By: Mohamed Jean Veneuse
APOC is a network of de-centralized Anarchist/Anti-authoritarian “screams and sighs of relief”, solely for People of Color. Though the definition(s) of APOC and those involved with it remain multiplicitous -- particularly pertaining to what exactly is meant by the signifier “Person of Color” -- it is those who are associated with it that define its meaning(s). APOC is built to recognize “the racially oppressed other”, whilst not being a separatist movement, and to provide the necessary means for that “other” to recognize itself, to build a space autonomously for itself and subsequently liberate itself whilst recognizing the infinite oppressions that are faced by people of the world and seeking out ways to dismantle them.
“White folks
need to deal with being ANTI-RACIST ALLIES
to folks of color communities and activists,
activists in particular because we are usually
whites' entry point into any possible relationship
with our communities.”
- Ashanti Alston
“Empowerment
will remain powerless until we change power
relations.”
- Angela Y. Davis
Anarchism
Anti-Racism
Black
Anarchism
Lorenzeo
Komboa Ervin
Ashanti
Alston
Sam Mbah
Arif Dirlik
Frank Fernandez
Kuwasi Balagoon
Martin Sostre
Black
Anarchism
Anti-Rascist
Action
Affinity
Groups
Anarchist
Black Cross Federation
Critical Resistance
Estacion Libre
CopWatch
1) First
APOC conference in Detroit, Michigan between
October 3-5th, 2003.
2) APOC Bloc Call to Action against the FTAA
ministerial in Miami on November 18th, 2003.
3) “Rally Against Hate at MCCD”
on Tuesday October 12th, 2004 in protest of
ethnic minority students and educators having
been the recipients of disparaging remarks
by a GCC Professor.
4) “May Day – A Day without Immigrant(s)”
on May 1st, 2006 in protest of the criminalization
of Immigrants & their respective struggles.
The work APOC is grounded in issues of race. However, this focus does not dismiss other sites of oppression, whether they pertain to sexuality, gender, faith, capitalism or the state form. These all represent webs of power that must be addressed as an interlocking system.
APOC has been active since 2003.
The Detroit
conference in October 3-5 of 2003 marked the
first APOC conference, Approximately 130-150
were in attendance at Wayne State University
in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The conference
was divided into six sections:
A) Women of Color Discussion
B) Sexism Workshop Action Steps
C) Saturday Evening Plenary
D) Self-Defense Workshop
E) Police & Cruising Workshop
F) Building an Anarchist People of Color Movement
Regarding what specifically and really came
out of the conference in Detroit, Ernesto
Aguilar highlights that “For the first
time, this movement shined beyond the names
and faces people know, and showed our strength
and unity. Youth stepped up and took center
stage as organizers and speakers. Veterans
imparted their knowledge, but did not dominate
proceedings. We got to talk about the issues
affecting our communities, and how we can
make our work more reflective of the anarchist
ideal. A common thread in terms of vision
seemed to be the idea that the label we called
ourselves was far less important than the
theory and practice that were part of our
struggles. During many workshops, attendees
stressed that more emphasis in the white-led
anarchist movement was on capital-A anarchism
rather than developing projects that exemplified
the ideals we talk about. People expressed
wanting to see work that went beyond activism,
but that served needs and worked with the
community” (From http://www.ainfos.ca/03/oct/ainfos00186.html)
There was some debate
at the conference regarding two visions of
the group's future. The first was the POC
Network’s proposal and the second was
the APOC United Front’s proposal.
“[POC] Network authors, who said most
conference pre-registrants had not expressed
an interest in building an APOC group, requested
their proposal be discussed in a workshop
running concurrent with others, so those not
interested in group-building could join other
workshops. United Front authors argued that
discussing a proposal anyplace else but a
plenary was undemocratic. United Front advocates
also called for a vote on all proposals, whereas
the Network authors said they intended their
discussion to be a dialogue and not necessarily
a vote.
