While the statement can be qualified in innumerable ways, let’s say it right from the start—the protests against the Republican National Convention (RNC) were a success for anarchists. Whether it be through the networking and connections made with anarchists all over the country, to collaborations on various RNC related projects, or the actions on the first day—which largely eclipsed the RNC and in so doing made good on our plan to “crash the convention”—we succeeded. Granted, it’s a small part of a much bigger struggle—as indicated in the call to action put out by the RNC Welcoming Committee over a year ago—we should be proud of what we accomplished on the streets—and we should take that energy back to our own communities and use it to build a stronger anarchist movement.

During the week of the RNC, we shared food and conversation. We became better friends and fighters as we dodged tear gas, pepper spray, and everything else the state threw at us. We blocked busses, built barricades, and locked down. We were flexible and fluid, adapting quickly to both changes in the RNC’s schedule and the actions on the street. We brought a coherent critique of capitalism to the permitted antiwar march and we marched with our allies in the March for Our Lives. We ducked down alleys and side streets to avoid arrests. We cheered when corporate and state property was destroyed. We danced in the streets. And, we supported—and will continue to support—our brothers and sisters who were arrested.

THE (A)MAZING BACKGROUND WORK…

The actions on the streets of St. Paul were the product of over a year and a half of organizing. Beginning with the “pReNC” gathering in August of 2007, anarchists and anti-authoritarians from around the country decided that a primary goal of the RNC protests was going to be shutting down the conventions. While “the usual suspects”—progressives, liberals, and various socialists groups organized yet another permitted march—anarchists were clear from the start that it was long past time to take a more direct approach to fighting the systems of oppression that owe their existence—in part—to the two major political parties and the system that they represent. A call was put out to anarchist groups from around the country to participate in blockading the convention, and for the better part of a year, anarchists dedicated a lot of time to doing outreach and revising the strategy via a series of gatherings around the country.

Eventually, downtown St. Paul was carved up into seven different “sectors” and groups from around the country stepped up and coordinated activity in their respective “sectors.” The model worked well and helped assure that when the police attempted to destabilize the plans via a series of raids and targeted arrests, plans were able to go through relatively unchanged.

Aside from the extensive work put into providing the infrastructure for a decentralized and militant protest aimed at shutting down the RNC, there was an equally important amount of work put into providing logistical support for the protests. The RNC Welcoming Committee opened a “convergence center” to coordinate plans and hold trainings—while also coordinating housing throughout the Twin Cities for protestors. The Coldsnap Legal Collective coordinated legal support and made sure that when folks were released from jail, there were folks there to greet them. The Tin Can Comms Collective developed an innovative communications system for coordinating the protests. Seeds of Peace and Food Not Bombs provided two meals per day for protestors and frequently were in the streets—whether it was delivering meals during protests or feeding people after they were released from jail. The bike collective also played an important role in giving protestors an easy way to get around the cities.

Moreover, no matter how frustrating the long meetings were in the weeks before and during the mobilization were, they show the power of anarchist organizing models and speak volumes to both what we can accomplish now and in the future.

IT WASN’T ALL ROSY…

Of course, not everything turned out how we thought it would. We honestly believed that we had a shot at shutting down or at the very least delaying the convention, but upon arriving in town, we quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. We were disappointed that despite a year of outreach, most people seemed to come to the Twin Cities without solid plans to blockade the streets. It seems that most folks wanted to be “mobile” and had only loose plans centered on creating temporary blockades built by found objects or reacting to the actions of the police. Looking back on the RNC, it becomes apparent how important the words “diversity of tactics” are not only in assuring a respect for a variety of forms of resistance, but also in assuring that a variety of tactics are used. When it simply becomes a code word for black bloc style mobile tactics, its power is unnecessarily limited.

