Disorientation Manual (2017)

Item

Identifier

Diso_000010

Title

Disorientation Manual (2017)

Date

2017

Creator

Black Cottonwood Collective

extracted text

DISORIENTATION
BLACK COTTONWOOD COLLECTIVE • 2017

DISORIENTATION MANUAL
BLACK COTTONWOOD COLLECTIVE

D I SC:LA LJ\ LER: The articles herein 111 ay rdltTI iiH' opinions 01· srnrn' anonymo11s
a1 11ho rs. · ["he co n1 c111 of 1his p11iilica1irn1 docs 1w1 rt' pn ·sc 111 1hc op inion s of · I 'he
Black C:011om1•oocl C:ollcni,c, S1ud1' nl Ac1 i1·i1ics m Th e En-rg 1T1·n S1a1<· C:ollcgc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Decolonizing Span\ \ 't·l<'rnrn·

IO

tlH' Disori,·n1a1ion l\ lan11al

Edu<'ation & 1hr ,\ rackrny
Ct·111rilirn1ion. H ousing. & H t>ttsl'kssnl'ss

11 arm R<'dll<'I irn 1
EC\' H OP
'J' lw Pol in- i11 (;,•rnT,il

11 i,tory of O PD
E11('0LJ1111-rs witlt thl' ,\ uthoritics
IC:E & I.a ;\ l igra
Prisons, N \\' l) C: . (;rrrn H ill
Suppllrt ing l' risonn,
!\ Li ke D ('strny Hanks
l'aks1 i11l' a nd l·:\TrgtTl'n
R a<'(' at E\TrgnTn
Fatp ho lii a & Fa t Lil wrntio 11
Fascists and the Far- R ight in the PN \\'
Cuiclc 10 ldrnt il )·ing Ral'ist Symbols
,\ narchy and , \ narchisms

C:ons,·ns11al Rn ·lllu1ion
Vi>od at E wrgn·,·n
SCl'mity C:uli11r('
C:Olll (l ll l l'I'

S('ClJl'i ty

Sakty at l'rnt cs ts & lkmns

.'i:{

1\ lay I )ay

'.ZO I 7 Prn1,·sts al b ·ngnTn

.i ii

H a\·t· Fun & (;o Outside

'.ill

C:om1111mity Rcso1mTs

(j()

\\ 'c-komc 10 EnTgrccn . \ \ 'here yo11 ar!' 110\1· li\·ing and st11clying is occ11pi!'d
incligt'nous tnriwry of the Squaxin Island. Nisqually and P11 yal lup peoples. tr
yo11 a rc 1101 nati\·e to this land , you arc a guc-s1 hcre. /\sk yoursc lr what it will mean
lc>r yo u 10 sit11a1c \'(H 1r politics and projects within a framl'work or clccolonization .

DECOLONIZING SPACE
AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE OF THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
As new studl'nls walk 01110 TIH· 1-:vcrgrc-c n State College for th e- first time it
1s important 10 rl'filTI upon whose footsteps we follow. Amrrirnn high sc hool
l'd11ra1 ion docs an enormous injustiff to the histori rs or indigeno us people and
many first year students arr ivt' with limited kn owlrdgc or the history a nd ongoing
rl'ality or colo11iza1io11. Having the aliility to walk fi-eclv 011 tlH· tcrriwry or the
seve n inlets or the Squaxin Island peoples without a second thought is rn1t· of'
tht' privileges granted to all s<·ttll'I' people on this land. The land that E\'i·rg rcen
o<Tupies belongs 10th!' Squi-1\itl people or Squaxin Island and ,tlthuugh it is also
home to Cr!'eners and Ct'oclucks, it will always remain th!' home tu these at i\·l'
peoph·s. Only sinn- I W> -~, und('J" 11nsnupulous c irntmstances s!' t in motion bv
Governor Isaac St cwns throu g h tht' 'l'rt'at y of' l\ kcli r inr C:rc!'k, lrns this territory
" lido ngrd" to \\'as hi11 g1on S1at1· as a result li·om the rlH'li or Squaxin , Nisqually.
;i ncl Pu ya llup peoples.
1\ s we entn this <·m·ironme111 of' higher karning it is important to rdlcn 011
how and why wr ,1 1T h('J"e. Evt'n as a Natiw pnso n li\·ing in O lympia I do my
best to remember whose la nd I walk 011 b1-ra use it is not min!'. II is as much
or my responsibility as it is fc,r anyorw else to be knowkclgcabk or the history
h('J"c ou r pn·se 1H·<' is made possible by till' displacement or ot hers. \Ve ra11 1101
lw compla<T lll 10\1·arcls acts or l'!'asure nor wi ll ignoran ce bra w,1ivn for our own
atTou11tabili1y. \ \'c need 10 ack 110wledge and respect this place; it is not just land, it
holds ancestors and 11wn1orics to the Indigenous Jll'opk who continue 10 liVl' lwn·.
\ \le an· 1101 1Tmn,u11 s of' the past hound only 10 n·snvations or Ho ll ywood m1i,·i1·s.
I have been rcllt-rting upon my time al this institution and ha\'C' had many
joys and fru st rations while being awav from my own lwmcl ands. I have had th<'
pkasun· of' a1t1·nding a sc hool that is home 10 thl' first Long hou se 011 anv U.S.
coJ h,ge campus as ll'ell as ha\·ing students. faculty and stafl'\1·lrn led a mm·e ment to
rcvnt the raci st and misogynist place name or Sqm1w Point 10 it 's ancestral title,
Hushom rn h-ahkl' Point. Equall v. I havc h;1d li·us1ra1 ions of' com bating colonial

fi-,lllH'\\·orks of space a11d ent itlcme111 \\'hich ofie11 co11sist of a disre,qicct o f
tribal pro1ocol- i11 a11d <Hit of classroom e m ·irrn1m,·111s. I \\'011ld like to place an
emph as is <111 the tnlll protocol.
Protocol is simply the rule·, nr n1stoms the tri lJ<'s olisn,·c· and prnctiff \\'it hi11
their societies as a mea11s of 111a i111ai11i11g proper crn1d11<·t a11d rrsp<'l't. Propn
protocol can IH' scc·11 ;1s ack 11 owlcdgi11g whose land we· arc 011 whc11 it is 1101 our
mv11. 'J'his is cspec iall v sig11 ilica111 whc11 thne is :rny li>rmal <·,·,·111 m <Tr, ·111011,·. 1\ 11
,-xcclle111 exam pk of this ack 1mwkdg11H·111 ocn1rs d11ri11g ' J'rihal ( :,lll<>(' .Jrn1r11eys
" ·here hu nd reds of Trihal Na 1ions gi,·e 1Tn>g11 ition 10 the dom.iin of the ltosti11g
tribe and ask permission to come to their shores, r!'S ll<'l't ing hi storical pro toco l
a nd na tion-lo-n at io11 relationships. Protocol is lllll li111i1ed lo n-r,· mo11 y or gra nd
gat herings llll t should I)(' a eo11scious da il y habit.
In 1hc spirit of 1r,1dition, reciprocity has re ma in ed an everlas1 i11 g· l11dige11rn1s
co11,-cp1 and pract ice. 1\ s I\T take adva11t,1gc of the oppor11111i 1i cs a,·aila hk to us
here it is impor1a11t 10 g i,T b,l(' k in tlH' \\'ays 1ha1 \\e ca 11. 'l'h ;u is ho\\' the 1rihcs o f
this regio11 a11d IH'yo11d co11ti1111c 10 f1111c1ion and as guests i11 their homelands\\'!'
shu1dd act ;ilTord in gly. · Ii· hoo,·ko 'po 'a ' mi i.

FURTHER RESOURCES
The Sq11axi11 lsla 11 d Tribe squaxinisland.nrg
'l'rc:uy of i\ lcdi ci11 c C:reck
As Long as the Ri, ·n R1111S lfil m on 1hc Fi sh \\ 'ars !
1\lcssages li-0111 Fra 11ks I.a11d ing
\ 'isit the l-:\'C-rgrccn Lo ng housc
:20 IH Ca11ut·,)011rnt·y
,-111 !11d1:l!,•'1111111 !1'ofil1•\ I li.,/11/J' u/ th,• { 'nit,•d S/11/1'.1. Roxanne lJ unhar- O rtiz
Th, 11 J'f'ff'hnl u/ !Ill' /;'arlh, Frn11 tz (.'a non
\ \ 'arrio r P11hlica ti o11s warriorp1 d>lica t i,111s.W<> rdpress.n nn
j()() Ji-an o/ !11d1:l!,l'IIOl/.1 Hl'.1i1t1111ff, Cord 1-1 ill
Flu· Ci,/onial l'rnml, lJcrck Gregory

N

•

Crty/1ovm
Coast SaHm tenitoriet

• • • • lntemallnnaJ

border

A Arc~.tl •ltt

COMO X Coen S.llsh l•nguages

,\ 111/1

u/ S11/i1h oM 1111d coast Salish la11g1111g1'.1.

WELCOME TO THE DISORIENTATION MANUAL
This m,rnual is 1hc s1udc111 created gu ide to the \'ario11s cxpcricnn·s of thi s
collcgc. and the world that it is a part or Th e authors and editors of thi s manual
ha,-c inherited knowlcdgc fi-0111 those w h o ca111c before us in this institution and
1hro11gh 1his wry publication. In a111c11d in g 1h c words or prn·io11s a111 hcm, and
add in g 011r own thoughts to pass on lO you we ofli-r you so111e fragments 1h,u we
hope you find 11sdi d. This is th e '2 1st ed ition of th e Di so ri e nta tio n M a nu a l, a
com pil a tion or rxpcricnccs, thoughts , and prrspcrrivcs from man y a uthors, most
or tlll'm anonymous. \\'e pass on 10 you so 1h a 1 y011 can start 10 fill in 1hc gaps of"
knmvlcdgc lost in 1hc rapid cycl in g o r people in and 0111 of thc academy.
\'011 do11'1 ha\'c tu stan from snatc h. You arc 1101 alone. and \"Oil arc 1101 th e first
rnw 10 take' up 1hc- fight against the innumcrabk oppn-ssiu· conditions that exist
in this sc hool and in rhc- g reater world. Because \IT arc tired o f being lied 10 and
manipulated. coerced and pitted against each other by \\·ay of historical ,111uwsia.
we offn you this to know that we haH· c hosen sides. and we ,UT ,in your team.
\\'c wa nt to IC' li you some or 1h e things 1ha1 \\'e ha, ·e' irlllnd crncial in dn ·elop in g
o ur mvn analysis ;111d we·apons of s11r\' i,·al and beyo nd . \ \ "e hope 1his g uide · e·a i1 do
li,r you what i1 did for 111a 11 y of 11s turn , ·ague lrTlings of disni111e·n1 in to soc ia l
ac1irn1.
\'ou mi g ht 1101 m cc1 am· or 1hc <·oun1kss au th o rs and co111rilJ11 1ors 10 1his
111an11al, liu1 you will m ee t eac h o thn. Don't w,1s1c your time ;1rg11i11g with <llH '
a n o ther m ·eT which dead ~larxist would win in a s\\ord fight find each 01 lwr
w hc 1T your a fVi11i 1ie's juin togTthc1; and 111akc things happen. Cet messy. It 's 1101
cas,; and there is no o ne way to do i1. J.'ind each or hrr. hold 011 10 eac h 01hn. and
he dangerous together.

' liiwa rcls 101al liberat io n , liir rhc wild, and w ith lire in our hearts,
some di s() kid s

'Fhr di111ri,,11tatio1111111111/(/l i:i /111hli1/m/ ~l' th,, n/ark r:01111111motl Ct,//ertil'I'. 11111111ti-a11thoritaria11
1t11dmtgm11/1at IJ-,: w:11'1,ir/1 1erk1 /11 rqw/1 l,i·l'lgrrm 1/111/1'11/.1 mith mdiml r,•101mP1. 1!.i/1'. a11d
111111(1'\I\. N"111/ thr H(:(. 011.Jaabook 1111d i111tagr11111 (a)h/mk.rntlom111H11I to 1/111• 11/11/att'II 0111'1'1'1111
thro,(1/1011/ th1•_ 1•1•a,: 1011 rn11 aho get i11 /our/1 ,,ia t'/11(11/ thl'hrr(aJ,ri.1 mfi.111•/

Ill

EDUCATION AND THE ACADEMY
Evngrcen as an insti1111ion is suCTt'ssftd in redirecting rreati,·t· and a1110no111011s
of st11dt·n1s energy h,1t·k illlo the- rnl ing ordn. In stead of rhannl' li ng th('orics
of anti-oppression and Ill'\\' ways of lc,trning and organ izin g into a111onomous
organ izat ion they an' l' hannl'll'd hal'k inw capitalist a nd stall' in st itutions. Tlw
ins1it111ion of E,n·gn·t·n disl'iplincs yo11 10 its cus toms and so(' iali zes yrn1 IO
somr extent w h ct hn you likl' it or IH>I, probably r1Tn if 1·m1 act il'<'h' resist this
sol' ia li zat ion.
Option s fi, r lll()l'l' ,11 II01Hlllto11s educa1 ion .11 Evngrcl'n like I 11divid11al I .ea rnin g
( :ontral'ts exist hut arl' in nl'asingly limited. The direction of the sc hool also sct·ms
IO be 111ainlv lcH'usccl 0 11 ··sl'lling" the srhool 10 proplt·, often 1hrnu,l!;h an i111a_gc of
libnatury ccl1wa1im1 and hl'ing tTo-fril'ndly. EITrgnTn structurally is 1101 din·t·ted
hy all it s rrnn111uni1y nwmlwrs, but rather it s rontrollcd by a highn rr belon of
finanrial and admi11is1ra1 ive managers.
Ewn so, thi s plal'c is a pLtn· Ii.ti! o f wo nclnl i d pcoplr and 11sef11I 1TsotlffC'S, hut
it remains a funda11wn1ally cap italist and a11 1hori1 arian learnin g in st itution . Ii is
111rnT than poss ihlc '" get what you scl'k oul this in st itution. but know 1ha1 it is not
thl' radil'al, "progressil'l' .. hody that i1 wants you 10 think i1 is.
Still , we w,1nt lo t'11C·ourag<' ym1 to takt· advantage of whcrl' you ,tIT and what
you han· anTss IO. \ \ 'licn wil l you next haw al'Ccss IO Ii.illy rqu ipp<'d wood a nd
llll'ial shops;, l·'. lce1rnn rninos('(1pcs? A lilm,ry rha1 will ship yo11 almost any hook
you ask for;, Fund in g to bring your htHJri1c author 10 nmH' ha ng 0111 wit h yo11 ;>
\\' hat will you clo w ith i1 ·.,

