A-Infos (en) US, Anarchist Fun Faire (with an E) in Riverside

Saturday, February 21 2008 RIVERSIDE California -- A small crowd gathered at multiple 
sites in Downtown Riverside for a series of workshops, talks, and entertainment, all part 
of the Anarchist Fun Faire. Arrivees to Downtown must have wondered if the multiple 
artists painting at easels on city sidewalks were creating the "Watercolor Paintings" 
advertised on the flyer. Watercolor Paintings is actually the name of a band that 
performed later on that evening, but it a perfect example of the type of subversion 
culture jammers, social activists, and anarchists have so much fun with. At first it was 
tough to tell if anything was actually going on at all. But there were too many people 
wearing DIY clothing bearing patches for bands and various political causes for it to be 
an average day.

My friend and I had some hot tea and chocolate at Back to the Grind Coffee, chatted, and 
took in the surroundings while waiting to see what would happened. Eventually, someone 
invited us downstairs, where the movie Steal this film II" was screened.

The documentary was about the production and distribution of information, making a 
historical comparison between the invention and dissemination of the printing press and 
the development of the internet and file-sharing.

Following the film, we walked across the street to the Universalist/Unitarian Church for a 
talk on veganism. Will, the proponent of veganism who led the chat, was enthusiastic. "I 
think the reason I've stayed with veganism for so long is that I just love vegetables!"

He began with a story about the time his friend criticized his "hypocrisy" for eating some 
chocolate with a small amount of milkfat. "You're not a vegan, so why do you tell people 
you are?" his friend chided. Will emphasized that there are as many definitions of 
veganism as there are vegans. "To me, that's like a Presbyterian going up to a Lutheran 
and saying, 'You've got it all wrong, this is the way to be a Christian!'"

The discussed ranged from reasons people choose to be vegan, to health concerns, to 
recipes. It was then followed by a trip to the kitchen, where workshop participants made 
vegan sushi and brownies.

While the food was cooking, we went back to the coffee house to join the twenty or so 
there gathered for a talk on Linux and the open-source software movement.

Afterward, there was a really really free market at the church. Clothes, books, and CDs 
were set out on tables for people to peruse and take. As we shopped, the kitchen crew 
brought out delicious snacks to share.

A travelling group of activists who put Earth First gave a presentation which was 
well-received, a circle of knitters was formed, and Nick, an advocate of cycling, led a 
workshop on bicycle maintenance and repair. Topics included properly locking one's bike, 
flat repair, and chain tension.

Anarcha-LA gave its take on becoming an LA-based anarcha-feminist collective. The panel, 
which was composed of three men and three women, talked about building solidarity with 
feminist causes and encouraged the approximately thirty people there to create their own 
collectives.

The group seeks to establish a presence in the community that allows it to provide 
resources, social services, and referrals to those in need.

Members of the audience also participated, including some women who discussed their 
experiences of alienation from mainstream feminism.

The group also invited attendees to its upcoming potluck on Saturday, February 28, 2009 
beginning at around one at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. They'll meet near the corner of 
7th and Park View, and encourage others to bring a vegan dish to share.

A "Secret Show" in the library parking lot closed out the night.
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A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
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