The ensuing debate prompted four BANCO members to issue a statement, "Stop Character Assassination and Sectarianism in the APOC Movement." The statement condemned the Network proposal and its authors, along with various parties assisting with the conference. On October 3, Komboa emailed to say he would not attend the APOC conference due to the recent conflicts.
Ironically, in the end neither proposal was discussed. The Network proposal workshop was later changed to "Building an APOC Movement" by its authors, who later cited the need to build upon dialogues over the weekend, rather than found a group out of the conference.”
(Fromhttp://www.ainfos.ca/03/oct/ainfos00186.html)
An outline of the conference
is found below:
Mission
Solutions must reflect our unique problems
and possibilities for struggle. While there
are "isms" we are fighting against,
just as important, we are fighting for liberation.
We understand it is up to us to win freedom,
on our terms. We need an anarchist people
of color organizing network. Such a network
should be composed of individuals and collectives.
It should be committed to building a directly
democratic movement aimed at creating revolutionary
change.
Points of Unity
1.) We recognize that our oppression is political.
We reject dominant and subculture claims that
we are to blame for our own slavery. We understand
that white supremacy and capitalism are at
the heart of the problems we face.
2.) We support and encourage organizing in
a grassroots, anti-authoritarian way. We believe
in power of the people, not by the people.
3.) We acknowledge the need to organize independently
and as a movement uniting people of color.
Although our organization should be composed
solely of people of color, we understand the
importance of our work within the international
resistance movement. We also understand our
efforts can only help build resistance to
our common enemies.
4.) We support and encourage active participation
of women, as well as newer and older generations
in our work.
5.) We recognize the necessity of self-determination
for all colonized nations and peoples, and
we stand with struggles by colonized nations
and peoples around the world. We maintain
the importance of autonomy for people of color,
and also recognize the importance of multiracial,
multicultural unity. We stand with just struggles
against our oppressors.
6.) We recognize our struggle is also against
racism within various political movements.
Statement of Purpose
We address our social problems by organizing
movements and communities to take on white
supremacy and capitalism, which are at the
root of these problems. We seek to create
alternatives to current order that are democratic,
just and promote mutual respect, self-determination,
empowerment and liberation.
We educate, organize and cultivate organizing
skills in our communities to meet the challenges
we face. Some of these issues include social,
political and cultural struggles we face such
as police misconduct, prisons, housing issues,
education, and health care, but there are
many more. We seek to agitate in ways that
are most strategic to overcoming our oppression.
Structure
The organizing catalyst we envision is a loosely-knit
network or groups and individuals, with a
basic process, organizing and communications
framework established as a means of working
together. Membership should be based on agreement
with the mission, points of unity and statement
of purpose. From there, it is critical to
have a commitment to organizing and being
active in struggles affecting communities
of color locally, as well as against capitalism
and white supremacy. As local groups form
out of action, responsibility for recruiting
and maintaining membership in their areas
is also essential. Participants should be
accountable to their local collectives.
We believe in direct democracy, mutual respect
and open debate as positive ways of rebuilding
stronger relations in our communities. Decisions
should be made in a spokes-council format,
where delegates elected by local and regional
groups participate in discussions and decisions
(although audience is open to all members).
Committees and spokes-council members should
be accountable to the group.
Committees should be based around common work,
such as process, publicity and organizing
strategy, and be coordinated by a chair elected
by committee members on the basis of the potential
chair's commitment to spending time in skills
sharing and project completion. Committees
should report back monthly to the spokes-council.
Conclusion
Many movements are crippled by Eurocentric,
middle class and privileged orientations.
We contend that a people of color movement
would not only serve to educate, but to strengthen
the communities in which we are a part. An
organization comprised of likeminded individuals
of color would strengthen our struggles against
everyday oppressions. It would also empower
us as we participate in such struggles.
(From http://www.illegalvoices.org/home/).
