Revolutionary Anarchist Bowling League
Encyclopedia
The Revolutionary Anarchist Bowling League (RABL) was an anarchist group, founded in 1987 and based in the U.S. state of Minnesota
. The group gained notoriety when, in connection with a protest in Minneapolis against President Ronald Reagan
's announced invasion
of Nicaragua
, a bowling ball was thrown through the window of a military recruiting center, presumably by someone associated with RABL.
and the Baldies
were involved with RABL and successfully sought to bring anarchist politics into ARA's program.
In 1991 RABL formally dissolved itself into the Twin Cities local of Love and Rage
(which also included members of The Blast and AWOL, two other Twin Cities anarchist groups affiliated with Love and Rage.
RABL's politics were explicitly pro-working class, feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist and the group sought to develop a distinct trend witin the North American anarchist scene that it defined as "revolutionary anarchism." RABL played the leading role in organizing Love and Rage
and was often accused of harboring semi-Marxist or Leninist politics expressed most clearly in the group's support for national liberation struggles and its organizational vision which shared certain characteristics with the Leninist concept of a cadre organization.
-style activists preparing for the 2008 Republican National Convention
in St. Paul, MN. In one scene, an activist carrying a bowling ball emblazoned with a large "RABL" sticker knocks down a set of pins in front of a U.S. Navy Officer Recruiting office.
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. The group gained notoriety when, in connection with a protest in Minneapolis against President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's announced invasion
Invasion
An invasion is a military offensive consisting of all, or large parts of the armed forces of one geopolitical entity aggressively entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a...
of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, a bowling ball was thrown through the window of a military recruiting center, presumably by someone associated with RABL.
History
RABL was founded by members of the Back Room Anarchist Books collective who wanted to develop a more militant, explicitly revolutionary and pro-organizational anarchist politics. The group published an irregular newsletter/newspaper, "RABL Rouser" and participated in a variety of political and social struggles in the Twin Cities. RABL's first action was participation in an occupation of an abandoned house with homeless activists and members of the poor people's organization, Up and Out of Poverty. But RABL's most important work was in the movement against U.S. intervention in Central America. In March 1988, RABL emerged as a leading force among Twin Cities youth who responded militantly to the mobilization of thousands of U.S. troops to the border of Honduras and Nicaragua in apparent preparation for an invasion of Nicaragua. RABL's role in a series of confrontational anti-war demonstrations (including the attack on the military recruiting station) won it many new members and made it a significant force within the Twin Cities progressive scene. Some of the members of Anti-Racist ActionAnti-Racist Action
The Anti-Racist Action Network is a decentralized network of anti-fascist and anti-racists in North America. ARA activists organize actions to disrupt neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and help organize activities against fascist and racist ideologies. ARA groups also oppose sexism,...
and the Baldies
Baldies
Baldies was a real time strategy video game for the Atari Jaguar CD, DOS, Microsoft windows, the PlayStation, Amiga and the Sega Saturn. It was initially released for the Jaguar in 1995, followed by the PC version, which was released Nov 28, 1996...
were involved with RABL and successfully sought to bring anarchist politics into ARA's program.
In 1991 RABL formally dissolved itself into the Twin Cities local of Love and Rage
Love and Rage
The Love and Rage Revolutionary Anarchist Federation was formed in the United States in 1993 out of the remaining groups in the Love and Rage Network.-Background:...
(which also included members of The Blast and AWOL, two other Twin Cities anarchist groups affiliated with Love and Rage.
Character
RABL sought to combine humor and theatricality in its actions with a commitment to serious revolutionary politics with mixed results. It often used bowling-themed props, banners and chants when participating in demonstrations, but refused to elevate "being funny" to a point of principle.RABL's politics were explicitly pro-working class, feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist and the group sought to develop a distinct trend witin the North American anarchist scene that it defined as "revolutionary anarchism." RABL played the leading role in organizing Love and Rage
Love and Rage
The Love and Rage Revolutionary Anarchist Federation was formed in the United States in 1993 out of the remaining groups in the Love and Rage Network.-Background:...
and was often accused of harboring semi-Marxist or Leninist politics expressed most clearly in the group's support for national liberation struggles and its organizational vision which shared certain characteristics with the Leninist concept of a cadre organization.
RNC Welcoming Committee
A tongue-in-cheek Internet video We're getting ready! RNC Welcoming Committee trailer posted online in August 2007 features masked Black blocBlack bloc
A black bloc is a tactic for protests and marches, whereby individuals wear black clothing, scarves, ski masks, motorcycle helmets with padding, or other face-concealing items...
-style activists preparing for the 2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008...
in St. Paul, MN. In one scene, an activist carrying a bowling ball emblazoned with a large "RABL" sticker knocks down a set of pins in front of a U.S. Navy Officer Recruiting office.