Draft proposal regarding protests coinciding with the NATO Summit in Prague, Czech Republic, 21-22 November 2002.
The following outline of the protests of the NATO summit have been agreed to by The Czechoslovakian Anarchist Federation (ÈSAF); The Feminists of the 8th of March (FS8B); Solidarity-The Organization of Revolutionary Anarchists (ORA-S); and Reclaim the Streets, Prague (UL!).
*The best case scenario we envision is a creative occupation of the city embodying and assisting the struggle against the dictatorship of capital and its armies. The protest would bring together a massive expression of resistance, of many decentralized, but coordinated, actions in various sites in Prague, which will be directed at the initiative of individual groups.
*We respect a variety of tactics, but due to current conditions and outlooks, we don't expect there to be a realistic chance of a direct confrontation happening on the site of the summit.
*In addition, we know that the role of the various summits of global capitalist institutions, shouldn't be overestimated: Capitalism is not powered by the meetings of its managers, but by everyday exploitation and alienation. Nevertheless, we can use the NATO summit as an opportunity to voice anti-capitalist resistance. However, we feel it would be counter-productive to use confrontational tactics when the proper conditions don't exist--that is just the fetishization of direct action. Instead it would be preferable to take our activites to the squares and streets where normal people go about day-to-day living, rather than emptying the streets below the fortified palace of the defenders of capital. Our goal is not to create a spectacle for the rich war-makers inside the conference center, but to present our critique to the working class.
*While the point of our protests is to voice anti-capitalist and anti-militarist resistance, our proposal goes beyond the actions mentioned in this draft. It can be adapted and expanded with new ideas and perspectives. The final look of the protests will depend on your involvment!
Dates for proposed actions in Prague:
Sunday 17, November: Demonstration against capitalism and NATO.
Tuesday 19, November: Dinner for summit participants - Protests at the site of the dinner;Food Not Bombs, rememberence or the victims of capitalism.
Thursday 21, November: Day the summit begins - and the day of our loudest protests; international day of action against NATO.
Cross-border demonstrations.
We expect that more than a few people won't be able to cross the borders to get to the protest. It would be a pity if their energy and potential went unused, and they headed straight home. The best reaction would be to hold demonstrations in cities near the border. We are looking for groups or people in cites near the border who could be a contact for protesters prevented from crossing the border, and who could also organize actions in solidarity with the Prague actions. Information about border actions will be be published on our website.
Events prior to the summit.
17, September- Anit-Nato Street Party in Bratislava, Slovakia
21, September-Anti-NATO/Anti-capitalism Street Party in Prague.
The following outline of the protests of the NATO summit have been agreed to by The Czechoslovakian Anarchist Federation (ÈSAF); The Feminists of the 8th of March (FS8B); Solidarity-The Organization of Revolutionary Anarchists (ORA-S); and Reclaim the Streets, Prague (UL!).
*The best case scenario we envision is a creative occupation of the city embodying and assisting the struggle against the dictatorship of capital and its armies. The protest would bring together a massive expression of resistance, of many decentralized, but coordinated, actions in various sites in Prague, which will be directed at the initiative of individual groups.
*We respect a variety of tactics, but due to current conditions and outlooks, we don't expect there to be a realistic chance of a direct confrontation happening on the site of the summit.
*In addition, we know that the role of the various summits of global capitalist institutions, shouldn't be overestimated: Capitalism is not powered by the meetings of its managers, but by everyday exploitation and alienation. Nevertheless, we can use the NATO summit as an opportunity to voice anti-capitalist resistance. However, we feel it would be counter-productive to use confrontational tactics when the proper conditions don't exist--that is just the fetishization of direct action. Instead it would be preferable to take our activites to the squares and streets where normal people go about day-to-day living, rather than emptying the streets below the fortified palace of the defenders of capital. Our goal is not to create a spectacle for the rich war-makers inside the conference center, but to present our critique to the working class.
*While the point of our protests is to voice anti-capitalist and anti-militarist resistance, our proposal goes beyond the actions mentioned in this draft. It can be adapted and expanded with new ideas and perspectives. The final look of the protests will depend on your involvment!
Dates for proposed actions in Prague:
Sunday 17, November: Demonstration against capitalism and NATO.
Tuesday 19, November: Dinner for summit participants - Protests at the site of the dinner;Food Not Bombs, rememberence or the victims of capitalism.
Thursday 21, November: Day the summit begins - and the day of our loudest protests; international day of action against NATO.
Cross-border demonstrations.
We expect that more than a few people won't be able to cross the borders to get to the protest. It would be a pity if their energy and potential went unused, and they headed straight home. The best reaction would be to hold demonstrations in cities near the border. We are looking for groups or people in cites near the border who could be a contact for protesters prevented from crossing the border, and who could also organize actions in solidarity with the Prague actions. Information about border actions will be be published on our website.
Events prior to the summit.
17, September- Anit-Nato Street Party in Bratislava, Slovakia
21, September-Anti-NATO/Anti-capitalism Street Party in Prague.
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