April 17th: V for Vendetta, A for Anarchy!

Anarchist Comrades:

We are writing to encourage anarchists everywhere to organize creative actions on Monday, April 17th, to bring the notion of anarchy to viewers of the Hollywood film, V for Vendetta , a watered-down adaptation of Alan Moore’s classic anarchist graphic novel by the same name. April 17th marks the one month anniversary of the US release of V for Vendetta, but in many countries the film is just now premiering.

Actions can include leafletting, street theater, setting up lit tables at theaters, postering campaigns--anything to bring the concept of anarchy to people who've never been exposed to our philosophy. In NYC for example, we will be dressing up in V costumes, and having V symbolically "assassinate" government and the state and act out "deleted scenes”­acting out portions of the graphic novel where V speaks in support of anarchy. (We are also flyering in costume at theaters on Fridays and Saturdays while the film is in theaters.)

With these events we hope to educate moviegoers and draw media attention.

While many of us are skeptical of the corporate and in some cases even the alternative media, they can be a powerful vehicle for getting the attention of large numbers of people. Consider this article about us, from a newspaper that ran us as their cover story (http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/They_wanna_be_anarchy/1828.html). While we obviously can’t expect them to accurately represent our entire message, we can at least use them to pique people’s curiosity and drive people to the website, where we can present an unfiltered message. To this end, we have prepared a model press release available on the website that you can send to your local media documenting your V for Vendetta related outreach activities., and will be sending an international press release, which can include information on your local actions if you email it to adam@wetlands-preserve.org or call Adam at (201) 928-2831 (or from outside the US: 00 +1 (201) 928-2831) .

However we recognize that some groups may choose to do actions, but may not want to invite media. This is fine, but either way, PLEASE inform us of any action you will be taking. Email aforanarchy@gmail.com

To assist you in planning your action, we have created a number of ideas and tools that we hope you will find helpful. (Further information and downloads can be found at http://AforAnarchy.com in the Contact & Press section):

We have prepared a flyer to distribute at your local movie theater where V is showing revealing the graphic novel’s anarchist politics and encouraging moviegoers to embrace anarchy. We’ve deliberately kept the politics fairly general in an attempt to create a document that can represent anarchists of all tendencies. Feel free to modify it to suit the needs of your local community. And of course, if you don’t like this flyer, by all means, create one that you prefer.

* Ideas on how to make V costumes (http://homepage.mac.com/anon.csc/aforanarchy/images/VCostumetips.pdf)

*Informational press kit to copy and distribute to reporters (http://homepage.mac.com/anon.csc/aforanarchy/images/Press%20Kit.zip)

* Access to a massive list of local journalists, including reporters in your area that you can fax press releases to (email adam@wetlands-preserve.org for details).

We have designed sticker mock-ups to promote the website that you can download, print on sticker paper, and stick all sorts of places (http://homepage.mac.com/anon.csc/aforanarchy/images/stickers.pdf). Of course, we DO NOT suggest that you put them on V for Vendetta movie ads, as this would be vandalism, and vandalism is against the law.

We invite you to use these resources and join us in any or all of the actions listed above. Our hope is to lead moviegoers to a far more radical place than the corporate filmmakers at Warner Bros intended, and help to bring thousands of new people to the anarchist movement. We thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

For Anarchy,

AforAnarchy.com - (an ad hoc collective of New York City anarchists)