As a distant observer of the recent direct actions in DC and Philly, I've got to wonder if the pattern of our organizing and tactics has become so obvious and transparent to the authorities that this movement will be squashed before the year is out.

The pre-emptive strikes on convergence centers in both cities, and the targeting of "organizers" and other intimidating tactics are all very smart. An aquaintance in the secret service detailed some of the assignments in DC to me, and its clear that COINTELPRO is not history.

The police actions are going to necessitate, I think, a change in organizing tactics on our part. Being so public with our names, dates and times of actions, convergence locations, communications via WWW all need to be re-assessed. Going underground may reduce the visibility of the movement, and thus limit the involvement of some, but it needs to happen before 50% of those protesting are infiltrators, and all "organizers" have FBI files on them, and any tactical decisions are known to the cops before the street activists.

Just a few thoughts.

I think, "going underground" will make it easier for the pigs to identify those who have gone underground as criminals. I think things should be done in a very public way. What do we have to hide? Puppets? Fuel for generators? Scissors for stabbing police officers? Glue to squirt in thier eyes? Signs to confuse them to death? These raids and pre-emptive strikes need to be more public as to expose them for what they really are. A big joke of a fraud. At this point, you can be pretty sure that any organizer that was in Seattle, DC or Philly already has FBI files on them. Groups have already been infiltrated. Thats what they do. That's why they are there, to protect our great corporate system.

Having an FBI file on you isn't that big of a deal. They have files on everybody anyway. Screw em'. What can the do with thier files anyway? Come give you a papercut? Going underground or being secretive is thier thing, let it be thier downfall, Let them screw themselves.

The protesters will NEVER come close to 50% infiltrated, thats silly. They'll only be able to pepper the crowds with observers and other agents to cause trouble. By being VERY LOUD and VERY PEACFULL and VERY OPEN, they will not be able to stop us. By being very quiet and secretive will move us towards violence and exclusivity, and being snuffed out by the pigs.

Ours thing should be honesty and openess in a VERY public way, the opposite of them. I think being secretive and acting like some underground movement will only help invalidate our causes. What do we have to hide? Our tactics only need become louder and more peacful. They're probably already involved with inciting violence, it's thier best way to invalidate and dismiss the whole movement as if we were one big English soccer riot.

If you want to be secretive about something, only do so with close friends or familiy, As you will never be able to fully trust a stranger. Honestly though, why lie? Let truth and justice be the path we take. It will lead us to where we want to go.

The police could have done more had they wanted to. All of the convergence center addresses were known to the public if they picked up any activist paper in Philadelphia. Those are things that shouldn't have to be a secret. The main organizational meetings were never exposed, to my knowledge.

And even if they were - in Philly the police could have known of our plans, but apart from setting up check points on the streets and subways, they couldn't have stopped us from arriving at our target areas.

In DC the police were already surrounding the WB and IMF with their own barricades. They knew where we would be.

The only real threat is the confiscation of supplies used for lockdowns, from what I can see.

Timoney's attempt to bring Federal charges against organizers though is a serious threat, not to the movement but to our freedoms. Taking down one or two activists who are perceived leaders will not stop us.

The worst that can happen is that intimidation keeps us away.

I went to Philly knowing that if I was arrested even for 2 days I knew I could lose my job at home or miss my ride and be stranded. But I refused to be intimidated and went anyway.

If certain things should be more covert, such as supplies and comms (I think all comm people should wear business attire) then so be it, but organiationally, we are doing things perfectly.

Silly Rabbit, I like your style, thanks for the laugh..."confuse them with our signs"!!!! I needed that!!

I hope a couple of the cops will have a bit of their consciousness raised from the signs as well. Reform on all sides, I say!!

I agree with a quick read of your posts, so what, we've got files.... hey, at least the coppers+ should be pleased with the amount of employment and overtime we're providing them!! Hey!! Maybe they're behind the whole thing, so as to get this year's model!! No matter, the price of gas will even that out!!!