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

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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.

Leif Erickson 2015: Boneheads Sneak Around Again…and Viking Statue Gets Defaced By Who?

  • October 12, 2015 6:22 pm

from Idavox

Leif Before and After

Let’s face it, antifa scare the hell out of the Keystone State “Skinheads”. So much so, this year’s attempt to hold a “Leif Erickson Day Celebration” without facing them meant having it the night before the time they announced! But something else happened that night that makes us ponder what else might be afoot.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—When antifa went to the Thorafinn Karsefini statue – aka, the “Viking Statue” – on Boathouse Row to oppose an annual rally put on by the neo-Nazi Keystone State “Skinheads” (KSS), they were greeted by the statue tagged with antifascist slogans and symbols – and the neo-Nazis were nowhere to be seen.

Leif Erickson 2015

That is because for the second year in a row, the group held their “Leif Erickson Day Celebration” in a way to avoid the opposition. For the first time in the nine year history of the event, they held it Friday night, and not during the usual time of noon, the time one KSS member actually announced on his Facebook page.

No Platform for Neo-Nazis Pamphlet

  • October 8, 2015 1:20 am

received via email

“Here’s a pamphlet made for the upcoming demonstration. Please share it.”

All Out to Oppose Neo-Nazi Annual Event on Philly’s Boathouse Row

  • October 7, 2015 4:21 pm

from facebook

COMMUNITY ALERT

Neo-Nazis plan to rally and march in Fairmount Park.

Where: Thorfinn Karlsefni Statue, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
When: October 10th, 2015 @ 11:00 AM
What: Stand up to racist hate and bigotry of all kinds.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
Matter” – MLK Jr.

For the past 9 years, the city of Philadelphia has played host to a gathering of Neo-Nazis right under the noses of it’s residents.

This gathering, known as “The Leif Ericson Day Celebration” is organized, promoted, and attended exclusively by members of Neo-Nazi organizations. In past years the gathering has drawn upwards of 50 hardcore racists and fascists to Philly and served as an recruiting and organizing tool for the main organization involved, the Keystone State Skinheads (KSS).

In addition to KSS, past Leif Ericson day celebrations have been attended by members of the Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC), The American 3rd Position Party/American Freedom Party (A3P/AFP), Volksfront (VF) , The Vinlanders Social Club (VSC) and the Hated Skins. All of those groups are considered hate groups by several independent organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Anti-Defamation League and the FBI. Furthermore, individuals who have attended past Leif Ericson day celebrations have been tied to racist terror organizations such as Blood and Honour and the KKK.

If past years are any indication, they will do a very short march in formation down lemon hill at Noon and attempt to lay a wreath and make speeches at the statue at the statue of Thorfin Karlson along Kelly drive.

Daryle Lamont Jenkins on the far right in the U.S. and an update on the Menard hunger strike

  • September 28, 2015 10:04 pm

from The Final Straw

 

Airs on WSFM-LP 103.3 in Asheville / streaming at AshevilleFM from 3am EST on September 28th, 2015 through October 3rd , then podcasting at archive.org. Also airing this week on KOWA-LPFM in Olympia, WA, KWTF in Bodega Bay, CA, KXCF in Marshall, CA, and WCRS-LP Columbus Community Radio 98.3 and 102.1 FM. The show will later be archived at TheFinalStrawRadio.NoBlogs.Org. You can email us at thefinalstrawradio@riseup.net and you can send us mail at:

The Final Straw
c/o AshevilleFM
864 Haywood rd
Asheville, NC 28806

——————————————————————————————————

This week we’re speaking with Daryle Lamont Jenkins of One People’s Project based in Philadelphia, PA. Mr Jenkins is a writer, activist, and committed anti fascist. This hour we’ll speak about the state of fascism in the US and how to approach dealing with fascists and racists in your community. We talk about the One People’s Project, its history, and its goals. Keep an eye out for their new website at http://idavox.com/ to be up next month.
You can see our previous interview with Mr. Jenkins at The Final Straw’s website

To write to the One People’s Project, address letters to:

One People’s Project
PO BOX 42817
Philadelphia, PA 19101

For more about Ida B. Wells you can visit the wikipedia article about her

For information about the TORCH Antifa Conference in November 2015 you can visit their website

And for more about the 0161 Festival in England, you can visit their facebook link

Public Portion of TORCH Conference Schedule Announced

  • September 22, 2015 11:17 pm

from Philly Antifa

It is now less than 6 weeks until the TORCH Anti-Fascist Network national conference here in Philly. So finish your travel preparations if you are coming from out of town and send in your registration information. E-mail PhillyAntifascists@gmail.com for registration forms if you haven’t gotten them yet.

The public section of the conference will take place the afternoon and evening of Saturday November 7th at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) in West Philly. We are very excited about all public events.

Fundraiser for Anti-Fascists Stephen Loughman and Eddien Patterson

  • August 23, 2015 1:07 pm

from facebook

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Antifa Philadelphia will be hosting a short informational event/fundraiser for southern Antifascists Stephen Loughman of Virginia and Eddien Patterson of South Carolina, who are facing legal repression for their alleged involvement in routing the Klan and Nazis in Charleston in July. We will show a few short videos about the events surrounding his arrest and then collect some money for their legal support.

There will be food and Antifa merch for sale as well, including brand new Philly Antifa t-shirts.
[August 30 at 6:30pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]
Here is the full call and background from Stephen’s support committee:

“On Monday, July 27th, our friend and comrade, Stephen Loughman, was arrested and charged with “breach of peace” for his support the week before at an anti-KKK rally in Columbia, SC on July 18th, 2015. Local activists had called on folks from across the southern region to help South Carolina’s communities stand against the Klan and other hate groups, who like many groups were trying to use the Confederate flag debate as a recruitment tool.

Letter Writing Day for Antifascist Prisoners

  • July 19, 2015 3:28 pm

from facebook

In observance of the July 25th International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners, Antifa Philadelphia will be hosting a letter writing event for several Antifascist POW’s currently incarcerated all over the world.

The full call (originally posted by NYC Antifa) with more information on the prisoners is below.

We will provide all the materials and, if you want, we will send the letter(s) for you as well. For more information on how to help or if your group would like to endorse the call or host an event, contact NYC Antifa at nycantifascistaction@gmail.com

Liberty, Solidarity, Equality,

Antifa Philadelphia (phillyantifa.org)

[July 26 from 7 to 8:30pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]

Anti-Racist Summer Film Screening – Nästa Station Rönninge

  • June 21, 2015 7:05 pm

from facebook

Since the murder of a young neo nazi skinhead in the Stockholm suburb Salem in December 2000, fascists from all over Europe has marched in his memory every year. In 2003 they gathered more than 2000 nazis, the biggest fascist march in Scandinavia since WWII. But they didn’t march without resistance. The antifascist movement tried out a wide range of tactics. In 2011 the nazis marched for the last time. This short documentary tells the story of how the antifascists tried to stop the Salem-march.

After the film there will be a short presentation about a similar event here in Philadelphia, the Keystone State Skinheads “Leif Erikson Day celebration”, which was started in 2007 and held every year (excepting one) until it was forced underground last year.

We will be asking for a small donation at the door but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. There will also be food and Antifa merch for sale.

This event is sponsored by Philly Anti-Capitalists and Antifa Philadelphia. All money raised will go towards those groups and A-Space.

[June 28 from 7pm to 8:30pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]