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MAC statement on neo-Nazi attack on MARC
This statement has been prepared by the 'Melbourne Anarchist Club' (MAC), the owners of the 'Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre' (62 St Georges Road, Northcote), in response to recent threatening behaviour by local neo-Nazis.
It is intended to explain what has happened, and our response to it.
WHAT HAPPENED
On the afternoon of Monday, September 28, 2009, four neo-Nazi skinheads, believed to belong to or to be closely associated with the neo-Nazi skinhead groups 'Blood & Honour Australia' and the 'Southern Cross Hammerskins', attended the MARC. The neo-Nazis interrupted a meeting of a group which happened to be meeting at the time (a group which campaigns against sexual violence).
The neo-Nazis were highly agitated and very aggressive, confronting those present and preventing their exit by blocking the front door. They screamed and shouted, pushed over book shelves, crowded individuals, and threatened physical violence (including the use of capsicum spray or 'mace'). The neo-Nazis demanded to know if the individuals present were 'antifa' (anti-fascists), and to be provided with the name and location of the blogger 'slackbastard'. After approximately 10 minutes, they left MARC with a final 'Sieg Heil!'.
One of those present at the meeting provides the following account:
At 3pm Monday the 28th of September, several of us were sitting in the Barricade bookshop when four men entered through the front door. One of them, who was carrying a can of mace [pepper spray], yelled for us to sit down and that they had a message to deliver (he also asked who was in charge!). They proceeded to deliver a message that amounted to threatening that the MARC space would be the first point of call if there was any more antifa [anti-fascist] activity in Melbourne. They pushed over two bookshelves and swept some zines off the table as they left… Nobody was hurt, and there was no damage done to the space, just some disorganised books. We were all a bit shaken, but looked after each other.
It is understood that the most vocal neo-Nazi was a man named Justin. Justin is in his mid- to late-30s, and has tattoos on his hands and neck. He is the Victorian organiser for 'Blood & Honour', and is also closely associated with the Hammerskins. It is also understood that Justin works at 'Hold Fast Body Art' tattoo studio in Burwood (13 Burwood Highway).
During the course of their intervention at MARC, Justin informed those present that his business had been graffitied, and demanded that 'antifa' cease all such activity, or that there would be violent repercussions for MARC and its users. It is understood that this was a reference to an alleged incident which took place on Monday, September 14, an account of which, 'Anti-Fascists attack neo-Nazi's business in Burwood', was published anonymously on the Melbourne Indymedia website.
There is no independent confirmation of this incident, but given Justin's subsequent behaviour, we understand it to be true.
In summary: on September 14, unknown parties graffitied a tattoo shop in Burwood with 'anti-fascist' slogans. Two weeks later, on September 28, four neo-Nazi skinheads, including an employee at the tattoo shop in question, attended the MARC in Northcote and assaulted a meeting of a group campaigning against sexual violence, threatening further violence upon the group, MARC, and its users, unless all 'anti-fascist' activity in Melbourne ceased immediately.
OUR RESPONSE
The Melbourne Anarchist Club remains committed to continuing to facilitate anarchist activity in Melbourne.
Thus the Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre will continue to remain open to the public, and to be used by a variety of groups, including those campaigning for an end to sexual violence, for workers' rights, and for environmental preservation;
as a venue for art, music and film;
as a source of information on contemporary struggles for justice, as well as historical inquiry;
and as a continuing resource for those, like the Melbourne Anarchist Club, who want to advance the cause of revolutionary, class-struggle anarchism.
In addition to reviewing, along with the various groups which make use of MARC, our security and safety procedures, the MAC is organising an Open Day for the general public.
The Open Day will take place on Saturday, November 28, and will include free food, entertainment, and a variety of other activities.
More details will be provided in coming weeks.
All are welcome.
¡No pasarán!
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For more information and enquiries:
Melbourne Anarchist Club
P.O. Box 494
Brunswick
VIC 3056
AUSTRALIA
melbourneanarchistclub@gmail.com
https://mac.anarchobase.com/
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Daggy Disco!
