[Marxism] Suspicious Robbery at Brecht Forum

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

> FORGIVE DUPLICATES
>
>
> Please circulate widely
> From the Board of the Brecht Forum
> March 20, 2006
>
>
>
> Community Alert
>
> Brecht Forum?s Database Computers Stolen in Suspicious Robbery
>
>
>
> We need to challenge the Patriot Act and the atmosphere of repression that 
> is growing against activists!
>
>
>
> Ø       Come to an Emergency Community Meeting at the Brecht Forum
>
> Tuesday, March 28 ? 7:30p ? 451 West St, [Between Bethune & Bank]
>
>
>
> Ø       Join us to share information about what is happening.
>
>
>
> Ø       Let us know if similar incidents have happened to your organization.
>
>                         Call us at 212-242-4201 or email us at 
> <mailto:mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
> * * * *
>
>
>
> Two principal computers at the Brecht Forum were removed on the night of 
> Thursday, March 16, in what appears to be a politically targeted theft. 
> The Brecht Forum is a 30- year old education and cultural center that 
> offers seminars and classes in political organizing and progressive 
> analysis, and serves as a meeting space for scores of local activists, 
> organizers, students and the public.
>
>
>
> According to Brecht Forum Executive Director Liz Mestres, there are strong 
> indications that this was a political theft.
>
> §       The two computers stolen held important information on the 
> organization and its constituency.
>
> §       There were several other computers of the same kind in easy reach 
> that were not touched.
>
> §       All the computers were old and not worth much for resale.
>
> §       Audio and media equipment were in plain sight in the next room.
>
> §       There were no signs of forced entry, so it is likely that whoever 
> took these machines not only had access but knew exactly what they were after.
>
>
>
> The Brecht Forum recently relocated from a loft in mid-town to a larger 
> space in the Westbeth complex on the far west side of Manhattan. A similar 
> theft of a single computer holding the database occurred about 6 years ago 
> at the old location.
>
>
>
> Throughout its existence, the Brecht Forum has been an open meeting space 
> for analysis and discussion within the left and progressive community, and 
> we have never shied away from controversial issues. For example, in the 
> last month alone, we sponsored panels on developments in Venezuela and the 
> elections in Palestine, as well as classes in Marxist theory and an 
> exhibit of Artists Against the Death Penalty.
>
>
>
> In the current political climate, when peace groups and dissenters are 
> labeled as terrorist and covertly spied on, the Board of the Brecht Forum 
> believes this has all the earmarks of an act of intimidation. Moreover, 
> because we are a center where people across the left come together, the 
> impact is aimed not just at the Brecht Forum, but against all groups 
> engaged in social change organizing across issues, from supporting 
> immigration rights, improving education, and promoting health care and 
> affordable housing, to opposing the Iraq War and imperial foreign policy.
>
>
>
> Because we believe this is not an isolated incident, we would like to hear 
> from other groups and individuals that have had similar suspicious 
> occurrences or overt acts of intimidation.
>
> §       We know we are not the only group being targeted or harassed for 
> our political activities.
>
> §       We need to act together, firmly and fast, to show we won?t be 
> frightened by such strong-arm tactics.
>
>
>
> Founded in 1975, The Brecht Forum is an educational and cultural center 
> dedicated to advancing social justice and equality. Each year, more than 
> 6,000 people attend over 200 public events that are a mix of political 
> panels, classes, lectures, book signings, music and performances. 
> <http://www.bechtforum.org/>www.brechtforum.org
>
>
>
> * * * * *
> _______________________________________________
> Brechtevents1 mailing list
> Brechtevents1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> https://lists.mayfirst.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/brechtevents1


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