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Indybay Feature
RCP expelled from SF Anarchist Bookfair
Maoist from the RCP were booted out of the grounds of the SF Bay Area Anarchist Bookfair by vigilant anarchists who understand that Maoists have murdered anarchists and other anti-state revolutionaries whenever they've had the chance. No compromise or debate with our enemies!
So a couple of shills for the RCP decided to try to colonize some of the space inside the grounds of the San Francisco Hall of Flowers (the location of the annual SF Bay Area Anarchist Bookfair). Some naive anarchist at the information table had apparently given them the all-clear on his own initiative--although, to be fair, who knows what kind of bullshit the Maoists were slinging?
Alerted to the presence of our enemies, some of us went out to confront them, grabbing some of their stuff and kicking over a box of their dumb ass rag of a "news" paper. They thought they were being insulting by calling us "authoritarians"--as if Maoists are somehow not. One of the Bookfair organizers intervened to keep us from getting physical, and gave them 5 minutes to pack up their paraphernalia and leave the grounds, or else he'd get some of us to help them pack and move.
The zombies for Chairman Bob tried to debate the finer points of their legal status for a good two minutes, while studiously ignoring the time limit. The organizer then told them that their 5 minutes were up (I guess he couldn't tell the time either), and began gathering up their stuff. I was only too happy to help them. All the while they whined that we were discriminating against them.
They eventually settled in on the grass outside the grounds. About 20 minutes later, someone decided that even away from the entrance their presence was intolerable at our event, and chucked a 5 gallon bucket of water through the air at their table. It was a direct hit, and it was awesome to behold. They finally got the message, but not before complaining loudly to anyone who was dumb enough to listen to them.
SF Bay Area anarchists are certain to be denounced as counter-revolutionary scum in the next issue of the RCP "news" paper, but you heard it here first dear readers, and I for one, take full credit for participating in making sure that the Maoist shills didn't interfere with our event. Let them organize their own celebration where they can explain the joys of the Cultural Revolution, the betrayal of the Shanghai Commune, and the executions of self-organized workers and peasants who defied Mao and his thugs.
Revolution, not Parties.
Revolution, not States.
For anarchy!
Alerted to the presence of our enemies, some of us went out to confront them, grabbing some of their stuff and kicking over a box of their dumb ass rag of a "news" paper. They thought they were being insulting by calling us "authoritarians"--as if Maoists are somehow not. One of the Bookfair organizers intervened to keep us from getting physical, and gave them 5 minutes to pack up their paraphernalia and leave the grounds, or else he'd get some of us to help them pack and move.
The zombies for Chairman Bob tried to debate the finer points of their legal status for a good two minutes, while studiously ignoring the time limit. The organizer then told them that their 5 minutes were up (I guess he couldn't tell the time either), and began gathering up their stuff. I was only too happy to help them. All the while they whined that we were discriminating against them.
They eventually settled in on the grass outside the grounds. About 20 minutes later, someone decided that even away from the entrance their presence was intolerable at our event, and chucked a 5 gallon bucket of water through the air at their table. It was a direct hit, and it was awesome to behold. They finally got the message, but not before complaining loudly to anyone who was dumb enough to listen to them.
SF Bay Area anarchists are certain to be denounced as counter-revolutionary scum in the next issue of the RCP "news" paper, but you heard it here first dear readers, and I for one, take full credit for participating in making sure that the Maoist shills didn't interfere with our event. Let them organize their own celebration where they can explain the joys of the Cultural Revolution, the betrayal of the Shanghai Commune, and the executions of self-organized workers and peasants who defied Mao and his thugs.
Revolution, not Parties.
Revolution, not States.
For anarchy!
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as an anarchists I find this so disrespectful and stupid
Good for you dawg. Go cry to Bobby about it.
the rcp KNOWS that they are not welcomed at anarchist events in the bay, they position themselves to be victims every year. they were asked to leave, and did not.
its simple really.
they always mask behind this salesperson, politician voice that asks condescending questions like "when are you going to get serious about revolution?" and tons of other patronizing slogans.
fuck the rcp, they deserve everything they get.
also afterwords they tried to get pictures of people involved, probably to give to police.
its simple really.
they always mask behind this salesperson, politician voice that asks condescending questions like "when are you going to get serious about revolution?" and tons of other patronizing slogans.
fuck the rcp, they deserve everything they get.
also afterwords they tried to get pictures of people involved, probably to give to police.
I get the territorial pissings and all, as it was an "anarchist" book fair, but if you wanted to kick someone out of something today, how about a mutual enemy like a military recruiting station to protest and jam up the war effort? how about shutting down a bart station to demand justice for oscar grant?
if only so much energy and excitement could be shown toward revolutionary ends as toward sectarian dick swinging perhaps we'd be living in a better world now
if only so much energy and excitement could be shown toward revolutionary ends as toward sectarian dick swinging perhaps we'd be living in a better world now
Anarchists and Communists should learn to work together. This is not China or Spain or Russia, and we have more in common than differences. What I see is real Mindless Thuggery. Not revolutionary violence. We have more to fear from Nazis than from fellow believers in communism and this infighting is simply childishness.
It only confuses the people who should be looking to us as examples.
It only confuses the people who should be looking to us as examples.
For more information:
http://Garyrumor.com
Mao was responsibly for the deaths of over seventy million. Would you allow Nazis to set up at the bookfair just because they share our enmity of Zionism? Who gives a fuck what the RCP thinks?
