The Vancouver 5, or Squamish 5, were five Canadians convicted in the early 80s of (successfully) bombing a hydro-electric power sub-station, the Litton Systems plant in Toronto, where components for Cruise Missiles were being made, and several Red Hot Video stores, accused of selling violent pornography. Now, finally, twenty years later, Ann Hansen, who served seven years for her involvement, tells the true gripping saga of an anarchist guerilla group. We do not agree with the politics or the actions of the author, but reproduce this text for reference.
From its origins in the Canadian anarchist and counter-cultural milieu of the late 70s/early 80s; to going underground into a clandestine life of arms drills, explosive practice, stealing cars, and (failed) armored car heists; to the massive reaction and surveillance of a State that felt (understandably) very much under attack; to the subsequent "trial by media" of those involved—this is very real, incredible revolutionary "true-crime" tale of unrepentant action.
Four hundred, eighty pages of fast-paced narrative are topped off with Communiqués issued for all the actions and Ann Hansen's "Statement To The Court Before Sentencing."
A triumph of storytelling, history, and a very real debate about movement tactics, goals, and vision.
"Hansen's story is an intense, articulate rendering of her motivations and desire to be part of an effective revolutionary force for social justice.
Review via AK Press
Files
Direct Action Ann Hansen.pdf
(6.32 MB)
Comments
Thanks for posting this here.
Thanks for posting this here. I read this book soon after it came out. The politics of the author really are appalling, and the things they did incredibly stupid. This book basically reads as a good guide to how (and why) not to be an urban guerrilla.
Yeah Hanson is still around
Yeah Hanson is still around the scene, basically she was a proto primitivist. There's a good movie that is satirically partly based on this story called Monkey Warfare. It's a pretty good take on this kind of political engagement.
The trailer for said
The trailer for said movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjcpaJvNvU