A full-day of talks and trainings on topics related to movement defense! State repression is an unavoidable issue for successful movements, how do we support and sustain movements in the face of it? Join organizers, lawyers, and researchers to learn what we can do and to participate in these important conversations.
All talks will take place on Saturday 3/14 in north loop, at Barrett’s Too (formerly Double Trouble) and Monkeywrench Books. On Sunday 3/15 there will be a Community Jail Support event and a Town Hall. The Austin Lawyers Guild will be tabling and is happy to connect with people and tell them about the work they do and what kind of services they offer.
Schedule and Abstracts:
Stronger Together: Strategies for Collective Defense in a Changing World 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM • Barrett’s Too
When our movements face repression, we can become divided. The American legal system is premised on an “every person for themself” mentality that breeds atomization in the legal process and keeps us from accessing the very thing that keeps us safe: each other. Join us in a discussion with Movement Lawyer, George Lobb, Austin Lawyers Guild Attorney, Karly Jo Dixon, and Members of the DFW Prairieland Support Committee who will discuss strategies for collectivizing legal defense for folks facing political charges. Come to learn tactics on organizing those accused of charges to fight their cases together, bringing lawyers on board, and how our movements win when we stand strong, together.
Reflections on Counter-Repression and Counter-Insurgency 1:00 PM -2:00 PM • Barrett’s Too
How do we stay strong and connected when the state aims to make us weak and fractured? Join Will Munger, author of Life During War Time: Resisting Counter Insurgency, and local Austin criminal defense lawyer for a discussion on political repression and counter-insurgency, what it is, why it happens, and what movements can do to navigate through it.
Organizing Against Surveillance Tech 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Barrett’s Too
AI powered surveillance tech is on everyone’s lips. From Palintir, to AXON, to Flock, the paradigm of modern policing has shifted towards utilizing this new frontier of technologies. Join this discussion, featuring the DSA’s Anti-Flock Campaign and a border technologies researcher, to discuss mass surveillance, what it mean for social movements, and how we can organize amongst and against it.
Walkouts & Encampments: Student Movements & Student Defense 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Barrett’s Too
Students are leading the moment, but face unique challenges when they organize. From criminal charges to expulsions, learn from students, organizers, and movement lawyers how students win when they get organized.
Jail Support Training 5:00 – 7:00 PM • Monkey Wrench Books
Join several experienced Austin organizers for a jail support training. What happens when you get arrested in Austin? What is jail support? Why does it matter? How do you do it effectively?
Sunday Community Jail Support and Town Hall
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Travis County Jail
Gather with us for community jail support at Travis County Jail. From Noon to 3pm to discuss the ways in which jail support can disrupt state violence in our communities. We’ll read zines together and have an open discussion about what we’ve learned at Smash By and what we hope to see in the future. Food and drinks will be available.
