Round 2: The Chicago Principles of Solidarity

[rmperrotta]

I welcome the continued discussion about the Chicago Principles, solidarity in general, and what solidarity looks like during mass actions.

Below is the proposal once again. I added language about Occupy Chicago's dedication to peaceful protest.

I request that we vote on each principle separately. If one or more do not pass, we can work on the wording and ideas until the Occupation comes to an agreement on it.

Thank you!

Rachael P
___________________

Occupy Chicago is a non-violent movement dedicated to peaceful protest.

The Chicago Principles

• Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of
action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.

• As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics.

• We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption, limiting our action to “free speech zones,” and violence, or attempts to divide our movement through the conscious creation of divisions regarding tactics, organization, strategies, and alliances.

• Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events."

[Kelvin]

I'd like to propose a friendly amendment to include a sunset clause up to May 25, by which most of the NATO/G8 protests would've then ended. Some of these principles are quite specific to NATO/G8 and I would imagine that a general principle of solidarity would be different for Occupy Chicago moving forward. I think Occupy Chicago debating and coming to this document on its own would also be really important for the movement.

[m_x]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if we rewrite or only chose to adhere to certain principles aren't we not actually showing solidarity?

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

Occupy Chicago is a non-violent movement dedicated to peaceful protest.

Has little meaning as a preface. The thought to have substanative value needs to be inserted in the body of the principle

Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of
action but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.

Suggested text

Our solidarity is based on a respect for a political diversity, while Occupy Chicago declares itself a non-violent movement dedicated to peaceful protest, we are united with others in a common struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals we remain free to act alone or associate in groups outside of Occupy Chicago to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action. As Occupy Chicago we stand committed to treating all people working towards a common goal of peace and justice with respect and confidentiality.

[Kelvin]

None of the other organizations are embracing these principles for purposes outside of NATO/G8. I don't see why doing so would thus show any kind of solidarity.

And look at my arguments in the original post. There's not much solidarity being shown by other groups if we aren't able to be at the table when drafting these principles. Many of the CANG8 individuals groups have not individually signed on to these principles. This was simply the document that was drafted at the first CANG8 meeting by the individuals whom were present at the table.

[myanswer]

I am in favor of adopting these instead.

St Paul Principles

1. our solidarity will be based on respect for a diversity of tactics and the plans of other groups. 2. the actions and tactics used will be organized to maintain a separation of time or space. 3. any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media denunciations of fellow activists and events. 4. we oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption and violence. we agree not to assist law enforcement actions against activists and others.

8 Rules of Non-Violence

1) Nonviolent action AND speech, no matter what. Zero tolerance for violence.

2) Unity of message across orgs & people. Consistent demands, all should know them.

3) There must be a long-term and coherent strategy, not just tactics & actions.

4) Police should be seen as potential recruits to movement, not enemy.

5) Keep national/international audience in mind when framing. Goal is win ppl over.

6) Defensive strategies never win. Don't respond to attacks using their language.

7) Claim victory whenever possible. Important for morale.

8) Keep anger in check /w solidarity actions & humor."

[Rojo]

This is what Andy wants people to show solidarity with when he proposes respecting other groups divergent tactics. However, the people confronting these thugs, are in fact Occupiers themselves. We have the ability to set the standards here in Chicago and say what is and isn't acceptable. And I'm sure some will say they are Police provocateurs. Okay,so then why all of this talk defending diverse tactics and "strategic property damage" if it's only being committed by the Police? Think people. You are being manipulated here, not by the Police, but by a wolf in sheep's clothing.

And if setting a minimum standard for behavior is going to splinter us, how come that hasn't happened in Oakland? Because that's where this video was shot.

http://youtu.be/iXIy915c8tg

[education01]

The real question, Kelvin, is what problem you actually have with any of the principles themselves? All you complain about are external things...sunset clauses, who else endorsed them, whether we should develop our own version, etc. How about spelling out what you *actually* disagree with? And anyway, it's now become clear that over 90% of OC people who are *actually involved in the movement* support endorsing these principles exactly as they are. So you're kidding yourself if you think that if we sat down to come up with "our own version" we would end up with anything different. The overwhelming majority of OC wants *these principles*. You're on your own with these concerns.

[BenBurton]

The real question, Kelvin, is what problem you actually have with any of the principles themselves? All you complain about are external things...sunset clauses, who else endorsed them, whether we should develop our own version, etc. How about spelling out what you *actually* disagree with? And anyway, it's now become clear that over 90% of OC people who are *actually involved in the movement* support endorsing these principles exactly as they are. So you're kidding yourself if you think that if we sat down to come up with "our own version" we would end up with anything different. The overwhelming majority of OC wants *these principles*. You're on your own with these concerns.

I'm not sure it's "become clear that over 90% of OC people who are *actually involved in the movement* support endorsing these principles exactly as they are." I honestly don't think it will change our movement one bit if we do or don't sign them.

One point that deserves attention is Occupy Chicago's commitment to "the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice." I'm not sure that fits our mission. I'm not sure our mission allows us to share "a common goal of peace and justice" either.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

Suggested Edit for Principle 1
PLEASE READ and RESPOND

Our solidarity is based on a respect for a political diversity, while Occupy Chicago declares itself a non-violent movement dedicated to peaceful protest, we are united with others in a common struggle for economic justice. As individuals we remain free to act alone or associate in groups outside of Occupy Chicago to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans of action. As Occupy Chicago we stand committed to treating all people working towards a common goal of peace and justice with respect and confidentiality.

Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social, economic and environmental justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tactics and plans ofaction but are committed to treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal of peace and justice.