A benefit for the Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre (MARC) and the Black Star PA Collective:
DAGGY DISCO
SATURDAY MAY 23RD
Featuring disco classics from the 70s & 80s & brand spanking new tunes.
Your Old Skool DJs: War Bastard 90310 | Grim Sim | Alice
Plus New Kids: Sam & Anna
SATURDAY, MAY 23RD
OCTO BAR
911 HIGH STREET THORNBURY
(opposite loophole)
$10 workers // $8 shirkers
9pm START
May Day
The Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation and Melbourne Anarchist Club are putting on a May Day celebration on Friday, May 1st.
There will be an ASF picnic at the 8 Hour Monument, cnr of Lygon and Victoria St, opposite near Trades Hall, at 12:00 midday.
Bring food to share.
This will be followed by a social gathering at the Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre, 62 St Georges Rd, Northcote at 7:00pm.
MAC is also using this event to kick off a regular Friday night anarchist meet-up with drinks and discussion.
[The original 'Melbourne Anarchist Club' was launched on May 1, 1886.]
Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation
The Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation (ASF) has announced that it will be opening its new office at the Centre on Saturday, November 1.
Barricade Infoshop
Barricade opened its doors on Saturday September 13, 2008. Check the Barricade website for details of opening times.
NB. Barricade closed its doors in October 2009. It has re-located to Loophole community centre, 670 High Street, Northcote. They are looking for donations. See their post here.
MAC presents: Two Minutes of Infamy!
Two Minutes of Infamy is a gathering of groups and individuals interested in building grassroots, anti-authoritarian networks.
Contact 2mins[at]anarchobase[dot]com for any additional information. Keep checking back to this website for updates.
Each person has two minutes to promote their project, share their ideas and resources. Get involved in something you feel passionate about in the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity!
Past sessions of 2.M.I. included proposals for anti-war activities, announcements for workshops (e.g. a workshop on making your own website, homebrew, etc), an impromptu surrealist poetry reading (not that we encourage that kind of thing) and individuals looking to start a new group. Your group does not have to be high-concept or ultra-activist; we encourage things as simple as cooking lessons and smashing capitalism.
The session is facilitated by a couple of people (usually a timekeeper and someone experienced in getting a big meeting flowing fast) who will make introductions, lay down the ground rules and, if needed, enforce them. Groups are asked to nominate a delegate who takes a place in the circle (the rest of the group can sit behind the delegate and feed him/her information). The format is roughly like a spokescouncil, though with some modifications.
After everyone has had their two minutes of infamy, we break for beers and music, giving everyone a chance to hook up. In the past, as part of their two minutes, the infamous have nominated a spot in the room where people can meet for more information. Each group will also have a piece of paper on a notice board where people can leave their contact details.
The idea is for groups to share resources and for like-minded lovers of liberty to link up. It's not just about what you can give or take, but about fostering a sense of community and co-operation.
Location:
4PM, TRADES HALL BAR, Saturday 29 JULY 2006
cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
To get to the bar, enter on the Victoria St side of Trades Hall, walk up the stairs. Then there's a little foyer bit, and take the bluestone stairs that are on the left. Or just follow the signs. Disabled access is horrible there, so if you require any assistance accessing the bar, please don't hesitate to drop us an email and we'll make all the arrangements for you. Auslan interpeters may also be provided if required.
Welcome to the MAC
"What's the Melbourne Anarchist Club?"
In brief: the MAC is a local anarchist organising project, first established in the late 1980s, that has recently completed the lengthy process of obtaining a property in Melbourne which, among other things, will be used to house Barricade infoshop.
This process has been completed, and the new space -- formally titled the Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre (MARC) -- is located at 62 St Georges Road, Northcote.
Membership of the Club is open to local Melbourne anarchists.
You can contact the MAC by emailing melbourneanarchistclub[at]gmail[dot]com or writing to this P.O address:
Brunswick
VIC
3056
More details to come...
NB. As of October 2009, Barricade infoshop is no longer located at the MARC. It is now located at Loophole community centre, 670 High Street, Northcote.