from Instagram
Fire, pepper spray, and at least three arrests at tonight’s march against police.
from Instagram
Flags burned at the march against police tonight. At least three people were arrested, be ready to support them as more info comes out.
Photos from Last Night’s March
Philly J20 Solidarity Financial Support Fund
Donate Here
Please donate to Philadelphia area residents who were wrongfully arrested during the January 20th inauguration protests in Washington DC. All funds raised will help pay for defendants’ legal fees, transit and housing costs.
This fund is being used to support people from the Philadelphia region who were wrongfully mass arrested during demonstrations in Washington DC on the day of Trump’s inauguration. On that day, Metro DC police attacked and cornered a large crowd of protestors with brutal, excessive force. Prolonged detainment and mistreatment over the course of 36 hours culminated in an evidence-less blanket felony charge on each of the 230 innocent demonstrators. These antagonistic actions by the state signal a dangerous intent to intimidate and discourage future protest from taking place. All charges should be immediately dropped, and the repression should end now.
Astronomical court and lawyer costs, as well as travel and housing expenses place substantial financial hardships on protestors dealing with baseless felony charges. Backing this fund not only supports those who were unjustly arrested, each donation is also an act of solidarity for those directly under threat from the police simply for their political affiliation and public expression of resistance. These cases will likely set a precedent for the way the Trump administration will handle protest throughout his four year term.
Your donation will directly assist those arrested by allowing defendants to alleviate the financial burdens imposed on them from court, lawyer, travel, and housing costs.
Statement: Philly Police Harass Philly Antifa and Wooden Shoe Books
from Up Against The Law
Bundle Up With Solidarity and Resist The Chill
A Statement From Up Against The Law Legal Collective
On Saturday January 28th Philly Antifa held an event at Wooden Shoe Books featuring anti-fascist researcher Matt Lyons of the blog threewayfight. Some people arriving at the event noticed an unusually large police presence outside and across the street, others noticed a car parked out front that contained plain clothes officers from Civil Affairs, Philly’s protest police. Text messages bounced around to different people expressing concern. Were the cops going to try and come in and mess with people? Were they targeting Philly Antifa? What exactly was happening? Why were the Philadelphia Police staked out in front of public speaking event at a bookstore?
After the event some disturbing details were relayed by Wooden Shoe staffers to Philly Antifa organizers. Plain clothes officers from Civil Affairs had visited the Wooden Shoe the day before to voice concern about the Philly Antifa event. They alleged that Philly Anitfa may have been involved in a protest at which vandalism occurred, misidentified Philly Antifa as a fascist group themselves and speculated that right wing violence might occur at the event. They asked the staffers at the Wooden Shoe if they would consider canceling the event.
That the PPD thinks its acceptable to try to get anti-fascist public speaking event cancelled should be of concern to everybody in this city.
That the PPD thinks its acceptable to try to get anti-fascist public speaking event cancelled should be of concern to everybody in this city. For their officers to think they can enter a bookstore and suggest, imply or request that a speaking event should be cancelled is reprehensible.
What should be equally concerning is the ‘divide and conquer’ technique at play. We saw this tactic at play at Occupy Philadelphia in 2011 when the Civil Affairs warned Occupiers new to political movements to ‘watch out of the anarchists and black hate groups like Uhuru’. We saw it at play back in 2000 when civil affairs warned anti-stadium organizers in Chinatown that they had to watch out for the anarchists without knowing that the organizers trusted those same West Philly anarchists and that they were involved in providing security and marshaling for their march the next day. We’ve seen Civil Affairs deploy this tactic time and time again. The PPD has a history of trying to wedge movements and to cultivate suspicion among organizers and groups who may not know each other well or who they suspect may have some initial distrust toward each other.
We can resist by dragging this tactic into the light and letting other people know about it especially those new to organizing. When we let people know in advance that the PPD might spread misinformation about other groups it prepares them psychologically to resist this tactic and to dialogue with each other when the PPD attempts to play the divide and conquer game. It should go without saying that you should exercise your right to remain silent and refuse to answer the cops questions about others in the movements. However, If the cops approach you to speak about an organizer or organization you should absolutely contact that organizer or organization right away to talk about what happened and let them know the cops were asking about them and/or making claims about them. Exercise your right to dialogue with others in the movements and build with them.
That this is a seemingly clumsy use of this tactic should be no less concerning. It’s probable that the Civil Affairs knew their intervention would be rebuffed but knew that through speaking to Wooden Shoe staffers their primary message would be relayed to rebellious movements: we are watching you. This was especially clear the next day with the large police presence outside and around South Street. Cultivating paranoia is an important weapon in the cops arsenal.
