LA walkouts

[rebelworker]

From the Southern California Anarchist Federation -- Los Angeles Chapter 3/29/06
Through out this week students from High Schools and Middle
Schools have been walking out against the racist anti-immigrant HR 4437.
On Tuesday March 28th, members of the SCAF-LA supported the
student walk-outs by marching along with them, talking to them,
and trying to connect them with a revolutionary vision.
A middle school walk out had been organized by the teachers at Los
Angeles Leadership Academy, which had a couple of hundred
students walk out from their school to resist this proposed law.
There were High School students that we met up with in city hall
from all over the city, from Alhambra to South Central Los Angeles.
It was raining on this day, but this did not discourage students from
walking out. Mayor Villaraigosa even had to go on the radio, to beg
the students to not walk out anymore. Students had been organizing
their schools since Friday and the march on Saturday in Downtown
Los Angeles gave their efforts some support and momentum. The
city officials are scared, and are on the defensive. They lose federal
money when students do not show up to school, and they fear the
youth waking up and fighting back, they fear their rebellious spirit,
and the self-organization of the people.

Students chanted and marched from all over the city, meeting up at
different high schools for support and to get other students to walk
out. There were adult supporters and observers marching along with
the youth -- but this moment belonged to them. From downtown we
marched to South Central Los Angeles to Jefferson High School.
There we found riot police protecting the school, and stopping the
youth from walking out.

We heard reports that this happened at other schools as well. Riot
police surrounded schools and the school administration locked in
the students. The fact of the matter being that schools are prisons --
they are used to indoctrinate and socialize and turn us into a new
generation of wage slaves. They lock us in and have cops protecting
the schools and making sure we do not escape behind their class
room walls. The police never have repressed schools in upper middle
class sections of the city. This was an exposure on the system itself.

Besides the attempts of the authorities to stop the youth from
resisting and rebelling -- we talked to a student from Manual Arts
High School in South Central Los Angeles who told us that when
they locked the gates to their school -- the students broke them
down in their hundreds and walked out anyway. Also at Jefferson
High School when riot police tried to push people back and beat
people with their batons -- people refused to move and started
chanting, “La Migra, La Policia, La Misma Porqueria!” (The
INS, The Police -- the Same piece of trash). The youth were
determined, and willing to take bold actions -- some recalled stories
of the day before when they had taken over the 101 and 110
freeways.

The march passed by workers in down town raising their fists from
their construction sites, and in South Central with Mexicano families
yelling out “Si Se Puede” from their porches and windows.
Students reassured each other, “My mom told me we’re not
supposed to go to school this whole week, because of this law.”
A boy’s mom passed by with water and burritos for those who
were hungry, dropping them off from her van.

Today in Los Angeles there is a lot of revolutionary potential, and we
have to support spontaneous resistance, but also we have to plan and
organize for the long term struggle of changing society and taking
back our communities (and relying on our own organization --
including on ourselves to educate each other -- and giving each
other the tools and resources that we‘re not receiving in our
schools that will help us fight against oppression, build the
revolutionary movement, and survive). The actions that the students
are taking are righteous and we should support it. Many are wanting
to help build this movement -- when were talking to some of them
they grabbed some SCAF flyers and passed them out to other
students.

There are different meetings and forums that are being set up to
support the youth -- and others are trying to stop them and
discourage them (the media, and some liberals) telling them that
they’re causing harm to themselves -- when this government
and system is attacking them.

The Youth Collective of SCAF and members of SCAF-LA (Southern
California Anarchist Federation -- Los Angeles) will be screening the
HBO film Walk Out and actual footage from the East Los Angeles
Blow Outs from the past and helping facilitate discussion after the
screenings on getting organized in the present to not only stop this
racist anti-immigrant law HR 4437 but change the rotten system
that locks us up, lies to us, and kills us. We will be screening the
film in different parts of the city, the first will be in Boyle Heights on
April 2nd, 2006 -- contact [email protected] --
[email protected] -- [email protected] -- for more info or
the Youth Collective at [email protected]

Right on to the rebel youth -- the world belongs to you, the
oppressed, and humanity -- not the police, the politicians, or the
oppressor.


Southern California Anarchist Federation (http://www.mediadissent.com/scaf/)

[timbaly]

I'm not convinced of this being a sign of the future. These Los Angeles anarchists seem to be far too optimistic and unrealisitc. I do not see how these protests will amount to the youth staging a rebellion against society in the United States. These protesters are far more likely to continue living the consumerist life style with no thought towards revolutionary politics once the tensions die down. I don't see anarchists gaining many followers out of this.

