Pittsburgh, PA: #BuildtheBase Week of Action Planned

“L’ennui est contre-révolutionnaire.”

“Boredom is counterrevolutionary.”

– Paris Wall, May 1968

In Western Pennsylvania, single digit temperatures did little to deter the anarchists. Taking a break from frozen pipes, Pittsburgh’s radical community fights the winter funk. In response to Crimethinc.’s call to “Build the Base, Take the Initiative” anti-authoritarians in the City of Champions have put together a series of outreach and solidarity events. During the week of January 20th, in our autonomous spaces, fundraisers and benefits are to be all the rage.

Sunday, January 14th

A Vegan Potluck Brunch will be held at The Glitter Box Theater, from 11a-2p. Inside the Bloomcraft building, 460 Melwood Avenue.

This brunch, organized by members of the The Big Idea Bookstore Collective, is to raise funds for Casa San Jose. A community resource center that links Latinx neighbors in need with service providers and other resources to advance their welcome and integration. Casa San Jose strives to create a welcoming community for Latinx immigrants by providing opportunities for their civic and social engagement.

Price for the brunch is a sliding scale ($7-15 recommended) with 100% of the donations going to Casa San Jose. The group was able to send some folks to Nogales, AZ in the fall to protest the border wall, as well as intervention in and militarization of Latin America and is funds raised will help cover debt from that trip.

The Big Idea hosts a brunch once every two months. If you have an idea for who should benefit from the next brunch let us know at [email protected]. It will be sometime in March.

The Little Idea’s Stuff Swap/Really Really Free Market will be held from 11a-5p. Next door to The Glitter Box, inside Pittsburgh’s smallest anarchist bookstore.

Bring things you don’t want and/or look for items you may. It is no problem to come with nothing or with no intention of taking things, it will be good to see you in any case!

After the swap, unchosen stuff ends up in the Bloomcraft Free Store.

Monday, January 15th

Anarchist Black Cross Pittsburgh recently celebrated a full year of uninterrupted weekly letter writings. Join them at 6pm in The Big Idea Bookstore, 4812 Liberty Ave 15224. This Monday and every Monday.

Wednesday, January 17th

The Steel City Autonomous Movement’s monthly potluck will be held at The Big Idea. From 6pm-9pm food will be shared and games will be played. Donations will be collected for J20 defendant support.

The number of Pittsburgh comrades who were swept up in last year’s inaugural mass arrest reached double digits. While we all rejoiced with the announcement of last month’s “Not Guilty” verdicts, the time to turn up the pressure is now! Until all are free!

Thursday, January 18th

A radical film festival will take place in the basement of The Big Idea. All donations proceeds from popcorn sales go to J20 support.

Starting at 6pm with Lizzie Borden’s 1983 film Born in Flames. This documentary-style feminist science fiction film explores racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism in an alternative United States socialist democracy.

At 7:30pm, the 1996 Spanish drama Libertarias. Set in Barcelona during the Spanish Revolution, it follows a young nun who is recruited by members of Mujeres Libres, a militant feminist organization, into an anarchist militia at the onset of the Spanish Civil War.

Finally at 9:45pm, The Battle of Algiers a 1966 Italian-Algerian historical war film. An important commentary on urban guerilla warfare, it is based on events during the Algerian War (1954-1962) against the French government in North Africa.

Friday, January 19th

KJ20:karaoke benefit at 8pm in The Glitter Box Theater. Sing to support J20 defendants.

KJ DJ Tanner. BYOB and cash bar.

Saturday, January 20th

The Pittsburgh chapter of the National Lawyers Guild is hosting a movie night to raise money for legal defense of the J20 defendants. The movie, America is Waiting, is a documentary of the inauguration protests directed by Georg Kozulinski.

Room 107, Barco Law Building, 3900 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh PA at 5:00 PM

There is a $5 – $15 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will go to covering the legal expenses of protesters arrested on January 20th, 2017.

Oakland 10pm: Queer Dance Party with the chance of a show. Donations will be collected $5 suggested, no one turned away. Find it at BA SING SE (ask a punk.)

Sunday, January 21st

The anarcha-feminist collective Nightshade is reading a piece from The Revolution Starts at Home.

This event is also a book swap! Bring some books or zines you want to trade or lend. They should be on topic related to feminism, anarchism, anti-fascism, accountability, self-care, activism, etc. etc.

5pm-7pm at The Little Idea, 460 Melwood.

Thursday, January 25th

Rap Against Fascism 4: Still Saaling.

In Memory of Our Friend and RAF Co-Founder Yung Mulatto.

All proceeds donated to the Afro-American Music Institute. Literature table provided by The Big Idea Bookstore. $5 All Ages

Presented by Subterranean Aliens/Long Shot Productions

8pm-10:30pm at The Mr. Roboto Project, 5106 Penn Avenue 15224.