ALERT: Counter the Westboro Baptist Church at the Mazzoni Center 7/26

  • July 24, 2016 11:01 am

from Philly Antifa

When: 7/26/2016 @ 1:45 PM
Where: Mazzonni Center, 809 Locust Street Philly
What: Confront the Homophobic, Sexist and Racist Westboro Baptist Church and let them know they aren’t welcome in our city.

The Westboro Baptist Church has announced plans to protest outside The Mazzoni center briefly during the DNC. Several counter protests have been called, and we are encouraging Anti-Fascists in the city to take an hour to tell them to fuck right off.

The Mazzoni center has provided cheap and free medical services to LGBTQ people in the city since 1979. That is something that should be celebrated; not protested. Join us in letting Westboro Baptist Church that they aren’t welcome in Philly (or anywhere) and that no one is intimidated or impressed by their circus act.

Queers Bash Back.

Antifa Philadelphia

“Nazi Cabbie” Gabriel Diaz Caught Attempting to Infiltrate Antifa

  • May 3, 2016 2:19 am

from Philly Antifa

Gabriel Diaz: National Socialist Infiltrator and Stooge for the National Socialist Movement

About a year ago, Anti-Fascists around the country started seeing a man calling himself Mohammed coming out to demonstrations against Neo-Nazis and Klan as well as Anti-Fascist/Leftist events and conferences and trying to get involved in the Anti-Fascist movement.

“Mohammed” has been busy the past year, travelling from his home in the Bronx to places like Ohio, Georgia and here in Philly trying to make connections with Antifa and extract personal information from them. He managed to get a couple phone numbers and promptly handed them over to the National Socialist Movement (NSM). The NSM’s “head of security” Mike Scholer, then began making harassing and threatening phone calls to those Antifascists.

Fortunately, Scholer is about as smart as the rest of the NSM and couldn’t help but let certain clues slip during his calls that allowed Anti-Facists to realize not only that there was in infiltrator in their midst, but that the only person it could have been was “Mohamed.”

From there it wasn’t hard to figure out that “Mohammed” was actually Gabriel Diaz, also known as “The Nazi Cabbie,” who grabbed headlines 2 years ago when he suspended for 30 days after being photographed driving his cab around Manhattan wearing a Swastika Armband. Diaz got his license back after the suspension, but it is unknown whether he is still working as a cab driver or not.

Fascist bands’ Van Wrecked in Philly

  • April 4, 2016 2:22 pm

from It’s Going Down

On Wednesday, March 30, the neofolk music tour “Operation Equinox 2016,” sponsored by extreme right blog Heathen Harvest, held its Philly show date. Held at a small former convent called The Convent in a deeply creepy, almost entirely white neighborhood that was filled with blue porch lights and cameras on residences, the show ended prematurely with the arrival of the cops, presumably called in by the cop-loving neighbors. While the cops were inside the show only a block away, a small mob of reckless vandals attacked the touring bands’ van, slashing its tires, painting the windshield and sides, and destroying several of its windows.

It’s disgusting and ridiculous that these bands even got booked at all. Fascist ideas should have no place anywhere, including in DIY music scenes. Yet this isn’t the first time we hear about crypto-fascist bands playing outside of the typical racist skinhead milieus, veiling white supremacist views in more sympathetic counter-cultural words and aesthetics. Wherever fascism rears its head, whether wearing swastikas and boots or studded vests and torn jeans, our reaction will always be the same: No Pasaran!

Shut Down Confederate Flag Day Rally Reportback

  • March 11, 2016 11:33 pm

from Central PA Antifa

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

March 5th was declared a national day of honor for the Confederate battle flag by those who would seek to rewrite the history of the American Civil War to present the South as benign defenders of the nebulous idea of “States Rights”. To this end, the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans announced that they intended to conduct a ceremony honoring that symbol of oppression at the Eternal Peace Light Memorial in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Far from being an antiquated symbol relegated to the dustbin of history, the Confederate flag remains an inflammatory representative of the white supremacist and nationalist movements, and so anti-fascists in Central PA, Maryland and Eastern PA mobilized to counter the ceremony and provide a response to the erroneous argument that “the flag is about heritage, not hate.” In addition to Antifa elements, a local professor of history and Africana at Gettysburg College also coordinated a counter-rally that was attended by less militant anti-racist elements, and was staged in conjunction with the 15-20 individuals who arrived already dressed in black bloc.

