(via) Anarchists don’t like being told what to do. Nor, I’m sure, will they appreciate being gently steered by suggestion. It’s just in the nature of their anarchism. Still, a cadre of their colleagues in Portland are filling in where the authority of the state have failed the people. I’m talking, of course, about potholes. Dubbed Portland Anarchist Road Care (PARC), the group formed a year ago, subscribing to this admirable creed:

We are putting forth a call to action, in the name of claiming agency over our public spaces and meeting the needs of the communities we live in. On Sunday 4/30, we are calling for the people of Portland to take to the streets, in their own neighborhoods, and in mutual aid with eachother, to autonomously address the needs of those specific neighborhoods.

Need an idea for actions to take? try some of these:

– Patching Potholes!
– Increasing the visibility of potholes that you cant patch with high visibility paint!
– Installing/Painting Crosswalks!
– Installing/Painting Bike Lanes!
– Installing Stop Signs!
– Removing broken glass and debris from roadways!
– Knocking on neighbor’s doors to introduce yourself!
– Calling community meetings to discuss the needs of your neighborhood!

We will be producing instructional videos in the coming weeks to share information about how to perform some of these actions. We are also working on infrastructure to assist individuals and groups to take action throughout the city. Please be in touch if you have any questions, comments, thoughts and Ideas about this action.

Rise Up!

Portland Anarchist Road Care

Rise up, indeed! Your move, Vancouver anarchists. And if you wouldn’t mind starting with Prior Street in Strathcona, that would be much appreciated. The City tore sections of it up this past winter and made it significantly worse, if you can believe it (we know that you can). Though very much a commercial conduit and thus a facet of the global structure of late capitalism, it remains a vital artery for a neighbourhood that could use your help.

Signed,

The People.