II

GENTRIFICATION, HOUSING &
HOUSELESSNESS
Throughout recent del·a dcs U.S. c11 l<'S ha1T lll'en transfrirnwd. I ,ow-cost
homi11 g ha s lil·cn dernolishl'CI and 1Tplaccd with luxury housing. l·'.conrnnies hair
shilicd . with thl' demise or nH>n1-11-pop shops and ma nu fact 11ring, Lo thl' opening
of tcrh industries, corporatl' outlet sLO res, <'Xpl'nsil'e bars, l>outiqucs and l'afrs ..
Entire cultural landscapcs hal"f' ;ilterl'd. ;1s old inic>rn1al 11111111.Ii aid a nd kinship
n,·t11·orks. olil'n i<H1nd in working-cl<1ss. immigrant and I'()( : n<'ighhorhoods arl'
slm,·h• l'n>rled liy displa<T1rn·nt. Th e term , 'gcntrifirntion.· is 11sl·d to desnihe this
kind or urban change.

UNDERSTANDING GENTRIFICATION BEYOND BLAMING HIPSTERS
(;entrificatirn1 is or great <'O IH Tl'll f<>r most radic als and lcliists in the U.S.
tod ay. Yet. gl·ntriliration is 1-cry rarely sn<Tess lidh- rcJJ<'llt-d. parth lwca11sc·
it 's simply a dillirnlt light Lo 11·in , hut also parth- lwcatis<· g<'ntrification is
111i sundns t<><>d hy many 1d1<> se<'k Lo oppose it. !)0111inant understandings ll' 11d
LO ;malyz,· gentrification primarily throngh ;111 idcntity/l ili·st) It- lens. e mphasiz ing
th,· roll' of' 'hipstns· or 'yupp il's.' most uf ll'horn arc 1d1it<' and l'rnm middleclass backgrounds. This l'mphasis rdll-rts a ,·,·rtain realit y in that gen trirvin g
n<'ighbnrhoods/cities arc charactcri zl'd i>y ;111 innrns<' in 1d1itcr. wealth in hipsters
and 1·1qipics in places that W<'r<' fc>rrncrly home to mostly working-class p<'oplc or
color. Howe1·cr. ge 11trifl<"atiun i11l'olvcs much more than th, · i11di1·idual l·onsumn
choicl's of' hipsters and gl'lltrific;1tion has lwcn ll<Tllrring long heic>n- thl' likstyk
ca1rgo1Y of ' hipster' has existC'd.
Simply put. gentrificat ion results fi·um the dcsir<' Lo 111ak<' prnfits in a capitalist
,·c·o11<>my. It is landlords land not hipstns 1 who ha1·c· th<' pmvcr to rai se· rcnl s
and throw people LO the st n-cts Lhrnugh c1·inion. I ,ikewisl'. dcfflopns play LIH·
alisol11tely nuci;d rnlc of tearing do1rn older loll'-, ·ost housing ;ind building luxury
housing in it s pl;HT . Cm·nnm1·nt oflicials ;u1d politici ;1 ns li1c ilitatc g-cntrification
hy doling out wx nils and sulisid il's l<> dewlopers. Ill naliing polici,·s th;11 target
housclcss people. people with m,·111al illness or drug 11sns ;111d Iii" n11ting social
11-clfarc programs. Last ii', police ar<' esse ntial in aggressi1·cly h;1 rass ing 111arg·inalized
reside nts (more than 11sual , that isl in pla,Ts s11 lijtTL tu gc11trificatio11. ni1ni11ali,.i11g
them and making thl'lll mon· l'11lncrahlc to 1hr press111Ts ol' d isplac l' llH' lll.
II' wn1·re int<'l'l'sled in a mon· del"l·lopcd (and i11< ·0111prclwnsihlc 1 1hcorc1ical
a11alvsis of g<'ntrification c heck 0111 th<' \\"ritings of 1\l ar:-.ist gcographn l cil

Slllith. but the runda11u·111al point is that as long as profit is the name of the game,
g<'1llriliratio11 will happl'll , r<'garclkss of the 1·xisl1' 11tT of' partirnlar lifcstyk groups.
\\ 'ith that , il!' s11rl' to idcntif)· the rral r11lprits landlords. dcvclopns, gowTnmcnt
bodies and cops in ,111ti-g<'ntrifiut1io11 organizing and targl'l accordingly.

HOUSELESSNESS, PUBLIC SPACE ,& LUXURY DEVELOPMENT
Crilllinalizing ho11s1·kss p<'opk and policing or nirbing public spac<' isid cwalks,
public bathrooms, parks. il<'nchl's etc. ) arc important components to g1·ntrif-i cat ion
cflt>rts. l'ublic space in the gentrified city and undn capitalislll gl'llnally is to lw
11tilizl'd only lo facilitall' <'onsumption and profit-making. Puhli c sp.ilT that is us<'cl
pttr<'ly fi,r s111Yirnl (in thl· 1·as1 · of ho11sekss pcopk ) or ncati,·ity, kisun· or political
activism is policed, s11rvC'ilkd, or 1·1wlosed and the people that engage in suc h
ani,·itics in pui>lic spa('{' arc displan-d or crim in alized.
111 dm1•1H11w11 ( )ly1npia, w hnc gentrification is n11TC'1Hly co1HT1llrat cd. there
is littk rental housing and a large housclcss population. Thus, criminal izing
lw11 scl1·ssness and policing public sp,tlT arc espec iall y li1ndamental to gentrification
in Olympia. l\lultipk ci1v ordinan('{'S exist to ban or limit public c,1mping, sitting
on the sidewalk, loitni11g, and skep in g in cars. Public liathrooms a 1T inaclt-quall '
,ind usually clos<' by B or ~)pm. Public lxnchcs ar<' routinelv rl'movcd or dividers
arc nectcd lo p1T\'l'nl sleeping on them. This year, Olympia ci ty gon-r nmenl has
threatened to cut funding 10 thl' \\'arming Center, a vital rcsourtT !cir housclcss
peopll· in the winter. It is thus nl'1Tssary to v i<'w public bathroom s, benches or
parks and the like ,ts important sitrs li1r resistance to gentrification.
Downtown Olympia is currrntly host to various "market-rate" (luxury ) housin g
clcn·lopments. Th<' 1-~- '.1 -~th projffl on +th/Columbia St. and the :~21 Lolis 011
I ,l'gion/ 1\dalll s St. hmT aln·ady lwl'n cornpkt('(I. 2017-20 I B prorniscs lo scC'
rnassivc rc-drn·lopmcnt with the constrnction of nearly IOU units of market-rate
housing on an empty lot on State ,\ vc. and the conversion or thl· l\listakc-OnTh<'-1,akc l() almost J:i() units of' rn.irk<'l-ralc housing. Dc\'l'lopns \\'alkcr.John (a
·1'hurston ( :o. rcsidcnl who ,dso built the '. l2 I Lolis ) and Ken Brogan arr responsible
l,1r thcsc projects. 1Tspl-ctiwly. Th(·sc dc,Tloprnents increase property ,·,dues, ,md
with thl'III JTJlls and pri1Ts. kacling lo displalTlllCnl and the shutt ning of local
b11sin1·ss('S. C:111-r1·111ly thn<' is littll· org;iniz1·d opposition to luxury d!·vc lopment .
and n ·l' ll less of which is ink1rn1<'d by ,1 radical critique of gcntrifi rntion.

1:1

ORGANIZING IN OLYMPIA
C:urrr111h·, nrnch of the rcsis1ann' lo gl'lllrilication in Oly111pia is cxpn·ss('(I
through housclcss solidarity organizing Throughout the last year. the group .Just
Housing has 111adr a name lc,r i1srlf with it s tireless arkocan· and i111H1,·,ui,·<· direct
.1c1io11 1ae1ics . .Ju s1 Housing has off11pi1·d p11hlic ha1hroorns I" protest their early
closlll'c times. shut dml'll the OlyFcd hank ,din they evicted hou sclcss camp('l's 011
their propen,·. disrnp1rd cit y cou1Kil lll<Tling and city hall funnions and staged
pnh,1ps a dozen "camp-in s'' on cit\' prnpcny in oppmi1iu11 IO the 1·,11npi11g han .
.Ju st Housin g also engages in ad,·1H·acv. such as ( :i1 y ( :rnlllc il s1w,1 k-ou1 s and writing
leil('l's-10-t ll('-cditor. which. whil1' unable 10 ohstnll'I 1hr li111c1ion of opposed
institutions in 1hr way that direct aClion can. is usdid in n·aching a hroadn liasc
or s1 qiponns.
The IT<Tntly 1T-i<1rmed Olympia Solidaril\· Network (( )1\-Sol ) also seeks
10 confront gr nrrif ica tion a nd 1hr housing crisis Ii\' organizing direct action
campai?;llS with 1c11,u11s a?;ainst landlord gn'<'d and abuse. OlySol could fight r<' lll
hikes or rcli1srd repairs by picketing a landlord \ 11011w. <HTllJ>yi11g a landlord \
oflicc. dis1rihu1i11g flvns discouraging prospcC1i,·<· 1,·11 ,1111s lirnn rcn1ing li·om a
particular landlord or hy drs1rnyi11g a landlord 's online rrvicws.
And altlwugh little resistance 10 luxlll'y drvrlop11w111 current ly exists, don't let
1ha1 dc1n you 1 /\ c,unpaign against luxury dc\'rlop1ne111 could in, ·lurlc a rangr·
or cduca1io11al. ad,·ocacy and direct ,1C1 io 11 Ull't ics. One could organize an1i_gc n11·ilica1ion workshops and poster campaigns, plan city cl11u1cil speak-out s or
stage protests like slH111i11 g down ci1,· gonTnm,·111 111e,·1i11g where IJu ilding permits
,ire issued. or IJ\' <HTup,·ing cons1runio11 si1,·s of' de,·r lopmc111 projects.

GET INVOLVED!

JUST HOUSING
\\'cckly J\kct ing: J\ londa,· :Vi l'J\,I
U nited ( :lllll'l'hcs I IO I I th 1\vc SE. ( )h·111pia
1:accl H>ok: lil!'cbook.c,1111(Jus1 H 011si 11g( )ly
l·'. 1nail : _jt1s1 h,H 1si11gc>ly(c0gmail.com

OLYMPIA SOLIDARITY NETWORK
l·:rnail: 1ih'solidari1 y(a]g111ai 1.c, 1111
FacclHH>k: /;l('c/ HH >k.c,1m/oh·mpiah, n1si ngs,>lida ri 1,

11

CAPITALISM

·sroP EVICTIOHS1

HARM REDUCTION
H ,mn rcduC'li<ln is a radi<'al strategic approa<'h to tTdlll·ing the possihk 11cga1iw
<·onsequrnees associated ,,·ith what arc typic-alh· dl'l'llled '" hi g h risk hehm·iors."
The principles of harm reduction arc applirahlc to sen· ic cs or progra111s d1·sig11<'d
to serve people that engage in ,ll·ti,·itics. suc h as drug use·. that rnn pot<'ntially rrsult
in har111 . Altlwugh Harm Red11C'liu11 as a model is ,1pplil'd 111os1 otit·n to drng use.
th<' rt hos of har111 rcdu!'tion is a usl'litl rndi<'al approach to 111a11y matnial issu<'s.
H ,mn reduction dcmands a sys1c111 i<' understanding of drngs and drng usagc.
and n ·quires that pro,·idcrs su,pcnd _judg11w111 and vi<"". drngs and drug users as
a11tonomo1ts indi1·id11 als lll,tnaging their speeili<' C'i tTumstath TS to the bcsl of tlwir
;tliilit y. H arm rcdu!'lion fo<'uses on ways ol' interacting with dr11gs and drng users
that promote salt-r use of drugs and (somc 1i111cs 1 paths rn11 of addi!'li\'l' C'y<'ics
,,·hen desired by drug users. l)rng 11sers and other \"ltlncrablc incli1·icluals fan·
s11 bs1an1ial soc inal st igma and as such struggle to rccc i\'C' th<' ra re they dcse1Yc.
Popular a ttitudes towards drugs and drug usage sugges t that only certain lc\"C· ls
,llld types of subs tance use arc hea lth y and acceptable. Harm n ·dunion attempts
to co1111tn our hi sto ri ca ll y puritanical attitudes towards drng usage hi' demanding
a more spe!'ilic 1111dcrst a ndin g of addiction and dcpendcnn' . Not a ll users arc
addit·ts. Not a ll drinkers arc al!'oholics. /\nd the sti gma associated with addiction
11111st he m·en-omc. Additionally, altho11gh the commo n p<T<Tption that hcm·y
usage of drngs or alco hol consti1u11·s a disease is us<·litl in some rc spens (it avoids
bla111ing the indi1·idual direnly l,>r their l)('havior), the disease model also n ·mows
autOIHHll)' ti-om thl' user and li·a mcs them as ,·ictim to 11sa?;<' as an illness. Usage
n: ists 011 a spectrum or in a <·onstella1 irn1. and is as varied and complex as us!'rs
arc themselves. H arm reduction as ks 11s to approach drug usage (our ,,wn and
othns ) with nrnch thl' same atti tud e W<' wou ld any othn hab it in our livl's; as
so m e thing th at serves a func tion, and is potentially changcabk giH· cn1H1gh time
and patience. Harm reduction also asks that we rn1h- p11rstll' diangl's as we· \\ant
to make tlwrn, and do 1101 shaml' or stig matize nursl'l\'l's or othns lt,r our usage.
Harm reduction ack now ledges that a definition of" '' he a lth '' is subjcni\"C· and
co ll crt ive understandings of \\' ha t " hea lth '' mean s olien ignrnr 1r,111ma a nd the
brutal realities or classed society. H a rm R<'d11n io11 also a<Tl'pts that drng use
is a part or our world, a nd dwm, ·s tu f:'l<"e the clkcts of drug use, knowing that
ig11ori11g someth in g docs not make it go a\l'ay.
Prac tic;i lly. Harm reduction can mean anvt hin g from stav in g ll\'dratt-rl whil e
drinking alco hol. carry in g condom,, usin g c lean gear and nc<·dl<-s, ,·arr\' in g

