This blog would like to function as a warehouse for anti-capitalist // anti-state texts of leaflets, posters, and statements that have come from or are about OCCUPYSTL. We are not the official voice of OCCUPYSTL, nor do we want to be. We merely would like to create space for an anarchist perspective.
We do this with the hope that those that don’t agree with our perspective see this as invitation to create their own virtual space to articulate their own position. The quicker we can find ourselves as individuals and small clusters, the quicker we can find commanlity, overlap and a way forward as a larger OCCUPYSTL. If your response to this site is to begin internally policing OCCUPYSTL, please think twice and instead of trying to stop one another, we simply encourage you to make your own.
TO ANARCHISTS LOCALLY, REGIONALLY, INTERGALATICALLY
We have found inspiration in OCCUPYSTL. As anarchists seeking ways out of this mess of a world, how could we not be at least curious (and if we can overcome the cynicism inherent in having our hearts broken so many times, outright excitement) about a group that for the last few nights has had 100-200 people making decisions, planning actions, and discussing problems with the world as non-hierarchical group. There are obvious inconsistecies and short-comings with the OCCUPY movement, but we’ve seen this as an invitation and a challenge to articulate ourselves, as anarchists, better.
Something that may or may not make OCCUPYSTL unique from other occupations is that it has repeatedly suppressed the advances of people seeking to be leaders of it, and for the moment does seem to be genuinely leaderless. And while some people at assemblies have tried to stress that OCCUPYSTL needs to adhere to the principles and the lead of OCCUPYWALLST, such proposals have so far been met with counter arguments: that we can be inspired by Wall St. but that we’re our own group and can define ourselves as we see fit. Along with the internal suppression of managers and the constant reiteration that we need to remain autonomous (often times coming from people we’ve never met before), we have so far been able to function as an informal voice that has helped provoke and influence the character of conversations, policies and actions. Though there is a lot to be critical of and disheartened by, we would like to continue engaging and being a part of OCCUPYSTL for as along as we have the energy for it.
Here, this statement from Occupy Wall Street kind of sums it up pretty well:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/01/1021956/-First-official-statement-from-Occupy-Wall-Street
You will notice there s nothing there about “anarchy.”
Notice the statement ….”that a democratic government derives its just power from the people…..” that is an endorsement of Democracy….not anarchy.
Not that OWS speaks for all, but the basic principles of the Occupy movement are the same accross th spectrum. You guys are just “hangers-on.”
No, it is not for me to decide, it is just the fact. The Occupy Movement is not about anarchy.
You can not simultaneously be “pro-regulation” and “anti-government.”
Any moron should be able to see that.
You guys are in the wrong movement….the tea party would be more appropriate for you.
And that’s for you to decide, eh? I know many Occupiers who would disagree with you on that. And *if* that is what Occupy is– which it’s not– that is an incredibly shallow, uncritical analysis of our current political-economic situation.
The Occupy Movement is also NOT about “anarchy.” One of the primary objections of the Occupy movement has been that there were not enough regulatory oversite of the banking industry, and that lack of oversite led to financial colapse.
One can not reasonably call for increased regulatory oversite while calling themselves anarchists.
Please understand that the Occupy Movement is NOT inti-capitalism, anti-government, or anti-wealth. we are anti corporatism. We seek to limit the influence that corporations have over our government.
We seek to take back our democracy.
I’m really glad to have found this website. A small group of friends and I were very involved for the first couple of weeks and were even prepared to camp out at the Federal reserve building the first day. We started to lose interest when MORE became the self appointed leaders and people kept insisting “the police are our friends” whenever we condemned their actions. Its frustrating to have a bunch of Democrats telling us “thats not what the occupy movement is about” when we expressed our anti-state beleifs. Its definately been co-opted. We’ve been following the global movement since the call was first placed in Adbusters and would love to participate more in local direct action, especially if we know there are still other anti-capitalist anarchists involved. Thanks for making the page.
As long as it is recognized that the Occupy Movement is not about violence,vandalism,or destruction.
I think the perspective from which yall are involving yourselves in this struggle is very courageous and inspiring. As you said so elequently, we have had “our hearts broken so many times” but too overcome this and stand beside and engage with potential comrades all the more powerful. Keep the updates coming.
I’m very glad to hear this. In Oakland there is a diverse group of people participating in forming the occupation, which will begin on Monday, and anarchist/anti-statists have had a strong influence on the process. We have been fairly successful at sidestepping/quashing any dogmatic non-violence decisions and avoiding liberal/activist domination of the meetings. Overall the situation is promising! Best of luck to y’all….hope to see you at the barricades soon.
Anarchist from rural illinois, about an hourish away from stl. I have been hesitant to get down to stl and check out the Occupy stuff for a number of reasons. I have no aversion to working with those who aren’t anarchists, but it seemed at first that OccupySTL had some issues with folks trying to direct and manage the process for everyone else. Clearly, I should have given it a shot and gone to check it out.
Finding this today gives me some hope and renews my interest in participating.
Aside from distributing interesting lit, what are (A)’s at OccupySTL doing (or interested in doing) to create a space for an anarchist perspective? Are there many (A)’s going regularly and participating in the general assemblies?
I hope that others from differing perspectives will take your lead and create their own virtual spaces. The rhetoric about who is “controlling” the Occupy movement around the country is astounding. For me, the biggest strengths of the Occupy Saint Louis movement have been the commitment to consensus and the resistance to leaders who speak for the movement. I was worried at the first meeting that it was about to be co-opted, but the process seems back on track.