Many folks from Az have probably seen this video but I thought I'd repost it here for our many readers from out of state. It was shot by local videographer Dennis Gilman who was right in the thick of the action. He got some good footage. I still haven't seen any footage of the Nazis choking when that smoke bomb exploded right in the middle of them. I'd sure like to see some responsibly edited footage of that.
Below Gilman's video you'll find the latest local anti-Nazi jam burning up the charts like a cop on fire. I love the increasing creation of music around anarchist actions in town. Keep it coming, the more ways we build our oppositional culture and celebrate and spread the stories of our resistance, the stronger and more broadly understood our resistance will become.
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Words of Disobedience: New publications from Phoenix area anarchist projects
There's a handful of new anarchist print projects from the valley worth mentioning, the first couple come from Stronghold, this self titled zine signals the end of the Survival Solidarity project out of the Tucson area, and the birth of what looks to be a number of interesting and challenging projects in the near future. Following the trajectory of the DO@ bloc and critique, Stronghold continues to build a narrative focused around the attack on colonialism and eco-destruction, solidarity with indigenous and migrant struggles, and fighting all controls and borders.
The first project was quickly followed by a second zine, this one is totally dedicated to the struggle to stop the desecration of the San Francisco Peaks, a sacred site to thirteen tribes in northern Arizona. I'm impressed with the consistent anti-colonialism coming from Stronghold,
and look forward to whatever is coming next from these folks.
Also available is a new publication from our pals at So What If All The Colleges Burn Down?, drawing inspiration from Paul Virilio their latest piece "ACCIDENT or ATTACK?: On Praxis" offers some new thoughts on the "accident" and what this means for insurrectionist attack.
Finally, while not yet available in a pamphlet format, our comrade sallydarity's latest piece "Invasion by Birth Canal? The fourteenth amendment and its opponents’ motivations" is a much needed anti-authoritarian response to the latest racist attack on immigrants and communities of color. Sallydarity deftly tears apart the birthright citizenship arguments offered by anti-immigrant politician Russell Pearce and the John Tanton network of anti-immigrant groups operating under a populist cover of environmentalism, or overpopulation to advance the racist argument for controlling the movement and bodies of non-white people.
Take the time to check out the publications coming out of the various projects in the valley, it certainly is an exciting development to see so many writing projects this summer to match the inspiring resistance we've seen to SB 1070, border militarization, and the attacks on indigenous people over the summer. We look forward to the words, and deeds, of disobedience continuing this autumn, here in this occupied O'odham land.
The first project was quickly followed by a second zine, this one is totally dedicated to the struggle to stop the desecration of the San Francisco Peaks, a sacred site to thirteen tribes in northern Arizona. I'm impressed with the consistent anti-colonialism coming from Stronghold,and look forward to whatever is coming next from these folks.
Also available is a new publication from our pals at So What If All The Colleges Burn Down?, drawing inspiration from Paul Virilio their latest piece "ACCIDENT or ATTACK?: On Praxis" offers some new thoughts on the "accident" and what this means for insurrectionist attack.
Finally, while not yet available in a pamphlet format, our comrade sallydarity's latest piece "Invasion by Birth Canal? The fourteenth amendment and its opponents’ motivations" is a much needed anti-authoritarian response to the latest racist attack on immigrants and communities of color. Sallydarity deftly tears apart the birthright citizenship arguments offered by anti-immigrant politician Russell Pearce and the John Tanton network of anti-immigrant groups operating under a populist cover of environmentalism, or overpopulation to advance the racist argument for controlling the movement and bodies of non-white people.
Take the time to check out the publications coming out of the various projects in the valley, it certainly is an exciting development to see so many writing projects this summer to match the inspiring resistance we've seen to SB 1070, border militarization, and the attacks on indigenous people over the summer. We look forward to the words, and deeds, of disobedience continuing this autumn, here in this occupied O'odham land.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Freedom of movement is no joke: The Daily Show catches on to the contradictions of every day white supremacy in Arizona
Bravo to the Daily Show! Aside from the pass given to the pro-camera group, the Daily Show does a great job of highlighting one of the most glaring contradictions at work in the right-libertarian/constitutionalist milieu here in Arizona. For sometime now, PCWC has taken aim at the tension between white peoples' demands for free movement, with the expectation of increased policing for immigrants, coupled with the militarization of the border.