Narcan, to ("liniral detox and needle l'Xchangcs. Harm rcdt1("tion asks that \\'(•
nHTt people whne thrv arr at. i\ny effort to rcdul'c the physit'al or psyrhil' h,1r111
that ,111 indi\·idual npnirnres, without _judgment or shamr. is harm r<'dul't ion.
:\!arran. al so known as Naloxo1H·. rcvrrsrs the clkcts of opioid mrrdos<'s. It
l·a 11 be inj<'l'l<'ci or lls<'d as ,1 nasal spray. 111 prC'\·ious ycars, students ha\·c· organized
to hav<' Ri\s trai 1H·d in admi11istni11g Narl'illl, and to haw them carry it. This
would lw ,t \Try worthwhile project fr>r stud<'nts to rontinuC' to wurk on.
l·tff lllOl'f' 011 H arm R<'duction , check out thr PH RA (Propk 's Harm Red union
,\lli anrc ).

FURTHER RESOURCES
01•n !ht' /11//111'11/'I', Patt Drnning,.Jcanic Little, i\dina G lickm an

Rii;f1tro11., OojJe/imd, Donald Goines
Eight n1im11c· Narcan training video stopow rdosC'.org/scrtio11/takc-thr-011li11<'training
Thurston Countr,· Syring(' Exchange l'rogrn111, Services: Syringe· Arr!'ss. HIV
Testing. '.i'.22 1:ra11kli11 Street Olympia. \\',\
l·:CYHOI' (ScT nc·xt scnion )

17

EGYHOP
l·: n1111 ;i Coldn1.111 Youth a nd l-lo1nell'ss O1 11 1T;11 ·h Prn j<TI 1E(;\'HOP i is a
gras,roots. all ,ulu111 1Tr-ntn organization that prm·id e, <"lllngency suppl ies,
sc 1Yil't"s, and 1Tso u1T<"s 10 the hom c lc s., and l<l\\·- i1wrn11C· pop1ila1ion, li,·ing 011
thl' s tr<'et s o r Ol y mpi a , \,\ 'as hi n,gton. Naml'd ;din Emm a Coldman. an a nar(' hi st
a nd n ·, ·o luti o n ary who li\"(·d d urin g th<' '.lO'" <·c 11 111 ry w ho hrnught hn politics
into pr.ictil'c 1h rn11gh a \\'id<' , ·a ri l' ty of m eans. in c luding nursin g ,111d di .,1ri hu1i 11g
co11do111s long licl<Jrc the pract ice was socially at'<'<• ptahk.
E(; \"1-l()Piso ut 7 ni ghts a W<"C k,d11r in g homswhC'll th estJ'!'et pop11la1 io 11 ca11 11ot
affC'Ss traditional sc 1Yi tTs. 111 add iti o n lO rl'iayin g inli, r m a1io11 a ho11 1 n11ngl'11cy
n·srn1nTs (sht'ltns. 1rrat111cnt cr nt< -rs, h ea lth cal'!' facilitiC's. ach'ocacy <Tlltns. a nd
ot hn rritical ca re 1Tso u1 lTS), they s11ppl y ne ('(lcd it c111s s11 r- h as lilankns, soc ks.
sleeping bags. ('amping gea r, ,,·arm c lothing, rain gear. food . hygiC'll(' and first a id
suppl ies, as well as doing an ivc ha rm rl'd11nio11 wo rk .
EC\'HOP hopes to st re ng then thi s rnmn11111i1y a nd cli111i11,u,· th e prcj11diff
and d isn imi11atirn1 l;\('('d by sollH' or it s most n iln cra h k 111nnlJCrs.
·1, , lind 0111 111<m·. s11ppo n EC\"HO I~ or get im'Ol \'cd, , ·is it ol y-\\,1.m /cgy hop

IH

THE POLICE IN GENERAL
Ir W<' arl' pn>p ll' \\'ho d<·sirl' lili<'r,ttion, a d\'strunion of hierarchies and an
end to domi11atio11 or people and th<' planl't , IV<' m11 sl 1111dnsta11d th at th e police
arc ne ver our fi-il'nd s. Th\' pulicl' arc tasked w ith <·11lorci11g th e ru lin g ordn. Th ey
rn i<>rcc class soc il't)'. white , 11pre mac y. and l'a pitalist ecological dcs1r11rt io 11 . Th l'
history o l' t he police in the L'S make s this all the more ('1·iclcnt. Th e police <'1uhwl
rrom slave patrols a nd , trikl' breakers, and gn·11· into en l<> JHTS o l' .Jim C:roll'.
Till' rok of the po li cl' in hi storic ,tl and ongo in g co lon iz,tt io11 is a lso important
lo undnstand. Th l' police (and th e stall' in gcnl'ral) h old the monopoh- 011
ac(Tpta lile 11scs or 1·iolc 11cc: leg itimate force. No matter w h at th ey tell you , ;1 whi te
sup re111aci s1 colonial sta ll' is nc vrr against violence it is in o l' it scll' the d di11 i1i o11
or violc 11<T. It is against w h at undnmitH 'S it s c·c 111tro l, a n d will deem anyt hin g
posi ng a threat 10 th e ruling o rdn as 1·iolc11C'c.
The police protl'cl stocked sh clws rrom starv ing people, th e pnl ic l' guard
aban cl onl'd housc·s li·om (l('opk in need or she lt et; a nd the poli(T targc·t 11 011normati vc pl'oplcs all in thl' 11am(' o l' cleli-11d i11 g ;u1d m a intaining th l' status quo.
Pol in· r<' li,rm like· body l·anH'rns, sl'11si 1i1·it y trai nin g, and co mmunit y
atT01111t,tbili11· lioa rd s arr pn·s(· 11ted as wavs to bettn the policl' fii1Te. Thl'sl'
rnain ly snvc to lwttn thl' im ,tg<· o l' thc polin \ and w ill ,wvcT n ·duce the vioklll T
of thl' poli('(·. This is afin a ll olTupil'd tnritory th l' police· are an OlTupying
a l'lll )' 011 imli g,· 11u11s land . Th ey patrol like thl'y're in en\'lllV territories when th,·y
policl' thl' poor a11d 11011-whitl' JH'igh lmrhoods. a nd llOJH' ol' thi s is that d il frrl'lll
li'()lll how the llffllj)Ving lllilitary li m Ts ol' a n im·ading m,tion-st ,llc might operate.
Their l'lllll lllllllit1 policing is 1101 that difkrclll l'rom the (·ou11tn-i11surgc•m ·v
rhat is/w, 1s practic't'CI Ii\' US in Iraq or f\fgh,u1ista11. \\ 'h et lll'r i11di vidual acts
or colkctil'l·, whl'thn 111ustly sy mbolic or mostly pr;n·tical. a revolt against the
ct1 1Tc·111 oppress il'<· and n:p lllitati ve ruling ordn mc ·ans a revolt ,tga in st th c poli ('C'.
FURTHER RESOU RCES
" S('l'\'(• & l'rntc T I;, :\ H is101v o l' thl' Poli('c·'' a podrnst by BackStory w ith the ·
,\m nic;u1 Hi story Cuy~
'!'h e Ex-\\'orkn Pudcast #:i: Still Not Lm·i11 '1hc Po li n· and#(): !\ lak in g Po li n·
Ohsolctl' and thl' Ex-\\'urkn Podrnst #'27: i\nti-Polil'l' Ri ots in 1'\·rguson
Bu rnin g thl' Bridgl's Thc·1· ,\re Building: /\11archis1 Stratcgics /\gai11st th l' Po lin·
in the Pu gl't Sound \ \ 'intn '20 I I.
Th e Post-Fngt 1s( J1l Strngg ll' Again st Po li cl' & Fa sc ism in th e Pac ifi c Nort h wcs1:
i\n l11 rn n1plct l' (;limps(· into a D y n am i(' and Unfold in g C:nnt<'Xt
l!J

THE OLYMPIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AN ONGOI NG HI STO RY
JUNE 1988

In rnstocly death of Da nny S prnccr, w ho was beatrn a nd hog- ti ed
by Ol ym p ia o fl-i ecrs Cliff M ay na rd & Aldo Fant o ni

AUGUST 1988

Inq uest fie ld in the deat h of Danny SpC'llrcr. Taped for T C T V
Inq ues t o ffi c ial fl nd in g reveal " positio na l as phyx ia ti o n " as rn usc. Dea th C e rt ificate
says " H o m oc id r" as cau se of d rath . Off1 rr rs a rc no t hr ld rrsponsibk.

1991 C: iti zC'lls ask C:it y C:nu nr il 10 rs ta blish a Civilian Rr,·irw Boa rd 10 bring
more public accn11111 a bili 1y to thr O PD. Co un cil rc jens 1hr idea.
1992 Ol ympi a C:it y C o un cil a llm1·s citizrn s to filr co mpl a int s aga inst po li ce at
C it y H a ll ra th rr th a njust a t th e Puli ce D rp t. Ass ista nt C it y A11o rn ey b roug ht in to
inves tiga ting p rocrss.
MARCH 1996 Oly C:opwatc h esta bli shed to p ush atTm 111tahili ty. T hey orga ni zr public trs tim n ny o n po li ce a buses, proposes No n-Viol ent / Dr-escala tin g
Training for ofli rc rs, a rc agg ressive a bo ut th e hi rin g a nd p ro m o ti o n o f" wo m e n
a nd pcopk o f colo r as o ffi cers, call fo r adopt io n of a co mm un ity orir n trd po li cin g
poli cy a nd es ta b lishme n t o f inclcprncle n t c ivili an re\'ir w board.
FEBRUARY 1997

Fo ru m o rgani ze d by C:it y of Ol ympi a , whi ch bro ug ht va rio us expe rt s to testil )' o n structure a nd o rganizati o n ol" poli ce d epa rtm ent s. Acco u111abilit y is a side issur. V ideo taped fo r T C:T\ '.

MAY 1997

Copwa1ch se ts up mee tin g w ith expert o n law c·n i<>1Te m rn t, Eike n
I ,1111a lo d isrnss iss ues w ith Ol ympi a cit y o fli cia ls. Sh e says citi zrn rc, ·icw is good
fi1r 1hr cit y a nd police.

AUGUST 1997 Ga ry l'vli r hel (o f O regon) hi red to replace C: h ief' J o hn \Vum c r
a fter 18 yea rs w ith the OPD.
1998 l, I \000 o f Ol ympi a 's C it y budget earm a rked to co nd 11C ·t police arro un ta bilit y study.

'.20

2000 A police accountability study is done by John \ \'alters with components or
cas!' rc,·icw and small public sessions. Study finds accountability system lacking,
tcdrnirnl system flaws , and tTcornmcnds correcrions as well as a different intake
systrm.
JANUARY 11 , 2001 Kent Dr Borr, a memally ill man who lived in Olympia , is
shot six times by Oflic!'rsjeflrcy Dale.Jordan and Gregory Thom ton Brown while
Cliffi\ Laynard uses his TASER on the man. DeBoer lives, but expe ri ences severe
healt h problems as a result of his injuries. His federal lawsuit was dismissed.
2001 Olympia C:ity C:ounril clccidccl to cr!'atc an Independent Auditor to nvcrs<T police complaints rather than a civilian review board. Council elrcts to exclude
citizen participation in the auditor process.
2001 Olympia City Council buys riot gear for the OPD du
about street festivals and conduct during May Day.

to compla int s

SUMMER 2002

Oly C:opwatd1 rrnrganizes aficr hiatus ciuc' to police harassrncnt of homeless people in downtown.

NOVEMBER 7, 2002

Ofliccrjcfljordan TASER.s Stephen Eciwards four times
in one minute outside Ralph's Thriftway for suspected shoplirting anci punches
him in tlw fare, knocking him unconscious. Edwards dies 15 minutes later.

SPRING 2004
form

:rn to 45

OPD exte nds their deadline to investigate citizen complaints
clays.

