Communiqu from Art of War

Art of War has come together to offer some proposals in the wake of the Long Beach protests. These are our views only and we welcome criticism that people may have of it. It begins with some thoughts on the protests and then turns to concrete proposals for the future in the anarchist movement, in general.

We feel that the protests on Tuesday were poorly planned and appeared as though action was more important to the anonymous organizers than tactical strategy and theory. This may be a reaction to the protests of late in the US—many have become devoid of the spirit of resistance and have merely been an ass-kissing contest with the state (i.e. pleading for permits, marshals, etc.). They are neatly packaged events. So, this frustration is understandable. However, the Long Beach action slid to the opposite side of the spectrum in that there appeared to be little planning, no goal, and little to achieve.

First of all, we wonder if the organizers had done organizing in the community of Long Beach, beforehand? We do not know the answer to this but considering the feelings of fear and wonderment at the presence of the protesters by the folks living there, we wonder indeed. A movement must have some support before it goes into the community because most people will figure these are outsiders. Now, we are not suggesting that the media and the owners of the local Niketown are going to support masked anarchists, but we should see some support from the working class areas. We admit, we do not know the exact situation in Long Beach, but we wanted to bring up that possibility.

Next, about the secrecy of where the event would be held. We don’t believe that this helped keep the police from being informed soon enough to mobilize. Obviously, this was not the case. Assume we are all under surveillance and we know that the police were watching the web page closely at 10 AM. So, what was the point? Many people that we know could not make the event because of the secrecy. The secrecy also could’ve contributed to the erroneous charge of conspiracy against the protesters. Obviously, this was no conspiracy, but the police may try to get away with charging that kind of bullshit.

The goal? We still do not understand the goal. Not having a blueprint for the day’s events is okay, but not having any idea what we, as a group, were going to do is strange and pointless. It unfocused our energy and resulted in uncertainty and danger. Just going to fuck shit up is not a real goal, in our opinion. If it was to march peacefully, then we needed an end place to meet (which may have been decided before the march on Tuesday, we do not know). However, we are missing the most important part….

Our numbers. No matter what the goal should have been, with the number we had a Black Bloc would not survive the cops as a regular marching demonstration. At least, not with only 100 or so people. We all know this. When our numbers are this small we either march with a broader group of people or we de-bloc. We were destined to get pummeled by these police—there were so many officers, what were we to do? So, if there were 1,000 or more of us and we remained flexible—we could’ve won the day by causing diversions and other problems for the LBPD…a brutal and racist police department. As we were, we should’ve come up with another plan. Now, we’ve got many people hurt, jailed and facing tough charges. For what? Nothing.

What should we do from here? We do not doubt that our anarchist comrades had good intentions but lessons must be learned from this. And, much of this is common sense.

Anarchists have had much press in the last couple years. As expected, we are equated with chaos and destruction. Little in the way of constructive visions. Some of this is our fault and some of this is just capital and its state apparatus trying to cut us down. We need to learn to listen to each other (too many anarchists are unwilling to debate democratically and to understand that we should all have a voice) and talk about these problems. We need to organize even better in our communities—outdoing both the authoritarian left and the fascist right. We need to be willing to work within different groups to put forward our vision. Art of War believes that although mass protests have been successful, we need to focus more within our communities and in networking nationally and internationally in order to make ourselves stronger. We need to get involved in concrete struggles that your average Jane and Joe cares about. Let us show them our resolve and determination to make this world better. This trust will help them see that capitalism and the state are unneeded. And, our revolutionary struggle will become theirs. We cannot do this alone—if we forget who we are supposed to be fighting with, we are doomed.

We must show the utmost respect for those in the community. Many won’t agree with us at first and that’s okay. If we can build mutual respect—they will support us and hopefully will eventually join us. But, if we diss those we don’t agree with and take the holier-than-thou approach, we might as well just blow our brains out. We need to express what anarchism is—not just through literature, but through our actions. Many of us want to see a free and democratic society—based on mutual aid and respect. We need to show that now...not after the revolution.

Now, we need to think of some concrete steps that might be taken in your communities. We all need to meet and strategize. We have an enormous opportunity right now.

We’ve heard some calls for an anti-police brutality protest in Long Beach for October 22nd. Possibly we could get the whole west/southwest to come to Long Beach this year. If this is viable, this would be a great idea. Locals we have talked to in LB do not like the police. If we started now, we could do mass organizing in LB regarding police brutality—and instead of the authoritarian always dominating the stage, we can put an anarchist critique forward. We can try to have concrete reforms that may alleviate the police problem but at the same time show that the problem with police is systematic. The real solution is to uproot the cause (we don’t need to explain this part—you all know it). This is one concrete issue that we can take forth that will build trust with the LB community as well as put forward a more radical vision—one devoid of media propaganda that our vision is chaos and destruction. Let us make ourselves a real threat.

We should also hold more regional conferences in which we can hash this all out. Surely, we will disagree on some issues, (which is a good thing!) but we can learn from each other. We’ve got to stop acting like the mirror of our capitalist world and live what we preach. These conferences on tactics and theory will be crucial in building this movement. Many time protests are substitutes for our meetings—being the only time various revolutionaries can come together from many places to meet. We need better options.

Lastly, let us improve ourselves individually—mentally, physically, and spiritually—when we have the opportunity to do so. Read the Art of War, get involved in or create an anarchist soccer team, and do something creative or soul enriching. There are many things you can all do.

These are just some thoughts from us. We hope this has been of some help—for sure, these things are nothing new. They’ve all been said before. But, we think they needed to be said again. Thank you!

Free our comrades in Long Beach!

Long live the revolution!