Aside from the lack of plans for blockades, our effectiveness was also hampered by the turn out. Some of the seven sectors had nowhere near the numbers that were needed—we’re talking as low as thirty people—and courageous as people’s actions were at times, there was no way we could hold the streets on September 1. Our numbers were also not bolstered much by the simultaneous antiwar march, as its organizers way overestimated their numbers. We feel it is important to admit that many folks—our group included—made a mistake in believing that this march would attract a far larger number of folks than it did. The mobilization probably would have benefited from a well-publicized (at least locally in the Twin Cities, perhaps regionally) direct action that gave folks upset with the two-party system an easier way to plug into the direct action strategy. We were disappointed that the Twin Cities weren’t covered in posters inviting people to help shut down the RNC.

HERE AT HOME…

While ACTIVATE gained a lot on the streets of St. Paul and in the year leading up to the RNC, those gains are only tangible if we can bring them back to our local community. We put a lot of work into the RNC—we hosted consultas, did outreach, did presentations, did trainings, and recruited folks to go to the RNC—all of which we believe qualify as a success. We established a good amount of “buzz” around the RNC—certainly more than any previous convergence—and used the RNC to expand the capacity of our group, and hopefully, the capacity of other radicals in our city. Moreover, the RNC helped us advance a critique of electoral politics and sharpened our own group’s political focus.

INSPIRATION FOR FUTURE ACTION…

As folks settle back into their local communities, we think there is a lot that can be taken from the RNC and we hope that the energy is put to good use. There’s still time for anti-election work, and with all of the networking around the RNC, there are plenty of opportunities to connect up with other anarchist groups in your region or across the country to share ideas and propaganda and to build stronger political analyses. Similarly, as the Democrats and Republicans continue to show their irrelevance, there are numerous opportunities for anarchists to take the initiative and make concrete gains. Alternatives to the current system as well as mainstream activism are needed—and it is up to anarchists to provide these.

As for lessons from the RNC, there is a lot that we can learn. We should constantly critique our strategies and refine our tactics. Similarly, we should be renewing them as well. While we were down in numbers and our initial plans were not carried out to their fullest extent, we should recognize that learning from our past and rekindling empowering moments can strengthen us and make us grow. We can dwell on what should we should have done better—and that has its place—but we can also retell stories from St. Paul with excitement for future actions, both in our local communities and in far away places.

TO THE TWIN CITIES…

We will never forget our friends in the Twin Cities and the hospitality of your community. We thank you once again for inviting us into your city–we can only hope our collective actions made you proud.

TO THE FUTURE…

Late in the afternoon on September 1st—when the sun was beating down on us and our feet were swollen and tired—many of us met up for a high-energy re-convergence in downtown Saint Paul.

A wagon blaring music through a sound system wheeled around while newspaper boxes and street signs were dragged across the pavement into the intersection. A bus—possibly containing delegates—was stopped. People were dancing and singing and police were surrounding, yet we didn’t stop. Our songs drowned out the swooshing helicopter blades from above and for a moment we were unstoppable. Though this moment was not what many of us envisioned in our planning, it was one that charged us with enough energy to resist every oppressive system that had brought us to St. Paul.

When we hear stories, recollect memories, or see pictures or film filled with people, fists clenched and raised, mouths open and loud, in the streets, chanting, arms linked, banners held, energy radiating from every individual, we yearn to jump in to that scene and either relive it—or improve it.

From Seattle to Miami, there are moments that could have been different and there are others that could never be changed. When we reflect on what happened in St. Paul, we should recount our victories and in the effort to continue to fight, let’s conclude these reflections with looking into our future and continuing what we’ve always created.

For many moments to come, it is likely that we will continue to dodge rubber bullets, taste tear gas, and run like hell, and while some may believe the corporate media and think we are simply trying to make history—we will tell them that we are simply trying to make a future.

From St. Paul to Grand Rapids, with Love and Rage,

-       ACTIVATE

http://www.activategr.org

Of course, this video is a parody and cannot convey a complete analysis of the elections or provide a comprehensive critique of electoral politics as a strategy for social change. We encourage anyone viewing the video to consult a piece ACTIVATE wrote earlier this year on the role of elections.

ACTIVATE has prepared the following pamphlet on the war to raise Afghanistan as an issue again and to remind people that moving troops out of Iraq and putting them in Afghanistan is no solution. We will be distributing these around town in the coming month and encourage you all to do the same.

