This is the most comprehensive collection of EZLN documents in any language to date. Along with the introduction by Harry Cleaver, these interviews, manifestoes, and communiqués give a clear picture of the conditions leading up to the January uprising in Chiapas, as well as illustrating poignantly the various communities of people who support the rebellion. Interspersed with black and white photos of people in the mountains of the Mexican southeast, the documents have been divided into chapters which cover the revolt, the first days of the rebellion, the cease-fire, solidarity, broadening the struggle, building ties, the "dialogue" with the government, concluding the dialogue, returning to the communities, the consultations within the communities, and rejecting the government's offer of peace accords, all in the Zapatistas own words.
As Harry Cleaver says in his introduction, "Draw close and listen well, for the voices in this book are multiple and complex, direct and filtered, deadly serious and sometimes very funny. They are the voices of people in struggle."
Copies can be ordered through Love and Rage by sending $12/copy, postage paid, to:
P.O. Box 853 Stuyvesant Station New York, NY 10009
The Houston, Texas based Black Fist collective is putting forth a call for contributions to a newly revived Direct Action Manual. The Direct Action Manual was initiated by the (now dissolved) Web Collective in San Francisco, California, but was canceled in early 1994 due to lack of support.
The DAM project's end result will be a book with information on taking direct action in your community. We're also looking for international contributions. In addition, the Black Fist collective will be expanding the project to include aspects of grassroots organizing as well as organizing solidarity/defense campaigns, prisoner support and perspectives on building a diverse and active movement.
Please take note that the Black Fist collective is starting from square one—any materials/contributions that were sent to the Web Collective are not in the possession of Black Fist and should be re-directed to the Houston collective. Any and all forms of publicity should make note of this fact.
Support and publicity for this project is critical. The DAM needs articles, art and money to help this project grow and really take off. Please direct all correspondence, submissions and financial contributions (in blank postal money orders or well-concealed cash) to:
Black Fist 15110 Bellaire Box 317 Houston, TX 77083
Early on July 5 police in the German city of Goettingen, Lower Saxony raided 17 homes, the leftist bookstore Rote Strasse, a student center, and two printing presses in an attack on the group Autonome Antifa (M). Leaflets, brochures, address lists, computers, files, notebooks and personal items were seized by the police. Autonome Antifa (M) has been one of the most effective anti-fascist groups in Germany, having driven the fascists from downtown Goettingen, staged militant demonstrations at the homes of fascist leaders, and participated in the creation of the Anti-Fascist Action/Nationwide Organization (AA/BO).
This criminalization is directed against the successful, legal public work and coalition politics that have made anti-fascist politics accepted and anchored in wide circles of the population in southern Lower Saxony. In order to criminalize their successful politics and split the anti-fascist resistance in the region, the State Attorney's office has charged, among other things, that "the Autonome Antifa (M) has close contact on several levels to members of the Red Army Fraction (RAF)." (The RAF is an underground armed group.)
Autonome Antifa (M) responded with large demonstrations in Goettingen. On July 7, 2,000 people demonstrated to protest the murder of Halim Dener, a 16-year-old Kurdish boy killed by the police. The demand of "No criminalization of autonomist resistance!" was added to the protest. On July 16 approximately 4,000 people traveled from all over Germany for a demonstration at which the massive police presence was met with paint bombs, stones and firecrackers.
In addition to these large demonstrations of support, the AA(M) has succeeded in gaining the support of local trade unions and less-radical left elements. The large amount of public support will restrict the degree to which the government will be able to persecute the AA(M).
On August 20, Anti-Racist Action Toronto organized a surprise picket at IXL, a neo-nazi store. IXL, which has two locations in Toronto, sells boots, clothing and nazi paraphernalia. It is used as an organizing center and helps fund the Northern Hammer Skins, a large group implicated in racist attacks in a number of North American cities. The picket, part of a larger boycott campaign, successfully disrupted business for over two hours. Furious boneheads were unable to retaliate against the stronger anti-racist presence. ARA Toronto plans to continue with its campaign against IXL this fall.
(sent by Mike Proc, from ARA Toronto)
Blackout Books, an anti-authoritarian book collective, opened a bookstore/infoshop in New York City's Lower East Side on October 15. Although Blackout will emphasize anarchist books and periodicals which are generally unavailable elsewhere in the city, the store will also carry books on all kinds of political and social struggles, as well as comics, fanzines and works by local writers and artists. Blackout has plans to provide low cost copy service, a library with books for in-store reading, a computer with e-mail and fax modem, and a local events calendar.
The collective is always looking for donations of used books, computers and office equipment. Anyone interested in more information or volunteering should stop by the store at 50 Avenue B, or write:
Blackout Books P.O. Box 2281 Stuyvesant Station New York, NY 10009 (212) 777-1967
On the night of Aug. 21 Blitz infoshop in Oslo, Norway was attacked with a powerful bomb. Fortunately the bomb did not seriously hurt any of the seven night guards, though material damages were enormous. Blitz is a squatted youth-culture house that has served as a base for fighting against fascism, capitalism and patriarchy for the past 12 years. In the past year many violent confrontations have taken place in Oslo between anti-fascists and fascists.