The second Anarchist
People of Color Conference, scheduled for
October 7-9th, 2005 in Houston, Texas was
postponed due to the need for local organizers
to turn their attention to the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina.
The overthrow of capitalism, and replacing this exploitative system with anarchistic modes of political organization: collective ownership, decentralized, community-based, non-hierarchal and egalitarian
Kuwasi
Balagoon: http://www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/profiles/balagoon.html
Ashanti Alston: http://www.anarchistpanther.net/
White supremacy (Racism), Capitalism, Police Brutality, Authority and the multiplicity of oppressions that face the world.
Primarily the website.
APOC promotes self-defense, affinity groups, community-based social programs, co-operation with other related struggles and groups, and virtually any tactic that leads to the overthrow of racism, sexism, and the state without using authoritarianism as a means.
EXAMPLE
ONE: Miami APOC Call to Action:
“During the past week of demonstrations
against the Free Trade Area of the Americas
(FTAA), protesters have been met with a massive
show of state repression, backed by $8.5 million
in US Government funding. Miami Police Commissioner
John Timoney oversaw a massive, paramilitary
assault on our constitutional and human rights.
Police wielding batons, tear gas, pepper spray,
rubber, wooden, and plastic bullets and other
chemical agents attacked demonstrators, specifically
POC and anarchists. Over 100 demonstrators
were treated for injuries; 12 were hospitalized.
Police dispersed large groups of peaceful
protestors with tear gas, pepper spray, and
open fire, once broken into smaller groups
the treatment became harsher. This campaign
of fear and intimidation culminated in the
closure and militarization of downtown Miami.
There were confirmed reports of military tanks
patrolling the streets after dark on Thursday
night.
There
are estimates of more than 250 arrests with
specific targets of anarchists and POC. People
have become political prisoners and are being
held in jail. More than 50 of them were arrested
while holding a peaceful vigil outside the
jail in solidarity with those inside. They
were surrounded by riot police and ordered
to disperse. As they did, police opened fire
and blocked the streets preventing many from
leaving. We are now receiving reports from
people being released or calling from jail
that there is excessive brutality, sexual
assault and torture going on inside. Reports
from released prisoners’
claims that POC, Queer and transgender prisoners
are particularly being targeted. There is
a confirmed report of one Latino man arrested
along with 62 others outside Miami-Dade County
Jail Friday, who is currently hospitalized
in the Intensive Care Unit for an injury he
received after being beaten in the head with
nightstick by an arresting officer. Those
practicing jail solidarity by not stating
names or nationalities are even further targeted
for torture from police by hours of beatings
and soaking with water in the extremely cold
jail cells. There are still some people who
are under disappeared status.
People
have also been denied access to attorneys,
visitation rights, vegetarian or vegan food,
and access to essential medication and medical
attention.
Representing
the anti-authoritarian, autonomous, people
of color groups in Miami, Autonomia is putting
out a call with other groups of the Miami
Direct Action contingent. We call on people
from around the globe to take action immediately
to support our sisters and brothers who are
being unfairly arrested and brutalized. We
are calling for three immediate actions:
1) Call,
fax, email elected officials with the demands
listed below. Contact information below.
2) Money is urgently needed Wire money to
Cynthia Pitt at the Western Union in Miami,
FL When you do this, call the convergence
center in Miami at:
(305) 373-9644
3) Global Day of Action on Monday at any time
and any appropriate location. This could be
US Embassies, Departments of Justice or FBI
offices
THESE ARE OUR DEMANDS:
• Drop all charges.
• Release all political prisoners.
• Meet basic human needs: no more brutality,
provide appropriate food, access to medicine
and medical attention, arm clothing.
• Provide access to attorneys and visitation
rights.
• Provide equitable treatment to all
prisoners regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality,
gender, sexual orientation, etc.
• Do not share information collected
with the INS.
