We Go Where They Go: The Story of Anti-Racist Action

by Shannon Clay, Lady, Michael Staudenmaier

What does it mean to risk all for your beliefs? How do you fight an enemy in your midst? We Go Where They Go recounts the thrilling story of a massive forgotten youth movement that set the stage for today's anti-fascist organizing in North America. When skinheads and punks in the late 1980s found their communities invaded by white supremacists and neo-nazis, they fought back. Influenced by anarchism, feminism, Black liberation, and Indigenous sovereignty, they created Anti-Racist Action. At ARA’s height in the 1990s, thousands of dedicated activists in hundreds of chapters joined the fights—political and sometimes physical—against nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, anti-abortion fundamentalists, and racist police. Before media pundits, cynical politicians, and your uncle discovered “antifa,” Anti-Racist Action was bringing it to the streets.

Based on extensive interviews with dozens of ARA participants, We Go Where They Go tells ARA’s story from within, giving voice to those who risked their safety in their own defense and in solidarity with others. In reproducing the posters, zines, propaganda, and photos of the movement itself, this essential work of radical history illustrates how cultural scenes can become powerful forces for change. Here at last is the story of an organic yet highly organized movement, exploring both its triumphs and failures, and offering valuable lessons for today’s generation of activists and rabble-rousers. We Go Where They Go is a page-turning history of grassroots anti-racism.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Race, Social Justice, Activism, American History, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2023

Reviews

[Libertie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book-length history of Anti-Racist Action (ARA), the massive network of grassroots activists in the United States and Canada who confronted Nazis, the Klan, Cops, and the Christian Right over three decades. Together they innovated strategies, navigated political differences, and fundamentally shaped the contemporary landscape of anti-fascism. To understand the North American Left today, you really have to know the history of ARA.

We go where they go. Whenever fascists are organizing or active in public, we're there. We don't believe in ignoring them or staying away from them. Never let nazis have the streets!—ARA's first point of unity

Three of the four authors who co-wrote We Go Where They Go are ARA veterans, but they approach the material with a commitment to sober assessment, celebrating the wins while highlighting the significant shortcomings of the network. This is an oral history, written during and immediately after the George Floyd Uprising, based on interviews with over 50 former members. The authors make it clear that they wrote the book to transmit lessons they believe are applicable to the next generation of anti-racist militants, including the importance of mass movements, international networking, cultural organizing, nonsectarian coalition work, noncooperation with carceral systems, and attention to trauma and mental health. I'm typically a slow reader, but I plowed through the text and interspersed archival materials in three sittings, driven by the energetic storytelling and keen insights. Highly recommended!

I read this book to prepare for an author event on March 28th, 2023. A recording of the event will be available to stream at https://www.youtube.com/c/FirestormCoop shortly.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The defining book on Anti-Racist Action, an absolute must read for anyone interest in how to fight back against the far-right.

[Emily Mattek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fundamental historical text of the anti-fascist movement at the turn of the last century. It does a superb job of laying out the wins and losses of a movement founded from youth subculture, nonsectarian, in the era before internet mobilization. Would that it could’ve captured all of ARA’s history, but that story requires more voices than were present in this text. Still, the text begs us to ask- What should the central goal of antifascist organizing be? How do you defeat them? The book is an outline of strategies to do just that.

[Michael Sasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars: An important history if no other reason than as a corrective to the liberal narrative that good vibes and interpersonal kindness are enough to stop a rising fascist movement.

152. They held a queer kiss-in at the St. Paul Cathedral where HLI opened their conference [...] With this tactic, inspired by queer direct-action movement ACT UP and Queer Nation, "young queers felt excited and empowered to use public displays of affection to confront our enemies and make them uncomfortable, while we were celebrating our community. It was taking a stand, that queer couples should not be afraid and would be protected and supported," says Katrina. "Straight ARA members, especially cis-men," were strongly encouraged to participate. "Standing by wasn't enough; we needed them to kiss each other, and maybe wear a dress to the action also. Confronting homophobia in the system and the streets also helped us, as a group, challenge internal homophobia and toxic masculinity, and made space for more cis male affection."
170. BE YOUNG. HAVE FUN. SMASH RACISM. [...] ARA promoted militant anti-racism as a natural and attractive course of action for young people. As Walter, of Edmonton and Montreal ARA, put it simply, "We were the cool kids." <>
241. Xtn [...] "I think that's a significant thing in thinking about where anti-fascism kind of ended up many years later, and in the most recent past. Whereas a lot of antifa [today], they're their own cell, their own entity, we were always hoping and trying to build for popular mobilization and popular resistance against fascists. And I think York was important, because 9/11 had happened. There was this atmosphere of fear. Bush was building up the repressive aspects of the state... and yet people en masse came out to fight the nazis."
Sprite argues:
"The problem with a lot of anti-fascist work is that it is quasi- or extralegal. So how do you go about that work but then still try to publicly organize and build an actual movement and get people out in the streets that are willing to be militant? We had discussions about that, and we were interested in building up a militant movement in that sense."
249 find and read: "Claim No Easy Victories: An Anarchist Analysis of ARA and Its Contributions to the Building of a Radical Anti-Racist Movement" by Rory McGowan in The Northeastern Anarchist no 6 (summer-fall 2003). https://libcom.org/library/claim-no-e...
142-3. [...] Martinican intellectual Aime Cesaire's analysis of fascism as the crimes of colonialism brought home to the metropole. [...] ARA was united by tactics and a militant attitude against fascism rather than by ideology or questions of political analysis.
==

50. racial composition and role of left tendencies
55-7. points of unity in practice
61. ARA in small towns
75. conditions for far right growth
92 confront or pray?
98,100 "outviolenced them"
142-3. allyship vs privilege and liberation
199 ARA at its peak (and challenges)
219. impact of 9/11/2001 on ARA
252, 255-6, 268. post 9-11 decline (incl impact of security culture)
263-4, 271. mass orientation
265. cost of violence

[Rachel Ashera Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a personal connection to this subject, so I was primed to love it, and I did. Documenting any activist history pre-widespread use of the internet is a monumental task. This is a detailed, nuanced account of ARA from its foundation with the Baldies to its decline in 2000/2001, based in written records, personal interviews, and newspaper accounts. It doesn't shy away from some of ARA's shortcomings, but it's also a celebration of an effective, inclusive grassroots network with tangible successes. It's also a call to action, as we are once again facing a rise of far-right hatred, this time endorsed openly by state powers.

