Capital Terminus Collective
Encyclopedia
The Capital Terminus Collective (CTC), was an anarchist group based in Atlanta, Georgia
with sympathetic or contributing members throughout that state. It was affiliated with NEFAC
and shared some members with the Atlanta group of the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW) . One of its members is an octogenarian and was a fighter in the anarchist Durruti Column
during the Spanish Civil War
. The group engages in various political activities including pamphleting, demonstrating against groups such as The 21st Century Paul Revere Ride and Hammerskins
, and building community ties and awareness.
in 2004 to create an anarchist collective
in Atlanta, and early in 2005, a few locals began holding study groups on anarchism
and political theory. Apart from the study groups, the collective began organizing to promote the idea of a Southeast anarchist-communist federation
, much like that of NEFAC
, or FAI
of Iberia
.
In April 2005, with the intent of further spreading their desire to form a Southeastern anarchist-communist federation, members of CTC attended the 2nd annual Southeast Anarchist Network (SEANET) gathering in Charleston, SC. Capital Terminus held a workshop
in the idea, and proposed it to the assembly, however, most of the attendees were not necessarily convinced of the idea. The collective continued however to spread the idea as best they could to parts of the Southeast.
, Atlanta, and Athens, GA, as well as observers from the Northwestern Anarchist Federation (NAF) and participants from the labor union UNITE-HERE. At the beginning of the conference, it was clear that a federation was a goal that was too long term, and the conference became a "second formation" of the collective. The collective membership boosted to at least two-dozen, and potential for an effective organization was realized, and CTC was re-organized into three working groups. Two working groups were to focus on issues sorted out and elected by the assembly, which were Self-defense
/Women's rights
and the other Counter-recruitment
/Anti-militarism. The third working group was for constant production of the newsletter, Anarchist Atlanta, and production and maintenance of a website. Coordinators were elected for each working groups and each acted autonomously within the whole. Prior to the Conference, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer had not been re-elected because of the short lived life so far, and the two offices were reorgnanized and new people were elected.
games with information concerning military enlistment, opt-out forms, and sign-up lists to receive more information. As the football season of that year ended, talk of doing the same thing at basketball
games was discussed among the two groups, but nothing came of it. The GPJC continued with the efforts as CTC left the project.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
with sympathetic or contributing members throughout that state. It was affiliated with NEFAC
NEFAC
NEFAC is a platformist anarchist communist organization based in the northeast region of the United States...
and shared some members with the Atlanta group of the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW) . One of its members is an octogenarian and was a fighter in the anarchist Durruti Column
Durruti Column
The Durruti Column was the largest anarchist column formed during the Spanish Civil War . During the first months of the war it has come to be the most recognized and popular military organisations fighting at the republican side...
during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. The group engages in various political activities including pamphleting, demonstrating against groups such as The 21st Century Paul Revere Ride and Hammerskins
Hammerskins
The Hammerskins, are a white supremacist group formed in 1988 in Dallas, Texas.The Hammerskins' primary focus is the production and promotion of white power rock music, and many white power bands were affiliated with the group. The Hammerskins were affiliated with the record label 9% Productions...
, and building community ties and awareness.
Birth
It was the idea of a few Atlanta attendees of the Million Worker MarchMillion Worker March
The Million Worker March was a rally against perceived attacks upon working families in America and what organizers described as millions of jobs lost during the Bush administration with the complicity of the Congress of the United States....
in 2004 to create an anarchist collective
Collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project to achieve a common objective...
in Atlanta, and early in 2005, a few locals began holding study groups on anarchism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
and political theory. Apart from the study groups, the collective began organizing to promote the idea of a Southeast anarchist-communist federation
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
, much like that of NEFAC
NEFAC
NEFAC is a platformist anarchist communist organization based in the northeast region of the United States...
, or FAI
Federación Anarquista Ibérica
The Federación Anarquista Ibérica is a Spanish organization of anarchist militants active within affinity groups inside the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo trade union. It is often abbreviated as CNT-FAI because of the close relationship between the two organizations...
of Iberia
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
.
In April 2005, with the intent of further spreading their desire to form a Southeastern anarchist-communist federation, members of CTC attended the 2nd annual Southeast Anarchist Network (SEANET) gathering in Charleston, SC. Capital Terminus held a workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
in the idea, and proposed it to the assembly, however, most of the attendees were not necessarily convinced of the idea. The collective continued however to spread the idea as best they could to parts of the Southeast.
July 2005 Conference
In July 2005, the CTC held the conference that was meant to establish a Southeastern anarchist-communist federation. Attending were people from North GeorgiaNorth Georgia
North Georgia is the hilly to mountainous northern region of the U.S. state of Georgia. At the time of the arrival of settlers from Europe, it was inhabited largely by the Cherokee. The counties of North Georgia were often scenes of important events in the history of Georgia...
, Atlanta, and Athens, GA, as well as observers from the Northwestern Anarchist Federation (NAF) and participants from the labor union UNITE-HERE. At the beginning of the conference, it was clear that a federation was a goal that was too long term, and the conference became a "second formation" of the collective. The collective membership boosted to at least two-dozen, and potential for an effective organization was realized, and CTC was re-organized into three working groups. Two working groups were to focus on issues sorted out and elected by the assembly, which were Self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
/Women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
and the other Counter-recruitment
Counter-recruitment
Counter-recruitment is a strategy often taken up to oppose war. Counter-recruitment is an attempt to prevent military recruiters from enlisting civilians into the military. There are several methods commonly utilized in a counter-recruitment campaign, ranging from the political speech to direct...
/Anti-militarism. The third working group was for constant production of the newsletter, Anarchist Atlanta, and production and maintenance of a website. Coordinators were elected for each working groups and each acted autonomously within the whole. Prior to the Conference, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer had not been re-elected because of the short lived life so far, and the two offices were reorgnanized and new people were elected.
Self Defense/Women's Rights
In the following months, the Women's rights working group would decide to create a women's self-defense class as well as produce small leaflets to distribute throughout the community. These were coined "info-bombs." The classes fell through due to external complications and as to this date, the infobombs are still being produced.Counter-recruitment/Anti-militarism
At the beginning of the school-year, CTC met with Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition and adhered to their plan to flyer local footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
games with information concerning military enlistment, opt-out forms, and sign-up lists to receive more information. As the football season of that year ended, talk of doing the same thing at basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
games was discussed among the two groups, but nothing came of it. The GPJC continued with the efforts as CTC left the project.