The Ex-Worker

an audio strike against a monotone world a podcast of anarchist ideas and action for everyone who dreams of a life off the clock

#105: Don't Stop: Continuing the Fight Against Cop City 02/05/2024

#105: Don't Stop: Continuing the Fight Against Cop City This episode offers an audio version of “”, published on December 12th. It traces the activities of the movement to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest from June through December 2023, including accounts of the campaign for an Atlanta voter’s referendum on Cop City, the Sixth Week of Action, the relationship between clandestine direct action and public organizing, local Black organizing against the project, the Block Cop City march in November, and potential strategic pathways forward. Tune in for an in-depth evaluation of the latest phase in one of the most critical social struggles of our time. {February 4, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} The Hour Is Drawing Late {2:37} They Don’t Care About You {6:38} The Referendum {8:24} What Mass Organizing Makes Possible {11:19} The Sixth Week of Action {17:58} The New Balance of Forces {22:03} Escalating Tactics {25:20} Atlas Technical Consultants Drops Out {27:45} Scooping the Mid-Range: Repressing Public Resistance {30:16} The Storm Before the Storm {33:26} Escalating Repression: RICO and the Furtherance of the Conspiracy {36:26} RICO in Georgia {39:54} You Can’t Break Us {41:12} The Scope of Repression Broadens {43:30} This is Not a Local Repression Strategy {45:37} Attrition and Conflict {47:51} From Atlanta to Gaza, No Cop City Anywhere {52:22} Black Self-Organization {54:51} Block Cop City {58:05} Building a Common Understanding {1:01:10} Anatomy of a March {1:03:26} Forward, Arm in Arm {1:06:52} Re-Grouping {1:14:16} A Supporter of the Police? {1:15:45} Gauging Success and Failure {1:17:40} Victory and Defeat: A Chimera {1:27:13} Fighting without Assurances {1:29:38} Continuing Forward {1:31:14} Winning by Attrition {1:35:03} Outro/PSA {1:38:54} This episode offers an audio version of “”, published by CrimethInc. on December 12th. It includes excerpts from “,” an account of the November 13th march in Atlanta. For background on the first two and a half years of the movement, see the following articles and podcast episodes: “,” () – chronicles the first year of the movement. “” () – chronicles the second year of the movement. “” () – collects first-person accounts from the occupation of Weelaunee forest through the first half of 2022. “” – explores and evaluates the strategies that different currents in the movement have employed. “” – essays on the webs of relationship linking all creatures and underlying the struggle to defend the forest. “” – analysis of the assassination of Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán. “” () – chronicles February through June of 2023, including the fifth week of action, the repression that followed, and the City Hall mobilizations. “” () – analysis of the new wave of legal repression launched in September 2023. Stay up to date on developments with news from the The campaign is targeting the insurers whose coverage makes Cop City possible, including and - follow the links to find office locations and contact information to show your opposition to the project. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/29798158

#104: Living in an Earthquake—The Fight against Cop City Confronts Unprecedented Repression 12/28/2023

#104: Living in an Earthquake—The Fight against Cop City Confronts Unprecedented Repression At first, it appeared to be an ordinary forest defense campaign aimed at discouraging Atlanta city government from pouring money into an unpopular police training facility. But over the past two years, the fight against Cop City has escalated into one of the fiercest struggles of the Biden era, pitting a wide range of courageous people against a united front of politicians, prosecutors, and police. In their desperate efforts to deflect popular resistance and force through the project, police and prosecutors have pressed trumped-up domestic terrorism charges against almost every defendant arrested since last December; they have killed one forest defender; they have charged those engaged in legal support for the arrestees. In the following account and analysis, published on June 21st as “,” participants in the movement in Atlanta trace its trajectory from the fifth Week of Action that began on March 4, 2023 through the City Council vote of June 5. {December 28, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} Preface {2:21} Living in an Earthquake {3:28} February 2023 {5:59} The Fifth Week of Action {8:33} Retaking Weelaunee People’s Park {9:19} The South River Music Festival: A Flower Between Two Abysses {11:49} The March on the Cop City Construction {16:01} Role Reversal {20:15} The Raid on the South River Music Festival {22:12} The Defense of the Music Festival {26:19} A Pyrrhic Victory? {32:31} Jumping to Conclusions {33:20} Defense {36:25} Urban Encampments {38:54} The Limits of Deterrence {43:51} Time and Space {46:14} Controlling Risk {48:21} The Aftermath {52:45} The Week of Action Continues {55:09} Without a Shadow of Doubt {57:07} The Conclusion of the Fifth Week of Action {1:03:14} Clearing Out {1:08:10} Deforestation and Its Consequences {1:14:20} Earth Day Weekend of Resilience {1:15:59} Campus Actions {1:16:50} War by Other Means {1:19:03} The Attack on the Solidarity Fund {1:25:21} The Centrists versus Everyone {1:27:43} However They Vote, We Must Be Ungovernable {1:30:39} The Theory of Failure and Disappointment {1:40:07} Making a Virtue of Necessity {1:42:50} This episode offers an audio version of “,” published by CrimethInc. on June 21st. For background on the first two and a half years of the movement, see the following articles and podcast episodes: “,” () – chronicles the first year of the movement “” () – chronicles the second year of the movement “” () – collects first-person accounts from the occupation of Weelaunee forest through the first half of 2022 “” – explores and evaluates the strategies that different currents in the movement have employed “” – essays on the webs of relationships linking all creatures and underlying the struggle to defend the forest “” – analysis of the assassination of Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán “” () – analysis of the new wave of legal repression launched in September 2023 For our most recent coverage, see “”, published by CrimethInc. on December 12th; stay tuned for the audio version, soon to be released as Ex-Worker Episode #105. You can find texts, posters, graphics, and more materials about the movement online through . Check out the for ongoing coverage. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/29264358

#103: The Return of the Ultraliberal Right in Argentina 12/10/2023

#103: The Return of the Ultraliberal Right in Argentina A so-called “” has just been elected president in Argentina. What does this mean for anarchists and the prospects for revolutionary change in South America? Spoiler alert: it’s not looking good. In this episode, we share an account from analyzing the recent rise to power of Javier Milei, an extreme neoliberal economist, in the context of the global turn towards fascist and reactionary populist leaders like Trump and Bolsonaro. You’ll get an in-depth look at the history of center-left rule, military dictatorship, and neoliberal austerity that resulting in the powerful popular uprising of 2001, along with an detailed assessment of the economic challenges, disillusionment with the political class, and failures of the left and radical social movements that facilitated Milei’s rise. This is a disturbing but essential exploration of one of the year’s most important political developments, with critical implications for those of us fighting the culture and politics and fascism around the world. {December 10, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} Back to the Future {1:30} “Viva la Libertad!”—Freedom to Work or Starve, to Submit or be Shot {5:53} History Repeats Itself Again {17:30} Ultraliberals, the Military, and Repression: A Love Story {27:18} The “Forces of Heaven” against the Orcs {35:04} Outro/PSA {42:31} This episode offers an audio version of , published by CrimethInc. on November 26th. The article quotes from by a coalition of “” anarchist organizations in Argentina. For coverage of recent popular mobilization in Argentina, see our coverage of the 2018 G20 protests in Buenos Aires: , , and . This episode discusses in depth the 2001 uprising that succeeded in driving the neoliberal regime from power. The classic zine account is . Argentina featured one of the world’s largest and most powerful anarchist movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including some of the earliest anarcha-feminist projects. To learn more about this history, you could start with some of these resources: “” by Ángel Cappelletti, “” by Osvaldo Bayer, “” and “” by Chuck Morse, and “.” In case you were confused on this point, “anarcho-capitalist” is an oxymoron. We explore this in more depth in of the Ex-Worker, “What Anarchism Isn’t, Pt 1: Libertarianism and Anarcho-Capitalism.” /episode/index/show/exworker/id/29009078

