Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:48:04 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/ PostNuke Powered Site en-us http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/images/logo.gif http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/ webmaster@antiracistaction.us http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=43 Support North Toledo Anti-fascist Community Member Donnell Summers! Donnell Summers was arrested while peacefully protesting against the neo-nazi National Socialist Movement on October 15th 2005. His arrest came in the moments leading up to the "Toledo Riot" which was initiated when Toledo police attacked a crowd of anti-nazi demonstrators. Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:48:04 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=42 Confronting the Nazi Menace Central Texas Anti-Racist Action This Veterans’ Day, Saturday, November 11, the white supremacist organization National Socialist Movement (NSM) is holding a hate rally on the South Steps of the Texas Capitol Building in Austin, TX. Their rally was originally billed as a protest against allowing Jews like Kinky Friedman to participate in elections. However, when they later realized that their rally was scheduled for 4 days after the election, they re-billed it as a rally against illegal immigration, a more timeless issue that isn’t too late to seem relevant. Sun, 5 Nov 2006 09:55:41 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41 On September 20th two Pittsburgh Anti-Racist Action members were arrested during a demonstration against Focus on the Family, a large right-wing Christian organization holding a rally at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They were charged with disorderly conduct and later released. The arrests occurred after an assault by Mellon Arena security on the demonstration, involving security guards punching and kneeing participants and calling them "Faggots". Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:15:11 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=40 Join us as we stand in Solidarity with the people of North Toledo. On October 10th at 9 a.m. we are calling on everyone in the area who supports liberty and justice to gather in front of the Lucas County Courthouse in Toledo, Ohio. On this day, 5 days shy of the anniversary of North Toledo’s victory against Neo-Nazism, the city of Toledo will try 3 more community members for their purported involvement in an act of community self defense. Too many insane and inhuman sentences have already been handed down by the city of Toledo to punish community members of all ages for their heroic resolve against the hateful and tyrannical message of fascism. It is time that we refuse to allow these injustices to pass unanswered. For more information email KentAntiRacistAction@yahoo.com Or visit: www.antiracistaction.us Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:19:06 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39 My Case Has Finally Been Settled Dear Friends and Family, Firstly, I want all of you to know how happy I am now that this incredible burden has been lifted from my shoulders! As most of us expected, the East Pikeland Township Police Dept. as well as the Chester County's D.A. office had no solid case against me. In the end however, to aleviate the ridiculous amount of stress I was enduring, I decided to forego the added strain of a week-long trial. I accepted a plea bargain offered by the Assistant D.A. This was the fourth such bargain offered by the D.A.'s office. The results of this plea bargain were the dropping of the 2nd degree felony aggravated assault, and the misdemeanors of simple assault, resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment. The misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct was lessened in degree to a summary offense (basically the same as a traffic ticket). I plead guilty to this charge, and Nolo Contendere (no contest) to an additional summary offense of harassment. A no contest plea means I neither admit nor dispute this charge. The sentence agreed upon for these two summary offenses amount to six months probation, a three hundred dollar fine, and sixty hours of community service with a tax-exempt non-profit organization of my choosing. I have already considered completing my community service time with the Philadelphia AIDS thrift, and Project H.O.M.E. In leiu of this plea, my attorney, Larry Krasner has subtracted $4,100 from his fee leaving a balance of only $1,000. I have also been in conversations with the Center for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights concerning pursuing a civil suit. This suit would be against Officer Richard Fagely Sr. and the East Pikeland Township Police Dept. for the assault on my person, injuries sustained, false arrest, and the last eight months of unbelievable stress. I also plan on bringing suit against the Phoenixville Phoenix, and the Daily Local News for the libelous articles their reporters authored in regards to my case. I owe so much to each of you for the financial assistance, moral strength, and loving support you have given me in this time of great need. Please know that I love each and every one of you for your willingness to stand up for what is right. Much