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A Rough Proposal for an Informal Anarchist Network

A Rough Proposal for an Informal Anarchist Network

In the last months a number of formal and informal networks have been built to help facilitate action against the upcoming Republican and Democratic Conventions. At a number of the consultas and spokescouncils bringing these networks together, one recurring theme is the hope that the networks and ties created will not fall apart once the conventions have ended. Despite this common concern there have been very few concrete ideas produced as to how to make sure that this does not happen. Towards that end, some of us have been discussing ideas on how to keep our ties strong. This rough proposal is an attempt to bring those ideas together in one solid, coherent piece.

We believe the major component of keeping the networks together is to continue their actual physical existence. This means continued meetings of these groups locally, as well as regionally and nationally. Previous networks seem to have relied heavily on email and other impersonal forms of communication. This lack of physical presence allows the networks to slowly fade and drift apart as people loose touch or become more involved in other projects. By continuing to occupy physical space with our networks, we will be consistently engaging with all those involved on a personal level. From here the networks can take a number of directions. First and foremost, we feel that in order for the network to continue it needs to offer something to those involved. We feel that the primary things our network can offer in the post-convention months (and longer) will be events (large or otherwise) to tap into, numbers and solidarity in terms of local campaigns addressing similar issues in different areas.

We would like to suggest a few proposals for the weeks and months immediately following the conventions. While recognizing that many individuals involved in organizing for the conventions will be feeling exhausted in their immediate aftermath, it seems like something must occur soon after the conventions in order to keep the ball rolling. We therefore suggest a series of report backs and discussions occurring through the existing networks within their respective communities where we can discuss what happened at the conventions - what went right, what went wrong and where to go from there. On the last point, this could be a session to discuss ideas for a larger meet-up: a consulta in November. Groups from cities and regions can bring proposals to this consulta in an effort to figure out what we can do with our network. In addition to these low-key events, some easy and fun actions would also be productive and election day offers a number of opportunities for groups across the country. We also offer a few ideas of our own as for what to do with these networks. For one, we would like to see a bigger focus on local projects, but with groups working in concert throughout a larger area. We are all affected by the same conditions within this society and by finding commonalities between our projects, we can make them stronger and send a much more potent message to those in power. For example, groups working on issues relating to immigration could stage simultaneous actions in a number of cities. We also feel that having larger events or campaigns to tap into would be a positive force in keeping the networks together as well. For this we offer a few suggestions coming up in the wake of the RNC and DNC: the Midwest Grand Jury, I-69 and the Inauguration.

While this proposal is being submitted to a number of sources with the hope of stimulating further discussion, ideas and criticisms, we do not plan to sit and wait for all of the feedback to come in before acting. We hope to begin organizing for these reportbacks, consultas and action campaigns right now, before the conventions have even begun, to solidify the next few months in everyone's minds. Too often we have spent years building networks for an event only to let them fall apart in the aftermath and force ourselves to re-do all of the groundwork the next time something big rolls around, such as the 2010 Olympics and G8 in Canada. In order to build momentum not just towards events but towards an actual rupture with society, we refuse to let all of our work fall apart without a fight. Even when they are not holding big events for us to disrupt, our enemies continue their attacks on our everyday lives all across the country and the planet. We must begin organizing to attack them on every level and determine our own date and nature of the fight. This is not a condemnation of "summit hopping," but a hope to bring the conflict we see during these events into our day to day existence.

We look forward to hearing further ideas and discussions and working with you all to tear this motherfucking system apart.

Contact us: thisboringaddress (at) gmail.com
 
 

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