by political prisoners
*Dedication*

This zine is dedicated fo all the brave warriors who have died strug-
gling for freedom and fo all of our imprisoned friends and cormrades
who have lost what lifle freedom they had struggiing for land and
liberty. You are not forgotten, with each act of resistance your
memory lives on in our hears.

The winds of change are blowing again and they are pushing against
our backs. The winds are pushing us forward and howling “fight
back.”

Up The Rebels
Jefirey Free Luers

Contents

Introduction to Heartcheck

Opening Remarks
Jefirey Free Luers

Time's Up
Jeffrey Free Luers

Learning from SHAC
Jeffrey Free Luers

The Kabylia Uprising
Rob los Ricos

Building a Foundation for Change
Jeffrey Free Luers

International Days of Solldarity.
Anti-Genetix Campaigns

“2 The Earth Liberation Front

Rob los Ricos

Untitled Piece
Jesse M.
(Forward by Jeffrey Free Luers)

Real Struggle Means Refusal
Jeffrey Free Luers

Training and Fitness
Jeffrey Free Luers

Fighting to Win
Jeffrey Free Luers

Closing
Jeffrey Free Luers

Bios and Contact Information

4 % neartcheck

Pg.5

Pg.6

Pg.7

Pg.9

pg.11

pg.15

pg.21

Pg.25

Pg.26

Pg.29

Pg.30

pg.34

Pg.35
Heartcheck

A person can become completely desensitized in the culture that prison cultivates.
Daily events within these walls that would shock and possibly traumatize people in
the outside world might inspire howls of laughter in here. It is not uncommon for a
bloody fight or stabbing to crupt during chow. The spectacle is only temporary —as
‘guards rush in, the de-con crew cleans up the blood and the meal continues virtually
uninterrupted.

“This culture has developed slang unique to prison in some ways as a means to cope.
After all it’s easier to laugh than to cry. As a result, prison slang can be both quite
‘humorous and vile at the same time.

‘The phase “heartcheck” is used to call someone out when you grow weary of listening
to him run his neck or talk out of his ass. For example, if a person is wronged by
another and he talks endlessly about getting him back, but does nothing other than
talk and whine — “Heartcheck!” Do it or shut the fuck up.

We chose to title this zine Hearicheck because for many years, various militant cle-
ments have been making empty threats and promises. As two individuals doing time
for actions others only talk about, we are calling them out.

Rhetoric s boring and lacks conviction. In an attempt to appear tough and intimidat-
ing with talk of revolution, abolishing capitalism, smashing fascism and ending op-
pression world wide, self-professed militants limit themselves to passive/aggressive
roles.

How casy it is for middle-class Americans to talk big when it is not their necks on the
line (yet). While activists whine about oppression and boast about fighting back,
people in Palestine, Congo, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Papua/New Guinea- all over
the world- are dying because they have no choice but o fight or submit to the pover
of imperialist nations, and corporate and financial institutions.

You cither mean what you say you are about or you are attempting to carry less guilt
by speaking out and pointing fingers while failing to act.

Each and every one of us, as residents of an industrialized, wealthy, militarily power-
ful country- be it the USA. the UK or any of the other G-8 couniries- have a responsi-
bility o those who are dying in order to sustain the comfort and privilege we enjoy as
first world consumers

With millions of people dying. the environment being poisoned and destroyed by
‘consumerism, there really are only three kinds of people: the victims, the problem,
and the solution,

“This zine is dedicated to the latter. The time for rhetoric is over. The time for action
has arrived. We hope that the writings contained within will begin a much-needed
discussion on real solutions and altematives sorely lacking in radical circles. We hope
these words will only be the beginning of something much larger.

Jeffrey "Free” Luers
Rob “los Ricos" Thaxton
Summer 2004

peartonock K 5
Opening Remarks

You'll not

e that throughout most of my writings in this zine I use the words “we”.
“our” and “us." While I am not attempting to speak for anyone but myself, I felt it
necessary to be inclusive in my examples and hopes.

My reason for this is because despite the many different sectarian politics behind
resistance in this country, most of us share common enemies; many of us share com-
mon goals. 1 think there is more that unites us than separates us, especially if we can
agree that what might be right for me might not be for you and vice versa.

Regardless of how any one of you may choose to live or what type of resistance you
may support, I consider all people in this strugle to be my comrades and allies. Just
as [ would give aid and comfort to an armed insurgent, I would equally tow the line
and stand with any union locked out o march with women fighting for reproductive
righs.

1do not sce the dividing lines between the various struggles. 1 only see people fight-
ing for something better. My use of the word “we” reflects my belief that none of us
are in this alone. None of us can win by ourselves. We can only do it together.

Jeff Luers

5 & heartcrock
Time's Up

by Jeff Luers

In five minutes a man s gonna walk through your door and kill you and your family.
You do not have time to escape. You can fight back or you can dic. You have the
advantage. You know he is coming, you know what door. You can win this fight

Nothis is not the segue into a debate about non-violence. If you are still stuck in that
debate you are not only reading the wrong zine, you are wasting valuable time.

Because in five years you wil be facing a life threatening situation if you do not act

Global warming and specics extinction is a cyele that takes decades to stop. Even if
all industry shuts down tomorrow it would be fwo or more decades before the planet
even started cooling down and extinction begins to abate. Which means even in that
absolute best-case scenario hundreds of thousands of specics would still go extinct
and we'd sill have to deal with climate change.

But, if you are one of the millions that don't think things are really that bad, here is
dose of reality for you. In January 2004, National Geographic reported that by 2050
more than one million plants and animals could be on the path to extinction (1). That
doesn’t even take insects into consideration which in and of themselves form the life
support for many ccosystems.

‘The day after the National Geographic artcle, the UK Guardian ran an article adding
to the report: In the Brazilian Savannah, which covers one fifth of the country, scien-
tists concluded that 39-48 percent of the plant species will disappear. That's more
than 1,700 species on the low end. In Europe one-fourth of all birds will go extinct
‘and 11-17 percent of plants (2). The findings go on in Mexico, Australia, and South
Aftica.

‘These findings are not new. In 2002, Nigel L.A. Pitmen of Duke University and Peter
M. Jorgensen of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis reported in a study; that
‘nearly half of the world’s plants were in danger of extinction (3).

‘The world i on the verge of its sixth mass extinction event. Whatis most troubling is
that it is a human caused crisis. In July 2002, The Oregonian reported that Alaskan
laciers are melting at a rate of 24 cubic miles ofice a year. A rate twice as fast as only
40 years ago (4).

Later that year The Oregonian reported that CO2 levels had “increased 31 percent in
the last 250 years reaching a concentration unseen... in at least 420,000 years and

perhaps as far back as 20 million years.” (5).

In December of 2003 the same paper as well as USA Today reported that 2003 was the

heartcheck K 7
3% hottest year in nearly 150 years. The global average surface temperature increased
by 081 F (6). A huge increase when you consider the global average includes Polar
Regions. “Human activities are increasingly altering the Earth’s climate” according
to the American Geophysical Union (7). The change in climate is causing more ex-
treme weather pattens which of themselves ar creating new problems.

Tcould go on, but you get the point. Or do you? We are not running out of time, we are
outof time! We have 1o act now just so it doesn’t get any worse.

Smash i, break t, block it, lock down to it don’t care what you do or how you do it
Just stop it. Get out there ard stop it

804 Global worming fo kil off 1 millon species by 2050
1-2002 “Stucy: Half of werid's plans n peri

< glaciers are mefing of rapid rafe.

. 10:23.02 “Giobal warming expert warns of bigger changes fo come.

