Gearing up for January 20, 2018
:A Week of Outreach and Solidarity Events
On January 20, 2018, people around the US will host solidarity and outreach events to support defendants from Trump’s inauguration, Standing Rock, and other ongoing struggles and to create new connections for the road ahead. Here, you can read about a few examples of these events and some resources you can use to organize your own! Read the original call here: “Build the Base, Take the Initiative.” You can find further listings for this day of action here.
Events are in the works as far away as South Korea. We’ll post them here on an ongoing basis until our next announcement. To include an event of your own, email us at rollingthunder@crimethinc.com. To learn more about how to support the J20 defendants, read “Seven Things You Can Do to Support the J20 Defendants”; you can donate to support them here.
For pdfs of zines, posters, and other material about the J20 charges that you can print out and distribute, go here.
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Screen a Documentary on Anti-Fascist Resistance
Still trying to figure out what you want to do to organize a solidarity and outreach event in your community for the week of January 20, 2018? Here’s one possibility: you could screen a brand new documentary about anti-fascist resistance that is being released just for the occasion, courtesy of our comrades from globaluprisings.org!
The film will be available online by midnight Central European time at the end of January 19, so anyone can organize a screening and download it to show on January 20. If you need to communicate with someone in advance about showing the film, email info@weinterruptthisprogram.org.
Here’s a trailer for the film:
Since the election of Donald Trump, acts of racist violence have proliferated across the United States. Racists and misogynists feel emboldened to express and act on their views. White nationalist groups and resurgent traditional white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan have used Trumps victory to gain new recruits. All that stands in their way are the groups of anarchists and anti-state communists who have taken it upon themselves to prevent fascism from becoming a powerful political force in the United States. This film tells the story of what “Antifa” is and why people are using these tactics to confront racism and fascism in the US today.
Who are the anti-fascists? What motivates them to risk their lives to fight the far right? What is the history of militant anti-fascism and why is it relevant again today? How is anti-fascism connected to a larger political vision that can stop the rise of fascism and offer us visions of a future worth fighting for? Through interviews with anti-fascist organizers, historians, and political theorists in the US and Germany, we explore the broader meaning of this political moment while taking the viewer to the scene of street battles from Washington to Berkeley and Charlottesville.
You can also show a variety of episodes from Trouble, the subMedia documentary series.
J20 Events on Three Continents: An Overview
Check out itsgoingdown.org and Defend J20 for more listings. If you want us to add your listing here at the last minute, send a frantic email to rollingthunder@crimethinc.com.
On the East Coast
Baltimore, Maryland: Prisoner Letter Writing and J20 Solidarity, Fundraiser
Friday, January 19 at 6 pm, there will be a fundraiser party supporting the legal defense of over 200 people mass-arrested for participating in a march last year at Trump’s inauguration. There will be homemade food, music, and drinks available, with all money raised going towards the legal defense of our arrested comrades.
The same night, January 19, at Spiders House, Reservoir Hill, from 7 to 10 pm, you can also join comrades to write letters to prisoners.
Washington D.C.: Benefit Art and Music Shows
On Friday, January 19, the 411 Collective is presenting DC Rises: A Year of Resistance, an art show to benefit and support J20 defendants and the J20 Legal Defense Donations fundraiser.
On January 20, the Messthetics, Gauche, Bacchae, and Weird Babies will play a J20 benefit show. Doors 6 pm. The show is downstairs at St Stephen; all ages, cohosted by Positive Force DC.
Philadelphia, Pensylvania: J20 Vegan Brunch and Film Screening
North Philly Food Not Bombs is hosting a J20 Vegan Brunch from 10 to 3 pm.
“That’s right, it’s time! Us North Philly Food Not Bombardiers wish to honor the one year anniversary of a day that shook this planet: January 20th of 2017, the day trump seized the mantle of control of this (lol) ‘democracy.’ To oppose trump and his zombies, there were some brave and marvelous souls that took to the streets, galvanized into fierce action, and kicked off a wave of rebellion that has not ceased yet (we hope it never does!). Essentially they put their lives on the line, as hundreds are facing what amounts life sentences for their public defiance.
“We want to offer up another all vegan brunch fundraiser as a means for people to get together, forge bonds and to hold space for this important day. Everything will be completely vegan and delicious. We will invite some other wonderful radical groups into the mix too, there will surely be some fantastic books and art.”
Afterwards, at 7 pm, the Wooden Shoe will host a screening of “Street Politics 101” and “Continuing the Beginning,” a documentary about Nuit Debout and related movements in France.