Love and Unending Resistance, Jason Robbins Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:32:24 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=38 ***PLEASE FORWARD/REPOST WIDELY*** Please read this whole message - at the bottom is a call for a continued phone jam. Jason's Support Committee feels that the phone jam is having an effect on the prosecution's feelings on this case in a very positive way (This is evidenced by the fact that Jason was offered yet another plea bargain on 7/18 - this time dropping all his charges down to summary offenses with the insane catch that he agreed to perjure himself and say he did assault his arresting officer). PLEASE CONTINUE CALLING AND PLAN TO BE IN COURT WITH JASON ON JULY 31st! CALL FOR COURT SOLIDARITY FOR JASON ROBBINS Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9AM (and continuing throughout the week) Chester County Courthouse 2 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380-0991 If you need a place to stay during the trial or a ride to Westchester, please email the Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross at philly_abc@riseup.net or Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action at philly_ara@yahoo.com. You can get directions to the courthouse here: http://dsf.chesco.org/chesco/cwp/view.asp?a=1561&q=605293 Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:02:22 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=37 KEEP THE PRESSURE ON! THE PHONE JAM FOR JASON CONTINUES!! Call The Public Officials Concerned With Jason's Arrest and Prosecution! Anti-Racist Action is calling for an immediate and continuous phone jam of all public officials related to Jason's illegal arrest and prosecution. We are asking that this phone jam continue right through Jason's trial during the first week of August. We are making these demands on the following public officials be sure to mention them. Call, be angry, be firm, but be legal. 1) The immediate dropping of all charges. 2) A public apology for Jason's needless injury during his illegal arrest by Officer Fagley. 3) An affirmation by the municipalities involved that home demonstrations are protected legal speech. Chester County District Attorney's Office: Joseph W. Carroll, Chester County District Attorney Bonnie Cox-Shaw, Chester County Assistant DA (this is the person actually trying Jason's case) Phone: 610-344-6801 Fax: 610-344-5905 E-mail: http://dsf.chesco.org/da/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=617382 Mayor Frances Jacobs, East Pikeland Township Phone:610.933.1770 Chief of Police James Franciscus, East Pikeland Township Office: (610) 935-0606 Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:00:32 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=36 Visit www.freejasonrobbins.com ***PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY*** Call The Public Officials Concerned With Jason's Arrest and Prosecution! Anti-Racist Action is calling for an immediate and continuous phone jam of all public officials related to Jason's illegal arrest and prosecution. We are asking that this phone jam continue right through Jason's trial during the first week of August. We are making these demands on the following public officials – be sure to mention them. Call, be angry, be firm, but be legal. 1) The immediate dropping of all charges. 2) A public apology for Jason's needless injury during his illegal arrest by Officer Fagley. 3) An affirmation by the municipalities involved that home demonstrations are protected legal speech. Chester County District Attorney's Office: Joseph W. Carroll, Chester County District Attorney Bonnie Cox-Shaw, Chester County Assistant DA (this is the person actually trying Jason's case) Phone: 610-344-6801 Fax: 610-344-5905 E-mail: http://dsf.chesco.org/da/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=617382 Mayor Frances Jacobs, East Pikeland Township Phone:610.933.1770 Chief of Police James Franciscus, East Pikeland Township Office: (610) 935-0606 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:31:20 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35 Visit www.freejasonrobbins.com Three members of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action were arrested on December 4, 2005 at a peaceful demonstration in support of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender rights and reproductive freedom in Phoenixville, PA. One of the arrested was badly beaten by police and had to be hospitalized. The remaining two arrestees were charged with violating a provision of the USA PATRIOT Act pertaining to supplying identification to law enforcement personnel and later released. Thu, 6 Jul 2006 15:24:15 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=34 The latest issue of "Turning the Tide: Journal of Anti-Racist Action, Research & Education," Volume 19 Number 4, July-August 2006, will be rolling off the presses on July 5 in time for many of the shows on the Warped Tour, where ARA will be tabling as part of the "Take Action" booth of grass-roots groups that participate in the show. For a free sample copy, write to ARA-LA/People Against Racist Terror, PO Box 1055, Culver City CA 90232, antiracistaction_la@yahoo.com, or call 310-495-0299 Sun, 2 Jul 2006 21:45:02 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=32 