A Concerted Effort Against Gentrification

  • August 13, 2015 10:51 am

received via email

A Concerted Effort Against Gentrification

Gentrification in Philadelphia is an issue that deserves a concerted response from those of us who oppose it. The momentum of recent actions leads us to believe that now is an especially good moment to call for a focused opposition to gentrification. We would like to offer some thoughts for those interested in pushing back against the encroachment of gentrification.
Gentrification affects our survival. Many of us are touched by it: our rents are increasing, the supermarkets and stores near us are becoming more expensive, the neighborhoods where we live are transforming into monotonous havens for students and the rich. Fighting against gentrification is fighting for our own livelihood, in solidarity with others doing the same.
The violence of gentrification gets normalized and often goes unnoticed, veiling itself in the language of “progress,” “improvement,” and “development”. When we fight against gentrification, we reveal the already existing conflict gentrification has brought to our neighborhoods.
In Philadelphia, where the most dire impacts of gentrification most often result in the displacement of black people, we believe that fighting “development” and “improvement” can easily be connected in both thought and action to the Black Lives Matter movement. The preservation of black life is not limited to protesting killings by vigilantes and police; the erosion of black life begins in so many daily abuses, many of which go hand in hand with the process of gentrification.
The anti-gentrification actions that have already taken place in Philadelphia have created a momentum outside of the institutional left (political parties, non-profits, etc). This autonomous momentum is the kind that empowers and emboldens those who take part, because it come from groups and individuals deciding for themselves when and how to take action. Taking direct action allows us to realize our own power without resorting to lobbying and asking permission.  The momentum and tone set by previous actions against gentrification is worth furthering.
Gentrification is happening everywhere. It is impossible to ignore the changes taking place in South Philly, West Philly or North Philly.  So many neighborhoods are effected, which means to us that there are so many opportunities for people to begin fighting back. If people are openly fighting against gentrification in multiple neighborhoods at once, resistance will be harder to control, forming links across the different geographies of the city. The widespread nature of development means that the possibility of an eruption of revolt is also widespread.
These are some of the reasons we feel a specific focus on fighting gentrification is important. Below we present some ideas of what we think will be useful in the fight against gentrification.
There have already been attacks, many aimed at OCF Realty.  These kinds of actions need to continue. We feel creatively scheming ways to make the material processes of development more difficult is one of the most important aspects of a struggle against gentrification. We see value in the attacks that have been highly visible and easy to understand, these kinds of attacks make the struggle visible and can gain support for those fighting. We also see value in attacks that may go unnoticed by passers-by, but sabotage gentrification in material ways. Either way, a movement based in attack is hard to co-opt or pacify, and builds it’s own autonomous power based in skill and ability.
One thing we have noticed lacking among the numerous actions that have already taken place is the spreading of ideas. Conversations about resisting gentrification with both comrades and interested people should be taking place. Marches, posters, banners, zines, assemblies, are only a handful of the channels where ideas can be shared and debated. Without a healthy dialogue surrounding how and why we fight, our actions will grow stale and we will find ourselves a small and isolated minority. Without taking the time to spread our ideas in a person to person way, we also run a greater risk of alienating with our attacks people who might otherwise understand our motives and see themselves as part of the same struggle. Conversation within our fight can be a place to share relevant information with one another, evaluate and learn from our actions, and plan together when it makes sense to do so in concert.
It’s with these thoughts in mind that we are calling for a concerted effort against gentrification.

