Recipes for Disaster: an anarchist cookbook

Establishing contact with the group you want to support can be a task in itself You'll Making Contact probably need a point of connection, if not through someone who is already linked to the community, at least from an existing support group whose goals and tactics mesh with your own. In long-distance or international solidarity work, phone calls or emails usually suffice, but if you are attempting to reach a group that is in a place without reliable email access, you should be prepared to wait quite a long time for a response. Many solidaritv groups are so overworked and overextended that they may lose track of your contact 493

information, fail to write back to you, or forget you are coming, despite being in dire need of your support. Dealing with you and your needs may not be tlieir top priority; be patient, and don't make unnecessary demands on their time.

While some action-hungry anarchists might not be inclined to wait around for direction, it's infinitely better to wait for guidance from locals than to rush into a situation you don't fully understand. When you finally manage to get in touch, be as open and honest as possible, and ask what they would most like to see done. Often, groups will not give you the hardest or most needed work right away; they need to see what you're capable of, and build up tiust with you. Remember, many people have had bad experiences with incompetent, easily distracted, or self-serving radicals. Be patient, reliable, and respectful, and do good work; over time, you'll earn the respect and trust necessary to become a true friend and ally.

Arriving

Solidarity 494

If you've traveled a long distance to get to the site of your planned solidarity action, you might be exhausted when you arrive. Sometimes you vwU find yourself in the thick of things immediately, and there won't be a moment to lose before you are climbing ancient redwoods or chaining yourself to a gate. However, if time permits, take some time out to ground yourself and get acclimated.

If you are working with a "respectable" group, you might want to clean up your appearance, but this is not always the case. Your social status as a rough-and-ready dropout revolutionary may actually be part of what you have to offer. Whatever the situation, there's no sense posing as something you're not?^you're trying to build relationships based on honesty and mutual respect, right.^

For better or worse, anarchists are occasionally in the news attacking police lines or breaking windows. While this sort of coverage is intended to scare people out of associating with us, many people laiow better than to trust the corporate media, and some respect anarchists

for taking a stand against this bankrupt system, even if by means of tactics they may not endorse themselves. Don't attempt to disguise yourself or downplay your beliefs, don't pressure yourself to make a particiilar impression. Be open about your passions, background, and skills. The people you are working with will let you know what they need from you.

In one of the most common contexts for solidarity actions, some nefarious corpora- Working Out the Context tion or government is in the process of isolating and maltreating a community. Divide and conquer is their specialty; the last thing they want is for someone else to show up to expose or oppose their misdeeds. Often, throwing a few outsiders into the mix can change everything, bringing injustices to the attention of the outside world and providing crucial backup for the community.

Sometimes things are as simple as they appear, but don't count on it. Never assume that the community to which you are trying to offer solidarity is one homogenous whole. Just like all communities, it is a diverse assortment of individuals with differing viewpoints about the situation and, for that matter, about you. Resist idolizing communities, and resist vrating them off. Take the time to get to know the individuals with whom you hope to show solidarity; this is the best way to leam about their situation. If you can, go to the area where the struggle is taking place, and investigate everything for yourself.

It may happen that whatever forces you are fighting have bought the allegiance of some of the people suffering on their account. This can lead to confusing situations in which a once-united community is divided and fighting within itself If it's obvious which side is in the right, ally yourself with them, but in some situations it will be confusing. If you don't understand the internal dynamics of a community, don't pretend you do, and never assume anyone to be a sellout without good reason. If you feel that you are making the situation worse, or that most of the people you would like to help st'da 't want you to leave, it's time to go. 4^^