----- Original Message ----- From: "Nathan Newman" <nathan at newman.org>
============= -Something it simply can no longer afford to do.
Yet which is will do on Feb 2 when the antiwar folks seek to impose an "antiwar" orientation to the globalization protests at the World Economic Forum, thereby alienating many sympathizers to the globalization movement who do not agree with the politics promoted by antiwar protesters. The protests, likely to lead to conflict with the NYPD at a time when no one will win a popularity contest against them, will not increase support for the antiwar movement, but will no doubt decrease support for the global justice movement.
Friends and family who are both antiwar and pro-global justice, when I told them the Seattle style protests were coming to town, could only marvel at the insanity of the idea of picking a rumble with the NYPD right now.
-- Nathan Newman
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The protestors should not antagonize the police. If the cops attack, sit down or dance away from them, escalatory dynamics will fail completely. The police are not the enemy. How many times do we have to tell each other that. Sounds like NYCer's could use a big street party and chill out. Anarchists and everyone else brave enough to risk the upcoming DA can not afford to screw this demo up. Focusing on Justice and Peace and International Solidarity can keep protestors adrenaline within managable levels. It ain't about righteousness and militancy...
Ian