The Wingnut Anarchist Collective will be distributing this zine around Richmond and the Richmond Occupation over the coming days. But you can check this out online here:
http://zinelibrary.info/security-culture
Here is the online version of a text about Security Culture. Its really basic, but a great introduction for people who haven’t gone through a Security Culture workshop before. Lookout for upcoming Security Culture Workshops by the Anarchist Black Cross
What to Expect When You Are Expecting… To Be Arrested
Richmond Legal Process Guideline for Anarchists and Others
This is an outline for some important things to keep in mind when embarking on any enterprise which may lead to police detainment or arrest.
This guideline is specifically aimed at folks who might be at risk for arrest due to the political nature of their activities – from protests to civil disobedience to other forms of direct action.
Even when it is no one’s intention to be arrested, the police state will do what it do.
Preparing ahead of time, mentally and logistically can make both those incarcerated and their support network a lot less stressed out.
This guideline is a work in progress and we encourage any suggestions or additions – let us know at wingnut_collective@yahoo.com
This text is available online at: http://www.wingnutrva.org
The Wingnut Anarchist Collective house on the Northside of Richmond. The Wingnut is a sober space- no booze, no drugs, no macho bullshit. The Wingnut has resources such as free zines and literature, tools, and comfy couches to offer the community. We are down with hosting meetings or events for other groups. We will likely host workshops in the future on using certain tools. If there are workshops you want to do but you need a location feel free to contact us. You can bring donations for the Really Really Free Market or Food Not Bombs by anytime. We are also willing to host acoustic shows and events like benefit dinners if they are sober. Just talk to us! Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7 is Craft Night, bring projects you are working on, projects you want to be working on, random supplies, sewing projects, collaborative art ideas etc. Every Sunday is Food Not Bombs- come by around 1 to help decide on a meal, wash and cut produce, cook food, wash dishes, and then take it to Monroe Park to share with the community!
Before the event/action/whateverweliveinapolicestateforgoodnessake
Know Your Rights Training (Richmond Copwatch offers this training for free!)
Security Culture Training (Wingnut Anarchist Collective offers this training for free!)
Group discussion with participants if possible- to discuss goals of event, response to police, etc. ie. if its civil disobedience then maybe a goal is for people to be arrested. But if you are not trying to get arrested what is the plan? Where should people meet up? etc.
Action briefings combined with a kind of pep rally can be really important. Get everyone together to talk about their experiences getting arrested and going through the legal system. This is especially helpful for people who have never been arrested before who are really pumped and scared at the same time. (more…)
The Wingnut Anarchist Collective will be hosting a workshop on Security Culture on Saturday October 16th at 1pm at the Richmond Zine Fest. This workshop will be an opportunity for people new to activism/organizing/security culture to get introduced to the topic, as well as a chance for folks who already know about security culture to brush up on their practice and understanding of it.
The Richmond ZIne Fest will be at the Gay Community Center of RIchmond, which is attached to Diversity Thrift on SHerwood Avenue. More information can be found at http://www.richmondzinefest.org
Feel free to bring your questions and comments- but please let the facilitators establish guidelines first. (more…)
The Wingnut Anarchist Collective will be hosting a workshop on Security Culture on Tuesday September 14th at 7pm. This workshop will be an opportunity for people new to activism/organizing/security culture to get introduced to the topic, as well as a chance for folks who already know about security culture to brush up on their practice and understanding of it.
Feel free to bring your questions and comments- but please let the facilitators establish guidelines first.
Security Culture is not something only for people who break the law. In fact, given the current oppressive practices, security culture is extremely relevant to activists of all tactics and strategies.
As more and more people practice security culture, it will become more of a culture and less of a protocol. It is important with a growing activist scene for people to understand the importance of security culture and how our words and behavior can have drastic affects on ourselves and our friends. Security culture is about minimizing risk.
You may have seen on blog posts from the Wingnut or things posted in the space that there are activities and discussions that are not allowed in the space- this workshop is part of a move away from just rules and warnings, into understanding and customs.
If you can not make the workshop or simply want to brush up on your security culture, we recommend this link for a relatively comprehensive discussion.
On Wednesday, August 4th, the Conspiracy Tour made a stop in Washington DC. They aren’t stopping in Richmond, so the only opportunities for folks from around here to see them without traveling TOO Far were last night in DC, or tomorrow night in Carrboro. I’d say it’s worth the drive, especially if you’re involved in any way with anarchist/anti-authoritarian projects and are unfamiliar with the scope of state repression that has been coming down on our heads in the last ten years or so.
The presentation began with a brief puppet skit about what conspiracy charges actually are. Basically, someone can be charged with conspiracy to commit a crime if there is planning to commit a crime, and any action is taken in furtherance of that plan, EVEN if the crime is NEVER COMMITTED. Normally for a conspiracy to exist, more than one person has to be involved, although there are some cases (such as Scott DeMuth’s) where the state will simply INVENT co-conspirators as “unknown persons” in order to charge an individual with conspiracy.
After the initial puppet skit, there was a brief history of state repression in America, discussing such topics as the FBI’s COINTELPRO program and the recent “Operation Backfire” and including information about how these programs gather their information.
(more…)
