QUARANTINE CORPORATE RULE..... WITH NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION
Stop the corporate greed epidemic!
Info for affinity groups joining the Sept 28th Mass Action
Greetings friends, colleagues, and fellow direct action organizers,
We are planning large-scale, highly visible, festive actions to protest the IMF/World Bank meetings on Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30. We will take direct action to challenge the walls that shut out people here and around the world from participating in the decisions that impact our lives and communities. We will act to make our demands, and to engage more of civil society in the growing global discourse about corporate power versus justice, democracy and a sustainable future. Now is the time for people who believe in non-violent direct action to step forward and show the world that the global justice movement is more creative, powerful and alive then ever!
In this post. 1. Schedule of events Sept 28th and 29th 2. Direct Action Scenario 3. Message 4. Visions for Action/Guidelines 5. Sunday Sept 29th - People's Assemblies 6. Convergence (Gathering and Trainings) 7. Affinity Groups 8. Legal/Jail Solidarity 9. Contact Us! Affinity Group check-in list
CONTACT US TO COORDINATE! Check in line 202-299-1054 affinitygroupcheckin at yahoo.com www.globalizethis.org
DC WELCOME CENTERS : (please note - Mobilization for Global Justice and the Anti-Capitalist Convergence are separate groups focusing on different actions on different days. However we are working to coordinate to insure that activists can plug into both actions and maintain our solidarity. The welcome centers are quite close together and full materials about trainings, meetings and ongoing actions should be available in both centers.)
Mobilization For Global Justice : Saint Stephen's Church 1525 Newton St. NW. On the corner of 16th and Newton. In the basement. Directions from Colombia Heights metro on the green line: Walk two blocks east on Irving to 16th St. Take a right on 16th and walk aprox. 5-6 blocks until you get to Newton. Church is on the right. Open Wed. 9/25 - Fri. 9/27 9am - 9:30 pm. Sat. 9/28 9am - 1pm
For more info check out www.globalizethis.org
Anti-Capitalist Convergence: Welcome Center at Case Del Pueblo in Calvary Methodist Church 1459 Colombia Rd NW METRO = Green line Colombia Heights Open Wed 25th - Saturday 28th 9 am - 10 pm 202-306-3636
For more info check out www.abolishthebank.org
***** #1. SCHEDULE Saturday Sept 28th - 11 am - Feeder rally/march(s) - currently only an AIDS march is scheduled 12 Noon - gather on ellipse rally/concert includes ECO-bloc/Earth march delegation and potentially other self-organizing contingents (see www.globalizethis.org for details) 2 pm - permitted march begins 4 pm - march returns to ellipse and rally/concert continues into the evening 4.30 - quarantine enforcement actions at the police perimeter.
Sunday the 29th- 11- 2pm - People's assemblies, Farragut Square (K and 17th NW) 2 pm - Globalize Peace March
Don?t forget - the World Bank/IMF will continue to meet all day Sunday. We encourage ongoing actions however MGJ is focusing our support infrastructure on Saturday.
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#2. DIRECT ACTION SCENARIO
At this point the WB has leaked that they will be putting up their usual significant perimeter of barricades. Our actions will be geographically focused around the perimeter. The perimeter will have to be opened up at certain intersections to let delegates and other personnel in/out. We may or may not know where these in/out zones will be until they are opened. If we do have prior knowledge of their locations, that information will be relayed to affinity groups at the action spokes council.
The MGJ will be coordinating a communications team to direct people to the in/out zones as these zones may change. In/out zones will probably be the most arrest likely areas. People who don?t want to be arrested can then be directed away.
All affinity groups will be considered Truth Inoculation Squads who will present the truth to the delegates. (i.e. The truth about debt, the truth about structural adjustment, the truth about social and environmental devastation). Maybe we will do this with our very bodies, or with giant banners or puppets, or with something that you have thought of and we have not. Be creative.
The MGJ has consensed upon two broad areas of action that we are proposing to the action spokes councils: 1) In keeping with the quarantine theme, folks can dress up in medical clothing and wrap (with hazard tape etc.) and decorate the barriers. We encourage people to engage in inoculation theatre around the perimeter. Bring Hazardous Materials Suits, face masks etc. 2) Occupy space with creative blockading actions. Some ideas . . . a soccer game . . . a hoola hoopin? troop . . . a dance party . . . a human chain? a marching band . .