The rally and counter-rally both secured permits from the National Parks Service permitting them to gather between 2:00 and 4:00 pm on Saturday. However, by 1:00 that afternoon many of the “flaggers” as well as the counter-protesters were already staging up and beginning to occupy the spaces designated for them by the Parks Service. These spaces were roped off by steel barricades and yellow rope, and there was a 50-75 yard “free speech zone” that the Parks Service Police explained was for “tourists”. They warned that no attendees from either side would be permitted to cross this neutral area under threat of arrest; however many Confederate flaggers were later permitted to do so, although several counter-protesters attempted to cross afterwards to highlight the double standards of enforcement and prove a point. These counter-protesters were met with immediate police responses, threatened with implied threats of arrests and turned back aggressively by the police.

The flag day ceremony was well-attended, with some estimates ranging to 200 people during their event. The counter-protest was slightly smaller, but made up for that by being significantly louder and very vocally aggressive in an effort to disrupt and disturb the racists. Displaying both black and black-and-red flags, as well as banners with slogans like “Northern Aggression” and “Your Heritage IS Hate”, the multi-regional coordinated efforts of the anti-fascists proved successful in drowning out the podium speakers with chants and megaphones, despite the large distance of separation between the two groups. The megaphones were utilized to great advantage by the counter-protesters, and even national media reported that the flag rally speakers were not able to be heard during their ceremony due to the continuous noise.

The flag day ceremony ended somewhat early in response to the constant chanting, shouting and disruption from the anti-fascist counter-protesters. The staging area for the counter-protest was directly in front of the parking lot and the road leading away from the monument, therefore all of the confederate apologists were forced to walk or drive past a victorious and enthusiastic crowd cheering them on as they were leaving. This resulted in some heated verbal exchanges as well as threats of physical violence from the Confederates, which were met with invitations to come to the other side of the line. Several face-to-face confrontations and shouting matches broke out, but the Park Police were quick to step in and maintain order. Predictably, the police were much less aggressive about preventing the flaggers from harassing counter-protesters on their way out, as well as enforcing the boundaries established before either protest began.

Because of this, counter-protesters held the ground until the majority of the flaggers had departed, and then arranged group escorts to provide security for all participants returning to their vehicles to ensure their safety and show solidarity. Although outnumbered approximately two-to-one, the four groups that allied were successful in their efforts to disrupt and confront racists in an area where racism is dominant. This shows that no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the setting, racism can be confronted and shut down with the right tactics and organization. Fascism should never be allowed a platform to spread racist and nationalist views, and every effort should be made to meet them in the streets whenever and wherever they decide to show up.

ANTI-FASCIST ALERT: Racist, Xenophobic “3%ers” Rallying in Philly Tomorrow 3/5/16

  • March 4, 2016 4:01 pm

from Philly Antifa

When: March 6th, 2016
When: 12:30pm
Where: 6th and Market

This Saturday, the Three Percenters — a militia grouping with close ties to group of white supremacists, right wing ideologues and anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists that recently occupied a wildlife refuge on stolen Native land in Oregon — are coming to Philadelphia and 21 other cities across the country. They will gather in front of regional FBI offices to “avenge the death of Finicum,” the man who was shot by the FBI as the occupation ended, and to gather strength for their cause.

The circumstances of Finicum’s, or the fact that law enforcement in the U.S. clearly has been given a license to kill under any circumstances aside, this group still must be opposed whenever mobilizing in our city. In fact, their attempting to organize in Philly under the auspices of opposition to state violence is even more of a threat because it makes their group seem more relevant and reasonable (as well as media savvy) due to all of all the recent momentum in the BLM movement and other movements against state violence.

Reportback from Antifascist Demo Against “Americans First”

  • February 24, 2016 10:49 pm

from It’s Going Down

On Saturday, February 6, 2016, a measly 15 self-proclaimed “patriots” from Americans First, a quasi-fascist group, held an “End Sharia Law in the US” rally. This is the latest in a string of rallies that Americans First have held in Central PA. In January, they held a rally outside of Church World Services, a refugee resettlement organization. In response, over 250 people in Lancaster came out to let Americans First know that hate will not be tolerated in their town.

In Reading, about 100 antifascists and others came out to deliver the same message. Despite having a slightly smaller crowd than in Lancaster, the Reading event was much more militant. The group took up a position immediately in front of the “patriots” and effectively shut down the entire event, chanting “Say it Loud, Say it Clear, Refugees are welcome here” and shouting down any attempts the fascists made to spout their bigoted views. Shortly after the event started the antifascists were joined by Make The Road, a Latino rights organization, who marched in to the sound of drums. Make The Road members delivered short speeches, played music, and sang songs for about an hour, making it very clear that they were not afraid of their racist, xenophobic opponents and would continue their social justice mission.