#102: How They Stopped Work at Raytheon 11/28/2023

#101: Shutting Down the Port of Tacoma 11/28/2023

#100: In Memory of Dmitry Petrov 11/23/2023

#100: In Memory of Dmitry Petrov On April 19, 2023, a Russian anarchist named Dmitry Petrov was killed in battle near Bakhmut, Ukraine. In this episode, we offer as an uncompromising anarchist fighter who participated in an unbelievable amount of radical activity around the region. His extraordinary life spanned anarchist organizing as a teenager in Moscow; environmental defense, radical unionism, and refugee solidarity activism; years of underground direct action against police, military, and profiteers from gentrification; participating in the Maidan protests in Ukraine, uprising against dictatorship in Belarus, and the struggle against the Islamic State in Rojava; co-founding the Anarcho-Communist Combat Organization; and finally taking up arms against Russian imperialism in Ukraine. This episode combines an incomplete biography of his life in combat against all forms of hierarchy and domination, along with a translation of his text “,” a remembrance published by the Anarcho-Communist Combat Organization titled “”, and . Join us in commemorating the life of a powerful anarchist comrade who will be dearly missed. {November 7, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:36} A Life in Combat {5:26} Appendix I: {38:28} Appendix II: “” {57:15} Appendix III: “” by Electric Partisans {1:09:55} Outro {1:14:23} This episode offers an audio version of , published on May 3rd, 2023. It includes an account of his life and anarchist activity assembled by CrimethInc. operatives (be sure to check out the original article for all the links to the source material), along with Dmitry’s text, “The Mission of Anarchism in the Modern World,” a tribute from his fellow fighters from the titled “Dima Ecolog’s Partisan Path” (), and a song based in part on his activities called “” by the Russian punk band Electric Partisans. A print version of this text in the form of a small book is in Europe. We hope to announce soon that copies will be available for purchase in the US via PM Press; we’ll update this link when that comes to pass. Here is a partial archive of Dmitry’s writings, public statements, and publishing projects: —courtesy of the Anarchist Library (starting at 5:23) , in February 2014. (At this meeting, Dima spoke about the experiences of Russian protesters, drew parallels between the liberation struggle in both countries, and proposed the idea of people’s power as an alternative to vertically organized power represented by professional politicians.) You can read Dmitry’s reports from the 2014 uprising in Ukraine in full here: , , , , , , , , , “”—A lecture with N.L. Gadaeva on March 30, 2017 —A news article about anarchist arsons in Ukraine —A book Dmitry participated in, published in 2017 —Another book Dmitry participated in —Another book Dmitry helped with For a discussion of the complexities of formulating an anarchist anti-war strategy that does not effectively cede the field to state militarism, you could begin with this article from the Russian-language anarchist website Autonomous Action, “” Dmitry Petrov was killed alongside two other anarchist fighters, Cooper Andrews and Finbar Cafferkey. You can read about Cooper’s motivations in his own words and consult a eulogy from his comrades . You can learn about Finbar’s lifelong activism , read an interview with him , and listen to a song of his . /episode/index/show/exworker/id/28776073

#99: Strategizing for Palestinian Solidarity 11/08/2023

#99: Strategizing for Palestinian Solidarity As the Israeli bombardment of Gaza intensifies, with over 10,000 deaths recorded to date, it is more urgent than ever for people everywhere to take decisive action to stop the war machine. In this episode, we share the strategic reflections of based in the US on Palestinian solidarity. The authors propose a shift from making demands to taking direct action, relying not on appealing to the consciences of politicians but on concretely interrupting the functioning of the businesses and agencies that are enabling the slaughter. After offering historical context to Israeli settler colonialism and Palestinian resistance, this article connects the movement to defend the Weelaunee Forest and to Palestinian solidarity struggles, and describes approaches used by different collectives involving targeting war profiteers and law enforcement/military exchange programs. A publisher’s afterward reflects on the uses and limits of tertiary targeting through reflections on the SHAC model and the Green Scare. Tune in for vital strategic reflections on what we can do from wherever in the world we’re listening to take action against militarism, displacement, and death in Palestine. {November 7, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} The Ceasefire in Gaza Starts Here {3:43} 75 Years of War {6:06} “Ceasefire now!” {10:33} How to Start a Ceasefire {15:44} Publisher’s Afterword: The Uses and Limits of Tertiary Targeting {19:50} Outro/PSA {22:45} This episode offers an audio version of , published on November 3rd, 2023. This episode includes the analysis of of Jewish anarchists. To learn more about their work, see their text and . Our coverage of the war in Palestine includes “” – also available as of the Ex-Worker – and . For further background, see (March 27, 2023) – also available as of the Ex-Worker - (2021), and (2013). For background on our discussion of tertiary targeting and direct action strategy, check out our critical assessment of (2008) and the broader context of (2008). You can also read more about and what we mean by . The authors connect Palestinian solidarity to the movement to Defend the Weelaunee Forest and . For our coverage of that movement, see Episodes , , , and of the Ex-Worker for audio coverage; you can also read “,” chronicling the first year of the movement; “”, chronicling the second year of the movement; “,” exploring the strategies that different currents in the movement have employed; and “,” on the most recent wave of repression and resistance. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/28551311

#98: From the Galilee to Gaza—A Voice From Palestine 11/01/2023

#97: Understanding the RICO Charges in Atlanta 10/06/2023

#97: Understanding the RICO Charges in Atlanta Prosecutors in Georgia have charged activists protesting against a planned police militarization facility known as "Cop City" with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has indicted 61 people on RICO charges. In this episode, we explore the ramifications of this more or less unprecedented stage of repression. {Oct 6, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ This episode is an audio version of the September 5th article “.” For more information, check out this video recording of an online seminar organized by the National Lawyers Guild: . For more background on the ways that this law has been wielded as a tool of repression against social movements, see “.” For further coverage and analysis of the last year of struggle in the forest in Atlanta, check out the articles {February 28, 2023}, which evaluates the strategic hypotheses that the movement has produced and tested over the past two years and reflects on the risks and possibilities of the next phase of the struggle; {March 2, 2023}, a collection of short essays that draws on the struggle to defend the forest to reflect on the abundance that exists in our communities and in the more-than-human world; {April 20, 2023}, which exposes the truth about the police’s killing of Tortuguita in the forest; and “” {June 1, 2023}, which explains the latest rounds of repression and domestic terrorism charges. For more Ex-Worker Podcast audio coverage of the movement, check out , which presents an audio version of our April 2022 article ; , which narrates the August 2022 article ; , which narrates the February 2023 account . Stay up to date on the latest developments, calls to action, and more by following – which includes a very helpful to help plan actions against the project’s supporters and funders – the , , , and the . The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. You can find episodes from other anarchist podcasts covering the struggle to defend the forest in Atlanta and Stop Cop City, including , , and more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/28250144

#96: The Forest In The City: Two Years Of Forest Defense In Atlanta, Georgia 05/26/2023

