OCTOBER 9TH-12TH, 2009 IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
During the weekend of October 9th-12th, the Anti-Racist Action Network will be holding its 15th annual conference in Pittsburgh, PA. We are inviting all members of Anti-Racist Action as well as all anti-fascists who agree with our 4 Points of Unity (see the end). The conference, taking place over 4 days, will include ARA's annual plenary, caucuses and discussion on current issues facing antifascists. Various workshops and several social events are also planned. Organizations will be tabling all weekend as well.
Please note that only Network-affiliated chapters will be allowed to attend the private sessions of the plenary. All registered attendees may come to the public portions. If you are a part of a non-affiliated chapter or collective that wants to become affiliated with ARA-NET, please see the organizers as soon as you arrive. All friends of ARA are welcome and encouraged to participate in the rest of the weekend.
We are envisioning this conference as a gathering of all dedicated anti-fascists -whether in Anti-Racist Action or not - and would like to see this year's conference include as many people and new ideas as possible. The ARA Network has had a very interesting year, with member collectives publishing multiple periodical publications, opening social centers, organizing demonstrations, and combatting local fascist groups. We hope that you will come and add to the momentum!
If you are new to anti-fascism, please come and learn from our experience (and help us open our eyes to new possibilities);
If you are a former member, please come and get back in touch with us;
If you are an unaffiliated chapter - for whatever reason - come to the conference, meet other antifascists and take the opportunity to learn more about ARA-NET and what benefits there are to being a part of the Network.
Over the next few weeks, we will be confirming the details of the conference and will send out a registration form and more specific details. For now, please mark the date on your calendar and plan to join us in Pittsburgh for our annual conference!
Hope to see YOU there!
In solidarity,
The Anti-Racist Action Conference Planners
araconference09@hushmail.com
ANTI-RACIST ACTION NETWORK'S 4 POINTS OF UNITY:
1. We go where they go: Whenever fascists are organizing or active in public, we're there. We don't believe in ignoring them or staying away from them. Never let the nazis have the street!
2. We don't rely on the cops or courts to do our work for us: This doesn't mean we never go to court. But we must rely on ourselves to protect ourselves and stop the fascists.
3. Non-Sectarian defense of other Anti-Fascists: In ARA, we have lots of different groups and individuals. We don't agree about everything and we have a right to differ openly. But in this movement an attack on one is an attack on us all. We stand behind each other.
4. We support abortion rights and reproductive freedom. ARA intends to do the hard work necessary to build a broad, strong movement against racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, discrimination against the disabled, the oldest, the youngest and the most oppressed people. We want a classless free society. WE INTEND TO WIN!
