2019 was truly a year of extremes: massive generalized revolt, hard fought campaigns, continuing repression, and tested limits for autonomous social movements and the broader anarchist, autonomist, and anti-authoritarian currents within them. Above all, 2019 showed the ability of our movements to stay engaged in long-haul struggles, from anti-pipeline camps entering into their second year of active resistance, entrenched labor battles, increasingly organized autonomous disaster relief, continuing anti-prison organizing, anti-ICE divestment victories, growing antifascist coalitions, and beyond. This in itself, is something to celebrate.
2019 will also be remembered as a year of intense conflict. This is true across so-called North America as it was across the world. In Puerto Rico, an anti-colonial and anti-austerity wave of riots and mass street demonstrations not only unseated a succession of governors, but also set the stage for the growth of popular assemblies which sought to build power in the absence of the State. On the US mainland, the State blinked in the Spring when it sought to roll out a massive roundup of migrant workers, only to be pushed back by a combination of insurrectionary sabotage, street mobilizations, and popular community defense. In so-called Canada, the start of 2019 saw thousands take to the streets, blocking highways and infrastructure in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people, whose unceded territory the police and pipeline companies invaded with force. Later in the year, we also saw the growth of widespread solidarity and support to #FreeCedar, an anarchist that was arrested following the antifascist defense of a Pride celebration in Hamilton. Meanwhile in Mexico, a series of riots kicked off against rapist police officers, with anarchists and feminists firmly in the lead, causing the Leftist government to proclaim that unlike Ricardo Flores Magon, these were not, “real anarchists.”
After police arrested outspoken trans anarchist Cedar following the defense of a Pride event from far-Right goons, there was a massive outpouring of support that caught even anarchists off guard.
For autonomous anti-capitalists and anarchists, the year was also one of experimentation and attempting to offer material solidarity in a real and tangible way. In the face of the government shutdown, people and groups across the US experimented with what mutual aid could look like in 2019. When the hammer began to come down on the houseless, people responded. When Turkey invaded Rojava, people mobilized and began to think about how they could tangibly act in solidarity; and set out blocking airlines and arms manufactures across the country.
A lot also happened in 2019 that totally caught us off guard. Who would have thought that a widespread antifascist current would grow throughout the fandom of Major League Soccer? Struggles, which anarchists were involved in supporting, such as the blockade by coal miners in Kentucky, ended in actual victory. Moreover, attempts to bury groups like No More Deaths or the Vaughn 17, ended in not only defeat for the State, but in more widespread support. Also, while Fox News and other far-Right outlets continued to play up fears of antifascists, anarchists, and the black bloc – even militant engagements, such as the anti-Trump clashes that broke out in Minneapolis and the actions of Williem Van Spronzen, were largely downplayed by the mainstream press for fear of them spreading and were also met by a healthy degree of popular sympathy.
But 2019 also showed us the real limits of our capacity and our abilities to intervene, especially in the face of the increasing crisis of capitalist civilization, the realities of war, and the growing inability of the State to manage this disaster. Such a reality also laid bare the limits of online “viral” organizing and showcased the need for our movements to be able to not just mobilize and turn people out, but actually build lasting relationships.
We would do well to critically understand and reflect not only on our successes, but also think long and hard on our failures and more over, the limits that appear before us. How do we bring more people into our movement? What would it mean to grow beyond where we are now? What barriers keep us removed from the wider population? How do we organize ourselves to actually intervene in real ways? What are the weaknesses and strengthens of both our current infrastructure, networks, crews, and organizations – and how can we overcome these weaknesses? How do we not reinvent the wheel when possible? Asking these hard questions and taking steps to address them, will hopefully help us grow.
How do we grow more powerful than we are now? How do we overcome the limits before us? How do we recognize our weaknesses and learn from them?
2019 Timeline
January
Tens of thousands took to the streets today to #ShutDownCanada in solidarity with #WetsuwetenStrong and the #UnistotenCamp in the face of continued Canadian state violence for the sake of expanding the black snake. Check out our roundup of all the action. https://t.co/HDuS7bwYDd pic.twitter.com/v9kg2KCHoe
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) January 9, 2019
- NYE noise demonstrations organized across the world outside of prisons and jails.
- Police raid Wet’suwet’en territory. Solidarity demonstrations, marches, blockades, and autonomous actions break out across Canada under the banner of #ShutDownCanada.
