The Dead Anarchist Walking Tour

from Instagram


The early anarchists of Philadelphia (1880-1920) were a remarkable group of doctors, lawyers, teachers, factory workers, poets, musicians and dissenting intellectuals. They came from many countries and spoke several languages. In their effort to wash the Earth of gods and masters, they established a medical dispensary, a school, and several newspapers, as well as member-owned bakery and shoe store co-operatives. They organized hundreds of educational events with some of the leading intellectuals of the age. They held splendid fundraiser balls and evening boat cruises along the rivers. Sometimes anarchist meetings were shut down or spied upon by the police. In 1905, the Russian Tzar planted a spy on Pine Street. There were young lovers, laughing babies, and broken anarchist hearts.
Society Hill, which was the old Jewish Quarter, happens to be a section where many of the homes, meeting places, and offices of the early anarchists are still standing. Now, you can spend a few hours stalking the same pavement where those long-dead anarchists waged their struggle. While they no longer exist, they linger in the psychology of the living.
The Meeting Place: Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South Street
The Starting Time: 12 Noon, Saturday October 24, 2015
The Reason: So that there shall be No Gods & No Masters.
Robert Helms has researched the history of Philadelphia anarchists for 25 years and has led these tours since the late 1990s. He will guide his listeners to the haunts of these dead anarchists for about two hours, he will tell their stories, and he will answer questions about them.
The public is invited. The guide will pass the hat during the tour. The suggested donation, toward continuing research, is $15. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. In case of rain, the tour will continue from his cold, dead lips so long as there is at least one listener.
Check out: http://deadanarchists.org/

Public Portion of TORCH Conference Schedule Announced

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.

From Black Mask to Up Against the Wall Motherfucker: A discussion with Ben Morea

from facebook

A former member of the New York-based groups Black Mask and Up Against the Wall Motherfucker, Ben Morea will discuss his involvement with anarchist activity in the 1960s.

With Black Mask, Morea published a paper that explored the relationship between radical politics and art as well as initiating various incursions and interventions. With Up Against the Wall Motherfucker, Morea developed the concept of affinity groups for protests and direct action alongside of experimenting with breakaway marches. This discussion will be an opportunity to ask Morea about his experiences and learn from how these groups creatively adapted to the political struggle and State repression of the 60s.

[September 23 at 7:30pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]

This discussion is part of a two night event that includes a talk at Ahimsa House: https://www.facebook.com/events/820693368043777/

From Anarchy to Animism, a night with Ben Morea former member of Black Mask and Up Against the Wall Mother Fucker

from facebook

“Having spent the 60’s as a voice for Revolution, political, cultural, artistic change I felt a need for a spiritual (not religious) dimension as well. And so Revolutionary Animism. The material domination of life is at best vacuous and must be addressed.” – Ben Morea

Ben Morea, a former major activist and revolutionary artist in the 60’s will speak on his journey from approaching activism from a place or anarchy to now coming from values of animism. He is well known historically from the 60’s for his involvement in Black Mask, Up against the wall Mother fucker, and his art. He left society for many years, spending time deep in nature, only to reemerge to speak all over the world around the ties between environmentalism and animism. This will be a special night at ahimsa as we enjoy the warm hearted and wise nature of Ben Morea as he speaks on his many years of standing up for and loving mother nature and her inhabitants.

[September 22 at 7:30pm at 5007 Cedar Ave]

To Change Everything: Anarchism and the New Social Movements

from facebook

An International Panel Discussion

This panel brings together organizers from Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and North America to discuss the significance of anarchist ideas and tactics in the 21st century.

The participants will compare experiences from the wave of protests and uprisings that has swept the world since 2010—exploring the role of demand-based politics in both catalyzing and limiting movements, examining a variety of forms of repression, and critically evaluating experiments with direct democracy. They will conclude by assessing the prospects of contemporary struggles for self-determination in an era of globalized capitalism and state control.

All of the presenters are contributors to a recent outreach and dialogue project, To Change Everything, which appeared earlier this year in over twenty languages: http://tochangeeverything.com/

[September 12 at 7pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

NNAL Tour: Philadelphia Presentation & Discussion

from facebook

Join the No New Animal Lab Tour for a presentation and discussion in Philadelphia!