While the Matt Lyons event was standing room only the police harassment and presence outside had a chilling effect. Some people received texts from friends warning people to stay away from the Wooden Shoe. In the future we would recommend the opposite. If you hear that a group is being harassed by police go down to stand by them and support them if it as at all possible for you to do so.
In 2014 we wrote this in response about police surveillance and harassment of Black Lives Matter activists at their homes and on their campuses:
“We would argue that surveillance’s primary function is for its targets to know they are being watched. It is used to instill fear; to get people feeling as if they are always being watched, monitored and scrutinized and that, implicitly, the police, like any other predator, might pounce on those they are watching. It is a powerful psychological weapon and one reason is that it’s viral. Once one person gets visited or gets a phone call or is followed home, other organizers are looking over their shoulder. Its goal is to make people feel isolated and targeted….
…Our response should be to resist this psychological war with our solidarity. The movement in Philadelphia will never let individuals be targeted and face the authorities alone. To borrow a phrase: our solidarity is our weapon. We should talk openly more about how we will support each other than how the cops may or may not be watching us or ways to evade their gaze.
They will be watching. But so will we. We, as a movement, will be watching to see if they try to start any shit with anybody and we will have each others’ backs. We, in the big picture are a powerful network that can mobilize people on the streets, support people in the courts and move ‘unlikely allies’ to our side. We, as a movement, will never let people face the authorities alone.
Our best defense is to build meaningful relationships with each other across organizations and sectors of the movement. Trust, clear lines of communication and relationship building are the inoculation to the viral fear and intimidation that surveillance tries to instill.”
This statement is more important than ever. Now is the time to have each others backs, build meaningful relationships across the movements and resist paranoia with public solidarity. Now is the time to draw a hard line and let the authorities know exactly what we will not tolerate and what we will not allow them to do to others in the movements. As the old anti-fascist slogan goes ‘No Pasaran’. They shall not pass. We will not let them harass or menace anybody in the movement unchallenged. We will be there for each other.
See Also:
Philly Antifa’s Statement: https://phillyantifa.org/repression-on-south/
Repression on South
From Philly Antifa
Something was not quite right Saturday afternoon when Philly Antifa arrived at local anarchist bookstore, The Wooden Shoe, to set up for a free community event. Cops had been waiting outside the store as early as 9:00 a.m. But later on, it looked like they were everywhere; blocks deep in either direction, out in large numbers, standing on corners, hanging around in all shapes and sizes of police vehicles, walking up and down the block, circling in packs of bicycle units. Counter terrorism trucks were parked at 7th and Bainbridge and were positioned with more police cars on the same corner.
An attendee left the bookstore and was followed by two police officers into a coffee shop, who monitored their activity and tailed them for blocks. More and more cops showed up, lining the street while filming and photographing everyone who entered or left the shop.
Concerned at the large and hostile police presence, some people who wished to come to the talk, thought it better to leave. The police seemed to be about to do something. In fact, they already had. The day before, two police officers entered the Shoe and asked that they cancel the event. The police made nonsense claims that they feared the presence of antifascists would result in street conflict, and made accusations about Antifa’s involvement with recent protest actions.
We want to reiterate: Philadelphia Police tried to stop this event.
They were trying to shut down a free, open-to-the-public speaking engagement about antifascism with author and political scholar Matthew Lyons. Lyons went on anyway and spoke to a standing room only crowd regarding his most recent work, “Ctrl-Alt-Delete: Antifascist Report on the Alternative Right.” So many people turned up for the talk we ran out of room, and those who could fit inside got to learn about the rising tide of alt-right ideology and fascist activity. We hope that the cops watching and filming us through the windows enjoyed the talk as well; they obviously have an intense interest in fascism.
This behavior should sound the alarm. The state is poised to crack down on communities simply based on political ideology. Radical spaces, groups and associations are being targeted. Philly Antifa and antifascists everywhere are being threatened. We will not accept a world in which it is possible to silence a public talk at a bookstore. We must work together now to resist this blatant repression. We are hosting a fundraiser this coming Saturday at LAVA to support the PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund. This Fund and show are the exact things we need to bring us together and sustain our spirits and resistance. Coming out to shows and fundraisers is not only really fun, but essential if you value radical spaces and groups fighting on the frontlines. We hope to see old friends and make new ones on Saturday.
As Philly Antifa, we exist to combat fascism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of oppression. We must reject the repression and intimidation tactics the police are trying to use to impose on us. We will not stop fighting, we will not be subdued and we will not be silenced.
Benefit Show for PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund
from Facebook
Philly Antifa presents a fundraiser for the PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund.
https://phlautonomousantirepression.wordpress.com/
“The PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund is a resource for people in Philadelphia fighting against racism, cisheterosexism, and all other forms of control and exploitation. The state criminalizes actions that threaten to change the status quo, especially actions taken by already marginalized populations, people who are unaffiliated with activist organizations, and people going on the offensive to get free. We provide support for those actions in particular.
