RACE Events: Anti-Authoritarians and Algeria & Palestine

Anti-Authoritarians and National Liberation:
Study Group and Forum on Algeria & Palestine
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Wednesdays, January 22nd through February 12th

RACE: Revolutionary Anti-Authoritarians of Color presents a series of events on anarchists and movements for national liberation. In a 3-session study group we will take on some of the most difficult questions about how to envision and to support the freedom of people who daily face down the horrors of colonialism, neocolonialism, and/or imperialism. The focus for this series will be the resistance of people in Palestine and Algeria: places where national liberation struggles have won the attention of the world.

We will draw on the rich history of the Algerian revolution against French colonialism, the Palestinian intifadas, and the Berber-initiated insurrection in Algeria in the past two years. We will talk about questions of vision, of organization, of violence, and of solidarity in the context of real choices that colonized peoples -- and anti-authoritarians in imperial countries -- make to achieve liberation.

The final event will be a public film screening and forum, featuring Pontecorvo's film The Battle of Algiers. The film, which depicts armed insurrection in the colonial capital of Algeria, raises many of the moral questions that we will talk about during the study group. Three to five of the participants in the study group will participate in a panel as part of the event.

The discussion will be broad-ranging and inclusive, but will not extend to the question of whether the liberation of the Palestinian, Algerian, or Berber peoples is desirable; nor will it include debate on the desirability of anti-authoritarian politics per se. Participants are encouraged but by no means required to attend all three sessions. If you wish to be involved PLEASE RSVP to Carwil James at 510/653-3621 or fishe [at] igc.org. Reading packets available very soon at Bound Together (on Haight near Masonic, SF) and the Long Haul (3124 Shattuck in Berkeley, near Ashby BART) by January 15. Readings also available soon online from the RACE website: http://www.passionbomb.com/race/



Study Group Session 1:
Anti-Authoritarians and National Liberation Movements
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January 22, 6(!)pm at Casa Joaquin Murrieta
2336 Piedmont Ave. (near UC @ Durrant & Channing), Berkeley

How do anarchists respond to situations of national oppression? How do we work with or in parallel to anticolonial nationalists? Is there a divide here? Is there an overlap here? How do we critique class compromises in national liberation movements while still advancing the cause of liberation? What did anarchists have to say during Algeria's fight for independence? What do we have to say to the ruling FLN now? How can anarchists support liberation in Palestine? Why are they less visible on this issue than many others?

Presentation:
History of Algerian Revolution
Fishbowl Debate on Nationalism
Discussion

Readings:
Colin Ward, Albert Camus and the Algerian legacy
J.P. Satre, Colonialism is a system
Fredy Perlman, The Continuing appeal of nationalism
Franz Fanon, selection from the Wretched of the Earth
Cyprus Anarchists, Solidarity with the Palestinian insurrection


Study Group Session 2:
Insurrection, Violence, “Terrorism”, and Authority
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January 29, 7pm at the C.A.N. Office
1605 Ashby @ CALIFORNIA (4 bl. west of Ashby BART)

What led to strategies of violent resistance in Algerian independence, the first and second Palestinian intifada, and the contemporary Algerian insurrection? Which strategies are effective in bringing long-term liberation? Which strategies are effective in deterring genocide? What is the effect of resistance on the resisters? What is the connection between authoritarian anti colonial movements and different strategies of resistance? When the militants in Pontecorvo's film stop a mourning and furious crowd from confronting armed French soldiers with guns by promising The organization will avenge you, were they seizing power? Offering safety? Furthering liberation? How does a Society under constant siege organize a new world in the shell of the old?

Presentation:
History of the 1st and 2nd Intifada
Discussion of Intifada
Video Clip from film & Discussion Questions
Open Discussion

Readings:
Ghassan Andoni, A comparative study of Intifada 1987 and Intifada 2000
Brian Dominick, Ambushing the Occupation
Marcos/EZLN, re: Violence and Civil Society
Emma Goldman, selection from “What I Believe”
Daoud Kuttab, “The Path of No Return: An Overview of the Intifada”
Rashid Khalidi, “Toward a Clear Palestinian Strategy”
Selections from “A Radical Voice from Palestine”
Tzaporah Ryter, “Letter Home: From Jenin Camp to White Earth Reservation”


Study Group Session 3:
Post-modern Rebellions
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February 5, 7(!)pm at Casa Joaquin Murrieta
2336 Piedmont Ave. (near UC @ Durrant & Channing), Berkeley

What do we make of the current Algerian insurrection? How could we possibly support it? The Zapatistas and the organizers of the International Solidarity Movement are appealing to a global civil society, and to privileged white witnesses, to support their rebellions. Is the international solidarity movement an effective way to support the intifada? What visions do we have for the relationship between underground organizations and popular resistance? If imitation is the sincerest form of solidarity, how do we stand beside Palestinian rebels? Israeli traitors? Algerian insurrectionaries?

Presentation:
The Algerian insurrection of 2001-2003
Discussion
Selecting and Visioning the Panel

Readings:
Selections regarding Background of 2001 Algerian insurrection
Jaime Semprun, Apology for the Algerian Insurrection
Turning the Tide, debates regarding the Intifada
Amira Howeidy, “All our Destinies”
Mustafa Barghouti, “Those who give us hope”


Film Screening and Forum:
The Battle of Algiers
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February 12
Vista Community College, Berkeley

Presentation:
Introduction to the debates of the series
Introduction to the film
Film Screening: Pontecorvo's The Battle of Algiers
Panel Discussion: 3-5 Participants selected by study group
Audience Q & A
Solidarity Plans (?)
Closing