No New Animal Lab is a grassroots pressure campaign to stop international construction corporation Skanska from building a new underground animal lab at the University of Washington. If the new lab is built, thousands of animals will be tortured inside of it. People around the world are saying, “We Will Stop This Lab” — and fighting to do so.

Join organizers of the campaign for a presentation and discussion about the campaign and building the grassroots movement for animal liberation.

[September 10 at 6pm at Grindcore House 1515 S 4th St]

Fundraiser for Anti-Fascists Stephen Loughman and Eddien Patterson

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.

Anarchist Prisoner Information and Letter Writing Event

from Wooden Shoe Books & Records
When: Sun, August 23, 7pm – 8pm
Description: As part of the international week of solidarity with anarchist prisoners, we will have a multimedia presentation, discussion, and letter writing night for anarchist prisoners the world over. Letter writing materials for domestic prisoners will be provided, handouts/posters concerning some international struggles will be available, and snacks will be shared.

This week of action was coordinated by several international Anarchist Black Cross groups beginning with the anniversary of the murder of Sacco and Vanzetti by the United States on August 23rd.

[Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

Boots Riley: Tell Homeland Security — We Are the Bomb

from facebook

The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club, as well as solo artist, for more than two decades. An activist, educator, and emcee, Riley’s singular lyrical stylings combine hip-hop poetics, radical politics, and wry humor with Bay Area swag. His latest book, Boots Riley: Tell Homeland Security—We Are the Bomb, brings together his songs, commentary, and backstories with compelling photos and documents. Boots is making select bookstore appearances around the country, and will stop at the Wooden Shoe on August 25th [7pm at 704 South St]! Don’t miss this event!

Crashing the Party: Revisiting the RNC 2000 with activist and author Kris Hermes

from facebook

This August marks the 15-year anniversary of direct action against the prison-industrial complex and arrest of hundreds of activists during the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. In response, dissidents confronted new forms of political repression by pushing legal boundaries and establishing new models of collective resistance.

Join activist and author Kris Hermes for a discussion on his new book, Crashing the Party: Legacies and Lessons from the RNC 2000, an engrossing combination of social history and courtroom drama that explains the origins of contemporary protest policing and the creative political resistance used to overcome it. Hermes will discuss his experiences on the ground in Philadelphia and how they relate to the movement today. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the discussion!
[August 20 at 7pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

NO COP ZONE: Bar-B-Q and Strategy Session

from facebook

Please join Action Against Black Genocide, Trayvon Martin Organizing Committee, & Revolutionary Student Coordinating Committee, PHL to continue to build neighborhood resistance against police murder and the movement to *Disempower, Disarm, and Disband* the police.

We will be building with neighbors, sharing some food, and launching a Rapid Response Network for police brutality. Come be a part!

#BlackLiberationMatters
#NoCopZone — They Know Better!

[August 16 at 3pm at Malcolm X Park]

Tyree Carroll needs our support at his Pre-Trial Conference

from facebook

Tyree Carroll remains in jail. His pre-trial conference is THIS WEDNESDAY. Let’s pack the court to help get him out! Meet us at Criminal Justice Center Room 805 (Judge Michael Erdos). [August 12 at 8:30am at 1301 Filbert St]

Immediately following the conference will be a press conference outside the courthouse.

7pm that night we will demand #Justice4Tyree at the 14th Police District’s regularly scheduled Police Service Area Meeting at Wister Playground, 4971 Baynton Street.

We must stand together and remind the system and those who work for it that BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!

Visit the #Justice4Tyree FB page for more information and join to stay updated. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654305488121306/

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

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!

Political Prisoner Letter Writing Night/Potluck

from facebook

Join at The Wooden Shoe for a night of solidarity with the people in our movements who have had their freedom taken from them. We’ll provide all the materials, a list of prisoners from various radical movements with short bios, and a quick “how to” for anyone who would like some guidance.

This event will be a vegan potluck, so please bring a drink or dish to share. Email me if you have any questions.
*please know what is in your dish to share and keep in mind of people with food allergies*


[July 29 7-10pm at Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St]

Letter Writing Day for Antifascist Prisoners

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]