Posted on Wed, Jul. 07, 2004

Non-violence group ousts anarchists

By David L. Beck

Mercury News

The Santa Cruz anarchists who rent basement space from the Resource Center for Nonviolence have been told to leave.

The reason?

A clash of philosophies, said Kyle Sirman, at the Anarchist Infoshop.

Incompatibility, said Bob Fitch, a Resource Center official.

The anarchists have ``been unable to create a continuity of safe and welcoming atmosphere,'' said Fitch, who manages the property.

But Sirman said Fitch told the group there was too much traffic and not enough personal hygiene. Some of the complaints, Sirman quoted Fitch as saying, ``had to do with us smelling.''

The Resource Center sells books and bumper stickers, offers draft counseling and speakers, and sponsors such events as Friday evening peace vigils and house parties to raise money for rebuilding Palestinian homes. One of its founders is Scott Kennedy, mayor of Santa Cruz.

The anarchists, meanwhile, lend and sell books and anarchist magazines, pamphlets and fliers about upcoming events such as ``Feral Visions Against Civilization.'' Their tiny ``infoshop'' includes several rows of jars that Sirman called an herb library.

``It's not an eviction,'' said Fitch, who was annoyed that the Anarchist Infoshop had issued a news release about it. ``To make it into a big campaign is really inappropriate,'' he said.

The anarchists see it differently, according to their news release: ``We feel that some form of public space like our infoshop is essential to developing a revolutionary community in Santa Cruz.''