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/