Download the Pamphlet

Tell McCain/Palin…

FUND HUMAN NEEDS, NOT WAR!

Wed, 09/17 5:15pm
Monument Park (corner of Fulton and Division)

Our schools are crumbling, many of us can’t afford healthcare, our homes are being foreclosed, food costs are rising… yet the illegal occupation of Iraq continues to receive an almost unlimited amount of government funding.

When McCain and Palin speak at GRCC, let’s protest to demand an immediate end to the Iraq War (no time tables, no contractors, and no “residual forces”) and the prioritizing of human needs over war.

Help Spread the Word:

Advertising Poster

Facebook Event

Graphic for Social Networking Websites

ACTIVATE is now calling on people to contact officials in Minneapolis to demand rights for prisoners arrested during the Republican National Convention immediately. According to the group Cold Snap Legal Collective over 300 people have been arrested as of Wednesday, many receiving felony charges. Many prisoners have not been able to meet with lawyers, guards have beaten several prisoners, some have been denied medical attention, and others have been put in 23-hour lock down. In addition, trans-gendered prisoners’ rights are not being taken into consideration. It is important that as many people as possible contact the following officials and ask that they meet the demands listed below.

* St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (651.266.8510)

* Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher (651.266.9333)

* County Chief Judge Gearin (651.266.8266)

* Head of Ramsey County Jail Captain Ryan O’Neal (651.266.9350) (main #) extension 1

And demand the following:

* Immediate medical attention as needed for ALL arrestees;

* That the prisoners who haven’t given their names (Jane, John, and Jesse Does) have access to group meetings with a lawyer;

* Ensure trans folks have access to phones, attorneys, and are held in their gender group of choice;

* Dismissal of all charges; and

* Release of all minors.

What follows is a brief report back from the Grand Rapids faction of Unconventional Michigan…

PLANNING

At this stage in the game, planning is not as far along as what folks in Grand Rapids were hoping for before the consulta. While people remained very committed to going to the RNC and acting within Sector 5 (claimed by the Midwest Cluster), groups were not developed enough to discuss claiming a specific portion of the sector or coordinating between affinity groups. Despite this, the consulta included a review of maps, particulars of Sector 5, and a brainstorming of possible locations for strategic actions. Groups and individuals in attendance were strongly urged to contact the Midwest Cluster, Bash Back!, or the Snowswarm folks to plug into those actions and to facilitate greater coordination and to maximize the effectiveness of the blockades.

We also want to include a gentle reminder to folks planning to the attend the RNC protests to pick an action and connect with a group organizing in a specific sector. There are many to chose from, but time is running short.

MESSAGING

There was an interesting discussion about messaging and how radicals can use the RNC to advance our politics. While we were clearly not ready to come to consensus on an Unconventional Michigan message, the discussion was worthwhile and at some points inspiring as we shared our reasons for working towards shutting down the RNC. Many folks shared thoughts about the lack of legitimacy of the so-called “representative democracy,” the need for urgent action, and the hope that the RNC organizing will continue to inspire an upswing in radical organizing.

AFTER THE RNC

Some of the more productive discussions of the day centered on discussions about where we–as radicals in the Michigan area and beyond–go after the RNC. With two months before the elections, there will be ample time and opportunity for continued outreach around the failings of representative democracy and electoral politics. Moreover, with so much energy being focused on the RNC, we hope to see this energy shift onto other projects.

Among the specific ideas discussed at the consulta is the possibility of a meet-up in the Twin Cities (for the third or fourth day of the RNC) to assess both how the blockading went, how the organizing as a whole went, and where we as radicals can go from there. This idea is still being developed, but people from Unconventional Michigan are actively pursuing it. Second, there was considerable interest in a regional (Ohio, Michigan, etc) gathering to facilitate greater networking in the region–especially in terms of bringing out folks that may not have been interested in the anti-RNC organizing. The exact date is still being planned, but it will be in October in Toledo.

Love and Rage,

The Grand Rapids Faction of Unconventional Michigan

http://uamichigan.wordpress.com

Planning to attend the upcoming protests against the Republican National
Convention (RNC) in the Twin Cities? Wondering how you will fit into the
plans for shutting down the convention? Wondering about logistics?

