A neighbor of the “radical free space” Autonomia—popular amongst young anarchists in the Central District—claims she and her husband are being harassed by a group of anarchists.
According to SPD, the woman called police on June 27th after she “became aware of a posting” on Pugetsoundanarchists.org, referencing “the half-million dollar house across the street [from Autonomia] is trying to close us down.” The woman told police the posting was made by someone who “frequents” Autonomia.
The woman and her family live near Autonomia—on 24th Ave S and S Lane—and have been active in a dispute between neighbors and the anarchist venue. more…
If they have an issue with the “half million dollar house” across the street, they must have a problem with half the homes in the CD. Even with the recession and prices dropping, there are plenty of homes over $500k in the neighborhood. I would be offended and fearful too.
Day 193 of New Islam under the rule of Carlos. I declare the vile stench of islam to be the fault of Mohammed peadophile and speak for new laws against pro islamic thought.
Uh….what? Are you sniffing glue?
“As an anti-authoritarian space that supports local struggles, we expect
that at times we may be in political conflict with some of our neighbors.” – WTF!
Why do the people at Autonomia keep trying to make the issue about political and theological issues? I didn’t realize that it is a political stance to dislike loud music that keeps me awake late night and crowds of people who seem to be contributing to increased graffiti and vandalism in the neighborhood. I could care less about your politics. Own the real problems, which are late night noise and increased vandalism and littering caused by some of your patrons.
You should have been a good neighbor and done your part to be neighborly! When Autonomia first opened I went in and introduced myself and checked out what was going on. I met a very nice volunteer and was cool with the idea of Autonomia until the late night dance parties and rock concerts started and my street got vandalized and littered.
After months of Autonomia ignoring these issues, most of us are done with you. BTW…hallow apologies that don’t lead to any change in behavior and adding so-called “sound-proofing” that really doesn’t eliminate the noise is ignoring the issue. All you had to do was stop the late night events and make better efforts to stop your patrons from vandalizing the neighborhood.
When you move, and you will be moving as there are many of us so sick of all this at this point that we will go to any length to enforce the zoning codes, I hope you treat your new neighbors better. Next time, either go door to door and introduce yourselves to the immediate neighbors or specifically invite the immediate neighbors in for a discussion about your purpose and desire to be part of the community. It’s very simple.
Very Neighborly of you. I live on 26th just a few blocks down from Autonomia. We have not yet met and I have not yet received my welcoming packet from you. Perhaps you would like to stop by and go over with me the rules, regulations, and social conduct of the neighborhood we can listen to my records really really low while we do it. I’m having some issues with my neighbors down the block the other night they had a gas leak and four firetrucks had to come with their loud sirens and fans to help the gentlemen out that live there. Last week my neighbors baby was choking and she had to call an ambulance to come and rescue it and they blocked my driveway. The couple that lives next door to me is a very nice lesbian couple and while I’m queer I don’t like having to listen to their noisy children playing in their backyard outside my window…
Is there a committee that meets to discuss ethical standards for the neighborhood because I would like to attend the next meeting my neighbor keeps using the word Ghetto in reference to our driveway when it hasn’t been swept and I find that terminology offensive can I contact you to formulate a grievance with this neighbor?
I’m not a participant in Autonomia’s activities I’ve never been inside the building but I am a neighbor. I don’t appreciate some of the graffiti SUSPECTED TO BE DONE by autonomia supporters,because I think for the sake of young people it’s just commonly respectful to keep things PG F-the Cops isn’t PG. But I do appreciate good Graffiti and street art. I appreciate the central district for what it is. If you really take pride in your neighborhood you’ll take pride the same way you would take pride in your children you’ll love it for it’s faults. You’ll love it when it’s doing great and you’ll love and support it more when it’s hurting. You’re not being supportive, sympathetic, or proactive, PLEASE DON’T SPEAK FOR THE NEIGHBORS WE DON’T ALL AGREE.