- Border patrol and National Guard open fire on migrants attempting to across and gain asylum. Solidarity efforts along the border and in Tijuana heat up. State surveillance increases on anarchist solidarity organizing at the border. Later documents released by the Pentagon would show “protests/anarchists” to be a major point of focus.
Even if #shutdown ends tomorrow, elites still pushing for #austerity + mass cuts. Need for autonomous survival programs + mutual aid greater than ever – here's a roundup of #J20 actions that will hopefully inspire us to continue organizing + experimenting. https://t.co/rSz7mQa9xt pic.twitter.com/IgQZLRIgTH
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) January 21, 2019
- #J20 weekend of action. Mutual aid events organized around the theme of the government shutdown and austerity.
- #RiseUp4Rojava actions across the world.
- IGD interviewed by Teen Vogue.
"Families came forward to cross and surrender themselves – with hands raised the national guardsmen aimed their rifles on them – we saw red lasers being aimed at them…We heard one national guardsman repeatedly call out: “Do not help those children.”' https://t.co/rDjUPVbwcA pic.twitter.com/Mcix7IAUj6
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) January 3, 2019
February
Shout out to the comrades at the #AbolishMDC noise demo today for showing solidarity with folks locked up in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC)! #FireWardenQuay #FireToThePrisons pic.twitter.com/BoUqJITiHl
— Ash J (@AshAgony) February 8, 2019
- Massive antifascist mobilization at Rock Stone Mountain in Georgia.
- Large demonstrations break out in Brooklyn demanding that heat be turned on at the Metropolitan Department of Corrections building.
#Olympia #BlocktheWall rally and march sees turnout of over 80 people who listen to speakers, hit a pinata, and then take to the streets. pic.twitter.com/GoCCtgKQup
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) February 21, 2019
- Valve turners take action against Line 3.
- #BlocktheWall week of action.
- Clashes break out in Mohawk territory after police raids.
ANTIFA DECLARES VICTORY:
As the march concluded, a masked leader described how “the seeds of rebellion” were planted during the Berkeley, California Milo protests.
Now, they say, their movement has grown to the point where neo-confederates don’t show up to their own events. pic.twitter.com/ca1FYBL5zX
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) February 2, 2019
March
Police killing of Stephon Clark causes massive freeway shutdowns, militant marches, and clashes with the police.
- Last of J20 charges dropped.
- Stephon Clark rebellion in Sacramento breaks out.
- Unicorn Riot releases massive trove of internal communications from the neo-Nazi group, Identity Evropa, crippling the organization and forcing them to rebrand.
Internal chats uncovered by @UR_Ninja sheds light onto Identity Evropa, one of the largest white nationalist groups left post-Unite the Right. The following analysis breaks down what the logs contain + why they're so important for anti-racist organizers. https://t.co/T97t4jlPlL pic.twitter.com/yugfTKT4Ms
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) March 7, 2019
April
#BlackWomensLivesMatter in New Haven last night. 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/yjwFsU5ReK
— IWW.CT. (@CT_IWW) April 19, 2019
- #DontMuteDC actions fight against gentrification.
- Mass protests break out against police shootings in New Haven, CT.
- Banner drop at North Carolina prison directors’ house.
- John Hopkins University occupation kicks off against university contracts with private police and ICE.
- Hiwaymen attack trans rally in Little Rock, AK.
- Mass protests begin in Atlanta, Georgia against conditions at Dekalb County Jail.
50 people converged outside of #Atlanta to make noise in support of inmates who have been attacked by guards for getting out videos and footage of horrific conditions inside of #Dekalb County Jail. People stormed the lobby, police made 4 forceful arrests. https://t.co/lKkOna8QJQ pic.twitter.com/3B9nzAFCBu
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 13, 2019
May
DC neo-Nazi Jovi Val, out rocking his swastika bling, was egged and then pushed off the streets today. pic.twitter.com/A6bW9c9tTr
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) May 1, 2019
June
Despite zero evidence, growing from one Portland police tweet, the conspiracy theory (heavily pushed by far-Right trolls), that #Portland antifascist protesters mixed quick drying cement into over 700 milkshakes which were eaten, has made its way into the mainstream. A thread. pic.twitter.com/egOLFV9drF
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) July 1, 2019
- Mass antifascist mobilization in Portland overwhelms Proud Boy rally, pushes them out of the city.
- San Francisco action in solidarity with Indonesian anarchists.
- Anti-police riot breaks out outside of Memphis, TN.
- Antifascists push out NSM from Detroit Pride.
- Running Down the Walls and June 11th events organized in solidarity with anarchist prisoners.
