By: Mohamed Jean Veneuse

Short Description:

APOC is a network of de-centralized Anarchist/Anti-authoritarian “screams and sighs of relief”, solely for People of Color. Though the definition(s) of APOC and those involved with it remain multiplicitous — particularly pertaining to what exactly is meant by the signifier “Person of Color” — it is those who are associated with it that define its meaning(s). APOC is built to recognize “the racially oppressed other”, whilst not being a separatist movement, and to provide the necessary means for that “other” to recognize itself, to build a space autonomously for itself and subsequently liberate itself whilst recognizing the infinite oppressions that are faced by people of the world and seeking out ways to dismantle them.

“White folks need to deal with being ANTI-RACIST ALLIES to folks of color communities and activists, activists in particular because we are usually whites’ entry point into any possible relationship with our communities.”

- Ashanti Alston

“Empowerment will remain powerless until we change power relations.”

- Angela Y. Davis

Related Theorists and Traditions:

Anarchism

Anti-Racism

Black Anarchism

Lorenzeo Komboa Ervin

Ashanti Alston

Sam Mbah

Arif Dirlik

Frank Fernandez

Kuwasi Balagoon

Martin Sostre

Related Groups and Practices:

Black Anarchism

Anti-Rascist Action

Affinity Groups

Anarchist Black Cross Network

Critical Resistance

Estacion Libre

CopWatch

Related Events:

1) First APOC conference in Detroit, Michigan between October 3-5th, 2003.

2) APOC Bloc Call to Action against the FTAA ministerial in Miami on November 18th, 2003.

3) “Rally Against Hate at MCCD” on Tuesday October 12th, 2004 in protest of ethnic minority students and educators having been the recipients of disparaging remarks by a GCC Professor.

4) “May Day – A Day without Immigrant(s)” on May 1st, 2006 in protest of the criminalization of Immigrants & their respective struggles.

Locus of Activity:

The work APOC is grounded in issues of race. However, this focus does not dismiss other sites of oppression, whether they pertain to sexuality, gender, faith, capitalism or the state form. These all represent webs of power that must be addressed as an interlocking system.

Time of Activity:

APOC has been active since 2003.

History:

The Detroit conference in October 3-5 of 2003 marked the first APOC conference, Approximately 130-150 were in attendance at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The conference was divided into six sections:

A) Women of Color Discussion

B) Sexism Workshop Action Steps

C) Saturday Evening Plenary

D) Self-Defense Workshop

E) Police & Cruising Workshop

F) Building an Anarchist People of Color Movement

Regarding what specifically and really came out of the conference in Detroit, Ernesto Aguilar highlights that “For the first time, this movement shined beyond the names and faces people know, and showed our strength and unity. Youth stepped up and took center stage as organizers and speakers. Veterans imparted their knowledge, but did not dominate proceedings. We got to talk about the issues affecting our communities, and how we can make our work more reflective of the anarchist ideal. A common thread in terms of vision seemed to be the idea that the label we called ourselves was far less important than the theory and practice that were part of our struggles. During many workshops, attendees stressed that more emphasis in the white-led anarchist movement was on capital-A anarchism rather than developing projects that exemplified the ideals we talk about. People expressed wanting to see work that went beyond activism, but that served needs and worked with the community” (From www.ainfos.ca/03/oct/ainfos00186.html)

There was some debate at the conference regarding two visions of the group’s future. The first was the POC Network’s proposal and the second was the APOC United Front’s proposal.

“[POC] Network authors, who said most conference pre-registrants had not expressed an interest in building an APOC group, requested their proposal be discussed in a workshop running concurrent with others, so those not interested in group-building could join other workshops. United Front authors argued that discussing a proposal anyplace else but a plenary was undemocratic. United Front advocates also called for a vote on all proposals, whereas the Network authors said they intended their discussion to be a dialogue and not necessarily a vote.

The ensuing debate prompted four BANCO members to issue a statement, “Stop Character Assassination and Sectarianism in the APOC Movement.” The statement condemned the Network proposal and its authors, along with various parties assisting with the conference. On October 3, Komboa emailed to say he would not attend the APOC conference due to the recent conflicts.

Ironically, in the end neither proposal was discussed. The Network proposal workshop was later changed to “Building an APOC Movement” by its authors, who later cited the need to build upon dialogues over the weekend, rather than found a group out of the conference.”

(www.ainfos.ca/03/oct/ainfos00186.html)

An outline of the conference is found below:

Mission

Solutions must reflect our unique problems and possibilities for struggle. While there are “isms” we are fighting against, just as important, we are fighting for liberation.

We understand it is up to us to win freedom, on our terms. We need an anarchist people of color organizing network. Such a network should be composed of individuals and collectives. It should be committed to building a directly democratic movement aimed at creating revolutionary change.

