The US led war in Iraq has been raging for nearly six years, with wars of occupation proceeding for centuries before that. The current US anti-war movement has ground to a near halt due to sectarianism, ineffective vigils and “speak truth to power” campaigns. The one thing that is clear to the rest of us is that those in power have a concrete understanding of their influential roles in the global military industrial complex.
As people opposed to war, occupation, and state sponsored terrorism, we understand the role that logistical support operations play in perpetuating the US war effort - at home and abroad. Soldiers, supplies, transportation, communication, weaponry and ammunition are some of the components needed to maintain wars and occupation. While counter-recruitment campaigns, port resistance actions, and physical attacks on military infrastructure have all targeted some of these logistical frameworks, the ammunition supply line has been fairly ignored.
Far from the coasts, and the mass movements that encompass them, the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant produces nearly 98% of the small arms ammunition utilized by the US Military.
The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) is capable of producing 4 million rounds of ammunition daily. This makes Lake City the largest small arms manufacturing plant in the world.
Located in Independence, Missouri, about 1 hour from Lawrence, Kansas, and about 25 minutes from Kansas City, the Lake City Plant sits on 3,935 acres and encompasses 458 buildings. The facility has been in operation since 1941, making it one of the last World War II era ammunition plants still in operation.
Lake City is owned by the federal government, but operated by the leading provider of advanced weapon and space systems to the US Department of Defense - Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Inc. ATK employs nearly 16,500 people and operates in 21 states within the US. ATK weapons plants, offices and testing facilities are housed across the nation. ATK’s corporate headquarters are located in Edina, Minnesota about 20 minutes from Minneapolis.
As the largest supplier of ammunition to the US military, and with representatives in over 50 countries, ATK is responsible for the continued violence against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Haiti, Colombia, the United States and many other countries with a US military presence.
Who are we…
Disrupt Lake City is made up of Midwestern anarchists and anti-authoritarians enraged not only by the current wars on Iraq, Afghanistan, and "Terror," but more deeply by the pathological militarism of nation-states and the occupations they wage - both within their borders and beyond.
To clarify exactly where we’re coming from, we ask all participants to affirm the following points of unity:
Clear opposition to militarism and occupation. Iraq and Afghanistan are not the only wars the US wages. Globally and locally, the American empire is a habitual warmonger and occupier. On the domestic front, the cops and courts occupy all of our blocks - especially targeting people of color and poor folks. On the global front, the US military officially maintains over 700 bases in roughly 130 countries—not to mention all those they don’t tell us about. Furthermore, we are against all states and empires.
Respect for a diversity of tactics. As anti-authoritarians, we will not allow the authorities to define the appropriate methods for responding to their domination. We will stand in solidarity with each other while cooperating to disrupt their ammunition shipments.
No condemnation of fellow participants in media outlets or public forums. We’re not getting together to air dirty laundry or to ignite any conflicts and turn them into soap operas. All our critiques of one another should remain internal to promote cohesive and decisive action.
Non-hierarchical organizing. Actions should be organized autonomously through collective participation. Obviously that can take a variety of forms, but the consent of actual participants is the common thread tying all our efforts together. No authoritarianism or coercion tolerated.
No collaboration with the state or its agents. Organize intelligently, make your plans securely, and don’t ever sell out comrades!
Strategy or what we gonna do bout it…
The campaign itself designed to create multiple disruptions of ammunition shipments from Lake City. No one should have delusions of grandeur or the intention to “shut it down”. However, if enough pressure is applied, and shipments are disrupted over a long enough period of time—there may be success in permanently stopping production.
Call to action!
June 4-8, 2009!…
As the war rages into a 7th year, we will descend on Lake City, as a part of a new movement - the new incarnation of the anti-war movement. From all over the Midwest and beyond, anarchists and anti-authoritarians will gather to take a physical stand against the supply line dominating their lives and the lives of those across the globe. And, you can join them.
If you are interested in being a part of this action and need information to form an affinity group with the intention of tackling a certain sector, contact Disrupt Lake City and we will get you all the info you need. The disruption crew will be coordinating all committed groups and providing them with support on the ground.
ATK Website www.atk.com
DISRUPT LAKE CITY CONTACTS
Email-Unconventionalks@gmail.com
Address-P.O. Box 277, Lawrence, KS 66044
Website-www.stoplakecity.org
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