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Indybay Feature

Offensive Feminists Self Defense Training

Date:
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Time:
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Event Type:
Class/Workshop
Organizer/Author:
Location Details:
The Holdout Event and Organizing Space, 2313 San Pablo Ave, Oakland CA

http://www.theholdout.org

Offensive Feminists Self Defense is a weekly self defense and strength training class for trans people, queers and women (not cis-men). It is open to anyone who fits this description and is comfortable with our points of unity (below). Off Fem is donation based ($1-$5) but don't worry if you can't swing it: your presence
is way more important than your money.

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE:
2:00-2:40: Introductions and checking in, warm-ups and strength training
2:40-3:05: strikes
3:05-3:30: evasion techniques / grappling / verbal boundary setting
3:30-3:40: returning the Holdout to its original state, check outs
3:40-4:15: If there is interest: jogging and sprinting

The point of this class is to learn how to fight; why we would need to do
this is obvious: the queer bashers, the rapists, the cat callers, the
stalker boyfriends, the transphobes, the police, and ultimately this whole
society that claims we are physically weaker, and less capable of
protecting ourselves and one another than the designated patriarchs. The
grim reality of this systematic infantilization stares us in the face—we
are murdered, raped and attacked on an astronomical level making it clear
that the patriarchal “protectors” are not that at all. In the private realm
of violation and abuse, we know that they are often times the same people
we are supposedly being “protected” from: our enemies. In this society both
public and private violence is erased from virtually any form of
conversation and really any acknowledgement at all no matter how completely
blatant it may be. The token state and non-profit intervention is simply
for appearances sake- we are the only ones who can defend ourselves and one
another.

We know that carrying pepper spray isn't enough if we don't know how to use
it, we know that a 1 day workshop on how to fight off of an attacker cannot
be wrought into the memory of all who take it without continued practice of
those defensive methods.

So, we invite you to come to our self defense classes- work out- build up
your muscles, learn how to fight and ultimately build an offensive feminism
with a group of people who you will hopefully come to learn from and trust.

OUR COLLECTIVE FORMAT AND POINTS OF UNITY

There are a few bottomliners who open and set up our space. Every person
who comes to Offensive Feminist is welcomed and encouraged to lead any
section of the workout, sharing what they know about stretching, warmup
exercises, boxing, martial arts or running.

We are respectful of everyone who attends the sessions, and structure the
space to allow for all levels of experience and physical fitness. We
encourage one another and strive to make the space as accessible and safe
as possible. We ask permission before touching anyone and respond with
respect and compassion if our training triggers past experiences of
violence for anyone in attendance.

This space has a zero tolerance policy for racism, homophobia, transphobia,
sexism and ableism

We remember that we are all here to fight a common oppression and while
competition is somewhat inevitable that is not the focus of this group.
Camaraderie and collective self defense is far more pressing then any one
individual's desire to seem better then others.

The Holdout space is wheelchair accessible. We provide free childcare while we work out.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BRINGING
-any boxing or sparring gear that you have lying around and would like to
share for the day. Our gear is somewhat limited, so extra punch mitts and
safety gear are always appreciated
-running shoes,
-work out clothes,
-snacks,
-a water bottle
-1-5 dollars for donation if you can,
-a device loaded with sick workout music that you can plug into speakers
Added to the calendar on Sat, Sep 21, 2013 10:29PM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

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