‘. 12:17.03 “Weather agency says 200315 iird hotest year.

7].UsA Today 12-17-03 *Scienfsts say man alfers cimate.

8 % hoartcheck
Learning from SHAC

by Jeff Luers

1t 2005 and the hope of 1999 scems so far away. A movement that once shocked
Amerikkka and rattled the system hard enough to force a response has become stag-
‘nant and almost predictable. With cach passing year it loses more momentum.

‘The problem is repetition of the same cyele over and over again. It takes decades to
build a movement that can take to the streets with such mass and cnergy that it shakes
asociety to it very foundation. The revolutionary energy in this country climaxed in
one orgasmic explosion in Seattle '99. For one sparkling moment, it looked as if the
movement was going to ride the tide all the way to the crashed gates of the White
House.

But people sct their own boundaries and refused to take the next step - piling on the
pressure, with massive action as back up. Instead they discussed, debated and ulti-
mately condemned one another, as old sectarian lines were re-drawn. Separated by
ideology, the various factions fel back to the same old routines. Having failed to
make the assault on the New World Order into a revolution, we failed to give our-
selves a chance to win.

We must change our tacties and re-direct our cnergy. Our planet is being looted and
the loot divided between the world's richest countries. Our water, air and land are
being poisoned, which has poisoned our bodies with cancer. People are being killed
by the state’s war machine and the corporations hiding behind the might of the state.
We are attacked in the streets and raped in their prisons by a police force immune to
their courts. We are fodder for their death machine.

Damnit! 1 take that personally and it’s time we made it personal. It's time we take the

fight to them. This is no promise of revolution. This is a declaration.

‘The Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruclty (SHAC) campaign has provided an amazing
example of our potential to bring a huge corporation to its knees. The campaign has
internationally targeted the largest to the smallest components of Huntingdon Life
Sciences (HLS). From the banks and stockbrokers that do business with HLS to the
companies that supply janitorial services and catering. By taking the fight to the
homes of directors and exceutives, using grassrools organizing to email and phone
blockage businesses, and also with the support of underground groups such as the
ALF, the SHAC campaign has brought one of the world's largest animal torturing
‘companies to the brink of bankruptcy. HLS went from being a $30-a-share company
to just $2-a-share in four years

‘Alarge component of this effectiveness has been SHAC’s focus and determination on
one goal -~ targeting and shuting down HLS. By attacking every foundation and
support structure, SHAC has taken away the company’s ability to seck aid or invest-
ment. Stephens Ine. discovered this in October 2001 when they invested in HLS.

heartcheck K ¢
Stephens bought, along with their shares, the wrath of an intemational campaign.
Four months later, Stephens dropped its investment

By effectively using aboveground, grassroots organizing, and with the support of the
underground, SHAC has shown how a movement can gain momentum and take that
next step.

Revolutionary movements cannot fall into the trap of “party and protest.” Summit
hopping will not create change. Itallows the Powers That B to s the stage. Alrcady
the G8 have started to pick meeting places in arcas inaccessible to protesters. Leaving
demonstrators at the closest city, with little hope of disrupting the meeting. By ac-
knowledging the limitations of using any one strategy, movements can go beyond
their current limitations and expand their figh.

By focusing on a specific corporation rather than a generalized group, any movement
can be 100 times more effective. Take the anti-war movement for example. Cruise
missiles have to be built somewhere, don’t they?

Lockheed Martin, Bechtel, Halliburton and its subsidiary Kelloge, Brown and Root
all have defense contracts with the US military, cither to supply weaponry or material
support. Itis the bombs they build and the support they supply that is responsible for
the deaths of innocent children, women and men.

‘With a little research and help from their own websites, addresses and phone numbers
an be obiained. Research and development locations can be brought to a standstill

Anwell organized, grass-roots campaign can bring a giant military contractor down. It
is within the power of the people and gives real meaning to the phrase “they have the
guns, but we've got the numbers.”

By using the SHAC model, people can begin to address the root cause of problems
and not just symptoms.

‘Those responsible must be held accountable.

It is a beautiful thing to sce the financial district of a major city smashed to pieces.
‘The release of pent-up frustration and unfettered rage against the symbols of misery
will continue to play a major role in revolutionary change. However, ifa revolution is
t0 succeed, it cannot stop there, it must attack the very infrastructure of the institutions
of oppression, from every angle, large to small. Only then will the cracks in the foun-
dation break the supports that hold up the system.

For more information visi
www.shacamerica.net
www.dictatorwatch.org

10 % heartcheck
The Kabylia Uprising

by Rob los Ricos

Why isn't revolution being fought in the USA? If ever there was a right moment for
massive uprisings against the federal government, this is it. How much more odious
do the fascists in power have to get? A coup detat by a ruling class family? The
plundering of our country by the wealthy, which has reduced it to another banana
republic? Horw about wars being fought purely for the purpose of propaganda? Or
for no reason whatsoever? What was the invasion of Haiti about? What about the
concentration camps in Guantanamo Bay? And Iraq? And Afghanistan? How about
the hundreds of people being kept in secret detention aboard US Navy ships?

Its not surprising that most Americans are too lazy and apathetic to ight for their own
freedom. However; considering there are a growing number of anarchists in this
country wha describe themselves as “insurrectionaries”, one would think there would
be at least a hint of insurretion here,

In Europe, anarchists -whether they deseribe themselves as “insurrectionary” or not-
show more signs of life. Anarchists in ltaly continue to be actively militant, despite
police crackdowns against them. Our Italian compancra/os are aceused of riofing,
‘and robbing banks in order to finance their activities. In Greece, cities are sometimes
shut down by anarchist street actions, which have included sieges of police stations.
Not to mention bombings, used to punctuate protests. Meanwhile, Spanish anarchists
conduct bombing campaigns in solidarity with prisoners protesting against ner, siricter
prisoners there, modeled afier US facilities

Here in the heart of Leviathan, insurrectionary anarchists concern themselves almost
exclusively with zine production. They also hang out with one another and drink
beer. Insurrectionary? Not in the least. Cowardly? Absolutely.

‘There are a million excuses for cowardice. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

“This is not the proper historical moment.” As noted earler, this cannot be consid-
ered anything but a complete disconnection from reality, or an outright lic.

“We don't have popular support.” Neither Castro nor the Sandinistas had popular
support when they began their revolutions, and they won. A sizable minority of Ameri-
cans supporls the Bush Junta. People like that want dissidents in prison, or dead.
‘These people will never be on our side.

“Violence is bad! And it doesn’t work.” s odd that anyone gives such idiotic no-
tions even a seconds worth of thought, Especially in a country which occupies land
once entirely inhabited by Native Peoples, all of whom (100%) lost their homelands
due to racist violence by European invaders. Violence is certainly helping the Isracli
‘government carry out a campaign of cthnic cleansing against Palestinians. The lic
that violence s not effective s hysterically screamed by cowards to distract attention
from their cowardice. Why is violence inherently bad? Because it's bad, that's why!

heartcheck K 11
‘The Bush Junta’s invasion of Haiti, to dispose of that country’s only elected govern-
‘ment, proves beyond any doubt the lengths they will go in order to prevent common
people from having any choice in how their lives are managed. Thousands of Hai-
tians are being massacred, to the utter indifference of the world, and with US military
support for the murderers

‘The horrendous conditions people are living under in Afghanistan, Irag, Haiti and
occupied Palestine will continue as long as US troops, amns and money are utilized to
‘maintain their suffering.

