EYEAM4ANARCHY

Official Flyer for MayDay - via Las Vegas May Day Coalition

2012-04-16T22:54:00.001-07:00

May Day in Las Vegas

See original post on Las Vegas May Day Coalition Blog

Primero de Mayo Flyer Anuncio Oficial - via Las Vegas May Day Coalition

2012-04-16T22:46:00.002-07:00


Primero de Mayo

http://maydaylasvegas.blogspot.com/2012/03/primero-de-mayo-flyer-anuncio-oficial.html

Por qué Celebramos Primero de Mayo - Via Las Vegas Ma yDay Coalition

2012-04-16T20:57:00.001-07:00

Primero de Mayo

La mayoría de las personas que viven en los Estados Unidos saben muy poco sobre el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores del Primero de Mayo. Para muchos otros existe la suposición de que es un día de fiesta celebrado en países comunistas como Cuba o la antigua Unión Soviética. La mayoría de los estadounidenses no se dan cuenta de que el Primero de Mayo tiene sus orígenes en este país y es tan "americano" como el béisbol y el apple pie. El Primero de Mayo se originó en la fiesta pre-cristiana de Beltane, una celebración del renacimiento y la fertilidad.

En el siglo XIX, la clase obrera estaba en constante lucha para ganar la jornada laboral de 8 horas. Las condiciones de trabajo eran graves y era bastante común trabajar de 10 a 16 horas diarias en condiciones peligrosas. Muertes y lesiones eran comunes en muchos lugares de trabajo e inspiraron libros, tales como Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle y Jack London’s The Iron Heel. Tan temprano como en los años 1860’s, la clase obrera organizo acortar la jornada laboral sin reducción de salario, pero no fue hasta finales de la década de 1880 que lograron reunir la fuerza suficiente para declarar la jornada de 8 horas. Esta proclamación fue sin el consentimiento de los empleadores, sin embargo, exigido por muchos de la clase obrera.

En ese tiempo, el socialismo era una idea nueva y atrayente para las personas que trabajan, muchos de los cuales se sintieron atraídos por la ideología de la clase obrera, del control sobre la producción y distribución de todos los bienes y servicios. Los trabajadores habían visto de primera mano que el capitalismo solamente beneficiaba a los jefes, intercambiando las vidas de los obreros por ganancias. Miles de hombres, mujeres y niños estaban muriendo innecesariamente cada año en el lugar de trabajo, con expectativa de vida de veinte años en algunas industrias, y la poca esperanza de salir adelante. El socialismo ofrecía otra opción.

Una variedad de organizaciones socialistas surgieron a lo largo de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, desde los partidos políticos a los grupos de coro. De hecho, muchos socialistas fueron elegidos a la oficina gubernamental por su distrito. Pero, de nuevo, muchos de ellos eran socialistas abandonados por el proceso político que era tan evidentemente controlado por las grandes empresas y la maquinaria política bipartidista. Decenas de miles de socialistas rompieron filas de sus partidos, rechazaron todo el proceso político, que fue visto como nada más que la protección para los ricos, y ha creado grupos anarquistas en todo el país. Literalmente miles de personas de la clase obrera adoptaron los ideales del anarquismo, que buscaban poner fin a todas las estructuras jerárquicas (incluyendo el gobierno), enfatizaron industrias contraladas por los trabajadores y valoraban la acción directa sobre el proceso político burocrático. Es incorrecto decir que los sindicatos fueron despojados por los anarquistas y los socialistas, sino más bien anarquistas y socialistas formaron los sindicatos...http://maydaylasvegas.blogspot.com/2012/03/por-que-celebramos-primero-de-mayo.html

Occupy Las Vegas May Day Planning - Via Las Vegas MayDay Coalition

2012-03-31T17:19:00.001-07:00

This video was taken during a recent Occupy Las Vegas General Assembly, featuring Joanna of UCIR/Mecha de UNLV discussing May Day and inviting Occupy Las Vegas members to join the Las Vegas May Day Planning Committee. (Unfortunately, the audio isn't great.)

Occupy Las Vegas GA's are held Wednesday and Sunday evenings at 7pm on the back patio of the UNLV Student Union center (on campus). Planning meetings for the May Day events are held on Fridays from 6pm to 8:30pm the Center for Social Justice/Houssels, which is also located on the UNLV campus. Both meetings are open to anyone interested in attending.

View original post on Las Vegas Mayday Coalition blog.

Video: The Haymarket Martyrs--Origin of International Workers Day - Via Las Vegas MayDay Coalition

2012-03-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

A documentary about the Haymarket protests and the resulting trial and execution of eight Anarchist labor activists, which inspired the May Day holiday.

View original post on Las Vegas Mayday Coalition blog

Las Vegas MayDay Coalition: The Brief Origins of May Day - By Eric Chase - 1993

2012-03-31T15:27:00.001-07:00

MayDay!

Originally Posted on IWW.org - the official website of the Industrial Workers of the World

Most people living in the United States know little about the International Workers' Day of May Day. For many others there is an assumption that it is a holiday celebrated in state communist countries like Cuba or the former Soviet Union. Most Americans don't realize that May Day has its origins here in this country and is as "American" as baseball and apple pie, and stemmed from the pre-Christian holiday of Beltane, a celebration of rebirth and fertility.

In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places and inspired such books as Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and Jack London's The Iron Heel. As early as the 1860's, working people agitated to shorten the workday without a cut in pay, but it wasn't until the late 1880's that organized labor was able to garner enough strength to declare the 8-hour workday. This proclamation was without consent of employers, yet demanded by many of the working class.

At this time, socialism was a new and attractive idea to working people, many of whom were drawn to its ideology of working class control over the production and distribution of all goods and services. Workers had seen first-hand that Capitalism benefited only their bosses, trading workers' lives for profit. Thousands of men, women and children were dying needlessly every year in the workplace, with life expectancy as low as their early twenties in some industries, and little hope but death of rising out of their destitution. Socialism offered another option.