Points of Unity

1.) We recognize that our oppression is political. We reject dominant and subculture claims that we are to blame for our own slavery. We understand that white supremacy and capitalism are at the heart of the problems we face.

2.) We support and encourage organizing in a grassroots, anti-authoritarian way. We believe in power of the people, not by the people.

3.) We acknowledge the need to organize independently and as a movement uniting people of color. Although our organization should be composed solely of people of color, we understand the importance of our work within the international resistance movement. We also understand our efforts can only help build resistance to our common enemies.

4.) We support and encourage active participation of women, as well as newer and older generations in our work.

5.) We recognize the necessity of self-determination for all colonized nations and peoples, and we stand with struggles by colonized nations and peoples around the world. We maintain the importance of autonomy for people of color, and also recognize the importance of multiracial, multicultural unity. We stand with just struggles against our oppressors.

6.) We recognize our struggle is also against racism within various political movements.

Statement of Purpose

We address our social problems by organizing movements and communities to take on white supremacy and capitalism, which are at the root of these problems. We seek to create alternatives to current order that are democratic, just and promote mutual respect, self-determination, empowerment and liberation.

We educate, organize and cultivate organizing skills in our communities to meet the challenges we face. Some of these issues include social, political and cultural struggles we face such as police misconduct, prisons, housing issues, education, and health care, but there are many more. We seek to agitate in ways that are most strategic to overcoming our oppression.

Structure

The organizing catalyst we envision is a loosely-knit network or groups and individuals, with a basic process, organizing and communications framework established as a means of working together. Membership should be based on agreement with the mission, points of unity and statement of purpose. From there, it is critical to have a commitment to organizing and being active in struggles affecting communities of color locally, as well as against capitalism and white supremacy. As local groups form out of action, responsibility for recruiting and maintaining membership in their areas is also essential. Participants should be accountable to their local collectives.

We believe in direct democracy, mutual respect and open debate as positive ways of rebuilding stronger relations in our communities. Decisions should be made in a spokes-council format, where delegates elected by local and regional groups participate in discussions and decisions (although audience is open to all members). Committees and spokes-council members should be accountable to the group.

Committees should be based around common work, such as process, publicity and organizing strategy, and be coordinated by a chair elected by committee members on the basis of the potential chair’s commitment to spending time in skills sharing and project completion. Committees should report back monthly to the spokes-council.

Conclusion

Many movements are crippled by Eurocentric, middle class and privileged orientations. We contend that a people of color movement would not only serve to educate, but to strengthen the communities in which we are a part. An organization comprised of likeminded individuals of color would strengthen our struggles against everyday oppressions. It would also empower us as we participate in such struggles.

The second Anarchist People of Color Conference, scheduled for October 7-9th, 2005 in Houston, Texas was postponed due to the need for local organizers to turn their attention to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Modes of Social Change Advocated:

The overthrow of capitalism, and replacing this exploitative system with anarchistic modes of political organization: collective ownership, decentralized, community-based, non-hierarchal and egalitarian

Favorite Theorists:

Kuwasi Balagoon: www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/profiles/balagoon.html

Ashanti Alston: www.anarchistpanther.net/

Who is the Enemy:

White supremacy (Racism), Capitalism, Police Brutality, Authority and the multiplicity of oppressions that face the world.

Media Used:

Primarily the web.

Tactics:

APOC promotes self-defense, affinity groups, community-based social programs, co-operation with other related struggles and groups, and virtually any tactic that leads to the overthrow of racism, sexism, and the state without using authoritarianism as a means.

Examples of Action:

EXAMPLE ONE: Miami APOC Call to Action:

“During the past week of demonstrations against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), protesters have been met with a massive show of state repression, backed by $8.5 million in US Government funding. Miami Police Commissioner John Timoney oversaw a massive, paramilitary assault on our constitutional and human rights. Police wielding batons, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber, wooden, and plastic bullets and other chemical agents attacked demonstrators, specifically POC and anarchists. Over 100 demonstrators were treated for injuries; 12 were hospitalized. Police dispersed large groups of peaceful protestors with tear gas, pepper spray, and open fire, once broken into smaller groups the treatment became harsher. This campaign of fear and intimidation culminated in the closure and militarization of downtown Miami. There were confirmed reports of military tanks patrolling the streets after dark on Thursday night.

There are estimates of more than 250 arrests with specific targets of anarchists and POC. People have become political prisoners and are being held in jail. More than 50 of them were arrested while holding a peaceful vigil outside the jail in solidarity with those inside. They were surrounded by riot police and ordered to disperse. As they did, police opened fire and blocked the streets preventing many from leaving. We are now receiving reports from people being released or calling from jail that there is excessive brutality, sexual assault and torture going on inside. Reports from released prisoners’ claims that POC, Queer and transgender prisoners are particularly being targeted. There is a confirmed report of one Latino man arrested along with 62 others outside Miami-Dade County Jail Friday, who is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit for an injury he received after being beaten in the head with nightstick by an arresting officer. Those practicing jail solidarity by not stating names or nationalities are even further targeted for torture from police by hours of beatings and soaking with water in the extremely cold jail cells. There are still some people who are under disappeared status.

