We know it is a terrible feeling to feel under attack, as some of the downtown business owners and employees must feel right now. We care about the suffering of the people who were affected. The fear of violence and attack is something that many of us, especially women, youth, people of color, political dissidents, and poor people, feel on a regular basis in Santa Cruz and the world at large. None of us, especially anarchists, are working for a world dominated by fear. As an anarchist space, we strive to create a venue for the free association of autonomous people working together as equals to create a world without domination through direct action and mutual support.
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The following is not an official statement, but some ideas of ways that individuals can reach out and support other individuals who are being impacted by these events, and also foster more understanding in our community:
- Call or visit someone you know has been impacted, just to let them know you care and are thinking about them.
- Have nuanced discussions with your friends and neighbors about the atmosphere downtown both before and after May Day, listening to other people's feelings with an open mind.
- Speak with someone who is from a different walk of life than you about how these events are affecting them. Maybe ask them what their experiences being downtown are like.
- Be careful about repeating things that you do not know are true. Rumor and accusation can be very harmful to people.
Man I am truly saddened to hear about the destruction of some businesses of downtown Santa Cruz. We all know what at tough time it is for everyone right now and it makes me sick to think that many people will have to replace smashed windows and paint over the vandalism.
ReplyDeleteI taught a poetry class through Free Skool last year and absolutely loved it. I met some wonderful people at Sub Rosa. And even though I am not an anarchist, people at Sub Rosa always treated me kindly. I miss hanging out there discussing poetry. I miss my small (but loyal! ) group who came weekly to read Gingsberg, O'Hara, Diane di Prima, and Kenneth Koch.
All I can say is that I hope Sub Rosa condemns this violence and continues to offer a space where individuals from all walks of life can come and relax, drink some tea, or read a book.
This is starting to look like a railroading of your group. Be careful comrades, they are looking for any reason to take you down. Stay strong, smart and unified. The defendant claiming he worked at subrosa is classic fbi warfare.
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