- Water gun fight in Atlanta leads to anti-police revolt.
- Support grows in #FreeCedar campaign, street and solidarity actions organized across the world.
- Proud Boys pushed out of Pride in New Orleans.
This weekend, #Atlanta police tried + failed to shut down more than 500 people coming together to celebrate #GunsDownWaterGunsUp, a self-organized movement to end inter-community violence. But despite the attempts at a crackdown, the movement is spreading. https://t.co/Hm5o7AJ0gF pic.twitter.com/VmTa7Is2rR
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) June 4, 2019
July
#TIA: In this episode, we talk with someone about the upcoming Border Resistance Convergence in El Paso, as well as the need for bodies on the ground in solidarity with @stopthemvp as the pipeline company moves to evict the tree-sit in the coming days. https://t.co/STqrA6e2o4 pic.twitter.com/uuBKs9ENs3
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) July 29, 2019
- Call from #BlocktheWall network to target banks involved in private prisons and detention centers begins to have large success, causing many banks to drop ICE contracts.
- Large antifascist mobilization in DC drowns out Proud Boys rally.
Milo Yiannopolous sharing a fake antifa account @ANTIFA_DC, which features a cover photo from Maoist group in Texas, same image was used by 'Far-Left Watch,' run by Alt-Right trolls. #DemandFreeSpeech organizers will attempt to pass this off as real group – it's not. Block them. pic.twitter.com/PkccrC5Abp
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) July 4, 2019
- San Francisco police violently raid #AbolishICE occupation.
- Anti-ICE rebellion in Aurora, Colorado.
- Appalachians Against Pipelines makes call for solidarity.
"It turns out, the organizer of the liberal #LightsforLiberty event spread a lie that the cops were coming to make us leave." Dispatches from #Aurora. #ClosetheCamps #AbolishICE https://t.co/oQHOwuJGG2 pic.twitter.com/gCYSkq3wXz
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) July 13, 2019
August
A wave of riots and protests hit #MexicoCity last week as anger boiled over at police following a series of brutal assaults on teenage women. We're releasing one report from anarchists in #Mexico sent to us and another can be read on @edcns_ineditas. https://t.co/rgeLsBxhLM pic.twitter.com/TzzQrDm9Qe
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) August 21, 2019
- #BlocktheWall divestment campaign continues. More banks continue to divest from private prisons and migrant detention facilities.
- Anti-police riots pop off in Mexico.
- State moves to try and bury anarchist prisoner Eric King with more charges.
- Portland shows up to counter a much smaller Proud Boy rally and sends them packing.
When community members learned that white nationalists were selling produce at the #Bloomington farmer's market – they mobilized, only to have militia members show up to support the neo-Nazis. Then the FBI started to knock on doors – of anti-racists. https://t.co/gMNOZe5tBg pic.twitter.com/qMMfnmRSPm
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) August 16, 2019
- Burgerville workers launch strike.
- Massive antifascist counter to “Straight Pride” event in Boston; attacked by the police.
- FBI harassment of antifascists in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Anniversary of Silent Sam statue coming down brings people out in the streets.
On Charlottesville's anniversary, Unite the Right attendee + Florida Director of Latinos for Trump, Enrique Tarrio with Joe Biggs, led 300 #ProudBoys, white nationalists + III%ers into #Portland – who quickly showed them the door. Thread on what the media's already getting wrong. pic.twitter.com/pSDbZoQ16x
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) August 18, 2019
September
This weekend, people carried out actions and organized demonstrations across the US in opposition to Biden's Crime Bill. Check out our roundup. #BurnDay https://t.co/pdpaXdWbWs pic.twitter.com/1xIoXZCUi9
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) September 16, 2019
- It’s Going Down interviewed by Yahoo! News about FBI memo leak which labels #AbolishICE protesters “anarchist extremists.”
- Interview with Mutual Aid Disaster Relief organizers about network of distribution hubs across the southeast in response to hurricane season.
- #BurnDay actions against Biden’s Crime bill.
Autonomous groups across several states in the southeast have launched a network of hubs + supply lines in order to mobilize disaster relief to communities hit hard by #Dorian2019. Find out how you can support these efforts. @MutualAidRelief @MADDISTRONC https://t.co/123Y3neuZQ
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) September 7, 2019
- Autonomous and anti-capitalist interventions during climate strike actions.
- Defeat of anti-antifa symbols in Major League Soccer.
- Noise demo outside of ICE warden’s home in Aurora, Colorado.
