TDLR: ORCA is closing; goodbye party 6/12 7pm-12am

O.R.C.A. is closing. This wasn’t an easy decision, but given a combination of factors–personal capacity, building frustration, and lack of logistical+financial support–running the space is no longer sustainable for us and we don’t want to continue this project. We are glad to have helped create an anarchist space for people to meet and learn from each other and encounter anti-authoritarian ideas. Many anarchist spaces often skew white and punk; it was important to us that O.R.C.A. did not fall into this pattern. Over the last 2.5 years, we’ve prioritized hosting de-colonial, black liberation, and internationally-oriented events. Shout out to anyone who has booked or facilitated an event! We couldn’t have done it without you.

O.R.C.A. opened during an upsurge in the Palestinian liberation movement, and was initially intended to meet a need for a public non-commercial space where people could find each other and engage with anarchism. We knew of an empty room in a building we were familiar with, and we decided to squat it for as long as we could. Our short time squatting revealed to us that the space was fulfilling a need and when squatting became untenable we decided to rent a room. While O.R.C.A. will not continue, the need for non-commercial, explicitly anti-authoritarian political spaces remains, and we encourage anyone with the desire and capacity to open other spaces.

It’s worth addressing some of the challenges that went along with this project and influenced our decision to close. From the beginning, a 2-3 person collective was not large enough to sustain a space like this. It was difficult to find dedicated people who had the capacity and availability to seriously contribute to O.R.C.A., an unsurprising reality in the face of the increasing misery of today. Relatedly, our own capacities, desires, and commitments have changed since 2023. We encourage anyone starting this kind of project to remember that people and circumstances change, and to prepare accordingly.

If we want spaces like O.R.C.A. to exist, we need community buy-in. That can look like attending or throwing events, donating supplies, helping with workdays, but it also needs to include financial support. We often ended up paying rent with the fruits of our own 👠marginalized labor🏴‍☠️. Despite never charging to use the space or attend events, behind the scenes, we’ve always been concerned about having the money to keep the lights on.

It certainly didn’t help that the building was becoming more and more inaccessible. We knew when we opened O.R.C.A. that the building was not nearly as accessible as we would have liked, and the new locks, cameras, and the threat of fees from building management have only added to our discouragement.

To the volunteers–open hours crew, friends who’ve jumped in when we’ve needed it, anyone who has thrown us some money–thank you so much!

We made things work! Despite the limitations of the space–not very physically accessible, cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and three busy people running things–almost all of our programs were very well attended. On many occasions we filled every couch, folding chair, bench, and extra floor space with friends, comrades, and strangers alike. We want to celebrate the last 2.5 years of aquatic anarchy! Help us send this ship off (and take home all of our treasures*) June 12th.

Love and anarchy,

O.R.C.A.

*Books, zines, couches, rugs, chairs, lamps, paint, a projector, a printer, a well-decorated mini fridge, and so many other items.