Flagstaff, AZ: Anti-fascist & Anti-colonial contingent at Charlottesville Solidarity Rally

This lively crew, comprised mainly of Indigenous folks, first gathered at Charlottesville solidarity vigil outside Flagstaff City Hall (the uzhe) but were immediately confronted by white liberals whose feelings were hurt by messages on the banners. One simply stated the famous Durruti quote, “fascism is not to be debated, it is to be smashed” and the other read “Death to fascists, anti-colonial & anti-fascist solidarity. One particularly excited person said, “don’t stand on the sidewalk, someone got arrested last time!” to which someone responded, “we will not be policed.”

Standing on a lawn holding signs amidst a hundred white argumentative liberals who were ready to throw us under the first bus to pass by was of of no particular interest so the crew departed into the streets proclaiming, “set aside your privilege and join us,” perhaps two did, but that was a clear enough message of how limited their “solidarity” extended. Though Flagstaff street medics became welcome company.

As far as marches in Flagstaff this certainly wasn’t the largest, but the streets (and sidewalks for a bit) were most definitely “our streets” for nearly an hour. Chants of “Charlottesville to Flagstaff, always anti-fascist,” and “organize, fight back,” and the standard, “no cops no kkk no fascist USA,” echoed off the buildings. Speaking of those fascists in blue, they did catch up with the crew after about 30 minutes and stalked them for the rest of the time. The impromptu march then wound its way to “Heritage” square where the recent Crime Think pamphlet (which copies of were also disseminated) was delivered to curious tourists via megaphone.

Then the skies opened up and everything was muted by thunder and heavy rain it, was the perfect punctuation (and cover). As it is in the high desert, beneath the sacred mountain, Mother Earth always gets the last word.