Anti-Racist Action
From Infoshop OpenWiki
Anti-Racist Action Network (ARA) is a decentralized network of anti-fascist and anti-racist activists. ARA activists organize actions to disrupt neo-nazi and white supremacist groups and help to organize resistance mainly to fascist and racist ideologies. ARA groups also oppose sexism, homophobia, heterosexism, anti-Semitism and discrimination against the disabled, the old, the young and others seen to be oppressed. They are staunchly Left-Wing, and are sometimes seen to be "Red" or Communist, particularly by detractors, however, their politics are more consistent with anarchism. They are sometimes associated with the Skinhead subculture and work with organizations such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP).
In Canada, they were involved in a number of violent incidents in the 1990s which included a 1993 brawl on Parliament Hill in Ottawa with members of the neo-nazi Heritage Front in which several Heritage Front members, including RaHoWa lead singer George Burdi, were arrested.
The ARA staged a subsequent protest in Toronto outside the rented house of Heritage Front spokesman Gary Schipper. During the protest, several individuals entered Schipper's house and proceeded to vandalise the home, doing causing approximately $20,000 in property damage. Following this event members of the Heritage Front, including its leader, Wolfgang Droege, attacked members of ARA outside of a Toronto pub resulting in the arrest and conviction of Droege and several of his associates for aggravated assault.
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History
ARA started in Minneapolis, MN in 1987. Since then it has been expanding to different communities, countries and continents.
Dan and "Spit"
On July 4, 1998, two Las Vegas ARA members - Daniel Shersty and Lin Newborn were murdered by Neo-Nazis in the desert outside Las Vegas. Shot at close range with a shotgun, they were found murdered in an area of the desert known to be used by white supremacists for target practice.Template:Fact
Baltimore 28
On August 24, 2002, a large Neo-nazi demonstration was planned in Washington, D.C. Some groups of Neo-nazis were planning to take the bus from the Baltimore Travel Plaza to Washington. Also present at the Travel Plaza were a number of ARA affiliates, mostly Baltimore punk rock fans and activists, demonstrating against the nazis. In the confusion and melee that resulted, 28 of the ARA activists were cornered by Baltimore City Police and arrested. Within about 36 hours most had been released from jail. Many claimed that they were not properly informed about any crime they had committed until their release, if informed at all. The group became known as the Baltimore 28, Parking Lot 28, Baltimore Anti-Racist 28 or the Anti Racist 28. At many following local punk shows, donations were taken in their name for a legal defense fund and to pay back borrowed bail money. The resulting charges to 26 of the 28 included inciting a riot, malicious destruction of property, aggravated assault, and disorderly conduct. One of the 28 was not charged with any crimes due to her status as a minor. The charges were eventually dropped.
Madison 2006
Midwest ARA activists lead a black bloc and confrontation against the National Socialist Movement's rally against immigration on the steps of the capital in Madison, Wisconsin on August 26, 2006.
See also
- Lin Newborn and Daniel Shersty, murdered Las Vegas ARA members.
- Antifa