(1000th post)

[Tekun]

I agree...the majority of these students were out there following others
From what I saw and heard, the majority of them were not very conscious of why they were marching, they were out there not to protest or march, but just to miss school

Although there were many that realized and were aware of why they were protesting, the majority of them were neither organized nor disciplined
Marching on the freeway?
IMO not the smartest move, sounds like somethin Gandhi or MLK would have proposed, civil disobedience or something
But definitely not revolutionary
And I also agree, after they pass some petty law in congress, the majority of these students will accept it and forget about protesting and such

The only way for their lives (and mine) to change is to become educated and informed
Then organize themselves, because the LAPD can't handle millions of us
And then take disciplined approach to our problems
And Im more than willing to join in with anyone who is prepared to do such a thing
PM me if your interested


BTW, congrats on your 1000th ;)

[Cheung Mo]

Why does this situation make me thing of the title of a certain RotM album? (though as leftist music goes, my first choice is Skyclad even if they're lyrics may often be very Anglo and Euro-centric)

[Zero]

Cheung Mo. I just felt the same. (By the way, its RatM.)

[MeTaLhEaD]

all i heard those kids where chanting was

viva mexicon Cabrones ! and its dumb
anarchist kids believe mexicans are the only latinos living in USA

its not for mexico kids! its for the inmigrants!

[bolshevik butcher]

Look they were marching out either way. This is onyl the beggining. Please dont be so negative towards people actually acheiving someone. It is small steps like these at the beggining that greatly increase consciousness and get people in ones and twos to join revolutionary groups and start thinking revolutionary thoughts.

[rebelworker]

I dont think that anyone had the illusion that this was the revolution....

People were jumping out of there seats for the shit in France, this is very similar.

In mass movements there are always more advanced elements of the crowd, just as the majority will probably not get turned on to radical politcs.

My first political action was a junior highschool walkout. We had been locked in our classes for luch while the police searched all the lockers looking for drugs and stolen goods. We didnt all become revolutionaries, but it was a radicalising life experience and showed the importants and strength of mass action.

It was years before i became an active revolutionary but looking back this was a very important formative momnet in my life, even if at the time we just wanted our lunch break.



The only way for their lives (and mine) to change is to become educated and informed
Then organize themselves, because the LAPD can't handle millions of us
And then take disciplined approach to our problems
And Im more than willing to join in with anyone who is prepared to do such a thing
PM me if your interested


So were do you start smart guy?
mabey with a revolutionary organisation supporting mass action???



and its dumb
anarchist kids believe mexicans are the only latinos living in USA

its not for mexico kids! its for the inmigrants!


From what I have heard the SCAF in LA is mostly Latinos so im pretty sure they are aware of that. But you might want to get in touch and give them a hint. Im sure living in LA they are pretty clueless to that situation. Thanx ;)

If only poor people werent so stupid the revolution would have already happened :lol:

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by Tekun+--> (Tekun)From what I saw and heard, the majority of them were not very conscious of why they were marching, they were out there not to protest or march, but just to miss school.[/b]

Sounds good to me! :D


Although there were many that realized and were aware of why they were protesting, the majority of them were neither organized nor disciplined.

Why should they be either?

The reason people rebel spontaneously is often due to the fact that no organization exists that represents their rebelliousness.

As for "discipline", you mean that the kids had no "identified leaders" who could stand in front of the cameras and fat-mouth about some bourgeois reform?

Good for them! :D


The only way for their lives (and mine) to change is to become educated and informed.

And who is there to do either?


MeTaLhEaD
It's not for Mexico kids! It's for the immigrants!

It's "for" whatever damn thing they please!

Rebellious masses do that, you know...define their own demands.

Much to the dismay of some of their would-be "leaders". :lol:

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Rawthentic]

Originally posted by [email protected] 30 2006, 08:05 PM
I agree...the majority of these students were out there following others
From what I saw and heard, the majority of them were not very conscious of why they were marching, they were out there not to protest or march, but just to miss school

Although there were many that realized and were aware of why they were protesting, the majority of them were neither organized nor disciplined
Marching on the freeway?
IMO not the smartest move, sounds like somethin Gandhi or MLK would have proposed, civil disobedience or something
But definitely not revolutionary
And I also agree, after they pass some petty law in congress, the majority of these students will accept it and forget about protesting and such

The only way for their lives (and mine) to change is to become educated and informed
Then organize themselves, because the LAPD can't handle millions of us
And then take disciplined approach to our problems
And Im more than willing to join in with anyone who is prepared to do such a thing
PM me if your interested


BTW, congrats on your 1000th ;)
yeah, so wat revolutionary actions do u propose these kids do? something that MLK or Ghandi proposed isnt bad. walking on the freeway is a way to make our presence felt

[Rawthentic]

Originally posted by [email protected] 30 2006, 08:05 PM
I agree...the majority of these students were out there following others
From what I saw and heard, the majority of them were not very conscious of why they were marching, they were out there not to protest or march, but just to miss school

Although there were many that realized and were aware of why they were protesting, the majority of them were neither organized nor disciplined
Marching on the freeway?
IMO not the smartest move, sounds like somethin Gandhi or MLK would have proposed, civil disobedience or something
But definitely not revolutionary
And I also agree, after they pass some petty law in congress, the majority of these students will accept it and forget about protesting and such

