[MAPC-discuss] Re: Madison - Truax Direct Action Options

[MAPC-discuss] Re: Madison - Truax Direct Action Options

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-11-13

X, et.al.:
The important thing to keep in mind is tha "tactics" are always shaped
and dewtermined by several considerations.  Primary is the message, how
and what you want to reach the public with, that is, how you go about
putting forward some politics.  That in turn is always determined by the
"correlation of forces" not only on the ground at the location, but the
general public mood, the receptivity of a broader audience.  We, at this
point, do not know what kind of reception we'll receive so one must be
careful about suggesting actions or forms of protest.

FLexibility, the ability to read the situation, is key so that some
indiviuals/individualists don't get too far out in front.

A guideline might be "No stupid shit!"

There have been discussions about this gathering for weeks now.  I don't
recall your presence at any of the meetings.  Now, but days before, you
want to initiate a discussion via e-mail, not the best place.
-AR
PS:: Please forward this to the various lists that I'm not on.

On Mon, 12
Nov 2001,  X wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I know many people are worried about the "law and order"
> response to the Peace Parade scheduled for this coming Sat. (11/17)
> at 12:00 Noon outside the gates of Truax Air Force Base near MATC in
> Madison.  It is hard to predict what will happen.  Having been in
> lots of protests, I tend to prepare for the worst and I would
> encourage others to do the same.  No matter what we call the event -
> parade, vigil, protest, march, memorial, etc. etc. - the reaction may
> be exactly the same by the police.
>
> In terms of direct action, I agree with many others that the
> "least threatening" tactics are preferable.  Personally, I'm not in
> favor of blocking the gates, climbing the fence, or otherwise
> creating a situation where authorities feel compelled to respond
> and/or arrest people.  Of course, they could still pepperspray
> someone for merely carrying a bouquet of flowers - such are the times
> we live in...
>
> At any rate, three relatively "mellow" and somewhat "fun" direct
> action tactics people have been tossing around for Saturday's event
> include:
>
> 1.) Decorating the fence with statements of resistance, demands for
> peace, etc. etc. - this could include poems, quotes, balloons, paper
> cranes, posters, large photos of Afghani children, etc. etc.  This
> tactic worked very well in Quebec at the FTAA protests and got a lot
> of media coverage.
>
> 2.) Mock minefield with similar looking "cluster bombs" and "food
> packages" strewn along the roadside and entrance that people could
> pick up and discover their fate by reading the explanation on the
> bottom.  The UW Greens in conjunction with the International Campaing
> to Ban Landmines has done similar mock minefields on UW Library Mall
> with a good public response.
>
> 3.) Propaganda flights with people making paper "F-16s" out of copies
> of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, Geneva Convention, photos of
> refugees, etc. etc. and tossing them over the fence.  This tactic has
> been used by solidarity groups  - a common nickname is the "Zapatista
> Airforce."
>
> At any rate, these "mild" direct action tactics (and possible
> others) I hope can be discussed at the Student Youth Caucus meeting
> tonight and at the full MAPC meeting tomorrow.  Hopefully, there is
> enough space and trust within the coalition umbrella for such
> activities to occur.
>
> Thanks - X, Madison
>


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Tuesday, November 13, 2001 3:52 AM

[MAPC-discuss] Re: Madison - Truax Direct Action Options