Hello – I’m writing on behalf of the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition, who is organizing the SouthWest Anarchist Network Conference (SWANC) this coming spring. It will be taking place April 11, 12 and 13th in Phoenix, Arizona. We are reaching out to all anarchist and anti-authoritarian groups in the southwest the US and northwest of Mexico who are interested in participating in a network. We need your help because the success of this conference and the network depends on your participation. We need other groups to reach out to other anarchist groups in their areas and make connections. Also, holding at least one fundraiser before the event will allow you to bring some funds to the collective table or to help your members to pay for transportation, food and registration costs. Getting together with other local anarchists for at least one discussion about what you want for the network before the conference will enable us to have a smooth conference and creation of the network.

You can view the website for the conference at http://www.phoenixanarchist.org/swan. Please register with as much information as you can provide as soon as possible. This will enable us to provide the best resources we can (housing, food, childcare) for your stay here. Checking back regularly before the conference will keep you informed on updates and/or changes to the schedule.

We have five requests that will help us with this conference:

1) Check the list of groups at http://www.phoenixanarchist.org/swan/contacts.html and let us know if the information for your state is correct.

2) Suggestions of anarchist speakers, especially female, from the southwest.

3) Contact information for elderly anarchists from the southwest who might be able to participate in an “Older Anarchist Forum.”

4) Whether or not you can stay on Sunday for more workshops.

5) Contacts with anarchists from the northwest of Mexico.

We are doing our best to organize housing for all visiting anarchists. If you have any questions or special concerns for the housing coordinator, she can be reached at poisonprettypill@hotmail.com

A message from the childcare coordinator: amy_jo@bust.com

"Hi, my name is Amy. I have been supervising an after-school program with several kids about 3 days a week for the last six months. Before that, I volunteered with the same group for about a year. I am bilingual (english and spanish), as well as trained in CPR and First Aid.

At the conference, I will make sure a safe space is provided for childcare. To ensure the kids have an enjoyable time, I will work to provide cool books, games, toys and art supplies. I look forward to meeting you and your kids."

We will be providing vegan food for the weekend from Food Not Bombs and other volunteers. If you have any food allergies or requirements past veganism, please write sunshinekatey@youareadork.com

We will be organizing a meeting to try and work out network issues for Arizona anarchists in mid-February. We encourage you to arrange your own meetings for your state. If you are having trouble meeting with other anarchists in your area, we can try and hook you up with some other people.