#96: The Forest In The City: Two Years Of Forest Defense In Atlanta, Georgia This episode continues the Ex-Worker Podcast’s coverage of the movement to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta, Georgia. In this episode, we present an audio version of , originally published February 22, 2023, which continues the chronology of the movement whose origins we reported in episodes and . In this eloquent and nuanced narrative, you’ll hear a detailed account of the movement’s second year, from the frenzy of activity in spring 2022 through the third and fourth weeks of action, waves of backlash and repression, and the , up to the eve of the March 2023 week of action. In addition to a chronology of developments and actions, the article shares insights learned by participants in the movement about relations with the media, the significance of music and the arts in social struggles, the importance of optimism and confidence, the risks of specialization, and many more aspects of revolutionary strategy. We encourage all of our listeners to learn what you can from this account, and to take action to support forest defenders and fight back against Cop City and its world. To learn more, be sure to check out the show notes and links, and stay tuned for forthcoming audio versions of more of CrimethInc.’s coverage of the struggle. {May 25, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} The Forest in the City: Two Years of Forest Defense in Atlanta, Georgia {3:13} The Stakes of the Fight {3:37} Taking the Initiative {9:05} The Spring Was Ours {11:29} Third Week of Action (May 2022) {13:47} Hell is Empty, All the Devils Are Here {16:52} They Don’t Understand Who We Are {20:31} They Tried to Break Us: Post-Week Raid {25:05} Full Court Press {28:30} Speaking for Ourselves {30:00} Momentum Breeds Resistance {39:23} The Tree People {41:18} New Openings {43:40} Luring Them In {46:42} The Fourth Week of Action {49:12} The Sound of Music {49:46} Weelaunee People’s Park {51:59} The Kids Will Have Their Say {57:14} Fall {1:02:48} Gridlock and Innovation {1:05:49} Preparing for a Clampdown {1:11:45} The Repression {1:13:36} We Are All Forest Defenders {1:16:06} Destruction in Weelaunee People’s Park {1:19:02} Regaining Confidence {1:21:24} Injunction Overruled {1:24:40} January 18, 2023 {1:26:38} The Shooting {1:29:21} Tortuguita Vive, la Lucha Sigue {1:32:02} Indomitable Resistance {1:35:30} Is Everything Coming to a Head? {1:42:55} Blood in the Water {1:45:23} This episode offers an audio version of the article , originally published February 22, 2023. Please note that this audio version does not include the article’s Appendix, which offers a day-by-day chronology of events with links to media coverage; we thought that including this in the audio version would feel redundant for listeners, and the episode is already nearly two hours long! If you’re interested, you can consult to read this and check out the links it includes. For further coverage and analysis of the last year of struggle in the forest in Atlanta, check out the articles {February 28, 2023}, which evaluates the strategic hypotheses that the movement has produced and tested over the past two years and reflects on the risks and possibilities of the next phase of the struggle; {March 2, 2023}, a collection of short essays that draws on the struggle to defend the forest to reflect on the abundance that exists in our communities and in the more-than-human world; and {April 20, 2023}, which exposes the truth about the police’s killing of Tortuguita in the forest. For more Ex-Worker Podcast audio coverage of the movement, check out , which presents an audio version of our April 2022 article , and , which narrates the August 2022 article . Stay up to date on the latest developments, calls to action, and more by following – which includes a very helpful to help plan actions against the project’s supporters and funders – the , , , and the . The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. You can find episodes from other anarchist podcasts covering the struggle to defend the forest in Atlanta and Stop Cop City, including , , and more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/26961642

#95: Disasters of State: On the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria 05/24/2023

#95: Disasters of State: On the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey and Northern and Western Syria, inflicting tremendous damage and killing tens of thousands of people. But there was nothing “natural” about this disaster: the lethal combination of negligence and repression imposed on the people of the region by the authoritarian regimes of the Turkish and Syrian states is directly responsible for the misery. This episode offers an audio version of the article , originally published on March 16, 2023. It includes two texts, the first from supporters of the movements for liberation in the regions of Bakur and Rojava and the second from supporters of the revolution in western Syria. These offer different vantage points on how the Turkish and Syrian governments not only failed to protect their subjects but used this catastrophe as an opportunity to consolidate power and target their adversaries via neglect, blockading, and even bombing. Against the opportunism and violence of the state, we are inspired by the international grassroots mobilization with which communities around the world have responded to the earthquake. But in order for these efforts to succeed, we have to understand both the earthquakes and the state as aspects of the same catastrophe and take action against both of them. {May 23, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:37} Disasters of State: On the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria {2:16} Statement about the Earthquakes from the Bay Area Mesopotamia Solidarity Committee {4:59} In Syria, the Sieve of an Earthquake {12:57} Back to a Revolution {16:30} The Denial of Politics {19:39} Confronting the Ba’ath Regime and Its Supporters {24:03} This episode is an audio version of the article , originally published on March 16, 2023. The article includes a statement from the , and translation of a courtesy of some of our comrades from . Some of the solidarity projects recommended by our comrades that you can donate to in support of relief efforts include: , , , and . CrimethInc. has published many articles on the revolution in Rojava, the Syrian Civil War, struggles against the Turkish state, and the political dynamics of the region in recent years. To read more, we recommend: {2022}, {2020}, {2019}, {2019}, {2019}, {2019}, {2018}, {2017}, {2017}, [“Rojava: Democracy and Commune” https://crimethinc.com/2016/05/19/rojava-democracy-and-commune) by Paul Z. Simons {2016}, {2015}; {2015}, and {2013}. We’ve also got you can download. Several past episodes of the Ex-Worker have discussed the situation in the region, focusing on the movements building autonomy in Rojava as well as the political context in Turkey, Syria, and elsewhere in the region. To listen to more, check out {May 2015} and {July 2015}; and the four episode “Defend Rojava!” series in October 2019, including #, #, #, and #. Our friends at The Final Straw Radio have also produced several episodes in recent years on , , and . An excellent book to read more about the early years of the Rojava Revolution is {2016}. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/26939130

#94: The Uprising in Peru 04/20/2023

#93: France in Flames: The Movement Against Macron's Pension Reform 04/15/2023

#93: France in Flames: The Movement Against Macron's Pension Reform In France, a powerful protest movement has erupted against the government in response to an attempt to raise the retirement age. Millions have gone on strike and poured into the streets in the most substantial unrest in France since the Yellow Vest movement. President Emmanuel Macron and his henchmen have attempted to crush this movement by escalating police violence to lethal extremes. In this episode, we share two recently published texts on the movement against Macron’s pension reform in France. In , published on March 22nd, we present an introduction and a translation of a French text, which explore the roots of the movement, an overview of its first phase, and an analysis of the issues at stake—which, our correspondents argue, goes beyond the democratic process or social benefits to a rejection of work itself. In , published on March 30th, we offer a chronology of the events of the previous week, including a translation of an account by one participant in the brutally repressed demonstration at Sainte-Soline on March 25th and a statement from the parents of another who remains in a coma. As anti-government struggles with very different characters rage across the globe, from Peru to Iran to Israel, we’re doing our best to transmit reports from anarchists on the ground about what’s happening, about the possibilities and risks they present, and about how we can think critically about the currents of liberation inside of them. (April 15, 2023) -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Episode Introduction {0:37} France: The Movement Against The Pension Reform—On The Threshold Of An Uprising? {2:22} Bedtime for the Macron Regime? {12:04} Alone against All {13:14} The Best Retirement Is Attack {16:31} A Critique of Violence {19:34} Learning the Lessons of Repression {22:13} Power Is Logistical—Let’s Block Everything {27:40} Towards Infinity and Beyond {33:05} Ex-Worker PSA {34:40} France in Flames: Macron Attempts to Crush the Movement against the Pension Reform with Lethal Violence {35:05} The General Strike of March 23 {36:45} The Strike Continues {39:19} March 25: Bloodbath in Sainte-Soline {40:23} Reportback From Sainte-Soline {44:34} Communiqué from the Parents of Serge on March 29, 2023 {48:29} The Strike Continues {50:16} Conclusion {58:15} This episode narrates two articles: (March 22nd) and (March 30th). This episode includes a translation of an from the March 25 protest at Sainte-Soline, and a , who was critically injured by police violence at the protest. To understand the context for social upheavals in France today, you may want to check out our coverage from recent years, of the Yellow Vest movement of 2018–19—see (November 2018) and —and of the movements that preceded it, as described in our 2017 article, . Our French correspondents argue that what’s really at stake in the protests around the retirement age is a mass rejection of work itself. Well, , if you want to or . Our friends at offer some of the most insightful English-language coverage of social upheavals in France; this episode quotes from their article . The episode makes reference to the text . For more audio resources on similar themes, check out classic Ex-Worker episodes and . For additional context, check out this article of . If you want to support rebels in France, check out this and this . /episode/index/show/exworker/id/26552082

