Statement by MAC about its future. 16 October 2020
After
a years-long struggle, the Melbourne Anarchist Club (MAC) has finally
thwarted an attempt by a small group of political activists to obtain
its premises by deception. As a result, we are now preparing to
recommit to our principal goal: educating the wider Melbourne
community about anarchism.
Over the course of its existence,
the MAC has become accustomed to attacks against it by a range of
racist and fascist groups. Most recently, a former Reclaim Australia
activist, Philip Galea, was convicted on 5 December 2019 of plotting
a terrorist attack against the MAC (Galea was also convicted of
planning attacks against the Resistance Centre and Victorian Trades
Hall Council).
Attacks from such quarters are, sadly, to be
expected. But it is disturbing that others, including alleged
radicals, have also tried to subvert our activities. In this
instance, members of the Melbourne branch of the Industrial Workers
of the World (IWW), joined by others from a small number of other
local, non-anarchist organisations.
The
actions of this group included occupying the space, preventing the
MAC from meeting and otherwise utilising the space, telling lies and
making slanderous assertions about the MAC, refusing conflict
resolution and independent mediation, and recklessly endangering MAC
members.
The MAC maintains that the organisations to which
these individuals belong, especially the IWW, should hold them
accountable for their destructive and irresponsible behaviour. The
MAC also demands the return of all documents and other materials
taken from its premises by members of these organisations.
Due to these extraordinary circumstances, and the financial burden placed upon it by the actions of this group, the MAC is currently seeking new premises from which to operate.
The MAC remains committed to supporting the campaign by Indigenous activists to Pay The Rent. In keeping with this policy, in 2018—2019 the MAC entered into an agreement with the Aboriginal Palestinian solidarity organisation to pay it 1% of the proceeds of the sale of the current property. Upon sale, the MAC will also be making a donation of $2,500 to Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre. These donations are not a substitute for a Pay The Rent agreement but a gesture of support to an ongoing campaign.
The MAC is moving to new premises in 2019
The MAC is moving premises in 2019 and will be opening a new infoshop some time this year. The new infoshop will house the bookshop and library as well as meeting facilities.
MAC is closed for repairs and renovations
The Melbourne Anarchist Club closed on 5 May for much-needed repairs and renovations.
When completed the MAC infoshop will feature;
* a full range of anarchist books, DVDs and other media and texts
* a properly catalogued lending library
* upgraded meeting room facilities with an electronic whiteboard
* a reticulated water system
* a solar-powered electricity supply
* a small cafe serving tea, coffee and light snacks
The planned work will be supervised by qualified tradespeople who have graciously offered to donate their labour and to whom the MAC is most grateful.
It is planned to establish a Patreon account to fully cover the cost of materials
For further information, please use the message facility on this page or email:
melbanarchistclub@gmail.com