A variety of socialist organizations sprung up throughout the later half of the 19th century, ranging from political parties to choir groups. In fact, many socialists were elected into governmental office by their constituency. But again, many of these socialists were ham-strung by the political process which was so evidently controlled by big business and the bi-partisan political machine. Tens of thousands of socialists broke ranks from their parties, rebuffed the entire political process, which was seen as nothing more than protection for the wealthy, and created anarchist groups throughout the country. Literally thousands of working people embraced the ideals of anarchism, which sought to put an end to all hierarchical structures (including government), emphasized worker controlled industry, and valued direct action over the bureaucratic political process. It is inaccurate to say that labor unions were "taken over" by anarchists and socialists, but rather anarchists and socialist made up the labor unions.

At its national convention in Chicago, held in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which later became the American Federation of Labor), proclaimed that "eight hours shall constitute a legal day's labor from and after May 1, 1886." The following year, the FOTLU, backed by many Knights of Labor locals, reiterated their proclamation stating that it would be supported by strikes and demonstrations. At first, most radicals and anarchists regarded this demand as too reformist, failing to strike "at the root of the evil." A year before the Haymarket Massacre, Samuel Fielden pointed out in the anarchist newspaper, The Alarm, that "whether a man works eight hours a day or ten hours a day, he is still a slave."

Despite the misgivings of many of the anarchists, an estimated quarter million workers in the Chicago area became directly involved in the crusade to implement the eight hour work day, including the Trades and Labor Assembly, the Socialistic Labor Party and local Knights of Labor. As more and more of the workforce mobilized against the employers, these radicals conceded to fight for the 8-hour day, realizing that "the tide of opinion and determination of most wage-workers was set in this direction." With the involvement of the anarchists, there seemed to be an infusion of greater issues than the 8-hour day. There grew a sense of a greater social revolution beyond the more immediate gains of shortened hours, but a drastic change in the economic structure of capitalism.

In a proclamation printed just before May 1, 1886, one publisher appealed to working people with this plea:

Workingmen to Arms!
War to the Palace, Peace to the Cottage, and Death to LUXURIOUS IDLENESS.
The wage system is the only cause of the World's misery. It is supported by the rich classes, and to destroy it, they must be either made to work or DIE.
One pound of DYNAMITE is better than a bushel of BALLOTS!
MAKE YOUR DEMAND FOR EIGHT HOURS with weapons in your hands to meet the capitalistic bloodhounds, police, and militia in proper manner.

Not surprisingly the entire city was prepared for mass bloodshed, reminiscent of the railroad strike a decade earlier when police and soldiers gunned down hundreds of striking workers. On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration in history...Read the full post: Las Vegas May Day Coalition: The Brief Origins of May Day - By Eric Chase - 1993

Support Pete Eyre and Ademo Freeman vs. Greenfield, MA; Bogus Wiretapping Charges

2011-07-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

On July 18, 2011, Pete Eyre and Ademo Freeman, crew members of Liberty On Tour and bloggers for Cop Block, will begin trial on felony wiretapping, resisting arrest, and trespassing charges.

Solidarity + Direct Action = Justice

The charges stem from an incident in July of 2010, when they were attempting to post bail for Rich Paul, who had been arrested the day before, at the Franklin County jail. Pete had initially also been facing felony firearm/ammo and VIN manipulation charges as the result of an illegal search of their vehicle, affectionately dubbed MARV, but those charges were dismissed earlier this week.

Here is a fairly short rundown of what happened that day:

"On Thursday, July 1st 2010 Pete and I headed into the Franklin County Jail to bail out Rich Paul, who had been arrested the day before. We were initially told that we could not film in the lobby by Franklin County Sheriff’s but later were told we could do so. We left and 15 minutes later returned with the bail money and Pete’s ID but were then told that we were not permitted to film on the property. We stated that public officials can be recorded while conducting their duties, that no one in the building had any expectation of privacy and that we had our cameras as a means of protection as well as accountability for everyone involved. It was those with badges who then took action against us for standing our ground and doing what we believe is right – actions that did not harm anything.

Sgt. Todd M. Dodge placed myself and Pete under arrest without disclosing what we were actually being arrested for. We were taken to the Greenfield Police Department where we were abused, finger printed, photographed, stripped and had our personal possessions stolen from us. The police, under the watch of Sgt. Dodge, threw us into a cage without blankets, a phone call or telling us exactly what we were being charged with. The jail, with concrete floors, was extremely cold. We were monitored via a camera in the ceiling. We did anything we could to keep warm and to occupy our minds/time. We did chants of ‘no victim no crime,’ sang songs, preached libertarianism and even did a workout.

Finally after 12 + hours in our cages we were taken to court to face a judge. We finally learned what our charges were: felony wiretapping and resisting arrest for us both Pete also has felony firearm/ammo and VIN manipulation charges."

For more detailed information you can:

Review the huge Meta post, which covers every blog, video and document(s) pertaining to their case(s).
Watch the “Greenfield, MA” playlist (25 videos) featured on CopBlock.org’s YouTube channel.
Watch the 27-min documentary style video that covers everything from July 2010 to February 2011.

In reality, the charges are one of many instances over the past few years in which police have arrested people for filming them in order to avoid being held accountable for their actions. The misuse of wiretapping laws to prevent video taping has been one of the prevalent methods employed recently in several states.

The Members of Liberty On Tour

Not only were these wiretapping laws obviously never meant for such a purpose, but courts on all levels and throughout the country have consistently found that there is no expectation of privacy in a public place and therefore no restrictions on filming someone. Police and other government employees themselves often cite this when justifying surveillance policies, such as red light cameras.

Furthermore, courts have also found in numerous cases that people have the right to "resist an unlawful arrest even to the point of taking an arresting officer's life, if necessary." so if there is no valid reason for someone to be arrested, then there is no reason that they should be punished for resisting that arrest.