#92: The Bitter Harvest of Colonialism in Israel 04/12/2023

#92: The Bitter Harvest of Colonialism in Israel In this episode, the Ex-Worker presents an audio version of , originally published on March 27th. The article assesses the recent attempts by Israeli President Benjamin Netanhayu to strip power away from the judiciary, a power grab that has precipitated the largest protest movement in modern Israeli history. As our correspondent from the region argues, however, the crisis has emerged out of a conflict between competing elites and their respective colonial models. The article provides in-depth context behind the social rifts and political developments that led to the current showdown, and highlights the structural exclusions that make Jewish democracy in Palestine—i.e., ethnocracy—possible. While different sectors within the state of Israel clash over its future and a “” supports the most extreme right-wing Zionist currents, determined Palestinian resistance to escalating genocidal violence on the other side of the wall shows that the struggle has many sides. Tune in for an in-depth anarchist analysis of a complex and critical struggle for the future of the Middle East and beyond. (April 12, 2023) -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Ex-Worker Introduction {0:01} Episode Introduction {0:36} A Coup D’Etat In Israel? The Bitter Harvest Of Colonialism {2:17} The Context Behind The “Coup” {4:56} A Field Guide to Ethnic Cleansing {20:39} Meanwhile, on the Other Side of the Wall {31:37} Conclusion {36:21} This episode offers an audio version of the article , originally published on March 27th. Since this article was published, some important developments have taken place. In an extreme provocation denounced by Muslim leaders across the world, Israeli police invaded Al-Aqsa mosque on the first day of Passover and during the middle of Ramadan, beating up worshippers and arresting 450; in response, attacks on Israelis took place through rockets launched from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria into Israeli cities, followed by Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Despite the threat that Netanyahu might attempt to use this escalation to silence the protests and unite Israelis around fear of a common enemy - a common tactic around elections and at times of social unrest - the protest movement remains strong, with some 100,000 demonstrators surging into the streets of Tel Aviv on the past two Saturdays. Also, the Israeli Minister of Defense who Netanyahu fired has been restored to his post. You can see documentation of the violence at the Al-Aqsa mosque and , as well as for the events. offers a useful summary of the situation. For more of our coverage from the region, see the May 2021 article . Further background on anarchist interventions in the region can be found in our 2013 article . Our critical dialogues about provide useful background to the discussion of Israeli democracy in this episode. For more audio content, check out the Ex-Worker’s and our . There’s also a quote on democracy from by the Invisible Committee, which is also . The episode makes references to several historical events you might want to read more about, including the revolts, the , There are also references to Alfredo Bonanno’s text and . The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. You can find episodes from other anarchist podcasts exploring the situation in Israel from a radical perspectives, including , , and more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/26522307

#91: Elections, Fascism, and Popular Resistance in Brazil 03/03/2023

#91: Elections, Fascism, and Popular Resistance in Brazil In Brazil, a three-way contest is unfolding between the far right in the streets, the institutional electoral left in the halls of power, and autonomous radical movements caught between them. When authoritarian president Jair Bolsonaro was narrowly defeated at the polls in October, a popular right-wing movement emerged to contest the election results, culminating in a protest in which Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in the capital of Brasilia. In this episode, we share two articles in which Brazilian anarchists analyze these developments: the first, published in October shortly after the election, assesses the limits of electoral strategies as pathways to social transformation or checks to fascist power; the second, published just after the right-wing attack on government buildings in January, analyzes the similarities and differences between the events in the US and in Brazil, and argues for the urgent necessity of autonomous direct action to counter both the limits of the left and the threat of the right. Anarchists in the United States and beyond can learn much from our Brazilian comrades as we strategize to push back against rising fascism in our own contexts. {March 3, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------   <ul> <li>Table of Contents: <ul> <li>Introduction {0:36}</li> <li><a href="https://crimethinc.com/2022/11/06/left-electoralism-fascist-direct-action-and-anti-fascist-resistance-the-brazilian-elections-of-2022-and-their-implications-1">Left Electoralism, Fascist Direct Action, and Anti-Fascist Resistance:The Brazilian Elections of 2022</a> {3:26}</li> <li>You Don’t Defeat Fascism at the Polls {5:25}</li> <li>Autonomous and Anti-Fascist Resistance {11:28}</li> <li>Shine the Light of a Dead Star {15:18}</li> <li><a href="https://crimethinc.com/2023/01/10/january-8-the-brazilian-january-6-tracking-the-rise-of-fascism-from-the-united-states-to-brazil">January 8, the Brazilian January 6: Tracking the Rise of Fascism from the United States to Brazil</a> {21:59}</li> <li>Elections Do Not Stop Fascism {24:41}</li> <li>The Revolt of Those Escorted by Cops {29:59}</li> <li>A Local Manifestation of a Global Fascist Wave {34:35}</li> <li>Conclusion {41:30}</li> </ul></li> <li>This episode narrates two previously published articles: <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2022/11/06/left-electoralism-fascist-direct-action-and-anti-fascist-resistance-the-brazilian-elections-of-2022-and-their-implications-1">Left Electoralism, Fascist Direct Action, and Anti-Fascist Resistance:The Brazilian Elections of 2022</a> (November 6, 2022) and [January 8, the Brazilian January 6: Tracking the Rise of Fascism from the United States to Brazil](https://crimethinc.com/2023/01/10/january–8-the-brazilian-january–6-tracking-the-rise-of-fascism (January 10, 2023).</li> <li>If you or folks you know speak/read Portuguese, check out <a href="https://pt.crimethinc.com">pt.crimethinc.com</a>, where you’ll find dozens of Brazilian Portuguese translations of articles and zines. </li> <li>This episode makes a lot of references—here are some links to learn more about them! The articles speak of the Latin American “Pink Tide” of progressive electoral victories beginning in 2008, which itself drew on momentum from popular uprisings across the region in the preceding decades, including the 1989 Caracazo uprising in Venezuela and the reintroduction of democracy in Brazil and Chile (which didn’t make people free—see the Brazilian anarchist critique of their democracy, or <a href="https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/47">our critique of democracy itself</a>, for some insights as to why). There’s also discussion of the <a href="https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/7">2013 mass protests</a> against the government’s effort to raise public transportation prices and <a href="https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/25">the 2014 protests against the FIFA World Cup</a>.</li> <li>Want to learn more about resistance in Brazil in recent years? Check out <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2017/06/12/fighting-in-brazil-2013-2015-three-years-of-revolt-repression-and-reaction">Fighting in Brazil: Three Years of Revolt, Repression, and Reaction</a> (2017), <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2018/03/12/brazil-2016-17-the-political-crisis-and-coup-detat-an-anarchist-analysis">Brazil 2016–17: The Political Crisis and Coup d’État—An Anarchist Analysis</a> (2018), <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2018/04/06/brazil-rivers-of-blood-peace-is-war-security-is-hazardous-and-citizens-are-the-targets-of-the-state">Brazil: Rivers of Blood—Peace Is War, Security Is Hazardous, and Citizens Are the Targets of the State</a> (2018), <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2021/02/18/from-punk-to-indigenous-solidarity-four-decades-of-anarchism-in-brazil-an-interview">From Punk to Indigenous Solidarity: Four Decades of Anarchism in Brazil—An Interview</a> (2021), <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2021/02/22/brazil-epicenter-of-the-virus-of-populism">Brazil: Epicenter of the Virus of Populism A Year of Catastrophe and Resistance</a> (2021), and more. You can also listen to past Ex-Worker episodes on <a href="https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/25">the 2014 World Cup protests</a> and the <a href="https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/7">2013 fare hike protests</a>. <a href="https://crimethinc.com/zines">Printable zine versions</a> are available for many of these articles, too!</li> <li>To learn more about trucker strikes and blockades as a popular right-wing tactics, see our coverage of the <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2022/02/14/ill-winds-from-ottawa-thinking-through-the-threats-and-opportunities-as-a-far-right-initiative-gains-momentum">2022 truck blockades in Ottawa</a>, <a href="https://crimethinc.com/2021/05/28/chile-the-hot-potato-changes-hands-but-what-does-victory-for-the-left-mean-for-autonomous-movements">right-wing Chilean truck blockades in opposition to indigenous Mapuche activism</a>, and a mainstream news account about how the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1974/09/20/archives/cia-is-linked-to-strikes-in-chile-that-beset-allende-intelligence.html">CIA financed trucker strikes in 1972 and 1973</a> to disrupt the leftist administration of Salvador Allende in Chile.</li> </ul> /episode/index/show/exworker/id/26120511

