Dont forget to keep updated on our upcoming events and every Sunday we love welcoming new volunteers for FoodNotBombs!
You might remember from a couple of years ago that the Wingnut Anarchist Collective and the Richmond Police Department had a tiff regarding some files from the RPD’s General Orders that the Wingnut got a hold of using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). More about that here (
http://wingnutrva.org/2011/01/04/foiad-again/
)
And after the police were forced to drop their case before it even hit the courts, they refused to comply to any FOIA requests coming from members of the Wingnut Anarchist Collective. We didn’t have the legal resources to take them to court over their violation of the FOIA laws. Instead we made multiple online asks for the info if anyone else already had a copy or was able to get one. (
http://wingnutrva.org/2012/04/28/rpd-refuses-to-cooperate-with-foia-we-need-these-files-please-help/
).
Well, someone finally came through, and an anonymous source gave people access to the rest of the General Orders from the RPD, as well as some other files. Since these files regard the rules the police must follow, and since tax money goes to pay for the police, we figure this is public information, and we are re-posting links to it here. We hope it finds you well and helps you protect yourself and your legal rights.
We haven’t actually had a chance to go through these files ourselves, so if you find something particularly interesting or useful, drop us a line to let us know! wingnut_collective @ yahoo.com We;d also love to hear from copwatchers, lawyers, and anyone who finds this information useful, share your stories!
Here are links to some of the new info out there on the web, not sure how long it will stay on those websites, so download your own copy if you are interested!
Richmond has a new resource for folks in the City.
The Richmond Rag is “A free calendar of low cost or free events and collective DIY Spaces”.
It includes also a directory of radical spaces and organizations, as well as a list of places to get free or cheap healthy food (Food Not Bombs and local Farmer’s Markets).
Print copies are now available at the Wingnut for September.
You can access online also, and submit your events or organizations here: www.therichmondrag.blogspot.com
So submit your potlucks, protests, free classes, bike rides, meetings etc.!
Thanks to the folks who put this together, you know who you are!!!
Happy May Day to everyone out there!
Remember HayMarket Square in 1886, the people who were killed by the police and the bosses, and the Chicago anarchists who were killed by the state! Workers and anarchist workers have struggled, fought, and died for the cause of justice, and it is in their honor and memory we celebrate.
If you are in Richmond, we hope you can make it to the May Day Rally and parade in Monroe Park. The Rally is at 5. The parade is at 6. So bring your signs/banners/flags/drums/instruments/costumes etc. and come celebrate International Worker’s Day!!
There will also be a potluck at 6:30 or 7 or so (whenever the parade is over), at 6th and Broad Streets, on an empty lot.
None of the May Day events have permits (who needs em), so keep this in mind in terms of deciding your risk level and arrest-ability level. There will certainly be many people at all of these events who are not arrestable, so you won’t be alone.
For folks who need a reminder about the importance of May Day, we recommend the zine Hurrah for Anarchy, which explains how the worker’s holiday originated, and the anarchist roots of the celebration. You can look at it online/download a copy here: http://www.tangledwilderness.org/zines/
Don’t forget our pagan friends too, for whom May 1st is Beltane, traditional May Day celebration of fertility, renewal, awakening & new beginnings that heralds the arrival of summer.
Our friend Mark Aloysious curated a film program for this year’s James River Film Fest. His presentation, the Occupied Moment will be TONIGHT at 8pm at Gallery 5. It is by donation, so bring 3 dollars if you can, but still come out if you can not.
jamesriverfilm.org
PLEASSSSSEEEE come out if you can!!
For many 2011 will be remembered as a year of rebellion, revolution and repression. It is in times like these that the role of filmmakers is of the utmost importance, not to be bullhorns for any side, but rather to immerse themselves in the moment, to occupy space and time and navigate the multitude of realities and truths the world presents. This program features four filmmakers or collectives who did not have the luxury of looking back on a moment but rather created and distributed work as quickly as possible, often while their respective protest movements were still in the streets. Program includes Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street, Series Two, five short impressions of Occupy Wall Street, shot by 2010 JRFF guest Jem Cohen in New York during the Fall of 2011; Krisis, the Prism Film Collective’s documentary about the economic crisis in Greece; Occupy America, Richmond filmmaker Mark Strandquist’s look at the Occupy Movement’s challenge in articulating their messages to everyday Americans; and Field Statements: Pritemps Arabe in Cairo, featuring the works of 13 Egyptian photography and video artists documenting their first hand experiences of the Egyptian revolution. Filmmaker/curator Mark Strandquist will introduce the program and lead a post-screening Q&A. Suggested Donation: $3
Check out the 13ainbridge Collective at 1300 Bainbridge for a pre-May Day training and potluck!
Direct Action Training
Wednesday 4/25
Potluck Supper 5:30 – 6:30
Training 6:30 – 9:00
Struggles for justice have intensified this year as our communities face an all-out assault on our rights. Growing ranks of activists getting organized to fight back find increased repression targeting protest and free speech. If ever a moment called us to bold action it is now.
Direct action can be a powerful tool to focus our collective power. In this highly interactive workshop we’ll explore the basics of how to plan organize and implement a safe, effective direct action. topics covered will include de-escalating behaviors in tense situations, quick decision-making, roles and responsibilities and more.