Call To Action: All out against the War! May 4th 2006, Kent Ohio On May 4th in Kent Ohio there will be a massive Anti-War Protest. This protest will coincide with the annual commemoration events remembering the students slain by the National Guard on May 4th 1970. Kent Anti-Racist Action seeks to send a clear and decisive message against imperialism and domestic suppression in this climate of liberal quagmires and watered down politics. The war is an important issue for Anti-Racists to address. The interconnection of racism and imperialism needs to be exposed and confronted. May 4th has historically connected local, national, and international issues of social justice, and it continues to do so today. Additionally the school administration continues to be hostile to preserving the memory of those who died. The legacy of May 4th must be defended Join the Anti-Racist Action contingent May4th. Show that the fallen haven’t died in vain. Support international equality and freedom. No racism! No war! Human rights at home and abroad! Demand that the peoples’ voice be heard. Bring banners and signs with a clear message. We will be easy to find, so look for us. Hope to see you there! Calendar of events: May 3rd: Benefit show for Kent Anti-Racist Action featuring Parsley Flakes, Kill the Hippies, MC Homeless, Defend Means Attack, and Grinsbee. $3 donation. All night vigil in remembrance of Alison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. May 4th: Commemoration ceremonies, Demonstration/march through streets of Kent. We can assist with housing for those traveling from out of town. For more info. Contact us at KentAntiRacistAction@yahoo.com Wed, 26 Apr 2006 15:08:30 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=31 The National Socialist Movement (NSM) is planning a public demonstration on April 22nd on the steps of the State Capital in Lansing, Michigan. The NSM, who refer to themselves as "America's Nazi Party" have chosen to come to Lansing following their visits to Toledo, Ohio in October and December of this past year. We, the Lansing Coalition Against Nazis (LCAN), feel that their message should not go unopposed. We are planning a visible and vocal counter-demonstration to combat their message of hate. We are inviting all those who believe in freedom and equality to join us in sending the NSM a strong message that fascists and racists are not welcome in Lansing! Fri, 31 Mar 2006 18:21:45 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=30 Call for an Anti-Fascist Bloc on April 29! April 29, 2006 Martin Library 159 East Market Street York, PA With the Creativity Movement announcing its intentions to hold a white supremacist meeting and rally, April 29th will mark the return of neo-Nazis to the streets of York, PA. Not having learned not from their complete and utter defeat at the hands of local community members and other anti-fascists in January of 2002, local neo-Nazi Michael Cook is calling for a demonstration to support Matt Hale, the Creativity Movement's former leader, currently serving a 40-year prison sentence for his role in plotting the assassination of a federal judge in Illinois. This is yet another attempt in a long series of events white supremacists have tried to hold in York, all in a vain attempt to try and erase the utter destruction they suffered back in 2002. Each time, anti-racist activists, joined by hundreds of community members, have stood together to confront these fascist attempts at getting a foothold in York. We are tired of this game - the nazis just need to own up to the fact that they are losers - they lost in York back in 2002 and have continued to lose everywhere they try to organize. We say we've had enough of this, and plan to teach the Creativity Movement and any other neo-Nazis that decide to join them on April 29th a lesson they will never forget. Fascists must be taught - by force if necessary - that their time is up, and that we will not stand idly by while they try to organize in our communities. We will not let them live - let alone organize - in peace ANYWHERE! Let's show these losers there is no place for them to hide, they must denounce their racist beliefs or feel the wrath of anti-fascists everywhere! Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action is calling for an Anti-Fascist Bloc to convene outside the Martin Library and SHUT THE FASCISTS DOWN! We are calling on anti-fascists of all stripes to join together and run the Nazis out of town - by any means necessary! The Creativity Movement's rally is scheduled to begin at 12PM outside the Martin Library. The Anti-Fascist Bloc will be joining up with the Residents Against Racism demonstration, which is meeting outside the Martin Library, 159 East Market Street, at 11AM. Please join us! See you in the streets... In solidarity, Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action For more information, or to endorse this call, please email philly_ara@yahoo.com. Sun, 26 Mar 2006 08:41:40 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=29 PHONE JAM TO SHUT DOWN ANTI-CHOICE CONFERENCE IN DELAWARE! Call the Holiday Inn Select in Claymont,DE! Tell them to cancel the Delaware Pro-Life Coalition's annual convention on 4/1. Phone: 302-792-2700 Fax: 302-798-6182 Email: HISelect.Wilmington@ihrco.com