[g8-sheffield] non-violence

Philippe Deux hjdsmdr at mixmail.com
Sat Mar 12 01:14:28 GMT 2005 


  We should
> promote awareness and training as that helps people who are new to
> NVDA be aware of what could happen and also their own reactions to
> it. Making sure there are witnesses and support networks is a high
> priority also if these actions are to take place.

Witnesses: They are called "legal observers" by the LSG: they will wear
orange jackets or bibs, but will have no special legal privilege; they
will be willing to testify, or pick up persons arrested when they are
released.
The LSG has issued a recent Call out to Volunteers (persons willing to
act as legal observers, but also anybody who want to do office work, or
driving without getting dangerously involved). I am transcribing the
Call Out here below.
The Dissent groups are organized according to the PGA; on their website,
you can read a statement for non violence drafted by the Dutch group i
think: it is brief and could be adopted by the g8-sheffield if approved...
I will take it to next meeting.














Jase wrote:

> Have to say I missed the bit about it being a statement of
> non-violence and thought it was just a general 'mission statement'
> type thing. It was made clear in the meeting we would offer support
> to *anyone* who was arrested etc, but the group would not condone
> violent action. I do think we need some kind of line on this tho',
> and it is not for the media but as Chris said, a boundary for
> operating with different groups. A group may want to storm the 
> barricades but that is not an action Sheffield G8 would support, that
> said if the same group wanted to form a ring around the meeting space
> in an earlier NVDA, that would be something the group would support.
> 
> The ideas of NVDA are complex, a workshop and/or training would be
> good to work through the issues for those who are thinking of taking
> action - seeds of change (http://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/) did a
> very good one at the social forum launch, and I think did one in
> Sheffield fairly recently. We should promote awareness and training
> as that helps people who are new to NVDA be aware of what could
> happen and also their own reactions to it. Making sure there are
> witnesses and support networks is a high priority also if these 
> actions are to take place.
> 
> If the media get on their high horse, then turn it around and
> question them about the violence of the state, it's neglect and
> inhumanity. Not to mention the media's own abuse of power and
> promotion of violence (see the Sun and "Stamp on the Camps" - I mean
> wtf??!!??) I would say we should not really worry about what the
> media will or will not do, if they want to demonise us they will.
> 
> A summary of the seeds for change NVDA workshop is here: 
> http://wiki.sheffieldsocialforum.org.uk/NVDA_workshop%28Launch_report%29
> 
> 
> Jason
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "noone noone"
> <machinevman at hotmail.com> To: <g8-sheffield at lists.aktivix.org>;
> <ssf at lists.aktivix.org> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 5:16 PM 
> Subject: [g8-sheffield] RE: [ssf] Agenda and Minutes of last meeting
> for g8-Sheffield meeting, 16th March
> 
> 
> 
>> I dont understand the need for a 'statement of non-violence', i
>> find that all it does is help the media create some sort of
>> division between the different groups of protestors.  Surely it is
>> up the individual to decide how non-violent they are and what
>> constitutes violence and non-violence. For example for some people
>> damage of property is ok for others it isnt, it doesnt mean that
>> you have to write a statement - which by the way will end up being
>> used by the media to create a division between yourselves and other
>>  possible groups of protestors.
>> 
>> Would it not be far better that instead of talking to the media
>> about wether of not you are going to be violent you should talk to
>> the media about wether or not the G8 are going to give the aid they
>> promised and stop making war in far off lands.
>> 
>> from cuthbert
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> From: Chris Malins <chrismalins at gmail.com> To:
>>> g8-sheffield at lists.aktivix.org CC: SSF <ssf at lists.aktivix.org> 
>>> Subject: [ssf] Agenda and Minutes of last meeting for
>>> g8-Sheffield meeting, 16th March Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:55:58
>>> +0000
>>> 
>>> G8-Sheffield 7.30pm, Rutland Arms, Brown Lane, Wednesday 16th
>>> March 2005
>>> 
>>> I am going to suggest a basic agenda for the meeting on Wednesday
>>> based on the sort of action points we took away last time. Please
>>> read through this in advance, as several points are predicated on