“I live on 26th just a few blocks down from Autonomia. We have not yet met and I have not yet received my welcoming packet from you.”
How can you be sure we have not met? I am very neighborly and say hi to my neighbors when I see them. If someone new moves in, I go out of my way to introduce myself and welcome the person to the neighborhood, as I did when Autonomia moved in. I am sorry if I did not canvas the entire CD to ensure that I met you.
“can I contact you to formulate a grievance with this neighbor?”
No, you cannot contact me to solve your problems. You should tell your neighbors if they repeatedly do something that truly bothers you. If you are going to complain to your neighbors about a one time event (fire trucks coming to save them), then you are just stupid. And for example, if you confront your neighbor about using the word “ghetto” and they choose to continue using it or increase their use, you rightfully should be displeased. With Autonomia, this is not about a “one time” “uncontrollable” event. I am talking about them repeatedly doing things they were originally politely asked to not do.
“If you really take pride…your neighborhood you’ll take pride the same way you would take pride in your children you’ll love it for it’s faults. You’ll love it when it’s doing great and you’ll love and support it more when it’s hurting. You’re not being supportive, sympathetic, or proactive, PLEASE DON’T SPEAK FOR THE NEIGHBORS WE DON’T ALL AGREE.”
I do take pride. I proudly live in the CD and embrace the good and the bad. I even say hi to our local drug dealers when I pass them on the street; again being neighborly. Autonomia has not been a good neighbor and has brought problems to a block that we did not have previously. I am not sure why I should be sympathetic to an organization that is illegally operating their “community center” within spitting distance of my home and who is confrontational when asked politely to stop disturbing my peace on a regular basis. I also never said I was speaking for “the neighbors”, but said that “many” of the neighbors are sick of the situation.
Those of you that do not live within the sightlines of Autonomia should really abstain from comment. If you do not live in close proximity, you have not seen all that is going on and your lives certainly haven’t been as disrupted as many of us.
Irony, Sarcasm, Humor; look these words up and read the post again.
6. Our social center is anti-snitch, anti-police, and anti-prison. Police serve the interests of the state, not the people. In place of state policing, We support and encourage the concept of community self-control and autonomy as well as the abolition of the prison industrial complex.
The above item 6. is directly from the Autonomia Mission on their website. What I see is a lack of “community self-control.” In what “community” do you conceptualize self-control and autonomy? May I suggest that it include your closest neighbors, with whom you certainly share the neighborly interests of health, safety and welfare? What about the quiet enjoyment of property, privacy and sleep? Cleanliness, graffiti, gangs, drug dealing, public intoxication? Noise, traffic, parking and access? Even litter, solid waste and recycling?
What do you mean by self-control and autonomy? You don’t like the rules handed down from The Man. OK, ignore the laws about excessive noise late at night. What do you propose to do, in the interest of “community self-control and autonomy?” Control yourselves and you’ll never have to deal with the cops. An anarchist lacking self-control would be . . . what? Think about this: What would a good neighbor do?
Nothing idealogical about it; just rebellious behavior INTENDED to piss people off. Nice.
maybe VPC could cater the next Automania event? or host it at their cafe? great way to combine the hottest neighborhood gossip and nimBy quarrels.
i’ll buy the first round. free drinks for Autonation at VPC on Wed at 4 pm.
The people of 23rd street corridor have brought this menace on themselves through tolerance of every low form of activity and through poor ideals. When will you stand up for high standards, big dreams, and intense activity. Look what you slackers have allowed. Your streets are crumbling and your neighbors are wallowing in mud – because you have been watching tv instead of raking leaves.
judkinsbum…..WTF! The whole issue around Autonomia is that we live on a block where we do rake the leaves. I and most of my neighbors work hard, are productive, stand up for high standards, and accomplish big dreams. We are also one of the residential blocks closest to 23rd and Jackson. We are rebelling against decay.
when will you use the proper punctuation at the end of youre sentences. ; ?