Despite the heated exchange between the fascists and antifascists, only one shoving match broke out, which elicited no response from the local police who were posted up on each end of the block. At one point, one of the “patriots”, a former military member and current Biker, President Dawg, in a bold move, stepped up looking to fight an antifascist who had damaged his fragile ego. Instead of backing down, the antifascists stepped up as a single unit to challenge this fascist thug, and he backed down. Antifa shut down the fascist Americans First, the second time they have been shut down in as many months. The fight is not over!

Nobody is Illegal!

Refugees Welcome!

Fascists and Racists Out!

Take Away From Reading, PA:

The rally in Reading, much like the rally in Lancaster, drew a lot of support in favor of refugees and in support of the Muslim population. However, Reading was much more militant than Lancaster was. This was due to the organizing efforts of antifascists that promoted militant tactics instead of leaving planning in the hands of the progressive church leaders as was done in Lancaster. It’s essential to squash any potential fascist organizing when it is small, before it grows in size and confidence to carry out physical assaults on their victims. Organizing antifascist resistance is extremely important!

There was little opportunity to reach out to the surrounding area. The location chosen by the fascists was in an area that received little foot traffic and was shielded from most car traffic. Greater outreach allows the spread of antifascist ideas and is able to combat the narrative pushed by these hate groups.

Additionally, we have begun an informal relationship with the members of the other organizations that joined us and will continue to build on those through participation with their events and campaigns.

Central PA Antifa can be found here.

Self-Defense Class & Anti KKK Fundraiser

  • February 11, 2016 4:05 pm

from facebook

Come through and learn some self defense and boxing basics in a chill environment from Philly’s own Ronnie Vega! It’s pay what you can and all the money is going toward Stephen Loughman’s case against the KKK (more info on that below). All experience levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend. No corny macho shit.

Philly Antifa will be here helping out with gear and showing a short film about Stephen’s case. Gloves, handwraps, and pads will be available, but if you have your own please bring them.

[February 18 at 6pm at LAVA 4134 Lancaster Ave]

A no show doesn’t mean go home, it means go hard!!

  • February 5, 2016 4:18 pm

Submission

A no show doesn’t mean go home, it means go hard!!

Rumor has it that Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh and his Return of the Kings have canceled their international meet-ups due to safety concerns.
Philly has no reason to stand down in light of this. It’s easy to label him and his people as benign internet trolls, but the reality is way more sinister. The Return Of Kings represents a serious rise of tradtionalist fascist movements that aim to uphold structures of sexism, racism, transphobia, and homophobia through the direct promotion of violence. Roosh V even rails against “multiculturalism” making society “unlivable”. He is a self-described advocate of trumps doctrine as well. It cannot be stressed enough that these fuckrs are not as isolated as we wish they were.

White nationalist terror attacks have been on the rise as a white nationalist figurehead has been given the mainstream spotlight through the elections.
This is directly related to the struggles of women of all backgrounds. The same forces that enable these racist attacks to occur are the ones that allow there to be attacks on women’s health centrs, and women in general. The enemy is fascism, and all systems of control that dominate everyday life. This isn’t a matter of negotation. Women being raped, while rapists speak in comfort means this is a matter of war!

To expect the state to do a damn thing is a huge mistake. The state not only protects fascists, but it is an active part of the same structure that fascists aim to strengthen. The police are not our fucking friends. They enforce the same borders bastards like Trump wish to secure even more. They have their guns directed at the same people of color that white nationalists wish to see dead. It’s already well known that 40% of police officer’s families experience domestic violence at the hands of the officer in the family. Support for policing in what is a clearly a police-state has no place in any anti-fascist movement.

The kings may not return saturday night but fascists are stepping it up all over the country with the full suport of American politics. The ideas fascists promote are everywhere and a constant part of our society. Anti-fascists waiting even a moment longer means allowing the enemy to continue dealing the cards. It means allowing them to create the stakes, and control the game.

In an age where fascism is growing stronger, it’s abou time we strengthen our own convictions and actions. Whether these rapists show or not we still need to be out there celebrating anti-fascists resistance. It’s time we step it the fuck up and show every fascist scum what happens when they even so much as mention building a platform for their movement on OUR streets in OUR city. Every Fascist, and Rapist should have fear struck into their hearts when they hear the word “PHILLY”.