Meanwhile, radicals, dissidents and “insurrectionary” zinesters in the US will ignore,
downplay or even condemn people fighting for their lives against American and inter-
national financial interests, as well as US and Isracli military oceupation. To stand up
for these people’s resistance movements would potentially jeopardize insurrectionary
zinesters lifestyles. By standing aside and watching, zinesters abdicate having any-
thing to say on the matter. However, if they were to build solidarity with these op-
pressed people, they might find receptive, cager allies in the struggle against the New
World Order. If Christian missionaries can find converts there, anything is possible

Sadly, insurrectionary anarchists here in the US have nothing in common with deter-
‘mined, heroic people willing to fight and give up their lives for their people. To the
insurrectionary zinesters, lfe is to be lived groveling in the dirt, hoping the powerful
will take no notice of them. To stand and fight back against those who have them
enslaved would be suicide, as far as they are concerned. By surrendering without
even attempting to break free of their chains, insurrectionary anarchists proudly dis-
play their cowardice, which they consider practical wisdom.

At the same time, they look to people in desperate situations abroad — mostly in the
global south- to fight against the New World Order. Some US anarchists stll preach
the Communist Party of the USA's (CPUSA) party line that resistance to capitalism
‘must come from the underdeveloped world, in order to deprive the developed world —
mostly in the global north- of resources needed by their war machines.

Nicaragua overthrew a US-backed dictatorship and Vietnam defeated the US war
‘machine, yet both countries are currently being sold out o corporale interests in the
G-8 nations, so it’s glaringly obvious that the “erosion from the outside” model doesn’t
work. To further illustrate the point,in Irag, Afghanistan and the Democratic Repub-
lic of Congo, invading armies simply invade and take what they want -always simply
in service to the north’s economic interests

There's an alarming lack ofattention here in the US in regards to an insurrection that’s
been on-going since April 2001, in the Kabylia region of Algeria. Very likely, US
insurrectionary anarchists are hoping the rebellion will be crushed soon, so they can
start mourning the brave people in that north Affican nation. The longer this drags on,
the more it points out how cowardly the zinesters are.

‘The conditions which inspired the revolt are familiar to many of us in the US: the

12 % heartchock
contempt (“1a hogsa”) the ruling powers have for those they rule; Arogant abuses of
power and rampant corruption — themes familiar to the Bush Junta. In Kabylia, the
social tension reached a breaking point when yet another unarmed teen was shot dead
by the state police (the “Gendarmeric”). There was already a large protest movement
against the lethal brutality of the Gendarmeric growing across Algeria. After April
°01. though, the protests were accompanied by widespread rioting.

Rather than cower, hide and write, the people of Kabylia held demonstrations in sup-
port of the rioters. Aftera while, the entire region was literally ungovernable. As far
as T know, it's ungovernable still (8/04), as the people in the region have abolished
‘government and centralized power of any sort, and refuse to allow the state to re-
establish their offices. Instead the people are managing their own affairs through
popular assemblies —called Aarchs, afier an ancient system of village assemblies once
common in the area.

‘They must be doing something right — they're still functioning in this stateless man-
ner, years later.

‘Although this isn’t an anarchist revolution in theory (i’s not based on anarchist tradi-
tions) tisanarchic inpractice. Likely this isthe reason US insurtectionary anarchists
are all but silent on the uprising: it proves that both anarchy and insurrection work!
This is dangerous o the zinesters, as it might tend o show what a complete waste of
time they ar, thir heads full of theory, but their ives devoid of actions o give their
idcas any meaning. The insurrectionaries in Algeria are more anarchist than US anar-
chists, in practie.

At some point, the mighty forces of the New World Order may decide to put an end to
the Kabylia uprising. Efforts to divide-and-conquer have proven futile so far, as no
‘group has been allowed to step into power in the place of the former state apparatus.
Not jihads, not unions, not alternative political parties. The people, through the Aarchs
have the power. Fortunately, the Bush Junta’s bungling of the wars against Irag and
“Terrorism” are preventing the N.W.0 from focusing on Algeria’s internal troubles.
Only time will tell if the Aarchs are capable of creating a new saciety, and if their
desire for a stateless existence will withstand military intervention. The Algerian
‘government may fear an attempt at putting the uprising down, as this could cause the
rebellion to spread to the remnans of the nation.

‘The surest way to prevent foreign intervention in Kabylia would be for us in the US
and EU to emulate the actions of the people there. That would mean sustained social
pressure through mass demonstrations, rits against police suppression of such gath-
erings and other misdeeds of those in power, accompanied by attacks on all manifes-
tations of centralized power. This, as the Kabylia insurgents have shown, is what
works,

Here in the US, almost all voices of leftits, progressives and anarchists spout the
ancient CPUSA mantra of gradual change, education and outreach to “the masses”,
thereby creating the new society in the shell of the old one. Despite the fact that this

heartchock K 13
has never succceded in practice, and that n theory this would only result in remod.
eling of the old society. What is clear from the insistent adherence to such arcane,
ancient, ineffective, cowardly theory as the only way to advance revolution in the
north, i that insurrectionaries/ revolutionaries! progressives here are more interested
in maintaining the lifestyle to which they are acclimated than
new society — one that values life, the biosphere that makes life possible, and finding
our places within its bio-systems. Such revolutionary changes would entail suffering
and struggle. and not all of us would survive to see the victory won. Such a victory
would also result in a dramatic lowering of material case and luxury enjoyed by the
richest 10% of the global population — which includes almost all consumers in the
north. The real reason there is no revolution here? Because the life of comfort and
relative case in the north is more important to almost everyone here than are the lives
of dark-skinned forcigners.

re in creati

A final thought: right now, US concentration camps are reserved for people of Arabic
descent,or the Islamic religion. When the Bush Junta (or its successor) starts round
ing up anarchists, lefists and progressives and ya'll don’t resist with all the fercity
you're capable of expressing. . well, you'll deserve whatever you get.

revolution

14 % heartcheck
Building a Foundation for Change
by Jeff Luers

‘There are so many people preaching revolution it makes my head spin. Battles in the
street, ires in the night and all the glories of warfare: Death, hunger and rape. Bloody
revolutions, communities torn apar, i this what you are preaching? Is this part of
your dream?

Itis casy for those who have no intention of fighting a war to call on others to fight
one. Those who preach outright revolution have no concept of what it means to fight
‘a winnable war. Now, have they made any attempt to build the necessary foundation
of populist support? The idea of calling on an unprepared movement to pick up guns
and go to war is asinine. Do the authors of such insanity even know how to use a gun,
et alone own one?

Groups like the ELF are just starting to come into the level of support they descrve
‘and need. Still, Earth Liberation prisoners struggle to maintain a foundation of sup-
porters who will agitate for their freedom. These people only committed properly
destruction yet they are quickly condemned by many activists and non-activists alike.

‘There is no way, at this point in time, an armed resistance could receive the public
support it would need to survive, not to mention win.

s strategically impossible for a guerilla army to win without the support of at least
some of the people. Only a community of sympathizers can support, supply and
encourage a guerilla unit. That foundation of support does not exist in this country at
present and there has been no true attempt to cultivate i,

Of course, this is not an argument for pacifism. 1 fully support armed resistance,
unapologetically, when it is a necessary part of ending oppression. 1t s a sad truth that
violence will play a major role in any radical change in the country. This lesson has
been taught repeatedly throughout history.

‘The U.S. is the wealthiest nation in the world. If you think for one second that the clite
and powerful in this country will hesitate to use lethal force, o protect and defend the
capitalist wet dream from homegrown dissidents, you are sadly mistaken.

