Why Demonstrations Succeed or Fail

[redstar2000]

Here is perhaps one the best tactical analyses of demonstrations that I've ever run across...


Mass Action and Autonomous Action in the Election Year: An analysis of the successes and failures of recent militant demonstrations

In the past six years, the North American anarchist movement has gone through all the stages of a turbulent love affair with mass actions, including messy breakups and attempted reconciliations. In the process, some anarchists have taken up with other approaches to demonstration activism—including, most notably, an emphasis on more autonomous, decentralized actions. In this review of the past year’s demonstrations, we’ll discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, and analyze how these have played out in the streets.

Full Text -- It's long and in two parts (http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/146194/index.php)

I really urge you if you are into various kinds of demonstrations to read this analysis closely. Even if you're not an anarchist, there is a great deal of sound and practical advice here that you will find very useful.

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[Guest]

redstar, do you have aol instant messenger or any instant messenger, i need to discuss something with you.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by [email protected] 24 2005, 10:50 PM
redstar, do you have aol instant messenger or any instant messenger, i need to discuss something with you.
Send me an email...

[email protected]

and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. :)

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[Ian]

Reddy, that email address sounds fake, it's almost like you don't want the guest to email you.

[nochastitybelt]

That's a good article, so far. haven't finished reading it yet.

But, I am compelled to say.. the thing I despise about demonstrations.. is that the protesters or the organizers whoever, go and get permits. Demonstrations are suppose to be of that rebellious nature that you don't ask permission to do them!!!!! URRRGGGG! Asking the people you are protesting against , the ones spraying you with pepper spray for the permit is plain groveling and again showing them that WE Do OBEY Their laws. that's gotta stop.

[Prol]

Im not really a fan of protests and demonstrations, I just dont see them as being effective enough.

I think more direct and physical action against our oppressors is the only way forward for us.

Capitalist elections will NEVER allow any form of communism to reign.

[Guest]

Haven't read all of it yet, seems interesting enough. But also is from crimethinc who are not anarchists just a bunch of life stylist wanks......

[guerillablack]

Haha, that was me earlier who asked for the email. I thought when i posted it was gonna ask me for my login and password like other boards but it didnt hehe.

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by [email protected] 25 2005, 04:04 PM
Haven't read all of it yet, seems interesting enough. But also is from crimethinc who are not anarchists just a bunch of life stylist wanks......
Yeah, I'm not a big "fan" of crimethinc...having no need to either purchase or shoplift my "identity".

But perhaps they are changing in a good (serious) direction.

It's rare...but it's happened before.

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[guerillablack]

redstar did you get my email?

[redstar2000]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27 2005, 02:27 AM
redstar did you get my email?
Received...and answered twice.

Hope it helps.

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