The RCP has always tried to parasitically recruit young anarchists through their various front groups, such as No Business As Usual in the 80's to Refuse and Resist, Oct 22nd Coalition, World Can't Wait...etc. while at the same time spreading anti-anarchist propaganda through their Revolutionary Wanker newspaper such as the "Anarchism vs. Maoism" series by their dear chairman Bob Avakian. Here's an article discussing that: http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20070620101506994
How is it 'sectarian' to confront the RCP. Sectarianism implies that we are involved with the same milieu or have anything in common with them to begin with.
We don't.
Anarchists have nothing to do ( and should have nothing to do) with maoists
We don't.
Anarchists have nothing to do ( and should have nothing to do) with maoists
now I get why there has been no large anarchist actions around justice for oscar grant
the RCP has already taken action on the issue, so anarchists will show their solidarity with greek police violence instead
the RCP has already taken action on the issue, so anarchists will show their solidarity with greek police violence instead
RCP tacks its name on to everything, while anarchists deal with restoring community health and resistance. We aren't going to talk-and-panel our way to revolution (maybe to liberal concessions--is that the maoist goal?).
what community? any communities besides those that look like you and agree with you 110%?
besides, that sounds like getting some R&R at a bed and breakfast
so, when you are done restoring, when will anarchists start taking bold actions for justice for oscar grant in a sustained fashion? when will those efforts include working with non-anarchists such as the family and friends of oscar grant or any other number of folks organizing and acting now? maybe you don't think you need people like that in your revolution because they are not anarchists
does it not matter to you that african americans in oakland are afraid of anarchists? are you motivated to change that perception?
the RCP had at least a dozen family members of police violence at their feb 6 action.
besides, that sounds like getting some R&R at a bed and breakfast
so, when you are done restoring, when will anarchists start taking bold actions for justice for oscar grant in a sustained fashion? when will those efforts include working with non-anarchists such as the family and friends of oscar grant or any other number of folks organizing and acting now? maybe you don't think you need people like that in your revolution because they are not anarchists
does it not matter to you that african americans in oakland are afraid of anarchists? are you motivated to change that perception?
the RCP had at least a dozen family members of police violence at their feb 6 action.
that's a pretty ironic thing to say after a day at the book fair
maybe you could add sell-and-trade-literature to your list
if you wanted to really get deep, though, you'd add preaching-to-the-choir
maybe you could add sell-and-trade-literature to your list
if you wanted to really get deep, though, you'd add preaching-to-the-choir
Yeah, I don't know where you get the idea that anarchists are somehow a part of any communities. I find most anarchists to be totally separate from any kind of real community organizing, and I think that has a lot to do with why there is such an lack of diversity at the bookfair. I find it really frustrating because I actually believe in the principles of anarchism.
By acting the way Stalinists have often acted towards Trots, Anarchists and rival Stalinists you idiots have helped soldify those indiviual Maoists loyality to their sect ! Nothing like a little political discrimination (albeit low scale) to strengthen one's resolve.
And what if those RCPers had got on their cell phones and a couple of dozen of their comrades showed up determined to set up their literature stand again ? Would you Anarchist cadre have been willing to disrupt your own event and engage in a mass melee with the RCP ? If so i'm sure the ''impartial '' SFPD would have been glad to intervene and cheerfully bust Maoist and Anarchist heads equally !
And what if those RCPers had got on their cell phones and a couple of dozen of their comrades showed up determined to set up their literature stand again ? Would you Anarchist cadre have been willing to disrupt your own event and engage in a mass melee with the RCP ? If so i'm sure the ''impartial '' SFPD would have been glad to intervene and cheerfully bust Maoist and Anarchist heads equally !
They've never pushed any political agenda or ideals onto me. In fact, one of the organizers is at nearly every protest/rally there is in the Bay Area, spreading a consciousness of change and revolution, but NEVER promoting any particular agenda. It shouldn't matter what agenda you want AFTER the revolution; the point is that we have the same enemy. I've never seen any anarchist show such determination in organizing or participating in Bay Area events, especially Oscar Grant rallies.
...of anok folks in community groups: I know of folks working in literacy,PTA/school/parent support groups, prisoner support, legal aid, ESL, green economy non-profits, ProArts, immigrant info and services skill sharing and free schooling, FreeCycle, Free Martial Arts and Pilates classes, neighborhood watch, and on and on...
I guess it just boils down to who you know or actually, how much attention you are actually giving the question. Seeing the spread aand involvement of folks definitely depends on how much time you have spent someplace participating as part of a 'scene' or community: some anoks are higher profile than others, some work explicitly on anarchist movement stuff, others bring their sensibilities and skills to other amenable groups, and on and on....etc.
I guess it just boils down to who you know or actually, how much attention you are actually giving the question. Seeing the spread aand involvement of folks definitely depends on how much time you have spent someplace participating as part of a 'scene' or community: some anoks are higher profile than others, some work explicitly on anarchist movement stuff, others bring their sensibilities and skills to other amenable groups, and on and on....etc.
Dear Bay Area Anarchist,
You condone throwing 5 gallons of water on someone else's ideas, things, concepts ! I don't want to be a part of your movement ! I'm NOT a revolutionary or a part of the RCP. I am a 60 year old woman with what I hope is an open mind that wants peace and justice. I want to be a part of something that changes the world to a better place. Anarchists throwing water on someone else's things and indirectly their ideas is horid! Are you, the Anarchist, so afraid of the RCP's ideas that you need to have such abhorrent behavior. If I'd been there I would have want to punch you in the mouth! I wouldn't, not be cause of fear, but because violence doesn't solve violence. But you Anarchist should be ashamed of yourselves !