If you have a problem with the police abusing their powers and then twisting laws around to eliminate any evidence of that abuse (as you should) and the future impact it can have on citizens' ability to prevent those abuses, there are several things you can do to support Pete and Ademo:

Help get the word out

Share the above content on social media sites and/or your own blog, if you have one.

Email local news outlets (Western Mass preferred but also Eastern, like Boston), Radio stations and bloggers. They’ve created a Press Release and Media Packet to make it easier for you to share. Otherwise standard emails or phone calls encouraging other media outlets to share their situation with their audience is greatly appreciated.

Call the local officials involved in the case

Jeff Bangston – (District Attorney prosecuting us) 413.774.3186 - ask him to do what’s right and dismiss their charges.
Todd M. Dodge – (arresting officer, Greenfield Police Department) 413.773.5411 ext. 1415 - ask him to think about his rights-violating actions.
William F. Martin – “Mayor, Greenfield” – 413-.772.1560 - ask him to make a public statement against their treatment/charges.

Help out financially

Normally they send those who donate $20 or more a Cop Block T-shirt but this week, until the conclusion of their trial, if you donate $15 you’ll get your choice of an “Am I Free To Go?” or “I don’t talk to police. I record them” shirt.
Donate for a video Intro/Outro or Power Power Post (your org’s banner at the end of their post $25 – see here for example).

Attend Court Events

Friday, July 15th at 6pm – “Know Your Rights” presentation; Green Fields Market, 144 Main St., Greenfield, MA
Monday, July 18th at 8am – trial – District Court Greenfield, MA (see event here)

Censorship Sucks, Mmkay. So Does Stealing People's Homes...

2011-07-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Last week, Liberty On Tour posted a video about a man named Jay Noone, who was facing the threat of having his house stolen by tax extorters working for Palmer, MA. The video primarily features Pete Eyre of Liberty on Tour and Ian Freeman, a blogger at FreeKeene.com and radio host at Free Talk Live, attempting to question local officials about the pending seizure of Noone's home.

Predictably, the local bureaucrats weren't too keen on answering those questions and mostly it's a video of them hiding from Pete and Ian. However, it wasn't enough just to avoid the questions during the taping. Apparently, one of them complained to YouTube and had the video removed. Unfortunately (for them), they obviously have never heard of the Streisand Effect or they might have known that trying to censor stuff sometimes ends up putting it all over the internets.

So here is the video:

Feel free to download it here or one of the six other times I linked to a version of it in this post and post it on your own YouTube channel, if you have one. In fact, I encourage it. Stick it to the Man!

Watch this Video and Tell Me if You See a Felony Being Committed

2011-07-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Watch the included video and judge for yourself if even a crime, let alone a felony, was committed.

Recently, Ademo Freeman, one of the crew members of Liberty On Tour, the founder of Cop Block, and someone I consider a personal friend, attempted to ask a judge in Keene, NH. about the reasons behind the prior arrest of Beau Davis, another Liberty On Tour member, for wearing a hat. The video of the exchange, posted below, was originally published here after it was finally recovered from police custody.

As a result of those questions, asked in a calm and even respectful manner (Ademo addresses him as "sir" at one point), Judge Ed Burke from the Keene, NH. District Court not only had him arrested, but charged with a felony known as "Improper Influence" I've linked to the definition of that charge (twice), so that you can see what it actually entails. Nothing within that definition applies to what happened that morning. He ended up spending two days in jail and was forced to post a $5,000 cash bail, and is due to start trial on those felony charges on Thursday July 7, 2011.

The fact that Ademo was arrested at all for simply asking another person a few questions is an abuse of authority by Judge Ed Burke. Beyond that, the fact that the charge being pursued is actually a felony is an outrage in its own rite. If you have any sense of decency and justice, you should oppose this blatant misuse of power by a judge that is out of control and clearly in the wrong.

This next video was made before the release of the original footage and gives an overview of the issues involved, as well as some other improper (anti-recording) measures local authorities have attempted to implement aimed at preventing members of the Free State Project in Keene, NH.from holding those officials accountable for their actions.

If you are offended by Judge Burke's abuse of his power, as you should be, please take a moment to call the prosecutors for this case and let them know how you feel about it:

Chris McLaughlin – District Court DA – 603.357.9815
John Webb – Superior Court DA – 603.352.0056

Were Your Father's Cops Really That Much Better?

2011-06-18T02:15:00.000-07:00


Me in all my glory

A month ago, during a pick up football game, I took off down the field at a full sprint, flew past the player defending me, and settled into the endzone for what should have been an easy touchdown. The quarterback threw the ball in a perfect spiral directly into my chest, which it promptly bounced off of and landed in the arms of that previously vanquished defender, who had by then caught back up to me.

Shortly after that, while playing defense, I tore a muscle in my calf landing me on the couch for a week straight and keeping me on the sidelines for a month (so far).

Of course, in 10 or 20 years (probably 30), once my football days are over for good, you probably won't hear a lot about that pair of catastrophes. Instead, you'll most likely hear about the two touchdowns I caught earlier in that game. Or even more likely, I'll tell you about that 90+ yard interception return for a touchdown I had earlier this year, during which that picture to the right was taken.

Howard Zinn (right), arrested for not wanting to kill innocent people.

History has a way of glossing over the bad stuff in favor of the good ol' days. That is especially true when the one doing the story telling is also the one involved in all the negative stories. Even more so when those stories inspire a deep sense of shame.

I was recently reminded of this particular tendency of human nature to remember things much better than they actually were when a friend of mine mentioned to me that he once thought Anarchism was "way out there." However, now he was beginning to reconsider because of all the instances of police brutality and abuse he's seen recently. In particular, he was shocked by the recent arrests of members of Food Not Bombs in Orlando for the "crime" of feeding hungry people. Specifically, because it was the "locals" that were doing the arresting.

