Red and Anarchist Action Network
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The Red & Anarchist Action Network is a loose organization of autonomous individuals who subscribe to revolutionary anarchist and libertarian (that is, anti-state, anti-Leninist) communist ideals. The Network was initially formed in May 2002 by the joining of a communist and an anarchist website onto one internet forum, with the intention of creating a "Red & Anarchist News Network." Soon, participants in the online forum decided as opposed to having another leftist newsite out there, they wanted to be united in action. In late 2002, RAAN's founding document, Principles & Direction, a cooperatively and openly written set of principles for the network, was released. Since then, the Red & Anarchist Action Network (RAAN) has been constructing an alternative model of revolutionary (dis)organization that has united anti-authoritarians from deep ecologists to anti-state Marxists in a horizontal network consisting entirely of autonomous affiliated action.[1]
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[edit] RAANismo
As RAAN is explicitly an Action Network, and in an effort to continue to be so, the network shirks a conventional structure expected of leftist organizations. RAANismo is constantly evolving, experimenting with individual affiliate interpretations of praxis, sometimes creating network-wide interest, such as zines, graffiti and parkour. RAANismo only exists when actions are done in its name; it seeks not to direct the current of revolutionary action, but merely to unify it into a commonly shared expression. RAANismo is the child borne of anarchists and communists who come together to express their love and rage: it is the outbursts of self-valorization amongst the seemingly fragmented multitude. It is the act of coming together, of throwing free shows and sporadic dance parties, of occupying a rooftop, or of breaking a window. It is the summation of the RAANistas' attempts to de-alienate themselves: of rejecting the spectacle in favor of immediate living, and the struggle against capitalism and the state.
[edit] Against Leninism, Activism, "Sceneism"
In an attempt to define itself from the status quo of what is defined as anarchism and communism, RAANistas have written several position papers rejecting the normal channels many anarchists and communists attempt by default. Critical theories from post-left anarchy and left communism have played an influence in defining their critique, with RAANistas adding their own original dialogue to the discourse:
[edit] Against Leninism
"RAAN does not recognize Leninists as being communists, or even Marxists; but the worst perverters of these tendencies. In attempting to create true red and black (that is, communist and anarchist) unity, it is necessary to clearly exclude sundry authoritarians who may otherwise pose a threat to the original direction of the organization." - RAAN Principles and Direction
[edit] Against Activism
"Our message is not necessarily that the current activities of the Left are outdated and ineffective, but that many of them should not even be considered as activity at all! There exists a laziness in the heart of activism, a laziness in which real-world organizing and action, or even simple tasks like the creation of an informative newsletter or article, are now held up as immensely difficult projects that should be celebrated as rare triumphs instead of seen as what they should be - the day to day and entirely unexceptional activity of our movement. This reverence is based in our apologist and self-perpetuating faineancy, and as a result in many places we have been reduced to activist hobbyism; the throwing of potluck parties or the creation of a political zine has managed to somehow take the place of actual activity in our movement's search for fulfillment and results. This should come as no surprise, since it is "activists" who generally have the privilege of remaining inert while the majority of the "real work" is carried out by communities in struggle who often have no choice but to accomplish something." - The Functioning of a Network: A "No Bullshit" Policy VS. The Lethargy of Activism
[edit] Against "Sceneism"
"Any subculture - from graffiti artists to punks - that is produced from within the capitalist milieu, runs the risk of being bought out and turned into an alienating spectacle accessible to only a minority of the population. Hairstyles, clothes, and even something as apparently beneficial as the DIY ethic can be fetishized and turned into an object of worship or status. Too often, the alternative to direct cooption or "selling out" is the establishment of a largely unattainable ideal, a "cult of personality" peppered by seductive romanticizing that ironically is itself only another reflection of an authoritarian social relation. It is this that we see as being at the very root of sceneist development.