You condone throwing 5 gallons of water on someone else's ideas, things, concepts ! I don't want to be a part of your movement ! I'm NOT a revolutionary or a part of the RCP. I am a 60 year old woman with what I hope is an open mind that wants peace and justice. I want to be a part of something that changes the world to a better place. Anarchists throwing water on someone else's things and indirectly their ideas is horid! Are you, the Anarchist, so afraid of the RCP's ideas that you need to have such abhorrent behavior. If I'd been there I would have want to punch you in the mouth! I wouldn't, not be cause of fear, but because violence doesn't solve violence. But you Anarchist should be ashamed of yourselves !
you stopped being an anarchist.
Anarchy is not random violence against whom or whatever, though the state and mass media like to portrait it that way, but the refusal to be confined/defined by the state or any structure, including the limitations of nonviolence.
Sure, by all means, employ violence against oppression. However, when you employ violence against other ideas [not an imposing structure, know the difference?] you become the oppressive force that true anarchists should struggle against.
Anarchy is not random violence against whom or whatever, though the state and mass media like to portrait it that way, but the refusal to be confined/defined by the state or any structure, including the limitations of nonviolence.
Sure, by all means, employ violence against oppression. However, when you employ violence against other ideas [not an imposing structure, know the difference?] you become the oppressive force that true anarchists should struggle against.
I am truly saddened to see Anarchists behaving in such a way. Get your aggression out on banks and McDonald's, NOT against your fellow revolutionaries, whether you like them or not.
It's about time that anarchists did something about these assholes peddling their garbage at an *anarchist* bookfair. This action against the RCP helps educate people, especially young folks, that there is no common cause between anarchists and the "red fascists" of the RCP. We anarchists are not going to easily forget our comrades who have been jailed, persecuted and killed by communist regimes.
The RCP should go organize their own bookfair, instead of hanging around an anarchist event that doesn't welcome them.
The RCP should go organize their own bookfair, instead of hanging around an anarchist event that doesn't welcome them.
Wow!! What courage, what awesome refusal to compromise! You are indeed a fine and typical American specimen!! USA USA USA!!! You know exactly who your enemies are!! The revolution led by your sort is just around the corner. Your battle hardened revolutionary methods (throwing buckets of water and rejoicing in the wetness) will indeed bring capitalism to its knees ... in your wet dreams!!
fuck those motherfuckers! good job. no peace with authoritariansm!! thanks for destroying their stupid literature too.
props to the bb! post about how the oppressors already have their stage.
props to the bb! post about how the oppressors already have their stage.
You want to talk about counter-revolutionary. You are it. Anybody who can't actually engage with people who are trying to change the world have no business calling themselves revolutionary. Anybody who thinks different than you or has a different idea is an enemy? Who's interests are you acting in anyhow? Sound like you are acting in the interest of capitalism and its class. Can you imagine if people with this outlook had state power? You would be doing all the things that you have accused communists of doing (without any real proof to back up these accusations) I applaud true revolutionaries including anarchists who have signed onto the statement denouncing this attack and not wanting to be apart of any movement of people, communist or anarchist, that crushes dissent and critical thinking.
This statement can be found here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/14/18577278.php
This statement can be found here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/14/18577278.php
I'm upset to call myself an anarchist today. What have we become, except assholes, when we can't talk calmly about our differences. Educate don't discriminate.
How do you "take full credit" for your action when you sign your post with a pseudonym?
YOU BIG BAD MEAN MACHO MEN WITH YOUR MUSCLES RUINED THE BOOKFAIR! I WAS JUST TRYING TO RUN AROUND IN MY PINK HOTPANTS AND HAVE A DANCEPARTY AND YOU CAME ALONG WITH YOUR BIG BAD MACHO MEANNESS AND THREW WATER ON THE COMMUNISTS!
YOU ARE ALL OPPRESSORS!!!!!
YOU ARE ALL OPPRESSORS!!!!!
ahh that last comment was so ism-ism-ist!
Every single time, without exception, that anarchists trust bolsheviks, they stab us in the back. This has been going on for over a century. Never once does it fail to happen. Ever.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Read some fucking history, specifically about the followers of Lenin, Stalin and Mao and their relationships to anarchists and other anti-state revolutionaries, and then come cry to us about our common enemy and explain how "revolutionary" those butchers are. Fuck you crybabies. If you're ashamed to call yourself an anarchist after a minor skirmish like that where nobody got hurt or maimed or killed, who needs you on our side? What's going to happen to your thin skin when the shooting starts? Get lost and take your wishy washy hippy liberal shit with you on the way out. The fact is that the followers of Lenin (and company) denounce us no matter what we do or don't do, and when they're not busy denouncing us they frame us, jail us, torture us, maim us and when that stops amusing them, they murder us. It's factual history, not some bullshit neo-McCarthyist paranoia. No tolerance for our enemies, whether they wrap themselves in a red white and blue flag or a plain old red flag.
I think this pretty funny. It's a shame that no one got any of their money.
All yall folks crying about this need to either lighten up if you want to be neutral in regards to other state-forms like the RCP or take pleasure in the attack on all state-forms. This isn't a discourse of democracy and the enlightenment; the sanctity of ideas is not what is at stake, but rather the pleasure of giving a group the gift of a relationship of enmity. Some people are disgusted with petitions and bored with arguing and would much rather fight. What's so problematic about that?
