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Title: Traveling Autonomous Zone Author: Rob los Ricos Date: 1993 Language: en Topics: AJODA, AJODA #36, autonomy, TAZ Source: Retrieved on August 26, 2009 from from: http://www.spunk.org/texts/pubs/ajoda/36/sp001380.txt Notes: “Traveling Autonomous Zone” originally appeared in Imminent Strike (504 W. 24th #81, Austin, TX. 78705). Also published in “Anarchy: A Journal of Desire Armed” #36 — Spring ’93.
In his book Temporary Autonomous Zone, Hakim Bey suggests that we not
worry about changing the world, but instead take charge of our own lives
whenever possible. He reminds us that, even though such insurrections as
the ones in Paris 1871 and during the Spanish Civil War were ultimately
crushed militarily, they at least achieved a period of autonomy for a
portion of their lives, which is more than many of us can say.
One recurring argument that comes up with Anarchists I discussed TAZ
with regards the word ‘temporary’. “I’m not so sure I agree with his
flippant attitude towards permanence,” wrote South Dakota prisoner Phil
Smith. “I am interested in changing the world to the extent possible,
and it seems that Bey is willing to accept these temporary autonomous
zones flickering in and out of existence while capitalism abides. Fuck
that! I want more!”
Indeed, we all want more, but the point is that we are nowhere near the
point that we can overthrow capitalism. Should that prevent us from
creating oases of liberation whenever and wherever possible? Certainly
not!
To put things in another perspective, think of time in a geological
sense. Ten thousand years is merely a bat of an eye when discussing
epochs of geological history. Ten thousand years ago, much of the
Americas was under immense sheets of ice or was the floor of shallow
oceans. Of course, these were only temporary conditions which have
changed radically since.
In a historical timeframe, human beings have only been recording their
doings for five thousand years. Capitalism has only been around a minute
fraction of that time, and it will eventually disappear, just as the era
of Assyrian or Babylonian empires passed.
In the meanwhile, why not ditch the system now and again to make
something different?
Though I initially shared Phil’s sentiments about the term ‘temporary’,
now I’ve come to understand that nothing is permanent anyway, certainly
not on this planet. However, I also want more than an afternoon of
liberation or a few months in a squat. I have a fascination about
nomadism that led me to scheming about Travelling Autonomous Zones.
Perhaps the greatest example of a Traveling Autonomous Zone would be an
ocean-going one. A sixty-foot long yacht could easily contain a commune
of twelve people. The ship could spend most of its time in international
waters, beyond the laws and borders of most nations. The opportunities
for organizational mayhem are incredible in the open sea: pirate radio,
clandestine landings, disrupting whaling and other mammalian massacres
by commercial fishers, not to mention ferrying outlaw activists to
places of relative safety. The only times the ship would have to come
into contact with nations would be to stock up on supplies (fresh water,
food, medicine, etc.), and the necessity of such contact could be
reduced by a resourceful crew. In times of bad weather a harbor would be
a desirable place to be.
On land, a bus or small caravan of vehicles could transport TAZ from one
area of liberation to another as time and necessity dictate. The members
could transport materials from region to region (things like ‘zines and
other literature, clothing, small trade items, etc.).
This would be an extremely valuable resource for the anarchist
community, as it might lend itself to more secure distribution (though
somewhat slower) than the U.S. mail. Also, it seems that nomadic bands
are more naturally resistant to hierarchy than stationary communities.
Several such rolling communities could expand for events such as
national or regional gatherings, and would also create propaganda merely
by passing through rural areas that have little experience beyond their
own communities.
Of course, this visibility would also be a danger, as it might attract
the attention of unwanted, watchful eyes. Still, it would be better to
travel in numbers than to do it alone.
In areas where there is not a strong squatting movement, the squats
could move from one place to another as their presence became more
noticeable than is comfortable for the squatters. By moving from one
campsite to the next, anarcho-campers would be difficult to keep up
with, even in the anarchist community. These problems are easily
overcome by using available technology, such as radios or cellular
phones.
All in all, ‘temporary’ or ‘traveling’ autonomous zones can easily be
created by people with the will to do them. In this way, a clear
demonstration about how non-state communities could function would do
more to educate people about mutual aid and cooperation than almost any
other vehicle for the promotion of anarchist ideas. It’s one thing to
think/talk/ write about your beliefs, but it is much more meaningful to
actually enact them!
Let’s get busy, ya’ll!