An open letter to Philly Anti-Authoritarians and other Friends

  • August 12, 2015 11:01 am

received via email

An open letter to Philly Anti-Authoritarians and other Friends,

It’s no surprise that the current nature of most Philly street demos have failed to open up space in the streets that allowed for effective forms of autonomous participation. There were a few larger demonstrations that felt more uncontrollable than the tight-knit activist gatherings that led up to them. At these larger demonstrations there were usually a few attempts to take and hold major roads and interstates. All of these attempts failed. The fact that these attempts occurred shows an energy that hasn’t been seen at street demos here in a long time. Yet the failures can represent the shortcomings of activism, and it’s inability to understand and thwart the counter-insurgency methods deployed by the state. On the contrary these failures also represent the traps many Philly anti-authoritarians have found themselves in. The trap of total absence of building relationships and maintaining a relevant presence in the streets. Many think, “protests in Philly are liberal, small and usually don’t lead to anything more” which may arguably be the case in most instances. The problem stems from the failure to realize our own potential in shaping
things through participation, through actually making things happen. If things are going to be done they must be done with a sense of tact. Success in action builds trust, and appeals to those who have the same desires. Know that even if an action holds the spirit of insurrection, if not executed properly it will fail to resonate beyond the participants themselves and even then participants could be discouraged by easily avoidable failures. Maybe this is part of what has happened here. A few failures to connect, and a few more shady call-outs with no direction in mind could have meant a few steps back. A lesson learned is more effective when moving forward as opposed to when remaining stagnant after the fact. Since then we have seen people attempting to break this silence, which shows a few positive steps, but it isn’t enough.

Here are a few points on opening up space in the streets in the future –

1. The activist groups,NGOs and other Leftist organizations in Philly actually do not hold the means to draw the numbers people would assume they have. Many liberal-leaning organizations call for demos and see a few hundred at their peak. Anything extending beyond the smaller parades isn’t exactly representative of the numbers an activist group holds or has direct influence over. More so it always represents that particular demo being the only thing occurring combined with a timing when mad people feeling uncontrollably heated over pigs murdering black folks.

With this in mind it shouldn’t be considered strategic to wait around or to latch onto the organizing efforts of those structures. The nature of liberalism, and certain aspects of activism have worked to actively kill energy rather than amp it up – many times over the past year we have seen people rip megaphones from black women antagonizing police, people discourage youth from masking up and marching on their own path, we have seen people fight each other physically over decisions to begin pushing police lines. Rather than constantly finding ourselves within structures that have allowed these things to reproduce themselves in the streets over and over again, we should create and build alternatives, which leads us to the second and the final point.

2. Street actions that commemorate and/or capture the spirit and history of gentrifying/gentrified neighborhoods while maintaining a sense of hostility and opposition to policing are an obtainable goal. You do not have to expect or prepare for instant escalation of conflict. This would be unrealistic. Especially in a city with not much recent history of militancy. Instead… for starters don’t be the presence that discourages kids from masking up when they take interest, but instead be the presence that shares with everyone the importance of it. Be the presence that cheers on the angry black women, while denouncing anyone who would take the mic from them. In terms of street politics capacity can increase with small successes like this. In many places monthly marches have occurred at some point in time. Not all of them involved a direct heightened conflict, but their occurrence definitely opened up space for stronger relationships to form in the streets – it helped to create a space where media wasn’t welcomed, and staying anonymous was encouraged as the new norm. It helped encourage everyone to see themselves as a participant. It opened up the potential for more people to act with autonomy in the immediate future. Events that encourage art, banner making, and flag-making amongst close friends, or in a public space/event. Gathering to do smaller things, to promo a certain event works to maintain hype & trust around a future occurrence in general, whether it be passing out flyers, giving antagonistic speeches, banner making, or more. These are all things to keep in mind when making sure past mistakes aren’t repeated.

Philly Anti-Authoritarians should definitely consider the question of “What is Next?”. If leftist, reformist, and liberal elements are out there, what are we doing? Why aren’t we “out there”? There is no excuse of “we don’t have the numbers” because it is clear that even the most reformist elements in this city barely have the numbers, and they still manage to do their thing. Capacity comes from steady efforts and successful action. Instead of dreaming of the perfect moment it is time to begin shaping each moment we are already given. It is time to act with what we have and to see where that can potentially lead. Otherwise it is likely any future ruptures will dwindle down, and channel themselves within Philly’s liberal structures until they are no longer a threat. If those “perfect moments” so many people seem to dream of are to extend beyond a a single day or night then every single one of us must spring out of inaction towards more action. Or we could return to each of our own comfortable circles, and social cliques. We could remain in our bubble of irrelevancy. We could continue to observe the constant function of policing and capital dominating the city uncontested. Then… on the other hand, we could begin to develop a force worth mentioning in the struggle. The choice is up to every single last one of us. Let’s start moving forward. Let’s start doing things, and doing them in a legit way.

