We (MUST) Keep Us Safe: An interview with a Long-Term, Anonymous Anarchist Comrade on Repression, Trauma, Security Culture, and Revolutionary Solidarity

The Final Straw Radio

This week, we're featuring an anonymized chat with a longtime anarchist on lessons learned trying to stay sane while facing state repression. We talk about experiencing trauma, the need for strong relationships and movements offering shelter and strong alternatives to the alienated society of state and capital, while also speaking on the challenges of mental health and inviting in new participants in anarchist movement.

• Transcript
• PDF (Unimposed)
• Zine (Imposed PDF)

Chapters:

1. Introduction and Disclaimer [00:00:23]
2. Post-911/Patriot Act State of Heightened Repression and build up to today [00:02:29]
3. Navigating security amidst a post-social media and post-smart phone era [00:23:33]
4. Creating safer and more secure revolutionary communities that can better withstand the heat [00:31:02]
5. Recognizing and overcoming repression-based trauma on an individual and community level [00:40:02]
6. Supporting comrades overcoming mental health episodes (spiralling) amidst repression and burnout [01:09:13]
7. On infiltrators and the depths the state will go to inflict trauma, fish, and divide [01:15:57]
8. Recognizing the ‘severity’ of our position, and taking ourselves seriously [01:26:22]
9. Some tips on facing trauma or intimidation, or supporting others experiencing repression-related trauma [01:34:18]

Descending References and Resources List According to Interview: Green Scare Background

• Green Scare Intro and Article References
• Mainstream Media Story (MSM Story): The Green Scare: How a Movement That Never Killed Anyone Became the FBI’s No. 1 Domestic Terrorism Threat
• TFSR Interviews:
  • Green Is The New Red with Will Potter
  • Eric McDavid after his release

Grand Juries

• CLDC: Grand Juries
• Surviving a Grand Jury: Three Narratives from Grand Jury Resisters
• People's Law Office: The Improper Use of the Federal Grand Jury: An Instrument for the Internment of Political Activists
• Surviving a Grand Jury What it means to resist a grand jury; stories from those who have; how to support North Carolina grand jury resistance (PodCast)

Border Detention

• Crossing the United States Border A Security Guide for Citizens and Non-Citizens

Police Visitation

• Center for Constitutional Rights: If An Agent Knocks Resource
• When the Police Knock on Your Door Your Rights and Options: A Legal Guide and Poster
• If the FBI Approaches You to Become an Informant An FAQ: What You Need to Know
• National Lawyers Guild: If An Agent Knocks

On Phone and Digital Security Culture

• Taking Ourselves Seriously: Digital Harm Reduction (PDF Format)
• Electronic Frontier Foundation: Mainstream Resource and Non-Profit Advocate for Digital Privacy

Infiltration Cases:

• MSM Story on Mark Kennedy: How a Married Undercover Cop Having Sex With Activists Killed a Climate Movement
• TFSR interview on Spy Cops
• MSM Story on Eric McDavid case: Manufacturing Terror: An FBI Informant Seduced Eric McDavid Into a Bomb Plot. Then the Government Lied About It
• Earth First!: Informants List

Anti-Repression Resources:

• NYC Anarchist Black Cross
• Support Defendants & Prisoners From the George Floyd Uprisings
• TFSR interview: Anti-Repression, Supporting Uprising and Anarchist Prisoners
• A Tilted Guide to Being a Defendant (PDF Zine)

J20 Case

• Lessons from #DefendJ20 on Building Movement Defense Against Repression

Sobriety Discussion

• Sobriety and Anarchist Struggle (PDF Version)

Mental Health/Trauma/Burn Out

• Survivors Manual: Surviving In Solitary (PDF)
• Sub.Media video: Redefining Sanity Through Struggle
• Conflictual Wisdom: On Burning Out and Anarchist Self-Preservation
• Against the Struggle of the Coward: A Note of Strength for the Underdogs
• Repression, Resiliency, & Movement Support: An Interview
• Solidarity Apothecary (Podcast)
• Broader Wellness Resources by Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
• Trauma & Recovery Brochure (PDF)
• Solidarity Is Greater Than Fear: Lessons from G20 to Stop Cop City (Youtube Link)
• A Life Worth Living: Care, Survival, Suicide, and Grief (Zine Resource on the Subjects)

. ... . ..

Featured Track:

• Hold Onto Each Other by Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band from Horses In The Sky