#90: Solidarity with Alfredo Cospito, Italian Anarchist Prisoner on Hunger Strike 02/09/2023

#89: The Battle of York, January 2002—Anti-Fascism, Then and Now 02/06/2023

#88: 2022 in Review—A Year to Endure 01/31/2023

#87: The Twitter Ban and the End of Social Media 01/31/2023

#87: The Twitter Ban and the End of Social Media In November, CrimethInc. was banned from Twitter by Elon Musk, part of a concerted campaign by right wing trolls and the world’s richest man to shift global political discourse to the right. Why is this happening now, and what should we do about it? This episode collects three months of our writings and coverage of developments with social media as it enters a new phase of consolidation and cooptation. We open with —before our ban—tracing the evolution of Twitter from a protest tool developed by anarchists for use at mass mobilizations into a corporate platform controlled by a right-wing billionaire. Next, we share from the platform, as well as developed to take our response offline and into the streets. The episode concludes with , an in-depth analysis of how communications in movements for social transformation have evolved within the shifting landscape of technology, politics, and resistance in the past decades, concluding with suggestions for ways to take action beyond the nightmare of corporate social media. {January 30, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Ex-Worker Introduction {0:01} Episode Introduction {0:36} {1:49} {14:55} {19:08} {23:14} Conclusion {46:06} The episode opens with . Next, we shared our report on the ban: . We went on to share a short article introducing a new poster, . You can find . Want to put some up around your town? Consult our for how-to tips. Finally, the episode wraps up with CrimethInc. wasn’t the only radical account banned from Twitter, of course. As , , and others have reported, other radical outlets who’ve gotten the chop include and many other anarchist, anti-fascist, and critical journalist accounts. Want to stay connected without Twitter? Follow us on and and subscribe to our . You can even find us on , , and . If you want to help us continue to reach people offline, order stickers and others materials to distribute . /episode/index/show/exworker/id/25779486

#86: Stop Cop City / Defend Weelaunee Forest, Part II: Accounts and Solidarity 01/29/2023

#86: Stop Cop City / Defend Weelaunee Forest, Part II: Accounts and Solidarity In this episode, we continue our coverage of the struggle to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta, Georgia. While offered a history and analysis of the first phases of the movement, today we present a series of anonymous first person narratives from participants who describe their inspiring and transformative experiences in the forest, originally published in August 2022 as “.” The episode opens with the text of a we’re encouraging all listeners to sign with groups or as individuals, in response to the police’s murder of . and escalating repression of the movement. {January 29, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Ex-Worker Introduction {0:01} Episode Introduction {0:36} {1:53} {6:40} The Forest Within Me {11:29} The Forest is a Portal {15:24} Letter from a Treesitter {16:15} When the Barriers Come Down {18:24} A Tour of the Forest {22:15} The Truck Became an Attraction {26:48} Deep into the Future {30:08} This Time, We Were There {32:22} DJing is an Extension of My Everyday Acts of Resistance {35:12} The Sweat Lodge {37:37} To Defend the Forest, Everyone Has to Fight {39:19} Appendix: Not a Music Festival {43:18} Conclusion {46:06} We opened this episode by sharing this to show support for the movement. If you are part of an organization, or just an interested individual, you can sign on by emailing defendweelaunee at riseup dot net. This episode includes anonymous first-person accounts written by participants in the struggle to defend the forest, originally published as in August 2022. For historical background to the struggle and analysis of its emergence and development, check out – which you can also listen to as of the Ex-Worker. Support forest defenders facing legal charges by donating to the . To stay updated on developments in the campaign to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest, follow and the on Twitter. You can also access, read, and print zines related to the movement from the . See . You can also donate to a . The offers info on the campaigns against the contractors and architects involved in the Cop City project. will connect you to a variety of resources on social media and beyond. The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. You can find more coverage of the struggle to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest on other CZN projects, including , , and , so check out those projects through the links above if you want to hear more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/25760823

#85: Stop Cop City / Defend Weelaunee Forest, Part I: History and Analysis 01/27/2023

#85: Stop Cop City / Defend Weelaunee Forest, Part I: History and Analysis The Ex-Worker is back! Episode 85 introduces the history behind the struggle to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta, Georgia. For nearly two years, a coalition of anarchists, abolitionists, environmental activists, indigenous communities, local residents, and supporters from all over has faced off against police, entertainment and construction companies, politicians, and media intent on destroying a beloved forest to build a police training compound and a film industry sound stage. Recently, the state has arrested over a dozen activists on absurd charges of “domestic terrorism,” and on January 18th, . and , folks are mobilizing in outrage against the killer police and the corporate and political power structures responsible for their murderous repression. In this episode, we present a long article first published in April 2022, titled , which combines a comprehensive history of the campaign to defend the forest with a strategic analysis that locates it in reference to the broader political context and other similar campaigns. Stay tuned for more coverage in , including and a you can sign to show support. {January 27, 2023} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Ex-Worker Introduction {0:01} Episode Introduction {0:35} {3:45} Defending the Forest in the City {4:39} Background {7:40} The George Floyd Protests {12:01} “Institute for Social Justice” {17:24} Timeline {19:57} Coming out with a bang {28:43} First, Attack their Strategy {31:10} Names and Addresses {34:08} First Week of Action {36:51} When Dissent is Not Enough {39:20} The Fight is On {41:35} Second Week of Action {42:54} Taking the Fight to Them {45:47} Stomp dance {47:17} Moves and Counter moves {49:19} The Stakes Go Up {51:22} The Best Defense is a Good Offense {53:24} Defense {53:52} Offense {57:02} Movement Diversity is an Asset {58:22} The SHAC Model {1:00:45} Limits of the SHAC Strategy {1:03:54} Learning Lessons: I–69 and NODAPL {1:06:02} The Shock of Victory {1:09:30} Appendix: The Atlanta City Prison Farm and the Legacy of Carceral Reformism {1:14:49} Do Not Let Them Re-Form {1:19:55} Conclusion {1:21:36} Here’s the original April 2022 article we narrate in this episode: If you are part of an organization, or just an interested individual, you can sign on to this to show your support for the movement. You’ll hear an audio version in our forthcoming , too. Support forest defenders facing legal charges by donating to the . To stay updated on developments in the campaign to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest, follow and the on Twitter. You can also access, read, and print zines related to the movement from the . See . You can also donate to a . The offers info on the campaigns against the contractors and architects involved in the Cop City project. will connect you to a variety of resources on social media and beyond. The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. You can find more coverage of the struggle to Stop Cop City and defend the Weelaunee Forest on other CZN projects, including , , and , so check out those projects through the links above if you want to hear more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/25750464

