Notes from DNC Vision/Critique Session

  Unconventional Denver, a faction of the anarchist/anti-authoritarian network Unconventional Action (UA), hosted a discussion open to Denver community members involved in protesting the DNC to hear their ideas, concerns and other thoughts about what the DNC protests hold for our work for justice.

Many ideas were shared. This is a synopsis of what happened. People are encouraged to add or clarify the summary or add their own thoughts if they couldn’t attend the meeting by making a comment to the article on colorado.indymedia.org Input will be used by UA to draft proposals that will ultimately turn into a general strategy of direct action for the DNC.

Some of the hopes people had for the protests were:

- working with youth and others around anti-imperialism and national liberation issues

- a social forum in action

- lots of veteran participation

- events that leave people revitalized

- organizing in a way that rebuilds activist infrastructure

- positive, creative response to the corporate despair of the convention

- building solidarity and infrastructure, especially outside typical activist circles

- provide for people’s needs outside the two party system

- bring back the love felt during the alter-globalization movement

- have fun

When proposals for direct action were brought up there were mixed feelings. However, there were some common themes

- Everyone seemed to think direct action was important or at least welcomed

- There was some debate over violent vs. nonviolent and what those words even meant

- Many people thought the idea of trying to shut down the convention was foolish with the heavy police presence and questionable motive involved since the convention is largely ceremonial, as opposed to a meeting in which real decisions are made

- R 68 members also voiced frustration with how the media has focused on the security debate instead of the real issues around the Dems complicity with the war, etc. They advised other groups such as UA to try and avoid that trap if working with the media.

- Some suggested focusing the direct action on the 1500 convention-related events that will be happening and turning them into our own

- It was also noted that there are other prime targets for protest and creative action besides the Pepsi Center that would not be as heavily policed

- Possible decentralized action around key places - for this to be successful and not fizzle out there needs to be strong local organizing around those targets

- Important to keep in mind that arrests could hang over the city for a long time

- Make it creative- it will get more attention and be more empowering

- Keep big scale stuff out of neighborhood

- Whatever we do outreach is key: why the 2 party system is bankrupt, outreach needs to be personal, door to door, mouth by mouth to get people excited

This was a good first step in getting people in Denver talking about the DNC. There were certainly many voices and perspectives that were not there that night and this dialogue is an ongoing one. People committed to continue to do outreach and get people’s input. UA will be taking these comments and others to help inform them in drafting proposals that can serve as starting points for a more concrete discussion around tactics and strategy.

Both R 68 and Unconventional Action will also be organizing consultas in January to help further broad input and participation for the DNC protests.

The R68 meeting’s date has not been set, but will be for the various community organizations and people in Denver to come together and work on the protests. The Unconventional Action consulta is open to anarchists and anti-authoritarians from across the country to draft a general strategic framework for direct action. It will be held Jan 18-21 in Denver. For more info contact Unconventional Denver at unconventionaldenver@riseup.net. Recreate 68 can be contacted at their website www.recreate68.org