Worcester, Massachusetts: J20 Workday and Benefit Potluck
On January 20, at Stone Soup, 4 King St, Worcester, we’ll host a workday at the local radical library followed by a J20 benefit potluck. The workday starts at 5 pm; the potluck at 7 pm.
Join us as we gather to put some work into one of our spaces and to reconnect with one another in the face of repression. We will be reorganizing, cataloging and decorating the HX Library. After there’ll be a potluck where funds will be raised for those arrested last year on J20. Please bring some donations if you can for the J20 arrestees. We ask that you label any food for allergens.
New York City, New York: Screening of the Global Uprisings documentary, ANTIFA
On January 26, at 7 pm, there will be a film screening and gathering in support of J20 defendants at Deep Dish TV, 168 Canal St., 6th Fl, New York. The screening is free; donations will go to the J20 defense fund. This is Episode 1 of “We Interrupt This Program,” a new video series produced by Deep Dish TV & Paper Tiger TV.
Albany, New York: J20 Benefit Show
On January 20, Albany will host “an epic concert with a ton of bands and entertainment and a raffle for great prizes to raise some much-needed funds for the almost 200 brave defendants still facing felony charges and potentially up to 60 years in prison.” Further details to come.
Rochester, New York: Screening of ANTIFA
On January 20, at 5 pm, there will be a screening of the ANTIFA documentary followed by a discussion at the Flying Squirrel Community Space.
Newburgh, New York: Anarchism 101
On January 23, there will be an introduction to anarchism at The Moon Infoshop and Community Space, 188 Liberty Street, Newburgh, New York. Speakers will include folks from The Moon!: Infoshop and Community Space, Hudson Valley Earth First! and Hudson Valley Anarchist Network. Vegan food, tea, and coffee will be available.
Portland, Maine: A J20 Legal Defense Fundraiser
At 6 pm at Local Sprouts on 649 Congress Street, various speakers, distributors, and musicians will host a fundraiser including a film showing.
Brattleboro, Vermont: Benefit Concert to Defend J20 Resistance
On January 20, 2018, defendants and supporters have organized a benefit concert to defend J20 resistance here in Wantastiquet, so-called Brattleboro, Vermont. More information here.
Washington, DC: Art Show and Punk Rock Benefit for J20
On January 19, a J20 benefit art show entitled “DC Rises: A Year in Resistance” will take place from 4 to 11 pm at the Uptown Arthouse.
On January 20, a benefit show starts at 6 pm at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church.
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Richmond, Virginia: Benefit Dance Party
At 8 pm on January 20, at the Crystal Palace, there will be a benefit dance party featuring sets from DJ Cell Saga, DJ Pawn Shop Shawty, DJ Raggamuffin & DJ Marvo, and DJ Double Earth Sign. A suggested donation of $5 will go to J20 legal defense.
Asheville, North Carolina: A Block Party and a Week of Events
In Asheville, we’re kicking off a week of rebellious activities with a block party on January 20 on Haywood Road to share food, fun, and knowledge. This is a free event open to everyone, so bring your friends and let’s talk about where we want to go from here!
From 3-6 pm, the block party will feature workshops at Firestorm Books, including “Uprooting White Supremacy in Appalachia,” an interactive presentation by Holler Network. At 6 pm, there will be a community vegetarian potluck at Firestorm. Workshops will resume at 7 pm, including a presentation by The Callisto Collective. Afterwards, at the Local 604 Bottle Shop, there will be a DJ dance party starting at 9 pm.
The following day, on Sunday, January 21, there will be a Documentary Film Night at Static Age Records. On Tuesday, January 23, there will be a Karaoke Fundraiser at The Lazy Diamond. Finally, on Friday, January 26, the subMedia show “Trouble” will be screened at Firestorm.
Carrboro, North Carolina: Benefit Screening of ANTIFA
There will be a screening of the documentary Antifa at 7 pm at the Recyclery on 108 South Graham Street. All donations will go towards J20 defense.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Punk Benefit Show
On February 2, at the Nightlight in Chapel Hill, there will be a punk show benefitting J20 defendants.
Atlanta, Georgia: Trump Inauguration Protesters Speak out about Repression
A panel discussion at Little Five Points Community Center—L5P Community Center Café—on January 20 from 7-9 pm. Come here from one of the defendants, watch a screening, and join a discussion. Refreshments provided.
