Beer and Revolution is Back: Activism vs. Intervention with Crudo

by Jon Riley

Phoenix Class War Council's Beer and Revolution returns from a brief hiatus this Sunday. We are pleased to announce this month's installment of B&R will be hosted by our friend and comrade, Crudo, from the Modesto Anarcho Crew (MAC).

Our last B&R in September was a roundtable discussion on Borders & Movement, 30 people attended, including perspectives from CAROB (Central Arizona Radicals Opposing Borders) and the O'odham Solidarity Across Borders Collective. While we've been very busy, we are glad to know that anarchists and anti-authoritarians in the Valley enjoy participating in a political night, and we will try to continue scheduling a monthly night for speakers and discussion.

We find a lot of value in this event, especially as we look for fractures or fissures in our daily lives, and by making a traditionally non-political space (a bar) a temporary political space where liberatory ideas can be discussed openly. We hope projects like B&R inspire others to look for unconventional approaches to challenging the banality and misery of life in modern class society.

We also find inspiration in the projects of our insurrectional pals from California's central valley. The folks from MAC are busy as hell, giving it a go at building unconventional alliances amongst the discontented and marginalized, from hip hop shows against the recent gang injunctions, to supporting the efforts of the local needle exchange (a harm reduction effort for Modesto's poorer needle users that has seen it's members under attack by the police, please read more here), intervening in local struggles against education fee hikes and the nurses strike, publishing the quarterly Modesto Anarcho paper and Crudo's Vengeance journal and blog, and operating an impressive anarchist social center"Firehouse 51." With a higher poverty level than the rest of the state (which is itself a sinking ship these days), Modesto, and other Central Valley anarchists, have their work cut out for them.

Come out this Sunday for some delicious beers, or perhaps a soda or water for non-drinkers, and some great political discussion, critique, thought, and debate. We wouldn't have it any other way!

The November gathering of Beer & Revolution will once again be held this Sunday, November 8th at Boulders on Broadway in Tempe. The night begins at 8PM, and Crudo will begin his talk at 8:30, come out and have some tasty drinks, meet and mingle with other like minded people, and enjoy another great political social night. See you there!

Beer and Revolution: Joel Olson on fanaticism

Collin Sick

Phoenix Class War Council is happy to invite valley anarchists to the best non-sectarian anarchist political night EVER! The third Beer & Revolution is this coming Sunday, August 16, held once again at Boulders on Broadway in Tempe.

Our last event was fantastic, over 40 people packed the room at Boulders for Joey G's talk on art, resistance, and alternatives to capitalist economics. This month we are very happy to host Joel Olson, a long time anarchist, author, and agitator, speaking on fanaticism and the struggle against white supremacy. Joel was a member of the late continental anarchist federation Love & Rage, a founding member of Phoenix Copwatch, is currently involved in Bring the Ruckus, "a national organization of revolutionaries organizing to fight white supremacy and build dual power," and has written a book, "The Abolition of White Democracy." Most recently Joel has written extensively on the historical role of the fanatical political actor, in particular during the abolitionist anti-slavery movements, and more currently on the impact of the anti-abortion movement in polarizing the national debate. His study of fanaticism as a critical force against political moderation had been of great interest to us at PCWC, as has Joel's writings and political work aimed at attacking white supremacy. We expect this next B&R to be a fantastic discussion for anyone interested in the politics of fanaticism, the struggle against white supremacy, and the possibilities for a truly free and democratic society. Join us for some cold beers, and all the debate, thought, criticism, and inspiration this event may generate.

As usual, Beer & Revolution kicks off at 9 PM, and Joel will give his talk shortly after 9:30, so show up on time, grab some beers, meet some new people, and settle in for what guarantees to be another great political social night. Look forward to seeing you!

Taala Hooghan Infoshop August 2009 Calendar

Beer and Revolution: Art in resistance, anarchism, and currency experiments

Collin Sick

The second Beer and Revolution is coming up, and we're excited to have Joey G. as the featured speaker for our second B&R. The first B&R was held earlier this month at the bar Boulders on Broadway in Tempe, over 20 anarchists and anti-authoritarians came out, joined by a few Marxists and constitutionalists as well. The discussions, debates, and conversations went long past the self designated Midnight ending we anticipated, despite some significant political disagreements everyone was in good humor, and the bartender kept the beer pouring.

The next two B&Rs will be a step up, we have lined up some fantastic speakers for these events. The July get together will feature local anarchist, librarian, artist, and local currency proponent Joey G, Joey's been in the news lately for a local currency experiment that he and other Phoenix artists are pushing called PHX BUX, the project is picking up steam as over two dozen local businesses now participate. Many already know Joey G for his promotion of the local arts scene and curating the long running anarchist library, an accessible archive he's made available to the public for nearly a decade, and his belief in art as a tool in the struggle for a better and freer world. These are some of the subjects that Joey G will be talking about at the July installment of Beer and Revolution, we look forward to all the debate, thought, criticism, and inspiration this event may further.

Once again, Beer and Revolution begins at 9 PM, and Joey will speak a little later, giving folks time to get there, get settled, and grab a couple of brews.

Come down to Tempe on Sunday, July 12, have some tasty beers and interesting talk, and enjoy the company of other anarchists and anti-authoritarians from the valley. Joel Olson, a longtime agitator, anarchist, and member of Bring the Ruckus, is scheduled as to speak on his study of fanaticism at the August B&R, more information on this to come soon.

We at PCWC look forward to seeing you in July, cheers!