Building infrastructure to sustain resistance is especially crucial today, as those in power increase their efforts to shut down dissent and direct struggle. Your contributions to the PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund will allow people to take on bolder and riskier actions in spite of ongoing state repression, and will help inspire and sustain effective action against domination and exploitation.”
$5 bucks, no one turned away but boneheads and similar shitstains. There’ll be food and drink for sale. If you can’t make it, the link above has other ways to donate.
The Guests
https://www.facebook.com/theguests000/
Haz Lo Correcto
https://www.facebook.com/hazlocorrectorips/
Cornelius the Third
https://www.facebook.com/corneliusthe3rd/
Complex
Yung Nila
[February 4 from 7 to 11PM at LAVA Space 4134 Lancaster Av]
Defend the Richard Spencer Puncher!
from Philly Antifa
Preemptive legal and medical fund being undertaken by Antifa Philadelphia.
Neonazi Richard Spencer took a sucker punch heard around the world, for many people brightening an otherwise terrifying inauguration day. Richard Spencer has twice tweeted that on Saturday he filed a police report and fascist group wesearchr is fundraising a bounty for information on the antifa puncher. Philly Antifa is fundraising for the legal defense (if found and charged) or the health care costs (if attacked) of the puncher. We do not know who the puncher is nor are in touch with them, however we have years of experience raising legal defense for militant antifascists and are committed to distributing the funds to anyone accused if and when they are needed.
Spencer was punched while being recorded by an Australian media outlet and live streamers, and his violent calls for genocide have been given widespread coverage by Politico, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, NBC, and loads of other press, allowing neonazi movements to recruit and grow. These outlets have ignored militant antifascist responses, and given voice to the type of vile ideology that both organizes and heightens racist, homophobic, transphobic, and far-right violence from both fascists in the streets and state actors. The far right murder people for no reason other than their race, faith, gender identity, national status, etc.
We are calling on everyone to share this donation call to who has made a meme or enjoyed this act of militant resistance. We are also calling on anyone profiting directly from the imagery of the punch to set some money aside for this fund.
If charges are not made or no one’s safety is compromised because of their alleged involvement, the funds will go to general legal defense for antifascists.
All donations coming thru PhillyAntifa.org from now on will go to said fund.
Good luck and stay safe.
¡No pasarán!
-Philly Antifa
Announcing Philly Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund
Submission
https://phlautonomousantirepression.wordpress.com/
In today’s increasingly dark political climate, it is more important than ever to directly support people taking risks and going on the offensive against the misery of everyday life, whether as part of a broader political strategy or for reasons of everyday survival and self-defense. The PHL Autonomous Anti-Repression Fund aims to offer a safety net for people in Philadelphia who are limited in their ability to act because they lack resources for bail and other fees if something goes wrong.
This anti-repression fund is part of a broader project of building informal networks of care and resistance outside of non-profits and other organizations, which all too often have their own constraints about what they can and can’t support. We aim to support people and activities that are criminalized by the state while also unsupported by formal activist organizations and the mainstream public. The actions we support will not necessarily be planned, “political,” or contain a palatable message.
All donations to the anti-repression fund will go directly towards paying bail, bond, legal and/or medical fees following arrest. Your contributions will encourage and embolden people to do what they need to do to try to get free, knowing that other people have their back.
Please donate if you can, and spread the word!!
Donate directly via paypal: phlbailfund@riseup.net
Donate at our rally.org site: www.rally.org/phlaarf
~ ** ALL DONATIONS MADE BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND (DECEMBER 18, 2016) WILL BE MATCHED BY UP TO $300 !! ** ~
Graffiti for Disappeared People in Mexico
From Instagram
Sidewalk graffiti outside the Mexican Consulate calling for justice for the thousands of people disappeared, including 43 students.
Eric McDavid at the Wooden Shoe
from Facebook
Eric McDavid is a green anarchist who was entrapped by an FBI informant and charged with a single count of conspiracy to use fire or explosives to damage corporate and government property.
After serving nearly 10 years in prison his judgment and sentencing were vacated when it became known that the FBI had failed to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. Eric pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that carried a 5 year maximum sentence. He was released almost immediately.
Come hear Eric tell his story.
Presented by Burning Books. BURNING BOOKS is an artist-run, weirdness-driven organization dedicated to the production and publication of unmuzzled literature, music, and art. It was founded by writer/editor Melody Sumner Carnahan and artist/designer Michael Sumner in Oakland, California, in 1979.
Event is handicap accessible and free, though donations are very appreciated, as Eric is traveling all the way from Northern California with almost no funding.