A lunch counter sit-in at a North Carolina Woolworth's

It isn't uncommon for people to have the image of the "friendly neighborhood cop" in their mind when they think of policemen of the past. That foregone day when the local cop patrolled his beat, knew everyone by name, and protected the residents from those bad guys that wanted to do them harm.

Unfortunately, these memories are nothing but illusions or at best selective memories. In many ways, the cops have indeed gotten worse. By way of standardized training and selective recruitment with a heavy tendency toward veterans and/or people with aggressive personalities, the modern police force has become much more nationalized and militarized. As a result, they are more willing to use force in any given situation and less likely disobey illegal or immoral commands.


The inevitable response by the State's enforcers.

However, as much as that is true, the only real difference between now and then is a matter of degrees. The thugs beating people in the streets at anti-war protests during the Vietnam war and spraying school children with fire hoses during the civil rights era were locals. Officer O'Malley, the friendly neighborhood beat cop of yesteryear might have taken it easy on Sean, the local hellion, but he knew what had to be done when some uppity nigger refused to step down from the lunch counter at Woolworth's or some dirty hippie decided to burn his draft card and there were no shortage of cops willing to do it.

As the saying goes, the cops are the tip of the State's spear and the tip is the part that does the real damage. To believe otherwise is to forget the truth of what really happened and create a fantasy world based on those glory days that never really were.

Las Vegas Wobblies Rally Against Chipotle in Support of Exploited Farmworkers (pics)

2009-11-17T00:10:00.000-08:00

Click on any of the pictures for the full-size images

During the weekend of November 6-8 members of the Las Vegas Industrial Workers of the World, in conjunction with Food Not Bombs Las Vegas and Southern NV ALL, attended the L iving Without Borders encuentro sponsored by the United Coalition for Im/migrant Rights (U.C.I.R.), which was held at UNLV. On the final day of the encuerto, we took part in a demonstration against the Chipotle across from campus organized by MEChA de UNLV in support of the Student/Farmworker Alliance (S.F.A.) and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (C.I.W.) and other farm workers who often work very long hours for wages that average below the poverty level.

The LV IWW, along with Fellow Worker Paul Lenart from the Reno IWW, rallied with other groups from the encuerto in solidarity with fellow workers being exploited by agriculture suppliers in Florida and throughout the industry. The demonstration was for the most part uneventful and garnered some support from passing cars and bystanders. However, at one point a group of Metro policemen (at least 10) descended upon us to preserve order by demanding to know who our leaders were and arrogantly declaring they were going to "teach us how to protest" so they wouldn't "have to" arrest anyone. Things got a bit tense after we responded that we didn't believe in hierarchies and therefore had no leaders and Paul informed the officer who was trying to tutor us on protesting that we weren't required to walk in a circle, as his lesson plan called for us to do. Not long after, a Metro sergeant arrived, spoke to us briefly, agreed that we didn't need to walk in a circle, wished us luck, and told the other Metro officers to leave. The rest of the morning was once again pretty uneventful and rather fun in general. In addition to displaying signs to passersby, we also provided people entering or exiting Chipotle with printed information about the C.I.W.'s grievances, resulting in several instances where potential customers turned away.

The C.I.W. is a community-based organization composed mainly of Latino, Mayan Indian and Haitian immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida. They have been organizing workers in the agriculture industry since1993 to fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and more respect from bosses, among other issues. Since 2001, they have been using targeted boycotts of fast food restaurants, grocery stores, and other large tomato buyers to encourage them to agree to pay one penny per pound more for tomatoes and other produce directly to the workers who picked them. The resulting increase is minimal for the buyers (25 cents/box), but could increase the average farmworker's wages by 2/3's of the current approximate salary of $10,000/year. In the recent past, such boycotts have successfully led to agreements with Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Whole Foods Markets to participate in C.I.W.'s penny-per-pound program, as well as agreeing to require that their suppliers respect the rights and safety of farmworkers. In spite of marketing themselves as a socially responsible business and promising customers "Food with Integrity," Chipotle has repeatedly refused to sign those same agreements with C.I.W.

Uncle Sam Goddamn by Brother Ali

2009-11-12T12:53:00.000-08:00

This might just be the most kick ass song ever recorded. It's a show tune, but the show ain't been written for it yet. Hopefully, a team of writers somewhere is working on that.

2738 Soldiers Died On the Final Day of the First World War So That the Time and Date of the Armistice Would Look Really Cool

2009-11-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today is Veteran's Day, which of course originates from the anniversary of the day the Armistice that ended the fighting during World War I was signed. One of the things you hear constantly during the coverage of Veteran's Day commemorations is that the Armistice occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Technically that's correct because the Armistice didn't take effect until 11 AM, but the truth is that the Armistice was actually signed shortly after 5 AM the morning of the 11th of November. However, for symbolic reasons the announcement of the Armistice was delayed until 11 AM.

During that delayed ending, fighting continued and in many cases even intensified. Some commanders, knowing the war was within hours of ending, ordered their troops to attack the other side in one last stab for personal glory and bragging rights. The rational for others was even less reasonable. Many allied artillery units continued firing upon German targets in order to avoid having to haul the left over ammunition away. In one particularly heinous instance, General William Wright of the American 89th Division ordered his men to capture a nearby town so that they could use the shower facilities there after the Armistice took effect. There were over 300 unnecessary casualties during the resulting battle. Even in instances where commanders didn't order their forces to engage in a last minute, ego inflating skirmish, the simple fact that the cessation of fighting was delayed resulted in soldiers dying who otherwise would have lived. Just one such example is Augustin Trebuchon a French soldier who was killed by sniper fire at 10:45 AM while delivering a message to his fellow soldiers that soup would be served after the cease fire.

All told 10,944 casualties, including 2,738 killed, were recorded between the time the Armistice was actually signed and the time it went into affect. A lot of people died for no other reason than so that the official Armistice could be recorded as the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That is admittedly much cooler sounding than the 5th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, though.