Anyone who has enlisted in military service can tell you. They took an oath to defend
this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. While they may have no inten-
tion of raising arms against their fellow citizens, their superiors obviously expect
different. Regrettably, numerous times from 1900 - present the national guard and/or
army have been called upon to protect the interests of the government and capitalism,
from private citizens. Unfortunately,in several incidents unarmed citizens were killed
by military troops.

‘The dark truth of social change is that at one point or another there will be violence

heartcheck K 15
whether it is by choice or by force. In this couniry it is an inevitable fact. There is
only one force in this nation that hasthe ability o stand up o the sate. That s unified
communitis (groups of people living in the same area, sharing common beliefs or
‘zouls) banding together and directly challenging the authoriy of the capialist stat.

Building community is the first phase of building an effective revolutionary move-
ment. (It also takes a really long time and as Rob points out it is time we may not
have.) It involves a massive amount of outreach and organization. Including; com-
munity service projects, food banks, and public forums to facilitate dialog, the cre-
ation, and implementation of social alternatives to those currently in place.

‘The building of community also requires an open mind. Many people of differing
opinions, cultures and beliefs will need to come together if we ar to succeed. Work
abolitionists will have to work with unionists, syndicalists with greens and so on.
Because any real change will have to respect the rights of others to think, belicve and
live differently. That is autonomy and self-determination in action.

Community organizing tends to be our weakestlink. I'm not sure why that is because
it should be our strongest. If we truly believe that power needs to be taken from
‘government and corporations and put back into the hands of communities, T would
think that our strength would li in the communities in which we live

Unfortunately, our numbers remain small, which is all the more reason we should be
reaching out. We need to get beyond our own dogma and make conncctions with
labor and working class people; we need to reach out to the poor and disenfranchised
and incorporate them both into one struggle. Historically, the government has played
these two groups against each other, using poor workers as scabs to break strikes or as
2 means to drive down labor costs, fostering contempt and racism. This artificial
separation of potential allics and the use of the middle class as a buffer zone gives rise
1o the power of the rich capitalist clite

A perfect example of our failure as a radical movement can be found in the longest
running grocery strike in U.S. history. Nearly 900 supermarkets in California were
affected by the strike and subscquent lockout that started in Oct. 2003 and lasted 4%
‘months. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union were striking
over cuts in pay and benefits. For months they held a picket line, afier they were
locked out Seabs from Oregon, victims of Oregon’s recession, were brought down to
work as the giant corporate mega stores tried to break the union.

Radicals should have bolstered their numbers. We should have helped hold the linc
‘There should have been solidarity actions, boycotts. At the very least we could have
done benefits to help them feed their familics and selves while they were striking,
‘These people are just like us, struggling to get by, feed their families, keep a roof over
their heads. We should have reached out to them. We should have supported them in
their struggles for better wages and health benefits. Which in reality s a struggle for
a better quality of life ~sound familiar?

16 % heartcheck
1 think that despite all our differences, there is one thing we can all agree on. No one
wants big money men or big business to run the world and dictate our fture. No one
wanis to be ruled by an oppressive and corrupt government.

Perhaps you've heard of Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney, two Earth First! activists, that
helped organize the Redwood Summer in 1990. Judi, with her charisma and under-
standing of loggers” need to care for their families, was successfully able to reach out
to the timber workers. A coalition between labor and environmentalists was formed
and together this coalition challenged the logging practices of convicted corporate
swindler Charles Hurwitz and his Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Company.

In May of 1990, an attempted assassination was carried out on Judi and Darryl when
their car was bombed. The FBI just so happened to be on the scene and prompily
arrested a very seriously injured Judi and Darryl charging them with the bombing.
‘Though the charges did not stick, the FBI continued with a smear campaign to label
Judi, Darryl and Earth First! as terrorists. (In 2003 Darryl Cherney and family mem-
bers of the late Judi Bari won a $4.4 million lawsuit against the FBI)

During the rebellion in Scattle on November 30, 1999 labor and radicals again united.
‘This time in the streets under the onslaught of police brutality. Together black clad
‘anarchists and trade unionists battled the police, enduring tear gas, batons and rubber
bullets.

New allies had been made and in the months following the WTO, Tacoma, WA ship
builders went out on strike. They requested the help of the radicals from Eugene and
Portland, OR. Activists with climbing experience offered to reclaim a crane and hang
a banner in support of the striking workers.

‘This new coalition of radicals and labor proved too dangerous to be left unchecked.
‘The police responded in huge numbers claiming that a bomb threat had been called in
by a “Eugene anarchist group.” Some officials in the union used this as an excuse o
end the stil fragile coalition. Once again the police were able to exploit differences
and throw in the terrorist label. The old lines between labor and radicals were re-
drawn and both were left to their own devices to fight a system that exploits then.

‘The authorities have reacted with amazing speed and force against any unification
between labor and radicals. Why? Because the unification of labor and radicals is a
historic combination in this country. It has almost always led to insurgency. Insur-
‘gency can lead to class war, class war can lead to regime change and fallen govern-
mens can give rise to autonomy. There is nothing more frightening to the powers that
be than a united front of dissidents. The government struggles every day to keep
‘groups divided: Black against White, middle class against poor, liberal against radi-
cal and the list goes on. It is only in this way capitalist rule can be maintained.

By finding our common ground we can come together in our community. When we
have united with the many that share common desires and goals we can begin to build
a foundation for change. It is from this foundation that a support network for those

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who engage in acts of revalt will grow.

It takes a community to support those who fight and punish rampaging and murderous
cops. A community can hide and protect midnight saboteurs. A community united
has the power to stand against the might of the state.

These are the lessons we need to be teaching. These are the coalitions we should be
building. Change will not happen overnight. It starts when we know our neighbors
and we can nurture our mutual dreams. No man willjoin a struggle that does not help
him feed his children. No woman will fight alongside men who do not challenge
patriarchy. No person of color will support a movement that does not challenge rac-
ism institutionalized o otherwise, nor should they. I wouldn't

If you truly believe in the necessity of revolution this is where it has to start. No
revolution that is for the people can win without the support of the people. That
support does exist; we only need to plant the seeds, nurture and water them for it to
ro.

‘So many activists in this country are secking instant gratification, believing that one
big protest is the answer to all our prayers. Yet, these are just one of many battle-
‘grounds. These are also the fights we are most il prepared o win.

From a strictly military viewpoint: We warn the enemy of our plan to attack. We
allow them to prepare massive defenses. Then we descend in mass with targets al-
ready painted on our heads. In the end if the meeting still happens, if the police
capture or hospitalize more of us than we do of them, it cannot be claimed as anything
other than a loss.

‘That being the definition of losing, it can hardly be said that we are winning.

Revolution is a grassroots, ground up operation. It starts with winning the hearts and
‘minds of the people living in our community. This is accomplished through educa-
tion, outreach, food programs, providing assistance whether it is guerilla cross walk
painting or helping someone fix their leaky roof. It builds into an ability to protect
‘and defend our own from drug dealers, gangs and police. Then it escalates into sabo-
tage and action on a continuous local level, shutting down the local inffastructure and
ultimately replacing it. It can be surprisingly simple and effective.

In the 1980's the United States was concerned about the spread of communism to
Nicaragua. In an effort to promote native resistance to the Sandinista Government the
CIA published and distributed the “Freedom Fighters Manual” throughout Nicaragua,

‘The Manual’s goal was to be able to include any person in the resistance. Some of the
tacties the manual detailed were: calling in sick to work, anti-government graffit
putting sponges into toilets and water drains, leaving nails in roads and highways and
dropping tools into the sewers.