On April 1, 2006 the Delaware Pro-Life Coalition is holding their annual anti-choice conference at the Holiday Inn Select in Claymont, DE. We are asking all people who care about reproductive rights and sexual freedom to take some time out of their days (or nights) during the rest of the week, and let this hotel know that we do not appreciate their support of fascism, and that no one in the pro-choice movement will patronize their business when they obviously support a right-wing agenda. Ask them why they are allowing a hate group to use their hotel on April 1st, and let them know how you feel about their support for militant anti-choicers. Sun, 26 Mar 2006 08:37:09 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=28 A call from ARA will be added shortly, but for now, plan on being in York on April 29th with our friends from Residents Against Racism. RALLY AGAINST NEO-NAZIS IN YORK! April 29th, 2006 Martin Library 159 East Market Street York, PA Seeking to reopen old wounds and cause racial tension, the neo-Nazi Creativity Movement has announced plans to hold a white power rally in York, PA on April 29th. Joined by members of the Harrisburgh-based Keystone State Skinheads, these neo-Nazis are seeking to use the Martin Library for this meeting, just as their racist brethern did back in January of 2002 when several hundred white supermacists came to York to support the former mayor then on trial for his role in a 1969 race riot. Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:40:05 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27 PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND SEXUAL FREEDOM! DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE ANTI-CHOICE MOVEMENT IN OUR AREA! Saturday, April 1, 2006 Holiday Inn Select 630 Naamans Road, Claymont, DE, 19703 On April 1, 2006 the Delaware Pro-Life Coalition is holding their annual anti-choice conference in Clayton, DE. On their website, the Pro-Life Coalition talks a good game about being a vehicle for educational efforts, but their mission is much more sinister than that. Through their politics and rhetoric, they have committed themselves to a fascist campaign of gaining full control of women's bodies, choices, and lives. Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:32:49 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=25 Radio host Hal Turner and local Hudson Valley Nazi Jim Leshkevich are holding a rally to "protect" white students from violence. In typical fashion, the Nazi scum has taken a serious problem in a community they have nothing to do with, such as violence in school, and twisted it spread their hate. Turner says that he intends to peaceful, though he has stated he has also wanted violence to erupt to show that those that aren't White Christians are violent savages. And that violence is the only way that the children will be saved and White Power movement will get anywhere. Wed, 9 Nov 2005 13:44:41 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=24 URGENT SOLIDARITY NEEDED: SUPPORT THOSE ARRESTED PROTESTING NEO-NAZIS IN TOLEDO, OH! This is an emergency request for bail money for people arrested at the anti-Nazi demonstration in Toledo, OH. Please Western Union money to Chris Fox in Kent, OH. Call him at 330-389-0891 once the money is wired. On October 15th, 2005 the National Socialist Movement (NSM) attempted to hold a picket and march in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in the North End of Toledo, Ohio. The neo-Nazi rally was protested by hundreds of neighborhood residents who were joined by members of the Anti-Racist Action Network from across the United States and Canada. Sun, 23 Oct 2005 09:21:33 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=23 Major rioting erupted in Toledo, Ohio after police aggressively protect Neo-Nazi group. On October 15th, 2005 the National Socialist Movement (NSM) held a picket and march in northern Toledo, Ohio. The neighborhood the NSM planned to march in is an economically depressed predominately black area policed by a mainly white police force. The event was protested by members of various Anti-Racist Action chapters, the International Socialist Organization, and large numbers of people from the community itself. The ISO was dedicated to a non-violent approach while ARA was dedicated to disrupting the nazi march as much as possible. The nazis were forced to cancel their march after widespead rioting by members of the community. Mon, 17 Oct 2005 10:59:56 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=22 On Saturday October 15th, the National Socialist Movement - better known as America's Nazi Party - has announced that they will be marching through North Toledo to "protest black crime." The march route they have chosen takes them directly through a predominantly African-American and Polish community, where residents are preparing to oppose these fascists. Anti-fascists from the Midwest are planning to join local residents in protesting against this neo-Nazi invasion of a Toldeo neighborhood. A counter-demonstration has been called for 8:30AM at Manhattan Plaza (near Manhattan and Stickney Avenues in the North End) to directly confront the National Socialist Movement and other assorted neo-nazis who plan to march. Local anti-fas have received word that they