SEE YOU IN THE STREETS!

ALERT ALERT SATURDAY 2/6: Racists Rally in Reading, Misogynists/Rape Advocates Rally in Philly

  • February 2, 2016 9:36 pm

from Philly Antifa

Anti-Fascists in and around Eastern PA will have their dance card full this Saturday.

First up that morning, there is an Anti-Refugee rally being organized by whatever types of people want to be first in line to oppress and harass people fleeing for their lives under the banner of “America First: End Sharia Law.”  IDAVOX has more info on their site , but the event has the endorsement of at least one PA “politician” Berks County Republican committeeman , and is likely to draw members of the Keystone State “Skinheads” and  “3%ers” movement, a faction of the militia movement that have been in the news recently due to their involvement in the occupation of Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge, which is (of course) stolen Native land.

A counter protest has been announced by Central PA Antifa. Both rallies will take place at the Berks County Court house at Noon on Saturday 2/6/2016. Anyone who can get there to show support to our fellow Anti-Racists and Anti-Fascists should do so.

–

Finally, here in Philadelphia Saturday night, a demonstration has been called to counter a meetup by a group of internet troll misogynists and “Men’s Rights Activists” that is being organized by (among others) Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh. 

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Valizadeh runs a website called “Return of Kings” which specializes in Anti-Women vitriol but also features tons of Anti-GLBT and racist postings (Link is NOT to their stupid fucking site). Valizadeh has been quoted as saying he supports legalizing rape “on private property.”

The meetup is one of over 100 worldwide. If is an effort by Return of Kings members to move from strictly online crying to crying in person. Probably because of the inevitable beating these fools will receive, if not on Saturday then one day really soon.

If you were ever unfortunate enough to read their site, you know that these guys have no idea what they’re talking about. One article they had was literally just 60 sexist quotes from a book of sexist quotations written over 100 years ago as some kind of evidence of the age old wisdom of misogyny in an attempt to get everyone to roll back their concepts of gender and sexuality to the level of the most reactionary idiots publishing books during the McKinley presidency.

What it is about our society that makes us produce people who think they live in a world without consequences? Is it a fundamental misunderstanding of the intent and scope of “freedom of speech?” Who knows?

What is known is that the local Return of Kings meetup rally and redirect point is in Washington Square Park at 7:30pm Saturday night.  A protest has been called at the park for the same time and location. Already Valizadeh is decrying the worldwide effort to shut down his events and (in this author’s opinion) laying the groundwork for what will inevitably be a lot of cancellations and last minute alterations.

Antifa Philadelphia hopes to see everyone in the streets this Saturday.

ALERT! Anti-Immigrant, Bonehead Connected Militia Group to Protest Syrian Refugees in Pennsylvania

  • February 1, 2016 8:40 pm

from Idavox

When:
February 6, 2016 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Where:
Berks County Courthouse
633 Court St
Reading, PA 19601
USA
ALERT! Anti-Immigrant, Bonehead Connected Militia Group to Protest Syrian Refugees in Pennsylvania @ Berks County Courthouse | Reading | Pennsylvania | United States

It seems Pennsylvania’s anti-immigrant wing of the militia movement is trying to keep things on the down low when it comes to organizing public events, especially surrounding the activism against the Syrian refugees. Given the fact that they keep bringing neo-Nazi groups like the Keystone State “Skinheads” with them, not to mention the overwhelming opposition they see when they come out, we can understand why. Problem for them is the down low will not be afforded them when they come out this Saturday to the Berks County Courthouse. The event is called “Americans First: End Sharia Law in the USA” and John Rentschler, a Republican committeeman from Berks County, PA is pushing this hard among his people. And just like the other times, his hurdle is to convince people to not worry about those who would call them out as the bigoted fascists they are, writing in one post, “If you can’t bring yourself to stand up to the fear of offending someone or fear of name calling you will never break the bonds of tyranny and you are already a slave.” Thing is, the Facebook page for this event is secret so no outsiders can see it, so even he is afraid of what will go down. As well he should. When Rentschler & Co. came out to protest a church welcoming refugees in Lancaster last month, 200 persons came out to oppose his crew of 40, a number one of his participants called “pathetic”. In other words, people have made it clear they are not going to let this crowd move forward, and they are planning to come out to remind them once again.