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‘The manual did not highlight large-scale protest as an effective means of resistance.
Instead the CIA focused on low risk activity that everyone could do. The goal was to
set in motion an unstoppable community resistance, and not just rely on a vanguard of
insurgents.

That was the CIAs advice; on the other end of the spectrum, we have rebels and
insurgents themselves. Both the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Zapatista Army
of National Liberation (EZLN) have used inflrators and informants (o get into the
ranks of the police and army. They used the knowledge gained or the people inside to
create and exploit weaknesses from within, whether it was liberating imprisoned com-
rades, stcaling weapons from armories or stting up assassinatons

Much can be learned by studying historical precedent. If victory is to be ours we must
choose when, where and how we will engage the state. That is our advantage; we
must use it to our fullest ability.

Social change requires incredible amounts of dedication and discipline. 1t will not be
brought about by anything other than hard work - work we have yet to put in.

Here we are S years after the defeat of the WTO at Seattle and we have stll failed to
outline a strategy of resistance or to put forward even a vague idea of a new social
structure. Some have expressed their ideals and dreams. But, where is the foundation
for us to build upon?

‘The lack of organization and outreach that goes beyond preaching to the choir is
appalling. The fear of leadership has become an excuse for inaction. Do we honestly
believe ourselves so inept and incompetent that we can ot develop organizations that
work together with responsible leadership? I may be an anarchist, but I would will-
ingly follow and listen to one who has earned my respect, demonstrated knowledge in
the subject and can lead by example. Do we not possess those qualities?

Of course, I'm no suggesting we put someone in charge. Indeed many people should
step forward to guide in that which they excel. Be itnetworking, farming, feeding lots
of people or direet action. The point is we need to share skills, have above ground
organization, underground coordination and work together to move us forward.

We need to put forth a functional model for social change. Whether it is on a local
level or a larger model for people to look at. Regardless of how we choose to do it
we've got a long way to go and a short amount of time in which to do it. Ideals and
dreams are pointless with out a means to implement ther.

We challenge the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. We travel thou-
sands of miles to fight the World Trade Organizations, International Monetary Fund,
World Bank and GS. We agitate for a world free of capitalism, oppression and hate.
Yet, in our own communities unarmed people are killed by cops, women can not live
without fear, big money and the people who own it are still making all the decisions
and they still have a paramilitary police force protecting them and their interests.

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So why do so many still travel from one protest to another looking to pick a fight.
when the battles that need fighting the most are in our front yards? IF you want real
change it starts in your neighborhood against your local robber barons and gangs in
blue. If we can't take back our streets how can we take back the nation? Street by
Street, community by community is our only hope.

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International Days of Solidarit:
Anti-Genetix Campaigns and
the Earth Liberation Front.

by Rob los Ricos

‘Throughout the last decade, opposition to the global market economy spread around
the world, and for the first time since WWI, peaple the world over acted in solidarity
with one another.

‘This movement seems to have run its course. That wouldn't be a bad thing if, in its
place, there was a strong, still-growing opposition movement which had evolved and
leftbehind symbolic street demonstrations in favor of more focused, more direct types
of actions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sem as if the millions of people who have par-
ticipated in International Days of Solidarity (IDS) understand cither how to move
beyond symbolic protest, or even what it is about IDS that makes them importan.

‘The global scope of some of these actions has been nothing less than spectacular. At
times, the headquarters of various institutions of status, wealth and power were tar-
geted and their operations disrupted for the day. This would happen in dozens of
countries: stock exchanges, international banks, offices of the WTO, even entire cit-
s were overrun with people out to celebrate life and demonstrate their displeasure
with the policies of the New World Order.

‘The IDS movement began in the global south in the 90's, but achieved litle notice and
had lttle effect until the global north joined in the festivities. Despite the spectacular
success of the 6/18/99 DS against the G-8 summit, the IDS movement was given
only passing notice unil the people of the USA finally became involved during the
WTO conference in Seattle, later that same year. With live TV coverage of the so-
called Battle of Seattle broadeast across the country and around the world, the IDS
movement achieved an undeniable presence, which even the most uninformed con-
sumers were forced to notice.

“This media coverage may well have added to the IDS movement's apparent demi
Not changing tactics and trying to recreate instead the symbolic victory achieved in
the streets of Seattle also may have contributed to burn-out among activists.

Too much emphasis has been placed on specific, transitory targets (ie: conferences),
while the dozens of solidarity actions around the world have been given litle attention
outside their immediate vicinity. Sadly, this is as true of the “alternative” and non-
commercial media as it is for the corporate media. No one wants to discuss how
widespread the opposition has become. We can expect the corporate media to downplay
its opposition, but the self-imposed muffling of dissident voices is confusing as well
as unforgivable

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‘The worldwide solidarity actions are what make IDS so important and exciting, and
presents opportunities to move the struggle forward. Perhaps the global proportion of
the opposition has also contributed to its apparent demise. 1t is so widespread that no
‘group or ideology can claim to represent it. Thus, there s no “official” focal point or
public forum to collect and disseminate such information.

By downplaying the localized solidarity actions, the IDS movement shortchanged its
potential for growth or more expansive tactics and has placed unnecessary emphasis
on disrupting the targeted conference. Strategically, these are purely symbolic actions
1o begin with. Targeted organizations -the IMF/WB, WTO, etc.- have offices world-
wide which implement their long-term programs everyday. In order to have a real
effect on the global market economic policies of the New World Order, IDS partici-
pants should emphasize continued disruption of the localized, everyday activities of
the targeted organizations.

‘The focus on traveling to targeted meetings of the New World Order’s various institu-
tions led to the emergence of a jet set elite of privileged activists. Many of them
desperately sought to dominate or otherwise control the gathered protesters, and often
tried to divide them into groups who supported the jot-set’s rigid guidelines of what
was and was not acceptable behavior. Fortunately, several of the largest and most
important gatherings were held in Europe, where the US-led jet-set had litle influ-
ence and were largely ignored, though their presence continued to menace the spiritof
international solidarity of the IDS.

After the Battle of Seattle, many US leftsts and progressives denounced the people
who fought back when the police attacked the protesters. For months afterwards, the
street fighters were denounced and blamed for the indiscriminate violence of the Se-
attle police. In the end, American activists abandoned rioting as part of the struggle.
and mass protests -against the annexation of Iraq by the Bush Junta, against the G-8
summit in Georgia, etc. ~ became irrelevant to the media, the public and activists. I'm
hopeful that most activists are still involved in the struggle at some level

However, whatever they are doing, they have lost the revolutionary opportunity they
had ereated for themsclves.

Rather than utilize the growing momentum of their street actions, US activists al-
lowed a cowardly elite to convince them to reduce their expectations to fecl-good
Sentiments (“not in my name”) as opposed to, say, stopping the war against the Iragi
people.

If the international IDS /anti-war movements had pushed forward with the struggle
instead of retreating into irrelevance, right now, the world would be on the brink of
revolutionary changes in the way the New World Order’s global culture functions.
‘The opportunity was there, but it seems to have slipped away for now.

‘The thought of building upon this movement does not seem to have occurred to many
activists. Perhaps they don’t know how or what to do to be mor effective at actually

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achicving their aims. There are examples from which to learn. One example was
suggested by Arundhati Roy: every activist should pick one or two corporations and
do as much as possible to disrupt their operations. Free’s article on the SHAC cam-
paign provides a more detailed look at how this can be done.

