Anti-Racist Action
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Anti-Racist Action Network (ARA) is a decentralized network of militant anarcho-communists who espouse anti-fascist and anti-racist views. ARA activists organize actions to disrupt neo-nazi and white supremacist groups and help to organize activities combatting fascist and racist ideologies. ARA groups also oppose sexism, homophobia, heterosexism, anti-Semitism, and anti-abortion activists. They are sometimes seen to be "Red" or Communist, particularly by detractors, however, the network includes a large number of anarchists and democratic socialists.
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[edit] History
ARA started in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1987. Since then it has expanded to different communities, countries and continents.
Members of Love and Rage, a revolutionary anarchist organization played a major role in building ARA groups and the ARA Network in the 1990s. They are sometimes associated with the Skinhead and Punk subcultures and work with organizations such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP).
In Canada, they were involved in a number of violent incidents in the 1990s which included a 1993 brawl on Parliament Hill in Ottawa with members of the Neo-Nazi Heritage Front in which several Heritage Front members, including RaHoWa lead singer George Burdi, were arrested.
The ARA staged a subsequent protest in Toronto outside the rented house of Heritage Front spokesman Gary Schipper. During the protest, several individuals entered Schipper's house and proceeded to vandalise the home, causing approximately $20,000 in property damage. Following this event members of the Heritage Front, including its leader, Wolfgang Droege, attacked members of ARA outside of Sneaky Dee's resulting in the arrest and conviction of Droege and several of his associates for aggravated assault.
[edit] Dan and "Spit"
On July 4, 1998, two Las Vegas ARA members--Daniel Shersty and Lin Newborn--were murdered by Neo-Nazis in the desert outside Las Vegas. Shot at close range with a shotgun, they were found murdered in an area of the desert known to be used by white supremacists for target practice. [1]
[edit] Baltimore 28
On August 24, 2002, a large Neo-nazi demonstration was planned in Washington, D.C. Some groups of Neo-nazis were planning to take the bus from the Baltimore Travel Plaza to Washington. Also present at the Travel Plaza were a number of ARA affiliates, mostly Baltimore punk rock fans and activists, demonstrating against the nazis. In the confusion and melee that resulted, 28 of the ARA activists were cornered by Baltimore City Police and arrested. Within about 36 hours most had been released from jail. Many claimed that they were not properly informed about any crime they had committed until their release, if informed at all. The group became known as the Baltimore 28, Parking Lot 28, Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 or the Anti Racist 28. At many following local punk shows, donations were taken in their name for a legal defense fund and to pay back borrowed bail money. The resulting charges to 26 of the 28 included inciting a riot, malicious destruction of property, aggravated assault, and disorderly conduct. One of the 28 was not charged with any crimes due to her status as a minor. The charges were eventually dropped.
[edit] Zündel opposition
On September 12, 2004, an ARA organized protest in Toronto followed supporters of Ernst Zündel to Jack Astor's restaurant at 1900 The Queensway from a "Free Zündel" rally that took place at the Metro West Detention Centre in Etobicoke where Zündel was being held on a security certificate. Four anti-racists and five Zündel supporters were arrested that day.
Richard Portree was discharged and given 15 hours of community service for using his steel tipped cane and a shard of glass as weapons.
Tomasz Winnicki and Jason King were charged for possession of a bow (and arrows), body armour and "throwing knives". They plead guilty on November 23 2006 and received 6 months probation. They are to be given back the Bow and body armour but the throwing knives and arrows are to be destroyed.
The four anti-racists were charged with mischief and being a common nuisance as the result of a fracas with individuals the police described as "neo-Nazis" at a suburban restaurant.
The anti-racists have either pleaded guilty to the mischief charge and been discharged or had the charges withdrawn. [1]
[edit] 2005 Toledo Riot
ARA activists played a strong role in Toledo disrupting the National Socialist Movement's planned march to protest gang activity in the North End of Toledo, Ohio on October 15, 2005. The ARA took part in violent protests that included attacks on police and EMS personnel.
[edit] Madison 2006
Midwest ARA activists lead a black bloc and confrontation against the National Socialist Movement's rally against immigration on the steps of the capital in Madison, Wisconsin on August 26, 2006.
[edit] ARA members
- Alicia Reckzin
- Lin Newborn and Daniel Shersty, murdered Las Vegas ARA members.
[edit] See also
- Anti-Fascist Action
- Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
- Militant anti-fascism
- Red and Anarchist Skinheads
[edit] Notes
- ^ Schoenmann, Joe. Anti-racist Skinheads Killed. Retrieved on March 2, 2007.