Also bring brooms for a "clean up corporate sleeze" action!
We are encouraging affinity groups to really incorporate the inoculation/quarantine theme into their actions. What does a truth inoculation squad look like? You decide!
This is going to be intense and a whole lot of fun too!
Affinity groups who want to be more stationary are more than welcome to do that and come up with their own ideas. We will coordinate who goes where at the action spokes councils. If you want to participate, but don?t have an affinity group, don?t despair. We can help you find one when you get here.
Overarching principles of the scenario are : 1) separation between permitted and non-permitted events by time and space to insure safe space for internationals, high risk folks or others who want to be assured of avoiding police repression in any form. 2) Cultivation of a sense of unity between all aspects of the action whether permitted or non-permitted.
IMPORTANT! - bring food and water to the action! We don't want hunger or thirst to decide when we end our action!
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#3. MESSAGE
The quarantine messaging has multiple purposes. In terms of messaging it is intended to show that we are fighting a system - the ideological poisons and false assumptions that justify corporate globalization and the doomsday economy. Strategically it is intended to get us out of the tactical quagmire of saying we'll shut down the meeting or physically blockade all the bankers in. We're creating a standard of victory for ourselves that allows us to determine our end-points and to elevate the framing of these issue from controlling street corners to controlling the debate.
We encourage people to use the quarantine/inoculation theme creatively. Create an INNOCULATION TEAM themed around values which international bankers lack such as Democracy, Human Rights, Economic Justice, Environmental Sanity/Protection, Worker's Rights, Dignity, hope for the future etc. Dig up some white lab coats or biohazard suits. Make warning signs or biohazard-esque tape that say QUARANTINE! GLOBAL HAZARD! CORPORATE GREED EPIDEMIC. Create props and actions to confront corporate ruleosis or "the corporate greed bug". Imagination is one of our most powerful weapons.
A helpful tip: Put your message on your body, a cheap way is to just collect old t-shirts and use markers. This way we can be sure there will be no doubt what we are standing for (police often take away signs, etc).
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#4. VISIONS FOR ACTION/GUIDELINES FOR NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION
The Mobilization for Global Justice has agreed to a few basic visions for action in order to facilitate the coming together of a broader, more diverse movement. This understanding should allow people from many backgrounds, movements, and beliefs to work together and encourages the movement-building trust. These are not philosophical or political requirements or judgments; there are many ways to resist corporate globalization.
1. The Mobilization for Global Justice is a nonviolent organization.
2. We will carry out this action in a manner that reflects the world we want to create, and act in the service of what we love.
3. We envision a nonviolent world; we will use means consistent with this vision.
4. We will act with respect for the local community and in a way that encourages all to join us.
5. We will protect and care for each other in this action. We will stand in solidarity against police and state repression, even with those whose choices differ from ours, and work to ensure our tactics do not result in the endangerment of our sister and brother activists or people not participating in the demonstrations.
6. We recognize that people of color, poor people, LGBTs, people of limited mobility and immigrant groups are at greater risk of police harassment, arrest and abuse. We respect that people may wish or need to have safer spaces to express themselves and we will act accordingly.
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#5. SUNDAY - A New Type of Direct Action! PEOPLE?S ASSEMBLIES!
11 - 2 pm Farragut Square (!7TH and K St NW)
The Mobilization for Global Justice has endorsed a second action on Sunday - People's Assemblies or Asamblea popular. We want to apply the inspiring Argentine model of directly democratic "people's assemblies" that is part of their ongoing uprising against neoliberalism, structural adjustment and corporate globalization.
All too often mass actions occur in a purely tactical arena and there is no time for the thousands of dedicated activists to jointly strategize about how to continue building our movements for a better world. We know that as direct action activists our work is not only to "resist" but also to "build" so MGJ is setting aside time for this work.
The People's Assemblies will be a place on Sunday for participants in the actions to gather in groups small enough to have real discussion about how to continue our work to build a movement for global/local justice. We are open to structure proposals but have envisioned several tracks of small group discussion - regional, specific issue (whether campaign or a specific conflict in the movement) or general discussion on what next. We also need lots of volunteer facilitators.