An anti-capitalist group such as RAAN is not exempt from this effect simply as a result of having declared itself to be in opposition to the present system, and in fact it is we who bear the greatest responsibility to organize in ways that directly challenge and contradict the hierarchies found in all class societies. It is for this reason that we cannot base our movement in any sort of sub- or even "counter"-culture that continues to perpetuate capitalist values, but only in a revolutionary association of our own creation that will produce no bands to idolize, no clothing styles to mimic, and no social relationships comparable to those we maintain under capitalist domination." - Anarcho-Sceneism: What it is and how to fight it
[edit] Structure
RAAN does not have any formal structure, but rather is an amalgamation of autonomous cells and individuals. There are many groups and individuals who choose to publicly affiliate themselves with RAAN, posting public email addresses and contact info for the purpose of above-ground work, such as organizing workshops, guerrilla gardening classes, homeless solidarity protests, and free concerts[2]. Many clandestine and often destructive actions claimed for the network, however, are in areas with no declared RAAN presence, such as the 2003 attack on NYC branch of Revolution Books, or the recent attack on an airforce recruitment center in Rockville, MD[3]. Judging from RAAN actions reported both on their website and through various leftist internet news sources, RAAN embodies many autonomist and horizontalist conceptions of decentralized autonomous action, linked together through a network of those who share similar principles.
[edit] Public Affliates
RAAN, as a loose international organization has public affiliates in 4 countries: Australia, Canada, United States and Venezuela. Each affiliate has its own direction and projects, though all share in the network's desire for RAANismo.
[edit] Australia
[edit] Queensland
- Direct Action Collective (RAAN)
South Brisbane, QLD
Contact: directactioncollective@hotmail.com (mailbox unavailable)
[edit] Canada
[edit] Ontario
- ROAD - RAAN Outreach
Ottowa, ON
Contact: road@riseup.net
Website: http://roadnetwork.org
[edit] United States
[edit] Florida
- RAAN Outreach
Sarasota, FL
Contact: redanarchofla@riseup.net
[edit] Kentucky
- Liberation Projects
Central KY
Contact: info@impassionedinsurrection.info
Website: http://www.impassionedinsurrection.info
Address: Liberation Projects / 838 E. High St. # 115 / Lexington, KY 40502
[edit] Maryland
- Class War Syndicate
Salisbury, MD
Contact: classwarsyndicate@yahoo.com
[edit] Montana
- RAAN Outreach, Helena
Helena, MT
Contact: xchimx@gmail.com
Website: http://www.poisonedcandy.com/RAAN/MT.html
[edit] Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
- RAAN Outreach
- Parkour Training
Contact: scribinvictus@riseup.net
[edit] New Jersey
Southern NJ
- RAAN Outreach
Contact: scribinvictus@riseup.net
[edit] Ohio
- Subvertical Action Netwerk
Columbus, OH
Contact: brokendoor@cbusimc.org
Address: Arawak City / PO Box 3647 / Columbus, Ohio / 43210
[edit] Oregon
- RAAN Outreach / Poisoned Candy Records
Portland, OR
Contact: mattsvendsen@gmail.com
Distro: http://www.poisonedcandy.com
Address: Poisoned Candy Records / PO Box 3311 / Portland, OR 97208
[edit] Pennsylvania
- Philly RAAN Crew
Philadelphia, PA
Contact: aphillyraan@riseup.net
Website: http://www.phillyraan.net
[edit] Utah
- RAAN Outreach
Salt Lake City & Orem, UT
Contact: socialchange117@hotmail.com
[edit] Venezuela
- RAAN Venezuela / Parkour Training Network
Valencia, Carabobo
Contact: ders080282@gmail.com
[edit] References
- Anonymous "Defining the Red & Anarchist Action Network", Free Mind Media, September 9, 2005, retrieved October 17, 2006.
- Revolution Books, Cambridge "Vandalism at Revolution Books", Boston Independent Media Center, September 3, 2005, retrieved October 17, 2006.
- Anonymous "RAAN smashes Air Force recruiters in Rockville, MD" Infoshop.org, July 10, 2007
[edit] Websites
The page was seeded with material from Wikipedia
