OTD, 23 August in 1927, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed by the electric chair in Charlestown State Prison, Massachusetts. Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian migrants and anarchists, falsely accused of murder during a robbery they did not commit. Despite one of the largest solidarity campaigns in world history, the men were nonetheless executed simply for their conviction as anarchists.
Read Howard Zinns beautiful essay on Sacco and Vanzetti here:
https://libcom.org/history/sacco-vanzetti-howard-zinn
Read Howard Zinns beautiful essay on Sacco and Vanzetti here:
https://libcom.org/history/sacco-vanzetti-howard-zinn
#OTD 25 August, 1918 the First Pan-Russian Conference of Anarcho-Syndicalists was held in Moscow, Russia.
More info and links: https://mastodon.social/web/statuses/104749013642290071
More info and links: https://mastodon.social/web/statuses/104749013642290071
On this day, 28 August 1882, the Mexican anarchist, poet, journalist and insurgent Práxedis Guerrero was born, near León, Guanajuato.
Was a key activist of the Mexican Liberal Party post it's re-organisation by the anarchist-communist Ricardo Flores Magón.
After Magón's gaoling in 1907, Guerrero coordinated PLM activity up to and into the start of the Mexican Revolution.
Guerrero was killed leading a band of insurgents against the dictatorship in December 1910.
Introduction to a book by AK Press on Guerrero here: https://intlibecosoc.wordpress.com/archived-articles/i-am-action-praxedis-guerrero-1882-1910/
Was a key activist of the Mexican Liberal Party post it's re-organisation by the anarchist-communist Ricardo Flores Magón.
After Magón's gaoling in 1907, Guerrero coordinated PLM activity up to and into the start of the Mexican Revolution.
Guerrero was killed leading a band of insurgents against the dictatorship in December 1910.
Introduction to a book by AK Press on Guerrero here: https://intlibecosoc.wordpress.com/archived-articles/i-am-action-praxedis-guerrero-1882-1910/
"Only the Chinese workers have the ability to defeat the “Communist” Party – and only they have the right to say what succeeds them."
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2020/09/01/no-war-on-china/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2020/09/01/no-war-on-china/
Red and Black Notes
No war on China
The capitalist media in Australia are full of news and opinion designed to create fear and suspicion of China and its so-called “communist” government. To advance this agenda, many real and alleged…
On this day, the 2nd of September, in 1872, the fifth congress of the International Workingmen’s Association began in the Hague, the Netherlands. This congress would mark the apex of the factional fighting between the centralists, who favoured a hierarchical International, and the libertarians, who favoured a federalist International.
Marx and the centralists successfully gerrymandered a majority and expelled Bakunin, Guillaume and the federalists, and thus marking the formal break between anarchism and Marxism.
Marx and the centralists successfully gerrymandered a majority and expelled Bakunin, Guillaume and the federalists, and thus marking the formal break between anarchism and Marxism.
Rest in Power David Graber, 1961-2020
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2020/09/04/david-graeber-1961-2020/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2020/09/04/david-graeber-1961-2020/
Red and Black Notes
David Graeber, 1961-2020
“It’s as if someone were out there making up pointless jobs just for the sake of keeping us all working.” So said Dr David Graeber, the esteemed American anthropologist who passed away on Wed…
On this day, 16 September 1923, the Japanese anarchists Itō Noe and Ōsugi Sakae were beaten and murdered in their home by police.
You can read more about Itō Noe here https://libcom.org/history/articles/1895-1923-ito-noe
You can read more about Ōsugi Sakae here https://libcom.org/library/osugi-sakae-biography
You can read more about Itō Noe here https://libcom.org/history/articles/1895-1923-ito-noe
You can read more about Ōsugi Sakae here https://libcom.org/library/osugi-sakae-biography
New article up on the blog from Iswed Tiggjan of Anarchist Communists Meanjin and Tommy Lawson of Geelong Anarchist Communists. Let us know what you think.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/01/22/a-covid-response-requires-a-fighting-workers-movement/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/01/22/a-covid-response-requires-a-fighting-workers-movement/
Red and Black Notes
A Covid Response Requires a Fighting Workers Movement
It is no secret that the COVID pandemic has been a disaster for people everywhere. Omicron has only exacerbated the crisis, though largely as a result of the State removing previous measures taken …
New article up on the blog.