Another example notable for it effectiveness, has been the battle against frankenfoods,
or anti-genetix actions. Instead of taking to the streets to stage yet another fuile pro-
test of corporate activity, anti-genetix activists uproot test crops and burn them. They
dump frankenfoods into the aceans. They attack labs and nurseries where Genetic
Engineering atrocitics were being conducted and burn the to the ground, along with
rescarch data.

This is known as Direct Action. And it works.

Researchers admit that some attacks have put their evil schemes as much as a decade
behind schedule. Some corporations are giving up on expensive GE experiments,
since they’ve been unable to unleash their unwanted genetic atrocities onto a wary
public, particularly in the EU.

It's worth pointing out that these actions are llegal and that people cither are willing
to carry them out in large-seale solidarity actions and risk jail time, o they carried out
their attacks clandestincly.

Clandestinity carries s own unique set of challenges for activists. It also allows the
activist-in-hiding a greater frecdom of expression in the struggle.

Another example worthy of emulation is that of the Earth Liberation Front.

Here's how the ELF describes itself (from the pages of Resistance: Journal of the
North American ELF Press Office):

“The ELF is an underground direct action organization that commits acts of sabotage
against those who profit from the destruction of the natural environment.

“The ELF has no control authority, no public meetings and no maifing list.

“Duc 10 this loose structure, actions could potentially be carried out against anyone
who profits from the destruction of the natural environment.

“If we are to actually succeed in preserving all...which keeps us alive...We need to
organize and partake in direct actions which defend ourselves from the murderous
greed that s destroying our environment and ultimately killing us all.”

From a separate article:

“The ELF does not commit merely symbolic acts to simply gain attention to any par-

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Heular issues
The carth, and therefore all of us bor of it, are under attack

The only problems...with actions like these are that they are not happening frequently
enough and at severe enough levels... That the oppressive system itself isn t brought 1o
its knees by the people taking direct action and fighting back.

‘The author also speculates that at least this is a possibility in the future and asks,
“What choice do we have?”

From 1999 through 2000, while IDS events were gaining momentum, the NAELF
office was notified of more than 20 actions that resulted in over $34 million worth of
damage o the Earth’s plunderers. Most of these were fire bombings. Despite the
‘massive damage, no one has ever been physically harmed through ELF actions.

If the participants of IDS events were to try their hands at SHAC, Anti-Genetix or
ELF types of actions, the ability of the Now World Order to impose its will upon
people everywhere would be gravely imperiled.

‘The fact that the IDS movement has all but totally disappeared since the Bush Junta’s
assault on the Iraqi people shows by the lack of commitment and passion felt by IDS
participants. This is underscored by the fact that the movement did not move forward
the New World Order’s institutions of power in a manner stronger than
symbolic protest.

Let’s all hope people are merely digg
beyond symbolism. One which wil
grasp of capitalism.

n for a protracted fight, one that moves well
e capable of reclaiming the Earth from the vile

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Forward to an untitled piece
by Jeff Luers

The following “rant" as the author put it, comes from a very close and
respected friend of mine. He is a non-poliical social prisoner that often
has a better perspective of things than most | know. His viewpoint is
important because this is how our movement looks o him as an out-
sider.

UntitlED

by Jesse M.

‘Too many people out there exist stuffed deep inside their over inflated comfort zones.
‘They're affaid of the police and the D.A. They're scared they might lose what lttle
the authorities have allowed them to have. But what i it you really need? What part
of your survival on this planet requires you to own a microwave? You don’t need it
You don't need the blender, fruit juicer, 5 pairs of Nike's made by small hands, or a
television. You don’t need Saturdays off, rental movies, a trapper keeper, dyed hair,
that riple shot double tal iced raspberry mocha every moming even though you swear
it's the only thing that can get you moving. You don't need it, you only want it. And
atthe same time you want freedom, and anarchy and a fucking revolution. You want
arevolution? Spin in acircle because, although you're willing to struggle and toil and
work and downplay your own self worth and the importance of your material exist-
ence for all the material possessions, you're totally unwilling to strugele for your
freedom. Most don't even know how to. They walk down a sreet or stand in front of
a building and scream and chant and hold signs and stub their tocs but then they poo-
poo the man that broke a window and they hurry home when they sce a person being
arrested or tear gassed and later they congratulate themselves for making a difference.
You want to make a difference? Un arrst that man in cuffs, hand a brick to the guy
standing on broken glass. Hide them, feed them, pat them on the back when they
march peacefully beside you but also when they do what you can't bring yourself to.
Become one of them. You have to put on a united front because alone you are just a
lunatic sereaming into the wind.

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Real Struggle Means Refusal

(March 2004)
by Jeff Luers

On Saturday 3/13/04, Tre Arrow was arrested in Victoria, BC. At the press confer-
ence, the FBI along with the Department of Homeland Security, the modern day Ge-
stapo, declared that a dangerous terrorist had been captured. They went on to state that
“Tre’s arrest is proof that the system works and that the USA will not tolerate terrorism.

A few months back, the Department of Homeland Security gave § million dollars to
Miami, Florida to defend against the terrorist threat posed by demonstrators protest-
ing the FTAA meeting being held there. Riot police armed with numerous weapons,
including shotguns that shot pellets wrapped in cloth, fired indiscriminately into the
erowds. | have scen abundant videa clearly showing officers firing at people’s heads,
an incredibly dangerous violation of established “protocol”.

At least one reporter had to have emergency surgery 1o remove a ‘non-lethal” projec-
tile from his skull. Hundreds of people were injured, some needing emergency medi-
cal attention. There were also several reports of sexual assault at the hands of police

A recent military think tank report An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and its impli-
cation for United States National Security outlines the need for a detailed military
plan to protect the ich from the poor in the event of global environmental criss caused
by global warming. It goes on to present the case of the stockpiling of food and re-
sources as the world will be reduced to famine and lack of potable water.

If anyone still doubts that the lines have been drawn, you better get an eyewash be-
cause we are looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. The full might of the govern-
‘ment has been hard at work, from propaganda wars against dissidents to state sanc-
tioned violence against protestors to secret planning to protect the clite from a crisis
the Bush Administration denies exists

‘What does it take to piss you off? When is cnough enough? Is it when you get called
a terrorist? Maybe when you get shot in the head or perhaps when you get raped by a
pig? Maybe you'll wait until you have to kill for water?

Half my family lives in Germany. Even though I was born and raised in Amerikkka, I
understand the dangers of failing to act. My relatives did nothing when Hitler took
power, they obeyed and more than 12 million people were murdered. I love my fam-
ily. but 1 know they failed to act because there are no stories of resistance passed
down. Instead, as a kid when my relatives came to visit | was told not to talk about that
because it was a ‘bad time’.

I don’t want to see history repeat itself. If we have learned nothing else from our past

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we have learmed that tyranny is best challenged carly. Today, the threat is different
than it was 60 years ago, nonetheless it s a dangerous threat. Still not enough people
scem convinced, so they tum a blind eye - otherwise the streets would be filled day
and night with people decrying injustice.

Human beings have been around for about 100,000 years. We have gone from a spe-
cies that lives in nature to one that considers itself separate from nature. In the last 150
‘years alone we have ‘advanced so far we have created technology that chokes our air,
pollutes our water and poisons our soil. We have created weapons of such destruction
that combined they can annihilate and extinguish all ife on this planet 12 times over.
Already, our world is so polluted that it doesn’t matter what continent you sample
from, every mother’s milk contains traces of dioxin. Each day that passes, our prob-
lems get worse.

Why does this continue to happen? The answer is simple: We let it. Everyday we do
nothing, we allow it to happen.

