What Is ARA?

Anti-Racist Action is an international movement of people dedicated to stopping racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of bigotry from harming our communities. We work hard to "expose, oppose, and confront" hate in whatever form threatens the diversity and safety of the places we live in and the people we live with. We also firmly believe in building a fun, diverse, liberated and explicitly anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-homophobic youth culture.

Having organized in over 200 different communities across North America, Anti-Racist Action is a diverse movement. Each chapter is autonomous, and members are free to decide for themselves what are the issues and problems in their community that need to be addressed. Still, we find enough common ground to work closely with each other on a number of fronts. All ARA members and chapters agree with the Points of Unity, the statement of beliefs and principles adopted by the Anti-Racist Action Network.

The Anti-Racist Action Points Of Unity

The Anti-Racist Action Network consists of people from all different backgrounds, with a lot of different viewpoints. With over 150 ARA chapters out there, it's not surprising that no two are alike! What we all agree on, however, is the following:

1) 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 the nazis have the street!

2) We don't rely on the cops or courts to do our work for us: This doesn't mean we never go to court. But we must rely on ourselves to protect ourselves and stop the fascists.

3) Non-Sectarian defense of other Anti-Fascists: In ARA, we have lots of different groups and individuals. We don't agree about everything and we have a right to differ openly. But in this movement an attack on one is an attack on us all. We stand behind each other.

4) We support abortion rights and reproductive freedom. ARA intends to do the hard work necessary to build a broad, strong movement against racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, discrimination against the disabled, the oldest, the youngest and the most oppressed people. We want a classless society. WE INTEND TO WIN!

Notes on NC ARA

Anti-Racist Action is made up of a diverse group of political affiliations. Anarchists, communists, democrats, republicans, liberitarians, and various other third parties. ARA has chosen no specific political party on which we base our tenants. We do not discriminate against any political or religious affiliation, and our members include people from all subcultures and countercultures. We are all brought together to seek out and destroy racism and prejudice where ever it may exist.

Anti-Racist Action has an unfortunate reputation and history of violence, and is often viewed as a militant organization. This question has been raised a few times in this chapter. Let me say this, on NC ARA's behalf. Seneless violence is not encouraged. We imploy an "any means necessary" mentality, but that is not to say that ARA members need to go around beating every nazi they see.
Violence is to be used only as a last resort. I can not speak for every member and tell him or her how to act in a given situation; they are left to make their own decisions. Just bear in mind that violence will typically turn them into martyrs. Some ARA members are completely against violence, and we must respect that. This is a very grey area, and I'm afraid each member must be left to his or her own standards, but officially, senseless and unprovoked violence is frowned upon.

NC ARA members are encouraged to act with unity and fraternity. Look around at your fellow members: black and white, male and female, atheist and theist, skinheads, and punks. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS. We must rely on each other, but not be afraid to act alone. There will be times when our brothers and sisters will not be with us, but we must not be ashamed of who we are.

Do not be afraid to act alone, either. You do not need the guidance and supervision of the local organizers in your chapters to start an Action in your city. Feel free to hand out anti-racist literature at your will, or set up a benefit show on your own. ARA does not have a hierarchy of power. We are all equal members. This is as much your chapter as it is mine. As long as you follow the Four Points of Unity, you will have your brothers and sisters in NC ARA at your side to help and support.