[O29] Monday meeting, open to public, one protest/one flyer

[Keith Rosenthal]

Hey,
 
   A discussion on the demands issue definitely needs to be on the agenda.  It was a tie vote last week, there has been more time for discussion and compromise since, and because of the nature of the demand, the tie vote needs to be broken one way or the other because of the importance of the demand.  We could just allot 15-20 minutes for this discussion, take hands, for and against, and then vote.  A discussion on the different ideas people have for how to politically shape the protest is just as (if not more) important than a logisitical discussion about the order of the speakers or how we're going to get a sound system (which can be worked out in sub-committees).  
   Anyway, it would be healthy for our coalition to hear out in full the different political ideas people have about the protest, and not just talk about the various specific and mundane (though not unimportant) details.  I've personally been frustrated with the extent to which our meetings have been marked by the quick cutting off of discussion concerning the political shape of the protest and movement, in order to "get things done."  To me this is undemocratic, because then the political shaping of the protest, which is the most important part, ends up happening in individual discussions and conversations elsewhere.  I have heard it said that this is done in order to keep the coalition "unified," but I actually think it only keeps us divided from hearing out each others' ideas. 
   
   Finally, I'm actually not sure that we should have 20 different flyers for the protest, all created by different member groups, and all saying different demands on them.  If we were going to do that, then what's the point of even voting on demands?  We are voting on these demands because we, as a majority, feel that they are crucial demands to get out there into the public eye, and, by voting, or not voting, we feel that the whole group ought to be democratically accountable to carry out that decision, with one flyer, which we will all be using.
 
   Oh, and one last thing, if there is anyone out there in listserve land that has been following this debate, I strongly encourage you to feel more than welcome to attend the organizing meeting this coming Monday at 6pm at the Mass Global Action Office at 33 Harrison Street, 4th floor, in Chinatown (two blocks from the Chinatown T stop on the Orange Line).  Especially if you understand the importance of getting this demand against racism on the flyer and central to our movement, please come to the meeting Monday and let your voice be heard.  Thank you.
 
 
Solidarity,
Keith Rosenthal
 
 
   
   
   
 


DAVID KEIL <dmkeil at gmail.com> wrote:
This is to pass on ideas I've heard about procedure Monday (6pm, MGA).
Some reports we need to hear and discuss are: program; permits and
logistics; outreach (including leafleting, endorsements, and regional
outreach); and finances. We usually start with minutes from the
previous meeting, choice of note taker for current meeting, and choice
of facilitator for next meeting, plus intros. I've heard that some
committees need to meet, so if people agree, then between 7:00 and
7:30 we could break the general meeting up into committees.

The last item on the general agenda would be demands, to discuss and
vote on the following:
- Keith's motion (10/7) to add "Stop the Racist Attacks on the Black,
Latin@, Arab & Muslim Communities" to the list of central demands or
slogans;
- A possible motion by Amee (10/8) to add "Militarism reinforces
racism, sexism, & homophobia" to the central slogans;
- Possible other slogans, such as "Stop the Racist Rhetoric" (R.
Miller 10/8) or ones based on Gustavo's post (10/8).

It seems that most activists want most of the general meeting to be
about important details of preparing the action, but there seems to be
a consensus also to hear proposals on demands. Everyone wants an
atmosphere of respect, collaboration, and friendship, even if we cast
divided votes and sometimes feel angry with each other. One way
suggested to ensure this atmosphere in the demands discussion is to
hear very briefly how everyone feels; then after a brief silence, to
take motions, take brief discussion, and vote.

Informal discussion tonight at Assembling Peace in JP, and discussions
Sunday and Monday, will be an important way to prepare for the
too-short formal discussion Monday night.

David

_______________________________________________
O29 mailing list
O29 at massglobalaction.org
http://massglobalaction.org/mailman/listinfo/o29_massglobalaction.org

		
---------------------------------
 Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://massglobalaction.org/pipermail/o29_massglobalaction.org/attachments/20051008/7d399577/attachment.html>