2005

Oly Copwatch maintains records of police use of forces and puts continued pressure on City Council lO reign in the police.

FEBRUARY 2005

TASER

US('

drops in ha ir

SPRING 2005 Olympia City C:uuncil creates a 'Chief's forum ' in theory tu
serve as a venue to citizen input and discussion about police operation and public
salc:ty.
SPRING 2006 Chief's Forum actually starts meet ing.

21

MAY 2006 Police display a complete lack of restraint" and unnecessary violence
against protesters at the Port of Olympia protests.
August 2006 Ron Rcsbitt, an OPD officer fired in 200.'), is calling for a citizen's review board as a check to police power and misconduct.
NOVEMBER 2007

Multiple, coord inated uses of political violence against
Port Militarization Resistance participants by OPD officers in full riot gear. The
scene commander dtiring these attacks becomes Professional Standards Lieutenant for 2008-2009.

NOVEMBER 15, 2008

23 year-old .Jose Ramircz:Jimcnez is shot in the hack
to death by OPD Officers Paul Bakala and Micheal Hovda. The execution was
_justified as the three claimed hr attempted to flee in his mi: Present during the
murder was a woman who has faced harassment from OPD officers several times
sin ce. Out of fear, she has removed herself from Olympia. As of 2016, Bakala,
and H ovda were still with the OPD.

APRIL 2010 OPD attacks an anarch ist march and needlessly arrests 31 people
on suspicion of vari ous misdemeanors.
NOVEMBER 2010

Ron nie Roberts, imported from Oregon, is appointed th e

new C hief of Police.

JANUARY 2011

OPD moves into the new ,;35.6 million City Hall, build on
top of what had once been a grocery store.

NOVEMBER 2011 Three people arc tascd by the State Patrol in an occupation of the capitol building.
MAY 21, 2015 OPD Officer Ryan Donald shoots two unarmed black men,
Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, in west Olympia. They both survive, although Bryson is paralyzed and unable to walk.
MAY 2015 Amidst protests, nco-nazis arrive in Olympia to show their support
of the police. They're confronted by anti-fascists, and the situation explodes with
nco-nazis and police on one side and black bloc on the other. Rocks, bottles, and
concussions bombs fly.
22

AUTUMN 2015 ln resistance to the police, both City Hall and the wcstsidc
police station arc heavily vandalized , with City Hall windows being smashed.
AUGUST 2016 A neo-nazi stabs a black man seen kissing his white partner in
downtown Olympia. After he is arrested he says that he stabbed them because he
was angry about Black Lives Matter protests and anti-police graffiti. This punctu ates a long history of mut:ual admiration between nco-nazis and the OPD.
NOVEMBER 2016 A train carrying fracking sands from the Port of Olympia
to North Dakota is blocked from leaving. A blockade is constructed on the tracks,
and people occupy the space 24 hours a day for its duration. Afrcr one week, OPD
accompanied by \Vashington State Patrol and Union Pacific Police raid the camp,
arresting a dozen people. After hours of continued battle with the police, the train
is escorted through downt-own by OPD and other officers in full riot gear, show
shoot pepper pellets at anyone who attempts to interfere furthc1:
MAY 1, 2017 OPD responds with force to an anarchist march on Mayday. Police arc obviously prepared for the event , issuing a dispersal order almost immediately then using flas h-bangs, teargas canisters, and other weapons on participants.
Nine arc arrested for alleged rioting.
JULY 2017 Andre and Bryson arc sentenced to _jail for allegedly assaulting the
officer that shot them. Bryson is sentenced to IO and l /2 months in _jail, and Andre is sentenced to 2. The brothers arc taken into custody.
The O lympia Police Department attempts to portray itself as kinder and gentler than big city policr forces , which arc larger and more impersonal. 'vVc must
never forget they arc our enemy.

ENCOUNTERS WITH THE AUTHORITIES
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Knowing your legal rights and knowing how w asse rt them will nor give yo u aco mplrtc picture on how age nts of the state ope rare. Th ere is no guarant ee th at agrn ts of
the sta te will respect your rights (no r is a rights-based framework the most desirable
way to operate in the world) bu t knowing a nd exerting yo ur rights can save yo u and
the people yo u ca re about a lot of troublr a nd maybe even make you rich if you
arc lucky enough to sue the pa nts off the authmities for violating yo ur rights and win .
You neve r have to, a nd it is never a good idea to talk to police, FBI , IC E, or a ny
other law enforcement age nt or investigator. O ther than providing yo ur na me
a nd address to a police officer who is investigating a crime, you never have to talk.
You will not outsma rt them by ta lking or sound less suspicious by talking o r ma ke
things easier for yourself by talking. Anything _you say will be used against you
and others. Lf they catch you in a lie or inconsistency th ey can charge yo u with a
separate crime.
Say: "I have nothing to say to yo u" or " I need a lawye r present to continu e
this conversation.'' If th ey come to yo ur home, wo rkplace, or school, ask them
for a card a nd tell them yo ur attorney will be in contact with them . The FB I may
threaten yo u with a gran cHurv subpoena for not ta lking. It doesn't mar-tcr because
they were proba bly going to subpoena yo u anyway and you wc rcn 't going to talk
a nyway.
If you receive a grand jury subpoena yo u should contac t a lawye r im mediately
and let others in you r commun ity kn ow. People can be held for up to 18 month s
(potentia lly longer) for refu sing to talk to g randjuries. Even so, for our own su rvival, it is imperative that we take th at risk a nd do not participate in grand _juries as
they a rc used to indict political prison ers a nd prisoners of wa r.
In the fede ral legal system , the g rand jury is used to decide whether someone
should be cha rged (" indicted") fo r a serious crime. Th e grandjury hears evidence
presented by the p rosecutor: the U. S. Att o rn ey. The grand jury uses su bpoenas to
gather this evidence. It can subpoe na doc uments, physical evidence, a nd witn esses
to testify. The "special" federal grand _ju ry, created in 197 0 , ca n he used to inves rigat c "possible" organized criminal ac ti viry rat her than a specific crime.
Lt is imperative that we co ntin ue our wo rk in a way that is smart, strategic, and
susta ina ble. NEVER SNITCH.

24

ICE & LA MIGRA
As anarchists, we arc against the physical borders that enforce a global systnn of apartheid and the conceptual borc\crs that keep us separated from one
another. Our struggle against the police is also a struggle against ICE. Roxanne
Dunbar-Ortiz describes borders as the ultimate Achilles heel of colonialism and
imperialism. We seek to attack what upholds these borders.
Fear of immigration raids and deportations arc hitting hard since the arrival of
Trump. But truthfully, most of what we arc seeing was alrrady taking place far before Trump, under the reign of "beloved" Obama, although it was largely ignored
by the masses. The raids now will co111inuc and will become worse, but thanks to
Trump, many arc now outraged.
During immigration raids regarc\less of whether people open the door themselves, anyone at the site is likely to be cornered, coerced, or threatened . 'With
these abuses in mind, knowing your "legal rights" can only take you so fa1: YES,
to start off with, it is correct to encourage people NOT to open the dom~ but don't
tell them "Only answer IF they have a warrant." People should be rmpowcrcd
to NOT OPEN THE DOOR regardless of what orders they do or do not have.
Responding to migra attacks arc NOT the same as responding to police. They
operate differently, swiftly, "in the shadows" literally or metaphorically, and they
have to be tracked differently. Local neighborhoods empowered to respond will
be the most reliable way to create spaces that encourage planned and organized
local responses to DISRUPT MIGRA RAIDS . Crucial 10 this organizing is the
centering the affected people themselves, outsiders coming in ro be heroes perpetuates white supremacy along with other harmful constructs.

2(i

PRISONS, NWDC, GREEN HILL
All prisoners arc political. The existence of prisons, the criminalization and
mass incarceration of popularions, etc. arc all inherently political processes.
Evergreen has an intricate relationship with prisons. From the programs that it
houses (Gateways for Incarcerated Youth and the Sustainability in Prisons Project)
to it's contract with Aramark (which is facing multiple lawsuits for serving food
that has made inmates sick, is full of maggots, and all of the other terrible things
you might imagine) and the prison-made furniture found throughout the college.
Prisons do not solve social problems. Prisons only serve to contain and hide
social problems, sweeping them under the rug in secretive and profitable ways.
There a rc more than 2.4 million people held in prison in this country, and this
enormous number docs not aCl'ount for ICE detention ccntcrs,juvcnilc detention
centers, jails or those held on house arrest the number of people behind bars
has increased 500°/o in the last 30 years. The United States imprisons more people
than any other country, having around 5% of the world's population but 25°/o of
the world's prisoners. There arc more African American adults under correctional
control today in prison or jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in
1850, a decade before the civil war began.
In 1865, congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery which states:
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." To this clay the amendment
maintains that working prisoners have no rights to organize or demand wages.
vVhen we articulate our positions against prisons and the world they create, we
arc most often asked what would take their place. The answer is a multiplicity of
things. What would it mean to live in a world where prisons arc abolished, and
notions ofjusticc arc grounded in reconciliation and reparation?
GREEN HILL JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER
Greenhill is a youth prison that has a unique connection to Evergreen. Many
Grccncrs have built relationships with the young prisoners at Greenhill through
the Gateways for Incarcerated Youth program. This facility continually brutalizes
the young folks locked inside and like all prisons it is undesirable. Locking youth in
cages will not help them with their issues or solve social problems.
The youth of Greenhill arc particularly radical. They have participated in work
stoppages and hunger strikes and arc continually interested in radical theory in

27

rhcir classrooms. It is never really clear what way the wind is blowing considering
rhc recent crack clowns on radicals who have worked with yo uth in Greenhill, but
what is dear is that so long as prisons exist there will be revolt against them.

NORTHWEST DETENTION CENTER
The NWDC is immigrant detention center run by the GEO gro up, a private
prison corporation that 1.irofi ts rrom filling their detention centers. The NWDC
locks up many people for the crim e or crossing a border is enforced by a state that
allows the ruling class to cross th e border freely and exploit workers on either side.
Th ere has been ongoing resistance to the clcrrntion center from those held captive
on the inside a nd ongoing support from those o rp;a nizing on the ourside. lVlulriplc
hunger strikes on rhe inside have occu rred, as have noise demos, bl ockades or
depo rtation buses, and m ore.
FURTHER RESOURCES
The New ]im Crow, Michelle Alexander
/J1yo11d I Valls and ( ,'ages, .Jrnna M . Lloyd
Ca/1tim: Gmden, Dean Spade
Are Pri.rnns Obsolete?, Angela Y Davis
Tlw Golden Gulag, Ru th Wilson Gilmore
" Priso ns Will Not Protect You " a n a nth ology by Against Equality
"1 Positions Against Prison ," August O 'Clairrc
,vww.nwdcrcsista 11cc.org

2B

SUPPORTING PRISONERS
LETTERS TO PRISONERS
Writing lcttrrs to prisoners is a small act of solidarity which undermines the
isolating and dehumanizing effects of incarceration and writing a letter to a political
prisoner or prisoner or war is a concrete way to support those imprisoned for their
political struggles. A letter is a simple way to brightrn someone 's clay in prison by
creating human interaction and communication something prisons attempt to
destroy. Beyond that, writing keeps prisoners connected to the communities and
movements or which they arc a part, allowing them to provide insights and stay up
to elate. vVriting to prisoners is not charity, as we on the outside have as much to
gain from these relationships as the prisoners. Knowing the importance of letter
writing is crucial. Prisons arc very lonely, isolating, and disconnected places. Any
sort of bridge from the outside world is greatly appreciated.
WHERE TO WRITE A LETTER:
The Flaming Eggplant Cafe (on the 3 rd floor of the CAB, if you haven't found
it yet) has a permanent LettnJ to Prisoners display up in the cafc. Every month, a
new poster goes up from the Prison Books Collective, with information on political
prisoners with birthdays in that month that you can write to. There is also a list
of long-term political prisoners and prisoners of war on the wall that always
appreciate a lctte1~ as well as an open space for people to add on other prisoners
who would like to be written to. AU of the supplies arc provided-just check in the
box below the poster for pens, paper and envelopes. Check out the display for tips
on writing for the tirst time.
Ln addition to the monthly poster, there arc also two envelopes on the Letters
to Prisoners wall: the first is for outgoing mail put your letters here, scaled and
adclrcssccl, and we will cover the postage. If you don 't want to use your own
personal return address you can write your return address as follows and we will
put any mail we- receive back in the incoming mail.
OPTIONAL RETURN ADDRESS :
!Your NamcJ
c/o The Blac-k Cottonwood Collcrtivc: Stud,nt Activities
The Evcrgrcm State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505

2Y

If you arc interested in hosting Letters To Prisoners evrnts in the Eggplant on
a monthly basis, shoot a n email ro thcbcc@riscup. net
BOOKS TO PRISONERS
Olympia Books to Prisonns works to off~ct the dehumanizing cAccts of incarceration by sending quality used hooks free of charge to prisoners all over the
United States.
Books to Prison ers is completely community supported, entirely operated by
volunteers, and all of -the books arc donated. The organization is managed hy a
small , non-hie rarchical co llective committed to consensus-based dec ision-making.
Books to Prison ers was starred in Scattk in the 1970s when a n inmate wrote
to Left Bank Books, a radical bookstore in Pike Place, asking if they cou ld please
send him books on anarchism even though he didn 't have the money to pay for
them. Lefr Bank sent him some books, and he told some of his fri ends about it.
Soon the small shop was receiving more requests for free lit erature than it could
feasibly fill , so the idea to solicit donation of hooks to send to inmates was horn
a nd evolved into Books to Prisoners, an organization that se nds over I0,000 packages of hooks to incarcerated individuals across the US every ycac 'I 'he Olympia
chapter is one of four; the others arc located in Seattle, Bellingham, a nd Portland.
In the past 22 years OlyR'f P has been located everywhere from storefronts to
storage units, unfinished basements to our currenr swanky and sunny location on
the Evergreen State College Campus. OlyBTP is committed to remaining a small
grassroots organization, a nd a place where folks can provide direct aid in solidarity
with prisoners. You can find them online at olympiabtp.org and you can volunteer
with books to prisoners every wee k, on Sundays from 12pm-:lpm and Mondays
from 5:30pm-8pm in th e CCBLA on campus.