• Fire Chief Timoney and whole all Officers
responsible for their actions.
(From http://nefac.net/node/827)
EXAMPLE TWO: Hurricane Katrina Mutual Aid
Relief:
“In conjunction with Mayday DC and members
of Asheville APOC, is supporting an alternative
mutual aid relief project called the Common
Ground Wellness Center. This project has been
set up in the Algiers neighborhood of New
Orleans in cooperation with local residents.
The project has provided medical care and
supplies to hundreds of people in the past
week. If you'd like to help provide mutual
aid to residents of the Gulf Coast affected
by Hurricane Katrina, please consider helping
out with this effort. If you'd like to contribute
money to this effort, please donate using
the button linked below. Let's put our mutual
aid where our mouths are and show that people
can help each other without government help”
(From http://www.infoshop.org/hurricanekatrina.html)
EXAMPLE THREE: APOC
ATTACK
“APOC-NYC had mostly been meeting as
a radical study group. It was and actually
is still working diligently and slowly, not
skipping any steps, to carve out what its
identity is and is working to build a strong
face-to-face living, breathing community.
Just prior to the FTAA demonstrations in November,
APOC had a benefit show/party to help cover
the expenses of the costly trips to Detroit
and to help fund the upcoming mobilization
in Miami. Many at the party said that the
vibe was almost ideal. People felt a real
sense of strength, unity and joy being amongst
one another. What happened next would shock
many of us and would show not only the determination
of the state to silence Anarchist/Anti-Authoritarian
People of Color but also the tremendous organizing
strength, ferocity and sophistication that
lie nascent in the still building APOC community.
Early in the morning on November 16 th 2003
the NYPD senselessly attacked what had been
a private gathering held at a space in Brooklyn
rented by “Critical Resistance”,
a group that does work against the Prison
Industrial Complex. I remember that night
that I had just gotten out of a long planning
meeting for my upcoming trip to Miami for
the FTAA and had decided to go home and go
to sleep early, exhausted. At about two in
the morning I received a phone call from a
friend who had gone on to the benefit only
to hear that “ up to 100 people had
been indiscriminately sprayed with chemical
agents, beaten with nightsticks, and harassed
by a throng of police officers.””
“The details are truly shocking. The official press release states, “Over 25 police vehicles arrived at 968 Atlantic Avenue, the location of the fundraising event, at around 2 AM, to investigate an officer’s report of someone standing outside the party allegedly holding an "open container". Within minutes, the police unleashed their wave of violence onto the crowd, provoking onlookers and beating down attendees who were not resisting their orders. Over 20 people were experiencing effects of the pepper spray that was erratically sprayed into the air by the officers.” It goes further to say, “All tenants of the private, residential building were present at the event, did not request police assistance, and no one in the building placed a complaint with the precinct or the emergency response system. Witnesses report that no warrant was presented upon police entrance. Organizers responded peacefully to police threats and physical provocation, yielding to their disrespectful demands. Legal council at the scene confirmed that at least 8 arrests were made. Preliminary allegations include violation of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and inciting a riot, all of which are classified as misdemeanors…EMS visited the precinct to attend to those who sustained serious injuries, which include bruised ribs, a spinal injury, and severe blows to the head.””
“In an interview
with Amy Goodman of WBAI, Mayuran of APOC-NYC
stated, “First they were throwing around
and beating the first young person that they
had arrested. Then when we tried to ask questions,
when we tried to prevent that person from
being arrested, they began pepper-spraying
people pretty much indiscriminately, hitting
people with night sticks, dragging them on
the ground, throwing them. A man was punched
in the face right next to me. I was thrown
to the ground and I was pepper-sprayed. A
lot of things were going on at the same time
to a bunch of different people because there
were so many police officers, 50 police officers
or more.””
(By Eisengrimm, May 19, 2004: http://auto_sol.tao.ca/node/view/610)
External
Links:
http://www.illegalvoices.org/home/