All yall folks crying about this need to either lighten up if you want to be neutral in regards to other state-forms like the RCP or take pleasure in the attack on all state-forms. This isn't a discourse of democracy and the enlightenment; the sanctity of ideas is not what is at stake, but rather the pleasure of giving a group the gift of a relationship of enmity. Some people are disgusted with petitions and bored with arguing and would much rather fight. What's so problematic about that?
hi, nessie. I recognize that copy/paste comment anywhere
so, you're still kickin, huh? still pulling up little gems like this from your comment regurgitation files
so, you're still kickin, huh? still pulling up little gems like this from your comment regurgitation files
anarchists definitely have their shit to deal with. but maoism is about as dystopian an ideology as they come. and any apologists for such a distorted and perverse position should be ashamed of themselves. Kick the RCPistas all the way into the pacific. There is no place for such reactionaries in any community or politics oriented toward liberation. Good job Bay Area anarchists!
bitter student here:
ucsc maoists (ISO) infiltrated and attempted to coerce the anarchist students antiwar group to the point that it split and collapsed. what maoists can't corrupt, they do all they can to destroy. fuck mao, fuck ISO, fuck RCP.
ucsc maoists (ISO) infiltrated and attempted to coerce the anarchist students antiwar group to the point that it split and collapsed. what maoists can't corrupt, they do all they can to destroy. fuck mao, fuck ISO, fuck RCP.
i guess this must have happened after I left, personally I think this is the absolute minimum that should have happened to them. Marxism, and stalinism / maoism in particular, is even more authoritarian and oppressive then capitalism and is the polar opposite of anarchism in every way. fact is they're just fascists with lefty rhetoric and should be treated as such.
I'm glad somebody had the ovaries to stand up to the fuckers and let them know they're not welcome.
I'm glad somebody had the ovaries to stand up to the fuckers and let them know they're not welcome.
HOW COULD THE RCP SUPPORT DICTATORS LIKE MAO AND CALL THEM SELVES FREEDOM FIGHTERS AT THE SAME TIME? I'M LOST ON THAT ONE TOO.
BUT THROWING RCP OUT OF THE BOOKFAIR WAS WRONG. AS AN ANARCHIST I WOULD HAVE JUST MADE A SIGN THAT READ "THESE GUYS SUPPORT MAO TO EMBARRASS THE HELL OUT OF THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WOULD STOP SUPPORTING HIM. I LOVE COMMUNISM BUT I DON'T SUPPORT MAO AND I BELIEVE THAT IT COULD BE RUN WITH OUT GOVERNMENT. I’M ALL FOR ANARCO SYNDICALISM REALLY. I BELIEVE WE ALL CAN RUN A COMMUNIST ECONOMIC SYSTEM WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BE LIVING IN A TOTAL ABSOLUTE STATE OF ANARCHY GETTING ALONG JUST FINE SO LONG AS EVERYBODY GET'S A FAIR CUT AND NOT THE EXPLOITIVE WAYS OF NOW. EVERYONE SHOULD BE HAPPY. WERE NOT READY FOR ANARCHY YET BUT THE DAY WILL COME IF WE ANARCHISTS JUST KEEP PLUGGING AWAY AND WERE NOT GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON OR EVER FOR THAT MATTER. TRUE COMMUNISM HAS NO LEADERS. THE "COMMUNITY" WHICH IS THE KEY WORD IN COMMUNISM IS THE ONLY THING RUNNING THE SHOW ALL INDEPENDENT OF THE STATE AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT ANARCHISTS BELIEVE IN RIGHT. COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER RUNNING EVERYTHING BASED ON CONSENSUS RATHER THAN HAVING LEADERS DECIDE EVERYTHING FOR THEM.
I'M GLAD WERE DEBATING OVER THIS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE DIOLOG ON THE ISSUE. MAYBE WE CAN GET THE RCP TO STOP SUPPORTING DICTATORS THAT HAVE KILLED ANARCHISTS IN THE PAST BUT THEY CAN STILL KEEP THEIR POLTICAL BELIEFS. I MEAN COME ON. TO CALL YOUR SELF A FREEDOM FIGHTER AND TO SUPPORT PEOPLE SIMILAR TO HITLER IS TOO HEAVY A CONTRADICTION TO CONTINUE!
THAT’S VERY EMBARRESSING. IF THESE GUYS DON'T DROP THEIR SUPPORT FOR MAO NO MATTER WHAT WE SAY WE SHOULD EXPOSE THEM HEAVILY.
COMMUNISTS AND ANARCHISTS WILL REALLY NEVER BE AT PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER UNTIL THE RCP QUITS SUPPORTING MAO!
R.I.P. OSCAR GRANT! ,
SEE YOU ALL AT THE ROCKRIDGE BART STATION MARCH 19TH 4PM
We're just not opportunistic, evangelical, and sectarian about it like the RCP. From day 1 of the protests, anarchists have been at all the Oscar Grant protests. Read the stuff. We helped build the riots and the disruptions. We helped organize A small solidarity demo in San FrAncisco. Some of us did some other minor night-time actions as well. We work with Copwatch, and independently. Some of the main organizers of "No Justice No BART" are anarchists. And by the way, we are both non-white and white, young and not-so-young. The RCP even acknowledges this. One reason they say they attended the bookfair was to "talk" to th anachist "youth" they have seen at Oscar Grant events.
And yes we are in solidarity with people throughout the world fighting for their liberation, whether it's in Greece, Gaza, or in Oakland. What's so bad about having a worldwide pespective?
And yes we are in solidarity with people throughout the world fighting for their liberation, whether it's in Greece, Gaza, or in Oakland. What's so bad about having a worldwide pespective?
