Here are 4 reasons why Philly needs this newspaper:
1. A publication that’s been around for 14 years builds a huge readership of people who would not be reached otherwise. This paper makes its way to barbershops and bookstores, cafes and health centers all over town — and it’s not easy for a mainly anarchist paper to develop those relationships. Hundreds of prisoners rely on it, and some write for it. If someone starts a new paper tomorrow, many of those old loyal readers will not get the new paper and will probably move gradually to the right as they turn to the corporate media, which leaves out the stories and perspectives that matter.
2. There is a resurgence of libertarianism in the US now, and anti-authoritarians who are not exposed to anarchism are often drawn to it. The myth that Jews run the world through the federal reserve, or that it’s your own fault if you’re poor, are starting to swim dangerously close to our end of the political pool. The defenestrator helps keep that kind of crap at bay and offers a vision of interdependent humanity.
3. The defenestrator is one of the longstanding institutions in Philly that keeps our anarchist movement strong and smart. Many other cities leave young people to re-invent the wheel without support from longtime anarchists. Valuable skills and insight get lost, and groups or spaces last only a short time.
4. It’s not just an anarchist paper — it reflects a wider range of radical and revolutionary tendencies. This works against sectarianism (hostility toward other types of radicals) and closed-minded thinking. It trusts people to think for themselves without a label.
Here are five ways you can support the defenestrator:
1. Write an article! I will forward the info about their next deadline after this message.
2. Ask friends to write, suggest story ideas to them, and follow up with them! Many great activists, new and experienced, need some encouragement and positive feedback in order to write something. But the time spent reflecting on their organizing work can only benefit that work.
3. Join members of the defcollective on Thursday, September 29 @ 7pm at Wooden Shoe Books and Records, 704 South St, for a discussion/workshop on
getting involved with the paper. Bring your ideas, energy, and support!
4. Attend collective meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. 7pm at LAVA, 4134 Lancaster Ave. All types of skills are welcome – artists, computer geeks, writers, editors, designers/layout people, photographers, supporters, fundraisers. (Because of other changes, etc. – meeting times
are not as set in stone as they once were – check in wt rosa@defenestrator.org and on the defenestrator website for updates)
5. Donate money at http://www.defenestrator.org/ or in person, or send a check to defenestrator, PO Box 30922, Phila PA 19104.
In solidarity,
Suzy Subways
