The Stone Mountain After Action Report from the Collective of Armed Workers

CAW was the point people for security during the counter demonstration against the fascists on Stone Mountain last weekend organized by the FrontLine Organization Working to End Racism (F.L.O.W.E.R.) and helped make it a successful outing. This is their report.

08/15/20: We arrived at the safe house for briefing at 0745. We departed at approximately 0800 to arrive in downtown prior to the counter protest rally. The security team met with other anti-fascists in the parking lot, then lead the march into the rallying space on Main Street at the Gazebo. Speeches began at approximately 0830. The security team set a perimeter and began to look for fascists. Within a short period of time the fascists set up a line on the Southern side of Main Street behind barricades. A group of anti-fascists immediately walked to the fascists. Within 10 minutes of the oppositions arrival, fights began to break out. At this point the larger protest began to split up between the line and the rally. The security force was then spread to both separate protests. Small groups of fash then began showing up on different sides of the rally and line. When the speeches ended, the entirety of the counter protest moved towards the line that had been established South of the rally. The fash retreated to the west. At this point several anti-fascists chased the fash, which split up the protesters once again. organizers and security then discussed that we needed to tighten up the protest for the safety of everyone involved. Security team and organizers attempted to slow the front of the march down, direct protesters upon a route making right turns to bring the protest back to the original rally point. Security team then directed traffic, and merged what had become two protests back into one unit. Many persons and groups followed the instructions, and attempted to stay together. The fash followed and brought reinforcements in from all sides. The fascists were vastly outnumbered, untrained, and undisciplined. Although their numbers were small, they began assaulting and instigating fights with counter protesters.

beautiful example of getting neo confederates on the retreat by simply walking towards them. take note of how especially frustrated they are that they can't even manage to stay upright! 😂🤣😂🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/GtJRvgzFn5

— Collective of Armed Workers (@ArmedWorkers) August 20, 2020

Some counter protesters stopped at the Stone Mountain First United Church, and others moved back towards the intersection of Main Street and West Mountain Street/railroad tracks that run parallel to main street. The space at the railroad tracks/intersection was intended by organizers as a point of retreat in which injuries could be assessed, and rest could be taken if needed. It was also intended as a space for any individual who was not wanting to directly participate in the violence continuing up at the church. Eventually most of the medics began treating injuries in a shady space just West of the established safe zone that was more conducive due to being closer to the church where most injuries were occurring. There were two minor car attacks with no major injuries that were defused within the space of an hour. During this same time the fascists began assaulting counter protesters with pepper spray and wasp killer spray. Wasp spray can cause neurological damage and was a coordinated attack by the fascists. Fights continued to break out throughout the protests, mainly centered around the area of the church. We had medics treating people for wasp and pepper spray, heat exhaustion and dehydration, and also other minor injuries. The security team split in order to cover both sides of the counter protest. We continued to defuse dangerous situations and watch for escalation past small skirmishes. We escorted persons to and from vehicles, stood guard over medics, assisted in deescalation, and continuous threat assessment.

Between 1200 and 1230 the organizers of the counter protest called a victory over the fascists. Our opposition was vastly outnumbered and were pushed back through a variety of tactics. The fascists were thoroughly defeated. The security team and their corresponding medical team stayed until 1300 continuing to treat injuries. Before leaving the protest, the security team gained and passed intel loudly throughout the crowd that the riot police were in route and that everyone should evacuate from the area. We reached our cars and were out of the downtown area by 1315. There were no major injuries, and no arrests. The police stood down and did not intervene for most of the day.

POINTS OF UNITY

Our members [CAW] have come together to combat the rise of fascism and to strengthen our communities.

• CAW is for the working class
• CAW opposes capitalism
• CAW is for the collective liberation of all people
• CAW believes in the right to defend against all forms of oppression
• CAW has zero tolerance for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia
• CAW is a pan-leftist organization and believes in a united front
• CAW is for the amplification of the voices of the oppressed
• CAW will not capitulate to class traitors

Yours in Solidarity,
The Collective of Armed Workers