The Anti-Capitalist Convergence is continuing our mobilization in Washington DC September 24 through October 1. We are calling for a march against the growing capitalist war on Saturday morning September 29th and invite all those interested in creating a world free from terror, hate, racism, poverty and war to demonstrate our unity and vision for a better world.
PLEASE FORWARD!
For immediate release
September 20, 2001
For more information: info@abolishthebank.org
Anti-Capitalist Convergence Issues New Call to Action
The Anti-Capitalist Convergence is continuing our mobilization in
Washington
DC September 24 through October 1. We are calling for a march against
the
growing capitalist war on Saturday morning September 29th and invite all
those interested in creating a world free from terror, hate, racism,
poverty
and war to demonstrate our unity and vision for a better world.
For the past 5 months we have been organizing a mass mobilization
against
the fall meetings of the IMF and World Bank because of their role in
enforcing global capitalism. In the process of this organizing we have
been
working to strengthen our community by making the connections between
capitalism and issues local to dc. We had been planning a large,
diverse
and beautiful protest and were optimistic that these demonstrations
would be
a groundbreaking step for the Anti-Capitalist movement.
Like most people we were shocked by the events of September 11th and
stopped
mid-action, mid-thought, our lives interrupted and forever changed.
The
enormity of this crisis has affected us all. The IMF and World Bank
have
cancelled their meetings and many groups have called off their events.
The
political climate in the United States has severely changed, emotions
are
running high and the country is extremely tense. In recent days we have
seen the militarization of our city, increasingly blatant racist attacks
and
blind patriotism. Media hysteria and government rhetoric are pushing
people
to unite through religious bigotry and nationalism. Security,
particularly
here in Washington, DC, has been heightened as the country prepares to
go to
war.
The US government has failed to recognize the interconnectedness of all
the
forms of violence. Bombing, encouragement of dictatorships, sweatshops
for
benefit of US corporations, third world debt, world hunger or lack of
shelter and healthcare are all forms of violence. The fear and
desperation
that grows from poverty and oppression is crucial to any understanding
of
violence throughout the world. 35,000 people die from starvation each
day
even though there is enough food to feed all. Terror is still terror
whether it is from death from starvation, fear of enslavement by
corporations or fear of bombs or airplanes falling. Until we understand
the
violence of our economic, military and foreign policies, we will
continue to
foster the conditions that make this kind of terrorism possible.
We demand that no more terror or violence be perpetrated in our name. We
are
a movement devoted to social justice. There is no justice to be found in
retribution, war, racism, corporate globalization or capitalism itself.
We
condemn any and all retaliation and religious persecution of Arab, Arab
American and Muslim peoples and we oppose any attack on our
constitutional
rights. We will not hand over our civil liberties to the greater good of
the
State.
We strongly see the need to come together and act on our visions of the
world we want to create and not on our fears. Though we came together
against the Bank and Fund what we came together for is even more
important
now. We want to continue to mobilize, though we are all uncomfortable
carrying forth in the way we planned. The tactics that were ideal to the
original situation will not have the same effects at this time. We are
no
longer calling militant blocs or actions. We will take action to
inspire,
motivate and demonstrate that a world based on needs not profit; a world
of
mutual support; a world free from oppression is possible. This is a time
to
come together in true solidarity, in a way that supports all those
working
for a better world.
Our plans include a convergence week starting with the opening of the
Anti-Capitalist Convergence Welcome Center on Monday, September 24. All
week long we will engage in skill shares, art, organizing meetings and
outreach. At a time when many people think that war is the answer to
violence talking to our neighbors will be a revolutionary act. We plan a
Community Dialogue with people about what is happening in the world by
asking them Why? We will continue to make connection between critical
local
issues like the lack of housing and healthcare and global capitalism.
On Saturday morning we will hold Anti-Capitalist March Against Hate.
That
afternoon we will establish our Temporary Autonomous Zone to support and
provide for ourselves in a caring and inclusive way. It will be a hate
free
zone, a war free zone, and a capitalist free zone. We encourage
everyone to
make a contribution whether it be a class for the free school, offering
basic medical support, drumming, clothing swap, skill shares,
performance,
strategic discussions, food and more!
