Dragon Distro is an anarchist literature distributor serving up radical zines, books, stickers, how-to guides, and other inspirational goodies for Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Bloom Collective is an infoshop and lending library located at 1134 Wealthy St SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have a selection of books and DVDs pertaining to anarchism and other issues. There is also a flyer board with upcoming events. Check their website for current hours or find them on Facebook.
Grand Rapids is home to an active chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The union has been at the forefront of the effort to organize Starbucks and has held numerous protests at Starbucks restaurants and one union organizer has even been fired from the company. Their blog—GRSBUXUNION.BLOGSPOT.COM–has info on the ongoing struggles.
The Really, Really Free Market
Monthly—at least during the warmer months—Really, Really Free Markets are held in Grand Rapids. While not specifically anarchist, the markets—where everything is free and where people can take whatever it is that they need—operate on anarchist principles. Upcoming markets are announced on Facebook and the group that organizes them is on Facebook as “Good Morning Revolution.”
The West Michigan Punk & Hardcore Scene
The Grand Rapids and broader West Michigan punk scene has always been a constituency and sometimes a base for anarchist politics. While anarchism’s prominence in the scene has peaked and declined at various times, the punk underground plays a prominent role in politicizing many anarchists. Grand Rapids Is Screaming is a great source for finding out more about the local scene.
MICHIGAN CONTACTS
Lansing
- Bash Back Lansing – The Lansing, Michigan chapter of the national radical queer/trans group.
- North Star Center – Located at 106 Lathrop Street, the North Star Center is “a radical community space and events venue committed to social justice and building a culture of resistance.”
Detroit
- Industrial Workers of the World – There is a Detroit chapter of the “one big union.” You can email them at detroit@iwww.org or contact them via mail at 22514 Brittany Ave, East Detroit, MI 48021.
- Solidarity & Defense – Solidarity & Defense is “a small but growing alliance of anti-authoritarian militants active in both the workplace and the community” that is active in their community and in broader anarchist struggles.
- Fifth Estate is a long running anti-authoritarian/anarchist newspaper that was once published out of Detroit. Now the collective is spread out, but Michigan members still play a strong role.
- Black & Red Books – Black & Red publishes anti-authoritarian books and pamphlets and has a history dating back to the 1960s.
- First of May Anarchist Alliance - m1aa@riseup.net
P.O.Box 15455 Detroit, MI 48215 USA - The Trumbullplex – The Trumbullplex is a long-running show space and collective house in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood. It is located at 4210 & 4204 Trumbull.
Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Food Not Bombs – Kalamazoo has a chapter of Food Not Bombs–a radical food distribution/reclamation program. You can contact them via email at zoofeed@riseup.net.
- Kalamazoo Peace Center – While not specifically anarchist, the Kalamazoo Peace Center is a good place to connect with anarchists and other radicals in Kalamazoo.
Mount Pleasant
- Mount Pleasant Free School – The Mount Pleasant Free School is a good way to connect with radicals in Mount Pleasant. You can email them at mpfreeschool@gmail.com
MySpace
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