Pittsburgh: POG G-20 Resistance Update #1

from infoshop, 27 June 2009:

Since we last spoke so much has happened, and so much more remains to do. Our last statement laid out POG’s decisions regarding the G20 and let people know about a soon-to-be formed entity against the G20.

The Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project (PG20RP), www.resistg20.org concluded its two-day summit two weeks ago and has officially formed as a way to bring together individuals and projects to mobilize a broader resistance.

The initial meeting had ~60 people, all locals. The size and structure of the project, with regular general assemblies and working groups, is a promising organizational development.

This structure is (hopefully) not a vehicle for any one particular group, anarchist tendency, or viewpoint. It will, of course, seek consensus, work to educate, and issue statements when necessary. The general website promotes flyers, posters, literature, statements, and calls to action that are submitted.

Check out the new 16 page informational zine on the G20 that‘s been released.
http://resistg20.org/files/g20_zine_every.pdf

POG is excited that a larger, open space now exists for the respectful expression and articulation of views, updates, questions, plans, and dreams. We’re looking forward to utilizing it and we hope others do similarly.

This can only aid the gathering momentum, the coming storm.

It was towards that aim that we released our Call To Action and G20 Statement, which collectively laid out our group’s perspective on the summit, how we see our relationship to the new PG20RP, and why we hope to release a series of weekly updates on the progression and challenges of the September mobilization. We aimed for a comprehensive update because it allows us to avoid multiple statements on different aspects of the mobilization and reduces the number of questions people send us.

In Solidarity and Struggle, Pittsburgh Organizing Group
http://www.organizepittsburgh.org

Action Framework Update:

- The PG20RP has laid out a tentative proposal for a three-day convergence plan with the main day of street action to be Thursday, Sept. 24, with a 2:30pm "March on the G20."

Talking To Our Neighbors

This weekend direct door to door flyering will begin through the local outreach working group of the PG20RP, a critical component of getting the word out and something mostly absent at other summit mobilizations due to lack of resources.
POG Call to Action Update:

Since the release of POG’s Call to Action it has been endorsed by Students for Justice in Palestine (Pittsburgh), Harrisburg Area Anarchist Collective (Harrisburg, PA), Workers Solidarity Alliance (NYC), Friendly Fire Collective (SF), Ricanstruction Netwerk (NYC), Unconventional Action (Frederick, MD), Silent Distro Collective (Ithaca, NY), Dirty Hands Collective (Durango, CO.), Unconventional Action (Oakland/San Fran., CA), Armchair Revolutionaries (West Chester, PA), and Wooden Shoe Books (Philadelphia, PA) To endorse hit us up at pog@mutualaid.org
G20 Related Consultas and Organizing Meetings Outside of Pittsburgh:

- July 10-12 SDS National Convention: G20 Presentation/SDS Organizing. Tennessee, www.newsds.org

- July 17-19 Anarchy Summer Camp: G20 Presentation/Discussion. Virginia, http://selfdescribed.org/?page_id=254

- August 14-17 Possible Mid-Atlantic G20 Consulta. Frederick, MD.

- August 15-16 Anarchist Olympics, G20 Presentation/Bay Area Discussion. Bay Area, www.uainthebay.org

- Sept 5-6 Northeast Pre-G20 Meet-up. Boston, MA.

Appeal for Funds:

We are in dire need of money. There isn’t time for big fundraisers, and we’re of the opinion our time is better spent with on-the-ground work. That means we need to rely on our personal funds and our supporters to help out. Please consider donating online at www.organizepittsburgh.org/donate or mail checks/cash to: POG 5125 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15224 (checks can be made out to Pittsburgh Organizing Group)

Specific PG20RP working groups will likely seek funds in the future, and we hope to forward those as they arise, but it’s incumbent on us to start raising money as quickly as possible.

Upcoming POG events:

In support of the G20 mobilization we are putting on a series of tactical training initiative events including Intro to Global Political Economic Frameworks, Participating in a Mass Action 101, Working with the Media (for anarchists), and Lockboxes and Lockdown Devices.

Check out next weeks update for specific dates and locations. We also have three exciting events schedled for early August: our annual anarchist picnic, the protest outside the cities press conference on repression, and a "community conversation" with many of our supporters and allies.

Media Coverage:

The state and some in the media have already begun what looks like a three folded effort; present the illusion of a widespread community consensus in support of the G20, dehumanize protesters as dangerous out of towners who don’t care about our city, and pave the way for state repression and violence.