Tampa, Florida: A Weekend of Workshops
A full weekend of workshops at 5107 North Central Avenue, Tampa in solidarity with J20 defendants:
January 19
5:00 - 6:00 OpSec
6:00 - 7:00 Against Electoral Strategies
7:00 - 8:00 Marxism
January 20
11:00 - 12:00 Mutual Aid
12:00 - 1:00 History of Anarchism
1:00 - 2:00 Consent and Accountability
2:00 - 3:00 Proletarian Feminism & Practice
3:00 - 4:00 Nonviolent Direct Action Training
4:00 - 5:00 Indigenous Struggles Against Colonization
5:00 - 6:00 The History of the American Indian Movement
6:00 - 7:00 History of Labor
7:00 - Complete; Screening of the documentary Antifa
January 21
3:00 - TBD Radical Kickball Game @ Henry and Ola Park baseball field
Tampa Anarchist Black Cross will have a table for writing letters to prisoners. All donations will go to the fund that helps get defendants housed and reimbursed for their travel to and from court dates in DC.
In the Midwest and the Heartland
Lansing, Michigan: To Live and Love We Must Fight—Solidarity & Defense Winter Conference
On January 19-21, 2018, Solidarity & Defense will host a conference focused on building skills for community self-defense.
Solidarity & Defense is a network of people committed to providing solidarity and defense to communities under attack, organized along directly democratic and participatory lines and independent of all political parties and affiliated groups. The conference will consist of a weekend of workshops and political discussions. On Friday evening there will be a dinner and public panel discussion featuring some of the most dynamic community self-defense projects from around the Midwest. Saturday will be packed with workshops and political discussions, followed by an all-ages hip hop show.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: J20 Benefit Potluck, Karaoke, and Film Screening
On Wednesday, January 16, Steel City Autonomous Movement will host a J20 Defense Benefit Potluck from 6 to 9 pm at the Big idea Bookshop.
On Friday January 19, there will be a Karaoke Benefit for J20 defendants at The Glitter Box Theater, 460 Melwood Avenue.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the National Lawyers Guild has announced a benefit screening of America is Waiting, a documentary about the inauguration protests in Washington DC last January. The event will take place in Pitt Law School’s Barco Law Building, 3900 Forbes Avenue, in room 107 at 5 pm on January 20. Organizers are asking for a $5 to $15 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will go to the legal defense of protesters arrested at the inauguration.
Cleveland, Ohio: Wandering Aesthetics to host Electric Pressure Cooker Cabaret
“Inauguration Protest Station,” January 20, 7:30 pm, Aqueduct Brewing, 529 Grant Street.
Columbus, Ohio: J20 Benefit Show
On January 20 at 9 pm, there will be a benefit show to raise money for J20 defendants.
Denver, Colorado: Punk Against Trump
J20 supporters will operate a literature table at Punk Against Trump at Summit Music Hall. Two dollars of every ticket does to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
Kansas City, Missouri: A Discussion, Film Showing, and Meal
At the Lucile H. Bluford Branch Library at 3050 Prospect Avenue, Saturday January 20, from 2:30 to 5 pm, we will host a recap of the events of January 20, 2017 and the ongoing legal battle, a free hot meal courtesy of Kansas City Food Not Bombs, a screening of episodes of Trouble (the Submedia documentary series) on state repression and surveillance, and a discussion on the connection to the repression faced in Black liberation movements.
Chicago, Illinois: Bloodfruit Radical Library Grand Opening, Coordinated Banner Drops, Benefit Show
On January 19, we will celebrate the grand opening of Bloodfruit Radical Library and Coffee at 3084 South Lock Street.
Announcing a brand new radical library, coffee shop, and community space at Blood Fruit Printworks in Bridgeport. We will continue to operate the print shop for DIY publishing while adding a library and community space for events. We aim to have a curated collection of around 2,000 books including many self-published and underground titles you won’t find at the city library.
We will be collecting book donations all day. These donations can come in two forms. If you have books that you don’t wish to get back, just drop them by and we’ll do the rest. In addition, we are also inviting people to bring their own personal collection of books into a common space for others to use. We hope to collectivize the care of the space by having a plethora of people add their own books that they love to the collection. They will be archived under your name and if you wish to get them back at any time you can simply take them out.
On January 20, there is a plan for coordinated banner drops to be followed by a punk show benefit for J20 defendants. Meet at 6:30 at BRKWY, banner blitz at 7 pm, group reflections at 8:30, show at BRKWY at 9:30.