Update: Via Anarchologs I came across another post on this subject at Roderick T. Long's Blog. His post includes a link to "World War I Wasted Lives on Armistice Day", a somewhat long and well written article that contains many more details about that final day of unnecessary combat.

Billy Jack as an Anarchist Metaphor (with video)

2009-11-11T00:43:00.000-08:00

Recently after one of the organizing meetings for Food Not Bombs Las Vegas, Charles "Radgeek" Johnson and I engaged in a conversation with a friend who has attended the A-Cafe several times over the past few months. At one point, the issue of an Anarchist society's ability to defend itself against a statist country was discussed, with the contention that the Anarchists would be unable to defend themselves against an attack by the army of an invading state. More specifically, our friend was of the opinion that Anarchists would be unable to organize themselves in order to fend off such an attack without an hierarchical structure of leadership.

I brought up the Ukrainian Revolutionary Black Army during the Russian Revolution as an example of a force organized along Anarchist, bottom-up principles that was very capable of standing up to statist forces. Another example that was mentioned was the Workers' Committees of the Spanish Civil War, as well as various instances where guerrilla warfare has proven effective against rigidly organized forces.

The perceived flaw with the examples of the Black Army and the Spanish Revolutionaries was that in both cases they were eventually defeated by an alliance of statist forces, due to being vastly outnumbered. In the case of the Black Army there were as many as six separate armies opposing them at any given time, while the Spanish Anarchists were left alone against communists, fascists, and nationalists within Spain, which were supported by the governments of Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin from outside Spain. Yet both groups held out for some time and achieved several significant victories during their respective periods.*

So, this is where the Billy Jack reference comes in to play. Anybody that has seen the movie (has anybody not) is aware that Billy Jack was one of the biggest bad asses in movie history, who routinely pummeled anyone that transgressed against his group of outcasts and undesirables (which was just about every scene). However in the end, he meets his match when pretty much every guy in town surrounds him in a park and one of them eventually manages to crack him across the back of the head with a stick.

So the question would be, does the fact that Billy Jack eventually loses to an enemy with far superior numbers somehow invalidate the fact that he was more than able to defend himself, even at times when he was outnumbered to a lesser extent?

The fact that we are surrounded and vastly outnumbered by the State and its supporters is a serious issue that necessitates caution for us outcasts and undesirables within the Anarchist movements. However, it is no reason to conclude that we are incapable of defending ourselves without the State, in spite of obvious evidence to the contrary. Nor is it a reason to throw our hands up in the air and concede defeat without even trying. We can learn from the mistakes of the "Billy Jacks" of the past (try to stay out of the park = lesson number one) without accepting slavery as an inevitable circumstance.

*I realize that this is an extreme simplification of the subjects, but I didn't want to engage in a fifty page history lesson just to make what should be a rather simple point.

Live Free or Go To Jail: Irony, Logic and the Government

2009-10-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

I've been working to put together another blog that will be based on ideas to eliminate many personal expenses and make money in non-tradition ways in order to lower your tax burden without starving or going to prison. Having settled on some variation of "Live Free or Die" as a title to maintain an Anarchist theme, I was searching for images to use on the blog when I came across a bit of ever-present Government logic.

You can read the full case here, but I'll give a short summary so you don't have to wade through all that. Back in 1974, a Jehovah's Witness named George Maynard decided that the New Hampshire state motto, "Live Free or Die," contradicted his religious beliefs and began covering it up on his license plates. Not long after, one of the loyal servants of the State of New Hampshire cited Maynard for violating the state statute against altering license plates. In spite of the court's sympathy with his stance, Maynard was given a fine that was suspended as long as he behaved himself from now on. Maynard was soon cited a second and third time and ended up serving 15 days in jail after refusing to pay the fines, as well as being given a six month suspended sentence. Subsequently, Maynard successfully sued in federal court to have his conviction overturned on First Amendment grounds of freedom of speech and religious freedom.

But that wasn't the end of the story. New Hampshire was so determined to enforce freedom (or death) upon George Maynard that they appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court. To their credit, the Supreme Court upheld the earlier decision by a 6-3 vote. However, the fact that the State of New Hampshire couldn't recognize the obvious irony of jailing someone for not displaying a slogan advocating freedom even at the cost of one's own life amazes me.

AFAN's 23rd Annual Black and White Party on Meefers.com

2009-09-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

My latest article on Meefers.com is a review of the Annual Black and White P arty, which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here in Las Vegas. The fundraiser, which is sponsored by Aid For AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), raises money to fund treatment and assistance for individuals suffering from HIV and AIDS in the Southern Nevada area.

An uncommon rainy day in the Vegas area created some early excitement for the organizers, who had to move the entire event from the traditional poolside setting to the Joint within the Hard Rock. In spite of that, it was a great show that might have actually benefited from the change in venue. There was lots of great food by top chefs, plenty of great entertainment, and over $100,000 was raised for an important cause. All that was included for the $35 admission, plus for a small additional donation attendees were given the opportunity to have their picture taken with either Penn and Teller (longtime supporters of AFAN) or Charo, who performed like she had just stepped out of a time machine from the 70's. You should definitely mark this on your calendar for next year.

The article can be viewed here:
"In Spite of Rainy Day, AFAN's 23rd Annual Black and White Party Raises $100,000"

**Update**
The Public Relations rep for AFAN has informed me that they actually raised $120,000 once the final tally was counted, which was a record for the amount raised by the Black and White Party.