[August 15 at 7pm at Wooden Shoe 704 South St]
Over Ten Years to Talk About: Eric McDavid’s New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania Speaking Tour
from It’s Going Down
Eric McDavid, a former Anarchist prisoner will be talking about ten plus years of experiences including federal prison time, the post release period and moving forward as well. The importance of supporting political prisoners will be brought up along with so much more. If you are in the area of any one of the locations listed at the bottom, please come, check it out and tell a friend!
[7pm, Monday, 08-15-2016
Wooden Shoe Books
704 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
https://www.facebook.com/events/655433154607268/]
Black DNC Resistance March against Police Terrorism and State Repression
from Facebook
The Philadelphia Coalition for REAL Justice presents:
Black DNC Resistance March against the Capitalist & Racist Government: We Have Nothing To Lose But Our Chains!!
The Democratic Party has consistently betrayed their promises to the Black community and the 2016 presidential election is not going to be any different. The presidential election is the largest electoral process in the country, and the Black community can no longer watch a few control the lives of many. Black communities have been underfunded for centuries. Black communities are under siege with militarized police terrorism, assault and murder; public schools are underfunded and do not properly educate our children; economic development means black displacement through gentrification; prison privatization and the school to prison pipeline; raising the minimum wage to a living standard; the right to proper access of quality healthcare, food, shelter and the essential means of life; protection and inclusion of the LGBTQ community, as well, the releasing of all political prisoners and the right to self-determination and control of our communities. This can only come from the unification of our voices, understanding the intersectional connections, education and support of one another and not the democratic process.
Philadelphia is a historically Black city, as well as the birth of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Both documents have kept the Black community subjugated. The American political system was organized and created by white men who supported and upheld the enslavement of Black people. These documents continue to function under the order of white supremacy and neo-liberal reformists politics. Black liberation cannot occur in a reformist society. White supremacy must be abolished and Black liberation must become a priority.
[from 2pm July 26 to 6pm July 28 at Broad & Diamond St]
Doylestown, Pennsylvania: Solidarity With The Teachers and Residents of Oaxaca! Keep The Fire Alive!
from It’s Going Down
We dropped a banner over a busy bypass outside of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The banner reads “Solidarity with the teachers and residents of Oaxaca! Keep the fire alive!”
Today marks two months since the National Coordinating Body of Education Workers (CNTE) began the strike on May, 15. The teachers and residents of Oaxaca continue to fight against neoliberal educational reforms implemented by Enrique Peña Nieto. Since then, the Oaxaca community has faced fatal state repression and discrimination. We stand in solidarity with our compañerxs who continue to fight on the barricades. We extend our love and commemoration to the ones we have lost. Wherever we may be, we stand with you.
Police Intimidation Last Night in Lead Up to DNC
from Facebook
“The attack on comrade Rufus Farmer last night was nothing short of the legal snatching of Blk/Brown bodies that occur daily in our communities under police occupation/militarization especially, when recording their interactions. They proved our bodies are nothing to be respected, and we’re just commodities to create more capital in an oppressive system that wants nothing more than to see our blood distributed into the soil like fertilizer.
Rufus Farmer is guilty of nothing short of living while Blk, breathing while Blk, walking while Blk, speaking while Blk, and demanding his freedom, while Blk.
The officer stated to him, “I’m going to take you somewhere there isn’t any cameras.” Which was the back of the precinct, pulled him to his knees on the croncrete, shoved his knee into his chest and throat area, and broke his toe, gave him a bogus citation for $300 and parking ticket for allegedly leaving his car unattended. They stated to him the knew he wasn’t a criminal because they know he’s a “professional protester,” what ever that means.
This happened at the hands of the 25th district, which is one of the two most violent districts in this city, as cited in the 2015 DOJ report, and they lived up to that reputation.
The Kenney administration will not get away with criminalizing citizens with this citation act and the 25th district will see the people’s response, we must all stand in unity when anyone in our activist community have been assaulted, as we know they are the voices of the voiceless, and they speak words that empower all those in hearing distance. The Brown community thanked our comrades for their voices and have already stated they will stand with us in court, with the video footage they have.
And lastly, Rufus Farmer was wearing a Free Mumia Abu-Jamal shirt!”
Basic Digital Security for online rebels
from facebook
Basic Online Security
The first of a series of digital security basics workshops brought to you by radicante media, a tech-media collective
Everyone from corporations like Sony to our government to your mother is getting hacked.
Corporations and governments are using your regular internet activity to track you and build increasingly more precise profiles of groups and individuals.
Snowden’s leaks now have shown the government is collecting ALL of your browsing activity.
This is an introductory workshop with an overview of everyday internet security basics. We’ll introduce some common threats and give an overview of how we can easily introduce some tools and behaviour to keep us safer online.
This workshop is for people with basic computer knowledge (checking email, web browsing, etc.)
[July 6th from 7pm to 9pm at A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave]