The bomb, which was 10 to 15 times more powerful than necessary to be lethal, was thrown toward the small backyard between the main building and pub, but was stopped by barbed wire barricades, and fell on the ground on the other side of the wall. Before the bomb was tossed, two gunshots were fired to get people to come out of the house. If the bomb had hit its target at least two people would have been killed. The bomb did result in broken windows and other damage to Blitz and neighboring buildings. The most militant fraction of the many nazi groups in Norway, Anti-AntiFa, is believed to be responsible for the attack. German fascists are also suspected of involvement.
On Wednesday, Aug. 24, more than 2,000 people marched in the streets of Oslo in support of Blitz. Solidarity has been forthcoming from more than 60 different organizations, unions and political parties, and friends from Sweden and Denmark joined in the demonstrations.
For more info contact:
Blitz Infogruppe Pilestredet 30c 0164 Oslo Norway
The Rio Grande Refuge in Harlingen, Tex. is a camp for political refugees. For the time being, the refugees are from our continent—the Americas.
The Rio Grande Refuge is a place of rest for those who are struggling to change the ever-present structures of oppression imposed over 500 years ago. Because of this, the Yanqui government wants to close the Refuge. Since July, 1989, they have been tied up in a constant battle against the Yanqui government, as the latter tries to do everything it can to sabotage, impede and slander the compañeros of the Refuge. In July, the compañero Pio Celestino and his compañera (the two in charge of the camp) suffered a serious accident that sent both of them to the hospital for eight months. From that time on, the Refuge had to be administered and managed by the refugees themselves, who confronted the most absurd attacks from the Yanqui "democracy."
The Rio Grande Refuge came about as the result of a serious rethinking motivated by the human exploitation of fellow humans and of nature. Members meditate on the lies of history (how we are taught what the oppressor wants us to learn). The Rio Grande Refuge is an attempt to find solutions, and to offer support and solidarity to every "illegal alien" or any other victim of oppression that knocks at its door.
Manipulation and intentional disinformation have always been among the dirty tricks used by the Empire. This is why it is not surprising that they have spread the word far and wide across the continent that the Refuge had closed its doors. The results were predictable: first, the Refuge has not received any solidarity to continue its work; second, people became convinced that the government had closed this camp for political refugees.
Volunteers Needed
In order to continue their work, the Refuge always needs volunteers who can offer their time, energy and abilities to the refugees. Generally, the volunteers do everything that the "illegal aliens" cannot do in the US: drive vehicles, go shopping, take the refugees to the doctor, give English classes, help with administrative work, translate, help with planting (the Refuge only engages in traditional agriculture), etc. The minimum stay for volunteers is two to three months, but those who are interested in residing in the community permanently are taken more seriously.
Volunteers should be fluent or moderately proficient in Spanish, with the ability to learn quickly. They should also have political sensibilities and commitments. The Refuge, because of the ideas that motivated its formation, and the decision of the "General Assembly of Refugees," is fundamentally "political and revolutionary, pacifist and non-violent.
Volunteers are invited to share the life of the refugees: They are provided with food and a place to live. (Costs beyond what is available to the refugees are the responsibility of the individual). People interested in volunteering should write or call, expressing their interest. The Refuge will send you some forms to fill out. Please do not come without writing ahead.
If you want to volunteer, make a contribution, or if you are a political or social refugee, the Rio Grande Refuge is waiting for you!
[In future issues we will carry an expanded report on the Refuge. Don't miss it!]
Refugio del Rio Grande PO Box 3566 Harlingen, TX 78551 (210) 421-3266; 425-9416
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The Blast! PO Box 7075 Minneapolis, MN 55407
The Agitator Index Collective's newspaper. Issue #3 focuses on prison issues, also with a special section on the D.A.R.E. program and articles on Stonewall 25, GATT, Cultural Imperialism, an interview on Zapatista democracy and oh so much more. Two dollars by mail.
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Turning the Tide P.O. Box 1990 Burbank, CA 91507
Journal of anti-racist activism, research and education. This periodical concentrates on anti-racism, with a focus on the neo-fascist christian right and neo-nazis. Also generally includes info on immigration,the Zapatistas and more. Two dollars by mail.
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Industrial Worker 1095 Market St. Suite 204 San Francisco, CA 94103
The sort-of monthly newspaper of the Industrial Workers of the World. News on labor struggles throughout the world, with analyses of labor struggles and workplace issues in North America. One dollar by mail.
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Black Fist 15110 Bellaire #317 Houston, TX 77083
Excellent periodical with news on worldwide anti-imperialist struggles and Houston local news. Also contains queer stuff, prison/ABC news and more. $2.
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Active Transformation PO Box 6746 East Lansing, MI 48826
Newspaper with information on local issues and anti-authoritarian analysis. One dollar by mail.