VOID Network on the December 2008 Insurrection in Greece, B.A.S.T.A.R.D Conference, Berkeley: photos & audio

The talk was very inspiring on a number of levels, especially in the positive way they frame their own sense of building political power, which can be quite different than often seen with anarchists and other radicals in the U.S. As one example, they do not focus on injuries received by police during rebellions. Rather than dwelling on victimization on a personal level or in their self-produced media, they highlight their victories (as seen in the photographic slideshow projected onto a large screen as they spoke). In order for trauma to be healed, people should empower themselves by taking control of their lives. "Action dries your tears." Friendship and community are key to health and building a sense of revolutionary power.

Greeks do not refer to an an anarchist movement or struggle, but creating an anarchist space. They speak of realizing what they can imagine through direct action and other means whenever and wherever they can. They focus on the political power they achieve when they destroy heavy machinery in order to allow the community to determine the shape of a public space or when they assemble large enough numbers in the streets to stand down the police. Sometimes other tactics are called for such as printing thousands and thousands of fliers to share their ideas or operating more covertly from inside a liberal public assembly. They speak about how those who might frown upon direct action can become converts when they see positive results. A larger sense of community can be achieved as such. Also important is being open to the ideas of the young and allowing one's own perceptions to evolve over time.

The three held a similar talk the previous day at the 15th annual San Francisco Anarchist Bookfair in the Cafe side room. The two talks overlapped with the events and ideas discussed, but the engagement in Berkeley was allowed about a half hour extra time so more ground was covered in their second Bay Area appearance. The exact topics covered in the two talks were determined by the questions asked by attendees at the beginning of each session, with a second round of questions taken at the talk in Berkeley. One issue addressed later in the session is that from what they understand of American society it is very complicated, more so than in Greece, and one of the first missions of U.S. anarchists and radicals is to break through the walls of isolation. Instead of being discouraged by the limitations of the current political context, focus on building solidarity and breaking down social barriers.


The VOID Network has edited a new collection of interviews with those who witnessed and participated in the 2008 revolt, alongside communiqués and texts, called "We Are an Image From the Future" published this month by AK Press.


VOID Network:
http://voidnetwork.blogspot.com/

We Are an Image From the Future: The Greek Revolt of December 2008:
http://akpress.org/2010/items/weareanimagefromthefuture

Berkeley Anarchist Students of Theory And Research & Development (B.A.S.T.A.R.D) announcement:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/07/18640176.php

SF Anarchist Bookfair announcement:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/02/16/18637982.php