About us

Intro

The CLASH collective is a political organization that works in many different but inter-connected movements. We are members of such groups as Students for a Democratic Society, Movement for a Democratic Society, the Industrial Workers of the World labor union, and the Regional Coalition for Immigrant Rights, in addition to the many just causes we support.

We are a small, intimate group, and we prioritize being involved in many different struggles. We believe that while all movements face different situations, the core problems are the same. The profit-driven system (capitalism), machismo and sexism (patriarchy) deep-seated racism (white supremacy) and the government’s addiction to war and expansion (imperialism) are all things that effect everyone and everything in the world today. There is no such thing as a “single issue.”

To deal with the problems that hurt our communities so brutally, we must aim to do away with all forces of control and exploitation. We cannot fight for higher wages but ignore patriarchy. We cannot fight for gender freedom and queer liberation but ignore capitalism. We cannot fight for racial equality but ignore imperialism. And we cannot oppose war but ignore white supremacy. It is all connected, and all who face oppression and exploitation are stronger by making common cause and growing solidarity with other movements. An injury to one is an injury to all!

Our vision for new movements, and ultimately a new society, is admittedly somewhat utopian. Not only do we want to see the total abolition of today's power structures, outlined above, but in their place we must build a new society from the ground up. Democracy, direct democracy can grow everywhere — the workplace, the community, and the personal — with freedom or “autonomy” from any government or oppressive force. And it is this guiding principle of peoples' rights to democracy in every part of their lives that leads us to our belief in direct action. Our so-called leaders in fact have no right to make decisions on our behalf, and therefore we are entitled to interfere with their day-to-day “business as usual,” to demand and take our basic necessities and freedoms. It is this attitude, embodied in the old Sixties slogan, "Be reasonable — demand the impossible!" that compels us to emblazon the flying pig on our black banner of revolt. Our purpose is to smash peoples’ notions about what can and cannot happen. A revolution is the result of a mass awakening  to the knowledge of our own power when united.

CLASH offers a number of services and resources to others working toward similar goals. We can assist you in designing and writing outreach materials such as flyers, pamphlets and brochures to get your ideas and events out there into the public. We also can make photocopies for those who can’t afford them. In collaboration with La Paloma Sabanera Coffee House and Bookstore we’ve set up a free lending library with books on a wide range of progressive and radical topics. The Luisa Capetillo Memorial Library is located in the shop’s upstairs room at 405 Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

Affiliations

We identify politically with a network called Peoples’ Global Action (PGA). A diverse number of organizations participate, including: the Zapatista Front of National Liberation (FZLN) of Mexico, the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST), the Asian Student Association of the Asia-Pacific region, and the NY Metro Alliance of Anarchists. The network itself is not an organization. It is merely a tool for coordination, communication and growth across borders. Anyone who supports the “Hallmarks,” or basic principles below can take part. Our comments are added after each Hallmark to help explain their meaning.

1. A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism and feudalism; all trade agreements, institutions and governments that promote destructive globalization;

Social injustice and war are caused by the profit-driven system. People are kept poor to enrich corporations, and wars are fought to control and exploit foreign economies and resources.

2. We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not limited to, patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the full dignity of all human beings.

We must work together on equal ground for our rights, free of chauvinism, bigotry or religious hatred, just as we must strive against these things in society.

3. A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organizations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy-maker;

We recognize that unless you have a great deal of money, you cannot effectively work within the mainstream political system by voting or petitioning the government.

4. A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements' struggles, advocating forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed peoples' rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism;

    Therefore, we utilize tactics that cut out the middle man, and hinders, disrupts or stops the normal   flow of a guilty party or organization. In short, make trouble.

5. An organizational philosophy based on decentralization and autonomy.

Finally, we believe that those who are most effected by decisions should have a direct, equal and un-deferred say in those decisions. Therefore, we reject the idea of a group of professionals steering the movement in whatever way they see fit.