Welcome to coolwashtenaw.events! It's a rad events calendar run by a small crew of your local friendly anarchists, but open to any community event that isn't authoritarian. Let's explain...

Why

We need to get off Facebook and Instagram! We need our own platforms to share community events that aren't controlled by big tech, doubly so for anything pushing back against the rich and powerful. We also need to connect face-to-face beyond our own social circles.

What

We focus on the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area, but anything nearby is welcome! We just ask that events support an ethos of cooperation, free association, and self management, rather than coercive hierarchy and authority. Put simply, we aren't interested in events where someone is bossing everyone around, or events supporting those who already have or seek out power over others.

Warning: Anyone can visit this website and see the events, so make sure it's something you want publicly advertised!

Events we'd love to see

Local music

Clothing swaps

Prisoner letter writing

Book talks

Fundraisers & benefits

Radical organizing

More!

We aren't interested in platforming

Political parties or electoral campaigns

Law enforcement or events that collaborate with them

Any other authoritarian groups or causes

Events should be an opportunity to meet new people who you don't already know and like. Some events might have a specific intended audience (non-white people, queer people, service workers, etc), and of course everyone has the right to exclude those who pose a threat to other attendees. But our goal is to break down the walls of our cliques, not build them up. It's totally fine to throw a party that's just for you and your friends, this just isn't the place to advertise it.

If we ever decide to not publish an event and we have your info, we'll always reach out and provide an explanation. If the event was submitted anonymously and we can't reach you, feel free to contact us instead at ask-washtenaw-events@riseup.net. When in doubt, just send it in!

How

You can submit an event by clicking/tapping the "Add Event" button and filling out the info!

As an organizer, you should also consider accessibility and security questions. For example: What are possible barriers to physical accessibility at the venue? What will be the event's masking policy? How will the event approach cameras and digital privacy? Are you okay with the event information being posted publicly online? (If you're submitting to this calendar, the answer should be yes.) We encourage folks to include answers to these questions in the event description when relevant.

Direct Action 101 for Mass Mobilizations