[MAPC-discuss] Nov. 17 tactics

[MAPC-discuss] Nov. 17 tactics

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-11-13

I strongly support X call to keep the MAPC Nov. 17 event
family-friendly and
nonconfrontational.  Publicity has already gone out seeking to set that
type of tone and attract people on that basis.

MAPC is still in the process of establishing its identity in the
Madison community.  Our effectiveness could easily be hurt by a few
individuals who share our goals but feel compelled to chose their own
tactics while marching under our banner.

A member of our church passed out copies of MAPC's Peace Parade &
Memorial flyers to members of the congregation during announcements on
Sunday, and during the parish meeting which followed I was elected to
chair our Social Action Committee.  The tone of the event on 11/17 could
well decide whether our Social Action Committee and comparable groups in
other Madison churches decide to join the MAPC coalition.  It only takes
one or two people pursuing their own "radical" tactics to siphon off
almost all the media attention and set the tone of the event in the mind
of most of the public.

I would like to see today's general membership meeting call on all who
join us on Saturday to commit to keeping the event family-friendly and
nonconfrontational.  If we approve a statement to that effect, I
recommend that it be sent to the Chief of Police, in a spirit of
openness.  It would be a mistake to start with the assumption that the
Madison police are our enemy.
A month ago I sent the following message to two members of the Outreach
and Education Committee (below) which is still relevant.

'Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001
Subject: Outreach Committee

I have a concern that I hope you will raise with the committee.  It seems
to me that while many groups who are potential coalition members would
agree with the 3 MAPC goals, they would want to know HOW the coalition
will pursue these goals before deciding to join.  Most church groups, for
example, would probably like to see an explicit commitment to openness
and nonviolence and a disavowal of the idea that the end justifies the
means.  I recommend that this committee develop a proposal, in broad
language, for adoption at the next general meeting.  This might involve,
for example, a sentence to be used immediately below the name of our
group, Madison Area Peace Coalition, in all the literature we develop,
such as:  "Committed to nonviolent action aimed at breaking the cycle of
hate and violence." '

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Tuesday, November 13, 2001 9:19 AM

[MAPC-discuss] Nov. 17 tactics