This training is offered in support of our movements for justice in this region by Occupy RVA and the Wayside Center for Popular Education.
Trainer: Jeff Winder
For folks concerned about the new piece of legislation – the NDAA- and the possible consequences of it, we will be having a meeting on Monday night the 19th at Festival Park at 6pm.
Festival Park is open until 3am, and is fairly well lit. It is located next to the Richmond Coliseum.
The NDAA is the National Defense Authorization Act. Here is one news story about it:
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/11/29/battlefield_america_us_citizens_face_indefinite
If you are feeling scared, mad, upset, anxious, etc. you don’t have to deal with NDAA alone (now this sounds like a cheesy infomercial). We want to talk about exactly what NDAA entails, what concerns us, and what we think we can do about it.
Tell your friends, tell your coworkers, let’s come together to deal with this horrendous law.
Last night, 4 members of the Wingnut headed up to Charlottesville to participate in a solidarity march for Eric Scott and Hunter Singleton that was being put together by Occupy Charlottesville.
When the 4 of us arrived we were warmly greeted, and welcomed to their occupation. Folks there wanted to know about what had happened to Eric in Richmond, and what the situation was. Enough people wanted to hear that a Mic Check was initiated, and Eric spoke to the group. He told them about what occurred on November the 9th, and also of how the arrest, experience with jail, and pending charges made him scared in some ways, but made his struggles more important, and that he would not back down.
Hopefully we will have footage of Eric speaking later today, as well as copies of Occupy Charlottesville’s statement in solidarity with Occupy Richmond.
The group marched through the downtown mall, stopping twice to read statements- one in solidarity with Occupy Richmond, and one about the SWAT raids of Occupy Chapel Hill on Sunday.
Chants of No Justice No Peace, and Cops Here, Troops there, U.S. Out of Everywhere echoed through the downtown mall.
On the way back to the park, the solidarity march took the streets, with 4 black flags in the mix. Who’s Streets? Our Streets. Who’s Park? Our Park.
Afterwards, an occupier took the 4 Richmonders out for vegan pizza, and we got a chance to talk to folks in Charlottesville.
Thanks Yall!
Here is a link to a short news piece on last night’s march, which includes an interview with Eric:
http://www.nbc29.com/story/16040138/occupy-charlottesville-protesters-march-to-show-support
In light of broad social movements, such as Occupy Richmond and all of the Occupy movements, the St. Paul Principles garner revisiting. These principles were designed with allowing large coalitions of people with a variety of opinions and tactics to come together to organize against common enemies or towards common goals. The general idea being to allow people to work towards these common ideas, without infighting and policing within the movement.
Agreeing to these principles can also help prevent long ideological arguments as part of decision making processes. Following the St. Paul Principles means that tactics do not have to be agreed upon by everyone who is part of a movement for a group of people within the movement to take action. The St. Paul Principles help prevent unnecessary bureaucracy and allow for the most autonomy for participants.
Among those who agreed to these principles were the RNC Welcoming Committee, The Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, The Anti-war Committee, SDS-U of MN, Communities United Against Police Brutality, The Welfare Rights Committee, and Unconventional Action – Chicago.
Historical Significance
After the large anti-globalization protest that occurred in Seattle in 1999, the labor union, which organized the march, and the Direct Action Network, which participated in the largely non-violent and civil disobedient protests, were at odds because both though that the other had broken their promise. Following the protest, many thought that it would be doubtful to have both types of groups working together in the future. For the 2008 Republican National Convention, multiple different protest groups, including both large anti-war groups as well as anarchist groups, signed on to these agreements and kept their promise. As a result, it has strengthened the ties and possibilities of working together on projects such as the protests against the RNC in 2008.
<from
http://wikibin.org/articles/st.-paul-principles.html
>
This article was published on our friend’s website- http://www.richmondspark.wordpress.com
One of the main issues of the Monroe Park Occupation (www.monroeparkoccupation.wordpress.com) was the policy of the Richmond Police Department of destroying homeless camps and all of the belongings of homeless people with no notice. This policy has been an ongoing reality for people who are homeless in Richmond. In recent months, many camps have been destroyed by the Richmond police and by people doing court forced “community service” for the 4th precinct. Anyone interested in working on this issue should get in touch with the Wingnut Anarchist Collective. Destroying homeless camps and homeless people’s belongings is nothing short of class war, inhumane treatment, robbery, property destruction, and in many cases, attempted murder.
Here is the article:
ACLU Files FOIA Request Regarding VDOT Policies on Homeless, Litigation a Possibility
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the VA Department of Transportation (VDOT). The ACLU wants information regarding the policies of handling and destroying the possessions of homeless people who live on the land owned by VDOT.
Last month a company contracted by the Virginia Department of Transportation demolished a homeless encampment near Interstate 81 at Exit 315 near Winchester. At least four homeless men were using the property for months when the contracted company destroyed their camp and belongings.
The men lost tents, sleeping bags, clothes, food, medication, and other camping gear. One of the homeless men lost his wallet which contained his Social Security Card and birth certificate. No advance notice about the removal of their possessions was given. (more…)
