October Self Defense Update

Hi friends!

If we haven’t met, my name is Matty. I live in Logan Square and I’m the admin/secretary/treasurer/VP of marketing for Basement Self Defense Class. I started organizing these community self defense classes a few months ago with the help of our two brilliant instructors Chi and Aspen.

Upcoming classes: 

• Monday, October 13 @ 7pm

• Monday, October 27 @ 7pm

• Monday, November 10 @ 7pm

• Monday, November 24 @ 7pm

Each class takes place in the basement of Grace Church of Logan Square. You can save your spot via this google form for October and November classes. As always, trans folks fight for free!

Another opportunity to fight:

Queer Fight Club w/ Chi
Sunday, Oct 19
5645 N Ashland
6-7:45pm(ish)

Schedule:

• 6-6:45pm: Low/No-Impact Class: Learn & review basic techniques! If you've never thrown a punch before, this part is for you

• 6:45-7:30pm: Safe Sparring: Practice what you learned! New fighters may only shadowbox and make low/no-contact. Experienced fighters may negotiate impact.

From Chi: We keep us Safe! Come learn to fight, protect your community, and uplift your fellow queers! Beginners Welcome! Remember, this Is QUEER fight club. We're not here to beat up or harm each other. We're here to uplift, empower, and strengthen our community.

Consent & boundaries are non-negotiable

P.S: Make sure to bring comfortable clothes, water and a towel. If you've got gloves or combat gear, those too!

What else, what else:

• Chi has a great article about how LGBTQ+ organizations are doubling down despite federal budget cuts.

• Love Aspen’s classes? Drake consulting offers ally and equity trainings on a variety of topics including lgbtqia+ identities, neurodivergence, and shared responsibility leadership. Trainings are hands on and adaptable to the needs of your team, office, or club. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

• I wrote about what the heck is going on in Chicago with ICE and the National Guard in my newsletter Dinner Cut this week. Things have moved pretty fast since then, but there are some small slivers of good news! A judge blocked National Guard mobilization in the city, ICE has to remove the fence at Broadview, and a temporary restraining order was granted to a group of journalists suing the DHS for overly aggressive tactics while covering Broadview protests. Additionally, that last action requires federal agents to wear visible identification.

• I’m a big fan of Caleb Hearon’s podcast, but his episode with Murad Awawdeh (CEO and President of The New York Immigration Coalition and NYIC Action) about how to fight for immigrants is especially great.

Song of the month: La Mala Noch’s 70’s synth pop mix. A “song” can be anything imo.

Have a great week y’all and remember that isolation breeds radicalization and coming to a self defense class in a church basement builds friendships!!! See you Monday in the basement!