The Daily Show reporter Olivia Munn gets it right, demonstrating that the anti-camera movement's reactionary call for "cops, not cameras" is essentially a back door to a racist argument that says "free movement for whites, increased policing for everyone else". This position was probably best served up by the Tempe "Santas Against 1984" who disabled the traffic cameras a few years back and delivered a solid message against all controls on movement. Their youtube video went viral back in 2008, and takes Munn's send-up of the anti-immigrant/anti-camera tendency a step further by attacking both the cameras, and those who would control movement with borders.
The two videos are posted below, enjoy!
The Daily Show reporter Olivia Munn gets it right, demonstrating that the anti-camera movement's reactionary call for "cops, not cameras" is essentially a back door to a racist argument that says "free movement for whites, increased policing for everyone else". This position was probably best served up by the Tempe "Santas Against 1984" who disabled the traffic cameras a few years back and delivered a solid message against all controls on movement. Their youtube video went viral back in 2008, and takes Munn's send-up of the anti-immigrant/anti-camera tendency a step further by attacking both the cameras, and those who would control movement with borders.
The two videos are posted below, enjoy!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |
| Arizona's Photo Radar | ||
| ||
Thursday, February 11, 2010
That's the sound of history repeating: the poll tax riots and the January 16th migrant march
Watching the short video (posted below) of the storied Poll Tax rebellion in the UK got me thinking about the current political climate we face in the wake of the police attack on the DOA contingent a couple of weeks back. As I viewed the video, I couldn't help but draw comparisons between the attacks that they faced there, and what we've seen here from movement leaders, politicians, the authorities, the alternative press, and the mainstream press. While there are many differences between the attack at the Anti-Arpaio march, and the massive movement against the Poll Tax, which culminated in the popular insurrection in London, it is worth noting how the many voices of power find harmony when attacking those who make demands beyond reform.
It's worth watching the video, which is a compilation of footage and interviews following the London riot, the parallels are striking, most notable are the denunciations that come from the media and liberals. Indeed, about a minute in there is a wonderful interview with a spokesperson from Class War, who really sums up exactly the position that so many people here have been struggling to articulate following the hub bub on the 16th.
Continuing on that note, John from the Haymarket Squares (who have provided the movement with so many great anthems) has posted up a great new song breaking down what happened and calling out the leadership of the migrant movement for tossing the anarchists aside the moment things got the least bit uncomfortable for them. In his song he has a great line which really summarizes the crux of the contradiction, especially given how much work and support the anarchists have given the migrant movement in a time when allies and solidarity from people -- especially white people -- outside that community have been limited, to say the least.
The thing to realize about both situations, the reaction to the January 16th police attack and the history of the Poll Tax riots, is that such things are not random. They do not result because of bad personalities, bad cops or bad politicians. The come from the fact that anarchists and the left want different things, even when we may share some short term goals, such as defending migrants from attack by the state or abolishing a regressive, unfair tax. That as much as liberals and others on the left will pretend that we're on the same side, deep down that is only true to a limited degree.
Indeed, perhaps the most common refrain from the mouths of liberals and leftists is that "we're all on the same side" or, "we all want the same thing". As I said, this may be true to some limited extent with short term goals. But these kinds of crises reveal a contradiction that always lies beneath the surface whenever the left and anarchists interact, especially when leaders are involved. This contradiction is that we demand changes far beyond what they are willing to ask for (or can even conceive), and that our demands (and those of the base of their own movement, generally) necessarily force them to reveal themselves as the managers of movements.
Consider the point raised in the Poll Tax video. The spokesperson for Class War points to a fundamental difference between themselves and the so-called organizers of the poll tax protest. It's central to anarchist organizing that we don't believe that movements need leaders in the strict sense. Our class can organize itself and decide for itself what to do. That puts us at least potentially at odds with every movement politician, whoever they are, and in whatever movement. Not at all times, but the groundwork is there for it to emerge at any time.