l\tW<E

CESlROY
BAN<$

.....■. . . During your first few weeks at Evergreen you ' ll notice some Bank of America
representatives. Theses people arc super friendly and they talk a big talk. They'll
promise you free checking and lots of convenience. Before you make any decisions,
here arc some things you should know.
In 2007 , Bank of America began to tout an environmental platform in which
they will "support environmentally sustainable business .. . and to address global
climate change. " Yet, as par usual , the high and mighty rhetoric masks policies
that achieve the opposite.
Bank of America calls itself a leader in the fight against climate change because
they've pledged 2°/o of the company's t 1.1 trillion in assets to fighting climate
change over the next ten years. Yet, Bank of America continues to be one of
the largest financiers of coal, which attributes 40°/4, of annual greenhouse gas
emissions. Bank of America has also invested billions of dollars in companies
that pracricc mountaintop removal such as Massey Energy, Arch Coal , and Alpha
Natural Resources. Mountainrop removal is a method of getting coal by literally
blowing off the tops of mountains, causing horrific ecological damage to humans
and non-humans alike. Bank of America has also financed billions of dollars
into more than 150 new coal-fired power plants throughout the US. Such clients
include Peabody Energy, the largest coal mining company on the planet.
Thus, Bank of America is financing hundreds of millions of tons of new CO2
emissions every year. Each of the proposed 150 coal plants would add between
600 million and I . I billion tons of additional CO2 emissions each year, making
moot their proposeci efforts to fight climate change.
In addition to these coal investments Bank of America was a major funder
for the Dakota Access Pipeline that was being resisted at Stanciing Rock. These
'.11

an· onl y some examples of the environmental and human devastation banks arc
responsible for.
The reality of Bank of America is no exC'cption to the rule. Most ha nks, a ncl
especially big ones, routinely invest in operations that a rc either bad for humans, the
planet, or both . \,Velis Fargo, for instance, is one o f the single larges t stockholders in
the GEO Group, which owns and operates private prisons a nd detention ce nters
like the one in ' facoma known for its abuses to immigrant detainees.
And banks in general a rc shicsty as fu ck; they'll do a nything to ma ke a buck.
lnternationally, the \Vorld Bank and ll\tlF routinely scheme together to 'invest' in
poor countri es to supposedly pull them out o f squalor, while in reality the heavy
fees and infrast ructural changes they impose in return for their loans leave ma ny
countri es these institution ' help ' more indebted and less likely to p rovidr for
themselves than befo re.
Banks arc totally fu cked . So what's th e alternative? Well , if you can't stuff all your
ras h under the mattress, the next bcs1 opti on is a credit union. \Vhilc not perfec t,
C'redit unions arc less fu cked. Unlike banks, they 're owned by their members a nd
arr, in theo ry, non-profit. Locally, the Was hington Statr Employees Credit Union
(WSECU), is gene ra lly the most convenient option , there arc multiple branches
a nd a WSECU AfM on the ground floor of the CAB.

'.12

PALESTINE AND EVERGREEN

j

l

Olympia and Evergreen have been notable for their consiste nt Palestin e
solidarity organ izing. Ln 2003, Evergreen student, Rachel Corrie, was killed by
an IDF-operated Caterp ill ar bulldozer while defending a Palestinian home from
demolition. In 20 I 0, students voted overwhelmingly to divest from companies
profiting from Lsracli occupation and to prohibit the use of Caterpillar equ ipment
on campu s. Also in 20 I 0, the Olympia Food Co-op made the hi storic decision as
the first U.S . grocery store to boycott Israeli goods. Finally, downtown Olympia is
home to the Olympia-Rafah Solidarity Mural, a multi-media a nd art project a nd
coll ective effort or some 150 groups and individuals. In 20 16, students voted to
endorse resoluti ons to ban Caterpill ar from campus, de-shelve Sabra hummus,
and boycott Sakuma Bros berries. The Evergreen ad ministration has routinely
disregarded democratic student ini tiatives it deems not in its interest.
Another group that shou ld be mentioned is TESC Divest! , a non-registered
organization in the Evergreen community that au tonomously acts to pressure
Evergreen to econom ica lly divest from forces that participate in the Israeli state's
occupation of Palestine a nd to divest from the apart heid within the internatio nally
recognized ten;tory of the Israeli state.
We recognize that antisemitism is today still alive and well. \Ne must comba t
antisem itism in all of our work in very serious ways ye t we 1-i1ust also nor let false
claims of antisemit ism he used against projects of Palestinian self-determination.
\Ve know very well that.Judaism and Zionism arc not the same thing, and critiquing the state of Lsracl is not a n inherently antisem itic act. To cri tique the settler-colonial roots of the Zionist project is not antisemit ic. Israel docs not represe nt all
.Jewish people. tvlany .Jewish peoplr, including many Israelis, do not suppon the
Israeli state's occupation a nd sett ler-coloni al project.

RACE AT EVERGREEN
We live under global white supremacy institutionally upheld through th e
law, the state and capitalism; culturally upheld in countless ways; and reproduced
through interpersonal relationships and actions. How each of us fits into this vast
network is endless, which means that our resistance to this structure is equally
endless. There is no right way to fight against racism- the only wrong way is to
ignore it and hope it goes away.
\Vhilc Evergreen as an institution pays quite a bit of lip service to anti-racism,
the institution is largely white and is rile with cringcworthy layers of racismtokenizing POC , cultural appropriation, along with more complex and deeper
rooted institutionalized racism.
That being said , resources for POC at Evergreen do exist , and generations
of students and faculty of color have worked tirelessly to make spaces within
Evergreen that arc focused on the experiences and desires of students of color at
the college. Some of the institutional resources for students of color include First
Peoples which has The Unity Lounge, open 8-5pm eve ry weekday, located on the
main floor of the library building in Lib 2153. Other currently listed active student
or color groups include Hui o Pasifika, MEXA, Black Focus and the vVomcn of
Color Coalition. l\1any other groups have been active in the very recent past and
may be currently on hiatus, such as Black Student Union and Native Student
Alliance.
Some advice and resou rces for white people wanting to work on being less racist:
• Know that as you arc working on your shit, you will fu ck up and do
embarrassing things _just because you fu ck up doesn't mean you should stop
trying.
• Most often wh en people give you feedback ("call you out") it is in your best
interest, they arc helping you work on your shit.
• Don't vent to your POC fri ends about how bad racism is. l guarantee you
they already know.
• Don't try and be the one woke white friend µroving yourself for ally points
is not what being ani-i-racist is a bout.
• You arc never going to get past all or your shit so stay humble and remember
that we arc living on stolen land built with stolen labor. Yes, you arc important
for any number of very real reasons, but sometimes the very best thing you can
do is decenter yourself (but don't confuse dccentering you rself for not being
active, not being disruptive, and not participating)
'.H

One of the biggest ways that Evergreen discolirsc around white su premacy and
racism is directed is towards that of identity politics/ privilege politics. We want
to underscore the importance of identity, history and culture while also allowing
space to critique the ways that identity politics is dcclawcd and made palatable to
the liberal elites.
Remember:
• Being an ally is not an identity.
• Identity docs not eq ual affinity. The re arc worlds apart between a trans sex
worker and a trans politician tactical agreements, political opinions and trust
arc not automatically guaranteed by a shared identity.
• Identity politics totalizcs, homogenizes and tokenizes. There is no singular
voice or opinion of a particular identity group, advocating that this is the case
feeds into harmful stereotypes and erases co mplexity.

FATPHOBIA & FAT LIBERATION
FATPHOBIA : WEIG HT AND SIZE DISCRIMINATION AND OPPRESSION.
SYSTE MIC OPPRESSION OF FAT PEOPLE IS REAL, AND INTERSECTS
W ITH RACISM, COLON IALISM, M ISOGYNY , ABLEISM, & CLASSISM .
Fatphobia is tied to Capitalism hatred towards fatness is often tied to id eas
about a person's productivity and use of resources fat bodies arc seen as
unproductive and a drain on resources that seem scarce under capitalism. ln leftist
thought, fatness is often seen as a symptom of' capitalism and arc still treated
with disgust, even though fat bodies have always existed and different cultures
and communities have different relationships to fatness. Confronting our personal
biases and prejudices, as well as the systematic oppression, is vital to creating a
world that is libcratory for every person .
EXAMPLES OF STIGMA & O PPRESSION FAT PEOPLE FACE :
• Thinking fat people arc lazy or unhealthy.
• Body Mass lndcx (which is fatphobic, racist, a nd sexist)
• Assumptions that fat folks arc undesirable or will be super gratcfol for sex.
• Docto rs/health professionals (or so-called good samaritans) assuming
that people's health issues arc weight based, and not actually treating them
holistically.
• Commenting on what people cat or how they move their bodies.
• How our society is built: Scats on airplanes being ricliculously small, and
fat people either being removed from the plane or having to buy extra scats.
Scats in academic settings, like Evcrgrcen's Recital Hall, be ing too small &
uncomfortable.
• Weight loss surgery /bariatric surgery/ gastric bypass- forcing people to
drastically change their boclics through invasive surgery that has a high
chance of' complications and leads to death for many (sec Health At Every
Size for statistics)
• Obesity seen as a discasc the ADA perpetuating the stigma that you can
"catch th e fat", that fatncss is curable.
Sometimes bias about people 's bodies is maskccl in concern consider where
that concern is coming from before yo u ofter it: is it assumptions? Bias? ls your
sharing of' concern consensual?

'.Hi

STIG MA AND MORALITY
People ofrcn tic people 's weight and health to morality mainstream cu lture
views fat people as immoral , unproductive, unhealthy and unworthy. Even if
someone is not "'healthy," or doesn't clrcss to the nines (as fat people arc often
expected to do _just ro move through their daily li ves), they do not deserve stigma,
clisrcspccr or dehumanization. ALI bodies rm wortl~v of Love and rejpert.
BODY POSITIVITY :
Rody positivity is meant to promote acceptance o f all bod ies, both in ternally
and in society.
In its current iteration , body positivity is being used by smaller far people who
arc white and able-bodied to gain resources that have been previously denied to
them. lrs popularity has meant it has been adop ted by thin people as ways to claim
space they already own, and co-opted by corporations ro sell more products. The
way body positivity has been assimilated into the mainstream and into capitalism
docs not '" destroy fatp ho hi a from within " bur instead sol idifies farp hobia and its
relationship to rac ism, colon ia lism and ahlcism . People arc still pushed our of
sight. arc sti ll violently attacked for being fat onlinc and irl, still arc forced to get
weight loss surgeries, and arc still deemed roo different to be acccprablc.
Body Positivity has become mainstream - 'v\/cighr loss and fitness companies
have started using body positivity in their messaging. Torrid and Lane Bryant,
always rhc two stores offrring plus-size clothing at high prices, have been _joined
by Forevcr2 I, C harlotte Russe, and many on linc stores. These stores benefit from
body positivity, hut do nothing to combat fatvhob ia, and neither docs focus ing 0 11
access within capitalism. Many far people arc still pushed out of those places, still
dehuma nized and denied access to public space (being forced to do most of their
shopping onlinc, at high prices, and our of sight).
There isn't anything wrong with being body positive all bodies arc good
bodies, all bodies deserve respect but ir, in its current mainstream form , is not a
route i-o combat capitalism or societal oppressions. Perhaps people invested in it
ran change that!
FAT LIBERATION
Fat liberation centers those most affected hy fatp hobia supcrfats, fat differently
ahlcd people, far trans women, fat black people, far indigenous people, fat people
of colo1~ Far liberation says 'fi1ck you' to capitalism, colonialism, and fasc ism.