- Anti-ICE divestment campaign continues.
New #Arizona FBI memo to LEOs references IGD articles + alleges "anarchists extremists" within the #AbolishICE movement pose a "lethal threat" while amplifying conspiracy theory that protesters are buying weapons from cartels to engage in violence. Thread. https://t.co/qXG78U8WdN pic.twitter.com/58GuvTQoCK
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) September 5, 2019
October
#riseup4rojava ROJAVA IN OUR HEARTS pic.twitter.com/iyOeorkISm
— AllOutBayArea (@alloutbay) October 12, 2019
- #RiseUp4Rojava actions in solidarity with Rojava kick off. Turkish Airlines targeted.
- Burgerville Workers Union launches strike in Portland, Oregon.
Thousands flooded into the streets of #Minneapolis last week, as crowds clashed with Trump supporters and police, marking an explosion of genuine anger at the billionaire's regime not confined or directed by the Democratic Party or the non-profits. Report: https://t.co/8OCXjOXQyC pic.twitter.com/A0B83e5R00
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) October 16, 2019
- Movement remembers Sean “Armenio” Kealiher, who was killed in a hit in run in Downtown Portland.
- Mass anti-Trump mobilization in Minneapolis.
For years, anarchists, socialists + antifascists have given their lives in the fight against ISIS + in support of the autonomous confederation of Rojava in so-called Northern Syria. Praised by US politicians + pundits as heroes against ISIS, yet demonized at home as "terrorists." pic.twitter.com/TwjZuQxF5b
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) October 8, 2019
November
Report from @ridefreenyc on the recent #FTP explosion that's bringing thousands into the streets. "With a growing movement around cost + policing of public transit, #NewYork may be the next city to join a wave of struggle sweeping the globe." #NobodyPays https://t.co/gKoZJ7U0wb
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 25, 2019
- FTP mobilization in New York evade police and fares.
- Massive solidarity campaign with Rojava continues. Freeways, airports, and railroads shut down in solidarity.
- Mass student protests disrupt Ann Coulter speech at UC Berkeley.
- #NobodyPays actions kick off against austerity and police attacks on transit.
In solidarity with #Rojava, people in #Atlanta set up a blockade at a railroad used by an arms manufacturer to ship out weapons to be used by the Turkish State. https://t.co/egWIYEMqc9
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 6, 2019
- Charges against the Sacramento 3, antifascists of color facing charges stemming from the massive shut down of a neo-Nazi rally in 2016, have their charges largely dropped.
- Anti-ICE actions continue in Chicago, with mass disruptions and marches against non-profits involved in child detention.
- Second No More Deaths trial against Dr. Scott Warren in defeat.
Inspired by ongoing revolt in #Chile against austerity + resistance to transit cops in #NewYork, cities across North America took part in a day of action demanding free service + police off transit. Here's our roundup of #NoBodyPays from SF to Toronto. https://t.co/NPQvLQSIFa pic.twitter.com/M5VPbNWFsz
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 1, 2019
December
As 50K in #Illinois await mass food stamps cuts, protesters converged at @jewelosco in #Chicago to denounce the death of a 55 year old shoplifting suspect. "A neighbor was so enraged, he went in + stole two bottles, “FUCK THOSE GUYS, THIS IS FOR EUGENIO!” https://t.co/i1LajsPklO
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 19, 2019
- Autonomous groups in Portland defeat anti-food sharing initiative.
- UC Santa Cruz wildcat strike breaks out.
On #ThisIsAmerica, we spoke with members of the @PBCTenantsUnion in #Florida about why they are fighting a round of evictions with barricades and how they have spent years battling horrific conditions and violent threats and attacks from private security. https://t.co/eA0GUsmrVq pic.twitter.com/trCevbcYB0
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 20, 2019
- Palm Beach Tenants Union launched blockade against eviction.
- Chicago demonstrations organized after shoplifter killed at grocery store.