The more this tension is understood going into and participating in movements, the better off we will be, because we will be able to anticipate such reactions. Those of us who participated in the anti-war movement, or the anti-globalization movement, for instance, saw the same dynamic play out. Anarchists are often welcomed at various times because there is a need for dedicated people, but with time, the political aspirations of movement politicians, or the political pressure to moderate demands or to appear responsible, puts pressure on this relationship. And, when you're dealing with liberals, while they expect you to moderate your views, they can never enter into a true relationship of solidarity with you -- after all, they cannot make their views more radical in exchange. This is a lesson worth learning from history and these two examples serve perfectly to illustrate it in my view.
Indeed, there is another lesson for us in particular that comes out of our role in the January march, which is that, beyond our general politics as anarchists, the composition of our contingent was a threat as well to various elements in the movement. The alliance between Native youth and anarchists was a stick of dynamite, not just for the police, but also for the leadership.
This is important to remember, and the O'odham Solidarity Across Borders Collective recently put out a statement calling on the migrant movement not to use the police attack as an excuse to ignore the demands made by the bloc. Those demands are legitimate and deserve a response. Addressing these concerns will only make the movement stronger. The question is whether the movement, in particular the leadership, is capable of addressing them. Let's hope so.
As for the continuing fallout from the march, there's some good news to share as well, two of the arrested, Garyn and Claire, have both had their charges "scrapped." Garyn had been charged with "aggravated assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct," Claire was facing "resisting arrest and disorderly conduct." The clearing of these charges makes us glad, however there are still three others facing aggravated assault charges, there should be more information soon on how you can help support them. The five arrested had their names dragged through the mud by the press, now that some charges have been dropped can we count on them to put forth as much effort in clearing their names? I think we know the answer.
It's worth watching the video, which is a compilation of footage and interviews following the London riot, the parallels are striking, most notable are the denunciations that come from the media and liberals. Indeed, about a minute in there is a wonderful interview with a spokesperson from Class War, who really sums up exactly the position that so many people here have been struggling to articulate following the hub bub on the 16th.
Continuing on that note, John from the Haymarket Squares (who have provided the movement with so many great anthems) has posted up a great new song breaking down what happened and calling out the leadership of the migrant movement for tossing the anarchists aside the moment things got the least bit uncomfortable for them. In his song he has a great line which really summarizes the crux of the contradiction, especially given how much work and support the anarchists have given the migrant movement in a time when allies and solidarity from people -- especially white people -- outside that community have been limited, to say the least.
"Cheers for marching with us in solidarity, havin the guts to hold your ground against wreckless authorityHe follows this up later with another great bit of analysis:
Oh, we won't stand up to the P.P.D., but we needed a scapegoat, thanks for the help, now it's under the bus you go."
We're gunna turn our backs, when you're under the horses hoofsSolid analysis and just the kind of thing movements need. Word up to John for hitting the nail on the head.
With the pepper spray still blinding you, we're gunna feed you to the wolves
Even though those cops have never been friends to us,
thanks for the help, now we're throwing you under the bus
The thing to realize about both situations, the reaction to the January 16th police attack and the history of the Poll Tax riots, is that such things are not random. They do not result because of bad personalities, bad cops or bad politicians. The come from the fact that anarchists and the left want different things, even when we may share some short term goals, such as defending migrants from attack by the state or abolishing a regressive, unfair tax. That as much as liberals and others on the left will pretend that we're on the same side, deep down that is only true to a limited degree.
Indeed, perhaps the most common refrain from the mouths of liberals and leftists is that "we're all on the same side" or, "we all want the same thing". As I said, this may be true to some limited extent with short term goals. But these kinds of crises reveal a contradiction that always lies beneath the surface whenever the left and anarchists interact, especially when leaders are involved. This contradiction is that we demand changes far beyond what they are willing to ask for (or can even conceive), and that our demands (and those of the base of their own movement, generally) necessarily force them to reveal themselves as the managers of movements.