My First Blog Post on the Fr33 Agents Network

2009-09-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

A new place I'm blogging at is the Fr33 Agents Network, which is a online group of Anarchists, libertarians, and others opposed to statism and dedicated to activism to promote liberty. My first piece was published today and concerns the relationship between poverty and Government policies. More specifically, it explores the ways the Government's harmful actions during economic downturns betray the claims of statists that the state is there to protect and aid those in the working class or poor communities. This is an excerpt:

With Friends Like These…

If you want to know whose side the Government is on just look at what they do during the bad times, and more importantly, who they do it to. In the current downturn, it didn’t take long for people to figure out the value of direct sales, either online (Ebay, Craigslist, etc.) or through yard sales, to earn extra money and/or acquire necessary things cheaply. Neither did it take long for the Government to announce that they would be cracking down on this newly blossoming marketplace which overwhelmingly benefits the everyday citizen. In truth, the Government is there to serve certain people...(continue)

So, you should head over to the Fr33 Agents Network to read the rest of this post and while there you should browse though some of the other authors' blog posts. I would also suggest you sign up for the Freedom Activist Network (F.A.N.), which is a social network associated with Fr33 Agents. There is a lot of discussion and organizing around anti-statist topics and activities by likeminded people.

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-08T01:55:00.000-07:00

A Timeline of Some Notable Moments in the Suppression of American Labor

A federal bankruptcy judge frees United Airlines from responsibility for pensions covering 120,000 employees - May 10, 2005

Decatur, Ill. police pepper-gas workers at A.E. Staley plant gate one year into the company's two and one-half year lockout of Paperworkers Local 7837 - June 25, 1994

Twenty-five workers die, unable to escape a fire at the Imperial Poultry processing plant in Hamlet, NC. Managers had locked fire doors to prevent the theft of chicken nuggets. The plant had operated for 11 years without a single safety inspection - September 3, 1991

Battle of Century City, as police in Los Angeles attack some 500 janitors and their supporters during a peaceful Service Employees International Union demonstration against cleaning contractor ISS. The event generated public outrage that resulted in recognition of the workers' union and spurred the creation of an annual June 15 Justice for Janitors Day – June 15, 1990

Police in Austin, Minn. tear-gas Hormel striking meatpacking workers. Seventeen strikers are arrested on felony riot charges - April 11, 1986

Phelps-Dodge copper miners in Morenci and Clifton Ariz. are confronted by tanks, helicopters, 426 state troopers and 325 National Guardsmen brought in by Gov. Bruce Babbitt to walk strikebreakers through picketlines in what was to become a failed three-year fight by the Steelworkers and other unions - August 19, 1983

President Reagan fires 15,000 striking air traffic controllers, saying they "have forfeited their jobs." - August 5, 1981

Wall Street Journal reporter Jonathon Kwitney reports that AFL-CIO President George Meany, Sec.-Treas. Lane Kirkland and other union officials are among the 60 leading stockholders in the 15,000 acre Punta Cana, Dominican Republic resort. When the partners needed help clearing the land, the Dominican president sent troops to forcibly evict stubborn, impoverished tobacco farmers and fishermen who had lived there for generations, according to Kwitney’s expose - May 15, 1973

The Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and 100 others are arrested while picketing a Charleston, S.C. hospital in a demand for union recognition - April 25, 1969

Columnist Victor Riesel, a crusader against labor racketeers, was blinded in New York City when a hired assailant threw sulfuric acid in his face - April 5, 1956

Teamsters official William Grami is kidnapped, bound and beaten near Sebastopol, Calif. He was leading a drive to organize apple plant workers in the area - August 12, 1955

After agreeing to give Milwaukee brewery workers contracts comparable to other brewery workers nationwide in order to end a 10 week strike, the Blatz Brewery was ousted from the Brewers Association for “unethical business methods" - May 14, 1953

President Harry S. Truman orders the U.S. Army to illegally seize the nation’s steel mills to avert a strike. April 8, 1952

United Auto Workers leader Walter Reuther is shot and seriously wounded by would-be assassins - April 20, 1948

Congress overrides President Harry Truman's veto of the anti-worker Taft-Hartley Act. The law weakened unions and let states exempt themselves from union requirements. Twenty states immediately enacted open shop laws and two more did so later - June 23, 1947

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (the CIO in AFL-CIO) expels the Fur and Leather Workers union and the American Communications Association for what it describes as communist activities - June 15, 1947

National Labor Relations Board attorney tells ILWU members to “lie down like good dogs,” Juneau, Alaska - April 7, 1947

U.S. railroad strike starts, later crushed when President Truman threatens to draft strikers – May 23, 1946

400,000 members of the United Mine Workers strike for higher wages and employer contributions to the union’s health and welfare fund. President Truman seizes the mines - April 1, 1946

A 17-day, company-instigated wildcat strike in Philadelphia tries to bar eight African-American trolley operators from working. Transport Workers Union members stay on the job in support of the men - August 1, 1944

U.S. Supreme Court issues Mackay decision, which permits the permanent replacement of striking workers. The decision had little impact until Ronald Regan’s replacement of striking air traffic controllers (PATCO) in 1981, a move that signaled anti-union private sector employers that it was OK to do likewise - May 16, 1938

The Women’s Day Massacre in Youngstown, Ohio, when police use tear gas on the women and children, including at least one infant in his mother's arms, during a strike at Republic Steel. One union organizer later recalled, "When I got there I thought the Great War had started over again. Gas was flying all over the place and shots flying and flares going up and it was the first time I had ever seen anything like it in my life..." - June 19, 1937

Police open fire on striking steelworkers at Republic Steel in South Chicago, killing ten and wounding more than 160 - May 30, 1937

Battle of the Overpass, Ford thugs beat United Auto Workers organizers – May 26, 1937

Striking African American auto workers are attacked by KKK, National Workers League, and armed white workers at Belle Isle amusement park in Detroit. Two days of riots follow, 34 people are killed, more than 1,300 arrested - June 20, 1943 Battle of Rincon Hill, San Francisco, in longshore strike. 5,000 strikers fought 1,000 police, scabs and national guardsmen. Two strikers were killed, 109 people injured. The incident led to a General Strike - July 5, 1934

Ten thousand strikers at Toledo, Ohio’s Auto-Lite plant repel police who have come to break up their strike for union recognition. The next day, two strikers are killed and 15 wounded when National Guard machine gun units open fire. - May 23, 1934