Mick Armstrong is the sect-leader and chief theorist of Australia's leading Marxist sect, Socialist Alternative.
He's recently published a rather lengthy hatchetjob on anarchism, titled "Property is Sacred: How proudhon moulded anarchism".
Whether you have read Mick or not, you want to check out this comprehensive, hilarious and thorough dunking of Mick Armstrong and similarly dishonest Marxist critics of anarchism.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/02/18/the-poverty-of-mick-armstrongs-polemic/
Mick Armstrong is the sect-leader and chief theorist of Australia's leading Marxist sect, Socialist Alternative.
He's recently published a rather lengthy hatchetjob on anarchism, titled "Property is Sacred: How proudhon moulded anarchism".
Whether you have read Mick or not, you want to check out this comprehensive, hilarious and thorough dunking of Mick Armstrong and similarly dishonest Marxist critics of anarchism.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/02/18/the-poverty-of-mick-armstrongs-polemic/
Red and Black Notes
The Poverty of Mick Armstrong’s Polemic
For Alexandre Skirda Published in the Summer 2022 edition of Socialist Alternative’s Marxist Left Review is Mick Armstrong’s incredible article “Property is sacred: How Proudhon moulded anarchism”.…
Today, Red and Black Notes is proud to publish the first complete translation of Commentary on Armed Struggle and Foquismo in Latin America, 1972, by the Federación Anarquista Uruguaya.
This is an entirely new translation of the FAU's seminal critique of Foquismo by Campy Sino, with introduction by Tommy Lawson (Geelong Anarchist Communists).
"Are the comrades who have participated in the foco activity revolutionary? Yes. Is Foquismo an effective revolutionary conception? No. Foquismo is an erroneous revolutionary conception and as such negative and dangerous for the revolution. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/02/copei-commentary-on-armed-struggle-and-foquismo-in-latin-america-1972-new-and-complete-translation/
This is an entirely new translation of the FAU's seminal critique of Foquismo by Campy Sino, with introduction by Tommy Lawson (Geelong Anarchist Communists).
"Are the comrades who have participated in the foco activity revolutionary? Yes. Is Foquismo an effective revolutionary conception? No. Foquismo is an erroneous revolutionary conception and as such negative and dangerous for the revolution. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/02/copei-commentary-on-armed-struggle-and-foquismo-in-latin-america-1972-new-and-complete-translation/
Red and Black Notes
COPEI: Commentary on Armed Struggle and Foquismo in Latin America (1972), new and complete translation
New Introduction Tommy Lawson, March 2022 The following is the first English translation of the entirety of “COPEI”, an internal strategy document of the clandestine Federación Anarquista Uruguaya …
Well, the federal election has been called for 21 May.
Tommy Lawson recently debated members of Socialist Unity on the question of electoral participation.
As half the far left throws everything it has into yet another doomed micro party tilt at Parliament, it's worth restating why anarchists abstain from bourgeois elections.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/10/why-do-anarchists-abstain-from-elections/
Tommy Lawson recently debated members of Socialist Unity on the question of electoral participation.
As half the far left throws everything it has into yet another doomed micro party tilt at Parliament, it's worth restating why anarchists abstain from bourgeois elections.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/10/why-do-anarchists-abstain-from-elections/
Red and Black Notes
Why do anarchists abstain from elections?
