Capitalism is still functioning as it always has ? across the globe politicians and
multi-national corporations continue to shift wealth from the poor to the rich. ---- Right
now, however, due to state austerity measures this process is starting to bite for many
people, particularly in Europe, who have previously benefited from the massively unequal
distribution of wealth. ---- We believe there is an opportunity to convert the
overwhelming cynicism we see around us into anger, channelled to change things for the
better, from the bottom up, to build alternatives and to take apart the oppressive
structures which are becoming more visible to everyone. ---- The past provides many
examples of people fighting back with direct action, riots and insurrections that have
targeted wealth and power.
History is anything but over ? a new world is being born and we have the opportunity to
shape it, for better or for worse. If we sit and do nothing we are letting the oligarchs
and fascists write the political agenda for the coming decades, and what comes after will
probably be worse than what came before. Its time for us to take the initiative and
reclaim the sphere of radical ideas and action. Its time to attack.
We?re calling a day of action against capitalism for the 1st of May, 2013.
Wherever you are there is an opportunity to fight back and to build connections with
others who are ready to fight with you. Its time for us to build links with the people
around us who are angry and who want to resist capitalism and to take action.
Attack capital, attack corporations, attack the state, in whatever way you can.
Use the tools and techniques you feel comfortable with, build communities of resistance to
take the fight further.
Choose your targets wisely and plan well.
Good luck.
CONTACT
stopg8 @ riseup.net
-------------------------------------------------
* principles
The StopG8 network has agreed some basic principles and objectives for our work.
We have adopted the PGA Hallmarks. These are a set of guidelines that were agreed by
anti-capitalist resistance movements from across the world who came together to form the
?Peoples? Global Alliance?. The Hallmarks were first created in 1998, but have been
adapted since then. For more details about the PGA and the history of the hallmarks, see
here. Here is the current version of the Hallmarks, which we have agreed:
A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism and feudalism; all trade agreements,
institutions and governments that promote destructive globalization.
We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not
limited to, patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the
full dignity of all human beings.
A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in
such biased and undemocratic organisations, in which transnational capital is the only
real policy-maker.
A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements? struggles,
advocating forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed peoples?
rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism.
An organisational philosophy based on decentralisation and autonomy.
We have also agreed a few additional principles. These are in line with the ideas of the
PGA hallmarks, but make a few points more explicit for our network:
We are openly anti-capitalist. One of the main roles of our network, as we see it, is to
highlight and target the ways in which exploitation and oppression are interconnected and
systemic. We want to bring together people who are struggling against particular problems
and issues (austerity, climate change, migration controls, globalisation, etc. ? however
important these are), and focus on the way these issues are part of the same capitalist
system. See this page for more on what we mean by capitalism.
We respect a diversity of tactics. We aim to show solidarity with everyone who is fighting
against capitalism, and whose actions are in line with our general principles (see the PGA
hallmarks), whatever tactics they choose. For example, we will not stop supporting people
just because their actions are labeled as ?criminal? or ?violent? by state authorities.
Or, on the other hand, because they are accused of not going far enough.
We aim to make decisions by consensus. That means trying to make decisions that everyone
in the network can agree to. For example, decisions by majority vote can often mean that a
minority of people are simply ignored or left out. Instead, if we do really need to agree
a general position as a whole network, then we should try to find one that respects
everyone?s views and concerns, even if they are in a minority. That also includes thinking
about the views of people who can?t get to meetings, or don?t shout as loudly.
We have agreed two main aims for the network:
1) To organise a week of action against the 2013 G8 Summit.
2) Looking beyond the summit, to help re-build an anti-capitalist movement in the UK and
beyond.
If you would like to see more detail about decisions made at network meetings, see here.
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