Offensive Feminists Self Defense Training

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.

We meet Sundays, 2 - 3.30pm(sometimes untill 4.15pm) at The Holdout Event and Organizing Space, 2313 San Pablo Ave, Oakland CA. Come and join us this week!

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