Letters

No more Baklava

Hello,

This is a brief letter to let you know what's going on in Chicago, primarily with the Baklava Autonomist Collective. Basically, a little over a month ago (and after 3+ years of activity), Baklava decided to dissolve, for a variety of reasons pertaining mostly to group process. Suffice it to say that Baklava's time had come, and rather than keep going on trying to revive a dying project, we opted to break up the group. However, most of us were by no means ready to give up, and besides most of us being involved in developing the Autonomous Zone Infoshop many of us had new visions and projects we wished to pursue. So at the same time we dissolved Baklava, two new, smaller, and more cohesive collectives have formed (possibly a third one as well). Many of the old Baklavites are involved, as well as quite a few new people. It is a refreshing (re)start, and we are looking forward to what these collectives will accomplish.

What this means in terms of Baklava, however, is that many of the projects undertaken by Baklava have ended or changed. Here's a quick reference to those separate projects and their fates:

Wind Chill Factor: Will no longer be put out. That is difficult for some of us, but we are also looking forward to new things. One of the new collectives will be putting out a paper, but as it is a new group it will be a new zine with a different name. Look for it later this year. As WCF had lots of subscribers that won't ever see it again, this new paper will likely take over the old WCF mailing list as a starting point. If you have a sub and this is a problem for you, let us know, although it is unlikely we will have the funds to reimburse people.

Unfortunately, we have an incredible amount of unanswered mail that no one is particularly inspired to deal with now. So if we owe you mail, please be patient, we're trying to get it dealt with. For your info, we no longer have any back issues of WCF. Also, the WCF PO Box will be switching to something else soon. If you want to reach the new (unnamed) collectives, send mail c/o the A-Zone, 2045 W. Division, CHILL 60622. If you had a trade agreement with WCF, we'd appreciate you still sending stuff to the A-Zone as it goes to our zine archive there, and the new paper will be glad to continue trades as well.

Collective Chaos Records/Distribution: This project fell into chaos and died long before Baklava did. If you're looking for some of the literature we were distributing, you can probably get it from the A-Zone if you really need it.

Anarchist Black Cross (Chicago): The people are still around, active, and interested, but at the moment are too caught up in other projects to put enough effort into keeping ABC lively. As soon as they do, you'll know.

Food Not Bombs (Chicago): Died, restarted, and died again. A third generation is unlikely, but people are still into free food, feeding people, and dumpstering so the spirit lives on.

That's it. We do not feel like this is a negative thing, because we are moving onwards onto new, and we feel, more productive projects. Baklava and its "front groups" played a vital role in the growth of an anti-authoritarian community in Chicago, and now the time has come for new things. While this cycle of growth and dissolvement and rebirth can be frustrating, we hope to develop more lasting counter-institutions with our present projects, of which the Autonomous Zone is just a beginning.

Ex-Baklava Collective

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Class War in Ireland

Dear Comrades,

Please find enclosed a copy of our latest issue of our National Irish Federation's paper Class War. We formed late in 1993 in Dublin, since growing to towns and cities in most parts of Ireland in groups and individual members.

During this year's May Day march, which was the first time the Irish Government made it into a national holiday, Class War mobilized its members on the capital's parade. Members of the parade's organizing committee refused us to take part and called in the police who blocked off not only the Class War contingent, but also most of the anarchist and `left wing' groups who gathered at the rear of the parade. Some small minor confrontations broke out with the police and the organizers who were members of several unions.

After several minutes, word was given for police barricades to be removed for all groups to join the parade, as long as no slogans were shouted, as the parade was to pass the stand where many `important' people were sitting. All through the march/parade slogans were said `aloud', such as "kill the rich," "one more war—class war," and while passing the stand of `important' people, angry Class War members called for the `stand' to be burned down. The May Day parade passed off without any incidents.

A series of public meetings were held in most cities in the south of Ireland on the topic of "The Politics of Class War," which had been attended by mostly large audiences, which attracted "plain clothes" police with video cameras, filming members and the interested public attending the meetings.

Since then, people who attended along with Class War members in the South of Ireland have been followed and also harassed on a regular basis by the police.

Apart from the above "minor teething troubles" and some minor setbacks, Class War in Ireland has grown from strength to strength even though the government within the south of Ireland have big plans, not just to prosecute Class War under the Offenses Against the State Act, but also ban our national federation, all of which will be strongly resisted by all our members.

Lastly, Class War also produces regular local monthly newsletters and for those interested in our ideas and actions, please send an I.R.C. to:

In international solidarity,

John

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Imprisoned from sea

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Approximately six (6) years ago, a young individual began a movement in the South East. It was one of truth and real freedom, but is no more (I assume).

S.E.A. (South East Anarchists) was a militant group seeking to adjust the environment around us to effect self-rule. It unfortunately was cut short September of 1988.

I was arrested, tried, convicted and put in prison for a cache of weapons needed to fuel our movement. I am still in prison, and am seeking to be relieved of my prison cell. This will not happen for at least two more years.

I'm in need of news, information, and new comrades for the present and future. Unfortunately, I lost all contact with S.E.A. and assume it disbanded after I was caught.

Just recently, the suppressers here at the prison I'm in even tried to restrict and prevent my issue of Love and Rage. I immediately voiced my complaint to all who would listen, and quietly it was given to me! Ha! (I bet that hurt `em!)

So now, brothers and sisters, I need your help! You who walk through the restricted streets, and must stomach the oppression (while supposedly being free) sit down and drop me a note, letter, send pictures, etc. and help me establish this foothold here! If these people see some type of assistance from outside comrades, they get confused and are more easily maneuvered into a workable position. This help will effect us a voice, and some change. But, it's up to you my brothers and sisters. You must be willing to communicate with me as I do you. You must be willing to put into check these restrictions we all face.

I hope to hear from those brothers and sisters who wish to be a part of this action.

Outspoken and persistently yours,