Thousands of unemployed WWI veterans arrive in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate in favor of early payment of a bonus they had been promised, which was being voted on by Congress. The "Bonus Army" built a shantytown near the U.S. Capitol, but were burned out by U.S. troops, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of wounded including women and children who had accompanied the vets. Gen. MacArthur, who led the attack, disregarded Pres. Truman's order to pull back once they retreated to their encampment - May 25, 1932

Using clubs, police route 1,500 jobless men who had stormed the plant of the Fruit Growers Express Co. in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, demanding jobs - August 5, 1931

Heavily armed deputies and other mine owner hirelings attack striking miners in Harlan County, Ky., starting the Battle of Harlan County - May 5, 1931

More than 100 Mexican and Filipino farm workers are arrested for union activities, Imperial Valley, Calif. Eight were convicted of “criminal syndicalism” - April 14, 1930

At the height of the Great Depression, 35,000 unemployed march in New York’s Union Square. Police beat many demonstrators, injuring 100 - March 30, 1930

During a textile worker strike in Gastonia, N.C., Police Chief O.F. Aderholt is accidentally killed by one of his own officers. Six strike leaders are convicted of “conspiracy to murder” and are sentenced to jail for from 5 to 20 years - June 7, 1929

Strike of cotton mill workers begins in Gastonia, NC. During the strike, police raided the strikers’ tent colony; the chief of police was killed. The strike leaders were framed for murder and convicted, but later freed - April 1, 1929

10,000 striking miners began a fight at Blair Mountain, W.Va., for recognition of their union, the UMWA. Federal troops were sent in, and miners were forced to withdraw 5 days later, after 16 deaths - August 31, 1921

Fannie Sellins and Joseph Starzeleski are murdered by coal company guards on a picket line in Brackenridge, Penn. Sellins was a United Mine Workers of America organizer and Starzeleski was a miner - August 26, 1919

Labor leader and Socialist Party founder Eugene V. Debs is imprisoned for opposing American entry into World War I. While in jail he ran for president, receiving 1 million votes - April 13, 1919

101 members of the IWW are put on trial charged with opposing the draft and hindering the war effort under the Espionage Act in Chicago. The politically motivated and anti-labor trial results in 95 Wobblies being set to prison for up to 20 years - August 17, 1918

A Federal child labor law, enacted two years earlier, was declared unconstitutional – June 3, 1918

The "Palmer raids" are carried out on all IWW halls and offices in 48 cities in U.S. Alexander Palmer, U.S. Attorney General, order the raids as part of an effort to round up labor radicals and leftists under the pretense of wartime treason - September 5, 1917

Ludlow massacre: Colorado state militia, using machine guns and fire, kill about 20 people—including 11 children—at a tent city set up by striking coal miners - April 20, 1914

Northern Michigan copper miners strike for union recognition, higher wages and eight-hour day. During the subsequent nine months, 1,100 were arrested on various charges and Western Federation of Miners President Charles Moyer had been shot, beaten, and forced out of town - July 23, 1913

Police shoot at maritime workers striking United Fruit Co. in New Orleans; 1 killed, 2 wounded – June 11, 1913

Legendary Western Federation of Miners leader and founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World, William “Big Bill” Haywood, goes on trial for murder in the bombing death of former Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg, who had brutally suppressed the state’s miners. Haywood ultimately was declared innocent - May 9, 1907

A battle between the Militia and striking miners at Dunnville, Colo. ended with six union members dead and 15 taken prisoner. Seventy-nine of the strikers were deported to Kansas two days later – June 8, 1904

Militia sent to Cripple Creek, Colo., to suppress Western Federation of Miners strike – June 7, 1904

A preliminary delegation from Mother Jones' March of the Mill Children from Philadelphia arrives at Pres. Theodore Roosevelt's summer home in Oyster Bay, Long Island to publicize the harsh conditions of child labor, arrives. They are not allowed through the gates - July 29, 1903

Coal company guards kill 7, wound 40 miners trying to stop scabs, Virden, Ill. - August 12, 1898

Eugene V. Debs and other leaders of the American Railway Union are jailed for six months in Woodstock, Ill. for contempt of court in connection with Pullman railroad car strike - May 3, 1895

Eugene Debs and three other trade unionists arrested after Pullman Strike - August 7, 1894

Homestead, Pennsylvania steel strike. Seven strikers and three Pinkertons killed as Andrew Carnegie hires armed thugs to protect strikebreakers - July 1, 1892

On Chicago’s West Side, police attack Jewish workers as they try to march into the Loop to protest slum conditions - May 5, 1886

Four striking workers are killed, at least 200 wounded, when police attack a peaceful demonstration on Chicago’s south side at the McCormick Harvesting Machine plant. The following day in what comes to be known as the Haymarket massacre, a bomb is thrown as Chicago police start to break up a rally for strikers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. A riot erupts, 11 police and strikers die, mostly from police gunfire, and scores more are injured. The incident was used to justify a crackdown on labor unions and eight local labor leaders (some of whom weren't even present at the demonstration) were charged with "inspiring" the bomber. Four were executed and another commited suicide while awaiting trial. They were eventually pardoned by Gov. Altgeld, due to the gross unfairness of the trial. - May 3-4, 1886

The Haymarket Massacre is to take place - May 3, 1886

The New York Times declares the struggle for an eight-hour workday to be “un-American” and calls public demonstrations for the shorter hours “labor disturbances brought about by foreigners.” Other publications declare that an eight-hour workday day would bring about “loafing and gambling, rioting, debauchery and drunkenness” - April 25, 1886

Federal troops drive some 1,200 jobless workers from Washington D.C. Led by unemployed activist Charles "Hobo" Kelley the group's "soldiers" include young journalist Jack London and William Haywood, a young miner-cowboy called "Big Bill," who would goon to become a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World - August 11, 1884