will be joined by members of Anti-Racist Action and other organizations from all over the country. Organizers of "Erase the Hate", a collaborative effort of 20 area educational, religious, and community organizations, are hoping for public support for their event--a counter-rally some distance for the neo-nazi march. It will be held at noon on Oct. 15 at the Zablocki Senior Center on Lagrange Street. Read More Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:19:38 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21 FUNDAMENTALISM IS FASCISM: FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM AND NEO-CONSERVATISM! Call for a Militant Response to Stop Fascist Disruption of Outfest Sunday, October 9, 2005 – 11AM Millenium Coffee, 212 South 12th Street Look for the "Queers Bash Back" banner! On October 9, 2005 PHILLY PRIDE PRESENTS will be hosting this year's OutFest in Center City Philadelphia. OutFest is Philadelphia's celebration of National Coming Out Day, and is the largest Coming Out Day celebration in the world. This seems to present a challenge to local fascists who feel threatened by the queer community in our city, and just like last year, they are making plans to disrupt the festivities. Repent America - a local right-wing Christian fundamentalist group whose members were arrested at Outfest last year for harassing and attempting to intimidate festival participants – have announced their plans to "attend" Outfest again. While Repent America claims to not take an extreme stance on the queer community - stating on their website that they "care about homosexuals and want to see them set free from sin and to love and serve God," their true fundamentalist politics were exposed for all to see in the Philadelphia City Paper. In an interview with the City Paper, Michael Marcavage, the director of Repent America, remarked: "…Homosexuals are to be put to death. The wages of sin is death. But I want to make it clear that I'm not advocating the independent killing of homosexuals ... I'm saying that the Government's duty is to uphold God's law." (Cover Story, "Jesus Geek Superstar," Doron Taussig, Feb. 3, 2005) Marcavage just defined Repent America as fascist for everyone to see. Our political system is supposed to be about freedom and democracy, yet Repent America seeks to take away that freedom by demanding our government enforce Christian biblical law. In other words, Marcavage is advocating that the State centralize power and take away people's freedom of religion just so their version of the law – a strictly literal interpretation of the bible – can reign supreme. Just as with any fascist group, Repent America is advocating a policy of hatred towards a specific group of people in our society, and seeks to suppress this group and all of their other dissenters through terroristic threats. In our current political climate, and as religion begins to play a larger role in American politics thanks to Bush & co., groups like Repent America are free to organize publicly. Conservative groups already have a strong voice in the government of this country; it is only a matter of time before that voice becomes more extreme, until we have the likes of Michael Marcavage dictating political policy. This is not a time that we can we can sit back and ignore the organizing fascists are currently engaging in, not when fascists are openly organizing both on the streets and on Capitol Hill. We must stand up and fight back against the marriage of religious fundamentalism, Christian fascism and the State. On October 9th, Repent America will not be allowed to harass and intimidate us. They will not be allowed to disrupt our permitted celebration. The time has come for the far-right to see just how powerful we are - we will stop Repent America from disrupting the National Coming Out Day Block Party by any means necessary! Keep Outfest free of fascist disruption! Join us on October 9th as we defend our culture and community against the likes of Repent America and other Christian fundamentalists. The year's National Coming Out Day Block Party will be held in the Gayborhood on October 9th from 12PM-7PM. We will be meeting at 11AM outside Millenium Coffee, 212 South 12th Street (between Walnut and Locust Street) and will proceed to the festival as a group. Look for the "Queers Bash Back" and "No Human Liberation Without Queer Liberation" banners. In solidarity, Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action For more information or to endorse this call, please email philly_ara@yahoo.com. ENDORSEMENTS: New York City Anti-Racist Action Philadelphia International Action Center Pittsburgh Anti-Racist Action Under the Pavement Collective - Philadelphia, PA North Jersey Anti-Racist Action First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me. -Pastor Martin Niemoller Sun, 2 Oct 2005 19:47:40 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20 Direct Action Hurricane Katrina/Rita Solidarity: Lafayette Anti-Racist Action and the ARA Network are organizing direct action relief in the greater Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas. This campaign will focus primarily on evacuees staying in shelters and other displaced families. After on the ground communication with Red Cross people and parish authorities, it has been