New Pamphlet on Justice

  • August 11, 2015 3:46 pm

received via email

Crashing the (LAUNCH) PARTY! Legacies and Lessons of the RNC 2000 by Kris Hermes

  • July 23, 2015 2:49 pm

from facebook

What: Celebrate the publication of Crashing the Party: Legacies and Lessons from the RNC 2000 by Kris Hermes!

Hear the author, as well as former RNC arrestees, legal workers, and lawyers speak about their experiences from 2000, and how those experiences are relevant for today’s activists, street demonstrations, and movements for social change.

*Join us for free food, drinks, music, video footage, an historic slideshow, and a raffle!*

When: 2-4pm on August 1st, the 15th anniversary of direct action against the prison industrial complex and the arrest of hundreds of hundreds of activists in downtown Philadelphia

Where: William Way LGBT Community Center: 1315 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

Cost: FREE!

Let’s work together to demystify and resist the legal system! Bring your friends and help spread the word!

Delbert Africa Denied Parole

  • June 28, 2015 9:33 pm
from MOVE 9 Parole

Earlier this Week we found out that our Brother Delbert Africa was denied parole by The Pa Parole Board and was given a two year hit . One of the reasons they cited for Delbert being  denied in their own words he is a risk to the safety of the community . This is unacceptable anyone who has ever met Delbert or has come in contact with him can tell you that Delbert Africa is nowhere near a threat to the safety of the community even The Superintendent Of SCI Dallas who along with Delbert’s Counselor recommended Delbert For Parole so The Parole Board has to come with something better than this . People in the community who The Parole Board are saying are at risk all wrote letters of support for Delbert’s Parole.

In Fact Their is a risk to the safety of people in the community but it’s not Delbert Africa or the rest of The Move 9.  It’s The Police known murderers of our children . The police that murdered Move Men, Women, And Move Children on May 13th 1985 walk the streets with immunity. The police who murdered Brandon Tate Brown in Philadelphia are still walking the streets with their identities protected. Akai Gurley,  Eric Garner, and so many others safety has been put at risk by these foul murderers who walk the street and continue to be a risk to the community as a whole’s safety . It’s obvious a person who has kept down gang  and racial violence in prison is far from a threat to the community at large .

It’s obvious that officials want our family to die in prison you can look no further than the examples of Merle and Phil Africa dying in Prison . We cannot allow another person to die in these dungeons . We are urging people to please take the time to sign this petition that we have aimed at The United States Justice Dept you can go to the website at https://www.causes.com/campaigns/92454-free-the-move-9. We are demanding now that the justice dept look into the unjust imprisonment of The Move 9 as a whole. Our goal is to reach 25,000 signatures as a whole so we have some serious work to do as a whole and your help is needed now more than ever.

Ona Move

The Justice And Accountability Campaign

Mass Incarceration, Solitary Confinement and Torture: The Dallas 6

  • May 19, 2015 1:48 am

from facebook

Mass Incarceration, Solitary Confinement and Torture: The Case of the Dallas 6
Panel Discussion on the Dallas 6

Presenters:
Shandre Delaney: Coordinator of Justice of the Dallas 6 and mother to Carrington Keys, one of the Dallas 6
Derrick Stanley: One of the Dallas 6
Theresa Shoatz: Activist and Daughter of Russell Maroon Shoatz
LuQman M. Abdullah: Human Rights Activist

Moderated by Shesheena Bray

Where: The Rotunda, (4014 Walnut Street)
When: May 26th
Time: 6pm

SUPPORT THE DALLAS 6!
On April 29, 2010, six courageous African American prisoners in solitary confinement at SCI Dallas engaged in a peaceful protest against the widespread abuse, violence and torture by guards which they had witnessed, endured, and helped to publicly document. The abuse included food, starvation, urine and feces in their food, mail tampering and destruction, vicious beatings while electro-shock shields, taxers, fists, tear gas and pepper spray, medical neglect, use of torture chair, death threats and more. For being whistleblowers on this abuse, the state have charged these six men with rioting.