THINGS YOU CAN DO:
• Challenge your personal bias, no matter what size you arc
• Check your language - the way we talk about ourselves/others matters!
• Educate yourself (some resources @ the encl).
• Call out fatphobia and weight stigma when you sec it! Both personally
and institutionally (even if it doesn't personally harm you)! Fat hatred is also
prevalent in radical communities!
• Listen to fat people (especially supcrfat people, fat folks of color &
indigenous fat people, differently ablcd fat people and trans far folks! ) about
what they need & follow suit
• Combat fascism and white supremacy!
FURTHER READING
"Your Fat Stigma is Racist Herc arc 6 Ways to Shift That," Caleb Luna
"The Body Positivity Movement Still Looks a lot like White Feminism," Ashleigh
Shackelford
"What Docs Body Positivity Actually M ean?" Psychology Today
bigandbctwccn .tumblr.com (Body positive fat and androgynous expression and
discussion .)
tl1isisrhinprivilcgc.org
NOLOSE conference
The Fat Studies Rcacln
h1t.'SO? Marilyn Wann

:rn

FASCISTS AND THE FAR-RIGHT IN THE PNW
T he history of whi te colonization of the Pacific Northwest is insepa rably
inte rwoven with white su pre macy. \,Ve must und erstand why things arr the way
they a rc today in the place we live in . We can look at history to begi n . From the
begin ning of Eu ropea n contact in this region , native peoples were displaced and
massacred, as exemplifie d th ro ugh governor Isaac Steven's pro mi se to exterminate
all resistant Indi ans d uring the Puget Sound War of 1855-56.
In this same tim e pe riod, whit e com munity leaders, including judges, city
attorneys, a nd labor organizers la id out their pla ns to fo und the town of Po rt
Angeles as an imagi na ry white haven. The racism which fu eled th ese pro jec ts were
not onl y anti-in d igenous, but a lso xe nopho bia towards all non-white settlers. An tiC hinese a nd Asia n sentiment grew in the region , bu t so did resista nce. Riots in
1885-1 886 were a hack.las h to th e expulsion of hund reds of C hin ese from Seartlc
and Tacoma.
FD R 's presidency saw the creati on of thcj apa nese internment camps in Am erica
during \,V vVll. Part of this was the se izure of vacant.Japa nese homes, far ms, a nd
businesses hy th eir white neighbo rs. In 1926, nationwide, th e Supreme Cou rt
ruled in favo r of racist la nd ow nership a nd re ntal po li cies, legitimizing citywide
racial segregation in Seattle a nd cities nationwid e. Most Seattle neighborh oods
became enforced as white-onl y, where "No person or pe rsons of Asiati c, African
or Negro bl ood, lineage, or extraction shall be permi tted to occupy a portio n of
said property." This legi slation stayed on the books until 1968.
All this am oun ts to th e exter minati on a nd exclusio n of people of color who
stand in the way of the fi1rth er enrichment nf white communities. Th ese were
created as strategi c moves that prioriti zed the survival a nd pros perity of white
com mun ities ove r a nd again st a ll o thers. This is white supremacy. This ani tudc
was bald ly sta ted by David La ne when he coined the " 14 \,Vords": "\,Ve must
secure the existence of om people and a future for white children.'' To this day this
slogan re ma ins popula r wirh whi te supremac ists a nd pa raph rases a quote from
Adolph Hi tler's Mein KarnpC
David La ne was himself a PNvV resident , avowed white supremacist a nd
founding member of The Order, aka the Bri_ider Schwe igcn , an armed fascist
tc-rror squad started in the ea rly 80 's. Robert Math ews, a nother Bruder Schweigen ,
died on W hid hey Isla nd (a bout I00 miles no rth of Olympi a) in a fie ry shooto ut
with the FBI. Th e Order, a nd m any local fascists a fter them, sought to establish the
PN\,V as an Arya n homela nd . These two men. a nd the para mili tary they fo unded,

continue to inspire fascists throughout this region a nd worldwide. Washington's
founding lineage of white supremacy lives on. Every December, Fascists gather
on Whidbcy island to observe their " Martyr's Day," the anniversary of Robert
Mathew's death .
On May 21 2015, racist pig Ryan Donald of the Olympia Police Department
shot Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, two unar med black men. In the
aftermath, local fascist cliques and all-white, armed, citizen militias show up in
the streets night after night to support the police and maintain order. Promin ent
among these groups was Aberdeen-area rock 11 roll band/ car dub Black Top
Demon. Black Top Demon is headed by Joe Ty, a slim chag who creeps on
underage girls and collects Nazi memorabilia. Notably, on May 30, 2015, a group
of skinheads rallied by Manny Jascha were physically beaten and ran out of town
by a race- and gender- diverse mob.
On the evening of August 16, 2016, a white supremacist violently attacked
an inter-racial couple in downtown Olympia. Using a knife, the man stabbed
one person and cut the other. Luckily the wounds were non-fatal. The attacke1;
identified as Daniel Rowe, was arrested after being chased down and incapacitated
by one of the victims.
Unfortunately, white supremacists and fascists even find suppon from people
within local punk/metal/music/a narchist scenes. Nathan "Exile" Block and
.Joyann a "Sadie" Zacher arc racists and who were imprisoned for their participation
in sabotages claimed by the Earth Liberation Front. Their arrests were part of a
larger federal investigation that has also led to the arrests of several others. Th('y
receivcd widespread assistance from anarchists during their incarceration. After
their release, knowledge of their fascist tendencies was exposed and broadcast.
Sadie and Exile arc active in the local ncofolk / black metal scene. This scene,
which overlaps with the broad er music /p unk scene in Olympia and elsewhere,
includes outright fascists such as Sadie and Exile, as well as their friends, defenders
and apologists.
\,Vhitc supremacy shows its violent force in the streets and even shows up
in milieus that arc nominally anti-oppressive. lt is instituted in the police, the
_judiciary, and all economic and governmental structures. It shows up within
Evergreen, where, as pan of a nominally anti-racist discourse, an overwhelmingly
white faculty and student body use ideas and tactics learned in POC struggles to
legitimize their academic authority and furth er their careers. lt is essential to ask
ourselves how white supremacy manifests in our daily lives and fight it head on.

40

A GUIDE TO WHITE SUPREMACIST SYMBOLS

This Vl' rsio11 or th(' ( :,• ltic
('.ross. also known as ()di11 \
Cross. is O lll'
the 11J OS1 l'Ol lllllO l l ,y1Hhn ls ust'd hv \\'hit"
supn·111acists.

or

SS bolt s t'Ollll' fro!ll t ht' :\azi
sylllliol li,r thl' Sd1ut zsta fld
(SS) and arl' co1n!llon ly used liv
white sup rernac:ist~ today.

Thoug-h a 11111rh oldl'r ,ylllhol.
th" lik run<' or alg-i, a ppt'a rt'd
011 unil(irms of the Sturmalit cilung- (SA). tht' l'a rl y paramilitary wing nf tht' nazi part y, and
is usc.:d by many 11co- ~.1 z is tocla,·. \\'hl't1 11 ('0- :\azis d!'!llOnstratcd in fro11t or ( ll yrnpia
( :itv Hall in :W I:1 thev ca rri t'd a
larg-e fla ,I( li·aturing- this sylllhol.

The Ha!llmerskins a rc a skinhead g-a ng- with a history or violcrn:c. they use a , ·aricty of syn1bols ll·aturin g- cro1.;scd hamme rs
with various backgrounds.

Th l' \\.'o llsa ng-d or \\'o il' \ Hook
i\ a ru 11 ir sy mbol app ropriated
hv thl' :\azi partv. ~l anv modern !ll'o-:\azi ,l(roups. i11dudingr\rya11 :'\atioo han ' incorporat-

rig-ht " a tt cn >p ting- to pmmotc
white sup1Tn1,u:ist an1ong collcg-c st 11dt'11ts and mi ll ennia l,.
Some
the ir fliers \\'('l'l' lc,und
on E\'t: rgn-en campus last
sc hoo l Vl'ar.

Iden tit y

ed

it into th eir logos.

Fx ropa

or

41

is an

Totrnkopr (death head) a sv 111hol used l,v the SS and , inn·
used hy 1wo-nazi a nd whit e -.; upn·111ac:is ts.

Iron c ross ,vas a co111mon
whi te supremaci st symbol alter
\Vo rid \ \'ar Two hu t has sillt't'
been used by 11011-rm:ist group-.;
in other co1Hcx ts as wel l. 11
is hcnvcvc r. still used by some
lll'o-:\'azis.

''alt-

T h" :\orthwcst Front aclrnca1<·s
fi ir ''the northwest impt'rati,·c"
thc iclca that the Pacifi,· :\o rth1\Tst shou ld be an independent
white t·thnostatc. rrhcy 11-.;l' a
blue. whi te. and g- rcen fl ag- to
rt'presen t this de sired nation .

ANARCHY AND ANARCHISMS
Anarchism is the practice and theory of anarchists. Anarchists arc those
who wish to actualize anarchy. Anarchy means without rulers/lords. Anarchists,
ge nerally, find all forms of rulcrship undesirable. Capitalism, class society, and
statecraft arc all forms of rulcrship and to anarchists these things arc undesirable.
Anarchists arc against borders and nations as well and many have taken action
in solidarity with peoples who a rc regularly brutalized by the regime of national
borders that dividcs ·humanity. Anarchists arc a large part of groups like No One
ls 111cgal and No More Deaths. There arc many, many kinds of anarchists!

AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF ANARCHISM
Th ere have been constant ana rchists movements from the lat e 1800s to th cprcsent. The first people to call themselves anarchists in a positive way came out
of the wakes left by the French Revolution which betrayed the underclasses and
Peasant Revolts. Some of the first unions in South America and South Asia were
anarchist unions. There was a thriving international anarchist movement during
this time that reached most of th e. This wave had what many would consider a
climax which was the Spanish Civil Wai~ After this wave many anarchists fled
Spain a nd th e echoes of th e Spanish Civil \Var reverberated through Europe.
The second wave of anarchy seemingly happened in the 60s when a ntiauthoritarian leftism and critical theory were on the rise. Among the- urban
guerrillas of this time were many anarchist groups a nd individuals. During this
period armed struggle, student revolt, and a nti-authoritarian labor struggl e were
on the rise. In France in May of 1968 many believe this period or libertarian
communism, anarchist praxis, a nd critical struggle came to a head. \Vorkers,
students, and their comrades in class struggle came- out to the streets in opposition
to the leftists authoritarians who had been ruining and co-opting their struggles
and against the established ruling order of the capitalist state.
After May '68 many say the next wave of anarchism begins around 1999
during the escalated struggles againsl capitalist globalization and against tcchnoindustrial civilization. Around this time- the EZLN, an anti -authoritarian leftist
group, aka the Zapatistas emerged from the jungles or southern Mexico and
began an insurrection against the l\tlcxican state, citing neoliberal capitalism as
one of the reasons for their revolt. This triggered global action against neolibcral
organizations such as the WTO and the IMF In 1999 anarchists emerged on th e
scene in Seattle when the \,\f'l'() attempts to hold a meeting there and thousands
show up to oppose it.

42

A critique of thr global system of capitalism and class society begins to rmergr
here, as docs the tactic known as the black bloc , stared by German autonomist
communists in the 80s.
Around 2008 the collision of the financial crisis with a police shooting in
Grrece sparked a new wave of anarchist uprising. The wave of insurrection in
Greccr inspired anarchist comrades all over the world and it would seem that the
age of riots and insurrections was upon us. This time, new lite rature such as The
Coming Inrnrrertio11 heavily . influenced tactics and outlook. After 2008 anti-policr
struggles and student revolts began popping off in the United Snakes.
Latc1; a call out from a vaguely a narchist publication, Aclhusters, sparked thr
affair that became O ccupy \Vall Strrct. Soon almost every major city in the US
had an Occupy cncampmrnt or cdl. \.Yhilc Occupy largely became co-optrd
into a liberal hcllscapc, it did network a great many anarchists together and was
important in shaping the facr of social movrmcnts today.
Thr place of anarchism (and antifascism) within the resistance to the regime and
rising fascism has been noteworthy sincr Trump's election. Recently following the
clashes in Charlottesville and th e massive anti-fascist demonstrations afterwards
in Durham, Boston, and the Bay Arca, the struggle against fascism has arrived in
the consciousness of the general public. Tens of thousands of people arc realizing
that the fight against fascism didn't encl in 194."> that today, as increasingly
authoritarian governments collude with ascendant fascist movements, this battle
is more pressing than ever. Anti-fascism is for everybody (and to be clca1; not
all a nti-fascists arc anarchists). 'Ne should all be anti-fascists. This is paramount
because the far right arc scrambling to depict anti fa as a monolithic , hostile, alien
orga nization . Our task is not _just to build a network of groups, but to create an
anti-fascist momrntum that will spread contag·iously throughout society at large,
along with the critiques and tacrics necessary for this fight.

43

ITSGOINGDOWN.ORG 't\ digiral community ce nter from a narchist, antifascist, autonomous anti-capitalist a nd anti-colonial movements. Our mission is
to provide a resilient platform to publi cize a nd promote revol utionary theory and
action."
PUGETSOUNDANARCHISTS.ORG 't\ news websi te that runs stories by or
of interest to anarchists in the Puget Sound region ."
SUB.MEDIA 't\ video productio n ense mble, which aims to promot e anarchist
and anti-capitalist ideas, and aid social struggles through the dissemination of
radical films and videos. "
UNICORNRIOT.NINJA "A volunteer-operated decentralized media collective
made up of multimedia artists and journalists ... Unicorn Riot's purpose is to
amplify the voices of people who might otherwise go unheard , and broadcast the
stories that might othcrwisc go untold. "
EARTHFIRSTJOURNAL.ORG/NEWSWIRE
" Providing
information about direct action in defense of the living world.''

news

and

MASKMAG.COM "An online style and living magazine for antagonist youth ."
vVrittcn for and by "thc profane antagonists who arc not interested in saving
capitalism from its own crisis."
CRIMETHINC.COM 't\ rebel alliance a dece ntralized network pledged to
anonymous collective action a breakout from the prisons of our agc. v\lc strive to
reinvent our lives and our world according to the principles of sclf~detcrmination
a nd mutu al aid.'' If you can look past the drama yo u will find some good zincs.
THEANARCHISTLIBRARY.ORG ''An archive focusin g on anarchism,
a narchist texts, a nd texts of interest for anarchists. " Like, every thing is on there.
RESONANCEAUDIODISTRO.ORG "We arc recording anarchist and related
texts and distributing them in a udio form. In this way we hope to make anarchist
ideas more accessible, a nd anarchist practice more inform ed ."

