#autonomous spaces

[queeranarchism]

Trouble # 14: Fighting Where We Stand

In this month's episode of Trouble, subMedia showcases three ongoing land defence struggles: the Unist’ot’en Camp, the autonomous spaces movement in Ljubljana, Slovenia and the eco-defence occupation known as La ZAD.

This is a great Trouble video on autonomous spaces.

Together with some cool conversations over on Mastodon, it’s a reminder to me to celebrate squats. Squats have meant so much for the movement and where squats still thrive, so do anarchists.

Building anarchism doesn't really make any sense if it doesn't include creating autonomous spaces. When you take a space without permission and organize it together, you have carved out an anarchist reality within capitalist territory.

Autonomous spaces are magic because they're places where anarchism just is, where it isn't a goal to be achieved but a reality to be cherished and expanded. (Like the unique freedom in the middle of the riot, but with a lot less immediate danger.)

Autonomous spaces are housing, community kitchen, meeting space, party space, safe space and more. They’re fertile ground on which the movement can grow. But most importantly: they're the actualization of the goals of the movement, made reality right here right now.

[nicolabarth]

I hate it when people come to an anarchist self-organized space with that stupid customer mentality. They’ll be like:

“Why’s the food not done yet? Last week it was done by this time.” (Because we’re cooking for no profit in our free time, Karen.)

“Why can’t I get a second serving?” (Because then other people would get no food at all because we don’t have that much today. Maybe care about other people?)

“Why are you closing already? Last time we were allowed to stay for longer!” (Well, I happen to be the last person present who has a key and I want to fucking sleep. Maybe actually do something here that isn’t getting drunk, then I could hand you the key and you could close up later.)

We’re not a business. This place works as well as everyone makes it work. Is that really that hard to understand?

[asyapasipiko]

zero journal of autonomous spaces and info shop in the archipelago

The multiplatform journal is influenced by alterglobalization movements, climate crisis and autonomous/ antiauthoritarian practices in the global south, Southeast Asian in particular. There is a synergy between Deleuze and Guattari, Negri and Hardt along with Bob Black, John Zerzan and David Graeber. Grounded on archipelagic configuration and informed by contemporary anarchist thinking and experiential processes of antiauthoritarian practices during the last 10 to 15 years. As a student from the province in a big liberal and non sectarian university and being involved with traditional left politics, alternatives and gaps are common place. Initially involved with anti-capitalist and culture jamming, engaged in global issues and local concerns. FNB, direct action, creative resistance, independent media are among many tactics. On a consistent basis, info shop have been hosting foreign comrades both from the West and Asia. It has been a good chance to validate and reinforce practices and processes.

[asyapasipiko]

The multiplatform journal would be an interface among autonomous spaces and info shop in the Philippine archipelago. Since November 2014, at least 30 participants from different parts of the islands gathered to process their experiences in organizing, maintaining and networking. By February 2015, there was an opportunity to reach to other networks through the Common Space and Swarm Bibliotheque as part of an art exhibit Ethos Bathos Pathos, one among many simultaneous activities during the bakawan Arts festival. At least five info shop got involved in the said project like Onsite, Etniko Bandido, Civ Lab, Marindukanon Studies Centre x Info Shop Marinduque and Over x Out. By July 2015, inspired by the Radioactivists and Shiroto Noran in Japan, Philippines also experiences manmade disasters like Yolanda, Zamboanga siege and climate crises. On November 2016, another round of autonomous spaces and info shop conference would be another platform to recuperate and share the contents of the multiplatform journal.

zero: multiplatform journal of autonomous spaces and info shop in the archipelago

[diy4lyfe]

Great interview with the homies over at Bridgetown DIY!

[bellacuts]

La Mutinerie - queer feminist collective space: my favourite place in Paris <3

[kqedequalsvolvo]

DIY Space For London is a project to create an autonomous space for DIY music and wider countercultural activity in London. Inspired by venues around the country such as Wharf Chambers (Leeds), The Cowley Club (Brighton) and the 1in12 (Bradford) we seek to create a space for gigs, performances, rehearsals, meetings and other events for use by the wider DIY community. Using a legal members' club structure the space will be run autonomously by its own members. Since the project’s initial inception in mid-2012 fundraising so far has raised over £1,600. This has been made by promoters/bands/venues/individuals kind donations via benefit gigs, compilation tape releases, individual donations, band merchandise sales etc. This is our first open meeting as an organising group – we’re seeking to get more people signed up to help out with the project, get stuck in with fundraising, administration (emailing, website updating, graphic design, funding application writing etc) and general idea and enthusiasm sharing.  If you are interested in getting stuck in please come to our meeting on Monday 25th January at: LARC (London Action Resource Centre)*, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 1ES http://www.londonarc.org/ From 7-9.30pm. Please bring a £1 to £2 donation for our use of LARC, and/or some firewood. We will also be having a social gathering immediately afterwards in a nearby pub (recommendations welcome!) for the more curious and so we can have time to chat, share ideas and socialise also.

*LARC is a partially accessible space, more details to follow. It also operates its own safer space policy, and it goes without saying: as an existing group we will not tolerate any discrimination, as we want to make everyone who is interested as welcome as possible.*

[evictionresistance-blog]

YET ANOTHER UNLAWFUL EVICTION....

With hours left before squatting in a residential property became illegal; a Territorial support group backing up enforcement officers smashed their way into a residential property in Dalston yesterday and unlawfully evicted the building of its many residents. 

TSG and Enforcement Officer

On arrival at the crime scene we found a group of shocked people standing on the pavement surrounded by their personal possessions.  Scheduled eviction date was the 26thof September 2012 and they believed that they would be evicted on this date as stated by the court. One person peddled furiously to Gee street county court where he told court officers of the illegal eviction taking place. After checking court documents it was agreed that this was the case and the eviction should be stopped immediately. When this information was relayed to the officers involved in the on-going eviction they replied ‘Ah well, it’s too late now’….

With full knowledge that the eviction was illegal the police continued on with their work. When we spoke to the police about their actions the feeling on their part was that they were the law. This is not so. The police force are the upholders of law; when this is forgotten we move another step closer to a police state. Thankfully the people evicted yesterday will not have to sleep on the streets. Friends and supporters have taken them in.  However, this will not be the case for many other people .

The streets are going to fill with rough sleepers while buildings remain empty for years. To say that a property owner has the right to do anything they like with a building is morally bankrupt. A property owner has a duty of care to the community the property is in .You cannot leave buildings empty for years on end while people are homeless.