For those who don't know, there's an ongoing revolution in Curtisport. Allow me to elaborate.

• Background

Curtisport was founded by native Testificates long before the founding of Witherston. Shortly after it was discovered by Witherstoners in the first week of its creation, it was peacefully annexed into the Witherston Empire. The native residents mostly appreciated the Witherstoners, as they were given equal representation in parliament, new buildings and districts were built by Witherstoners, and their rights were fought for by the UWW/Labor Party.

Once Curtisport was annexed, it quickly developed and industrialized. Two distinct districts were formed simultaneously: the Waterfront district, which comprises most of the east side of the city, and the Church Heights district, which comprises most of the west side of the city. It was planned for the Waterfront district to be mostly populated by workers, but as the city developed, most of the industries were located in the Church Heights district, so the workers made their home there instead. This left the Waterfront district to be populated by the upper class who, while small in size, owned most of the shops and industries located in the Church Heights, along with the farms on the southeast side of town.

• Beginnings

As Curtisport rapidly shifted from an agrarian to industrial economy, the few wealthy families quickly bought up the private property of the city. Struggling to compete with the families, the workers were forced to abandon their artisan work and instead work as wage laborers for the new shops. Subjected to lower wages, longer hours, and more dangerous working conditions, the workers quickly became alienated from their craft. Seeing it as salvation, the workers unionized under local UWW branches, and before the bourgeoisie could react, all shops and industries became union shops. Fearing revolts, the bourgeoisie founded and funded the Curtisport Police Department. Headed by Commander Latelli, the police force was designated with the task of protecting the private property of the city, but claimed their purpose was to protect the citizens from foreign threats.

Soon, the unions began bargaining for more rights. They successfully and peacefully negotiated shorter hours and safer working conditions. However, when they pushed for more, they pushed the bourgeoisie to their limits.

• The Revolution

Sunday, January 29, 2017

In the morning, the blacksmith union staged a peaceful demonstration demanding higher wages. Unwavering, the bourgeois CPD sent in several officers to put an end to the demonstration. One blacksmith refused to leave the shop, causing the officers to pin him against the wall, presumably in preparation for arrest. Seeing this, a local anarchist confronted the officers, demanding the worker be let free. The officers and anarchists exchanged shouts and shoves, but with pressure from local community and union members, the officers backed down and retreated, scoring a victory for the blacksmiths.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Commander Latelli of the CPD implements a new policy that began a crackdown on the "free love" movement in the Church Heights district (homosexual and polygamous relationships were common and out-of-wedlock sex was the norm). Residents suspected of taking part in these activities were detained and questioned, but ultimately, no citizens were imprisoned. Local union leaders, community organizers, and anarchist activists condemned the new policy. However, being very religious and moralist, Arrakeen officials (Arrakeen is another city in the Witherston Empire, located in the desert and headed by a theocrat) praised the actions of the CPD.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The newly formed Cartographers Union of Curtisport (a branch of the UWW) officially revolts against their bourgeoisie owners, declaring their shop a free store under democratic control of the workers. The CPD quickly responds, sending in some of their best officers to arrest union leaders. Noticing what's happening, anarchists spontaneously form a black bloc to defend the cartographers. Outnumbered and being yelled down, the officers make a tactical retreat. No one was hurt. This was the first successful worker revolt against the bourgeoisie in Curtisport, leaving other unions inspired.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

In the early hours of the morning, the blacksmiths union began on staging their own occupation, akin to that of the Cartographers Union's occupation the day before. The officers who harassed the Cartographers Union the day before were again sent in to forcibly remove the blacksmiths from their workplace. A black bloc again formed, but this time the officers were more aggressive. They pushed back, refusing to leave the area and attempting to remove the anarchists from the scene. A skirmish broke out, leaving 4 anarchists and 1 CPD officer dead. This was the first time community members were killed by police and vice versa. Major Witherston and Arrakeen news outlets, such as the Witherston Screecher, caught whiff of the activities and began reporting on them in their most popular publications. This caused a growing concern for the situation by Arrakeen officials.

In response to the recent activities, Arrakeen sent in several elite Bovarian guards to assists the CPD in raiding the meeting place of a known anarchist organization. A fleeing anarchist and a villager caught in the crossfire were shot and died.

Later that evening, the UWW organized a march in solidarity for the anarchists and local union leaders. The CPD responded in full force to try to break it up, resulting in a melee between the two groups and a riot. Eventually, the smoke cleared, and 3 CPD officers and 7 demonstrators were left dead. This was the bloodiest conflict in Curtisport history, surely a day that will go down in infamy.

Soon after, Bovarian guards occupied the town hall and held a ceremony to honor CPD officer Sergeant Barnaby, who killed 3 demonstrators and is credited with breaking up the march. However, in the middle of the night, the anarchists struck back. When their backs were turned, anarchists raided the town hall where Sergeant Barnaby was stationed, tied him to the fence, and barricaded the doors. They also raided the building where Commander Latalli was stationed and forced him into a hole where he was trapped. The next morning, Bovarian guards reoccupied the town hall, only to find Sergeant Barnaby dead.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Outnumbered, overextended, and with no remaining CPD officers, the Bovarian guards made a tactical retreat back to Arrakeen. Taking advantage of their absence, the workers and citizens of the Church Heights district unanimously declared the formation of an autonomous commune, Free Curtisport. The commune resulted in the full democratization of all workplaces and abolition of social and political hierarchies. Anarchists quickly constructed a fence separating the Church Heights from the rest of the city. They also evicted Commander Latelli out of Free Curtisport.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

In the middle of the night, an explosion went off in the Labor Party branch office in East Curtisport, completely demolishing the building. Outside of their jurisdiction, the Free Curtisport Revolutionary Guard was denied the right to investigate. The CPD did not release an official statement or intent to launch their own investigation.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

After a few days of preparation, the CPD establishes a full blockade around Free Curtisport by occupying the canal connecting the shippers' union to the rest of the world.

This conflict is ongoing and rapidly developing. Stay tuned for more updates.