Carbondale, Illinois: Build the Bloc—A Week of Events in Solidarity with J20 Defendants
Carbondale will host a week of presentations, music, poetry, and a comedy show to benefit J20 defendants and the wider movement. Events, collective work projects, and shared meals will take place at the Flyover social center, in collaboration with other projects on “the block,” a short block in Carbondale that capitalism left for dead, which comrades and fellow travelers have been working on for years. The week will end with an anti-Trump rally, with a contest for best sign, banner, or puppet depiction of the president.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Anti-facists Unite—Food Not Bombs Meal & Info Picket
A meal, discussion, and table at 6th & National.
Des Moines, IA: J20 Fundraiser/ Solidarity
Wednesday, January 16: WPW presents an evening of J20 solidarity and action. Dress warm. Meeting place TBA.
Saturday, January 20: fundraiser/ outreach booth at the Capital. Iowa Autonomy will be taking up space during the Women’s March IA in solidarity with the J20 defendants to raise awareness, hand out literature, and collect donations for the defendants. Come to the booth / rally in solidarity. Bring your banner and wear all black.
Bloomington, Indiana: Two J20 Benefit Shows in One Week
On Tuesday, January 16, at 8 pm, at the Blockhouse Bar at 205 S College Avenue in Bloomington, Punks Give Back will host a night of music and poetry benefitting J20 defendants based in Indiana.
On January 20, there will be a House Show Extravaganza to benefit the general J20 Defense Fund, featuring hardcore, thrash, and DJ sets!
Fort Collins, Colorado: A Full Week of Events
A week of outreach and solidarity events including a free showing of Unicorn Riot’s “Black Snake Killaz,” a noise demonstration, and many other activities, described in detail on this flier:
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Austin, Texas: Pop, Lock, and #DropJ20! A Solidarity Dance Party & Fundraiser
On January 16, at 7 pm, at Casa de Resistencia Books, 4926 East Cesar Chavez Street, C1, Austin, there will be a free screening of two episodes of the subMedia show Trouble. Donations will go to benefit J20 defendants.
On January 20, starting at 6:30 pm and running late into the night, there will be a full night of education and entertainment at Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River Street, Austin.
Join us for a lively fundraiser supporting J20 defendants on the anniversary of the Inauguration Day protests in DC that led to the mass arrest of protestors.
Alexei Wood, a journalist from San Antonio will speak to his experience live-streaming his arrest and subsequent tribulations posed by the prosecution.
There will be music on both stages! With visuals provided by Hyperreal Film Cub, bands will start the night playing on the outdoor stage at 7pm and then we’ll move indoors for DJ performances and dance party to end the night.
Suggested donations will be $5 entry, sliding scale - no one will be turned down for lack of funds.
Collaborators: Hyperreal Film Club, Austin Anarchist Black Cross (ABC), DJ Dada of Chulita Vinyl Club, bands & additional performances TBA.
We will be tabling J20, prisoner support, and anti-repression literature. We’re happy to talk with folks who are new to these ideas & movements!
On January 21, at 6 pm, at Treasure City Thrift at East 7th Street 2142, join a coalition of community and student organizations for a potluck and celebration fundraiser for the J20 defendants. The recently acquitted J20 defendant Alexei Wood will speak; there will also be kid-friendly games and organization tables.
Dallas, Texas: J20 Benefit Show
A night of music, poetry, and literature hosted by the Emma Goldman Book Club.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: “Fuck Trump and His World”
January 20, 4:30 PM, at Boneshaker Books, 2002 23rd Avenue South, a workshop covering the J20 court cases, the history of repression preceding them, and proper security practices, followed by a benefit dinner at another location.
Knoxville, Tennessee: Support the Radical Library and J20 Defendants!
$5-10 donation (sliding scale, no one turned away). Bring books and zines to share and partake in the following activities:
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Prisoner letter writing
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Screening of ANTIFA by Global Uprisings
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Book and zine fair by Knoxville Radical Library
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Zines, buttons, stickers for sale!
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Music by Maspeth, Bunny, Erin Laine, Dalton Manning and more
Detroit, Michigan: J20 Rally and March
At Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan—part of a week of action demanding that the J20 charges be dropped.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Demonstration and Letter-Writing Night
On January 20, there will be a demonstration at noon at the Wallace Bennett Federal Building at 125 South State Street in Salt Lake City, observing a year of resistance to Trump. Afterwards, there will be a political prisoner letter writing event at the library in between 700 East and 900 East on 3300 South.
New Orleans, Louisiana
At 6 pm on January 20, there will be a show in a parking lot at a place called Hank’s, expressing support for J20 defendants.
On the West Coast
Seattle, Washington: We Don’t Forget—Rally and Noise Demo in Remembrance and Solidarity
On January 20 at 1 pm, on Red Square at the University of Washington, there will be a noise demo and rally in remembrance of the shooting of a member of the IWW GDC by a right-winger on the UW campus on January 20, 2017, in solidarity with the J20 defendants elsewhere in the so-called United States, and in solidarity with victims of state repression everywhere. A Facebook event can be found here.
