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From Hash Rebels to Urban Guerrillas: A Documentary History of the 2nd of June Movement
“No urban guerilla is no solution either.” —graffiti, Berlin
In
the early 1970s, all across the Americas and Western Europe, armed
groups emerged out of the social movements of the late 1960s. Their goal
was to advance the struggle for a socialist society. In Germany, the
Red Army Faction received most attention, but a less well-known,
anti-authoritarian and social-revolutionary counterpart operated in its
the 2nd of June Movement, named after the date when, in 1967,
the unarmed student Benno Ohnesorg was shot and killed by a Berlin cop
during a demonstration. The 2nd of June Movement was comprised of
working-class youth who got politicized in Berlin’s underground culture.
They first emerged as a political collective under the name “Hash
Rebels,” before they formed the 2nd of June Movement as a revolutionary
organization. The 2nd of June Movement received most attention for the
1975 kidnapping of conservative politician Peter Lorenz. Lorenz was
exchanged for six comrades in prison, one of the biggest successes of
any urban guerrilla group in Europe. Dissolved in 1980, the principles
of the 2nd of June Movement lived on in the militant network of the
Revolutionary Cells and the German autonomist movement. From Hash Rebels to Urban Guerrillas
is the first book presenting the 2nd of June Movement in English. It
documents the group’s history and politics based on translations of
original documents and reflections by former members. The editors
provide an introduction, extensive notes, a timeline, and an overview of
key protagonists. This is mandatory reading for anyone interested in
the politics of the era and the ongoing quest to challenge the rule of
the state and capital.
In
the early 1970s, all across the Americas and Western Europe, armed
groups emerged out of the social movements of the late 1960s. Their goal
was to advance the struggle for a socialist society. In Germany, the
Red Army Faction received most attention, but a less well-known,
anti-authoritarian and social-revolutionary counterpart operated in its
the 2nd of June Movement, named after the date when, in 1967,
the unarmed student Benno Ohnesorg was shot and killed by a Berlin cop
during a demonstration. The 2nd of June Movement was comprised of
working-class youth who got politicized in Berlin’s underground culture.
They first emerged as a political collective under the name “Hash
Rebels,” before they formed the 2nd of June Movement as a revolutionary
organization. The 2nd of June Movement received most attention for the
1975 kidnapping of conservative politician Peter Lorenz. Lorenz was
exchanged for six comrades in prison, one of the biggest successes of
any urban guerrilla group in Europe. Dissolved in 1980, the principles
of the 2nd of June Movement lived on in the militant network of the
Revolutionary Cells and the German autonomist movement. From Hash Rebels to Urban Guerrillas
is the first book presenting the 2nd of June Movement in English. It
documents the group’s history and politics based on translations of
original documents and reflections by former members. The editors
provide an introduction, extensive notes, a timeline, and an overview of
key protagonists. This is mandatory reading for anyone interested in
the politics of the era and the ongoing quest to challenge the rule of
the state and capital.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 26, 2024
Very well-composed collection on a fascinating history; the introduction and annotations provide essential context and the 2nd of June Movement texts, interviews, and reflections are insightful and, for such a serious subject, surprisingly funny. I'd especially recommend this collection to anyone who, like me, has read the Smith and Moncourt documentary history of the Red Army Faction; the 2nd of June documents present probably the most grounded and sharp critique of the RAF I've seen.
April 20, 2025
review incoming for 20th century communism
February 21, 2025
I find memory holed moments fascinating. Although I'd heard of Baader Meinhof and Red Army Faction, the 2nd of June movement which arguably had more success in attracting attention and support never registered to me. This is a fascinating compendium of analysis, book excerpts, interviews and ephemera from the movement itself. A bit weedy in the details at times, there's a lot to get out of this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews