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

[DAVID KEIL]

I agree with Keith on procedure; after other reports, we'll have 15-20
minutes for discussion on demands, then vote and move on together. I
neglected to repeat Chris's earlier announcement last week that the
facilitator for Monday is Sarah Pearlstein, spearlstein at comcast.net,
she should hear about any agenda or procedure ideas.

On 10/8/05, Keith Rosenthal <keithmr81 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 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
>
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