Criticism

Smash Pacifism: A Critical Analysis of Gandhi and King

A new zine out of Occupied Coast Salish Territory from Warrior Publications

Smash Pacifism; A Critical Analysis of Gandhi and King is a 72 page, 8×11, zine critiquing pacifism and the legacies of Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

While the title of this writing is Smash Pacifism, it
is not intended as a call to violence against pacifists.
Rather, it symbolizes the need to resolutely challenge the
doctrine of pacifism that is so routinely imposed on social
movements and to break the monopoly on forms of struggle
which reformist organizations presently hold. In this way,
it is intended as a resource to be used in our organizing
efforts alongside people who have accepted pacifist
doctrine largely out of ignorance.

Seattle's Non-Resisting Resistors

It is entirely evident to the authorities now, that those who supported Leah have ‘opted out’ of supporting her given her ‘release’. They are not unclear as to why. They are smirking in their soup as a matter of fact at the mediocre nature of the responses the ‘new’ day fighters made public. She is now going to feel the disappointment of her comrades, and be shunned. Isolated. Which, is very possible what caused this situation in the first place.

Seattle Group Bulletins #1-60 (1965-1971) Now Available Online

from a-infos

The Seattle Group Bulletins were published between 1965 & 1971 & all 60 are now online & fully searchable. ---- The Seattle Group also published a few pamphlets for their ongoing study groups, two of which are also currently reproduced, with others to follow. ---- The anarchist "movement" at this time was extremely small & probably consisted of the handful or two of anarchists revolving around the Seattle Group. ---- The importance of a few individuals...as they planted the seeds for the burgeoning movement in Seattle today...
http://openrevolutions.org/

Authoritative Organizers & State appeasement and collaboration within Occupy Seattle

This text is a small piece of an upcoming article titled “Authoritative Organizers & State appeasement and collaboration within Occupy Seattle”

In part of this article we address statements made by Jennifer Fray regarding the D12 Seattle port shutdown: Jennifer Fray states the following in her D12 article published on the Black Orchid blog:

"Crossing into the Terminal puts you on Homeland Security territory, and for people to make sure and not do that."
"We tactically decided against shutting down the West Seattle Bridge." "We told people not to jump on trucks.”

Besancon, France: Banks Attacked in Solidarity with PNW Grand Jury Resisters and Others

from Contra-Info

On the night between 21 and 22 August, the bank Crédit Mutuel, located on Avenue Gaulard, was attacked with paint.

We threw eggs filled with red and black paint on the facade: This action was done in solidarity with our comrades who are resisting the grand jury in the northwestern U.S.. We likewise send our support to LA Anarchists, rebels of the world for anti-authoritarian ideas and / or actions of disobedience and resistance to the capitalist system: strength and value to our comrade Luciano "Tortuga" recently condemned by the Chilean state, Kelly, convicted of involvement in the riots of the counter-G20 Toronto (Canada) in 2010.

Lenin Was a Clown: Organizations Are Obstacles to Organizing Ourselves

The following is a response to certain claims from a piece by The Black Orchid Cadre. There is much to be said response to their claims, but the arguments addressed here are the ones this author felt most compelled to address.

their piece here

When we are looking for leaders we are bound to find them. A year ago members of the Black Orchid Cadre put out an analysis of Seattle's anti-police protests, and asked why Seattle didn't riot. Their conclusion (simply stated) was that the anarchist's “hardcore ideological criticism of all leadership prevented them from effectively focusing the energy of the crowd they had helped assemble”. The failure of anarchist leadership is not because of an ideological opposition, but because others are looking to be led. We are socialized into authoritarian models of thinking, conditioned into a linear top-down view of the world. We mistakenly use this lens to view the world and then place varying phenomenon into hierarchically stratified categories. But these are misconceptions based on linear/statist logic. Due to these the BOC consistently mistake self-organization for leadership.

To Hear and Be Heard: Anarchy and Critique

The anarchist project is one of constant dialogue and critique. Our ideas are not separate from our actions; theory is not separate from practice. Through the course of our activities it becomes necessary to reevaluate our positions in relation to events. As anarchists we do not offer an answer or solution to the world's problems, but instead a lens through which to critique and act upon it. We should always be suspicious of those who claim to know, to have an answer or truth, especially from those who also call themselves anarchists but are not open to dialogue. This is how thoughts crystallize into ideology, into unquestionable positions. It is imperative that our ideas do not become static, that we remain dynamic in response to our environment.

Two NYT Articles on Seattle Anarchists from the Early 1900's

I don't get the joke of calling these "recent" or "Top News from the New York Times" (the original headline as submitted), but here are some historical documents on Seattle anarchists someone pulled up from the archives of the hostile press. I guess it's supposed to be funny when you click the link expecting an article about a recent demo or the Wildcat and instead find out the articles are a century old? Dunno.

We've been found out! Reportback from a recent European solidarity action.

May's Issue of The Sovereign Self is out!

Issue #8 of The Sovereign Self* is out and we are delighted to announce that after these first eight months, through much thought and discussion and thanks to ample encouragement from our closest comrades, we have decided to continue this project. Working on The Sovereign Self has been a welcomed challenge with many rewards. The connections made, conversations spurred and correspondences had have been enriching experiences for us and because of this we have chosen to carry on with it.

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