<strong>"MAYBE WE CAN GET THE RCP TO STOP SUPPORTING DICTATORS THAT HAVE KILLED ANARCHISTS IN THE PAST BUT THEY CAN STILL KEEP THEIR POLTICAL BELIEFS."</strong>
WTF? Seriously, how naive can you be? Read up on some anarchist history and learn who you're dealing with. What exactly do you think are the "POLTICAL BELIEFS" the RCP hold? Do you think they're just some misguided leftists who just happen to support dictators that have killed anarchists? You need to take your ass back to free skool.
Also, writing in all caps doesn't help to take you more seriously.
WTF? Seriously, how naive can you be? Read up on some anarchist history and learn who you're dealing with. What exactly do you think are the "POLTICAL BELIEFS" the RCP hold? Do you think they're just some misguided leftists who just happen to support dictators that have killed anarchists? You need to take your ass back to free skool.
Also, writing in all caps doesn't help to take you more seriously.
I also posted this on the other page, figured it should go on both, since it's relevant. If you disagree, I can take this one off...
I am one of the people who signed the petition. It was brought to my attention that many people were upset about this. The reason that I signed it at the time was that I, and many other people around me at our table and others, were unaware that the RCP was even there until they brought around the petition. To me, this meant that a decision had been made to use destruction of property without a large part of the community even knowing there was a problem. I suppose I don't understand well enough the structure of the Anarchist Book Fair, maybe just having the organizers take care of things is usually the way it goes, but I would have liked to have known what was going on so I could have gone outside as well and shown my support for their going away. I didn't want them there, but I also didn't want a small group of people to dump water on their shit when it seems that the organizers did not condone it and lots of folks didn't even know they'd shown up.
So people who say that the RCP likes to cause drama: you're absolutely right, they do. And they got it.
I didn't sign any document of allegiance to them when I signed it, I just didn't like the way that things played out. I'm not "applauding" the other people who also signed, as each of us signed for our own reasons, and I may not agree with those reasons. If anyone is uncomfortable building an anti-authoritarian movement with me because of it, then I understand, but I would hope that people would be better than that. I don't support the RCP by any stretch, trust me, I just also don't support that isolated incident of pouring water on their stuff.
-Laura
P.S. I will not be responding to any personal attacks or any of that shit on this comment thread. Anyone wishing to make me feel fear should know that that's a tactic of the reactionaries.
I am one of the people who signed the petition. It was brought to my attention that many people were upset about this. The reason that I signed it at the time was that I, and many other people around me at our table and others, were unaware that the RCP was even there until they brought around the petition. To me, this meant that a decision had been made to use destruction of property without a large part of the community even knowing there was a problem. I suppose I don't understand well enough the structure of the Anarchist Book Fair, maybe just having the organizers take care of things is usually the way it goes, but I would have liked to have known what was going on so I could have gone outside as well and shown my support for their going away. I didn't want them there, but I also didn't want a small group of people to dump water on their shit when it seems that the organizers did not condone it and lots of folks didn't even know they'd shown up.
So people who say that the RCP likes to cause drama: you're absolutely right, they do. And they got it.
I didn't sign any document of allegiance to them when I signed it, I just didn't like the way that things played out. I'm not "applauding" the other people who also signed, as each of us signed for our own reasons, and I may not agree with those reasons. If anyone is uncomfortable building an anti-authoritarian movement with me because of it, then I understand, but I would hope that people would be better than that. I don't support the RCP by any stretch, trust me, I just also don't support that isolated incident of pouring water on their stuff.
-Laura
P.S. I will not be responding to any personal attacks or any of that shit on this comment thread. Anyone wishing to make me feel fear should know that that's a tactic of the reactionaries.
About time... Any and all work we have been doing with right-wing authoritarian communists has been counter-productive and counter-revolutionary. We need to wake up and stop wasting our time in coalitions with ISO, RCP, WWP, PL, etc. I've spent the last 6 months trying to do labor organizing with Stalinist fucks, and they have had no interest in actually democratizing the union or helping empower workers to fight for better conditions--they only want to evangelize the workers about the joy of being a foot soldier in THEIR revolution while trying to turn them against the union organizers. These coalitions are only designed for them to "absorb" these projects and activists into their hierarchical party structure, but often end up killing it. They have an organizing "brown thumb": any project they touch atrophies for three weeks then just dies. All anti-war organizing has stalled because of communist "leadership" in almost all of the groups; and these groups have an incentive NOT to take real action to end the war, but rather to keep it going because they see it as a hook issue to recruit young blood into their death cults. Fuck them, I hope they get kicked out of any similar events they dare show their faces at, and have more of their Chairman Bob-loving propaganda destroyed. As anarchists, we cannot compromise with authority of any form, and RCP is as authoritarian as they get. We saw with Brad, Sali, and now Tristan, WE'RE the ones who put ourselves on the front lines of revolutionary struggle, while they risk getting lung cancer standing on street corners hawking their papers.
i appreciate you taking the time to explain your reasoning, and i think your reasoning is understandable but impractical and a little bizarre. you want to stand on process in a situation where the rcp shouldn't have been there in the first place? you want to make people go around and have this same fight all through the bookfair, which is full of people who are not even anarchists, have no background in any of our history at all, no experience with maoists in general and the rcp in particular?
the organizers acted (as far as i can tell) completely appropriately, and people backed them up completely appropriately. the rcp always shows up at the bookfair and always gets kicked out, and at some point escalation is absolutely the most sensible response.
it's too bad that your name stands with people who are stronger sympathizers, but no matter how much you plead process, to the extent that that process gives the rcp what they want, you ARE a symper.
the organizers acted (as far as i can tell) completely appropriately, and people backed them up completely appropriately. the rcp always shows up at the bookfair and always gets kicked out, and at some point escalation is absolutely the most sensible response.
it's too bad that your name stands with people who are stronger sympathizers, but no matter how much you plead process, to the extent that that process gives the rcp what they want, you ARE a symper.
