental tool in the hands of the state and its pursuit to get rid of all those who are deemed superfluous or dangerous to the deathly hush it seeks to impose.
The more capitalism evolves and reaches its limits, swallowing down human beings, natural resources and entire ecosystems in its destructive course of action, the bigger profits it demands, resulting in millions of people being turned into slaves.
The Pan-American strike which is due on 9/9 means to convey a straightforward message: “We refuse to be slaves any longer”.
Forced labor in public or private, federal or state prisons turns nearly 2.500.000 prisoners in the US into slaves to international corporations.
“This is a call to end slavery in America. This call goes directly to the slaves themselves”, as we read in the prisoners’ announcement.
We know how hard it is to fight capitalism where it’s the most powerful, namely the US; and we also know that depriving it from part of its profits is the only way to inflict a severe damage.
That’s why the upcoming strike is of utmost importance.
That’s why we stand in solidarity and salute the subversive dignity of the prisoners in the US.
VICTORY FOR THE PRISONERS’ FIGHT IN THE US
SOCIAL REVOLUTION TO ABOLISH STATES AND CAPITALISM
Some anarchist prisoners from Greece
Korydallos Prison Block D
Tags: Athens, Greece, Korydallos Prison, Prison Labour Strike, USA
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 10th, 2016
On September 8th, in solidarity with prisoners taking action for the 9/9 prisoner strike, about a dozen people disrupted activities at the local Democratic Party campaign headquarters. Standing outside the building, people held a large banner announcing the prisoner strike while a statement was read and others passed out handbills. Additionally, a group of people went inside the headquarters to yell chants, clog sinks, tear down campaign posters, and scatter handbills. An American flag in the office found its way into a toilet. People walked away from the building tossing handbills in the air.
From the handbill scattered at the action:
As the ruling party, the Democrats and their Bureau of Prisons are responsible for the conditions in federal prisons and everyone being held hostage inside of them.
They profit from the labor of prisoners and contract with countless companies and industries that do the same, while prisoners earn as little as a few cents per hour.
They are responsible for the exorbitant prices of phone calls, commissary foods, and other basic necessities in prison. For the mailroom censorship, both institutionalized and arbitrary, of political and other materials. They are responsible for the poor quality of water and food that some must endure for decades, or even the rest of their lives. And for the dismal or nonexistent health care for prisoners when these conditions start to take their toll.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Banner drop, Bloomington, Indiana, Prison Labour Strike, Racism, USA
Posted in Direct Action |
September 8th, 2016
Interesting interview about the Operation Fenix which gives a round-up and highlights civil anarchist positions within the anarchist movement in Czech Republic.
In the context of the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners (23.-30th of August 2016), we had the opportunity of talking to a comrade from Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) in Czech Republic. The interview gives a short summary of the repression that started in 2015 and explains the singular cases and their current development, but deals also with the problems the movement had in the beginning to show solidarity. Last but not least, you get very good advice on the topic of solidarity and what to do yourselves.
Since the interview, another comrade is in prison. Lukáš Borl, who had been living underground, has been arrested by the police on September 4.
More information (in different languages) on the Antifenix website.
Length: 22:30 min
http://aradio.blogsport.de/2016/09/08/a-radio-in-english-antifenix-interview-on-the-repression-against-anarchists-in-czech/
If you want to write the two imprisoned comrades, please use these addresses:
Lukáš Borl
1.3.1982
Vazební veznice Litomerice
Veitova 1
412 81 Litomerice
Czech Republic
Martin Ignacák
10.8.1986
V.V. Praha – Pankrác
P.O.BOX – 5
Praha 4
140 57
Czech Republic
Tags: ABC Czech Republic, Anarchistisches Radio Berlin, Czech Republic, International Week for Anarchist Prisoners, Repression
Posted in Interviews |
September 7th, 2016
On the 30th of August Alfredo damaged the glass partition windows of the interview room in the high surveillance section of Ferrara prison in solidarity with the prisoners of the CCF who were recently sentenced to more than a hundred years in prison for an attempted escape.
Today August 30 almost 4 years since my arrest I wanted to celebrate the anniversary with the destruction of the interview room window panels. This action is my contribution of revolutionary solidarity with my brothers and sister of the CCF-FAI-FRI who were condemned by yet another judicial process and sentenced to 110 years each for a failed escape attempt. The anarchist prisoner is not a flag, nor must we build a monument around them, sometimes they are a piece of our heart, sometimes not… nevertheless they continue to struggle, to live… not to be remembered, but wanting revenge, freedom, but ultimately they may also be alone because by nature they do not belong to any flock…
Long live FAI-FRI
Long live CCF
via Croce Nera Anarchica, translated by Insurrection News
Tags: Alfredo Cospito, CCF Escape case, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Ferrara, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Revolutionary Front, Italy
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 7th, 2016
At dawn on September 6, an operation coordinated from Digos [political police] based in Torino led to the search of thirty homes in Piemonte, Liguria, Lazio, Umbria, Lombardia, Abruzzo, Campania, Sardinia and Emilia Romagna, as well as the arrest of six anarchist comrades on charges of subversive association with terrorist aims: Anna, Marco, Sandrone, Daniele, Danilol and Valentina, in addition to the notification in prison for Nicola and Alfredo.
