CrimethInc. Ex-WorkersJan 10, 2023

January 8, the Brazilian January 6—Tracking the Rise of Fascism from the United States to Brazil

https://crimethinc.com/January8Brazil

On January 8, 2023, far-right supporters of defeated former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Brasília, apparently in grotesque imitation of the debacle in which Donald Trump’s supporters did the same thing in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. In the following report, our comrades in Brazil detail the trajectory leading up to these events and discuss the conundrums that opponents of fascism face in Brazil as a consequence.

January 8, the Brazilian January 6

We compare and contrast the events of January 6, 2021 and January 8, 2023, when far-right supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Brasília.

CrimethInc.
Show threadCrimethInc. Ex-Workers

In this footage, anarchists and anti-fascists mobilize in Belo Horizonte, #Brazil today against the threat of #fascism.

It is crucial that we do not rely on the state to protect us from fascism, but organize on a grassroots basis, building strength that cannot be taken from us by an election or coup.

https://crimethinc.com/January8Brazil

January 8, the Brazilian January 6

We compare and contrast the events of January 6, 2021 and January 8, 2023, when far-right supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Brasília.

CrimethInc.
Jan 10, 2023 at 2:45amWeb
Show threadCrimethInc. Ex-WorkersJan 10, 2023

More photographs from demonstrations against fascism today in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, #Brazil.

Solidarity with everyone on the streets against Bolsonaro, especially those who do not think that the solution is to cede all agency and legitimacy to the institutions of the state.

"We need to foment popular revolt that includes all the disenfranchised sectors of society, everyone who is targeted by fascists, everyone who suffers under capitalism even when it is managed by a progressive government. We must not delegitimize insurrection when the state apparatus is in the hands of the center-left while the streets are in the hands of fascists and security forces. We must find ways to resist, rejecting the blackmail of those who claim that the most important thing is to maintain order, with their eternal moralism in defense of private property and state power."

Show threadSocialistStanJan 10, 2023
@CrimethInc This is the proper response to this sort of thing, screw the DNC and their useless investigations.
Show threadWrathofJan 🌞🌻🌎🖖Jan 10, 2023

@CrimethInc

A new viewpoint to me, for me to 🤔.

Show threadRobin from Colorado 🇺🇸🇺🇦Jan 10, 2023
@CrimethInc how about just pro-democracy advocates?
Show threadRimkoJan 10, 2023
@robinbrenizer @CrimethInc it's not the subject of antifa movement, as the name imply is to fight fascism where he his and how you can.
Street demonstrations or counter actions where force may be used are just the tip of the iceberg.
Intelligence, surveillance, militant training, organization for example are the largest part of antifa movement.
But street demonstration and counter actions are necessary.
Show threadSquiggleJan 10, 2023
@CrimethInc Isn't that a contradiction? To not allow power to be taken from us by election or coup? Are you saying we too should not accept election results we don't like? Is a coup OK if we stage it?
Show threadCrimethInc. Ex-WorkersJan 10, 2023

@sqgl

Anarchists are opposed to wielding oppressive power over others through the institutions of the state—so no, a coup is not OK if we stage it.

But at the same time, even if a majority of people voted through a democratic process to enslave the minority, we should oppose that, don't you think? (This is not just an abstract question in the United States or Brazil, in view of the colonial histories of these countries.)

We cannot simply believe that whatever a majority votes for is automatically morally right, nor is whatever is legal morally right (nor is whatever is illegal automatically morally wrong). Fascists have come to power through democratic elections before, but that doesn't make fascism any more legitimate.

If you want a more detailed engagement with the subject of democracy, you could start here:

https://crimethinc.com/democracy

From Democracy to Freedom

*From Democracy to Freedom* grew out of years of dialogue between participants in social movements around the world. Exploring how recent uprisings have been catalyzed and limited by democratic discourse, *From Democracy to Freedom* explores the difference between government and self-determination, proposing new ways to understand what we’re doing when we make decisions together.

CrimethInc.
Show threadSquiggleJan 10, 2023

@CrimethInc My mistake. I stupidly thought there was a comma between "us" and "by" so that I mistakenly thought you were advocating for a coup. Am glad I asked.

I agree the losing minority should be respected as much as possible and that is a problem with voting even when there is proportional representation elections (like Israel). US/UK/CA needed to ditch their antiquated electoral systems though.

Am a fan of "elections" by sortition myself.

Show threadAntifaBeachPartyJan 10, 2023

@CrimethInc there is a strange dichotomy between striving for a world where we don't have to organize against fascism on this scale and the feelings that come from seeing this kind of solidarity and defiance.

Two coup attempts in the span of two years that look almost identical. Miller and Bannon are setting up franchises. They are growing bold but they underestimate their enemy.

Show threadQ mira bobo, anda pa’lla boboJan 10, 2023
@CrimethInc Atlético Mineiro football ultras/supporters. ☝🏽 Many groups from many teams mobilized to scare Nazis post J8. Corinthians, long political history with Socrates, had thousands out in SP defending an entire neighborhood.