Maybe this will make more sense to y'all:
A bunch of Anti-Authoritarians kicked some Authoritarians out of an Anti-Authoritarian bookfair. Since the Authoritarians refused to leave, some more Anti-Authoritarians dumped some water onto the Authoritarian Propaganda table, which wrinkled some Authoritarian newspapers and books.
The Authoritarians later tried to single out an Anti-Authoritarian, but others had his back, and prevented this. The Authoritarians were forced to leave the bookfair, which they were never welcome at in the first place.
The sole goals of the RCP consist of recruiting new members to take orders, and installing Bob Avakian as a dictator. Neither of these goals are in any way, shape, or form, confluent with those of Anarchists. This is not an argument on how to get to a shared goal, it is an Anti-Authoritarian response to blatant Authoritarian aggression.
The only thing the RCP seeks in Oakland is membership; the only reason they talk about Justice for Oscar Grant so much is that they've taken advantage of the outrage of so many youth of color through that struggle recently. They want to build on that because they don't know what else to do. They do not seek justice, they are not effected by police violence, and all they're interested in is your money & body.
The enemy of the enemy is still the fucking enemy.
The RCP will never be welcome in Anarchist cirlces. We don't want your newspaper, your front groups, your organization, or your dictator. We don't need them. Go home. Learn to think for yourself, maybe. Just get the fuck out of Oakland, and stay the fuck out of our way. Repost 02
A bunch of Anti-Authoritarians kicked some Authoritarians out of an Anti-Authoritarian bookfair. Since the Authoritarians refused to leave, some more Anti-Authoritarians dumped some water onto the Authoritarian Propaganda table, which wrinkled some Authoritarian newspapers and books.
The Authoritarians later tried to single out an Anti-Authoritarian, but others had his back, and prevented this. The Authoritarians were forced to leave the bookfair, which they were never welcome at in the first place.
The sole goals of the RCP consist of recruiting new members to take orders, and installing Bob Avakian as a dictator. Neither of these goals are in any way, shape, or form, confluent with those of Anarchists. This is not an argument on how to get to a shared goal, it is an Anti-Authoritarian response to blatant Authoritarian aggression.
The only thing the RCP seeks in Oakland is membership; the only reason they talk about Justice for Oscar Grant so much is that they've taken advantage of the outrage of so many youth of color through that struggle recently. They want to build on that because they don't know what else to do. They do not seek justice, they are not effected by police violence, and all they're interested in is your money & body.
The enemy of the enemy is still the fucking enemy.
The RCP will never be welcome in Anarchist cirlces. We don't want your newspaper, your front groups, your organization, or your dictator. We don't need them. Go home. Learn to think for yourself, maybe. Just get the fuck out of Oakland, and stay the fuck out of our way. Repost 02
ugly but absolutly nessasacy (sp?)
thanx for having guts to oust others from OUR space - especialy rcp filth- let them die off...
lenninism/leftoidism must go period --
we might be everywhere but unless we translate it to those younger than us we're doomed...
lov' "b"oB
thanx for having guts to oust others from OUR space - especialy rcp filth- let them die off...
lenninism/leftoidism must go period --
we might be everywhere but unless we translate it to those younger than us we're doomed...
lov' "b"oB
For more information:
http://none
i started a long piece - very concrete about oustiting Leninists like rcp.
but i'm in nyc and don't know yer rules- i got VERY (ahem if ya know what i mean) concrete so my post kinda got "not printed?" i guess--
the posts above are too much theory and way too many who think freedom means allowing those woud kill us should have elbow room in OUR space.
should the mafia have a table? the cia? putin? iso? wwp? our boss?
my reading of the spanish revolution is that the anarchists refrained from killing communists. the comunists had a grand time killing A's. so the A's lost...WHAT FUN!
leninists should be banned totally and we should do everything to rid them.
they should be banned from groups for instance,
during one period of bike messenger organizing in nyc we had a policy of NO leninists- and we MEANT it...they did'nt dare to show up ha ha!
bob (i declare shore leave for everyone!)
but i'm in nyc and don't know yer rules- i got VERY (ahem if ya know what i mean) concrete so my post kinda got "not printed?" i guess--
the posts above are too much theory and way too many who think freedom means allowing those woud kill us should have elbow room in OUR space.
should the mafia have a table? the cia? putin? iso? wwp? our boss?
my reading of the spanish revolution is that the anarchists refrained from killing communists. the comunists had a grand time killing A's. so the A's lost...WHAT FUN!
leninists should be banned totally and we should do everything to rid them.
they should be banned from groups for instance,
during one period of bike messenger organizing in nyc we had a policy of NO leninists- and we MEANT it...they did'nt dare to show up ha ha!
bob (i declare shore leave for everyone!)
For more information:
http://i forget what this means
Whether he/she copied and pasted isn't the point. They are still right. Not to mention the fact that the RCP although, they claim not to be, are neo statists, If I am correct and maybe I am not, and please tell me if I am not, communists believe that there must be some form of state to guide society. In that case these people are our enemies; not to mention the fact Marx played a part in having anarchists kicked out of the First International, which is just as good as throwing water on somebody's books.
the funny thing is many RCP bookstores stock non-Maoist and even anarchist books, pamphlets and magazines. i remember picking Love and Rage up at Revolution nyc in the 90s.
