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Tag: Donald Trump

Beyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018
A worn analog alarm clock with a water-stained face sits atop a cracked wooden surface. (Pixabay / Monoar, public domain)
January 6, 2018
Kit
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Beyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018

Posted in Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

2017 was a challenging year, but one that was actually rewarding on a personal level.

I began the year by losing my job at MintPress News, but by the end of the 2017 I’d accepted a position as editor of Ministry of Hemp, a niche media site that’s still in its early stages but rapidly growing into a respected voice.

I started Gonzo Notes in late 2016, and during 2017 it reached many new people and became an important part of my monthly output. One issue, “What Are The Antifa Doing After Harvey?” was quoted internationally.  My writing career continues to grow more rewarding in all kinds of ways, especially in the feedback and support I get from my readers.

Read moreBeyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018
Don’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)
An armored and helmeted riot cop menacingly holds a shield as he movs down a street blocked by police vehicles. Washington, D.C. January 20, 2017. (Flickr / Joe Catron, CC NC license)
November 24, 2017
Kit
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Don’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)

Posted in Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

A year after Donald Trump’s election and, despite everything that’s happened, some on the left want the “resistance” to stay home.

No one expected all of the thousands upon thousands who came out for the Women’s March and other inaugural protests to stay engaged, but many have remained, protesting outside lawmakers offices against brutal cuts to health care or inhumane tax plans. Others have organized around radical, anarchist, socialist, and antifascist movements and issues of all kinds.

Overall though, the picture is grim despite some recent electoral victories (for those who put stock in voting). Each day brings some new atrocity or takes us a step closer to a pointless, brutal new war with whomever President Skidmark offends on Twitter.

Read moreDon’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)
Kit On Online Privacy & Repression Under Trump, Media Lies About Cannabis On Halloween
Activists hold protest signs during demonstrations against the inauguration of Pres. Donald Trump on January 20, 2017. (Flickr / Joe Catron, CC NC license)
November 1, 2017
Kit
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Kit On Online Privacy & Repression Under Trump, Media Lies About Cannabis On Halloween

Posted in Act Out!, Audio, Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp

Once a month, I appear on Black Tower Radio.

This time, Jake and I discussed what the media got wrong about cannabis edibles and CBD candy on Halloween 2017. Then, we talked about the American police state after Trump’s inauguration, the J20 defendants, and some simple alternatives to Google and Twitter.

Read moreKit On Online Privacy & Repression Under Trump, Media Lies About Cannabis On Halloween
Masked Up For Your Protection: In Praise Of Black Bloc Heroes (#GonzoNotes)
A black bloc activist turns to look at the camera, in a group of others dressed in similar black hoodies and face masks. Tahrir Square, Egypt, February 6, 2013. (Flickr / Ella, CC NC license)
October 30, 2017
Kit
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Masked Up For Your Protection: In Praise Of Black Bloc Heroes (#GonzoNotes)

Posted in Austin, Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

What do you feel when you see the black bloc?

I feel pride, solidarity, and hope.

Though their faces are masked, I see a group of beautiful humans willing to get injured or imprisoned in order to keep all of us safer.

What the mainstream media wants you to feel is fear. Strangely, they want you to feel the opposite around the police, who come out to the protest dressed for war, driving military vehicles and with a sniper team ready on the roof tops. In addition to bullets, they’ve got bean bag guns, pepper bombs, noise cannons, the whole array of nightmarish “less lethal” weaponry that late stage capitalism can bring to bear.

Meanwhile, the black bloc have just their bare hands and their bodies, or if they’re lucky, a handful of flags on sticks and some homemade shields.

Read moreMasked Up For Your Protection: In Praise Of Black Bloc Heroes (#GonzoNotes)
Pushing Back Against The Demonization Of Antifa
Graffiti on a wall in Portugal, under green ivy, reads "Antifa," with the "A"s inside circles to create an anarchy symbol. December 11, 2010. (Flickr / kellerabtell)
September 4, 2017
Kit
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Pushing Back Against The Demonization Of Antifa

Posted in Audio, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

Kit O’Connell talks with Scott Harris of Counterpoint Radio about Antifa’s philosophy and views on the danger posed by the Trump presidency and the rise of white supremacist, Neo-Nazi, KKK and “Alt-Right” groups nationwide. He also examines the media coverage Antifa has received, much of it demonizing the movement’s activists as committing indiscriminate violence equivalent to that of extreme right wing groups.

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A Brief Timeline Of Fascist Activity In Austin, Texas Since The 2016 Election
Antifascist activists face off with Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers in riot armor at the June 10, 2017 counterprotest to the "March Against Sharia." (Flickr / Ann Harkness, CC license)
June 26, 2017
Kit
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A Brief Timeline Of Fascist Activity In Austin, Texas Since The 2016 Election

Posted in Austin, Creative Commons, and Journalism

Summer 2016 – present: Emboldened by the increasing success of Donald Trump and the “alt-right” fascist agenda, white supremacist groups step up recruiting and propaganda efforts on college campuses. Racist posters & graffiti tied to white supremacist groups like Vanguard America and Identity Evropa routinely appear on and around UT Austin.

November 19, 2016: The hate group “White Lives Matter” stages a protest outside the Texas Capitol to coincide with the unveiling of the African American History Memorial. The white supremacists are met by an overwhelming force of counter protesters, but are defended by Austin Police Department horse cops and Texas DPS State Troopers in armored riot gear. A handful of arrests are made but the fascist event is effectively surrounded and shut down.

March 4, 2017: The far right rallies at Woolridge Square park as part of a national “March 4 Trump” day of action on “Confederate Flag Day.” Local organizers include known fascist Jennifer Drabbant. Trump supporters happily march and rally side by side with neo-nazis and fascist 4chan trolls. A small counter-protest is surrounded by violent fascists, including Gregorio Rendon who assaults activist and gonzo journalist Kit O’Connell by slamming him head-first into a lamp post. Kit is arrested by Austin Police Department and charged with misdemeanor assault, while Gregorio is briefly held in cuffs than released without charges. Kit is admitted to the hospital with injuries to his head, arm and leg.

Read moreA Brief Timeline Of Fascist Activity In Austin, Texas Since The 2016 Election