The TORCH Networks First Annual Conference

On September 13th The TORCH antifascist network is holding their first annual conference in Chicago via south side Chicago ARA. This conference has 2 parts; a private portion for those within the TORCH network and a public portion open to all antifascists. The public day is going to be on September 13th and will consist of workshops/speakers followed by an antifascist show. We are inviting any and all antifascists to come out and network, see speakers, see bands, and grab literature. There will be also be tons of free antifascist merchandise (shirts, CD's etc.) for those who come out. This will be a benefit for antifascist prisoners. Below is a detailed schedule with all the necessary info for our public day.


5pm - speakers/workshops- This portion of our public day will be donation based. No one turned away. 

Speakers and their workshop descriptions:

Matthew N Lyons
from the Three way fight blog
http://threewayfight.blogspot.com/

“Taking the game away from the left” 

One of fascism’s most dangerous features is its ability to present itself as radical or even revolutionary. From Third Position anti-capitalism to Nazi ecology, from National-Anarchism to the slogan “Women’s Power as well as White Power,” far rightists have embraced many leftist ideas in distorted form. What are some leading examples of this dynamic today and where do they come from? To what extent is this empty posturing, and to what extent does it reflect real conflict between fascism and the established order? What kind of challenges does it pose for antifascist work?

Michael Staudenmaier

Michael Staudenmaier will discuss the intersection between anti-imperialism and anti-fascism in the context of the Puerto Rican independence movement in Chicago during the late 1970s and early 1980s.  This was a period of intense activity in the independence movement, including clandestine armed struggle and internationalist solidarity with other radical anti-colonial movements.  It was also a period of resurgence for the far right both in the US and Latin America, by the Klan, by military dictatorships in places like Chile, and by right-wing politicians in Puerto Rico itself.  My paper reviews this history and suggests some lessons for the present moment.

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7pm -show starts- This portion of the conference will be 10$

APPALACHIAN TERROR UNIT(crust punk from WV)
http://www.reverbnation.com/appalachianterrorunit

WARTORN (Metal punx from WI on Southern Lord records)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wartorn/272404432793464

WRATHCOBRA (D-Beat metal punk from PGH)
http://wrathcobra.bandcamp.com/

KRANG (crustards from Chicago)
http://krangcrustards.bandcamp.com/

LA ARMADA (Chicago hardcore punk)
http://armadahardcore.bandcamp.com/album/la-armada
https://www.facebook.com/la.armadahc?fref=ts

SICK SAD WORLD (Chicago hardcore punk w/ a horn)


1 More TBA

There will be tables throughout the show with literature and merchandise

@Chitown Futbol
2343 S. Throop, Chicago, Illinois

Benefit for political prisoners!

Endorsed by the May 1st Anarchist Alliance CHICAGO and the Black Rose/ Rosa Negra anarchist federation.

Interested in playing, tabling etc?
contact southsidechicagoara@hushmail.com

Prison Release Fund for Jason Sutherlin of TP5

Taken from Youcaring.com:

In May 2012 five antifascists were arrested and, in early 2013, took non-cooperating plea deals for 3 felonies each for taking part in emphatically stopping a meeting of white supremacists organizing under the guise of the Illinois European Heritage Association at a restaurant in Tinley Park, IL.  For more information, see tinleyparkfive.wordpress.com.

Jason Sutherlin is the LAST of the five to be released, rejoining us in early September. Bloomington ABC , NYC ABC , Denver ABC, and Sacramento Prisoner Support have launched a campaign to start a release fund for Jason. By the time Jason is released he'll have been locked up for almost 2.5 years, will have a felony record, and certain things just won't be the same. Lets help him make a smooth transition! Lets raise some money and secure a release fund that will welcome him upon his release. Your donations will help Jason pay costs of living and support his family while he gets back on his feet.

If you'd like to write to Jason to let him know you're thinking of him and that you're glad he's getting out soon, I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. His current address is as follows:

Jason Sutherlin M34023
100 Hillcrest Road
East Moline, IL 61244


In Solidarity,
Bloomington ABC, NYC ABC, Denver ABC, Sacramento Prisoner Support

Klan Heading to Ferguson to ‘Guard White Businesses'

Taken from Rawstory.com:

Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members from three different states are reportedly traveling to Ohio to hold a two-day fundraiser for the officer who shot unarmed teen Michael Brown, and to “guard white businesses." 

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) first reported last week that that the New Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan had begun raising money in support of the Ferguson police officer who killed Brown. 

On Friday, the New Empire Knights announced that it would be holding a fundraiser on August 23-24 in Sullivan, about 60 miles from Ferguson.

“With the police state in Ferguson, we will be holding our fundraiser in Sullivan City, MO,” the announcement said. “Donations of $10 and up. All money will go to the cop who did his job against the negro criminal.” 

New Empire Knights Imperial Wizard Charles Murray said in the comments section of the group’s website that the event was “being attended by 3 different Klan fractions.”
And to anyone thinking of trying to get in the way, Murray warned, “we have guns (and more).”

“We are raising money for a cop who shot a n*gger criminal,” he explained.
In a statement on Monday, Sullivan Mayor Thomas Leasor said that the city had seen reports about the KKK’s plans.

“City elected officials nor City staff is aware of the specific location for the gathering or have any details regarding the event,” the statement said. “On behalf of the City of Sullivan elected officials and City staff I want to emphasize that we have not, or will not, endorse or condone any activity based on hatred, more specifically any activity based on hatred towards any ethnicity.”

Murray, whose group is based in Abbeville, SC, clarified to Sullivan Independent News that the event being held next weekend should not be considered a “rally.”

”We are not holding a rally. We are having a fundraiser,” Murray said. ” Members of ours have been selling items online also. All funds are going to [the officer].”

On Monday, the New Empire Knights issued a statement about plans to “guard white businesses near Ferguson.”

“With blacks out of control, we have our Missouri Realm going to areas near Ferguson,” the statement said. “We can’t have blacks robbing and murdering innocent whites. I am on my way down along with members from three different states and members from the Southern Mountain Knights.”