#84: Steal Something From Work Day 2022 04/15/2022

#84: Steal Something From Work Day 2022 April 15th is ! For over a decade, we’ve celebrated the everyday resistance that workers undertake to challenge their exploitation when the boss isn’t watching. Whether in factories or coffee shops, under capitalism or socialism, workers have always pilfered from their workplaces—not just as a way to survive or get revenge for exploitation, but as a way to channel their creativity and humanity. In this episode, we introduce listeners to our favorite holiday, , and share some fascinating accounts and analyses. A shares a story of theft and resistance, while a network of workplace rebels describe to expand their class war efforts. of how illicitly making personal items in factories provides a window into what free creative activity could look like beyond the world of work, whether enforced by capitalist or socialist bosses. A 2020 analysis from the early days of the pandemic explores , whether you’re an “essential” or remote worker. And we wrap up with a reflection on the revolutionary horizons of struggle against capitalism through and . Enjoy, and stay tuned for more audio projects exploring work, capitalism, and resistance! {April 15, 2022} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} Steal Something From Work! {8:08} {10:20} {17:40} {28:00} {34:44} {56:24} {1:07:00} Conclusion {1:12:35} This episode celebrates . It includes a range of accounts and analyses, including our , , which is dedicated to the rebels who attacked a Whole Foods during the ; ; , an excerpt from Milos Haraszti’s 1972 book A Worker in a Worker’s State; , written in spring 2020 in the early weeks of the pandemic; and . But there’s more! If you want to spread the word about Steal Something From Work Day, you can check out all of our , including stickers, posters, pamphlets, postcards, and , our journal of workplace theft! Got a story to share? Send in your own account of stealing from work to contact[at]crimethinc[dot]com! Another exciting project of worker resistance is the Russian website . On the new unionization campaigns, you can check out , and , as well as . Stay tuned for the forthcoming audio version of our classic book ! In the meantime, did you know that we have an audio book of and an audio zine version of ? The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/22808945

#83: Anti-War Resistance in Russia 03/11/2022

#83: Anti-War Resistance in Russia Even as Russian forces continue their brutal assault on Ukraine, a growing domestic uprising is challenging the empire from within. This episode of the Ex-Worker focuses on the anti-war movement in Russia, analyzing it from an anarchist perspective and assessing the regime's power and vulnerability. The episode opens with a call to action from the March 6th day of protest across Russia and a summary of militant direct actions against the war machine. An anarchist in the provinces shares a first-person reflection on the evolution of the anti-authoritarian movement and its prospects in today's crisis, while an analysis from Autonomous Action considers Putin's miscalculations, the information war, international dynamics, and possibilities for resistance. An independent journalist discusses the nature of the protests, police responses, migration and diaspora, censorship, the role of NATO, and lessons to learn from the invasion and the protest movement. We close out with a Syrian refugee collective's reflections on how their experiences in the Syrian revolution and civil war can inform how international observers relate to the conflict. And just for fun, we throw in some hair-raising Russian songs related to protest and war. We'll continue our coverage of the crises in Ukraine and Russia—and much more—in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. {March 11, 2022} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} [Protester’s Song From a Russian Police Van] {5:29} {6:38} Anarchist Fighter on Radical Anti-War Actions {12:57} {20:31} The Kremlin’s Fatal Miscalculation {32:36} Interview with Dmitrii {47:05} {1:18:09} Conclusion {1:42:23} This episode includes , and the piece “My Days in Russia,” originally published as part of the article . The piece “The Kremlin’s Fatal Miscalculation” is a translation of the transcript of the of Trends in Order and Chaos, the podcast from the anarchist media platform . The roundup of radical actions by Anarchist Fighter included references to an , a , , and the teenage anarchist , who died in a 2018 attack on the FSB headquarters in Arkhangelsk. During our interview, Dmitrii recommended a few English-language news sources on Russian politics, including , , and . By the way: if you have any trouble with the accent or wording in the live interview, you can always read along with the transcription in our , which is lightly edited for easier understanding. The episode concludes with the piece , written by participants in , a transnational collective of Syrian refugees based in the suburbs outside of Paris, France. For further background on the Syrian Revolution, civil war, the refugee crisis it spawned, and “anti-imperialism,” see our coverage on and , and other pieces such as , , etc. The music we included in this episode includes the spine-tingling singing of and an old Soviet song sung during the USSR’s doomed Afghan war, – also see a follow-up to the same song from the next Russian regime’s bloody imperial folly, . The Ex-Worker is a proud member of the , an English-language anarchist radio and podcast network run by radical media makers. Several other CZN participants, including , , and by It’s Going Down, have done their own coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, so definitely check out those projects through the links above if you want to hear more. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/22419749

#82: Invasion and Resistance in Ukraine, Part II 03/04/2022

#81– Invasion and Resistance in Ukraine, Part I 03/02/2022

#81– Invasion and Resistance in Ukraine, Part I As Russian tanks encircle Kyiv and hundreds of thousands of refugees flee, our hearts go out to our comrades in Ukraine resisting the Russian invasion—and to the Russian anti-war movement bringing the resistance home. In this episode, we explore the history and background context to the current crisis in Ukraine. A variety of firsthand accounts from the weeks leading up to the invasion discuss differing perspectives on the threat of war, the complexities of anti-fascism, the role of NATO, and possibilities for principled resistance in times of severe threat. We share an excerpt from an interview by Elephant in the Room with a Ukrainian anarchist discussing the political history of Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet empire, Putin's vulnerabilities, and the character of the current Ukrainian regime. A long essay written by group of Ukrainian anarchists maps out the political landscape from the Maidan protests through the present crisis, with special attention to the evolution of the anarchist movement in recent years. And a statement from Russian anarchists on the eve of the invasion highlights the shared commitment of anarchists in the region to resisting Russian imperialism while working towards a broader vision of liberation. {March 2, 2022} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} {5:18} Interview Excerpt: “Anarchists and War in Ukraine” {18:11} A View From Kyiv {32:18} War and Anarchists: Anti-Authoritarian Perspectives in Ukraine {41:58} The Maidan Protests in Kyiv {43:32} The Role of Anarchists in the Protests of 2014 {47:21} The Beginning of the War: The Annexation of Crimea {50:34} Disinformation {52:12} Armed Conflict in the East of Ukraine {53:38} Supporters of the Unrecognized Republics {57:23} The Rise of the Far Right in Ukraine {59:02} Anarchists’ and Anti-Fascists’ Activity during the War {1:02:39} Pro-Ukrainians {1:03:05} Pro-Russians {1:05:55} Is There a Threat of Full-Scale War with Russia? An Anarchist Position {1:11:28} The Current Situation of Anarchists in Ukraine and New Challenges {1:19:00} {1:24:43} Conclusion {1:31:04} We begin the episode with . The article includes excerpts from “Why should we support Ukraine?,” by Finnish anarchist Antti Rautiainen, “If Only There Was No War” by anarchists from Belarus, and about their solidarity action with rebels in Kazakhstan. We played some short excerpts from originally released by Elephant in the Room, a Dresden-based anarchist audio project. Highly recommended to listen to the whole interview! You can also read an edited transcription later on in the article. For more background on the 2013–14 Maidan protests, see , , or this account from Lviv, February 19–21, 2014. The long essay we share is titled . It references the text by murdered anarchist Sergei Kemsky titled “” We close the episode with the statement from Autonomous Action. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/22313258