Art of War

5/3/01

Yeah, Art of War said some things that need to be said. This is about outcomes.

Anarchist victory will mean that average people come around to the idea that anarchist principles can improve their lives. Right now, this is rare.

Community involvement is the right approach. You've got to live your message. Earn respect for your views by engaging people in your community in a low key, respectful manner.

The masks, though I understand why they are sometimes a good option, scare ordinary people. They instinctively mistrust people who aren't willing to show themselves.

So, there are some things to work on.

I agree with a lot of what the Art of War put forth.

It´s good to fight against your enemy, but if you

don´t provide an alternative, why would the average

person be interested in supporting the movement?

Trying to fight the police state with force is

an impossible challenge except in the most

radicalized countries, where the vast majority

of the population opposes them. And the US is just

far too complacent. The real war is for the hearts

and minds of the americans. Secrecy won´t help

this... it´s better to have your ideas, your views,

your beliefs on the front page of every newspaper...

represented PROPERLY!

If the vision our movement possesses really will

improve life for the vast majority of the people

on this planet (and if not, what are we fighting for?),

the ideas should be able to gain a life of their own.

If everyone works to spread these ideas with their

friends, their families, and their communities,

I think we can build up a lot more support. And a

lot more diversity.

Start building the better world,

and the people will come.

The junta must be met with a wide-spread, diverse, popular resistance (ongoing) whose actions are relevant to the theatre in which they are playing. Currently, direct protest actions seem to be melding into a one continuous action around the world's cities.

Street theatre is vitally important and people will become active as the results of the junta's war on human, worker, workplace, women's and environmental rights in US and the World are felt across the classes. Most countries of the world today realize that we in the US are repressed under the boot of this junta. Getting the message out in multi-faceted ways is important.

At some fast-approaching juncture, I feel that a call for a new US Constitutional Convention will be enthusiastically welcomed by about 1/2 the US population. I see that a re-structuring of the Executive and Judiciary in the context of holding a provisional people's congress will happen against the backdrop of various theatres of action and amid the junta's inevitable declared state of siege.

Anarchists will draw increasing amounts of public support once the road map to liberation is laid out, plainly.

We hope that we did not come across as though we rule out anything more militant than street theater. We certainly don't. We recognize though, that the more militant activities must be in conjunction and with a foundation in our community.

About the secrecy. We were critiquing the fact that the location of the site in Long Beach was postponed until that day. We said that it didn't take the LBPD that long to mobilize. It's a subject open for debate. Some might say it helped a bit.

I hope the debate within the revolutionary anarchist community continues, but like some have said--we need to focus now on our political prisoners in LA.

Art of War

Having the location kept secret means fellow activists are going to have trouble getting to the location as much as the police are, even more so, coz the police have big fast cars etc.

Regarding wearing masks, this is a good tactic if you are doing illegal or dangerous things, like trying to breach police lines but it definitely distances you as an activist from the community and is completely counter productive in a non-violent demonstration, as the dude said, it is scary for the average person on the street.

And I notice on most of the posts on this site, people are hiding their names. Where would community activism be now if Nader, Naomi Klein, Chomsky, et al hid their names? Sure there is a danger but this is to be embraced if we are to effect real social change.

The PD's news or forum at http://202.99.23.237/cgi-bbs/ChangeBrd?to=15 would be interested in kmowing of the LBPD riot and suppression of demonstrator rights.

I haven't read this lengthy piece (URL below)but it seems to put the US status in current perspectives:

http://wwics.si.edu/OUTREACH/WQ/WQSELECT/EXCEPT.HTM

Amen to the art of war

proves to be ineffective without community support

long live "boring" anarchism

We, at Art of War, are a collective of people but many of us keep our names and IDs somewhat hidden because we might risk losing our jobs and livlihoods. Repression is alive and well and so if you believe in revolutionary ideas--then you have to watch it. Chomsky took some risk "coming out" but not much--academia allows it to a greater degree than other places.

Let's keep up these dialogues, fellow truth-seekers. Mutual respect between us, whether we are affiliated with an organization or act alone (like myself), is necessary or progress. The more we all know about how to win, the easier it will be to move forward. Make no mistake, though, progress is slow; a step by step progress that begins with education and ends in action. Can you imagine our brute force if we could convince the mainstream working class of their undeniable connection to what we fight for? Do you know what kind of planning and action it would take to achieve that? We who are perhaps older and wiser are aware of the necessity to first work within the system, and what that entails. But I can't say enough times how vital to the cause I feel are the youthful propensities to seemingly act first and ask questions later. It's pure. Humans are naturally rogues when enslaved, so let the world see! What ends the BlackBloc hoped to reach I do not know. All that matters is that they acted, although it is unfortunate that they seem so surprised at the reaction of the LB Police, and the resulting incarceration of many of their ranks. There WAS purpose, though. I see purpose in the acknowledgement of active Anarchism, but now we must prove to be more than ill-dressed criminals or caricatures on London postcards of Picadilly Circus. Although many of you may not know it, these ideas nullify our place as citizens, and alienate us from future allies. People can't help it if they are too simple to see the beauty in bright blue hair, etc. The hair battle should be the last in our war.

Hats off to Art of War, for lending your view and support to these kids. The absence of an attack on the Bloc is an example of precisely the type of mutual respect I know is needed in order to spread knowledge and increase our numbers.

I would like to ask anyone who may know- where stands the ACLU on these infringements of civil rights? I plan to begin my own investigation into the matter, but would appreciate a 'heads up' on any beaucratic resistance, etc., I should expect.

Peace, and keep talking about It...the Feds are listening, you can rest assured, but they can't spoil EVERYTHING...