People have also been denied access to attorneys, visitation rights, vegetarian or vegan food, and access to essential medication and medical attention.

Representing the anti-authoritarian, autonomous, people of color groups in Miami, Autonomia is putting out a call with other groups of the Miami Direct Action contingent. We call on people from around the globe to take action immediately to support our sisters and brothers who are being unfairly arrested and brutalized. We are calling for three immediate actions:

1) Call, fax, email elected officials with the demands listed below. Contact information below.

2) Money is urgently needed Wire money to Cynthia Pitt at the Western Union in Miami, FL When you do this, call the convergence center in Miami at:

(305) 373-9644

3) Global Day of Action on Monday at any time and any appropriate location. This could be US Embassies, Departments of Justice or FBI offices

THESE ARE OUR DEMANDS:

• Drop all charges.

• Release all political prisoners.

• Meet basic human needs: no more brutality, provide appropriate food, access to medicine and medical attention, arm clothing.

• Provide access to attorneys and visitation rights.

• Provide equitable treatment to all prisoners regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

• Do not share information collected with the INS.

• Fire Chief Timoney and whole all Officers responsible for their actions.

EXAMPLE TWO: Hurricane Katrina Mutual Aid Relief:

“In conjunction with Mayday DC and members of Asheville APOC, is supporting an alternative mutual aid relief project called the Common Ground Wellness Center. This project has been set up in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans in cooperation with local residents. The project has provided medical care and supplies to hundreds of people in the past week. If you’d like to help provide mutual aid to residents of the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Katrina, please consider helping out with this effort. If you’d like to contribute money to this effort, please donate using the button linked below. Let’s put our mutual aid where our mouths are and show that people can help each other without government help”

EXAMPLE THREE: APOC ATTACK

“APOC-NYC had mostly been meeting as a radical study group. It was and actually is still working diligently and slowly, not skipping any steps, to carve out what its identity is and is working to build a strong face-to-face living, breathing community. Just prior to the FTAA demonstrations in November, APOC had a benefit show/party to help cover the expenses of the costly trips to Detroit and to help fund the upcoming mobilization in Miami. Many at the party said that the vibe was almost ideal. People felt a real sense of strength, unity and joy being amongst one another. What happened next would shock many of us and would show not only the determination of the state to silence Anarchist/Anti-Authoritarian People of Color but also the tremendous organizing strength, ferocity and sophistication that lie nascent in the still building APOC community. Early in the morning on November 16 th 2003 the NYPD senselessly attacked what had been a private gathering held at a space in Brooklyn rented by “Critical Resistance”, a group that does work against the Prison Industrial Complex. I remember that night that I had just gotten out of a long planning meeting for my upcoming trip to Miami for the FTAA and had decided to go home and go to sleep early, exhausted. At about two in the morning I received a phone call from a friend who had gone on to the benefit only to hear that “ up to 100 people had been indiscriminately sprayed with chemical agents, beaten with nightsticks, and harassed by a throng of police officers.””

“The details are truly shocking. The official press release states, “Over 25 police vehicles arrived at 968 Atlantic Avenue, the location of the fundraising event, at around 2 AM, to investigate an officer’s report of someone standing outside the party allegedly holding an “open container”. Within minutes, the police unleashed their wave of violence onto the crowd, provoking onlookers and beating down attendees who were not resisting their orders. Over 20 people were experiencing effects of the pepper spray that was erratically sprayed into the air by the officers.” It goes further to say, “All tenants of the private, residential building were present at the event, did not request police assistance, and no one in the building placed a complaint with the precinct or the emergency response system. Witnesses report that no warrant was presented upon police entrance. Organizers responded peacefully to police threats and physical provocation, yielding to their disrespectful demands. Legal council at the scene confirmed that at least 8 arrests were made. Preliminary allegations include violation of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and inciting a riot, all of which are classified as misdemeanors…EMS visited the precinct to attend to those who sustained serious injuries, which include bruised ribs, a spinal injury, and severe blows to the head.””

“In an interview with Amy Goodman of WBAI, Mayuran of APOC-NYC stated, “First they were throwing around and beating the first young person that they had arrested. Then when we tried to ask questions, when we tried to prevent that person from being arrested, they began pepper-spraying people pretty much indiscriminately, hitting people with night sticks, dragging them on the ground, throwing them. A man was punched in the face right next to me. I was thrown to the ground and I was pepper-sprayed. A lot of things were going on at the same time to a bunch of different people because there were so many police officers, 50 police officers or more.””

(By Eisengrimm, May 19, 2004: auto_sol.tao.ca/node/view/610)

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