Pittsburgh Organizing Group
This spring, Pittsburgh Organizing Group (POG) picked up a few new members after holding a “POGluck”—an occasional meet-‘n-greet orientation that allows folks who are interested in getting involved with the group to learn about its history, philosophies, activities and member expectations, while sharing food and getting to know each other. The annual Anarchist Ball, “Month of May Masquerade,” proved to be an enchanted evening. Attendees danced the night away behind creative masks of all sorts. We raised about $1,000, which will aid in the continued publication of the Steel City Revolt!, our local anarchist magazine. In June, POG members held a workshop called “Are We Addicted to Rioting?” at the United States Social Forum in Detroit. As part of the anarchist and anti-authoritarian “New World from Below” track, POG presenters engaged social movement participants in discussion around the importance of a diversity of efforts, delving into ways that both community organizing and confrontational tactics are necessary to help catalyze resistance. On July 3, POG will hold its annual Anarchist Picnic to reclaim radical traditions with history trivia, music, food, “three-legged races to the bottom,” water balloons and an agent-of-the-state-themed piñata. Later in July, POG members will be heading out into the woods for a retreat to reflect, evaluate, brainstorm and strategize. For more information, or to get involved, contact us at our brand new e-mail address: info {AT} organizepittsburgh [DOT] org.