The operation, called “Scripta Manent”, seeks to attribute to a single directing a series of actions in common the claim by the Informal Anarchist Federation, which reproduces the repressive strategies of some earlier as Op. Cervantes and Op. Ardire, and trying to superimpose a membership structure and top-down to expressions of anarchic conflict.
Specifically, the attacks included in this investigation include the explosive packages sent in May 2005 to the Director of the CPT [immigration detention centre] of Modena, the traffic wardens’ barracks in Turin – San Salvario and the superintendent of Lecce [claimed by FAI / Narodnaya Volya], the explosive device against the barracks of the RIS (Italian scientific department) of Parma [24 October 2005 – claimed by FAI / Artisan Cooperative Fire and Similar (occasionally spectacular)], the parcel bomb sent to Sergio Cofferati [2 November 2005 claimed by FAI / Artisan of Cooperative Fire and Similar (occasionally spectacular)], the arsonist device against the barracks of the Carabinieri’s cadets in Fossano [2 June 2006 claimed by FAI / RAT (Rivolta Anonymous and Tremenda)], the
letter bombs sent in Turin in July 2006 to Coema Edilità (company involved in the restructuring of CIE) , the Mayor Sergio Chiamparino and the director of Turin Chronicle [claimed by FAI / RAT (Rivolta Anonymous and Tremenda)], the bombs placed in the Crocetta Turin neighborhood [March 7, 2007 claimed by FAI / RAT]; in addition to other actions also injured Adinolfi [7 May 2012], for which two comrades have already been convicted and have publicly claimed the attack, returns to substantiate the crime of association. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Revolutionary Front, International Solidarity, Italy, Operation Scripta Manent, Repression, Turin
Posted in Social Control |
September 6th, 2016
The news is not good
We hate to be bad news birds, but we need to tell you that Riseup will run out of money next month. We had a number of unexpected hardware failures, lower-than-expected regular donations, and a record year of new Riseup users which puts more financial pressure on us than ever before.
We need your help to keep things going this year, so we are starting a campaign to ask Riseup users to give us just one dollar!
Can you give us a dollar? There are a lot of easy ways to do it:
https://riseup.net/donate Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Counter-info, Riseup, teh internets
Posted in Autonomy |
September 6th, 2016
On Sunday, September 4th, police captured our comrade Lukáš Borl. Lukáš is an anarchist who has lived in underground for about a year, due to previous intense surveillance. On Monday September 5th the court sent him to custody jail. State attorney, Naďa Voláková, commented on the case for the Czech News Agency: “I confirm the capture of a man who is accused of foundation, supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms, black mail and misdemeanor of criminal damage…”
We do not yet know what exactly Lukáš is accused of. We will continue to provide updates. So far you can support him by sending a letter or by a spontaneous noise demonstration. Lukáš is held in a custody jail in the city of Litoměřice. Here is the address:
Lukáš Borl 1.3.1982
Vazební věznice Litoměřice
Veitova 1
412 81 Litoměřice
Czech Republic
—
Last night (6 Sept) a small group of friends gathered around custody jail in Litoměřice to greet and support an imprisoned anarchist Lukáš Borl. This little demo was proof that even a small number of people can make loud mess which people behind bars have no chance to miss.
Any kind of further support is welcome. FREE LUKAS, DOWN WITH PRISONS!
Videoreport z hlukové demo // Videoreport from a noise demonstration
—
antifenix.cz
anarchistblackcross.cz
Tags: Czech Republic, Litoměřice, Lukáš Borl, Repression
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 6th, 2016
Banner text: LET THE PRISONS AND POLICE STATIONS BURN
FREEDOM FOR THE ANARCHIST 3 FROM WARSAW!
In the second half of August 2016 we hung a banner in solidarity with Tadek, Oskar and Michał – the Warsaw 3 anarchists arrested on suspicion of trying to set fire to a police car. This was a minimum gesture as part of the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners.
The democratic regime holds them in isolation within the prison, treating them as dangerous criminals, trying to break their souls and destroy their will to resist. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Banner drop, International Week for Anarchist Prisoners, Poland, Warsaw 3
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 4th, 2016
PDF: ISIS AND TURKEY
ISIS and Turkey File
The Democratic Self-Administration of Rojava Foreign Relations Commisssion
Introduction
It is not a secret to any observer the relationship between Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with all the armed groups in northern Syria. It began in Ras Alain and did not end in Afrin. The AKP’s arguments revolve around changing the Syrian regime, bringing democracy to Syria, protecting Christians and Sunnis and unifying the country. These arguments have proven to be mere pretexts used by the AKP to intervene in Syria. The only goal of the AKP is to fight any democratic project for the future of Syria. To achieve this, the AKP has co-operated with the so-called Islamic State (Daesh) through providing training, supplying arms and facilitating the crossing of Daesh fighters to Syria through its borders.