The following is a slightly edited version of a talk given to a panel hosted by Socialist Unity and Geelong Anarchist Communists in March, 2022. The topic of the panel was ‘should socialists partic…
Red and Black Notes, alongside Garage Press and Distro, will be at the Incendium Radical Library zone fair next Sunday with a ra ge of stickers and zines. Come and say hi if you're about!
https://facebook.com/events/s/incendium-radical-library-and-/947386875970398/
https://facebook.com/events/s/incendium-radical-library-and-/947386875970398/
Facebook
Incendium Radical Library and Collective Zine Fair
Incedium Radical Library and Collective are excited to bring you our first zine fair!! A space to learn through stories and create networks of solidarity.
We are holding it this coming Sunday at the...
We are holding it this coming Sunday at the...
Lest we forget:
The soldiers, generations of the working class sent to their deaths in the name of imperialist war.
The victims of rape in all countries in all wars.
The refugees fleeing violence and persecution, only to be persecuted by our government.
The conscientious objectors and anti war activists who refuse to march to the drums of another rich man’s war.
The civilian victims who have died and are dying in all wars, and all who have suffered and hungered in the shadows of bloated military budgets.
The custodians of this land who have fought, and fight, and who survive.
“If blood be the price of all your wealth, good God we have paid our share.”
* * *
Zine available in print ready pdf format, image gallery, and plain text.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/24/lest-we-forget/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/24/lest-we-forget/
The soldiers, generations of the working class sent to their deaths in the name of imperialist war.
The victims of rape in all countries in all wars.
The refugees fleeing violence and persecution, only to be persecuted by our government.
The conscientious objectors and anti war activists who refuse to march to the drums of another rich man’s war.
The civilian victims who have died and are dying in all wars, and all who have suffered and hungered in the shadows of bloated military budgets.
The custodians of this land who have fought, and fight, and who survive.
“If blood be the price of all your wealth, good God we have paid our share.”
* * *
Zine available in print ready pdf format, image gallery, and plain text.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/24/lest-we-forget/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/04/24/lest-we-forget/
Red and Black Notes
Lest we forget…
“there was another kind of heroism besides that of the Anzacs — the heroism of men who were brave enough not to fight, who faced the full scorn of public opinion, and in many cases went to gaol bec…
New on the blog, article by the Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group:
"Anarchists and other activists in the United States should resist the calls to “put aside your petty differences and get behind the Democrats in November”. This is a recipe for disaster. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/06/30/secure-abortion-rights-with-direct-action-and-mutual-aid/
"Anarchists and other activists in the United States should resist the calls to “put aside your petty differences and get behind the Democrats in November”. This is a recipe for disaster. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/06/30/secure-abortion-rights-with-direct-action-and-mutual-aid/
Red and Black Notes
Secure abortion rights with direct action and mutual aid
First published in The Anvil: newsletter of the Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group, Vol 11, No 3. The US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade (the decision that recognised the criminalis…
New on the blog, article by Tommy Lawson on Francesco Fantin
"Francesco Giovanni Fantin was an Italian anarchist who migrated to Australia in 1924. Less than twenty years later, in November 1942, he was murdered by a fellow detainee in Interment Camp 14A, Loveday, South Australia. Born in 1901 in the small town of San Vito in Northern Italy, Francesco Fantins life was exemplary of a number of migrant anarchists to Australia and their efforts to continue the anti-fascist and workers struggle abroad."
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/09/francesco-fantin-and-italian-anarchism-in-australia/
"Francesco Giovanni Fantin was an Italian anarchist who migrated to Australia in 1924. Less than twenty years later, in November 1942, he was murdered by a fellow detainee in Interment Camp 14A, Loveday, South Australia. Born in 1901 in the small town of San Vito in Northern Italy, Francesco Fantins life was exemplary of a number of migrant anarchists to Australia and their efforts to continue the anti-fascist and workers struggle abroad."
