Deeds and Propaganda

In suggesting these two different goals, the film effectively reprises two different theories of propaganda of the deed that are often conflated, one which emphasizes propaganda, and another which emphasizes deed. “Let us act,” writes anarchist Paul Brousse, shortly after the crushing of the Paris Commune, “if only from the point of view of propaganda. Perhaps victory will crown our efforts, and if it is martyrdom let us remember that the idea does not perish by the sword, does not fall beneath bullets.” Where the goal is consciousness raising, the propagation of the idea of anarchy, or the Commune, then failure does not matter so much. Italian anarchists such as Errico Malatesta, however, had a different idea, and emphasized the power of such acts to inspire imitators, if selected correctly.

Parcel Bomb Sent to CEO of Weapons Company in Rome, Italy

From Act for Freedom Now!

The horrors of war move sensitie souls. Instead, we are reminded that it is injustice that dominates this world. The mangled bodies are always those of the poor people, it’s never a rich man to die, to lose a hand.

Propaganda by the Deed: A Zine in 3 Essays

From Mongoose Distro – by Comrade Candle

I refuse to be ruled, by anyone or anything – fixed ideas. My own life is mine to create. So I will. My anarchism is not idealistic, unattainable – Anarchy is beautifully realistic. We must all dispose of our rulers.

America’s Forgotten Terrorists

From Shepherd Express by David Luhrssen

The Rise and Fall of the Galleanists, by Jeffrey D. Simon

At the turn of the 20th century, anarchist groups across the world waged war against not only corporations and governments but against the very idea of authority. In the U.S. many anarchists were led—and contradictions of leadership are always rife in anarchism—by a charismatic, cultivated Italian immigrant. He is forgotten today but was for many years the focus of police investigations and prosecutions across America. He was Luigi Galleani and his followers called themselves by his name.

TOTW: Anarchy & Morality

In the upswing of revolt we've seen this year, we're seeing everyday people set cop cars and precincts ablaze with great approval from onlookers. Meanwhile anarchists make the best of the spotlight to explain to the public the truth about today's anarchists. Responding to people's perception of anarchism as dangerous, distancing themselves from anarchists of the deed in an effort to make people stop blaming everything bad on anarchists. To the degree that anarchy is rehabilitated for the general public, more people will ask themselves: "What's so bad about anarchy, anyway?"

God is dead

...what struck me as wild on rereading Jakucho-san’s book was the staggering sense of passion and speed with which she moves from sex with Shusui to the plot to blow up the emperor. I could die right now, I’m doing this knowing I’ll die. That passion swells and explodes, leaving reason aside and connecting directly to terrorism. Of course, love and revolution are different things. But this book doesn’t let the reader feel that. Love makes people into bombs.

Stuart Christie, 1946-2020

From Kate Sharpley Library

By John Patten

Stuart Christie 1946-2020 Anarchist activist, writer and publisher

Born in Glasgow and brought up in Blantyre, Christie credited his grandmother for shaping his political outlook. His determination to follow his conscience led him to anarchism. It also led him from the campaign against nuclear weapons to joining the struggle against the Spanish fascist dictator Francisco Franco. Committed to anarchism and publishing, Christie appeared at many bookfairs and film festivals, but scorned any suggestion he had come to ‘lead’ anyone anywhere. Christie’s partner Brenda died in June 2019. He slipped away peacefully, listening to “Pennies From Heaven” (Brenda’s favourite song) in the company of his daughter Branwen.

¡Punky Mauri Presente!

From The Anarchist Library via Madre Tierra[ES]

After a holiday that anticipated a long weekend for many, the city of Santiago went to sleep in the cold early morning of May 22, 2009. A sector of Avenida Matta remained quiet, away from the lights and bustle of business premises. Only two cyclists advance as diffuse silhouettes for different security cameras.

Sacrificing Life – What Did Mikhail Zhlobitsky Achieve

From AMW English

We live in a world where an endless stream of information and constant updates in news feeds force out even the most important events of the recent past.

However among the events there are those which can not be allowed to fade. One of them occurred on October 31, 2018. Anarchist Mikhail Zhlobitsky committed an act of retaliation by activating an explosive device in the building of the FSB Directorate in Arkhangelsk. It was the act of self-sacrifice – Mikhail Zhlobitsky died.

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