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

Sat Oct 8 11:15:55 PDT 2005

Hi Keith,
You have raised some concerns about democracy here that should be addressed.
In particular you would like to see more "discussion concerning the
political
shape of the protest and movement". In June when ideas were being debated
about the political shape of the movement when the Committee for a Fall
Action
had a discussion of the Fall Boston action you spoke volumes and no one cut
you
off. Once there was support in the broader antiwar movement for a fall
action, the
Committee for a Fall Action dissolved. The purpose of our existance was
achieved.
In July, you chose not to come to meetings of the October 29th Coalition or
bring
your ideas forward. In August there was extensive debate on demands and the
"political shape of the protest and movement" and you expressed your views
like
everyone else. You were not cut off and neither were any of the people newer
than
you. In September the discussion focused more on "getting things done" and I
feel
this is only natural. You have been given ample opportunately to express
your views
on the list serv. You have certainly taken this opportunity more than I
have. I guarentee
that I won't complain later that I did not have the opportunity. You seem to
agree that
process should not trump politics or action. What we need now is Action and
process
should not be allowed to trump this. You will again have the opportunity to
debate "political
shape" in the form of a proposal for a demand. And the Coalition has the
democratic right to
take Action on whatever is decided. It is unfortunate that we get booted out
of our meeting
place at 8:00 sharp. But that is the arrangement we democratically decided
to make. The
Coalition decided in July to encourage organizations to put out postings and
fliers. This has
been done. You could have made a proposal to the contrary. But I think it is
a little late now.
Were we being undemocratic?

In an earlier post you raised something very closely related to what you are
raising below:
"if anything, we should be seeking to get new people involved and coming
back to the
planning meetings to help us build for the protest.  that means that in
addition to doing
outreach, our meetings have to be open, inviting, accessible, and exude a
desire to take
the time to draw new people into the discussion, hear out their ideas and
concerns, and
take the time to give them full discussion, not trample all over them and
indefinitely table
their proposals because "the big chiefs have to get to work." in my
experience, it is quite
possible (and necessary) to combine the utmost in discussion and democracy
with the
utmost in organizing.  otherwise, at the end of the day, there is nobody but
the "big chiefs"
left standing alone in the room."

In my view, I see you reinventing yourself as a newcomer and bursting on to
the scene to
challenge the "big chiefs". The task of geting "new people involved and
coming back to the
planning meetings to help us build for the protest" is what many of us are
doing right now.
The October 29th Coalition never bothered to elect a coordinator ("big
chief"). Thank heaven
Chris is coordinating Outreach and Karen was coordinating Permits and Jason
is
coordinating Media and Nick is coordinating the Web Site and maybe Brian on
finances.
I am not sure who is coordinating our other activities. To some the "big
chief" line of
argumentation in this context may seem offensive and could put Machiavelli
to shame.
But for me it has provided some comic relief which I have enjoyed.

In Solidarity,
John

  -----Original Message-----
  From: O29-bounces at massglobalaction.org
[mailto:O29-bounces at massglobalaction.org]On Behalf Of Keith Rosenthal
  Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2005 11:37 AM
  To: o29 at massglobalaction.org
  Subject: [O29] Monday meeting, open to public, one protest/one flyer

  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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