 

Reportback from 2nd Annual TORCH Anti-Fascist Conference

  • November 11, 2015 4:43 pm

from Philly Antifa

Capture

Our 2nd annual conference was a huge success. Delegates were sent for the private plenary from Antifa Philadelphia, South Side Chicago Anti-Racist Action, Los Angeles People Against Racist Terror (PART)/A.R.A.-L.A., NYC Antifa (who are not TORCH members but were vouched in as observers), Rocky Mountain Antifa and the Antifa International Collective, based out of Quebec (also non-members). Antifa International traveled down to make connections between TORCH and Canadian Antifa, as well as to discuss their International Anti-Fascist Defense fund, which TORCH has endorsed and many of its members will be participating in.

Once the public section started we also met up with members of Asheville Anti-Racists, New Jersey Antifa, independent Anti-Fascists from all over the region, and even a pair of Dutch Antifa who happened to be in the city for holiday. Attendees were treated to a panel discussion and Q&A about Militant Anti-Fascists role in the Black Lives Matter movement, a video of which should be posted online shortly. Afterwards they saw a Russian documentary just recently translated to English “Ivan, in memory of our friend…” about the life and death of Russian Anti-Fascist Ivan Khutorskoi. They also got a sneak peek of the up-coming documentary about the Anti-Fascist movement in the U.S. entitled “No Fascist USA” by seeing a 10 minute trailer that will be uploaded shortly as well.

The conference show/after party featured some of the best bands playing in Philly right now and one visiting guest. Special thanks to Soul Glo, Fuck S.S., Autocracy East, Christopher Walking, Novatore (who came all the way from Chicago) and Leisure Muffin for playing. In addition to the acts we would like to thank The Rotunda for hosting, our panelists for taking the time, Black Orchid foods for letting use use their stuff, and Scranton IWW for providing security during our plenary so that all network members could participate.

It was a privilege to host the TORCH Conference and we thank everyone who attended, especially those who travelled from far away. We are already siked for next one.

In Solidarity,

Antifa Philadelphia

Show of Unity: Mix it Up Against Racism and Fascism

  • November 1, 2015 8:47 pm

from private event page with permission

Antifa Philadelphia presents:

Christopher Walking (http://christopherwalking.bandcamp.com/)

Leisure Muffin
(https://soundcloud.com/leisuremuffin)

Novotore (Chicago. https://infamouscrew.wordpress.com/)

Erik Petersen of Mischief Brew (https://www.facebook.com/mischiefbrew?fref=ts)

+1 TBA

[$5 November 7th at 6:30pm at The Rotunda 4014 Walnut St]

Anti-Fascist Film Screening – Ivan: In Memory of Our Friend

  • November 1, 2015 8:40 pm

from private event page with permission

As part of the public portion of the 2015 TORCH Anti-Fascist Conference, Antifa Philadelphia is proud to present a screening of the russian Anti-Fascist documentary Ivan: In Memory of Our Friend, which chronicles the life and death of Russian Antifa Ivan Khurtorskoy. The film was released a few years ago but has not been available with English subtitles until recently, so it has only been screened a handful of times in the U.S.

[November 7th at 3pm at The Rotunda 4014 Walnut St]

Militant Anti-Fascism and the Black Lives Matter Movement: A Panel Discussion and Q&A

  • November 1, 2015 8:35 pm

from private event page with permission

As part of our 2015 Network Conference, Antifa Philadelphia is proud to present a short panel discussion and Q&A with a group of Anti-Racists from all over the U.S.

We will be discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically the role Neo-Nazis and other White Supremacists have played in trying to destroy it and how Anti-Fascist tactics and individuals can help stop them.

[November 7th at 2pm at The Rotunda 4014 Walnut St]

A Reportback from Leif Erikson Day 2015

  • October 14, 2015 2:02 pm
from Philly Antifa

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One People’s Project has a longer report back posted on Idavox (a new news service for Anti-Fascists from the people at OPP), but, yea, they didn’t show up.

Despite KSS co-founder Bob Gaus claiming on social media that LED 2015 would be on Saturday at Noon, as it had been almost ever previous year, when Anti-Fascists mobilized to confront them they were met with some very confused joggers and a Viking statue and gazebo that had been tagged with Anti-Fascist graffiti.

We waited around for a few hours, taunting KSS and Traditionalist Youth on twitter to come and “smash the reds” who were so patiently waiting like sitting ducks, but they demurred.

After it was clear they were not coming, we thanked those that had responded to the call and went to lunch with some new recruits/supporters who had come out to oppose the event where we sat around and talked about how improved the situation was in Philly in the past 4 years. So thanks for that, KSS.