>>> people having put some thought in between the meetings.
>>> 
>>> AGENDA:
>>> 
>>> Start 7.30pm
>>> 
>>> 0) Minutes of the last meeting, to agree. Agree facilitator for
>>> meeting, and appoint at least one minute taker.
>>> 
>>> 1) To agree a specific statement of non-violence. I will suggest:
>>> "The Sheffield G8 group stands in opposition to the violence
>>> perpetrated in our names by the governments which constitute the
>>> G8. We set ourselves against it, and to support all those who are
>>> against it, whether it is the explicit violence of war or the
>>> implicit violence of destroying civil liberties and enforced
>>> poverty. Because we stand opposed to violence, we will support in
>>>  any way we can any action, by any group, about and against the
>>> G8 which uses non-violent means to achieve aims consistent with
>>> our philosophy. However, we will not involve ourselves in any use
>>> of violence for any purpose, nor will we lend our support to any
>>> action that intends to use violence as a tool."
>>> 
>>> Hopefully this can go on the wiki for any amendment desired
>>> before Wednesday, after which we should consider it binding.
>>> 
>>> 2) Suggestion of venues for a convergence centre. It seems to be
>>> generally agreed that providing a social and indymedia
>>> convergence centre at the time of the G8 meeting is an excellent
>>> way for local people to support other campaiging groups. With
>>> this in mind, please come armed with suggested venues,
>>> considering: legality, size, availablity of power, internet and 
>>> cooking facilities. From this meeting, I hope to action point
>>> someone to put the wheels in motion, and take serious steps
>>> towards having such a facility booked.
>>> 
>>> 3) Ideas for a street party. More ideas, and crystallisation of
>>> key ideas and aims for a street party/protest event. Again,
>>> consideration of possible locations, but also of the degree of
>>> flexibility we want.
>>> 
>>> 4)Amp to feed back on legal support issues. Do we need a
>>> space/house to offer as a legal support centre for attendees.
>>> Bear in mind that legal support may go beyond the length of the
>>> conference. Can/should we arrange training etc?
>>> 
>>> 5) Other support for attendees. Accommodation etc. Providing
>>> central access to key information via the internet (SSF wiki/
>>> G8-Sheffield homepage, as and when it is activated?).
>>> 
>>> 6) Plans of other groups. If anyone can report back about any
>>> published plans/ideas from other organisations, it will give us a
>>> much better idea of who we should look to contact, what support
>>> groups might appreciate and how we can join our efforts. Could
>>> include things like Critical Mass.
>>> 
>>> 7) Time and place for next meeting. Accessible venue for these
>>> meetings. Is pub venue an issue, do we have any suggestions?
>>> Related business.
>>> 
>>> 8) Any other business.
>>> 
>>> To finish by 9.15pm
>>> 
>>> This meeting should look to generate action points to be taken
>>> away, and volunteers to action them. I would suggest a further
>>> meeting in ~ 3weeks time.
>>> 
>>> Minutes of the last meeting.
>>> 
>>> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [ssf] corrected (03)
>>> Draft Minutes Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 12:37:13 +0000 From:
>>> eironeia <amparo2yo at telefonica.net> To: SSF
>>> <ssf at lists.aktivix.org>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Minutes draft for a meeting held on 2nd March 2005 at The R.
>>> Arms, Sheffield. Several hands were taking notes; this is just my
>>> version, not necessarily in strict chronological order of
>>> interventions. Names are fictional.
>>> 
>>> Attending: About 12-15. Absent: Some persons from BOM. 
>>> Facilitator: Chris. Time: Two hours meeting. Following a brief
>>> personal introduction, brainstorming:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> *Chris on the meeting's structure: Do persons prefer that the
>>> meeting has a chairperson and a formal structure? This offer is
>>> declined by consensus. Meeting to have no chair, informal, 
>>> following round-table structure.* James: Non-violence should be a
>>> priority or basic principle. Everybody agrees. Peter and James: 
>>> Brief introduction about Sheffield g8 and its context: elections,
>>>  Blunkett's return; counter-ideas: united against fascism vs.
>>> united against terrorism; serving ASBO's to masters, at least try
>>> first stage through solicitor(s). Venue unknown. M17 Derby venue
>>> made public about 17 days before their G8 event. Rose and James:
>>> Greenpeace presence. James and Chris about a phone camcorder
>>> being used at meeting. Daniel is using laptop at some point.
>>> Openness to be a priority at this stage too. *Email addresses of
