Holding Power Ourselves
building our strength, not the state's

We shall carry out all possible reforms in the spirit in which an army advances ever forwards by snatching the enemy-occupied territory in its path. And we shall always remain hostile to any government

—Errico Malatesta, "Anarchism and Reforms" (1924)

Voting is still not harm reduction. It changes who is in charge of this colonial empire, but it doesn't change its foundations. We elect our rulers on a regular basis, but neither side is on our side. Neither actively supports our rights nor is it in their interests to defend them. The ruling class will always be a separate class from us. Those among us who become our rulers are switching sides.

In order to make the government follow our demands, it must be in their best interests to follow them. We need to build up enough power to make them terrified of what we will do if they don't listen to the people. Protests used to be a thinly-veiled threat: these are the people on our side, listen or we will escalate.

Every ounce of energy spent campaigning for politicians, every drop of sweat spent door knocking and canvassing, every breath spent begging your representatives to listen would be better spent building our own movement. When our energy is invested into the system, the system will do as it wants with it. When our energy is invested into building our power, it can only take through force.

Once our movement gains power and popularity, the government will bend. Local members of our movement will be elected into office. Concessions from the government will be made to try to keep more people from feeling like they need to join us.

Our focus must be on growing our strength and autonomy. Our own power must be developed before focusing on getting another power to acquiesce to our demands. Make the state think twice about dismissing the demands of the people. Participate in protests, but tunnel that energy into local organizations that prefigure a new world. Vote if you want, but make sure you're also working to build up the power of the people, not just the state.

So vote November 2nd if it seems right to you Don't vote if you think it just holds us down Just tell me what we're gonna do on November 3rd To make sure there's no government left to elect two years from now

—Pat the Bunny, "Of Ballots and Barricades"