Portland, Oregon: Winter Autonomous Convergence
There are apparently plans to take the streets in downtown Portland on January 20 in solidarity with the J20 defendants.
That night, Cider Riot at 807 NE Couch St will host Rock Against Fascism, a benefit concert to raise money for the International Anti-fascist Defense Fund. Performers include Mic Crenshaw (Hip-hop), Chartbusters Portland (Oi!), Glenn Waco (Hip-hop), All Worked Up (Oi!), and Empire Justice (Hardcore/Oi!); DJs from the Bay Area’s Left of the Dial will play the finest of Boss Reggae, antifascist Oi, soul, and punk.
Monday, January 23 from 4–7:30 pm at North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth, there will be an assembly to serve as a forum for strategizing and an entry point to get plugged into radical organizing. You can find a facebook page for this here.
San Francisco, California: J20 Get Money - A Benefit for Inauguration Defendants
A benefit at El Rio, 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, at 7:30 pm on January 20. The evening will begin with a special screening of the documentary ANTIFA, followed at 9 pm by DJs, a photo booth, and merchandise. The DJs include Ambr33zyBA! (FELA KUTCHii), Abrilita (B-Side Brujas), TR4VI3ZA, Lonely Girl, Marvelouz, and Eastside Xicana (Noche Romántica).
Oakland, California: RIOTcon
In Oakland on January 20, RIOTcon (Radical Interactive Open Technology Conference) will take place at the East Bay Community Space. RIOTcon is a new conference seeking to highlight the intersections between radicalism, art, and technology and how to better utilize resources. They are looking for talks from Bay Area-based individuals who want to explore the intersections between artists, radicals, and technologists. To submit a talk, please fill out the form at riotcon.io or send an email to riotcon@riseup.net.
Chico, California: Two Weekends of Events for J20 Defendant Solidarity
On Saturday, January 20, there will be as-yet undisclosed solidarity actions and outreach efforts. On Saturday January 27, at 1 pm, there will be a film screening and fundraiser presenting the new documentary ANTIFA at The Pageant Theater (351 E. 6th St., Chico CA) featuring speakers, discussion, and an AK Press bargain book sale table. $5 - 10 suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds).
At 7 pm on Saturday January 27, there will be a live music fundraiser at Blackbird Bookstore Cafe (1431 Park Ave., Chico, CA) featuring Black Magnet, Bran Crown and Cat Depot. $5 - 10 suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds).
Los Angeles, California: Solidarity Demonstration
A call for a demonstration and banner drop against the J20 charges, LAPD and ICE, Trump, and capitalism on Friday, January 26, at 6 pm, on the Wilshire overpass over I-110, downtown Los Angeles (2 blocks west of Wilshire and Figueroa).
Riverside, California: Tabling
Anti-fascists will be tabling to raise awareness in solidarity with J20 defendants on Mission Inn Avenue on January 20 after the Women’s march.
San Luis Obispo, California: J20 Week of Action
Starting on January 15, there will be a week of action at Cal Poly.
Monterey, California: Letter Writing Night
On January 21, at 7 pm, there will be a letter writing night at Old Capitol Books at 559 Tyler Street to support J20 defendants.
Merced, California: “What Is Fascism” Workshop
Free event and zine, January 20, 1666 North Street, 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Elsewhere around the US
Even if you can’t organize a massive conference or benefit show, you can still drop a banner, paint graffiti or put together a gathering, however small, to mark the day and create new points of departure for 2018.
Outside the US
Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa-based anti-fascist group No Pasaran will be holding a screening and discussion of the movie ANTIFA at the Garden Spot (329 Bell St. South) January 20 at 6 pm. Vegan food will be provided! The suggested donation is $5.
Stockholm, Sweden: A Week of Events
In Stockholm, Sweden, INFo-44 will host a week with different activities every day, starting on Sunday January 14 and ending on Sunday January 21. There will be self-defense classes, a storytelling session, a film screening, a demonstration, and more. More information here.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
On January 22, 2018, there will be a screening of ANTIFA at Joe’s Garage. Food at 7 followed by the film.
South Korea
Around the last week of January, events will take place in Korea inspired by the “Build the Base, Take the Initiative” call and the resistance of our comrades expressed on J20 and many other occasions last year in the so-called USA. To get in contact with the events and anarchists in Korea, email 3.1manse@riseup.net.