Modesto: Anarchists Take to the Streets in Support of Greek Insurrection

Modesto: Anarchists Take to the Streets in Support of Greek Insurrection

By crudo

“Bring it. We right here. We ain’t going anywhere. We right here.” - DMX

For nearly two years anarchists have stayed off the streets of Modesto as an organized presence. That is until last night. After a gathering of about 30 people at a local coffee shop, where comrades discussed the situation in Greece and read aloud a text from a prepared flyer on the revolt and how it relates to what is happening in the Central Valley of California, about 20-25 people took to the streets of downtown Modesto. Many of those in attendance that night had never engaged with others or organized themselves for such an activity as taking over a street for a march, so for many of the working class hooligan youths who marched for about 10 minutes to the downtown area of 10th and J Street, last night was a learning experience. Marchers held a large banner in front reading, “Solidarity With Greece! For Global Resistance!,” carried signs such as, “No Justice, No Peace! From Modesto to Greece,” and several youths carried anarchist black flags. The group chanted, “Who’s Streets? Our Streets,” and variations of, “From Modesto to Greece: Fight the Police!”

Right as the group approach it’s desired endpoint, the police showed up. The group did not stop and marched into the downtown blocked off street of 10th and J Street. There, youths engaged with the public and passed out several hundred flyers on car windows and to passersby. Although it was cold and not many people were about, we still accomplished our goal of taking the street, holding it, marching to our destination, and then engaging with people.

Members of Modesto Anarcho Crew (MAC - wat wat) also made it clear that the conditions in the Central Valley are just as ripe for insurrection and revolution as Greece. Several people pointed out that a young man of color was just shot to death by pigs in Stockton (about 20 minutes north of Modesto) when he came out of his house in a high crime neighborhood with a licensed firearm during the arrest of another man. The Greeks should not have all the fun. We have buildings to occupy, police to fight, and resources to appropriate as well.

Being that this demonstration was organized in less than three days mainly through social networking websites and friend networks - I would say last night was a success and hopefully only the start of things to come. Until I can light my cigarette on my on burning barricade, keep bringin da soc war, here, there, and everywhere.