Skip to content or view screen version

Stop Bush!! and Invitation to OSAN first meeting

OSAN | 14.10.2003 15:53 | Bush 2003 | Anti-militarism | Ecology | Globalisation | Oxford

Are you interested in doing something during Bush's visit to the UK?

The Oxford Students' Activist Network (OSAN) is a new organisation that seeks to
create a platform for co-ordinating actions and campaigns on a wide variety of
issues, and act as a space for radical politics in Oxford.

Are you interested in doing something during Bush's visit to the UK?

Then just come along to the first meeting of the Oxford Students' Activist Network
(OSAN).

Date: Wednesday 15th October
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Flora Anderson Hall, Somerville College
( http://www.somerville.ox.ac.uk/conferences/cf_frame.html)

But what is OSAN?

The Oxford Students' Activist Network (OSAN) is a new organisation that seeks to
create a platform for co-ordinating actions and campaigns on a wide variety of
issues, and act as an alternative to the already existing avenues for mainstream
politics within Oxford. We have close ties with the Oxford Students' Stop the War
group ( http://osstw.lautre.net) but we wish to establish a forum that expresses our
wider concerns over and above the war on Iraq/terror as well as serve as a nodal
point for other activist groups in Oxford.

What are the kinds of things we do?

While we would like all those attending the first meeting to determine OSAN's future
agenda, we already have some actions in mind. These include organising protests
during George W. Bush's upcoming visit to the UK as well a possible demonstration
when Madeleine Albright visits Oxford. However, your ideas on what OSAN can and
should do will be fundamental to its success.

How do we work?

You will find below a copy of our proposed Basis of Unity that lays down the broad
principles we want to adhere to. But since we are a non hierarchical organisation
based on consensus decision making, even this Basis of Unity statement is open to
revision. This is YOUR group. You can add your suggestions at  http://www.osan.org.uk.

We hope to see you all there!

in love and struggle,
OSAN

Basis of Unity Statement:

1. We oppose all forms of domination and discrimination, including those based on
race, colo(u)r, caste, creed, religion, gender, sexuality, and nationality. We
reject imperialism, unjust wars, capitalism and other exploitative systems of
economics, environmental destruction, and all other forms of injustice and
oppression.

2. We believe another world is possible, in which both individuals and communities
enjoy the autonomy necessary to determine their own destinies. We also recognise the
gross abuse of concepts such as 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'social justice',
and thus strive for a more genuine and meaningful realisation of these ideals. We
are therefore in solidarity with all local and global social movements working
towards these ends.

3. We embrace all forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed
peoples' rights.

4. Our organisational philosophy is based on decentralisation, autonomy and
non-hierarchical decision-making.

OSAN
- Homepage: http://www.osan.org.uk/

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

building a peace camp

15.10.2003 00:51

with regards to W coming to town, whats to stop the Nov 5th occupation of Parliment hill, hampstead, continuing and growing until W arrives? Why wait when we can make history on our own terms.

Matt mo

matt mo


info

15.10.2003 17:59

what is this nov 5th occu of parliment hill you speak of?

-


bonfire night

15.10.2003 22:19

Permaculture is on my mind, as is bonfire night, last bonfire night I was thinking about the bombing of Afganistan, an Iraq was still a conspiracy theory. As we light up the sky on NOV 5th think how scary it must have been for the fires in the sky to be bombs, and ask yourself which country will have been bombed before the following Bonfire night.

Its a good time to carry banners into the night, or make it to Parliament hill in North london. A prize for the best model of parliament.

quiety planned over three years, stategic timing, and providence.

matt mo

matt mo


bonfire bush

15.10.2003 22:44

Bonfire Bush
13.10.2003 15:26

in the lead up to Bush coming to England, we will all have lots of ideas about how best to impact upon the "hearts and minds" of Joe public and our political leaders. I would just like to remind everyone of the seasons festivities. halloween and bonfire night are around the corner. Nov 5th is wednesday, so expect bonfire parties on fri 31st, sat 1st, sunday 2nd, wed 5th, fri 7th, sat 8th and sun 9th.
Remember that it took the british police 400 years to take bonfire night out of the hands of the common people, and people used to occupy crossroads and hilltops.


recipe for disorder

1.Take one dummy/scarecrow/guy, add george bush mask wrap in 'stars and stripes' and proceed to the shopping area with calls of "penny for the guy". Incourage others to follow example.

2.highjack halloween, "trick of treat" around the streets of Oxford an other urban centers, dressed as scary/ludicrous soldiers/politicians giving out info about Bonfire night.

3.collect firewood for your own bonfire/ organise megaphone to take to civic displays. Write speeches beforhand and practice them in front of the mirror.

4. buy/make/find French flags and Rainbow peace flags for waving/ raising, American (Spanish +british) flags for wrapping up the Guy in.

5. Choose location for bonfire, with enough room to be safe, have buckets of water/ sand for safety, ensure everyone knows, light fire, burn guy, toast mashmellow (dont forget the mashmellows) Mulled wine is a good idea too.

^. think about the future, seize control of your destiny


matt mo