44

CONSENSUAL REVOLUTION
TRIGGER WARNING
This article may be triggering, or srrcssful, so before you read it we suggest
you have some way to care for yourself prepared. There arc resources at the encl
of this arricle that you can call or contact if you feel you ncc<l support. Coman
Safe Place's 24/hr hot line if in need of immediate support (360 754 6300).

STATISTICS
In the Uni red States, I /3 women will he sexually assaulted in her lifetime, 1 /6
men , and l/2 transgendcr people. (a side note : I/ 12 transfolk will he murdered in
the U.S . a year. comparc<l to cisgcndcr folk , who have a I/ 18,000 chance of being
murde red in th e U.S. 70°/o of reported LGBT related murders were of LGRT
people of color). Also, approximately 2/3 of assaults arc committed by someone
known to the victim.
Our lwlief is that these statistics arc low that many more people than that "''ill
face sexua l \'iolencc. Every person knows someone close to them who has been
assaulted.

RAPE CULTURE
'vVc live in a "rape culture.'' This means that the prevalent attitudes, social
norms and practices excuse, tolerate or even condone sexual violence. Examples
of this arc victim blaming, sexual objectification and trivializing rape. Blaming a
survivor for wearing a short skirt, or for being drunk, or being in 'the wrong part
of town ' arc all part of rape culture. Saying that men always want to have sex, or
can't cont"rol themselves is a part rape cuhurc. The myth that only men commit
assault is a part of rape culture. Any gender can have their boundaries crossed and
any gender can cross another person's boundaries. In rejecting rape culture, let's
he conscious about how gender norms impact our exprctations about what we do
a nd what we should do, and what others do or should do.
Survivors of sexual violence often minimize their experiences, refusing to call
what happened to them assault or rape. The 'vVA law says that rape is " when one
is penetrated in the mouth/va- gina/anus, with a penis/digit/object." However,
eve n if that doesn't happen , if you feel you have bcrn violated , then you HAVE
BEEN.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE & POWER DYNAMICS
There is a correlation between societal power structures and instances of
sexual violence. Not only docs patriarchy affect sexual violence, but also racism,
misogyny, ablcism, dassism, homophobia , hcterosexism , ageism, and much
more. Rape is about power, not about sex. Looked at within the context of this
correlation the trends exhibited within sexual violence reinforce the dynamics that
permit certain social groups eminence over others.
We believe that sexual violence is employed by capitalism to make controlling
the masses easier, tonrnkc us more compliant workers. If we spend all of our time
healing from this monstrous event in our life, we will have no time to revolt. The
effects of capitalism impact the perpetuation of racist and patriarchal mentalities,
with in turn permits the use of sexual violence as a means of control.
Consent, sexual choice, and sexual freedom arc ways to resist!
WHAT IS CONSENT?
Consent is enthusiastic participation from all parties before, during and after an
event. In this article, we arc referring to sexual activity, but consent is important
in all aspects of life.
In terms of consent, it's important to be aware of how intoxication afkcts
cognition. vVhcthcr alcohol, weed , or other intoxicants, reasoning capabilities and
cognition arc impacted, heightening the sensitivity of the situation, making it all
the more important to apply good communication and consent skills. Remember,
legally, you cannot give consent when intoxicated, but it is possible to have a
positive sexual experience when intoxi cated.
Consent is an active process of willingly and freely choosing to have sex with
someone. No one can force you to give consent. Saying 'yes' is an active process on
both (or all) partner's ends. Giving consent has to happen at every stage. lt is not
implied or assumed. You do not automatically have permission to have sex with
your partner, and they do not automatically have permission to have sex with you.
Giving consent is an important part of a healthy relationship.
Remcmbc1; communication is key! Talking is the most important rhing you
can do before, during and after you engage with someone sexually. .It's important
to talk about triggers, and how to handle a situation where you or your partner
becomes triggered.
BASIC TIPS FOR CONSENT
Talk about what you want, what you don't want, what your partner wants/
doesn 't want before you engage in sexy stuff. Pay attention to body language, it

46

,an help you un<lnstan<l what is going on before, during an<l after sex. Herc arc
some ways to ask for c-onscnr in the heat of the moment:
May l _ _ ? touch _ _?
Kiss
?
Put my__ ?
Arc you into this?
How arc you freling?
What woul<l you like me to <lo?
l think it's hot when my partner docs _ _ to me.
What do you likr? Would you like it if l _ _ ?
•'"l 'his isn't _just for long-tenn partners; it is possible t:o have a ronsrnsual one night
stand 1' '

REMEMBER
No mrans no, not now means no, I have a partner · mrans no, maybe later
means no, no thanks means no, you 'rr not my type means no, fuck off means no,
I'd rather be alone means no, don 't touch me means no, I really like you but. ..
means no, let's _just go ro sleep means no, I'm not sure means no, you/I have been
drinking means no, silence means no.
Every person has crossed someone else 's boundaries, and every person has had
their boundaries crossed. Your experiences and ferlings arc valid, and you arc
valid , You arc not alone.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
EVERGREEN offers some institutional services for students who arc sexually
assaulted, they provide useful resources, however you should be aware that these
offices have faced criticism for mishandling sexual assault cases in the past. The
Office of Sexual Violence Prevention provides brief, advocacy-based counseling
for su rvivors. In order to access this counseling a survivor can make an appointment
Monday-Friday by calling 360-867-5221. O.S. VP They can also make referrals
fix free ongoing therapy for survivors in thr community The Counseling Center
provides counseling for crisis and healing, as well as referral to agencies off campus,
whrn applicable, and can be contacted at 360-867-6800. There is also the student
run coalition against sexual violence, sec next page for a statement from the group.
47

COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Arc you a survivor or secondary survivor of sexual and/or domestic violence?
CASV is here to support you! We have a cozy office in Student Activities on the
third floor of the CAB Building (Salmon II) where we hold office hours. We use
this space for one on one advocacy for survivors of sexual and domestic violence
and emotional abuse and anyone can also come talk to us about what tonsc nt is
and how to talk to survivors.
The Coalition Against Sexual Violence (CASY) is a group of students working
as trained advocates _to provide resources and create safi.- r spaces for survivors and
allies to support one another and work to end rape culture on campus. vVc work
to dismantle the systems supporting sexual viqlcncc with empowering workshops,
speakers, discussions, advocacy, education, and art. \Ve recognize that sexual
violence affects people of all identity groups. vVc center on the way sexual and
domestic violence arc tied to all other forms of violence which we cannot examine
in isolation from each other. CASY strives to focus on int ersccrionaliry so that one
day all of us will be safe and happy in our bodies. We focus on consent because
we believe if we can embody consent in our daily lives, interpersonal relationships,
communities, and politics we can also understand the way the lack of consent leads
to violences at multiple levels. Come by our office!!' We love and support disO and
the disO manual too, thanks to all who contribute! You can find us al facbeook.
com/cvergrcencasv or email us at tcsccasv@}gmail.com

SAFEPLACE provides advocacy for survivors, counseling, and referrals . Ir's 24/
hr advocacy line number is 360-754-6300. www.safeplaccolympia.org

CRISIS CLINIC has a 24/hr anonymous crisis line: 360-."J86- 2800. www. crisisclinic.org
FURTHER READING
www.erisisinrcrvcntionccnte1~org
www.raum .org
www.basicrights.org
"'1'hinking Class" by Joe Kadi
"Learning Good Consent" Zinc, Edited by Cindy Crabb
"What to Do When Someone Tells You that You Violated Their Boundaries ... "
Zinc, available onlinc via phillyspisscd.nct

-Hl

FOOD AT EVERGREEN
& THE FLAMING EGGPLANT
Food at Evergreen can be bleak. Aramark has a near monopoly on campus
dining, and besides selling overpriced shitty food , is a tnriblc corporation that
makes its money partnering with the prison industrial complex. Free food can
sometimes he gleaned from Evergreen hosted campus events which arc often
catered, and you can pick up ramen or the occasional granola ba r from the rathe r
pathetic 'foodbank' in the campus police office; but mostly the options aren't great.
There is however one shining exception to the food situation on campus Th e
Flaming Eggplant , located on the third floor of th e CAB. Everything on their
small but we ll curated menu is delicious, can be made vegan or gluten-free, and
is served i-o you by friends and co mrades who run the cooperative cafe. They play
good music and have a zinc library to peruse whi le you wa it for yo ur sandwich
during the lunchtime rush .
"The Fla ming Eggpla nt Cafe exists to provide a non-corporate food option to
people at The Evergreen SratT College located on occupied Nisqually and Squaxin
land, in Olympia, ,,VA. As a student-run collective, we make efforts to source our
food carefully, considering the impact of our vendors a nd distributors balancing
rising food costs a nd declining planetary stability while recognizing unjust
treatment of wo rkers and the world-wide effects of g rccnwashing. \Ne prioritize
our worker's needs ancl eclucation while provicling learning experience in food
service and cooperative management. The cafc is intended to be a safer space that
opposes systemic oppression , where stuclcnts, facult y, and staff can hold events,
organize, decompress, and importantly cat.''

49

SECURITY CULTURE
The ,rntral prin ciple of all security culture, the point that cannot be emphasized
rnough, is that people should nrvrr be privy to a ny sensitive information th ey do
not nred to know. Br care ful about what you talk about in public. Don't brag
about actions you have taken. \Ve don 't do things to gain credibility, alier all- we
do them beca use we must. And remember, the internet is never a place for your
secrets. Don 't ever turn your fri ends over ro your enemies- the police, the alt-right,
or ot herwise. And don 't make it easy for these enemies to figure out what you arc
up ro. Remember- your phon e is a cop, your computer is a cop. Balance the need
to escape detection by your enemies against the need to be accessible to potential
friends. And don 't do sketchy shit with a nyonr you don't trust and haven't known
for yea rs, if possible.
\ Ve shouldn 't let our security co nce rns cause us to become passivc and totally
in acti'vc, but wc also should be careful out there. An cvcn more basic interpretation of security culture is DON'T SNITCH. This means nor snitching by telling
untrustworthy people about sensitive information , not snitching by talking about
sensitive information in public onlinc or in real life, and nor giving up potentially
compromising information no matter how insignificant it seems. Security culture
is not _just about nor letting accurate information out, bur also about minimizing
rhc means for peoplc to use inlurmation against you .

'.i i

COMPUTER SECURITY
Herc's a list of some phone and computer security concepts ancl programs that can
help keep us safer online
• Signal, a wonderful app for encrypted texting ancl calling for your phone.
• PCP Email, a form of encrypted email.
• Tox, a form of ccryptcd instant messaging recommended for laptops and
desktops.
• ' LAl LS, a live USB operating system that is one of the best means of staying
more anonymous on computers.
• Tor, an internet browser that increases anonymity when combined with
certain browsing habits.
• Rooting an Android phone, a method of getting root privileges on an Android
phone.
• Vcracrypt, an easy to use program that can help you encrypt files and folders.
• Full Disk Encryption, full disk encryption means your whole computer except
some start up stuff is encrypted which protects against a varirty of attacks and
much safer than a system not using full disk encryption.
• VPN, a VPN is a virtual private network we wouldn't recommend any of the
free VPNs except the one that is run by the folks at riscup.nct.
• Privnotc, privnotc is an onlinc service that provides you with one time use link
to messages that will ''self dcstrucr" after the link is used.
• Exif Data is data automatically saved to media and other files such as
computer specifications, times and dates, and so on that could potentially reveal
information that could lead to people cliscovcring your identity.
• An 11\ilSl-catchcr is a device used by agents of the state and others to intercept
mobile phone messages ancl data by basically pretending to be a cell tower.
It is important to note that the internet is never totally secure and while it
is arguable that nothing else is either the internet and computers arc especially
exploitable. If you really want to communicate secretly do it face to face, take a
walk in the woods without your phone.