For more information on the case, please contact sd4hrc@gmail.com and/or visit @[NjQyMTgzOTU5MjA4MTA3Omh0dHBcYS8vd3d3LnNjaWRhbGxhczYuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLzo6:www.scidallas6.blogspot.com]

For more information on the event please contact Iresha.Picot@gmail.com or Natasha.Danielle86@gmail.com

Cops, Class, And Race: How Police Protect the 1%

  • May 12, 2015 11:23 pm

from facebook

As communities around the nation take to the streets in the ongoing movement against police brutality, the question of the police and their role in society has taken on new importance. With the police killing a Black person every 8 hours a movement is emerging that challenges the idea of who they protect and who they serve. The very origins of their institution is saturated with racism and violence. From their beginning as a force to quell strikes, urban riots, and the threat of slave insurrection they have always existed primarily as an enforcer for the 1% and a protector of their property. Join the International Socialist Organization for a discussion about the origins and function of the police and their relationship to racism, class and capitalism.

[May 17 at the last drop 1300 pine st at 6pm]

#PhillyisBaltimore: Philadelphia’s Response to the Baltimore Uprisings

  • May 8, 2015 4:17 pm

from FTW, WTF

Written by: Trayvon Martin Organizing Committee (TMOC) and Action Against Black Genocide (AABG)

Baltimore has risen up following the police murder of 25 year old Freddie Gray. On April 19th, Freddie Gray died of spinal injuries sustained in the back of a police van following his racially biased arrest. Video of his arrest went viral, sparking riots and protests across Baltimore. After days of demonstrations, the six police officers involved in his murder have been charged by Baltimore’s State Attorney, Marilyn J. Mosby –- one officer with second-degree murder, and the others with assault and involuntary manslaughter. But here in Philadelphia, despite nearly weekly demonstrations and at least a dozen arrests, the police have yet to even release the names of the officers involved in the murder of Brandon Tate Brown, a black man shot by police during a car stop in Mayfair in December last year. Security footage of Brandon’s fatal encounter with police remains firmly in the hands of the PPD, while the internal investigation has cleared the officers of any wrongdoing and returned them to street duty. 1 As rage whips across the nation after yet another racialized police murder, those in Philadelphia continue to ask #WhoKilledBrandonTateBrown. The Philadelphia Coalition for REAL Justice, a coalition of activists and organizers forged in the heat of the Ferguson uprisings, called a march on Thursday April 30th in solidarity with the Baltimore uprising and the people claiming the streets there.

JUSTICE FOR REKIA BOYD!! STP stands with SOUL in demanding an end to violence against Black women

  • April 27, 2015 1:30 am

from Serve the People PHL

With the nation’s eyes turned towards militant resistance in Baltimore, Saturday, 25 April, STP – PHL took to the streets of West Philadelphia, joining comrades from SOUL and other organisations to voice collective outrage over the acquittal of the off-duty police officer who murdered Rekia Boyd.

Under SOUL’s directive, comrades used the internationally-attended sporting event known as the Penn Relays to cause major disruptions to automotive traffic on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, performing sit-ins, die-ins and street blockades in direct confrontation with the festive atmosphere of the events. “We are not sorry for inconveniencing you,” demonstrators asserted. “Being Black in this country is an inconvenience.”

Last Night in Baltimore

  • April 27, 2015 12:45 am

from anarchistnews

Unsurprisingly, corporate media covering Saturday’s events in Baltimore are covering up the extent of last nights riot. In our opinion primarily due to the fact that what took place was a direct result of the State’s complete tactical failure policing the streets. Were they to acknowledge what ACTUALLY happened would be to admit to all of America (as they were watching or reading on their screens) that they have no ability to control us when we really rage. They simply don’t have enough pigs.

No doubt we will see top level reshuffling of whoever orders the pigs around in Baltimore as a result, because they fucked up big time last night. Or we will be seeing the National Guard on the streets of Baltimore by next week.

The State is terrified of the possibility of this being THE trigger. The one they can’t contain.

On Saturday April 25th, the Baltimore Police Department along with the Maryland State Troopers had no control whatsoever of the vast majority of downtown Baltimore till well past midnight.

