From Worker
Date Wed, 7 Jan 2004 14:20:32 +0100 (CET)
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A – I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
News about and of interest to anarchists
http://ainfos.ca/ http://ainfos.ca/index24.html
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The Northeastern Federation of Anarcho-Communists joins
our comrades in Anti-Racist Action in remembering Jordan
Matthew Feder, anti-authoritarian, anti-fascist, medic, and friend.
Jordan died from meningitis after protesting the Free Trade
Area of the Americas in Miami, Florida and helping de-contaminate the
many victims of police chemical weapons at the protests.
In rememberance, we’re publishing a tribute from New Jersey Anti-Racist
Action as we add Jordan’s name to our list of comrades gone, but not forgotten.
Jordan Matthew Feder – PRESENTE!
“I cried when I found out that you had died, and I cried as I poured a shovel-full of dirt on your grave.
“Some day, I’ll see you again. I’ll tell you how we won the
revolution, and I’ll bring you a souvenir: maybe a plastic bullet,
or a tattered red and black flag, or a chunk of the White
House.”
JORDAN MATTHEW FEDER – PRESENTE!
February 11th, 1980 – November 26, 2003
“I cried when I found out that you had died, and I cried as I
poured a shovel-full of dirt on your grave.
Some day, I’ll see you again. I’ll tell you how we won the
revolution, and I’ll bring you a souvenir: maybe a plastic bullet,
or a tattered red and black flag, or a chunk of the White House.”
On November 26, Jordan Feder – anti-fascist, street medic,
humanitarian activist – died in North Carolina of meningitis while
returning from a week of protesting the Free Trade Area of the
Americas in Miami, FL. He served as a medic during part of his
time in Miami, volunteering to clean off medical equipment that
was contaminated and helping fellow activists who were
exposed to chemical weapons. Jordan contracted Neisseria
meningitis, which is the most deadly form of bacterial
meningitis. It can kill a relatively healthy person in just a few
days because the bacteria get into the bloodstream and cause
organ failure.
Jordan was a dedicated member of Anti-Racist Action (ARA),
having been involved for over 3 years since founding his own
chapter at his university. When he graduated college in 2002
and returned home to New Jersey, he immediately got involved
with New Jersey ARA. Jordan was highly involved with this
chapter over the past few years, dedicating much of his time
and energy to fighting hatred and racism. He was also very
involved with, and dedicated to, building and sustaining the
Anti-Racist Action Network Store. To this end, he organized the
entire ARA Network to be a presence on the Warped Tour,
making sure that chapters tabled shows throughout the US and
Canada. Jordan even flew out to California to ensure those
shows were covered and also participated in most of the dates
on the East Coast. In addition to his work for the ARA Store, he
also helped to gather intelligence on fascist activity,
participated in numerous demonstrations and worked for the
rights of immigrants.
Jordan was always there to help his friends and comrades –
whether it was for political organizing or for personal
relationships. He never hesitated to drop what he was doing to
lend a helping hand. Jordan was someone you could go to with
your problems, knowing that he would help cheer you up.
Whether it was talking you through hard times, promising to run
away with you because you were depressed, or just bringing you
chocolate, you could always count on him.
Words cannot convey what a selfless, generous and loving
person Jordan was. He is the kind of person most people wait a
lifetime to meet and we are honored and grateful that we had the
opportunity to build bonds of love and solidarity with him.
Jordan touched so many people’s lives and we will never forget
him. His funeral was attended by more than three hundred
people and had over 70 cars in the procession at his gravesite.
Last year, we all made a pact that if any of us were killed in the
course of our struggle, the rest of us would continue with
greater intensity. Jordan made us promise that we would
continue to fight, and fight harder than ever.
However Jordan’s illness was caused, we know that ultimately,
if it was not so necessary for Jordan to be in Miami because of
the repressive policies of exploitation carried out by the State,
were it not for the arrogance and greed of corporations meeting
behind walled summits, forcing thousands to stand up and
demand the rights that are ours to begin with-were it not for
what this struggle takes from us, physically and
emotionally-then perhaps Jordan would have been strong enough
to recover and we would all still be blessed with his presence.
We pledge to continue fighting the injustices Jordan fought
against and know that he will always be there, fighting
alongside us:
Jordan Matthew Feder – PRESENTE!
“Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist, keep loving, keep
fighting.”
With much love and solidarity…
NJ ARA
See also:
http://www.anti-racist-action.org
http://www.jordanfeder.com