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Anarchism in New York City: From Schwab Saloon to Occupy Wall Street

Clarence Mitchell

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Published in Radical Gotham: Anarchism In New York City From Schwab S Saloon To Occupy Wall Street

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Anarchism has a long and storied history in New York City. From its early days in the Lower East Side to its resurgence in the Occupy Wall Street movement, anarchism has been a force for social change in the city.

Radical Gotham: Anarchism in New York City from Schwab's Saloon to Occupy Wall Street

by Charles Adams

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Early Years

The first anarchists in New York City were German immigrants who arrived in the city in the 1840s and 1850s. These immigrants were fleeing the political repression of their homeland, and they brought with them a strong commitment to individual liberty and self-government.

One of the most prominent early anarchists in New York City was Johann Most. Most was a German journalist and revolutionary who arrived in the city in 1882. He quickly became a leading figure in the anarchist movement, and he founded the newspaper Freiheit (Freedom). Freiheit was a popular anarchist publication, and it helped to spread the ideas of anarchism to a wider audience.

In 1886, Most was arrested and charged with inciting the Haymarket Square bombing in Chicago. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. Most's imprisonment was a major blow to the anarchist movement in New York City, but it did not extinguish the movement's flame.

The Lower East Side

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Lower East Side of New York City was a hotbed of anarchist activity. The neighborhood was home to a large population of Jewish and Italian immigrants, who were drawn to anarchism's message of social justice and economic equality.

One of the most famous anarchist meeting places on the Lower East Side was the Schwab Saloon. The Schwab Saloon was a German-language tavern that was owned by a German anarchist named Max Schwab. The saloon was a popular gathering place for anarchists, and it was often the site of political meetings and debates.

Another important anarchist organization on the Lower East Side was the Ferrer Center. The Ferrer Center was founded in 1910 by the anarchist educator and publisher Francisco Ferrer. The center offered a variety of educational and cultural programs, and it quickly became a popular gathering place for anarchists and other radicals.

The 20th Century

The anarchist movement in New York City continued to grow in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, the city was home to a number of anarchist newspapers and magazines, including The Anarchist, Mother Earth, and The Blast.

In the 1930s, the anarchist movement in New York City was weakened by the rise of fascism and communism. Many anarchists were forced to flee the city, and those who remained were often harassed and persecuted by the authorities.

After World War II, the anarchist movement in New York City began to revive. In the 1950s and 1960s, a new generation of anarchists emerged, inspired by the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement.

In the 1970s, the anarchist movement in New York City was once again on the rise. The city was home to a number of anarchist collectives and cooperatives, and there were regular anarchist demonstrations and protests.

Occupy Wall Street

The Occupy Wall Street movement was a major resurgence of anarchism in New York City. The movement began in 2011, and it was sparked by anger over the economic inequality and corporate greed that had led to the 2008 financial crisis.

The Occupy Wall Street movement was a decentralized and leaderless movement, and it was organized largely through social media. The movement's participants came from all walks of life, and they shared a common goal of creating a more just and equitable society.

The Occupy Wall Street movement was a major success, and it helped to raise awareness of the problems of economic inequality and corporate greed. The movement also helped to revive the anarchist movement in New York City, and it inspired a new generation of anarchists.

Anarchism has been a force for social change in New York City for over a century. The anarchist movement in the city has its roots in the Lower East Side, and it has been revived in recent years by the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Anarchism is a diverse and multifaceted movement, and it has no single definition. However, anarchists generally share a belief in individual liberty, self-government, and social justice. Anarchists believe that a better world is possible, and they are working to create it.

Radical Gotham: Anarchism in New York City from Schwab's Saloon to Occupy Wall Street

by Charles Adams

5 out of 5