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/09/francesco-fantin-and-italian-anarchism-in-australia/
Red and Black Notes
Francesco Fantin and Italian anarchism in Australia
Francesco Giovanni Fantin was an Italian anarchist who migrated to Australia in 1924. Less than twenty years later, in November 1942, he was murdered by a fellow detainee in Interment Camp 14A, Lov…
New on the Blog, Matt Crossin tackles some of the nonsense that gets bundled up under the label "dual power"
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/18/anarchists-and-dual-power-situation-or-strategy/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/18/anarchists-and-dual-power-situation-or-strategy/
Red and Black Notes
Anarchists and Dual Power: Situation or Strategy?
This is the first in a series of articles by Matt Crossin, ‘Critical Notes on Developments in the Anarchist Movement’. New articles in the series will be published in coming weeks. A st…
New on the blog, Tommy Lawson marks the 86th anniversary of the Spanish Revolution with a bit of forgotten history from the May Events
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/19/josep-rebull-the-poum-and-the-spanish-revolution/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/19/josep-rebull-the-poum-and-the-spanish-revolution/
Red and Black Notes
Josep Rebull, the POUM and the Spanish Revolution
19th of July, 2022 marks 86 years since the Spanish Revolution. Every year that passes is a new chance to reflect upon the successes and failures of such a grand moment in history. When we study hi…
New on the blog, Matt Crossin tackles horizontalism
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/25/anarchists-and-neo-anarchists-horizontalism-and-autonomous-spaces/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/25/anarchists-and-neo-anarchists-horizontalism-and-autonomous-spaces/
Red and Black Notes
Anarchists and Neo-anarchists: Horizontalism and Autonomous Spaces
This is the second in a series of articles by Matt Crossin, ‘Critical Notes on Developments in the Anarchist Movement’. New articles in the series will be published in coming weeks. It is not uncom…
New on the blog, Tommy Lawson on anarchist organisation.
Tommy writes:
"Last year I realised there was a lack of introductory literature on the basics of anarchist-communism; how our organisations function and the theories behind the way we organise. So I've attempted to write something that I hope comrades will find useful."
Hard copies will be available through Garage Press, PDF and plain text available on the website now.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/30/foundational-concepts-of-the-specific-anarchist-organisation/
Tommy writes:
"Last year I realised there was a lack of introductory literature on the basics of anarchist-communism; how our organisations function and the theories behind the way we organise. So I've attempted to write something that I hope comrades will find useful."
Hard copies will be available through Garage Press, PDF and plain text available on the website now.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/07/30/foundational-concepts-of-the-specific-anarchist-organisation/
Red and Black Notes
Foundational Concepts of the Specific Anarchist Organisation
Foundational Concepts of the Specific Anarchist Organisation is a new pamphlet by Tommy Lawson. In this pamphlet Lawson introduces the basic theoretical concepts that inform Anarchist-Communists an…
New on the blog, Matt Crossin tackles insurrectionism.
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/08/04/anarchists-and-insurrection-organisation-class-struggle-and-riots/
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/08/04/anarchists-and-insurrection-organisation-class-struggle-and-riots/
Red and Black Notes
Anarchists and Insurrection: Organisation, Class Struggle, and Riots
This is the third in a series of articles by Matt Crossin, ‘Critical Notes on Developments in the Anarchist Movement’. New articles in the series will be published in coming weeks. The ‘classical’ …
"There are some who now consider themselves anarchists who tell us, ‘Yes, anarchy is our goal, but we are nowhere near achieving it and have to think about winning desperately needed reforms. That means campaigning for politicians, even running for office ourselves, so that laws can be passed in the interest of the working class.’
There are several problems with this. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/08/13/anarchists-and-parliamentarianism-elections-and-social-change/
There are several problems with this. "
https://www.redblacknotes.com/2022/08/13/anarchists-and-parliamentarianism-elections-and-social-change/
Red and Black Notes
Anarchists and Parliamentarianism: Elections and Social Change
This is the final article in a series of articles by Matt Crossin, ‘Critical Notes on Developments in the Anarchist Movement’. [This article in other languages: Deutsch] There are some who now cons…