The Gatling Gun Co. – manufacturers of an early machine gun – writes to B&O Railroad Co. President John W. Garrett during a strike, urging their product be purchased to deal with the "recent riotous disturbances around the country." Says the company: "Four or five men only are required to operate (a gun), and one Gatling ... can clear a street or block and keep it clear" - August 24, 1877

Local militiamen are called out against striking railroad workers in Pittsburgh. The head of the Pennsylvania Railroad advises giving the strikers "a rifle diet for a few days and see how they like that kind of bread." Instead, the militiamen joined the workers. Meanwhile, federal troops are sent to Baltimore, where they kill 10 strikers and wound 25 - July 21, 1877

In Chicago, 30 workers killed by federal troops, more than 100 wounded at the "Battle of the Viaduct" during the Great Railroad Strike - July 26, 1877

Ten miners accused of being militant "Molly Maguires" are hanged in Pennsylvania. A private corporation initiated the investigation of the 10 through a private detective agency. A private police force arrested them, and private attorneys for the coal companies prosecuted them. "The state provided only the courtroom & the gallows," a judge said many years later - June 21, 1877

Birth of Allan Pinkerton, whose strike-breaking detectives ("Pinks") gave us the word "fink" - August 25, 1819

The first slave revolt in the U.S. occurs at a slave market in New York City’s Wall Street area. Twenty-one blacks were executed for killing nine whites. The city responded by strengthening its slave codes - April 6, 1712

In the Immortal Words of Joe Hill: Don't Mourn, Organize...

Most of the timeline (excepting minor corrections and commentary by me) is courtesy of BigLabor.com

Kovalane: Catch a great Vegas band at the Farm on Fri. Sept. 4th

2009-09-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick announcement about Kovalane, a local Las Vegas band that I've met recently through the weekly A-Cafes that we've been doing here. Not only are they good guys, but they are a kick ass band and, to complete the trifecta, they are Anarchists. They've even offered to do a benefit for the local Food Not Bombs chapter (of which I am a member). So anybody in Las Vegas should try to come out and support them at their shows and, if you aren't in Vegas, you should watch for when they come to your town.

Just a little about them (quoting from their MySpace page) so you know what to expect:

Kovalane is an eclectic band whose sound remains to be defined. The band is atypical with two lead singers who banter back and forth with songs changing from grunge to rap to moments of punk pop with southern rock undertones.

The band's members are: Randy Soltero, Robert Pesti, Sean Brauer, and Andrew Reynolds.

Kovalane is based in Las Vegas. Their name draws off of the famed Koval Lane where
Tupac Shakur was shot, leading to his untimely death in September of 1996.

Kovalane is a band who doesn’t aspire to be rock stars. They are rock stars. They have the talent, persistence, and approach to easily hold rank among bands like Sherwood. Kovalane is a bouquet of assorted personalities, each with their own disparate music influence. Their individual appetites to perform for those with an acquired taste and high regard for music drives the band as much as appealing to the average blue collar music fan looking for a great band on a Saturday night.

You can get more info as well as hear demos of their music on their MySpace page. I would encourage anybody that likes good music to come out and support a great band that supports the local community and those of us trying to good things within it.

Ticketed for Parking in their Own Driveways in Toledo

2009-07-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

This video pretty much stands on its own. I shouldn't even have to explain to anyone what's wrong with that picture. Looks like the city of Toledo, Ohio has turned to one of the Government's favorite fund raisers (along with drug seizures) to solve the local budget shortfalls and/or someone has a friend in the concrete biz.

CommentLuv

2009-07-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

I added the CommentLuv plugin, because I luv you. In case you aren't familiar with it, what it does is makes your URL (in the comment) a "Dofollow" link and adds another link under your comment to the most recent post on your own blog. So, in theory, people reading your comment will be more likely to also visit your blog, plus it provides a backlink for your blog. Anybody who is in to all that SEO nonsense knows that is allegedly important for Google to rank your blog. Personally, I think people are just making most of that shit up to make themselves look smarter than they actually are, but it can't hurt. You can get all the details at the CommentLuv website.

"Authorized by the President" isn't the Definition of Legal

2009-07-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

During a visit to Stanford a while back Condi Rice gave us a great peek into the thinking of the Bush admin. and their ideas about who should be subject to the law. In this clip of her answering questions posed to her about waterboarding by a Stanford student, she states that "the president instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our legal obligations under the conventions against torture," and then concludes with "and so by definition, if it was authorized by the president, it did not violate our obligations under the conventions against torture." This, of course, is essentially a fancy way of saying that if the president says something is legal it is, regardless of what the actual laws (or Constitution in many cases) say. That's not quite the way it works though.

The Struggle for Marriage Equality Continues at Las Vegas Prop 8 Rally

2009-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

My most recent article on Meefers.com concerning the local anti-Prop. 8 rally:

Feelings of anger and disappointment at the upholding of Prop. 8's ban on same-sex marriage in California were quickly overcome by a renewed sense of energy and determination to continue the fight for marriage equality during a rally at the Southern Nevada LGBT Community Center in Las Vegas...continue reading

Vegas Artists Guild Holds Third Annual Spring Art Show at CSN Art Gallery

2009-06-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

Another of my articles on Meefers.com about an exhibition that I participated in as part of the Vegas Artists Guild (a great group that every artist in the Las Vegas area should belong to). My painting is the second one from the left in the picture, BTW.

For the third consecutive year, the College of Southern Nevada is hosting the Vegas Artists Guild's 2009 Spring Members' Show. Located at the Artspace within the the Cheyenne campus of the Las Vegas community college, the exhibition opened May 1st and runs through June 30th...continue reading

Photos From the May Day March for Immigrant Rights

2009-05-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pictures I took at U.C.I.R.'s March for Immigrant Rights which was held on May 1st along the Strip in Vegas. The full pics (all 143 of them) can be seen on my facebook profile in the photo section. I also have most of them posted on myspace, but some of the files were too big to add there, so there are only 98 of them. It was a rather good (but busy) afternoon and I got some good shots.