The only way for their lives (and mine) to change is to become educated and informed
Then organize themselves, because the LAPD can't handle millions of us
And then take disciplined approach to our problems
And Im more than willing to join in with anyone who is prepared to do such a thing
PM me if your interested


BTW, congrats on your 1000th ;)
yeah, so wat revolutionary actions do u propose these kids do? something that MLK or Ghandi proposed isnt bad. walking on the freeway is a way to make our presence felt

[Nicky Scarfo]

Fuck the student walkouts-- the protests in L.A. and Chicago amounted to a general strike by immigrant workers. In both cities entire factories and businesses had to be shut down (sometimes with the blessing of the employers who are dependent on their immigrant workforces). Labor unions were among the biggest organizers of these demonstrations and mass-walkouts.

It just sucks that these protests/strikes were scheduled at different dates throughout the country. They should have all been on one day. Had they been, over a million American workers would have been on strike at once-- the largest number since 1946.

The corporate media is giving short-shrift to the biggest labor action at least since the 1997 UPS strike. Native-born American workers are struggling too. But as its been since the 19th century, immigrants are proving the backbone of the American labor movement. Having made substantial risks to make it to the "land of opportunity" and provide for themselves and their families, they are willing to risk more for their futures and those of their families and communities by participating in bold mass labor action.

[erebus]

Although I may have strong disagreement with Redstar, on this particular issue, I think he's the only one taking the materialist approach. The spontaneity of the masses, in this case, particularly students, should be a process in which conscious revolutionaries should be involved. Who is to channel this into a disciplined force. Surely, you cannot criticize anyone of not being revolutionaries if not revolutionaries even take them serious. Every reaction from anyone stems from material conditions. To seize this opportunity and politicize students should be our main concern. These petty criticisms i'm hearing reflect an incomplete and liberal understanding of the way society works. To say that they were leaderless is also a very strong statement. I know those few who were pushing for a more organized approach. You don't hear very much from students that knew what they were talking about on the media. The english-speaking media naturally singled out the weaker interviews on the air. Also, out of this uproar by the masses of oppressed students (a big chunk of which happen to be undocumented or lumpen), lots of unprecedented attempts at organizing have been born. Students representitives are currently trying to institutionalize a plan among themselves so that in the future, the organization and discipline you whine about will exist, and mobilization would take a lot less time and energy. Your criticisms are half-assed. Thanks you.

[Atlas Swallowed]

At the least they are showing thier disgust with this racist bull shit law. Which is more than most citizens in the US can say. Good for them, the younger one has no faith in government the better.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by erebus
Although I may have strong disagreement with Redstar, on this particular issue, I think he's the only one taking the materialist approach.

Our resident Leninists are not really interested in struggles that they don't already "lead"...or at least think they have a shot at "leading".

If those high school kids had been carrying enormous pictures of Chairman Bob or Chairman Ted, you'd have seen a whole different bunch of posts here.

I don't imagine that they're particularly wild about what's happening in France either.

The masses are so...undisciplined! :lol:

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[erebus]

Actually, I am Maoist myself, although the way I grew up may differ from what the usual First Worlder may experience. That's all I could say about that. I participated in 3 of the walkouts. Apparently, some people I know made headlines with the white nationalist bourgeois over a mexican flag dispute (a mexican flag was set above an upside-down american flag on a pole). Whatever you may think about nationalism, in this context, it's resistence against oppression.

[More Fire for the People]

For some reason, I just love student rebellions. The walkout is the students’ strike, a primitive precursor to the insurrectionary strike to come. The prospects of these primarily student spontaneous uprisings are beautiful as it’ll spark a generation of class conscious workers.

[Ultra-Violence]

So what if poeple didnt know what their were marching for "then" they Know now!

and trust me most of us were protesting for our parents who are illegal immigrants.
and so what if kids wanted to ditch school thats a good thing the school gets paids around 60-70 dollars per kid that shows up. imagine how badly they were hurt thats why my school has been on lock down the whole week. and things are just goana get better theres gaona be boycotts and a massgeneral strike coming soon.
and when have you seen caring about anything these days. KIDS finaly stood up for something that deserves some credit.

[YSR]

Kudos to these youth.

I think Redstar is clearly correct here. The fact that these actions are occuring at all means that youth (as well as others) are taking a stand. If that stand or action isn't "strong enough" for you, perhaps you should go help organize some structure or something. But the important thing is that these actions speak to a greater revolutionary potential.

Scarfo, I have to admit that I had no idea these strikes happened. I watch the bourgeois press pretty closely and I didn't hear anything. Put down another mark for the "fair" reporting of mainstream news.

[bolshevik butcher]

Blieve me these things are always put down. The task of socialists is to spread the news and try to establish some sort of pernament school sutdent organisation out of this. School studnets unions work specutacularly well in parts of continental europe.