Organization, Repression, Burnout, Action: A Discussion with CrimethInc.

12/27/21 • 179 min

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In this latest episode of the It’s Going Down podcast, we are joined with a participant of the CrimethInc. collective as we spend several hours broadly discussing contemporary anarchist history and organization, the impact of both material conditions and repression on those organizational forms, how we can build and maintain healthy group dynamics, and the impact of post-rebellion and pandemic burn-out. Some of the key topics touched on include:

How historically forms of formal and informal organization have been directly shaped by State repression and the material conditions at the time, not just simply ideology.
A look at the impact of the anti-globalization movement, Occupy, the student occupation movement, and the Oscar Grant and Ferguson rebellions on autonomous anti-capitalist and anti-colonial struggles.
How anarchist ideas and forms spread in the pre-internet age.
The impact of repression on multi-generational movements and maintaining trust.
The real weight of burnout and the need to build healthy and holistic group dynamics in our organizing models.

We hope you enjoy this episode – it grew out of email correspondence with fans and listeners of the show and it covers a lot of ground. This episode also drops as we are currently promoting our end of the year fundraiser. Thanks to your support, we have already met our first goal and are hoping to meet our second goal so we can print a new round of stickers. Please donate here.

photo: Pixabay

How historically forms of formal and informal organization have been directly shaped by State repression and the material conditions at the time, not just simply ideology.
A look at the impact of the anti-globalization movement, Occupy, the student occupation movement, and the Oscar Grant and Ferguson rebellions on autonomous anti-capitalist and anti-colonial struggles.
How anarchist ideas and forms spread in the pre-internet age.
The impact of repression on multi-generational movements and maintaining trust.
The real weight of burnout and the need to build healthy and holistic group dynamics in our organizing models.

Previous Episode

This Is America #154: Inflation, Class War, and MAGA Factions Jostle for Power

photo: Detroit IWW

Welcome, to This Is America, December 15th, 2021.

On this episode we cover resistance news: from clashes in the streets with police, strikes, and recent calls for mutual aid and disaster relief.

We then switch gears and discuss inflation and the ongoing push by the GOP into open fascist politics.

All this and more, but first, let’s get to the news.

Living and Fighting

Late last month, people took to the streets across the US in response to the Rittenhouse verdict.

As people express anger in Portland tonight, remember—Portlander Michael Reinoehl never got to present a self-defense argument in court when he killed the fascist who attacked him. Police hunted and executed him without even trying to arrest him.

One law for them—another for us. https://t.co/W5NyEyIVe4

— CrimethInc. (@crimethinc) November 20, 2021

In Portland, a riot was declared as people clashed with police and broke windows in the downtown.

“Good night alt-right! No nazis in our town tonite!”

Autonomous antifascist march in Middle Village, Queens earlier tonite in response to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. NYPD cops quickly repressed the march & made at least 2 brutal arrests. pic.twitter.com/maOVCQG7mH

— Ash J (@AshAgony) November 20, 2021

New York, anarchists and antifascists organized a night march in Queens, writing graffiti and clashing with the authorities.

Protesters marched through the gaslamp in San Diego tonight (11/19) in response to the Rittenhouse verdict. Chants included condemnations of the justice system and the people’s judgment—that rittenhouse is guilty in the eyes of the community.
There were vocal supporters and 1/ pic.twitter.com/IxbzUTWufj

— Joe Orellana (@joeorephoto) November 20, 2021

San Diego, people also took the streets in protest. ‘

Where's the lie? https://t.co/yHRl8fWuXb

— Colorado Springs Anti-Fascists (@COSAntiFascists) November 21, 2021

And across the so-called US, anti-Rittenhouse graffiti hit the walls.

Abolitionist Struggle

Protesters in the Bronx marched to NYPD’s 46th precinct last nite to demand justice for #MikeRosado & freedom for his dad Rafael, who is currently locked up for shooting back at the cops who shot & killed his son. A USA flag was burned & cop cars were lightly redecorated. pic.twitter.com/f1djkNgSGc

— Ash J (@AshAgony) December 5, 2021

In New York, people continue to take to the streets to demand justice for “Mike Rosado and freedom for his father, who is currently locked up in Rikers Island for trying to defend his son from killer cops.”

Headline from newspaper: Students Remember the...

Next Episode

This Is America #155: Philly and Spokane Heater Bloc; Discussion on Coup Power Point

Welcome, to This Is America, December 30th, 2021.

We’re out here! Bunch of folks came to see about the heaters. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/e3xrkQbn9M

— Heaterbloc Spokane (@HeaterblocSpo) December 27, 2021

On today’s episode, we are joined with members of Heater Bloc Spokane and Philly, as we discuss how they are responding to attacks on houseless and displaced people in their communities and working on a new mutual aid initiative that involves creating DIY “heaters” that are designed to be (more) fire safe in tents and encampments. For a guide on how to build your own heaters, go here. Check the links above for ways to donate.

As anarchists, we don't believe that the standing US government is fundamentally any more legitimate than a Trump dictatorship would be. Neither deserve the right to rule us.

But we should be prepared for Republicans to try to repeat this stunt—and for Democrats to do nothing. pic.twitter.com/BiONgXruYc

— CrimethInc. (@crimethinc) December 30, 2021

Joined by a special guest from Feel the News, we then switch gears and talk about the recent leak of a power point presentation outlining the January 6th attempted coup and how a series of text messages from Fox News anchors directly to Trump officials during the storming of the capitol shines a light on the relationship between the State and the corporate press.

It’s Going Down

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