Anarchist Black Cross

Anarchist Black Cross is an international network of anarchist groups that provide support to Class War prisoners, green anarchists, and other anti-globalization and anti-capitalist activists, including those involved in the Zapatista Army of National Liberation and the Industrial Workers of the World. The organization has its roots in the early 20th century, with influences from the Spanish Revolution and the Russian Revolution, and has been associated with notable figures such as Emma Goldman, Peter Kropotkin, and Mikhail Bakunin. The Anarchist Black Cross has been involved in various labor movements, including the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Bisbee Deportation, and has supported activists from groups like the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement.

● History

The Anarchist Black Cross has its origins in the early 20th century, emerging from the Anarchist movement in Spain and the Anarchist movement in Russia, with influences from the Paris Commune and the Haymarket affair. The organization was formed in response to the repression of anarchists in the United States, particularly during the Red Scare and the Palmer Raids, which targeted groups like the Industrial Workers of the World and the Communist Party USA. The Anarchist Black Cross was also influenced by the Magonista movement in Mexico and the Kronstadt rebellion in Russia, and has been associated with notable events like the Bolshevik Revolution and the Spanish Civil War. Key figures in the history of the Anarchist Black Cross include Alexander Berkman, Ricardo Flores Magón, and Nestor Makhno, who were involved in various labor unions and Anarchist federations, such as the Federation of Anarchist Communists and the Anarchist Federation of Britain.

● Organization

The Anarchist Black Cross is a decentralized organization with chapters in various countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Each chapter operates independently, but they often coordinate their efforts and share resources, such as the Anarchist Black Cross Federation and the International Anarchist Federation. The organization is supported by donations and volunteer work, and has been involved in various fundraising campaigns and benefit events, including those organized by the punk rock community and the crust punk scene. The Anarchist Black Cross has also been associated with other Anarchist organizations, such as the Anarchist Federation of America and the Solidarity Federation, and has supported activists from groups like the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front.

● Activities

The Anarchist Black Cross provides various forms of support to prisoners and activists, including financial assistance, legal aid, and emotional support. The organization also engages in awareness campaigns and advocacy work to raise attention about the cases of imprisoned activists and to promote human rights and social justice, often in collaboration with groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Watch. The Anarchist Black Cross has been involved in various protests and demonstrations, including those against the War on Terror and the Iraq War, and has supported activists from groups like the anti-globalization movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Notable events and campaigns supported by the Anarchist Black Cross include the Free Speech Movement and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, as well as the work of Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

● Ideology

The Anarchist Black Cross is rooted in anarchist theory and anti-authoritarianism, with a strong emphasis on solidarity and mual aid. The organization is opposed to all forms of authority and hierarchy, and seeks to create a stateless society based on voluntary association and non-hierarchical organization, as envisioned by thinkers like Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin. The Anarchist Black Cross is also influenced by anarcha-feminism and queer anarchism, and has been involved in various social movements, including the feminist movement and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, often in collaboration with groups like the National Organization for Women and the Gay Liberation Front.

● Notable Chapters

Notable chapters of the Anarchist Black Cross include the Anarchist Black Cross Federation in the United States, the Anarchist Black Cross Network in the United Kingdom, and the Anarchist Black Cross Germany in Germany. These chapters have been involved in various high-profile cases and campaigns, including the support of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, as well as the work of Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Other notable chapters include the Anarchist Black Cross Australia and the Anarchist Black Cross Canada, which have been involved in various environmental movements and indigenous rights movements, often in collaboration with groups like the Greenpeace and the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism.

● Criticism

The Anarchist Black Cross has faced criticism from various quarters, including law enforcement agencies and right-wing groups, which have accused the organization of supporting terrorism and violence. However, the Anarchist Black Cross has consistently maintained that it supports only non-violent and peaceful protest, and that it is committed to human rights and social justice, as enshrined in documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The organization has also been criticized by some anarchists for its perceived reformism and lack of revolutionary fervor, but it remains a key player in the anarchist movement and the broader social movement landscape, often in collaboration with groups like the Industrial Workers of the World and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.