Tragedy in Las Vegas

Jacksonville ABC has been collectively working on a book about handgun tactics for protection and defense. The purpose of the book is to bring light to the reality of possible dangers political groups may be faced with and give an introduction to ways we could defend ourselves. In the first chapter we sight the reasons we, as a political movement, need protection. At the end of the chapter we warn that we should not wait for someone to be made an example of before we act. Our book though complete, has not even been printed yet and an example has already been made...

Two members of the Anti Racist Action in Las Vegas, Nevada were found murdered in the desert. Lin Newborn, 24 and Daniel Shersty, 20 were found 150 yards apart in the desert on the morning of July 4th, 1998. Neither victim had been robbed. They were shot in the chest with a shotgun, left with no evidence of why they were killed or by whom.

Precisely what lead to their deaths may not be certain but one month prior to the murders a third friend had been hospitalized after an attack by Nazi Skinheads. The police offer no insight on the murders. All that comrades, friends, and family were able to do is mourn their loss.

The ARA, as an organization, is known for publicly confronting racist groups like Nazi Skinheads. To take actions like this and not be prepared for retaliation is naive and borderline suicidal. It must be realized that the opposition is serious and will not take things lightly. They take themselves seriously and we must take them as a threat seriously.

It is not a good idea to count on police for protection, especially since many left organizations see the police as enemies. There is also the real possibility that the police might be the ones you need
protection from.

The answer to these problems is to create organizational defense structures capable of protecting membership as well as the organizations political interests.

This is not a new idea. It was promoted by the Black Panther Party in the 60s and 70 s. Many have the impression that the Panthers stance on self defense was confrontational, but it was actually what kept them alive. The main difference we have with the BPP is that their position on self defense was that of building a guerrilla force capable of defending the black community from colonialism. Our position is of building organizational membership who are capable of their own personal protection.

The left does not come from a strong gun culture. Most of its ideology does not even consider the use of the firearm until it is absolutely necessary. This is possibly why much of the armed struggle generated from the left has been unsuccessful, proficiency is not generated over night. Our right wing opposites do come from a strong gun culture. This is a place where people are taught from youth about how to protect themselves and the values of the right to bear arms. This has a lot to do with the reasons that the militia movement comes from mostly a right wing background.

The West Palm Beach, FL chapter of Skinhead for Racial Holy War (SFRHW) has its own defensive structures. The White Berets and White Rangers were created in order to defend SFRHW and its property. Their mission statement requires all membership to own a legal handgun and maintain a reasonable proficiency with it. Although we do agree with building protective groups within an organization as opposed to building standing armies such as the militia movement, it is important to avoid the gun shop commando mentality that seems to be the dominating force in the right wing movement. The gun shop commando does not really understand defensive tactics, but is obsessed with stock piling weapons that LOOK menacing but are of no practical value. This type of person is acting out and showing off, a true professional, as we must be, is discrete.

One of the most professional security organizations within any political movement is The Fruit Of Islam. The Fruit Of Islam provide protection for the Nation Of Islam as well as sell their professional services to outside organizations. The problem with using private security firms is that they work only for money and may betray you for more money. The FOI security is bound by an honorable sense of duty and do not do the work for the money. To my knowledge the FOI do not carry guns. This is a good example of the fact that it is not the weapons but the operator that makes the difference.

Although having an internal security organization is a valuable and necessary for survival, when it is your very life that is in jeopardy, depending on others is a heavy risk. This is why becoming self sufficient is necessary. There is nothing more important than having the ability to protect ones self. This should start on an individual level and then move to organizational security. If an individual can not handle a situation then they may call on their organization to step in. This may not seem possible since most attacks come by surprise but we are often given more warning signals than we realize. The initial attack on the ARA members friend should have been a sign that violence may occur. That is when EXTRA precautions should have been put into effect. Basic precautions should have already been taken.

Lets learn from the sacrifice of Lin and Daniel and prepare ourselves. Build a new movement, one that is capable of being responsible for its own. Do not get a false sense of security by simply buying weapons, a real and responsible understanding is what will really matter.

Jacksonville ABC-BG