A-Infos (en) US, San Francisco, Anarchist Olympics!

This summer UA in the Bay will be hosting an Anarchist Olympics in San Francisco. The 
general idea is to host mock competitions, short demonstrations, skillshares, full length 
trainings, and games that help to prepare our community with tactical knowledge for 
upcoming protests, demonstrations and actions. We believe sharing this knowledge and 
gathering socially will better prepare us all for success and safety on the streets. ---- 
Opening ceremonies: Aug. 14, 7pm, location TBA. ---- Games: Saturday Aug. 15, 11am to 6pm. 
  Sunday Aug. 16, 11am to 6pm. ---- Event will be held at an outdoor space in San 
Francisco. Location specifics will not be released until the night of August 14. ---- 
Schedule of events, speakers, participating groups, parties, and more will posted here 
soon. Check back often for updates. http://www.uainthebay.org/node/380
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Introducing UA in the Bay

Unconventional Action in the Bay Area (UA-in-the-Bay) developed following the 
mobilizations against the Democratic and Republican National Conventions at the end of the 
Summer of 2008. We began as members of the Bay Area anarchist community seeking to 
coordinate in a national strategy to disrupt the spectacles of false democracy represented 
by the two conventions. Once we returned to the Bay Area following these actions we 
decided to continue organizing together, but focusing on our own communities and building 
strong local networks capable of challenging the structures and institutions of oppression 
and domination in our society and building our own models in their place.

While mobilizations over the past decade have demonstrated the great number of 
anti-capitalists and anti-authoritarians willing to struggle, there has been no way for 
individuals and groups to plug in beyond the rare spokescouncils and days of action. Based 
upon this reflection our efforts are targeted in a different direction, one that positions 
our organizing over the course of years instead of single days of resistance.

This focus on building community networks through anarchist practice is vital to building 
a sustained and thriving movement, capable of growing and pushing its vision forward. One 
of our main objectives in this group is the development of parallel structures outside of 
capitalism as a means of engaging in mutual aid and empowerment, both within our 
communities and our movement itself. Whether it be a housing cooperative, food 
distribution network, or neighborhood assembly, all are important to successfully take on 
illegitimate structures and hierarchies. The seizure and defense of space to allow for the 
proliferation of concurrent formations based on our values and for the benefit of all is a 
necessity. We must build up as we tear down.

For UA-in-the-Bay, standing in solidarity with existing and developing movements of 
oppressed and disempowered people across the globe, but especially in the Bay Area, is a 
top priority. While many of us come from backgrounds of racial, gendered, and/or 
class-based privilege, it is crucial for our movement to stand and fight together with 
activists from other communities, engaging in a true process of mutual aid and respect.

No movement based in free-thought and a radical shift in values and ideas can expect to 
grow without looking at education. This comes in many forms, from direct participation to 
common interaction to study. In our work we seek to balance all three, aiming to expand 
the common knowledge of anarchist and anti-authoritarian ideas. By aiming for 
participation and holding ourselves to anti-authoritarian ideas—by simply being engaged in 
our organizing—there is tremendous educational opportunity in the strengths as well as 
challenges of non-hierarchical organization.

But bottom-line, a movement is only a movement if it moves. Right? To move we need to 
continuously organize and grow as an organization, incorporate new folks and new ideas. 
UA-in-the-Bay is currently active in San Francisco and the East Bay and would love your 
participation.

We will be actively inclusive of anyone who agrees with the following:


     * A rejection of all forms of hierarchy including capitalism, patriarchy, white 
supremacy, heterosexism, colonialism, and party-based politics.

     * Organizing on a consensus-based, non-hierarchical basis that promotes autonomy, 
solidarity, grassroots involvement, and the agency of those most affected by each decision.

     * Embracing a diversity of tactics based on practicality, regardless of legality.

     * Working actively to build relationships and institutions that are based on 
equality, self-determination, community, and sustainability.

     * Holding ourselves accountable to ensure that we meet our own standards listed above.
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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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