Saturday evening we are extending an invitation to friends and neighbors
to
join together in a "Food Not Bombs" Community Dinner. When the state's
pro-war rhetoric claims that "America takes care of it's own" yet spends
billions on a war when many of its people go to sleep hungry and
homeless
it's time for a change. We want to model that change.
We urge people to take action together in Washington DC. Taking action
at
home is equally important, however. If you cannot come to Washington,
organize an action, talk to people in your neighborhood or set up your
own
autonomous zone. People are rising up everywhere saying no to hate and
no
to war. Join with anti-capitalists and other around the world as we
take
action for justice!
Website: http://www.abolishthebank.org/
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UPDATED INFO ABOUT ANTI-CAPITALIST CONVERGENCE
Convergence week: September 24 through October 1
Website: http://www.abolishthebank.org/
Website (english): http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/
Phone: 703-276-9768
General: info@abolishthebank.org
Housing: housing@abolishthebank.org
Local Issues: local@abolishthebank.org
Media: media@abolishthebank.org
Outreach: outreach@abolishthebank.org
Funds: funds@abolishthebank.org
Food: food@abolishthebank.org
Legal: legal@abolishthebank.org
Medical: medical@abolishthebank.org
Arts/Action: arts@abolishthebank.org
Ride Board: rides@abolishthebank.org
Request Housing: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/request_housing.php
Offer Housing: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/offer_housing.php
Maps: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/maps.html
Eating guide: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/guide.html
Outreach Materials: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/outreach.html
Events: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/events.html
Ride Board: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/transit.html
Free Skool/Workshops: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/freeskool.html
Local Issues Working Group: http://www.primate.net/%7Echagall/acc-local/
Donate: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/donate.html
Child Care: http://www.abolishthebank.org/en/childcare.html
Next Public Meeting in Washington
Sunday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Location: For Location call 703-276-9768 Ext. 7
Anti-Capitalist Convergence Welcome Center
It's about time to annouce the Anti-Capitalist Convergence Welcome
Center. The Welcome Center will open at 10am on Monday, September 24th
and be open daily from 10am to 9pm from the 24th to October 1st. This is
not a place to hang out or store your belongings. This space will used
by the ACC to disseminate information about the Anti-Capitalist
Convergence. Stop by to recieve updates on protests and various actions
during the Anti-Capitalist Convergence. From the welcome center we will
be directing folks to protests, meetings, trainings, skillshares and
workshops throughout the city. You will also be able to find out how to
secure housing for your stay in DC and be directed to food servings by
Seeds for Peace and various Food Not Bombs groups throughout the week.
For information on anything concerning the Anti-Capitalist Convergence
stop by the ACC Welcome Center at 15th and Irving Streets NW. One block
from the Columbia Heights Metro stop on the Green Line.
We need volunteers, contact: abolishthebank@hotmail.com if you can
volunteer to staff for a shift or two during the convergence or call
703-276-9768
This space is NOT open to media or law enforcement.
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Anti-Capitalist Convergence Principles of Unity
(These are as adapted from CLAC and CASA's principles of unity. Two
groups that organized for the FTAA protests in Quebec City.)
*We are opposed to capitalism. We fundamentally reject a social and
economic system based on the private ownership of the means of
production and exchange. We reject a system driven by an exploitative
logic that sees human beings as
human capital, ecosystems as natural resources, and culture as simply a
commodity. We reject the idea that the world is only valuable in terms
of profit, competition and efficiency.
*We reject the ideology of neo-liberalism, whereby corporations and
investors are exempt from all political and social measures that
interfere with their so-called "success".
*We are anti-imperialist, opposed to patriarchy, and denounces all forms
of exploitation and oppression. We assert a worldview based on the
respect of our differences and the autonomy of groups, individuals and
peoples. Our objective is to globalize our networks of resistance to
corporate rule.
*Respecting a diversity of tactics, we support the use of a variety of
creative initiatives, ranging between popular education to direct
action.
*We are autonomous, decentralized and non-hierarchical. We encourage the
involvement of anyone who accepts this statement of principles. We also
encourage the participation of all individuals in working groups, in
accord with their respective political affiliations.
*We organize with a regard for security culture, keeping in mind the
constant repression and infiltration of political movements by the
state.
Original: Anti-Capitalist Convergence Issues New Call to Action