Rural Spotlight: NE Alabama Socialist Rifle Association
As the alt-right continues to target and kill marginalized groups and the Left, self-defense training is sadly increasingly necessary
In late 2017, the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA), “a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in Wichita Kansas and filing as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization federally” that is “dedicated to educating on and advocating for all aspects of self and community defense” formed. Since then, the group has amassed over 6,000 members in 60 chapters across the country.
The SRA is not a militia, and does not attend protests under the SRA banner. Their aim is to educate people around firearms, and provide relief in the face of natural and man-made disasters.
Some of you may hear socialism and think of Bernie Sanders, authoritarianism, or whatever else Fox News decides to ignorantly spout on any given day. While it’s true that there’s always debate over the term, even on the left, socialism’s roots are in the idea that workers should control their own workplaces and that society’s primary function should be to take care of each other’s needs. The most inspiring form, in my humble opinion, is libertarian (stateless) socialism. This is in contrast to a capitalist economy, where bosses/the elite class—in conjunction with the State— exploit workers for profit and the market rules all.
The SRA is made up of people who envision another, more equitable and free, world. I chatted with Eugene from the North East Alabama chapter about why it’s important to train in self-defense, advice on starting a chapter (particularly in a rural setting) and more!
When did this chapter form and roughly how many people are involved (if comfortable sharing)?
Our chapter was formed in August 2019 by Joan, Mike and Eugene (me). While we do not wish to share numbers, we can say that our recruitment efforts have certainly paid off and we have far more members now than we ever thought we would. The left is surprisingly strong in Alabama.
What does your chapter do?
Currently we help new members with no experience in firearms on basics: proper grip technique, stance, how to load, and above all, firearm safety. We start out every range day by stating the four rules of firearm safety. We also go on camping trips where we get to know one another better, have monthly online meetings where we discuss the behind-the-scenes banalities of chapter business, and are hoping to begin training our members in first aid and disaster relief. As hurricane season is coming and is predicted to be bad, we want to make sure we are prepared to help our neighbors on the Gulf Coast and further inland in case the worst happens.
How has the coronavirus affected your organizing/work?
We ended up canceling our May range day due to the shelter-in-place order, and our April range day was very sparse. However, we seem to have bounced back from that with many of our members planning to come to the June range day. Coronavirus actually spurred us to have monthly non-range day meetings online instead of in person; this was helpful since our membership is pretty spread out all over Alabama. We also make it a requirement that everybody now wear a mask to our official range days and attempt to keep a 6-foot distance as much as possible at all times.
In this moment, why is it important for anti-racists and anti-capitalists to be trained in self-defense? Have you seen an uptick in interest recently?
For the SRA as a whole, there was a big uptick the day Bernie suspended his campaign and the day he endorsed Biden; this is most likely from leftists becoming disillusioned with electoral politics. However, that uptick was dwarfed by the growth in membership since the Uprising started in Minneapolis and spread to the rest of the country. The Uprising has shown leftists that through a show of force we can achieve more in two weeks than we have in 50 years of liberal electoralism and reforms, even without guns. In addition, during protests that had armed protesters, the armed protesters (if working together as a group) were usually the only ones not harassed or attacked by the police. If all protesters were open carrying, the police would come nowhere near the protests and they could demand whatever they wanted from the government.
To make matters further complicated, in Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle and elsewhere there have been constant reports of right-wing fascist militias, such as the Proud Boys, III%ers, Ku Klux Klan, and others showing up not only to disturb protesters but to begin engaging in an insurgent type of warfare. They are setting buildings on fire, intimidating people, and performing drive-by shootings. This type of attack is different from the attacks we see from police. Police operate under the assumption of a battlefield; these fascist militias want to destroy us by killing us while we sleep. Only constant community defense and staying vigilant will protect us from this. An armed and trained populace is what is needed; these fascists will not care if you say "violence only begets violence" or "only love can stop hate."
What advice would you give to someone who wants to form their own SRA chapter, particularly in a rural setting?
Great question! This was the issue I had to tackle when starting this chapter. Just as a warning, when you first begin, you will probably have to put some of your own money into printing, traveling, buying extra ammo, and other odds and ends that may not necessarily be reimbursed to you (and the SRA will never allow its funds to be used to purchase firearms or ammo, as it is a 501(c)4 nonprofit and does not wish to jeopardize that status). If you are good at graphic design, make some information cards to be used at tabling events. If you aren't, there are plenty of people in the SRA who are willing to lend a hand (reach out to me!). Go to as many leftist-style events (but not protests) as possible and set up a table (some places require you to reserve a table in advance). Have the information cards and a sign-up sheet on the table for people who want to know more. Print out a copy of the bylaws (and read them!) for people who want to know more detailed information about our organization's structure. Get used to dealing with spreadsheets - you want to keep the contact info of the people you meet handy, especially if they decide to become a member. Utilize Facebook, Instagram and Twitter ads. Learn how to personalize them so they are targeted at specific groups (you don't want conservative men to see them, because they won't join - you need to personalize them as much as possible). Offer to drive people to the range to show them one-on-one how to use a gun if they never have before. Buy extra ear and eye protection for people to borrow (don't forget to sanitize it when done!). If you have the time and money, get certified to train in firearms use and safety (the SRA is starting a program related to this). Get engaged with as many local organizations as possible, whether it be DSA, PSL, IWW or even more liberal groups. Even if some people disagree with the politics or radicalness of certain groups, there will be people in them that are interested to hear your message. Focus on marginalized groups as well - go to meetings of local LGBTQ groups, black churches, immigrant rights groups, etc. Emphasize the fact that this is about self and community defense, nothing more. Emphasize the mutual aid and disaster relief efforts the SRA does. Be wary of possible infiltrators. Learn to ask probing questions of people who are interested to see how "left" they are and what their true intentions are. Most of all, be PATIENT. Your chapter absolutely will not grow overnight. You may get two people in three months. It's a slow process, and you will have people who will drop out. Only commit to starting a chapter if you are willing to see it through. If you have problems making commitments, leave it to someone who can stick with it.
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