determined that the only sure way to get funds to evacuees is through direct cash distribution at the shelters. Almost all alternatives lead to the money being re-circulated through Red Cross bureaucracy. We are a completely volunteer grass roots organization that hasn't pursued non-profit status. We feel that ARA's reputation speaks for itself. Any contributors will receive an update as to specifically where and how their funds were used. If you are interested in volunteering material solidarity to those displaced by the hurricanes and want your contribution to go directly to those who need it, we ask that you put your trust in our small efforts. If you feel this may be a good place for your resources to go, please make check or money order out to Lafayette Anti-Racist Action and mail to Lafayette Anti-Racist Action P.O. Box 1671 Opelousas LA, 70571 If you would like to contribute goods to this region the best place to send them is the St. Landry Parish Evacuee Center. Its on the level and is and run by the most localized levels of government. It currently serves at least 40 shelters. Their address is St. Landry Parish Evacuee Center 5579 I-49 Service Rd. South Opelousas, LA, 70570 Any types of non-perishable food contribution, hygiene product, toys, etc, are always welcome at the shelters. Right now there is also a particular need for cereal and all types of beading. If you want to send clothes they are only accepting new clothes. This is being organized as an act of solidarity For more info e-mail LafayetteARA@yahoo.com To see a list of other grassroots organizations responding to this crisis check out http://www.sparkplugfoundation.org/katrinarelief.html Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:30:00 -0700 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19 Press reports show that the latest murderous school shooting was carried out by a kid who, despite his indigenous ancestry, had absorbed the teachings of nazism. Online postings about 'racial purity' Weise was also found by the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper to have posted several comments last year on an online forum frequented by neo-Nazis. He used the pen names Todesengel, German for "angel of death," and "NativeNazi." "I guess I've always carried a natural admiration for Hitler and his ideals, and his courage to take on larger nations," Weise wrote in one session. He shared the Nazi goal of racial purity, saying that when he talked in school about that for his own Chippewa tribe, "I get the same old argument which seems to be so common around here. 'We need to mix all the races, to combine all the strengths.'" "They (teachers) don't openly say that racial purity is wrong," he added, "yet when you speak your mind on the subject you get 'silenced' real quick by the teachers and likeminded school officials." "When I was growing up, I was taught (like others) that Nazi's were evil and that Hitler was a very evil man," he said in another posting. "Of course, not for a second did I believe this. ... They truly were doing it for the better." He also wrote that he planned to recruit high school students to join a neo-Nazi movement he hoped to start on his reservation. "The only ones who oppose my views are the teachers at the high school, and a large portion of the student body who think a Nazi is a Klansman, or a White Supremacist thug," he wrote. "Most of the Natives I know have been poisoned by what they were taught in school." Red Lake Fire Director Roman Stately identified the shooter’s grandfather as Daryl Lussier, a longtime officer with the Red Lake Police Department, and said Lussier’s guns may have been used in the shootings. Stately said Weise had two handguns and a shotgun. The teen reportedly drove up to the school in his grandfather's squad car. “After he shot a security guard, he walked down the hallway shooting and went into a classroom where he shot a teacher and more students,” Stately told Minneapolis television station KARE. ‘Darkest hour' for tribe Floyd Jourdain Jr., chairman of the Red Lake Chippewa Tribe, called it “without a doubt the darkest hour” in the group’s history. The rampage in Red Lake was the second fatal school shooting in Minnesota in 18 months. Two students were killed at Rocori High School in Cold Spring in September 2003. Student John Jason McLaughlin, who was 15 at the time, awaits trial in the case. Red Lake High School, on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, has about 300 students. The reservation is about 240 miles north of the Twin Cities. It is home to the Red Lake Chippewa Tribe, one of the poorest in the state. According to the 2000 census, 5,162 people lived on the reservation, and all but 91 were Indians. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Wed, 23 Mar 2005 11:50:08 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18 With the latest issue, March-April 2005, "Turning the Tide: Journal of Anti-Racist Action, Research & Education," the long-running 'zine from ARA-LA, goes bimonthly, and will appear 6 times a year (up from quarterly). A free sample copy is available on request from ARA-LA, PO Box 1055, Culver City CA 90232. Anti-Racist Action-Los Angeles/People Against Racist Terror (ARA-LA/PART) has been putting out TTT since the fall of 1987; this issue marks the beginning of its 18th year of non-stop publication as a grass-roots voice of direct action anti-racism and anti-colonialism. The current issue features pieces from ARA-LA, Minneapolis ARA, and Central Texas ARA, as well as articles by an ex-bonehead on Death Row, a disabled activist who confronted Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," material from indigenous anarchists in Mexico, an account of Native American resistance to KKK terror in California, stories on community resistance to police abuse and gentrification in Los Angeles, and lots more. You can check out "Boneheads from the Inside Out" on this website, in the anti-facism articles, along with "Fascism and How to Fight It," a key editorial from a previous issue of "Turning the Tide." Wed, 23 Mar 2005 11:42:34 -0800 http://www.anti-racist-action.org/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16 On Saturday, February 19,2005, "Focus on the Family" brought their homophobic conference "Love Won Out" to Houston, TX. ARA chapters from Dallas, Denton, Houston and Central Texas mobilized against it. What follows is a collaborative account of what happened, what we learned, and information we feel others may find useful as they confront these bigots. For more information on what Love Won Out is, see their web site: www.lovewonout.org. It will be clear to you that the project is based on religious and “psychological” persecution of gay people. It promotes an effort to get “Christian” parents to carry out mind control on their gay and lesbian children. It coerces homosexually oriented adults into seeing their feelings as sickness and sin that must be driven out through “therapy” and prayer. Focus on the Family (FOF) itself is one of the premier Christian Right organizations, with a budget of over $128 million a year. James Dobson, the founder and guru, preaches that Christian women obey their husbands and Christian children obey their parents, and that Christian parents must keep their children from being gay. On their web site, they say “According to Dr. James Dobson, it’s best to start disciplining your children when they’re young, approximately 14 months of age. Youngsters are more pliable until they’re around 4 years old. After that, the concrete hardens a little and you have to work harder at breaking it up. Many times, we as Christian parents think disciplining our children simply means that we don't allow our kids to do or watch certain things. There’s a place for prohibition. But that is not the core of discipline; rather, it's to find a way to help the child experience negative consequences proportionate to his bad behavior. For this task, parents would be wise to keep a large repertoire of disciplinary strategies in their hats.” According to People for the American Way, FOF is one of the most politically active Christian right organizations. It conducts seminars across the country to help evangelical Christians become involved in the political process. FOF uses its radio show and magazine, Citizen, to urge "pro-family" voters to become active in state and local primaries and caucuses. “FOF is anti-choice, anti-gay, and against sex education curricula that are not strictly abstinence-only, “ says PfAW. “FOF also focuses on religion in public schools, encouraging Christian teachers to establish prayer groups in schools. It supports student-led prayer in public schools, although it points out that it doesn’t support teacher-led prayer for fear that a teacher would encourage Christian students ‘to pray to Allah, Buddha or the goddess.’ (Religion in Public Schools, February 1998.)” FOF also supports private school vouchers, and tax credits for religious schools. It rejects education efforts that address multiculturalism or homosexuality, and recommends that Christian parents withdraw from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) on the grounds that it has a liberal social agenda. Its anti-gay agenda, carried out partly through Love Won Out, is one of its most vigorous campaigns. Because Focus on the Family is a big, well-funded organization, it’s important to be well-organized to challenge them. Many “Christian” families come towing along children they afraid might be gay. A good showing of protesters will let those kids know they are not alone. Before the event, plan on providing housing for out-of-towners who are coming in for the protest (or finding housing, if it’s not in your town). Communicate with the groups organizing in the host city to make sure that media and legal support are in place for the event. Scouting and intel-gathering are invaluable, as well as map building for folks who want to do actions but may not be able to scout the site themselves. Flyer and get the word out about the nature of Focus on the Family and Love Won Out and about public protest actions. Get in touch with queer groups (activist or otherwise), queer-friendly churches, PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays), and other concerned organizations. On the day of the event, Anti-Racist Action held a public protest outside, and as we later found out, a variety of protests and disruptions also took place inside. We held our protest outside the event, on the edge of the church’s parking lot. It was officially called “Big Gay Dance Party.” (We