[Toby Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the moment I cracked open We Go Where They Go and saw that it was published by the University of Regina Press that I was in for a stimulating read. Every book I've read by the University of Regina Press has stuck with me even years later. They only publish deeply researched works that are powerful and interesting. Even if the subject matter doesn't initially intrigue you, odds are that it will by the time you finish the book.

Trying to explain what this book is about in a few short paragraphs won’t come close to touching on the depth of the work but let’s give it a go. In response to community invasions in the 1980s by neo-Nazis and white supremacists, people retaliated. Anti-Racist Action (ARA) was formed. Thousands of members strong, the ARA fought against Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, anti-abortion fundamentalists, and racist police. This is a truly fascinating account of people with a common goal uniting to fight back. As this took place in the era before so much was waged on the internet and social media, this fight was tackled in person and on the streets. The interviews with dozens of people who belonged to the ARA will take you back to those days, deep into the heart of the anti-racist movement.

Of the ten chapters in this book, my favourite is the fourth one: The Canadian Connection. Canadians were linked to ARA from the early days and the story of their involvement is a gripping one.

The pictures in We Go Where They Go are as powerful as the words and add greatly to the telling of ARA’s history. Sure, the authors shared the stories of street fights, for example, but seeing photos of the physical altercations is chilling.

The four coauthors mention in the acknowledgements that this book was a labor of love for them. Even if they hadn't pointed it out, it is very clear from page one. The two page list of people they interviewed as well as the lengthy lists of resources and notes at the end of each chapter demonstrate the depths of work and research that went into We Go Where They Go. Anyone who picks up a copy of this timely book will be the beneficiary of this hardworking group of writers.

This book checks so many boxes. History buffs will devour this. Readers who want to learn more about anti-racism tactics and how the movement evolved will enjoy this book. So will those who like glimpsing a blueprint from the past to prepare for future movements. This is a compelling read from start to finish.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely well-written history of the Antiracist and Antifascist organizing of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Arising organically from the punk and skinhead scenes, those who opposed the neo-Nazi resurgence in those decades responded with organizing and, from time to time, violence, to prevent white nationalists and other violent bigots from taking over the scene. This expanded to more sophisticated opposition to the rise of national organizations advocating white supremacy.

This book also serves as a manifesto for the ongoing movement to prevent the rise of fascism in the United States and elsewhere. As we have seen in our more recent past, the threat of fascism is alive and well all over the world, most certainly including the U.S. Active opposition and constant awareness are called for.

While I am not purely pacifistic, I do question whether or not violence is an effective corrective to fascism. I am not naïve enough to believe that pure non-violence is the answer, either, but I do wonder if the use of violence does not lead to an escalation of methods on both sides until we are battling in the streets with mortars and anti-aircraft batteries. It is a truly frightening prospect. But even worse would be if, through passive neglect, we allowed those who oppose freedom and equality a foothold in our world.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so enjoyable. A really interesting look at Anti-Racist Action, an antifascist and anti-racist network in the US and Canada. Most of the events in the book took place when I was young and not yet politically active, so it was interesting to learn this earlier history and to get inspired by it. Definitely worth a read! Also, so many great flyers served as illustrations. Great visuals, great work from community archives.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal: well-written, well-sourced, and with an emphasis not only on documenting history but tying it to the present and lessons we can take into anti-fascist organizing. some natural overlap with It Did Happen Here, which I read earlier in the year. I felt like this was a benefit, and if you haven't already read or listened to the podcast, I'd encourage you to pair them together.

might come back for a full review later -- but highly recommend

[Tim Briedis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! We Go Where They Go shows that anarchist informed youth organising doesn’t just have to be about hyper secretive direct action, but can be grounded in mass community organising, with militant tactics one amongst many. Not that militancy is unimportant - the ‘Travel Plaza’ incident is a testament to its role - but it shouldn’t be fetishised. The book is also simply a joy to read, brimming with amazing flyers and compelling oral history interviews. Five stars

[K.S.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very academic writing style, which I struggle with reading, but overall a great look at the ARA. It was interesting to read the chapter specifically about the ARA in Canada as I was a teen hanging out in the punk scene at the height of ARA organizing and I attended many Rock Against Racism shows and two Warped Tour stops. It gave some context to things I was adjacent to as an adolescent.

[Toby Mustill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough look at the ARA. The details provided of its history, its members, and its actions are incredible. However, that is also where it lost me, when they started to talk about the details of fundraising and pamphleting I lost interest. However, it did pick up toward the end. Worth a read, but I could’ve skimmed the middle third of the book and still taken away the same message.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had a book like this when I was a teenager. I was able to somehow remain unaware of the ARA movement despite possessing a desire for protest and rebellion and a dislike of racism. Gonna recommend this to my 17yo kid.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a bit biased as I was in ARA and it means a lot to me that my youth is finally in a history book.

[Rachele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid writing and excellent blending of several authours writing styles to form a collective whole in line with the content of the book

[Will Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it's a great combination of history and reflection, supplemented with excellent pictures and capturing moments of the scene and the time. Really enjoyed this.