On Saturday February 18, students from across Massachusetts gathered at Encuentro 5 in Chinatown for the inaugural meeting of the Student Anarchist Federation (SAF). The SAF hopes to build on the upsurge in anarchism’s popularity in the wake of the Occupy movement. They plan to do so by helping students organize in a non-hierarchical manner to challenge capitalism, the state, and all forms of oppression – a vision that departs markedly from anarchism’s nihilistic portrayal by the political left and right alike.
Nearly 50 students were present at Saturday’s meeting. Colleges represented included Boston University, Tufts, Northeastern, Emerson, Bunker Hill, Burlington, Wentworth, Emmanuel, Simmons, and Salem State University. Many were reluctant to disclose their full names due to the possibility of state or employer reprisal. Some, such as “Malatesta” of Boston University, had been active on their campuses for a long time, but now see anarchism “spreading like wildfire,” energized in part by Occupy protests.
The SAF takes its inspiration from the Libertarian Student Front (Frente de Estudiantes Libertarios/FEL) in Chile. The FEL has roots in the struggles of Chilean students against the neoliberal reforms of (US-backed) dictator Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet’s regime, most famous for ordering the murder of thousands of leftists in the 1970s, also altered the country’s education system, introducing enormous inequalities between regions. The FEL was formally constituted in 2003, following initial actions in the late 1990s. It continues to provide a political space for anarchist students to promote horizontialism and the socialization of the education system. The FEL has been active in 2011-2012 Chilean student uprisings, which have seen student occupations of more than 100 universities.
Participants at the first meeting of the SAF expressed belief that their federation’s establishment would allow for more large-scale actions in Massachusetts, including outreach to students, teach-ins on anarchism, and coordinated protests. One proposal was for the development of new materials for outreach, such as magazines and pamphlets. Breakout groups discussed how to fight student T fare hikes. A motion was passed for the SAF to march together on March 1, the National Day of Action for Education.
Many of the participants reported anarchistic ideas flourishing on their campuses in the face of increasingly delegitimized college authorities. These authorities are trying to push through unpopular tuition hikes and place restrictions on student groups. As a result, students find it increasingly desirable to imagine a world without such authorities and to work toward building such a world.
SAF members also discussed how exactly their values should be put into practice through the federation. Many participants believed that an anarchist organization should not focus just on anti-capitalist or anti-state actions, but needed to address all forms of oppression, in new and creative ways. One woman spoke of the need “to create affinity groups and safe spaces for oppressed people.” Emily from Burlington described the appeal of anarchism as that of “building a society without systems of oppression, sustained by radical compassion and direct democracy, where people are taken care of.”
The meeting ended with the organizers deciding to devote most of the next meeting to a discussion of what constitutes anarchist values and strategy. The next meeting will be Sunday, Feb 26, at E5 (33 Harrison Ave, 5th floor, Boston) starting at 7 pm.
To learn more, find the Student Anarchist Federation on Facebook.
You should get in touch with, make a visit to Libertalia Autonomous Space in Providence. Follow them on Facebook under that name.
Best wishes!
I desire a public debate with SAF on Scientific Socialism vs. Any and all forms/types of Anarchism. This is an excerpt from a one page sketch of my political activities from 1960 to the present.
A Succinct Political Biography of Kwame M.A. Somburu (Paul B. Boutelle until 1979)
For further information, debates, or speaking engagements contact: [email protected]
Kwame Somburu, was born in New York’s Harlem Hospital in 1934. He lived in New York City for 39 years, California for 33, and moved to the Boston area in September 2006. In 1960, after a few years of independent study (from a scientific perspective) in many and varied historical/contemporary areas, but mainly African & African American history, the writings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Trotsky, and acquired knowledge from life experiences, he declared himself to be a Black Nationalist (class definition), and a Scientific Socialist. Kwame’s appropriate, political identification is Trotskyist: Scientific Socialist analysis of Capitalism/Imperialism, Stalinism, Fascism, worker’s revolution, colonial revolution, racism, self determination for all peoples, and relevant contributions towards a working class world revolution.
In 1970, Kwame was chairman of the Committee of Black Americans for Truth About the Middle East. It placed a half page ad in the Nov. 1st, 1970 New York Times, that stated: An Appeal by Black Americans Against United States Support of the Zionist Government of Israel. He toured Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria as a guest of the General Union of Palestine Students. In 1972 he was a founding member of the Africa Information Service. In the early 1980s, he was a member of the National Black Independent Political Party, and the U.S. Grenada Friendship Society. Kwame traveled to Germany, England, and the Netherlands, in 1993 to lecture on Malcolm X, the film about his life, and in defense of Black Nationalism and Socialism. He also participated in a fall 2000 conference at New York University titled Explorations in the History of U.S. Trotskyism, in which he spoke on Black Nationalism, Malcolm X, and Socialism. In July 2008, Kwame, his wife Zakiya (died from cancer on January 4th, 2010, because of “Profits over People”), and their son Asi-Yahola, participated in a three day Trotskyist Socialist Conference, at Fordham University in New York City. In his late 70s (and in excellent health), Kwame continues over 50 years of total opposition to U.S. domestic and foreign policy, and its many, varied, historic, and contemporary, horrid crimes that most Americans are grossly ignorant of, or are in denial.
All ruling classes will use terror, violence, massacres, and “Any Means Necessary” to maintain and extend their rule. US rulers, have always used violence: Police, National Guard, Military, Private Armed Forces, FBI, and the CIA.
mi enhorabuena y deseo, crezcais y desarrolleis la idea de OTRA FORMA DE VIVIR es posible. Mucha suerte
anarkia y libertad
Greetings to the anarchists of Boston from Puerto Rico.
Enhorabuena desde España!
Arriba la Anarquía.