2017 STATEMENT ON MICHAEL SCHMIDT CASE

From Ithanarquista

On 28 September 2015, Michael Schmidt was suspended from the Institute for Anarchist Theory and History (IATH) / Instituto de Teoria e História Anarquista (ITHA), a multi-national research project in the Global South.[1] This followed shocking claims by US-based publisher, AK Press, that South African-based Michael Schmidt, a well-known writer on anarchism, was an “undercover fascist” and “white nationalist” seeking “to infiltrate the anarchist movement.” The serious charges demanded immediate action. Michael Schmidt was thereby completely excluded from IATH/ITHA decisions, internal processes and new publishing 18 months ago, pending investigations.

IATH/ITHA has carefully and continuously discussed the case, the evidence and the debates. We have always favoured an evidence-based, just and fair resolution[1] and support the process, initiated in 2016 by the Anarkismo network, for a commission of enquiry.[2] We reached a number of conclusions, but decided to wait for the commission to give a proper treatment to the whole case. Now, noting Anarkismo’s stated lack of “capacity to deal with this problem”[2] and slow progress in the commission, a year later, we have resolved to remove Michael Schmidt from our board:

1. We defend our anarchist current’s long history of fighting all forms of domination and exploitation, including colonialism, fascism, imperialism, racism and reactionary nationalism;

2. We reject, unreservedly, statements and activities attributed to Michael Schmidt that express fascist and racist views (regardless of the reasons he given for those actions e.g. undercover journalism on the far-right);

3. We note serious weaknesses in Michael Schmidt’s replies so far to his accusers;

4. Michael Schmidt’s (publicly admitted) actions to frustrate earlier investigations into allegations of right-wing activity (e.g. by the Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front / ZACF of South Africa) were unethical;

5. As individuals, as IATH/ITHA and our associated political organizations and networks, we were not involved in, and completely distance ourselves from, these unacceptable actions;

6. We note that this saga has been used to tarnish, by association, a wide range of anarchist and syndicalist groups, individuals and currents, and unjust accusations by critics.

When we formally communicated to Michael Schmidt our decision to remove him from IATH/ITHA, he responded unexpectedly: a confession of some guilt. We insisted that he issue a comprehensive public letter, explaining “exactly what [he] did,” and we listed issues requiring clarification. Our intention was to be as transparent as possible and to ensure that important material entered into the public domain.

After some delay, we received the public letter, of which we highlight the following points:

1. Michael Schmidt says he has a history of mental illness and severe personal/emotional problems.

2. Michael Schmidt states he became secretly influenced by the right and its racist arguments for a time, while at the same time maintaining numerous and sincere public engagements with the left;

3. Michael Schmidt does not admit to any project of infiltrating the anarchists, stressing instead that his private and public views and actions became increasingly incoherent;

4. Michael Schmidt admits that he deliberately concealed his secretive political deviations from members of Anarkismo, ZACF, IATH/ITHA, CAB, as from Lucien van der Walt and others;

5. Michael Schmidt states that his role in the development of the book Black Flame was a very limited one, and that the book was primarily written by Lucien van der Walt;

6. Michael Schmidt apologises for the political difficulties and personal pain caused by his actions, and states that he has since renounced the radical right.

In noting these points, we do not excuse Michael Schmidt’s actions, or endorse his letter.

During the exchange over the public letter, Michael Schmidt asked to resign from IATH/ITHA due to his actions. We stated that we would consider allowing him to resign if his letter was satisfactory. But while his public letter shows a notable desire to make amends, it has important omissions, not fully addressing all the weaknesses in his replies to critics. Furthermore, Michael Schmidt’s admission of guilt and apologies are important, but come after 18 months of publicly and privately denying any guilt.

So, after careful consideration, we cannot grant his request to resign. We state that Michael Schmidt is removed from IATH/ITHA board, ending all links to our Institute.

Our decision is not meant to replace the Anarkismo commission, which IATH/ITHA still supports as a means of developing libertarian “justice and ethics” and precedents “for similar situations in the future”.[2] We do not think that our position, based on unquestionable facts, will harm the commission, and we reserve the right to modify our position in light of the commission.

Finally, we state that we have urged Michael Schmidt to publish his letter and we are available to send the letter to interested parties. We have also sent the letter to the Anarkismo delegates group that is in charge of the commission.

That’s it for now.

IATH/ITHA Council

[1] https://ithanarquista.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/akpressschmidt/
[2] http://anarkismo.net/article/29047