had a complimentary CD made for folks with the dance music we played.) It included a mobile trash can sound system, banners and signs, balloons, games and lots of fun. This demonstration started at 1:00 and lasted until the conference ended at 5:30. It was great to see queer folks who had been dragged to the conference by parents waving and smiling to us from their cars and mouthing stuff like "I'm still gay." One of the reasons we wanted to be out there was to let them know as they left that we are more fun than the Christians. The message was be proud of being queer and don't let the dogma fill them with any more guilt or shame. "We are out and we are proud." This event did not really get hassled by the police. A plainclothes cop and an unmarked police car parked close by for most of the day. Uniformed officers only came over when the party tried to march around the parking lot. Nobody got arrested outside, or as far as we heard inside the conference. It turns out that some of the people who wanted to speak out actually volunteered with Focus on the Family for the conference, which both gets the volunteer into the conference with out having to pay anything and also allows them to get other people into the conference. One person who tried this later told us, “This process starts by calling them at 1-800-531-1626. They will want your name, phone number, and address. It is important to give them a real address, as they will be sending you a confirmation packet with important information. Also they will want a spiritual reference, a church and a pastor who can vouch for you. I gave a name and phone number of someone who would pretend to be a bible study leader. Volunteer positions that potentially have a lot of room for letting others in, include the volunteer check in position, participant check-in and some usher positions. It’s a good idea to have some variety in what folks are doing, that way you’re not too suspicious and also if one person gets made and thrown out, they don't take everyone else with them. There will also be a volunteer orientation the night before, its a good idea to go and look as normal as possible. Here they will hand out wrist bands and t-shirts, which is their main security device for who is supposed to be in the conference.” We heard later that the volunteers who didn't check in until after lunch were immediately suspicious to the Focus on the Family people and were watched more carefully and not given as much space to do things like stealing wristbands and t-shirts. The disruptions that happened inside, according to reports, included verbal protests of the conference speakers, and same-sex make-out and kissing. Someone apparently pulled a fire alarm to the building (it however did not go off in the whole building). There was an influx of people who were obviously not "supposed" to be there, all having obtained wristbands, which gave them a scare. They shut off the building for a couple of hours, not allowing people to come or go, and trying to figure out how the wrist bands had made it into the activists’ hands. Focus on the Family reportedly had substantial in-house security. The City of Houston cops were also there, we were told, but they were much less attentive and mostly sat around all day in the break room talking about how stupid this all was. According to one anonymous activist who was inside, “Focus on the Family has a traveling security team that supervises the event and escorts people out. They wore light blue shirts and were easy to spot as they patrolled around. The security was lax until disruptions started happening and then they secured the doors (exit routes) and started scrutinizing people a little more closely. They paid close attention to the doors, fire alarms, and bathrooms, checking them periodically for graffiti, etc. If they thought you didn't belong, they might start a conversation with you about how you got your wristband. Folks who didn't know that you could only get them the day of the event answered wrong and got thrown out... My advice is to know your story before you get questioned. Looking conservative lowered the odds that you would be deemed suspicious. These people deal in stereotypes. For the day, you should conform to their notions of ‘normal.’” According to reports we received, there is no internal democracy or discussion allowed at Love Won Out. The conference is set up so that the speakers just talk at you for a given set of time. There isn't room for discussion or debate, even in the question and answer session. The presenters already had the questions on stage and didn't take questions from the audience. The "break out sessions" were smaller that the main sessions, but still had the same set up, which was designed to curb participation or anything that may call into question their whole notion of “reparative therapy.” People who tried to speak out, got dragged out by their ex-military/ex-cop looking security chief. Focus on the Family is taking the Love Won Out road show to other cities, particularly in the southeast over the next few months, including Louisville, KY in April. People planning to protest should be aware that they will probably be stepping up their security now that they have faced external and internal opposition. Wed, 23 Mar 2005 11:27:08 -0800