To help out with this exciting experiment, email Patrick at patrickr at riseup.net or call 202-234-9382 x 215. A planning meeting for facilitators and participating groups will be held Thursday Sept 26th at 9:30 pm after the action spokescouncil at St. Stephens Church at `16th and Newton.
***** #6. CONVERGENCE
Three Days of Workshops, Construction of Giant Puppets, Props & Banners, Trainings, Issue Forums, Arts, Spokes councils and Actions in preparation for the Massive Non Violent Direct Action at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Headquarters, Sept. 28th.
To date, workshops and trainings in the following areas have been scheduled:
Nonviolence Preparations Handling the Media Puppet Construction Legal Briefings Dancing for Activists Street First Aid WB/IMF Issue Forums Anti-Oppression Consensus/Facilitation Communications Peacekeeping/Traffic Magic for Activists Community Organizing and MORE!!!
Sept. 25-27 9am to 11pm daily
Childcare will be provided childcare at or near the Convergence Site as volunteer coverage permits. Yummy vegan and vegitarian food will be served, as volunteers and donations allows. Sign Language and Translation will be provided as requested.
WE NEED $$$$$! Suggested donation $20/day, (sliding scale of $5-50/day). No one turned away for lack of funds.
Start your convergence experience at the WELCOME CENTER! The place to check in, get orientated, find trainings, find out about affinity groups, volunteer to help with kitchen, security, you name it. LOCATION : St. Stephen?s Church 1525 Newton St NW In the basement. Directions at top of post. Wheelchair accessible.
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#7. AFFINITY GROUPS & ACTION SPOKESCOUNCIL
We are asking everyone participating in the actions to form or join an affinity group?a self-reliant action group of 5-20 people, including people who do not risk arrest and do support work before, during and after arrest. Affinity groups are the basic planning and decision-making bodies for actions. Form an affinity group with your friends, people from your community, workplace or organization. Two or more affinity groups that have something in common or want to do similar actions should consider working together as a "cluster" of affinity groups. Leading up to the actions, participants will coordinate through an Action Spokes council, with group-designated spokespeople responsible for carrying their group?s plans, opinions and decisions to the spokes council and reporting back to their group. The Action spokes councils on the two days leading up to the action will finalized the scenario and make critical decisions about our action.
Affinity groups are encouraged to arrive on September 25th, or as soon thereafter as possible, in order to participate in the spokes council?s planning of the actions. If this is not possible, affinity groups should try to send at least one person early in the week. All direct action participants should be in town and trained by the evening of September 27th. SPOKESCOUNCIL SCHEDULE : Wed Sept 25th informational spokes - 7 pm - 9:30pm Thurs Sept 26th action spokes council 6 pm - 9:30pm (followed by facilitators meeting for people's assemblies) Fri Sept 27th action spokescouncil 5pm - 9:30 pm
ALL SPOKES COUNCILS happen at St. Steven's Church 16th and Newton (nearest Metro is green line Colombia Heights stop)
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#8. JAIL SOLIDARITY & LEGAL SUPPORT
We will encourage and facilitate jail and court solidarity for the actions. Through jail solidarity we can take power in a situation designed to make us powerless. We do this by making our decisions as a group, by acting in harmony with each other, and by committing ourselves to safeguard each other?s well being. Every time there is a choice in the legal process, activists can refuse to cooperate, making things difficult for the authorities. Through solidarity tactics, we use group non-cooperation to gain some control, expedite the legal process and consequences, prevent the authorities from singling some people out for harsher treatment, and help us resist fines and probation. Solidarity tactics extend the action to the prison and legal system with the strength and community of a group. We encourage action participants to clear their calendars in advance for several days after the action, should on-going jail solidarity work be needed. Those who want or need to leave will have that option open. We will have legal support for those arrested through arraignment: this includes legal and solidarity briefings, a staffed legal support office, and experienced lawyers who can make jail visits. The action spokes councils will make final decisions about mass non-cooperation etc (ie. not carrying identification etc.)
***** #9. We want to coordinate directly with you and your affinity group or cluster. CONTACT US!
Check in line 202-299-1054 affinitygroupcheckin at yahoo.com
How many people are in your affinity group or cluster? How many people will be risking arrest? (If you feel comfortable) what sort of action are you doing, or how do you see yourselves participating?
SEE YOU THERE!!!!
www.globalizethis.org
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