52

SAFETY AT PROTESTS & DEMOS
Shi t's going down a nd yo u wa nt to get involved. Before yo u hit the streets, there's
some steps yo u can take to keep you and those around you safe. Be prepared . Pack
some water, sn ac ks, a ch a nge of clothes (wrapped in plastic), yo ur medications
(3+ clay supply in th e original presc ription conta iner; _ja il ph a rmacies a rc poorl y
stocked), an extra pa ir of socks in case yo ur feet ge t wet, and a rainj ackct or other
weather-appropriate laye rs. H ave some quarters in yo ur pocket in case yo u need to
make a call from j ail. A banda nna can, hclp protect yo ur head from th e sun , yo ur
face from ca me ras, a nd yo ur lungs from tear gas (it's not 100°/c, but it's something).
Call up a frie nd who's staying home or lives somewhere- else. They' ll be the
first ste p of your support network if you ge t a rrested or hurt. Th ey should have
your info (legal na me, da te of birth , medi cal info, etc.) a nd you sho uld have their
number written on yo ur body or memori zed if yo u a rc in a ma jor city, also have
the numbn for the local chapter of the National Lawye rs Guild wri tte n somewhere
on you r body. If yo u get int o trou ble, they can get the ball rolling on things like j ail
suppo rt, legal aid , hospita l visits, a nd calling whoever needs to be call ed . Tell them
when to expect to hear fro m you, a nd upda te them if things cha nge.
Use wa ter-based sunscreen a nd loti ons. Oil-based stuff can tra p pepper spray
and other chemi ca ls aga inst yo ur skin a nd cause irri tation. Contact lenses can trap
these chemicals again st yo ur eye wear your glasses if yo u can! 'l'Vcar comforta ble
clothing and closed-toe shoes that yo u arc able to walk in or run if needed . Avoid
super loose clothes, cla ngly j cwclry, or anything else that can get grabbed or caught
up on something.
Depend ing on the type of ac tion yo u arc a ttending yo u may want to conceal
you r identity, by covering yo ur face o r dressing in 'bloc.' Black bloc is a tactic
where a group a ll wears black and hides their fac es, preventing police and other
antagonistic forces from identifying any one membe r of the group, therefore
keeping everyo ne safer. If this is something you 're interested in , remember to
conceal any identifying marks, tape over logos onjackcts and backpacks, a nd make
sure tattoos arc covered if you have them . Tying a black t-shirt over your face (put
the neck-hole over your eyes, and tic the sleeves be hind yo ur head) generally works
bette r tha n a banclana. Ir is important to note that this attire will garner police
attention if you arc not with a group, so it is often best to arrive in unassum ing
clothes then cluck into an alley or crouch among the crowd to " mask up."
Use the buddy system. Eve n if you're rolling with a crew (which you should!!!),
pick one person in that crew and stick together. You should agree on a level of
risk no street action is 100% safe, but some pl aces a nd actions have higher risks
'.'>'.l

than others, so you need to be on the same page. lt is important to be clear if you
arc unwilling or unable to get arrested, uncomfortable with physical confrontations,
or there is a ny o ther reason you'd likely have to get out real quick. Always ar rive
together, stay together (have a plan in case yo u get separated), and leave together.
Yo u're there, now what? It 's easy to gcr caught up in the energy of a crowd,
but shit can change real quick, so kee p an eye on your su rroundings. Rumors arc
almost always bullshit; listen to information but o nly act on things you've seen with
yo ur own C'ycs or heard from somebody you know and trust. Listen to your body
and know your limits. There's no sha me in leavin g something that 's too intense or
unh ealthy for yo u. \,Vhcthcr yo u _j ust wanna take a break or if you need to get away
entirely, tell your buddy, and both of you can start looking for a way out and go do
what you need ro do.
AFTERCARE
lf yo u were exposed to chemical weapons, take a lukewarm shower (ho t water
can aerosoli ze those chemicals again) as soon as yo u can and either throw out
contaminated clothes or wash them a couplr of rimes with strong detergents.
Drink plenty of water, remember to cat, a nd try to ge t good rest. Do whatever
self-care you need ro do; some people debrief, some people cat ice cream and cry,
some people watch cat videos, it's all valid.

54.

MAYDAY
May Day is an international holiday that celebrates solidarity between workers
of the world and is commemorated through publi c celebration intended to
strengthen unity bctwren all workers. May Day was first created in North America,
where, to this clay, it is not official recognized as a holiday. May Day has come to
punctuatr the ongoing revolts across th e globr, from Paris to Oaxacca.
During the 1800s, wh en the typical workday was 12-16 hours, a protracted
struggle was launch ed demanding an 8-hour workday we're now used to. Protests
took place all over North America demanding workers rights. The events came to
a flashpoint in Chicago on May 4th , 188G at a demonstration against the police
murder of striking workers the previous day. During the demonstration , a bomb
was thrown at the police line, killing seven, and the cops began firing into the
crowd, killing at least for and possibly many more. Afterwards came a clampdown ,
with radicals being rounded up on th e slightest pretense. After a wildly unfair trial,
four anarchists wrrc put to death by the state of Illinois. The Haymarket Mai:t-yrs,
as they came to be called, were later commemorated by the Second International
in Paris, calling for an International Workers' Holiday to be celebrated on !\fay I.
Many Europeans have turned this day into an official holiday.
Past May Days have seen events in Olympia, as well as many marched and
demonstrations held in Seattle. ln Seattle each year, two wide ly reported cvcnrs
go down the March for vVorkcrs and Immigrant Rights, and, in the evening,
the notorious Anticapitalist March. The Anticapitalist March became famous in
20 I 2, when it stormed through downtown Seattle and, almost entirely unpoliccd ,
dealt historic da mage to banks and large business, causing the mayor to declare
a stare of emergency. Afterwards came a clampdown, with house raids across the
region (including in Olympia), and the city flooding the streets with police at every
Anticapitalist March since. Still, however, the march made international headlines
for bringing a kind of anarchy to the streets rarely seen in the US. At the 2016
march, molotov cocktails and rocks rained clown on the police many of them
called in from other towns as they tried to control the crowd.
On May Day 2017 , a small piece or this spirit was witnessed on the streets
or Olympia, as an anarchist march snaked through Downtown smashing the
windows or several banks and hurling rocks at the police even as they returned Ii.re
with teargas canisters and flash-bangs.
Next May I, get out on the streets and start a ruckus!

2017 EVERGREEN PROTESTS
BY JACQUELINE LITTLETON
J'vlost people arc familiar with the Evergreen story, the one that involves student
protests, a certain professor and accusations of racism. Depending on your
perspective, those accusations arc either justified or baseless and the students were
either delusional, confused or righteous. The endless takes offered by national
media pundits and onlinc armchair enthusiasts prove that there were multiple
ways of viewing what happened. What you perceive about the Evergreen story is
not _just determined by what you sec, but from where you look.
I was involved in both the protests and the aftermath, and I learned from that
experience that most media outlets arc rarely interested reporting the nuances of a
story. To be fair, the nuances of the Evergreen protest were kind of boring: students
were asking for mandatory bias training for faculty, the ability to work more hours
in on-campus jobs, better access to health services and the demilitarization of
campus police. While I believe all these things arc vital, none of these subjects
alone will get a news organization's article trending, but an out-of-context clip of
a single charged protest will. Students were rarely given the opportunity to share
their side of a story, and the national spotlight on Evergreen drew the attention of
reactionary groups. The risk to campus safety last spring meant student action was
directed away from the initial causes of protest and towards community care. As a
result , the institutional injustices which provoked the protests will continue into this
year and pressure from the student body will be as necessary as ever.
These injustices include, but arc not limited to
• A police force armed without student consent. I! was made known during
the student protests that Evergreen campus police were not always armed, and
the decision to arm them was decided via campus vote some time during the
90s. T he Evergreen staff and student body voted against arming the police,
but this result was overridden undemocratically by the school administration
at the time.
• Police and Administrative discrimination against students of colm; especially
black students and especially disabled, queer, trans and nonbinary students of
color. Throughout the course of' the 2016-2017 school year, students of color
were harassed and targeted by campus police and selectively held accountable
for actions which white st udcn ts participated in by the Evergreen administration.
Some of these students were pursued for legal action at the state level.
• No investigations or repercussions for specific campus administrators or

5G

campus police who have proven themselves to be unsafe for students of color,
such as Officer Timothy O 'D ell who was captured on video targeting students
of color during a protest.
• A cont ract with Aramark which requires first-year students living on campus
to purchase a meal plan, forcing them to buy food and prod uce provided by
Aramark. Aramark is a corporation with nationally documented un fai r labor
pra('ticcs and which provides foods to prisons once they have been privatized.
This makes Evergreen a direct contributor to th e prison industrial com plex a nd
is not in lin e with the values the coll ege professes.
• Growing a nti semitism on campus. A swastika was painted on the side of
the Seminar II building this past spring, and a nti-semitic slurs were similarly
graffitied on the sides of school buil dings. The school has yet to issue to a direct
response to these attacks, nor has it provided a plan of recourse.
• An increase in police presence, using the spri ng protests as _justification.
• A 19-hour weekly cap on campus_j obs for students, preventing studen t workers
from meeting the 20- hou r requirement necessary to apply for food stamps.
• Ignoring democratic student initiatives to divest from Israeli and internation al
com panies that a rc involved in the violation of Palestinian human rights.
• Unfair treatment and lack of proper compensation for RAs a nd RAD workers.
Threatening on-strike RAs with _job termination as punishment for striking.
• RAD su pervisors pen ali zi ng and suspe nding select workers for parti cipating
in the spring protests.
• Proposed cha nges to th e stude nt conduct code which would ta rge t a nd
penalize students for protests, dem onstra tions and strikes.

'.i7

HAVE FUN & GO OUTSIDE
The world is stressful and having fun is really important! There arc a lot of
great things you can do for fun here in Olympia.
Take a hike! If you're on campus between classes or decide not to go the
Evergreen woods can be ceaselessly explored. There arc also great hikes here in
town at Priest Point Park, vVatcrshcd Park, and more. If you want to venture a
bit farther, you can · check out Capitol State Forest, the Billy Frank.Jr. Nisqually
Wildlife Refuge, and Millcrsylvania State Park. The Cascades, Rainier, and
Olympic National Park arc a drive away but a great trip if you arc able to make it.
Cheap fun around town
• Olympia has an eclectic music scene and there arc always shows to ,lttcnd.
Obsidian and Le Voyeur arc known to have all ages gigs, but house shows arc
often the most fun. Keep a look out for flyers around campus and in local cotfrc
shops advertising Olympia bands and touring acts, if a flyer says "ask a punk"
for the location or lists a house name without an address don't be afraid to
ask around, people can be very welcoming once you break through the cool
Northwest attitude.
• There arc tons of student groups and non Evergreen affiliated Olympians that
put on events. Check the bulletin boards for talks, workshops, parties, protests,
and other weird local happc1iings.
• Skateland's infamous dollar skate nights on vVcdncsdays arc always good
wholesome fun. Bring your booty shorts, skate around badly, dance to some
good bad , and hilarious songs, cat some nachos.
• The best cats in the area tend to be in Lacey. Don 't be nervous to venture
outside the Downtown strip for cheaper and better food.
• You can always go bowling. vVcstsidc lanes near Harrison and Division is a
popular spot, but there arc a couple others around town as well.
• The Outdoor Program (TOP) has trips that arc sometimes free and often
cheap. 1f you don't want to go on a trip with them, they have lots of gear (boats,
climbing gear, tents, you name it) that you can borrow or rent for cheap.
• The objectively best thing to do once it gets warm is to go swimming. There
arc a bunch of lakes and rivers everywhere, go exploring, find you and your
friends a nice little spot.
• Capitol Theatre is the big movie theatre downtown . lf you volunteer with
them, you can watch films for free!

I DIDN'T GO TO

WORK
TODAY
•••
-------

•

LET~ TAkE CONTROL OF OUR LIVES
AND l,IV£ FOR PLE'ASURE NOT PAIN
59

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CRISIS & REFERRAL
PARTNERS IN PREVENTION EDUCATION
Advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and victims of crimes is available by
appointment. Advocates arc th ere to listen, and can help ma ke plans and navigate
systems. pipcolympia.wordprcss.com 360-35 7-44 72
CRISIS CLINIC OF THURSTON & MASON COUNTIES
24hr a nonymous, nonjuclgcmental, and confidential telephone crisis intervention,
emotional support, and information / referral to community resources. crisis-cl inic.
o rg 800-62 7-22 1 I
CIELO PROJECT
Bilingual in fo rmation and refe rral services. Assists clients with services requi ring a
community advocate. cieloprograms. org 360-709-093 1
SAFEPLACE
Free 24hr support and advocacy for victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse,
trafficking, and domestic violence, including: 24hr helpline, in person sexual assault
respo nse, emergency shelter, food and clothing, child and parenting support,
individual advocacy, and edu cation workshops a nd trainings. safeplaceolympia.org
360-754-63 00

FOOD
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES
H ot meals fo r the homeless. Located at the Salvatio n An ny, 808 5th Ave. SE,
O lympia. Lunch I I a m- l 2pm , Dinner 5-6pm , Monday-Friday. www.ccsww.org
360-753-3340
DSHS
The Basic food Program provides low-income individ uals a nd fa mi lies with
supplemental money to purchase groce ries. dshs.wa.gov 877-50 1-2233

60

OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION
Free Breakfast, Lunc h and Dinner served Monday-Friday as 6:30am, noon, a nd
5:30pm . Brunch at IOam on Saturday, breakfast a nd lunch on Sunday at 8am
and noo n. ougm.o rg. 360-943-6400
THURSTONCOUNTYFOODBANK
Provides free groceries fo r those in need . Find hours and locations online at
thursto ncuuntyfoodba nk .org or by calling 360-352-8597.

HEALTH
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Hea lth ce nt er fo r fa mily planning, birth control, STD testing and treatment. a nd
abortion services. ppgni.o rg 360-754-5522
OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL CLINIC
Frer Deni-al and Vision care fo r residents of Thurston Cou nty who lack insurance
and have a housr hold income at o r below 200% of the poverty line. Call fo r
appoin tments. ougm. org 360-709-9725
OLYMPIA FREE CLINIC
Free, short-term, coordinated med ical and mental health care for low-income
uninsured and unclerinsurccl people. Specialty clinics incl ude women's health ,.
physical rhcrapy/chiropractic, wound care, acu puncture, and massage therapy.
rheolympiafreecl ini c.eom 360-529-1 93 7
OLMYPIA COMMUNITY HERBAL CLINIC
Slidi ng scalr and donation based herbal consu ltations, no one rurned away for lack
of funds. dandelionseedcollectivc.org 202-854-9350
COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE STUDIO
Sliding sca le acupu ncture trearment, staring at 1,25. Availa ble by appoinrmcnt a nd
walk-in . www.cas-olympi a.com 360-943 -6730

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LEGAL
NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT
Legal assistance with immigration matters for low-income individuals. Serves
Thurston County resident ou t its Seattle office. nwirp.org 800-44.'i-5 771

SAFEPLACE
Free, 24hr emergenc y support services for victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse,
and domestic violence, services include legal advocacy. www.safcplaccolympia.org
360-7 .'i4-6300

TENANTS RIGHTS HOTLINE
206-723-0.'i00

62

Item sets

The Evergreen State College Disorientation Manuals

Media

Diso_000010.pdf