Anarcha Feminist Group Amsterdam: Aims and Principles

Intersectional, not Liberal

We are anarchists and we believe in intersectionality. We are against all forms of exploitation and oppression including but not limited to those based on class, race, sex, sexuality, gender or ability. Our feminism is trans and sex-worker inclusive. We believe that we can not effectively challenge the patriarchy if we do not also fight to abolish capitalism and the state. At the same time, we are tired of waiting for our own liberation, too often other forms of oppression are seen as an afterthought or as coming secondary to the class struggle. Our spaces, although they are anarchist, are not exempted from structural forms of violence and oppression. As long as we do not have effective structures in places to challenges these forms of violence they will not go away by themselves.

Aims
Our aim is to create a space that encourages education, experimentation and growth, where we can learn from each other and hold one another accountable when necessary.  Speaking of safety while living under capitalism and partrarchy does not make any practical sense. We prefer not to use the term safe spaces, because under capitalism and patriarchy safety is an illusion. Claiming that we can provide such a thing would be performative only and cause disappointment and distrust. This does not mean we should just give up. We are committed to intervening, challenging and preventing abusive and oppressive behaviours in ourselves and in others and to create resilient and strong communities that can deal with conflict without relying on carceral logic. We are committed to doing the hard work and education required to transform our communities to become more inclusive, accessible and fair to marginalised and oppressed groups.

Open Assembly
Our assemblies are open to all people that self identify as FLINTA* and who agree to our aims and principles and have a willingness to participate in the assembly. We always work on the principle of self-identification only, we will never police or question someone’s gender identity. If we have a capacity and a willingness to do so we will organise events in which cis men are invited, but we decided it was important to exclude them from our organisational structure as we believe any movement against patriarchy should be let by those most affected by it.
*
Flinta* = Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans and agender people