“From Networks to Parties? The Question of Organization in Contemporary Struggles”: A Conversation with Rodrigo Nunes

  • March 26, 2015 8:01 pm

Viewpoint Magazine Presents:

“From Networks to Parties? The Question of Organization in Contemporary Struggles”: A Conversation with Rodrigo Nunes.

The election of Syriza in Greece and the rise of Podemos in Spain has been described by some as marking a sharp turn in the cycle that began with the Arab Spring in 2011: giddy enthusiasm with social media and horizontal forms of organisation were out, parties and representative politics were back in. Are things that simple, however? A theory of organisation capable of understanding contemporary movements in their own terms, Rodrigo Nunes suggests, would see much more continuity, but also more tension, between the two moments.

[April 1 at 7pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

For the Long Haul: Care, Intention, and Steadiness in Radical Organizing with Chris Dixon

  • March 23, 2015 3:05 pm

from facebook

Chris Dixon, author of Another Politics, will be leading the workshop For the Long Haul: Care, Intention, and Steadiness in Radical OrganizingRadical activists and organizers across North America face many similar challenges as we work to build movements capable of transforming the world: How can we most productively manifest our values through our organizing? How can we move beyond self-selected activist circles? How can we avoid getting stuck in dead-end ways of doing things? How can we build structures that foster, rather than fracture, movements? And how can we link our day-to-day fights with longer-term visions? Drawing on interviews with experienced organizers across North America, this workshop will distill lessons for developing effective, visionary movements. It will also open a space to discuss the challenges we face and what we are learning together as we grapple with them.

[March 30 at 7pm to 10pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]

Another Politics: Talking Across Today’s Transformative Movements

  • March 22, 2015 4:37 am

from facebook

With author Chris Dixon

Recent decades have seen the exciting convergence of anti-authoritarian radicalism and broader-based movements in the U.S. and Canada. From this convergence, a growing set of activists – from anti-poverty organizers in Toronto to prison abolitionists in Oakland, from occupy activists in New York to migrant justice organizers in Vancouver – are developing shared politics and practices. They are building “another politics,” to use a Zapatista expression. These efforts combine anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, anti-oppression politics with grassroots organizing among ordinary, non-activist people. Drawing on interviews with organizers across North America, this presentation will explore another politics and distill lessons for building effective, visionary movements.

More info about the book: http://writingwithmovements.com/another-politics.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Dixon, originally from Alaska, is a longtime anarchist organizer, writer, and educator with a PhD from the University of California at Santa Cruz. His writing has appeared in numerous book collections as well as periodicals such as Anarchist Studies, Clamor, Left Turn, and Social Movement Studies. He serves on the board of the Institute for Anarchist Studies and the advisory board for the activist journal Upping the Anti. Dixon lives in Ottawa, Canada, on unceded Algonquin Territory, where he is involved in anti-poverty organizing. Find him at: http://writingwithmovements.com/

[March 29 from 7-9pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

Becoming Rebels

  • March 19, 2015 9:47 pm

From FTW/WTF

On February 28th, we participated in a “Day of Outrage” march in Bridgeton, New Jersey in response to the execution of Jerame Reid by Bridgeton police on December 30th, 2014 at a traffic stop. Police claimed he had a gun despite both his hands being visible to officers in the video (more details can be found here). This march gave us a snapshot of our movement’s strengths and weaknesses, as well a lesson in our enemies’ strategy. In the interest of advancing the struggle for a free society we offer this assessment of our actions, and some points on how to move forward.

Compañeras: Zapatista Women’s Stories

  • March 5, 2015 3:49 am

from facebook

with author Hilary Klein

Compañeras is the untold story of women’s involvement in the Zapatista movement, the indigenous rebellion that has inspired grassroots activists around the world for over two decades. Gathered here are the stories of grandmothers, mothers, and daughters who became guerrilla insurgents and political leaders, educators and healers—who worked collectively to construct a new society of dignity and justice. Compañeras shows us how, after centuries of oppression, a few voices of dissent became a force of thousands, how a woman once confined to her kitchen rose to conduct peace negotiations with the Mexican government, and how hundreds of women overcame engrained hardships to strengthen their communities from within.

[March 12 at 7-9pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]