Beyond the law and the outlaws: anarchafeminism and Rote Zora

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Christos Marneros Royal Holloway University of London, UK

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Article Category:
Research Article
Copyright:
© Author 2025
Online Publication Date:
04 Mar 2025
Pages:
100–118
Publisher:
Bristol University Press
Volume/Issue:
Volume 1: Issue 1
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/30333660Y2024D000000004
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The radical-feminist, urban-guerrilla group, Rote Zora (Red Zora), operated in West Germany between 1974 and 1995 and was responsible for several bombings and arsons. The attacks were aimed against those the group considered as ideological enemies; these ‘enemies’ were targeted because they were promoting and engaging in sexist practices and reactionary politics to maintain and extend the hegemony of the capitalist, imperialist and patriarchal society of the West.

The article aims to contribute to the emerging discussion, and hopefully to give some visibility to the important tradition of anarchafeminism. As such, by means of a close reading of Rote Zora’s interviews, communiqués and actions, I want to highlight the importance that these texts may have in advancing and enriching an anarchafeminist theory and practice that can oppose different forms of oppression, coming both from the apparent enemies (the law, patriarchy, the state, capitalism, the police) and from the enemy within (any tendencies of domination and/or the neglect of certain groups and sensitivities within radical groups themselves).

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Christos Marneros Royal Holloway University of London, UK

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4667-2454

christos.marneros@rhul.ac.uk

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Cover Gender and Justice
Gender and Justice
Keywords:
Rote Zora; anarchafeminsim; violence; urban guerrillas; West Germany
Global Social Challenges:
Justice, Law and Human Rights
Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 5: Gender Equality