the fascists. In 1969, affinity trained in first aid, a legal groups organized a massive observer. As well as fulfilling Affinity Groups nonviolent blockade during the these roles, the affinity group 30,000 strong occupation of the can take on a specialized role in An affinity group is the the group believes in and what Ruhr nuclear power station in the way it interacts with other fundamental unit of direct they plan to do, and decide if Germany. In 1971 in the US groups, or operates within the action. It is a self-sufficient they are compatible. Ideally, you occupations of the Seabrook action or . There can support system which may will have a shared idea of your nuclear power station, when be affinity groups specializing in develop actions on its own, or individual and collective goals 10,000 were arrested, affinity copwatching, communications, may work with other affinity for the action or campaign, what groups were key, as they were health care, street theatre, or groups toward a common goal in support you will need from throughout the highly successful blockading. With a focus, each a large action. The most effective others, and what you can offer anti-nuclear movement. More affinity group can do its job and groups consist of 5-15 people, and each other. It helps if you have recently, they were used with support the work of others. In they usually strengthen over agreement on certain basic outstanding success in the mass this way, many affinity groups time. They differ from other things: how active, spiritual, actions in Seattle, Prague, and form a network that achieves groups of friends in that nonviolent, touchy-feely, Québec City, where the open exponentially more than equal participants tend to have more militant, or willing to risk arrest manner of organizing created a numbers of unaffiliated activists in common, there is an absence you’ll be – however, it may be framework within which ever could. of , and over time, a that you just work together at a affinity groups could plan The thing to remember is deep trust in the group’s job, play music or hike together, autonomous actions. that an affinity group belongs to intelligence can develop, and that’s okay too. The point is Affinity groups form the you – you can decide what allowing us to let go of some of that doing things together is basic decision-making bodies of actions and what degree of risk our own prejudices and consider safer, and much more fun, than many mass actions; they also you wish to take. Bringing what is best for the group. doing them alone. frequently work together as creative people together to work Every affinity group must The concept has a long study groups, or provide services and play collectively is one of decide for itself how it will make history. It developed in Catalonia to their community. Within the our most powerful acts of decisions and what it wants to and was used in the 1930s during group, there is a whole range of resistance. do. This process starts when an the , when roles that its members can affinity group forms. If a new anarchists, communists, and perform, which could include: a Resources: person wants to join an affinity other libertarians fought media liaison, a facilitator for » Temporary Anticapitalist group, she should find out what desperately against Franco and meetings, a note taker, someone Teams: www.temporary.org.uk

88 Bette Lee -Radical cheerleading unleashes silliness for the crowd. Portland, Oregon, US

89