Consider the point raised in the Poll Tax video. The spokesperson for Class War points to a fundamental difference between themselves and the so-called organizers of the poll tax protest. It's central to anarchist organizing that we don't believe that movements need leaders in the strict sense. Our class can organize itself and decide for itself what to do. That puts us at least potentially at odds with every movement politician, whoever they are, and in whatever movement. Not at all times, but the groundwork is there for it to emerge at any time.
The more this tension is understood going into and participating in movements, the better off we will be, because we will be able to anticipate such reactions. Those of us who participated in the anti-war movement, or the anti-globalization movement, for instance, saw the same dynamic play out. Anarchists are often welcomed at various times because there is a need for dedicated people, but with time, the political aspirations of movement politicians, or the political pressure to moderate demands or to appear responsible, puts pressure on this relationship. And, when you're dealing with liberals, while they expect you to moderate your views, they can never enter into a true relationship of solidarity with you -- after all, they cannot make their views more radical in exchange. This is a lesson worth learning from history and these two examples serve perfectly to illustrate it in my view.
Indeed, there is another lesson for us in particular that comes out of our role in the January march, which is that, beyond our general politics as anarchists, the composition of our contingent was a threat as well to various elements in the movement. The alliance between Native youth and anarchists was a stick of dynamite, not just for the police, but also for the leadership.
This is important to remember, and the O'odham Solidarity Across Borders Collective recently put out a statement calling on the migrant movement not to use the police attack as an excuse to ignore the demands made by the bloc. Those demands are legitimate and deserve a response. Addressing these concerns will only make the movement stronger. The question is whether the movement, in particular the leadership, is capable of addressing them. Let's hope so.
As for the continuing fallout from the march, there's some good news to share as well, two of the arrested, Garyn and Claire, have both had their charges "scrapped." Garyn had been charged with "aggravated assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct," Claire was facing "resisting arrest and disorderly conduct." The clearing of these charges makes us glad, however there are still three others facing aggravated assault charges, there should be more information soon on how you can help support them. The five arrested had their names dragged through the mud by the press, now that some charges have been dropped can we count on them to put forth as much effort in clearing their names? I think we know the answer.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
PCWC interviews Chris from Propagandhi
A few weeks ago after tabling the show, PCWC got the opportunity to interview Chris, the singer and guitarist for the great anarchist punk band Propagandhi. We had tons of questions in mind for him, but knowing his enthusiasm for hockey, we decided to limit our discussion to sports and anarchy. PCWC has an unofficial anarchist Phoenix Suns supporter group, so we are very interested in the relationship that anti-capitalists have to professional sports.
Our set up at the Propagandhi show
Chris was very generous and even stayed to chat long after our camera's battery died. If you haven't yet, you'd be doing yourself a favor by getting your hands on a copy of Propagandhi's newest album. Unlike a lot of bands from the early Fat Wreck Chords days, they continue to challenge themselves and to put out interesting, quality music.
Anyhow, being anarchists and therefore procrastinators, we have only now gotten around to editing the footage and putting it on the interweb. We hope you enjoy it.
Our set up at the Propagandhi showChris was very generous and even stayed to chat long after our camera's battery died. If you haven't yet, you'd be doing yourself a favor by getting your hands on a copy of Propagandhi's newest album. Unlike a lot of bands from the early Fat Wreck Chords days, they continue to challenge themselves and to put out interesting, quality music.
Anyhow, being anarchists and therefore procrastinators, we have only now gotten around to editing the footage and putting it on the interweb. We hope you enjoy it.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Phoenix Class War Council Presents: The I <3 Somali Pirate T-Shirt Promo
Collin Sick
This video was something we did for fun over the weekend after a very successful weekend with our new shirts. Friday saw PCWC tabling at the monthly First Friday art walk in Phoenix, and much like last month our table was busy all night. We moved a bunch of books, pamphlets, and copies of our paper, in addition to the "No More Racism" and "I <3 height="344" width="425">
This video was something we did for fun over the weekend after a very successful weekend with our new shirts. Friday saw PCWC tabling at the monthly First Friday art walk in Phoenix, and much like last month our table was busy all night. We moved a bunch of books, pamphlets, and copies of our paper, in addition to the "No More Racism" and "I <3 height="344" width="425">
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