See these atrocious commentaries for examples:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09161/976293-154.stm
http://pittsburghlive.com:8000/x/pittsburghtrib/news/specialreports/g20/s_628684.html

Which isn’t to say that all reporters see their role as mouthpieces for the state and unquestioning cheerleaders for the police. Some coverage is looking at how the state has historically responded to gatherings such as this and the longer term impact on local “policing“:
www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A65054

There have also been a number of letters to the editors and community commentary pieces submitted. The battle of the story goes on.
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/openletters/archive/2009/06/20/g-20-protests.aspx
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/letters/s_629928.html

A special shout out to Mike Boda. His commentary has been among the best in tackling the cities preparations and media lies.
http://www.examiner.com/x-10661-Pittsburgh-Grassroots-Examiner

What We’re Hearing:

We’ve been hearing from many individuals and groups in Pittsburgh and around the country, those in our group, those we’ve worked with before and those who we’re excited to get to know.

Here is our interpretation of some points we’re hearing, which does not, of course, imply an actual organizational endorsement but rather an attempt to reflect back some of this feedback. If you have comments about what the summit resistance should or could look like please feel free to contact us.

- The convergence should be on the movements’ terms, if there is such a thing as "winning" at these, it is realizing our collective strength and acting decisively.

- The true necessity at this time is the contestation of literal and figurative space in our communities and society and not on whether 20 "leaders" sit in some room talking to each other.

- We must emphasize the principle of redundancy in all our work and plans.

- We need to be on the lookout for the unexpected synergies that define "movements."

- Actions against neo-liberalism, the G20, and the state can’t be confined to a three-day period but need to occur in the lead-up to the summit and after it and absolutely must tie-in and strengthen local projects.

- Anarchists and anarchism must break out of their comfort zones and this means a willingness to directly engage our neighbors, avoid jargon-heavy communication styles, support directly confrontational actions involving tactical innovation AND actions that help us break out of an imposed false stereotype of anarchists as only black masked trouble-makers from elsewhere. Let’s meet people where they’re at even while we avoid watering down our support for a diversity-of-tactics-based resistance.

- There is a need for the kind of solid, on-the-ground, logistical mobilization seen in many of the global justice convergences of years’ past.

- Locals need to strike a balance between taking the initiative to produce an action framework while leaving tangible ways for spokescouncils and consultas to help refine the process and give input.

- We need to work in conjunction with liberals and organized labor if possible, but we can’t be steamrolled by them. The action framework must be a product of those who recognize their role as pushing for the creation of space in which a widespread popular resistance can actualize.

- The short, three month lead-up time is challenging but has its advantages. It ensures things stay fresh, allows a large number of people to temporarily devote a lot of time to mobilizing, and yet ensures that ongoing projects and efforts won’t be abandoned.

- We need to keep in mind the need to love our city and celebrate the strong resistance here without separating ourselves from other communities, cities and movements. We feel pride in what we see happening around us, not because we think we’re better than others. The G20 will be a huge learning opportunity for us and we want to embrace this. You’ve Got to

Show Respect to Get Respect

We’re already having experiences that make clear some national organizations intend to continue a historical pattern of making decisions involving large convergences without consultation, dialogue, and the support of local communities of resistance. Whether they style themselves liberal, radical, or whatever else is less important than how they act.

We cannot stress strongly enough how negatively people in Pittsburgh are, and will be, reacting to groups that try to come in and disrespect the needs and desires of those most impacted by this summit. If you’re part of any non-local group considering plans with large repercussions on local communities of resistance here in Pittsburgh please get in touch with local groups who are integrated into the wider planning process, and do this before you start fleshing out huge proposals and putting out calls.

To do otherwise will ensure active opposition to your plans. We’re specifically calling out you "Bail Out The People Movement," there you are calling press conferences in New York about your big plans for Pittsburgh, asking for money for Pittsburgh organizing, and spamming the internet with calls that imply local support for your massive convergence.

Most of the feedback from locals has been negative towards you. We keep asking folks from liberal, labor, and other community groups and no one knows anyone local associated with your group (if there are actual Pittsburghers working on this, please, get in touch with someone), and you have no local contacts listed. What’s up with that?

What's next:

In the next few updates we will release more information on our plans for protests outside the city’s planned media stunt on Aug. 5, some notes on how to sensibly respond to security dilemmas inherent in summit organizing, a more in-depth event listing with calendar items, some more reports on local media coverage, and notes on surveillance we’re experiencing, etc.

See www.resistg20.org

In Solidarity and Struggle, Pittsburgh Organizing Group
http://www.organizepittsburgh.org

[original article]

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