A-Infos (en) US, Phoenix: Over sixty people gather to form the Valley Anarchist Circle

On one of the first cooler nights in Phoenix a large assorted group of individuals 
attended a meeting with the stated goal of forming a new anarchist organization. It had 
been over a decade since the now mostly defunct Phoenix Anarchist Coalition formed. This 
group, widely known throughout the states engaged in generalized organizing in the Phoenix 
Valley and beyond. Last year, prior to Occupy, the last few meetings of the Phoenix 
Anarchist Coalition were held. By this point most of the Phoenix militants who 
participated in the founding of the organization had moved on. ---- In order to understand 
why the move to form a new organization was made it is important to go back a bit further 
in time.

The excitement after the Seattle '99 rebellion and local May Day organizing created a 
climate in Phoenix that necessitated further coordination amongst individuals and groups. 
Or at least at the time, it was the best idea we could come up with. The organization that 
was formed was general, with a basic mission statement and regular open meetings. Out of 
this group Phoenix radicalism slowly began to take shape. This group, which encouraged 
people to find affinity with others and build off their own ideas spawned many different 
projects. The organization itself, became a force in Phoenix politics to be reckoned with. 
Maybe most important, the individuals who were involved came from different subcultures, 
walks of life and age groups. This allowed a culture of resistance to build that would 
influence different segments of society. On a personal note, I think many anarchists who 
visit and meet folks from Phoenix notice this.

With the introduction of anti-union bills with no real opposition, a faltering 
pro-immigration movement and Occupations around the country some anarchists in Phoenix 
made the decision to intervene. Over the past year many of us have put a decent amount of 
work into propagandizing, inspiring organizing, and making new connections. The assumption 
was that this intersection would provide space for new groups of people to enter into a 
more radical struggle. It is worth noting that most if not all of the anarchists that 
initiated the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition understood the importance of this intervention.

It seemed that at this moment in time, if our cards were played right, a new organization 
similar to the one started a decade ago could be useful to a new set of people. Timing was 
key, Occupy served its course, the Left Immigration Movement suffered a major blow and 
radical action seemed disorganized and unpredictable.

A group of new and old anarchists got together and made the decision to initiate a new 
open organization that would welcome all and provide the same things we were provided over 
a decade ago. Nobody could have predicted the overflow crowd that showed up, over half of 
which being former Occupy and unnafiliated folks. We have a lot of fighting to do in 
Arizona, we are the frontline. Wish us luck, if you need to contact us we have bi-monthly 
meetings that we encourage anyone to come to. We are also available on the internet.

If your city sounds like it could use something like this we would be happy to consult 
with you as well. Good Luck!
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A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
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