>>> persons attending are written and passed round for email list to
>>> be created at aktivix.org moderated by other? Chris. Chris: Is
>>> g8-sheffield the list name everyone is happy with? Yes by 
>>> consensus.*
>>> 
>>> Chris: On Call Out and Statement by other Chris. Agreed. Mary and
>>> Adriana: let's top discussing violence vs. non-violence, since 
>>> non violence basic established principle. Adriana distributes 6
>>> +6 pages containing contact info for g8legal support and anti-G8
>>> timelines outside Sheffield. Daniel, Chris, Peter: suggested
>>> actions along two time lines: 8th to 11th June: PiP arrangements,
>>> training tent(s). Clowns and action training. 11th June to end of
>>> g8: SSF and Indymedia. PiP moving date of their event. 
>>> Convergence centre(s)required. Daniel, Chris, Peter: Openness as
>>> agreed at this stage: attracts more people and accountable.
>>> Minutes etc. accessible for people learning. John: MEDIA. BBC
>>> look north proposals for interview(s)as rationalization for
>>> direct action. To be done about April. SSF has contact details. 
>>> John & Chris: Previously recorded interviews and videos could be
>>> used as evidence of non-guilty if need arises at a later stage. 
>>> Suggestion from Seeds for change: BBC could be directed to
>>> Indymedia coverage. Anyway, violent group's intervention expected
>>> to be negligible. Mary: Accommodation needed. Question about this
>>> being provided at convergence centre(s). Adriana: Establishing a
>>> legal support group to coordinate legal support and prepare small
>>> legal guide. Demos and street events: Lots of creative
>>> brainstorming here: Barry and Critical Mass offered lots of
>>> ideas. On assumption that centre will be cordoned off, standard
>>> demos are out of the question. Seeds for Change: non violent
>>> reshaping and rearrangement of barriers. Toy guns being sold at
>>> any shop to be shown as damaging. Need for coordination: direct
>>> action. According to previous experience, intervention by
>>> "violent" groups would be minimal anyway. Daniel and others: a
>>> planned schedule: Going to schools, with kids preparing
>>> statements to be read for G8. Help to mobilise for Scotland in 
>>> July. Local Dissent work. Similarly to Leeds and Manchester
>>> groups, Sheffield to use dissent site. Robert: Offer to create
>>> dedicated web site. Seeds for change suggested draft agenda for
>>> next meeting: To be discussed: Fluffy demo, Convergence
>>> centre(s), Street action, Accommodation, communication. Compiling
>>> legal support stuff, Critical mass ideas, Mary: Suggested an
>>> existing Pedal Pusher's Group could also help at street action
>>> level. Final quarter of meeting: similar or same ideas second or
>>> third round. Seeds of change and Mary cannot do it to next
>>> meeting. Statement or Call Out(s) to include early support to
>>> other groups, since trouble expected at national borders for
>>> visitors coming from France &Netherlands. More brainstorming
>>> about ideal demo(s). James from Greenpeace: focal point? *Chris:
>>> Anybody attending interested to prepare to take Sheffield to 
>>> Gleneagles July 5th-7th? Since negative answer, brainstorming on 
>>> Sheffield continues:*
>>> 
>>> Issues: immigration: http://noborder.org/ . No guns for children.
>>> No Id cards for children and artistic approach to protest. 
>>> Contact Sheffield Women's Peace Group. Songs to be composed. 
>>> Again: convergence centre. Access space (the more cameras, the
>>> better). Comic vs. violent approaches. Benefits of the former. 
>>> Next meeting scheduled for same venue, same time, 16th Wednesday,
>>> to be widely announced as usual. Seeds for Change propose that
>>> facilitators are rotated at every meeting. No other names
>>> suggested so far. (Exchange of business cards and friendly
>>> conversation followed).
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _____________________________________________________________
>>> 
>>> 
>>> For details of Dissent! working groups and how to get involved 
>>> see: http://www.dissent.org.uk/content/view/17/28
>>> 
>>> For a copy of the People's Global Action hallmarks, Dissent's
>>> organising starting point, see: 
>>> http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/pga/hallm.htm
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________ ssf mailing list 
>>> ssf at lists.aktivix.org 
>>> http://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/ssf
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________ ssf mailing list 
>>> ssf at lists.aktivix.org 
>>> http://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/ssf
>> 
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>> 
> 
> 
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