Ryan Fatica

By Ryan Fatica

Tijuana, Mexico — Where the United States, the Pacific Ocean, and Mexico meet, a place sometimes referred to as “the corner of the world,” a sprawling 18-foot-tall barrier stretches out into the salt water, marking the international border. Waves crash against its concrete foundations and, at high tide, against the bollards themselves that stretch out more than 100 feet into the ocean.

Here, on the evening of January 25, a group of about 50 anarchists from around the world gathered and, in a symbolic act of disrespect and disobedience, projected films upon the wall itself.

“It was really powerful to show anarchist films and documentaries there,” said Dandy, one of the organizers of the event. “Just taking the space, you know? This space where they’re, even in this moment, building an even taller wall.”

Those in attendance had gathered from all parts of the U.S., Mexico, and some even as far as Spain and Chile, to convene in this most divided of territories for an anarchist conference called the International Gathering of Anarchist and Autonomous Practices Against Borders.

The three-day event, which was partly hosted at Enclave Rabia Caracol, a five-story anarchist community center in downtown Tijuana, included workshops on political prisoner support, humanitarian aid along the border, mutual aid self/social therapy, Tijuana anarchist history, the role of NGOs and nonprofits in suppressing political movements, tech security, and more. There were also shows, film screenings, a mini-book fair with anarchist publishers and artists tabling materials, informal discussions, and free meals.

Organizers of the event, which drew about 90 people, said the attendance far exceeded their expectations. “Realistically when people hold this kind of gathering, in my experience, it doesn’t bring in so many comrades,” said José, one of the event’s organizers. “Moreover the language barrier in the past had been something we couldn’t overcome. Which I think was the first obstacle to overcome in this gathering, which we were able to accomplish.”