The purpose of the Artists Network of Refuse & Resist! is to develop and promote a culture of resistance. People are bound together by the creation of a community of resistance, and art is essential to creating that community.

We need an expressive, contagious culture of resistance to counter the mean-spirited political current that is riding high today.

Many artists are making powerful works which defy in a thousand ways the politics of cruelty. This is a great source of strength to many; it is what literally sustains a lot of youth. But at this point, most of these artists are left out on their own, or at best engaged in projects around particular issues, or linked to a few other artists usually in their own field.

We have decided to come together to create a collective means for artists to connect with each other and with the growing national movement to resist the reactionary agenda

1. The Artists' Network of Refuse & Resist! (AN) is a vehicle to help artists bring a vibrant CULTURE OF RESISTANCE into the national eye, and maximize the impact of the defiant and provocative art that is already on the scene. We aim to inspire and promote new works.

2. The AN CONNECTS ARTISTS AND THE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT to each other in new ways. As a section of R&R!, artists are able to learn from the experiences of all kinds of resisters: the families of the victims of police brutality,immigrants fighting persecution, abortion providers under siege...Everyone is strengthened by these new connections.

3. The AN seeks to CHANGE THE NATIONAL MOOD around critical issues such as: police brutality,the battle to defend women's reproductive rights,the war against immigrants,etc. The AN will not allow the government to execute Mumia Abu-Jamal.

4. The AN presents unique opportunities for COLLABORATING IN A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL RESPECT for the cultures of all nationalities, and seeking equal relations between women and men.

5. Coming together on a NATIONAL level, we are better able to mount projects that maximize the notoriety of this movement and culture of resistance, spread inspiration,and create a magnet for people who may have no other way to connect. The AN also puts out calls to artists everywhere to do things where they are,to express themselves around these great issues of the day in their own singular ways; we help link up these efforts for the greatest impact.

6. The AN DEFENDS ARTISTS under attack,and offers mutual support to artists. Artists who step out around controversial questions will not be left to fend for themselves. R&R can offer the strength of many, along with information and organization.

7. The AN seeks to be a site where artists can discuss questions of art and social change which rage in these times. We are developing systematic ways to COMMUNICATE --through a newsletter, letters & email, fax, phone, forums, informal gatherings, and our website page. The AN helps artists contribute to the movement through their art in ways which take into account the particular conditions artists face. Artists can relate to the AN on many different levels.