So what if the G8 has to meet protected by thousands of cops? Bottom line: they arc
still meeting. They are still in control because we continue to define how we resist
them based on the choices they give us. The global resistance fits neatly into their
pocket. As long as we stay within the limits of the box theyve given us, we are simply
a control valve. A harbor for the disenfranchised, disillusioned and the dissidents - a
stress relief figured into the equation. Our counter-culture exists as another means to
keep the system functioning.

Nothing can change until we completely withdraw our consent. Only our absolute
refusal will effectively challenge the state. We must build our communities, develop
networks of mutual aid and we must be prepared to defend our communities. Then we
shut it down. No more going to work, no more paying taxes, no more acknowledging
the government’s authority. Instead we become the alternatives to this society.

Our bodies are the cogs that make the machine work. Our obedience fuels the ma-
chines. Our inability to move beyond mere protests is the guarantee that the machine
will work. Your absolute refisal is your monkey wrench. The Longshoremen have
shut down international trade with their refssal to unload ships. That s the power of
unified refusal. Imagine that refusal on a global scale. We have yet to show our true
strength. We have given power a small taste of what we are capable of. We have
ourselves tasted a picce of victory but a taste is not enough. It cannot satisfy our
hunger.

We the people run the factories, not our bosses. We control the ports, not corporations.
We teach the children, not established curriculum. Our labor keeps things function-
ing. Without us, the cities stop. Without our obedience, they have no rule. We are the
masters of our own fate. Yet, we will not control our destiny until we fully grasp our
lives in our own hands. Only when we no longer participate in the spectacle that has
been created to keep us in line, when we cease to tolerate violence dirccted at us and
when we decide that freedom does not mean the freedom to choose from their choices

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Training and Fitness
by Jeff Luers

If you are serious about your commitment to revolutionary change, direct action or
sabotage, then you need to be serious about your commitment to physical fitness.
Whether you are a midnight raider, a black blocker, or just someone who thinks the
worstis yet to come, physical training is very important.

‘The police and military forces go through extensive training. If you are going to resist
them you are going to have to be able 1o out run, out fight and out think them.

Aweekly exercise routine is requisite to militant struggle. At the very least an estab-
lished routine should include push-ups, pull-ups, an abdominal workout and running.
If possible, strength training is a bonus.

Here are the reasons; most Marines can run 3 miles in 21 minutes or less. The ability
to run at distance builds stamina, endurance and increases daily energy levels. It will
help on those long protest days and especially in those moments when running is a
key part of getting away.

Push-ups and related weighted exercises build shoulder, arm and chest strength. This
kind of strength is useful for being able to move and push barricades. It also increases
combat efficiency.

Pull-ups are one of the best upper body workouts. And will help you get over that
fence when you need to.

Strong core muscles add to the strength of all other muscles. They also help balance
and stamina,

Lalso strongly encourage people to learn and become proficient in a martial art. Jeet
Kun Do (JKD) - Bruce Lee’s style - is probably one of most effective fighting forms.
But others that don't rely on strength or size are Jujitsu, Wing Chun and Aikido. Of
course, anything s better than nothing. (If possible try to avoid sport fighting training
as they generally teach you 1o fight “fair” in a ring setting.)

Icould elaborate on this for pages. But I'lljust sum it all up. ~If you want to win and
be successfil at what you do regardless of what it is you condition yourself to do it
Youstudy, train, and prepare. Physical fitness should be no different. And it has some
really good side effects, better health, increased self-esteem, proven to fight depres-
sion and increase confidence. So grab a friend and push each other to get fit, make it
fun.

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Fighting to Win

by Jeff Luers

I'm not sure how much has changed in the last 4 years in the debate of tactics. What
litle publications make it through the censors still have the same debate of violence
vs. non-violence. 1'm not going to have that debate. Instead I'm going to discuss
actual tactics and past experiencs.

Prior to my arrest I spent two years studying military strategy. Particularly, guerilla
warfare and crowd control. In the latter I studied the FBL, Naval Military Police and
San Diego tactical response team’s hand books on crowd control and riot prevention.

San Diego’s tactics ar telling as they have been officially adopted by the FBI as
setting the national standard for most effective response, prevention and control. In
particular, they were cited on their Alpha Tango formation which utilizes the wedge
formation followed by lines of riot cops. The wedge formation is headed by an officer
with a bean bag shotgun; on his two sides are officers armed with "less-lethal” - multi-
shot canister guns that can shoot teargas or baton rounds. And finally the two officers
at the base of the wedge ar armed with MP-S firearms with live ammo. Their role is
to “neutralize” any armed threat,

Lam by no means an expert in these arcas. However, I can share some ideas that can
be discussed and expanded on.

Everyone knows the black bloc. As best as I can find the black bloc originated in the
German Autonomen and squatters movement. They used this dress for anonymity
quite effectively. They realized that the most recognizable of facial features was the
eyes and surrounding arca. Which is why they wore full face masks, most commonly
ski masks with two cycholes. Or they used sunglasses or other cye protection 1o
distort their features.

In addition they avoided any and all identifying symbols keeping their street clothes
and battle clothes separate. Afier all, even if you can't be recognized by your face,
that big “Fuck the Police” patch might hold up in cour.

In the numerous protests I've participated in, I've noticed a trend among officers
videotaping. They like to record shoes. Which has led me to believe that long pants
and plain black boots ar also best. In addition, I also carried in my backpack a
change of clothes. Usually of a semi-conservative dress, a pair of Dockers and a long
sleeve button shirt, bought at a second hand store. So that I could duck into an alley
and change, making leaving the scene a lot easier.

Through experience I've learned that organization is vital. It really does help to have
aplan. The people who are hosting the event and live in the city where the event s to
take place are responsible for having the plan. This should not be a hicrarchal or
authoritarian process, but people should respect the plan as much as they can without

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compromising their own autonomy and belicfs. However, keep in mind when all is
said and done it is the organizers and locals who have the best knowledge of how the
police will respond and they are also the ones who will have to live with any police
repression following the events.

I remember when I once attended an event far from home in city 1 was only vaguely
familiar with. Before the event started 1 was handed a flyer,on one side was a map of
the downtown area (where we were protesting ) It sid “in case of rio” - o the map
banks, corporate headquarters and cop shops were marked with red. Plausible escape
routes with green. On the other side of the flyer were legal aid phone numbers, jail
support, medical info. and a equest that all those arrested not give their names or info.
This was by far one of the coolest things I've scen.

In the case of “designated no protest zones” with perimeter fences guarded by fascist
forces, the plan to penetrate the perimeter should not be disclosed until the day or days
immediately preceding the event. Protest organizers and protesters must remember
that seeurity forces base their plans on protester’s plans. The less time they are given
to prepare the better the chance of successful penetration of the barriers.

It may also be wise for a plan A and plan B; with a big enough change in strategy to
hinder the security forces but not the block.

An example of this would be: Two days before the march an allinclusive meeting is
called to discuss the plan in detail. A plan to march from the meeting point to the cast
perimeteri discussed. Howevera similar plan to march to the south perimeter is also
discussed in detail. By whatever means the castern perimeter is agreed upon. But
everyone is well versed in the southern route. The day of the march, scouts report a
heavy police presence in the cast. A switch to plan B ~the south- is easily adopted.

Its all about strategy. This may be a difficult concept for some because of the unwill-
ingness to accept the role of leaders. But, there is a time and place for everything. The
ability to work together and be disciplined enough to listen in the heat of battle is a
vital component to success. If enough peaple aceept this and learn to co-ordinate they
will become that much more effective.