Guess the evil meowists were exercising their authoritarian tolerance by stocking anarchist stuff, while the good anarchist thought police were exerting anti-authoritarian intolerance at the bay area bookfair
Guess the evil meowists were exercising their authoritarian tolerance by stocking anarchist stuff, while the good anarchist thought police were exerting anti-authoritarian intolerance at the bay area bookfair
For more information:
http://www.kersplebedeb.com
Love & rage wasnt anarchist. Come oon now!
so I guess they'll sell ANYTHING just to make a buck for Chairman Bob now. Figures, they WOULD sell anarchist material to try to suck people in.
actually some of us think it's worth understanding where others on the left are coming from, even when we disagree. actually, especially when we disagree! sign of respect and all that, the kind of respect even an opponent deserves. indeed, if you consider a tendency of school of thought your "enemies" without seeing where they're coming from, it's not them who you've made to look dumb.
oops, i forgot - y'all ain't on the left...
oops, i forgot - y'all ain't on the left...
For more information:
http://www.kersplebedeb.com
Why don't you go publish some more urban guerrilla's vanguardist self-aggrandizement and leave anarchists alone?
we need to trust people's abilities to determine for themselves what they want to examine and act on. All political philosophies have their own dogmas and shortcomings. Their used to be pro-imperialist anarchists (by refusing to back anti-colonial revolts against imperialist states that anarchists were part of because it might lead to new states), anti-semitic anarchists (blaming the bankers who happened to be Jewish without first questioning the fact that it's capitalism not ethnicity that is the issue and not taking into account often Jews were not allowed to be in many professions, but were allowed to be in banking (due to the Catholic Church's distate for such things), et. al....
Their is no "perfect" history to any struggle for social change. The question then is what do we advocate, how do we advocate it, and how do we deal with dissent. This was NOT the way to deal with the RCP, and it's a bad foreshadowing on how we would deal with differences between ourselves, because which is the "true" anarchism?
We need to change the world, not attack each other.
Their is no "perfect" history to any struggle for social change. The question then is what do we advocate, how do we advocate it, and how do we deal with dissent. This was NOT the way to deal with the RCP, and it's a bad foreshadowing on how we would deal with differences between ourselves, because which is the "true" anarchism?
We need to change the world, not attack each other.
Just because anarchists dont support the corrupt leninist theories of anti-imperialism dont mean that they are PRO imperialism. Moron.
that once people read a single article in Revolution newspaper (don't click!!) they will immediately realize the bankruptcy of anarchism and become revolutionary communists on the spot. Instead of destroying books in Hitlerian style, why not welcome people to sell the materials and debate about what the good and bad points you feel are of the RCP's ideology? You could have saved the water you dumped on the table to give your crusty comrades a bath.
By the way it's really fucked up in its own right that you first told some people that they could table and then destroyed a bunch of their books (at a bookfair nonetheless)...y'all pull dumb shit like that and then wonder why so few take anarchism seriously.
Anarchism has always placed a strong emphasis on the principals of local initiative and local autonomy, so out of respect for these principals it would seem proper for anarchist events to be organized primarily by the anarchist organizations in the locality in which they are to occur. And, ultimately, it should be up to the local organizers, with input and permission from the rank and file of their respective anarchist organizations, to choose whom to invite and whom not to invite, both to work with them in the organizing process, and also in regards to those tabling or conducting presentations at the event.
Personally speaking, as an anarchist, I would argue against inviting the RCP, or those from most other hierarchical organizations, to participate as an organization in an explicitly anarchist event. If individual members of the RCP, or those of other hierarchical organizations, turned up in an individual capacity as regular quests to participate in the open workshops, or to speak on the open panel discussions I fail to see that such would be legitimate grounds for expulsion. That is, unless the individuals in question were to became abusive to the organizers or to the other event participants or guests. However, if the RCP were to send delegates to the event uninvited in an explicit attempt to seek a platform for their organization I would then advocate asking them to leave, while explaining to them that the event is intended as a platform only for those whom have been invited by the event organizers and their respective organizations. If that didn’t work, and they continued propagandizing their organization or demanding space, I would then advocate asking them to leave one more time, and finally, if necessary, I would advocate forcibly expelling them as a last resort.
Basically, the final option above is what happened with the expulsion of the RCP, but the way it was handled seems very haphazard and awkward. In this, I think having good policy and procedure worked out beforehand could possibly go a long way in preventing potentially awkward incidents like this from occurring, and it appears that the organizers of the SFABF could have done better in this regard. However, given the manipulative tactics of hierarchical political organizations, such as the RCP, I will stop short of denouncing their expulsion from the SFABF. I do, however, feel, based upon what I’ve read, that the expulsion was very poorly handled and that perhaps some better discretion on the part of the organizers might help prevent something like this from happening the next time around. This could mean having policy and procedure for admittance and expulsion clearly worked out beforehand, publically posting the rules for guests before and during the event, and also by delegating security tasks beforehand, so that you don’t have folks jumping into fights at events like this to settle personal grievances with those whom they disagree with.
Anarcentric (WSA personal capacity)
Personally speaking, as an anarchist, I would argue against inviting the RCP, or those from most other hierarchical organizations, to participate as an organization in an explicitly anarchist event. If individual members of the RCP, or those of other hierarchical organizations, turned up in an individual capacity as regular quests to participate in the open workshops, or to speak on the open panel discussions I fail to see that such would be legitimate grounds for expulsion. That is, unless the individuals in question were to became abusive to the organizers or to the other event participants or guests. However, if the RCP were to send delegates to the event uninvited in an explicit attempt to seek a platform for their organization I would then advocate asking them to leave, while explaining to them that the event is intended as a platform only for those whom have been invited by the event organizers and their respective organizations. If that didn’t work, and they continued propagandizing their organization or demanding space, I would then advocate asking them to leave one more time, and finally, if necessary, I would advocate forcibly expelling them as a last resort.
