RNC

Organizing to Shut Down the RNC by ACTIVATE (Grand Rapids SDS)

SDSers–in both the Twin Cities and elsewhere–are actively organizing against the Republican National Convention (RNC) happening this fall in the Twin Cities.

The SDS RNC Working Group is holding bi-weekly conference calls to discuss the RNC protests and is working to inform SDS about what is happening at the RNC (sign-up for the listserv at sdsprotestnc2008@lists.riseup.net to get involved). Macalester SDS is offering up its campus as a “home base” for SDS groups.

Our chapter–ACTIVATE (Grand Rapids SDS)–recently put out a call to for SDS chapters to endorse and participate in a three-tiered strategy to shut down the RNC on its opening day. The strategy–developed at a meeting of over 100 anti-authoritarians from around the country in the summer of 2007 (facilitated by the Twin Cities’ RNC Welcoming Committee)–calls for blockades around the Xcel Center, immobilizing the delegates’ transportation structure, and blocking the bridges that connect St. Paul (where the convention is) and Minneapolis (where many of the delegates are staying).

We are encouraging SDS chapters to begin planning how they can fit into the strategy. SDS chapters can select and utilize the tactics with which they are most comfortable, whether that be lockdowns, roving street
marches, or anything in between. The strategy allows for a diversity of tactics, and “a zone system” with color-coded zones based on the level of risk is in the process of being developed by folks in the Twin Cities.
Just as the tactics will be diverse, the messages can be as well–SDS chapters could develop actions aimed at criticizing the two-party system, the Iraq War, or the rising cost of tuition. Regardless of the specific
actions chapters chose, the RNC offers a tremendous opportunity for SDS to plug into what will likely be a major mobilization.

Since issuing the call in late March, it has been endorsed by Animas SDS (Durango, CO), Chicago SDS, Ignite SDS (Lansing, MI), and THS SDS (Tuscarora High School Frederick, MD). We are continuing to circulate it
within SDS and are committed to mobilizing SDSers to attend the RNC.

To view the call visit Activategr.org.