#80 – Ill Winds From Ottawa 02/18/2022

#80 – Ill Winds From Ottawa Opponents of vaccine mandates have established protest encampments in Ottawa and elsewhere around Canada, blockading several routes crossing the United States border. Far-right organizers and former police officers have prominent positions in this movement, and police have taken a relatively hands-off approach thus far; it appears likely that the model currently being tested in Canada will appear elsewhere around the world shortly. In this episode, we present an audio version of the article , in which our correspondent in Montréal explores the sequence of events that led up to these developments, reviews the agendas of the various forces vying for control, and reflects on what we can do in a situation in which the far right has gained the initiative. {February 17, 2022} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} Preface: A Movement for “Freedom”? {1:56} Ottawa is Just the Tip of the Iceberg {4:36} Timeline {8:47} Update: Trudeau Invokes the Emergencies Act {16:45} Why Has the Situation in Ottawa Gone on So Long?{18:23} By the Way, We Probably Shouldn’t Call These People “Truckers” {24:02} Beyond Ottawa: The Movement in the Streets {27:23} Obstacles and Hazards {31:57} Conclusion {52:30} This episode offers an audio version of the CrimethInc. text . In lieu of a full transcript, please check out the print article for the text, links, and more information. Since the above article was written, an important development has taken place, which we describe in the episode as such: As we prepare to release this podcast, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act, temporarily granting the federal government sweeping powers. Among other things, this enables banks to freeze personal and business accounts suspected of being used to further the blockades—and they can freeze them without obtaining a court order. It is easy to imagine how this precedent could pave the way for the US government to freeze bail funds and other accounts serving protesters in the US, as well—including anti-fascists and anarchists. This drives home that we are in a three-way contest with both far-right nationalists and centrist state authorities, in which the enemy of our enemy is not our friend. Any power that we permit either of these adversaries to gain will ultimately be used against us, as well. If we legitimize any repressive measures that the Canadian state takes against these protesters, it will only be easier for the authorities to take the same measures against us when we try to change society for the better. (We made this same point about liberals who celebrated the repressive measures, ranging from facial recognition software to crowdsourced social media snitching, used against right-wing participants in the January 6th disorder at the US Capitol.) This is why grassroots resistance to fascism is so important: it is the only way to defend ourselves and our neighbors without contributing to the development of an invasive and unaccountable centralized power. /episode/index/show/exworker/id/22182941

#79 – The *Real* Truth About Today’s Anarchists: The Ex-Worker Responds to the New York Times 10/05/2020

#79 – The *Real* Truth About Today’s Anarchists: The Ex-Worker Responds to the New York Times Anarchists and anti-fascists in general, and CrimethInc. in particular, have been the focus of intense hostile government and right-wing attention and in recent weeks. The latest salvo comes from the New York Times, which on June 30th published “,” drawing on conspiracy theorists and right-wing talking points to argue that violent anarchists are somehow controlling the ongoing countrywide protests, but don’t actually care about Black lives. The article actually calls out The Ex-Worker Podcast by name! While we’re flattered for the attention—who knew we were such a threat?—the article is both inaccurate and dangerous; more importantly, it touches on critical issues about today’s movements for liberation that we need to clarify. So in this episode, the Ex-Worker lays out , refuting the article’s bogus claims one by one, and offering a more accurate perspective on the relationships between anarchists and the ongoing movement to end white supremacy and police violence. We conclude with an audio version of an article we published with in June called . This episode challenges the myths and distortions about anarchism offered across the spectrum from Trump to the New York Times to provide insight into what anarchists today are really fighting for. {October 5, 2020} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} {6:21} {40:52} Conclusion {1:02:15} This episode focuses on our response to the wretched New York Times opinion piece “” by Farah Stockman. We published our rebuttal the following day as “.” Our colleagues at It’s Going Down have published a lengthy thread going into many of the specific problems with amateur conspiracy theorist Jeremy Lee Quinn’s reporting (which is Stockman’s main source) in detail, if you want to dig deeper. For a laugh, you can also check out the appallingly bad Network Contagion Research Institute report “”—which Stockman also uncritically promotes. To offer a different perspective on anarchist participation in the Black Lives Matter rebellions of the past months, we’ve also included an audio version of a piece co-published with back in June, “.” To read our own account of how the uprising spread and why the authorities themselves were chiefly responsible for the widespread adoption of confrontational tactics, check out the CrimethInc. article “Snapshots from the Uprising.” If you want to know more about what anarchists believe and desire, start with To Change Everything: An Anarchist Appeal. On , including CrimethInc.’s, check out our response, “.” Also check out the signed by hundreds of publuishers, journalists, educators, and activists to show solidarity. Also check out media projects like , who’ve also been under heavy fire from the right wing, as well as , , and all the other excellent podcasts from the . You can find a reference to CrimethInc. around {2:50:46} during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on “”, during testimony by one , a staffer for the Center for Security Policy—an , moonlighting as experts on violent left-wing extremism. For more information on Black anarchism, check out Lorenzo Kom’boa Ervin’s Anarchism and the Black Revolution, the recent Anarkata Statement, Vanessa Taylor’s excellent and the recent AK Press books by Zoe Samudzi and William Anderson and by Marquis Bey. For an articulate portrayal of exactly why government elites and right-wing authoritarians feel so threatened by us these days, check out the recent essay “.” /episode/index/show/exworker/id/16281284

#78: June 11th—Prisoner Solidarity, COVID-19, and Anti-Police Rebellion 06/11/2020

#78: June 11th—Prisoner Solidarity, COVID-19, and Anti-Police Rebellion Today we celebrate , an international day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners. While this is the sixteenth year this date has been observed, 2020 presents an unprecedented context: both the COVID–19 pandemic and the massive uprising sparked by the police murder of George Floyd have shifted our focus and sense of what’s possible. In solidarity with all prisoners, with particular care for anarchists in long-term confinement, we begin by sharing an excerpt from a along with the . To these we add a short interview with a June 11th organizer and supporter of anarchist prisoner . As politicians raise the specter of “antifa” to divide and defuse the militant anti-police resistance that has swept the US and beyond, we explore state repression of antifascists through an interview with and his support crew. Another interview with a participant in the South Florida explores a model for prisoner solidarity in pandemic times. We conclude with updates on several long-term prisoners’ cases and . After today’s focus on prisoner struggles, next time we’ll return our focus to the and the international movement to commemorate Black lives lost to police violence. {June 11th, 2020} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} {6:59} {23:42} Interview with a June 11th Organizer {30:52} Interview with {41:02} Interview: Update From David Campbell’s Support Crew {1:19:42} Prisoner Solidarity During the Pandemic: The South Florida {1:34:59} Prisoner Updates and {1:57:05} Conclusion {2:01:16} This episode focuses on , the international day of solidarity with long-term anarchist prisoners. It includes the 2017 article and the . The history refers to two influential solidarity texts, “” and “.” Some of long-term anarchist and anti-authoritarian prisoners in the US that you can support today include , , , , , , and . For a listing of international anarchist prisoners, see the . We shared an interview with antifascist prisoner . Here are , and this is his address: David Campbell #3101900657 Robert N. Davoren Complex 11–11 Hazen St East Elmhurst, NY 11370 If you want to virtually visit him, here are instructions: Check the , then click on the month (e.g. “May 2020”): Rikers folks can have up to three visitations as long as they fall under:1 weekday (Wed or Thurs), a Friday, and 1 weekend day (Sat or Sun). Fill out : You’ll need a photo ID, address, and e-mail to complete the form. You will need to upload a photo of your ID. Up to three people can visit at a time. You will also need to know the incarcerated person’s booking and case number; for David Campbell, his booking and case number is: 3101900657. You will be able to choose up to three potential visit times, unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will get your first choice. Wait for an e-mail or call from Rikers telling you the date and time of your virtual visit. This will happen the day before your scheduled visit. (Note that the slot they give you might be different from any of the dates or times you requested). Also check out an article David wrote on the hunger strike he helped to organize in March. Be sure to also check out the , featuring interviews with a Marius Mason supporter and with anarchist prisoner Jeremy Hammond. If you’re interested in the South Florida (CHIP), please consider donating to them through , Venmo (@CHIP-Hotline), or PayPal ([email protected]). If you want to volunteer or offer other support, or you’re interested in starting a similar project, you can contact the organizers at C19inmatehotline[at]riseup[dot]net. To understand the history that led to the arrest of Marius Mason and the emergence of June 11th as a day of anarchist solidarity, it’s helpful to learn about , the wave of arrests and state repression against earth and animal liberation movements in the early 2000s. Check out Ex-Worker episodes [#34, “Staying Safe so we can be Dangerous Together”](https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/34), and [#17, “Conspiracy! State Repression Strategies and Anarchist Resistance”](https://crimethinc.com/podcasts/the-ex-worker/episodes/17) for more background and analysis. Check out , an exciting new audio project offering a daily rundown of protests and ongoing rebellion in response to police killings. Here is a comprehensive compiled by the . Upcoming Prisoner Birthdays: M44710 Dixon Correctional Center 2600 North Brinton Avenue Dixon, Illinois 61021 {June 12} #015634 Glynn County Detention Center 100 Sulphur Springs Road Brunswick, Georgia 31520 {June 12} Smart Communications / PA DOC – NS9994 SCI Huntington PO Box 33028 St. Petersburg, FL, 33733 {June 15} #1532092 Clements Unit 9601 Spur 591 Amarillo, TX 79107 {June 17} Also see this /episode/index/show/exworker/id/14787131