Basically, the final option above is what happened with the expulsion of the RCP, but the way it was handled seems very haphazard and awkward. In this, I think having good policy and procedure worked out beforehand could possibly go a long way in preventing potentially awkward incidents like this from occurring, and it appears that the organizers of the SFABF could have done better in this regard. However, given the manipulative tactics of hierarchical political organizations, such as the RCP, I will stop short of denouncing their expulsion from the SFABF. I do, however, feel, based upon what I’ve read, that the expulsion was very poorly handled and that perhaps some better discretion on the part of the organizers might help prevent something like this from happening the next time around. This could mean having policy and procedure for admittance and expulsion clearly worked out beforehand, publically posting the rules for guests before and during the event, and also by delegating security tasks beforehand, so that you don’t have folks jumping into fights at events like this to settle personal grievances with those whom they disagree with.
Anarcentric (WSA personal capacity)
was totally wrong. Throwing water was way too subtle for the RCP to get the point. These assholes never take a hint. They keep coming back and coming back and coming back. They wont stay away until they have to leave with broken bones. Compared to what they and their kind have done to us over the years, they'll be getting off easy. Way easy.
"Just because anarchists dont support the corrupt leninist theories of anti-imperialism dont mean that they are PRO imperialism. Moron."
___________________________________________________
So what is the anarchists theory of anti-imperalism? Capitalism? Economics?
___________________________________________________
So what is the anarchists theory of anti-imperalism? Capitalism? Economics?
Today is a huge Police Memorial (for the four slain cops ) , a regular National Cops convention !
Their arrogrance is so strong the Cops so called Union actually prevented Dellums from speaking ! Oakland's fucking Mayor ! So if they hate that mild mannered ''progressive democrat ''so much ask yourself what they would do to us , all of us be they Anarchist, Black Nationalist, Maoist , trot , social democrat , if they get a chance !
So please put aside your water fights and realize that Obama (new era yada yada yada ) notwithstanding , we are in a dangerous period .
Their arrogrance is so strong the Cops so called Union actually prevented Dellums from speaking ! Oakland's fucking Mayor ! So if they hate that mild mannered ''progressive democrat ''so much ask yourself what they would do to us , all of us be they Anarchist, Black Nationalist, Maoist , trot , social democrat , if they get a chance !
So please put aside your water fights and realize that Obama (new era yada yada yada ) notwithstanding , we are in a dangerous period .
After happening upon the recent cultist plug put out by the RCP entitled, 'on the importance and role of Bob Avakian' I have to say I think the Bay Area folks really did the right thing tossing these nut jobs out, dousing with water and all.
As for the cops being the enemies of anarchists as well as of Maoists, well, if history has demonstrated anything it is that "the enemy of our enemy is not necessarily our friend". Maoists are certainly not my friend, especially morons who slavishly promote their leader as a latter day messiah just waiting to lead the masses out of their bondage if they would only recognize his 'importance' and unwaveringly accept his (irrelevant) leadership.
As for the cops being the enemies of anarchists as well as of Maoists, well, if history has demonstrated anything it is that "the enemy of our enemy is not necessarily our friend". Maoists are certainly not my friend, especially morons who slavishly promote their leader as a latter day messiah just waiting to lead the masses out of their bondage if they would only recognize his 'importance' and unwaveringly accept his (irrelevant) leadership.
Please don't judge Anarchism from shit like this; this is lifestylism disguised as anarchism.
disheartening to see immature crime-thinc lifestylists disrupt the reputation of a longstanding event.
disheartening to see immature crime-thinc lifestylists disrupt the reputation of a longstanding event.
reads entirely too much science fiction, and will probably not be an anarchist in five years, but equally smug about whatever he believes then.
Anarchists would scream bloody murder if someone attempted to deny them freedom of speech, or freedom to assemble. So what business do they have denying it to anybody else?
What magic makes you believe that the RCP isn't part of this "common enemy"? This Leftist view of a common enemy (i.e. the "capitalist robber barons in tuxedo") has fooled too many anarchists into a dangerous, self-destructive, unitarian relationship with the maos and the trotskies.
Or what will YOU do when the Party is controlling most of the militant milieu -nonviolent or not, reformist or radical- in your area from behind? Coz that's what happened in my area and anarchy here is pretty much FUBAR, at least for now...
You let them a tribune... you allow them to take space... they will use it all against you. They ARE the State.
Or what will YOU do when the Party is controlling most of the militant milieu -nonviolent or not, reformist or radical- in your area from behind? Coz that's what happened in my area and anarchy here is pretty much FUBAR, at least for now...
You let them a tribune... you allow them to take space... they will use it all against you. They ARE the State.
For more information:
http://antidev.wordpress.com
Where did you get the figure of 70 million killed by Mao? Robert Conquest? Are you saying Mao had 70 million people executed/exterminated Final Solution style? If so, then show us your source or pull that head out of your ass and shut the fuckup! All this sort of misinformation does is help Trump whip up pro war war hysteria directed at China.
As for the treatment meted out the Maoists at the "Anarchist" bookfair: sounds like national anarchism in practice to me.
As for the treatment meted out the Maoists at the "Anarchist" bookfair: sounds like national anarchism in practice to me.
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