Here are some compelling evidence for this cooperation through documents and confessions obtained by the People’s Protection Units (YPG) throughout their operations in Rojava – north Syria.
Tags: Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Kurdish Struggle, Kurdistan, Lions of Rojava, PDF, People's Defence Units (Y.P.G.), Repression, Rojava, Syria, Turkey, War, Women's Defense Units (YPJ)
Posted in Library |
September 4th, 2016
PDF: Kongreya Star
From the Committee for Diplomatic Relations of Kongra Star.
Kongreya Star is a confederation of women’s movements throughout the region of Rojava, a predominantly Kurdish area of northern Syria, also referred to as West-Kurdistan. While Kurds make up the majority of Rojava and most of the population is Muslim, the area is home to many different peoples, including Arabs, Assyrians and Ezidis, as well as a large Christian minority and many other smaller groups. One year after the Syrian Civil War began, Rojava declared its autonomy from both the Assad regime and the various other armed organisations active in the war.
The women’s movement in Rojava was founded in 2005 and originally called Yekîtiya Star. Under the fierce oppression of Bashar Al-Assad’s Ba’ath regime, women in towns and villages across the northern areas of Syria began to come together and organise themselves, creating a strong basis for the confederated women’s movement.
Tags: KJA - Congress of Free Women, Kongra Star, Kurdish Struggle, Kurdistan, PDF, Rojava, Syria
Posted in Library |
September 4th, 2016
Photo above -“Freedom for anarchists all over the planet”.
More pics on Contra-info.
Some days ago, we spray-painted slogans in the centre of Karditsa and blocked ATMs in response to the international call for a week of actions in solidarity with imprisoned anarchists.
We don’t forget our imprisoned sisters and brothers throughout the world!
No imprisoned anarchist left alone!
The passion for freedom is stronger than all prisons!
Strength to fugitive comrades!
Anarchists
(September 2nd 2016)
Tags: Greece, International Week for Anarchist Prisoners, Karditsa, Sabotage
Posted in Direct Action |
September 4th, 2016
Here is a text that several imprisoned members of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire in Athens, Greece, wrote for an event at the squatted anarchist centre Bibloteca Kaos in Brazil.
To all comrades, to all our anarchist brothers and sisters who are present in this event organized by the anarchist library Kaos. Let our thoughts break out and travel to Brazil so as to send these few words with the hope that maybe a little, you can feel our presence beside you.
In response to the subject of the event taking place during the International Week of Solidarity to Anarchist Prisoners and on the case of Nicola Sacco and Bartholemeo Vanzetti we would like to throw in our personal and historical contribution. The Conspiracy of Cells of Fire was from the very beginning an anarchist group of direct action that aspired to an upsurge of the anarchist aggressive presence in Greece. Thus, the CCF did not hesitate to often criticize that which was believed to be preventing the generalization of this intensification. But when the oppression finally made it to our doorstep, we fully understood that we would not own up to our standards should we refuse to defend our identity, our political viewpoints and our very substance. Furthermore we could have ended up being in complete contrast with our critiques against others in the past. So seven years after the day that repression struck us, we remain at the forefront of anarchist dignity, at least so as we perceive it. We refused to dishonor ourselves in any way and defended what we believed we had to defend, still paying the price of our uncompromising attitude. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Andrea Salsedo, Athens, Biblioteca Kaos, Brazil, Carlo Valdinoci, CCF - Metropolitan Violence Cell, Charles Poggi, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Emma Goldman, Ferrecio Coacci, Gabriella Antollini, Greece, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Solidarity, International Week for Anarchist Prisoners, Luigi Galleani, Mario Buda, Nicola Recci, Sacco and Vanzetti, Severino Di Giovanni
Posted in Prison Struggle |
September 4th, 2016
Image above is a photo of Forever21 garment factory workers on their two year long boycott of the said company. Presently Forever21 is seeking to investigate who is agitating and identify the struggling workers and campaigners to harass and sue them. Despite this the workers are not scared and will not back down. Help spread this appeal and the previous article in solidarity to their fight. Strike, sabotage, boycott, flames to corporate leeches.
Six Forever21 workers (three which has their employment ended) is currently on an on-going court case against Forever21. Please help cover:
1. Court expenses.
2. Personal necessities to those who’s currently finding new work which wont have them paid for a month or two.
3. Medical expenses for the father of one of our folks who’s currently confined in the hospital and don’t have healthcare to cover cost as Forever21 denied them this benefit.
https://www.youcaring.com/6-forever21-workers-in-the-philippines-627366
Tags: Forever21, International Solidarity, Philippines
Posted in Autonomy |