Unconventional Michigan is hosting a planning meeting for folks who are
going to be attending the protests. It will be an opportunity to meet
radicals across Michigan to discuss how we can work together to shut down
the RNC and articulate a radical vision for the future.

TO ATTEND, RSVP TO UAMICHIGAN@RISEUP.NET

MORE ON THE PROTESTS: HTTP://UAMICHIGAN.WORDPRESS.COM

Note: For a report back on an earlier statewide gathering in Michigan, see:

http://uamichigan.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/unconventional-michigan-consulta-report-back/

Join us, ACTIVATE (Grand Rapids SDS) for a ride next Thursday to protest the US occupation of Iraq and to show that we don’t need to rely on oil that is both destroying the planet and motivating the slaughter of thousands of Iraqi civilians. Along the way, we’ll make stops at places connected to the war and global warming.

Bring your friends. Tell everyone. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this.

Help Promote the Ride:

Full Page Poster

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Schedule

* 12:00 PM – Vegan potluck in the Park – Bring a dish to pass for a pre-workshop lunch

* 1:00 – Protest 101 – Learn the basics of how to organize a protest!

* 1:45 – Creative Protest – Radical Cheerleading, street theater, & more!

* 2:30 – Health And Safety – What to wear, bring, and how to stay safe at a demonstration

* 3:15 – Legal – How to deal with law enforcement

* 4:00 – Black Blocs – Find out what a black bloc is and different black bloc tactics

* 4:45 – Lockdowns and Blockades – How to stop business as usual using different techniques

From the call:

If we, as a radical movement, are going to attempt to pressure the Democratic Party candidates, the time to do so is before they are elected. We can’t roll over and wait until they are in office. But on the other hand, if we, as a radical movement, seek to utilize direct action to bypass the mechanisms and apparatus of the State, opting in stead to actively (re)create and establish viable, sustainable, decentralized, localized, horizontal, and participatory modes of communal self-governance, we must also challenge the Democrats, sending the message that in pressuring them, we are in no way endorsing or legitimizing their power, authority, or rule. In fact, we seek to abolish it, as well as all other coercive mechanisms of the State. If we think a movement can exist out of electoral politics, then we must reclaim the mantel of dissent. With these things in mind, we have several questions for the Democrats, as well as for ourselves:

* If voters gave control of Congress to Democrats in 2006–rather explicitly (and belatedly) due to dissatisfaction with the Iraq war–why is the United States still in Iraq?

* Why is it that none of the presidential candidates (Democratic Party or otherwise) pay any attention to polls of people in the country the U.S. has made such a mess of, in which overwhelming proportions of the people simply want the U.S. out, now?

* How are any of the elites in the U.S. political mainstream demonstrating any respect for “democracy” when they ignore the opinions not only of their own constituents but of the people who are most directly affected? Who, of these elites, can we acquit of war crimes? And how, if we offer support to any of these elites, do we escape complicity with these war crimes ourselves?

* By resisting (or refusing to participate in) the limiting mechanisms of the electoral process, do we, through inaction, effectively condone war crimes by failing to do everything we can to stop them? Or is it that by refusing to engage in concerted direct action (and failing to recognize that the political mechanisms of the State are both ineffectual and illegitimate), we, through inaction, are effectively complicit in war crimes by failing to do everything we can to stop them?

Across the country, groups have been talking–and talking seriously–about disrupting the DNC by means of direct action. The DNC–like the RNC–is shaping up to be an event that we won’t want to miss. But unlike the RNC, the DNC gives us the additional opportunity of saying NO to the narrow (two party monopoly) options provided by the State. We feel that the DNC is equally as important as the RNC, as neither party represents the people. We also feel that if there is no radical presence at the DNC, radicals at the RNC appear to be supporting the Democrats, when in fact we oppose the whole system. In the face of the last eight years, let us not forget the prior eight year Democratic presidency of Bill Clinton, which brought us NAFTA, 500,000 dead Iraqis, welfare reform, militarization of the US-Mexico border, etc.

Read the full call to action.