#110: It’s Safer in the Front

Feb 26, 2025

Engagement in political conflict can lead to greater safety than avoidance. Historical examples illustrate the power of bold resistance against tyranny. Activists share their gripping experiences from protests, highlighting the psychological challenges they face. The podcast emphasizes the importance of collective action and personal agency in fighting systemic oppression, encouraging listeners to confront injustices head-on. Courage in the face of adversity fosters a sense of empowerment amid overwhelming odds.

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ANECDOTE

A Grandfather's Resistive Survival

My friend's grandfather fought Nazis in 1920s Germany and fled when prosecution was imminent.
This aggressive resistance paradoxically offered better long-term survival than passive avoidance.

ANECDOTE

Summit Fence-Tearing Victory

In 2001, anarchists tore down fences at the 'Summit of the Americas' in Quebec City despite heavy police presence.
Their direct action halted the free trade area initiative, showing the power of frontline engagement.

ANECDOTE

Escape by Charging Forward

During Bush's 2005 inauguration protests, charging forward through police allowed escape rather than being trapped.
Running forward through a police blockade saved comrades from capture in an alley during a tense moment.

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This episode offers an audio version of “It’s Safer in the Front,” making the case that seeking safety by avoiding confrontation is not likely to be an effective strategy in a time of escalating political conflict. {February 25, 2025}

-------SHOW NOTES------

Table of Contents
- Introduction {0:30}
- My Friend’s Grandfather {1:11}
- “Summit of the Americas,” Québec City, April 20, 2001 {3:41}
- George W. Bush’s Second Inauguration, Washington, DC, January 20, 2005 {5:10}
- Democratic National Convention, Denver, August 25, 2008 {6:34}
- Donald Trump’s First Inauguration, Washington, DC, January 20, 2017 {8:59}
- Block Cop City, Atlanta, November 13, 2023 {13:11}
- Conclusion {18:33}
This episode offers an audio version of “It’s Safer in the Front,” published by CrimethInc. on January 28, 2025. The article version includes a variety of hyperlinks offering more documentation about the events referred.
To learn more about the mobilization against the “Summit of the Americas” in Québec City in 2001, read this. To learn more about the movement against capitalist globalization, of which it was a part, you could start here. You could also read David Graeber’s reflections on the movement.
To learn more about the demonstrations against George W. Bush’s second inauguration, read this. For more background on the history of anarchist protest activity against presidential inaugurations across the decades, you could start here.
To learn more about the mobilization against the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 2008, read this.
To learn more about the anarchist demonstration against Donald Trump’s first inauguration, read this. To learn about how the arrestees used solidarity to win a historic victory over the charges brought against them, start here. You could also read this text about what to do when kettled. And to get a sense of what it was like on the streets that day, don’t miss the J20 protest simulator!
For background on the movement to stop Cop City in Atlanta, start here; to learn about the Block Cop City mobilization, read this. Finally, this article explores the trumped up charges brought against arrestees in the movement.
For background on the anti-fascist resistance to the “Unite the Right” rally, read these reflections. To learn about the Kronstadt revolt, you could start here.
Finally, for further reading in this category, try “We Fight because We Like It: Maintaining Our Morale against Seemingly Insurmountable Odds.”