Welcome to the website of the Friendly Fire Collective!
This is our library, our collection of media we’ve accumulated that we believe holds significant value in the development of broad-based, radical social change. What you’ll find here is a number of articles, video, audio, graphics that will hopefully enhance your knowledge of issues unknown, make you think deeply about the state of our movement(s), develop your ideas surrounding the possibility of another world, and most importantly encourage action!
As you navigate the site you’ll find a good amount of work from others, media that we’ve found along the way that has assisted and motivated us, and that, in general, we feel closely reflects our views. You’ll also find a good body of work that we’ve created ourselves (one that keeps on growing!), from articles to posters, that we very much encourage you to check out. All of this will continue as we further develop this relatively new project. Thanks for checking us out!
Here are the newest additions to the site:
Original Audio
“Memory and Solidarity: An Evening with Sean Burns and Andrej Grubacic”
In this recording you will hear an event organized by the Friendly Fire Collective featuring Sean and Andrej, two organizers, teachers, and historians of the Left. Recently they have each completed works on two dynamic elders of US radicalism: Archie Green and Staughton Lynd. Burns and Grubacic discussed why they entered into these projects, including questions of cross generational activist dialogue, memory and social struggle, Marxism and anarchism, cultural politics, and more. Additionally, discussion will focus how they have developed their historical work through oral and archival history, marking continuity as well as generational and philosophical tensions between collaborators.
Suggested Reading
“The Struggle Continues: Announcement Ending the Greek Polytechnic Occupation” by the Polytechnic Occupation
Immediately after the murder of Alexandros Grigoropoulos by the police and the first clashes in the streets of Exarchia, the Polytechnic university was occupied and turned into a central hub of the social rebellion in Athens and across Greece. This is the announcement ending the occupation on December 24, 2008 and a call for the struggle to continue.
“How to Organize an Insurrection: An Interview with Anarchists in Greece”
One of the first inside reports from participants in the upheavals that shook Greece after the police murder of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in the anarchist neighborhood of Exarchia on December 6th. This is only the first set of answers to a long series of questions to come in from from those interviewed, yet they provide an excellent insight to the nationwide uprising.
“Greek Fire: From Riot to Social Rebellion” by Collective Reinventions
In this article an overview and analysis of the recent Greek rebellion is provided, which assesses what had been achieved so far and what possibilities are present that can advance the movement.
“Update on the Greek Uprising from Nikos Raptis” interview by Chris Spannos
The past three weeks have seen daily and nightly tumultuous clashes between those rising up and the Greek state. TV stations, universities, high schools, workplaces, and city halls have been occupied. Chris Spannos interviewed Nikos Raptos for an update on the current status of the revolt. The interview took place between December 17-23 2008.
Graphics
Bay Area Radical History series, #6: The Experimental College at San Francisco State
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Link to JPEG for Web Viewing
Link to PDF for printing
Videos
“Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are” by the Onion
The revelation that Obama’s candidacy was the only thing that gave their lives any meaning has caused many supporters to wander aimlessly, unsure of what to do with themselves. Another exceptional piece of reporting from The Onion.
“Iraqi Journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi Throws his Shoes at Bush”
“This is the farewell kiss, you dog,” yelled al-Zaidi as he threw his first shoe at Bush during a news conference. “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq,” he yelled after he threw the second. The journalist was severely beaten by security after he was tackled and has been beaten in Iraqi prison as well as he awaits his trial. It’s great to finally see a journalist with principles.
“Howard Zinn on War and Social Justice” by Democracy Now!
Howard Zinn is one of this country’s most celebrated historians. His classic work A People’s History of the United States changed the way we look at history in America. He recently spoke at Binghamton University a few days after the 2008 presidential election. His speech was called “War and Social Justice. We don’t agree with everything he says, and it’s not the most incredible thing you’ll ever hear, but as usual he’s pretty on point and a wealth of information. Share this one with your family!
Please check back often as we will be updating with new material constantly!
Enjoy the site!