‘As a group we must learn military formations. 1 don’t mean disciplined marching. |
am referring to the ability to recognize security force formations and counter them
with our own. There is already plenty of info out there on how o do black bloc,
survive tear gas, ctc... People must have just as much info on how to use phlanx,
cchelon and wedge formations. You have to take the initiative here and rescarch
crowd control tactics and the uses of these formations, and then share them.

Imagine this scenario. A crowd is marching toward their objective. They have been
‘ivenan order to disperse or else. When the firsttear gas isfired, instead of panicking
they hold fast. As the police prepare to charge using batons and rubber bullets, people
scream “phlanx” and the crowd moves into a tight formation. Those that came pre-
pared with heavy banners and shiclds move to the outside containing the crowd so

heartohock K 31
that it is protected on all sides, protecting people from blows and snatch squads. The
police have yet to encounter such an organized crowd and for a moment are baffled.
People in the crowd exploit this weakness and switch to wedge formation, shiclds and
banners to the front, they make for the police lines...can you picture it?

Ideally people can also learn how to out flank and mancuver an opposing force. A
pre-orchestrated way of splitting the block evenly at the crucial moment must be de-
veloped. Like when the crow is holding an area effectively but not moving forward,
A section of the group could break off with the intention of flanking the opposing
forces, placing them on the defense on two fronts

‘There should also be communication via radios or cell-phones between organizers in
order to co-ordinate or re-group should the bloc be split. It should also be noted that
the casiest way to maintain an organized and cohesive bloc s to have multiple people
with radios spread throughout the bloc. So that if it is determined the bloc needs to
change direction or formation etc.... Directions can casily be communicated quickly
throughout the bloc.

‘Whatit eally comes down to s this: If protest is ever going to be more effective than
the standard smash and run retreating battle, then protesters are going to have to be-
come strategic. They are going to have to challenge sccurity forces on their own level.

“This does not mean chaos cannot be used to our advantage, but lets us be in charge of
the chaos, so that we can fight as one.

There must be a group of people in the crowd who have police scanners and these
people must be protected. This is absolutely vital, people must know as much as
possible about what the police are doing. There should be multiple scanners spread
throughout the crowd so that everyone is aware of what is happening. This respons
bility should rest with the locals and organizers to set up, but any reliable person can
be in charge of the scanner.

There should also be communication via radios or cell-phones between organizers in
order to co-ordinate or re-group should the bloc be split. It should also be noted that
the casiest way to maintain an organized and cohesive bloc s to have multiple people
with radios spread throughout the bloc. So that if it is determined the bloc needs to
change direction or formation etc.... Directions can casily be communicated quickly
throughout the bloc.

“This does not reflect a hicrarchy as people may choose what they wish to do. But it
gives people the option to work collectively in a chaotic amosphere. People must
alsa realize that the locals have the best knowledge of how the police will react, what
areas are of strategic importance and how best to move through the city. This knowl-
edge is of great importance.

‘When a march or action is to be conducted, the needed items should be stashed along
the route and throughout the city the day before. Alleys, bushes and dumpsters make
‘good hiding spots, but keep inmind the day trash is picked up. This way needed items

2 K heartchock
can be picked up along the way without anyone having to risk carrying them 0 a
meeting area or through checkpoints.

We must develop a culture of un-arresting people. The very first animal liberation
demo I attended, 1 ended up on the other side of dozens of riot cops while writing
some graffiti. Ifit was not for the black bloc forcing their way through the lines to get
me, T would have been knicked

We must have the solidarity and willingness to reclaim our warriors. We do not need
more prisoners. With the proper training and strategy, we 100 can have our own snatch
squads to get our people back. If necessary people must go to the holding facilities,
often buses, and liberate our captured comrades.

Ifthese battls are to be won, if revolution s to succeed we must be able to rise to the
challenge on all levels, by building communites, taking care of those communities
and establishing alternatives to the capitalist state. People must also train physically,
learn martial arts, and study police and military manuals. Learn the ways of your
enemy, understand strategy and guerilla tactics. Buy a gun and learn how to use it. It
is better to know how to defend yourself and never need to, than to need to defend
yourself and ot know how:

reartehock K %
Closing

As I bring this zine to a close I can’t help but feel it is incomplete. There are so many
subjects 1 did not touch on that are so vitally important. From roof top gardening to
community service to autonomous action.

I wanted this zine to be a tool not only to inspire people but to get them thinking
outside the box of activism. I’ ime to take a step back and look real hard at where
we've been, where we are and where we are going. Because it looks to me like we are
stuck in a stagnant eycle,

ifwe

And while we chase our tails the enemy forges ahead. The heartcheck is this
continue doing what we are doing and struggling in the same predictable and accept-
able pattens, we are going to lose - because we are losing.

Revolution isn’t a weekend activity, it is a lifestyle of resistance and refusal. It is
‘growing your own food, making your own clothes, going to the polls and voting for
“nobody”. 1’ talking to your neighbor, getting off the grid, holding street partics for
the sake of partying. Revolution is as much about living life the way we want as it is
about holding a sign or holding a gun.

‘While the issue is never just black and white, there has simply come a time when there
is an us and them. They alrcady know that and, o their credit, have united against us
And we still bicker and argue amongst ourselves, allowing sectarian political and
lifestyle boundaries to marginalize ourselves,

There is so much more we could be doing. There is a world of possibilities open to us.
‘The only thing holding us back is ourselves. I can’t make it anymore clear than that,

Jefirey Free Luers

34 % heartcheck
Bios and Contact Information

Rob (los ricos) Thaxton

On September 3rd 1999, anarchist Robert Thaxton was sen-
tenced to a7 year sentence on charges of assault and riot. This
was for his part in the June 18th "International Day of Action
Against the Global Economy” Reclaim the Streets action held
in Eugene, Oregon. Attemping to make an example of Rob,
judge bearden sentenced Rob to a mandatory minimum sen-
tence of 3 years for the assault charge and stacked the 2 year
riot charge on top making Robis sentence to 7 years-all for throw-
ing a rock at a cop in self-defense!

Rob’s address:
Robert Thaxton #12112716,
4005 Aumsville Hwy
Salem OR 97301

USA

www.defenestrator.org/roblosricos/main.htm

neartcheck K 35
Jeffrey Free Luers

In June 2001, 23 year old forest defense activist Jeffrey "Free”
Luers was sentenced to 22 years and 8 months in prison for the
burning of three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) in Eugene, Or-
egon. To make a statement about global warming, Free and a
friend named "Critter” set fire to 3 Sport Utility Vehicles at a
car dealership. Their stated purpose was to raisc awareness about
global warming and the role that SUVs play in that process.
Both activists took measures to make sure that no one would be
injured as a result of their action. Despite the fact that this
action hurt no one, caused only $40,000 in damages and the
cars were later resold, JefT was sent to prison for a sentence considerably longer than
those convicted of murder, kidnapping and rape in Oregon state.

Money is needed to fund Free's appeal process. Legal defense costs will be over
ten thousand dollars and we intend to appeal his case until he is released.

Please send checks and money orders made out to “Free’s Defense Fund” and send
them to POB 3, Eugene, OR 97440 or go to www.freefreenoworg to donate on
line.

Free's address:

Jefirey Luers #13797671
osp

2605 State Street
Salem, OR 97310

UsA
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anti-copyright 2005
printed on recycled paper
HEARTCHECK

e knds of people Ihe > —
victims, the problem, and 7
the solution. [

Ths zine s dedicated fo
thelatter. Thefimefor
heforic s over. The fime |
foracfon has arived.

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