On #ThisIsAmerica, we talk to two grad students about the growing wildcat strike at UC #SantaCruz and why workers there are drawing a line in the sand as they fight for a cost of living raise – and how the struggle is expanding. @bananaslums https://t.co/HIt1Jw1nxh pic.twitter.com/9H4T2XnzRJ
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 13, 2019
Reporting, Columns & Articles We’re Proud Of
- Switching Things Up: Beyond Banner Drops
- Some Notes On Mass Refusal: Kim Kelly Interview with IGD
- “We’re Gonna Hurt You”: Inside Joey Gibson’s Escalation of Violence
- Report and Analysis of the Campaign to Stop Nightly Sweeps in Downtown Olympia
- Cracks In the ICE: History, Abolition & the Path Ahead
- Three Arrows Down: How Soccer Supporters Built An Antifascist Space Within the Sport
- Austerity on Fire: A Global Guide To Where It’s Going Down
- Get Up and Get Going: How to Form a Group
- What You Need To Know About Stephen Miller’s Connection To Richard Spencer, White Nationalism & Why It Matters
- War, Crimes, and the Spectacle of Impeachment
- What Will Spark the Next Insurrection in the US? Probably Everything.
- Police and Thieves: Insurgency, Control, Crime
- Livewire: Against Automation, Against UBI, Against Capital
- Blue-Pink-White Scare: How Right Media Drives Transphobic Panic
- How White Nationalist Jared Taylor Wrote Candace Owens’ Playbook
- Andy Ngo Is Wrong About The Trans Murder Crisis
- This Week in Fascism
IGD Content That Went Viral
April
- Communique from group of anarchists claiming responsibility for flooding office working closely with ICE is published on It’s Going Down. The story is picked up on by other outlets.
- Article on poster campaign encouraging community members to leave garbage at properties owned by white nationalists in Atlanta, Georgia is published. The story is picked up on by other outlets.
Someone is thinking creatively about white nationalist leaders active on the Atlanta property market.
"Posters Urge Atlanta Residents Not to Dump Trash on White Supremacists’ Properties" https://t.co/DVBMqfp3aN
😂 #LakewoodHeights #Atlanta #GaPol #TrashTheFash #gentrification pic.twitter.com/Ch51Pa3GYn— ATL Antifascists (kolektiva.social/@AtlantaAntifa) (@afainatl) April 29, 2019
May
- IGD exposes Turning Point USA leader in Las Vegas by publishing a racist video of Riley Grisar flashing the Alt-Right “OK” sign while screaming “White Power!” and anti-Black racial slurs. He is quickly removed from the organization and TP-USA issues a statement. Leads to several people inside of the organization being removed, including Candace Owens. The story is picked up on by other outlets.
- IGD publishes expose about an anarchist who was attacked by a Goodwill employee after they tore down a neo-Nazi sticker. Leads to several other articles being published by local outlets.
In viral video, leader of #LasVegas chapter of Turning Point USA seen giving Alt-Right "OK" sign while friend screams, "We're gonna run the world! White Power! Fuck N*****s!" Was seen giving same hand sign at recent "Build the Wall" rally. CW: Racial Slurs https://t.co/f0IwuCWAsR pic.twitter.com/qcQIFTzk8i
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) May 10, 2019
July
- Final statement from anarchist Williem Van Spronsen is published on his attempted action against ICE in Tacoma, Washington, which led to his death. Highly cited in a variety of other outlets.
- Report on anarchists reclaiming land left to rot by eminent domain in New London, Connecticut. Picked up by a variety of local outlets.
- Reporting on white nationalist group connected to local GOP organizing “Straight Pride” rally in Modesto picked up by other outlets.
August
- Armed InfoWars troll detained outside of migrant community center in El Paso, Texas a week after white nationalist shooting. Story picked up by other outlets.
- Article on buildup of violent threats from Proud Boys leaders causes Oath Keepers militia to pull out of August 17th mobilization in Portland, Oregon. Picked up by other outlets as well.
- Expose from former staffer at Chicago’s child detention non-profit, the Heartland Alliance is re-published by TruthOut.
September
- Collaborative text with CrimethInc. spreads widely during climate strike actions.
The youth are chanting: “The wrong ICE is melting, the wrong Amazon is burning!” pic.twitter.com/MhahLe4oUH
— Nastia Voynovskaya (@nananastia) September 20, 2019
October
- Call on IGD for anti-Trump mobilization in Minneapolis picked up by multiple outlets. Thousands converge.
- Our statement in solidarity with Rojava which was written in collaboration with CrimethInc. was signed onto by groups and individuals across the world.
November
- Reporting from IGD on white nationalist and Richard Spencer associate Josh Dietz spreads to multiple platforms.
Last night, Alt-Right trolls turned on one of Richard Spencer's right hand men + white nationalist leader, "Josh Neal," releasing his full name + exposing him as a #Brooklyn based musician in a progressive band, a college professor, and a hypnotherapist. https://t.co/TCU8Gn6N5Q
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 5, 2019
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