#77: Minneapolis Uprising, Part 1—How to Abolish the Police 06/11/2020

#77: Minneapolis Uprising, Part 1—How to Abolish the Police The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police has sparked a nationwide rebellion against the police and global solidarity efforts. One of the most striking developments is the announcement on Sunday, June 7 by a majority of Minneapolis City Council members that they intend to dismantle the city’s police department. In Episode 77 of the Ex-Worker—the first in a series covering the Minneapolis uprising and its national and global implications—we return to the question of abolishing the police. The episode kicks off with our reflections from these unprecedented first two weeks of rebellion, then shares an essay exploring the question we’re all asking: Next, we share an anonymous report on , analyzing how a diverse “compositional” crowd was able to defeat the police. An anarchist from Minneapolis who attended the rally where the City Council declared their intention to end the police department shares their take on the background and context leading to the announcement and how abolitionist organizers, rioters, artists, and others joined forces to make abolition imaginable. We conclude with our thoughts about how the struggle against police might unfold beyond Minneapolis in the months to come. Stay tuned for more episodes soon on the Minneapolis uprising, , and prisoner struggles, international solidarity with the rebellions, and more! {June 10th, 2020} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} Essay: {10:49} Analysis: {30:57} PSA: {53:50} Interview: A Minneapolis Anarchist on the City’s Plan to Dismantle the Police {55:55} The Path Forward to Abolish the Police {1:08:45} Conclusion {1:17:44} This episode draws on the essay and the account and analysis We also played a PSA on from the . If you want to actually watch the Third Precinct as it succumbs to the wrath of the people, there’s no better source than the (Day 3, Thursday evening, from about 1:14:30 onwards). The Ex-Worker Podcast first tackled the question of abolishing the police in and , during our very first year as a show. Check them out and see what you think; is the analysis still relevant? What has changed since 2013 in our perception of the police and our movements challenging their power? We also covered previous anti-police uprisings in Ferguson, Baltimore, and beyond in ; ”; and . Check out , an exciting new audio project offering a daily rundown of protests and ongoing rebellion in response to police killings. Also check out the excellent coverage of the rebellions from other anarchist podcasts, including , featuring interviews with , ; on as well as their podcast episode ; and also , with . Lots more to come! Check out this comprehensive compiled by the . Prisoner birthdays and updates on prison struggles coming in our next episode about , the international day of solidarity for long-term anarchist prisoners! /episode/index/show/exworker/id/14779886

#76: Anarchist Nurses Speak Out on Survival and Resistance 04/08/2020

#76: Anarchist Nurses Speak Out on Survival and Resistance Here at , we continue to navigate the COVID–19 crisis by seeking guidance and insight from three anarchist nurses who are working on the frontlines of the pandemic. First, we hear from an anarchist ER nurse from the southwest US who offers reflections on individual and community health, mutual aid projects, and how to stay safe through the epidemic. You’ll hear a brief discussion of the promise and peril of antibody testing and the concept of an . After that, we share a long conversation with two anarchist nurses from New Orleans, Louisiana on a wide range of topics, including harm reduction, how to support healthcare workers, the legacy of AIDS activism, delineating between authority and expertise, and lots more. We close out the show with urgent appeals of support for families at as well as incarcerated radicals , , , , and all prisoners trapped on the inside through the pandemic. {April 8th, 2020} -------SHOW NOTES------ Table of Contents: Introduction {0:01} Survival is Resistance {4:44} Antibody Tests and {17:28} Interview with Two Anarchist Nurses in New Orleans {20:08} Urgent Appeals for Solidarity {1:47:32} {1:54:04} Conclusion {1:54:58} Mutual aid projects as a general concept are mentioned in both interviews. To learn more about mutual projects in your area, check out put together by our friends at and to Radical Solidarity Through Covid–19 from . Antibody tests may be a new tool to fight the spread of the virus, but proposals for an could lead us farther down totalitarian and dystopian paths. Learn about the long term efforts to and the homes, ancestral lands, and future generations of the Dine’(Navajo) and Hopi peoples. And donate to the . Please support efforts to get released from federal prison into home confinement by writing to his captors using the info below. (We know, we know-home confinement, ugh! But JUST DO IT, seriously!!) In light of the provisions of the CARES Act meant to decrease the risk to prisoner heath, in response to the COVID–19 pandemic, the U.S. Attorney General has delegated to the Director of the Bureau of Prisons the authority to release certain vulnerable prisoners to home confinement. Currently, the process for identifying appropriate candidates for home confinement have not been solidified but we believe it may help to write to the BOP Director and Southeast Regional Director and ask that Leonard be immediately considered and transitioned to his home on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Your letters should be addressed to: Michael Carvajal Director, Fed. Bureau of Prisons 320 First Street NW Washington, DC 20534 J.A. Keller Southeast Regional Director Federal Bureau of Prisons 3800 Camp Crk Prk SW, Building 2000 Atlanta, GA 30331 We have not drafted a form letter or correspondence. Your pleas should come from your heart as an individual who has supported Leonard for so many years. Say what you would like but we have put together some talking points that will assist you in your letter writing. Below are some helpful guidelines so your letter touches on the requirements of the Attorney General’s criteria for releasing inmates like Leonard to home confinement. OPENING: Point out that Leonard is an elder and is at risk; for example, “Mr. Peltier is 75 years old and in very poor health; his only desire is to go home to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and live out the remainder of his years surrounded by his family.” MEDICAL: The AG and CDC guidelines for releasing inmates requires the health concerns cause greater risk of getting the virus. Leonard has the following conditions you can list in your letter: Diabetes, Spots on lung, Heart Condition (has had triple by-pass surgery), Kidney Disease. RISK TO COMMUNITY: To qualify for release to home confinement we must show that Leonard poses no risk to the community. COMMUNITY SUPPORT/RENTRY PLAN: To qualify for release to home confinement we must show that Leonard has a reentry plan. Leonard has support from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band and has family land on the reservation where he can live. RISK OF COVID–19: To qualify for the release to home confinement must show that Leonard is at reduced risk to exposure of COVID 19 by release than he is at Coleman 1. As of recently Rolette County, ND has no cases of COVID 19, Sumter County has at least 33 cases. Antifascist is serving time in Riker’s Island where a COVID–19 outbreak is raging, and supporters are trying to get him released during the pandemic! Write to advocate for his release! Contact politicians via the info , and . Script and other info are Check out The Final Straw’s stellar and important with New Afrikan Black Revolutionary prisoner , who is in urgent need of medical assistance due to a heart condition. UPDATE from supporters: After the first day of calls they changed his medicines to something more appropriate for his heart condition—not just Tylenol, which they had him on (only). That’s the only thing so far. Please help keep up the pressure! Check out these other anarchist media projects that have produced episodes covering organizing efforts both by and for prisoners: , , and . You can help bail out vulnerable detainees from immigration detention and jail by donating to the ; with pandemic-related bail reductions, they’ve expanded their focus past LGBTQ detainees to bail out as many people as they possibly can. Upcoming prisoner birthdays: #B–27527 California State Prison LAC Post Office Box 4490 B–4–150 Lancaster, California 93539 Address envelope to Romaine Fitzgerald, address card to Chip /episode/index/show/exworker/id/13908650

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