Who's going along to the G20 protests?

[paolo]

I'm going to do the Saturday.

Anyone know a tucked-away pub for post march beers?

 

[Blagsta]

I have to work, but I probably wouldn't bother even if I didn't. What's the big deal about the G20 anyway? Does anybody really believe that the protests stand even the tiniest chance of effecting the summit or the delegates in any way whatsoever?

No. But that's not the purpose anyway.

 

[ragekage]

Is there anyone here thinking of coming down from Scotland? I'm thinking of heading down, would be handy if there were a group of folk going down to tag along with.

 

[In Bloom]

No. But that's not the purpose anyway.

What is the purpose then? It's just activism for activism's sake, movement without direction.

 

[Boycey]

working saturday, going on the wednesday

 

[Rollem]

i wanna go but am feeling a bit vulnerable at the mo so prob not wise

 

[TopCat]

I have to work, but I probably wouldn't bother even if I didn't. What's the big deal about the G20 anyway? Does anybody really believe that the protests stand even the tiniest chance of effecting the summit or the delegates in any way whatsoever?

More chance than reading your rag.

 

[Goatherd]

I'll def be down (or up) for May Day, providing London hasn't been burned down/destroyed/(insert apocalyptic media scenario here) by you lot on the 1st.

 

[Blagsta]

What is the purpose then? It's just activism for activism's sake, movement without direction.

To have experience of collective action, to politicise people, to show anger.

There is a danger these protests become substutionist, but most of the people I've met who are involved also do other in workplaces and community.

 

[editor]

I have to work, but I probably wouldn't bother even if I didn't. What's the big deal about the G20 anyway? Does anybody really believe that the protests stand even the tiniest chance of effecting the summit or the delegates in any way whatsoever?

By your argument, there's no point even speaking or ever expressing an opinion either.

 

[Blagsta]

I'm drumming up support from people at work to attend.

I'm trying to. Everyone's apathetic.

 

[Blagsta]

Me to a colleague - "you coming on the TUC march tomorrow?"

Colleague - "TUC? What's that?"

I despair.

 

[danny la rouge]

Me to a colleague - "you coming on the TUC march tomorrow?"

Colleague - "TUC? What's that?"

I despair.

It takes the biscuit.

 

[Blagsta]

 

[danny la rouge]

I don't require props. I'm a professional!

 

[Divisive Cotton]

I'll be there tomorrow... lets storm Hyde Park!!

Anybody thought up any catchy chants yet?

 

[mango5]

I'm going, with a pro-'people first' rather than anti-G20 agenda.

 

[Raw SslaC]

What is the purpose then? It's just activism for activism's sake, movement without direction.

Apart from the fact that there will be tens of thousands of pissed off people. The majority of people I know that have been politically engaged into stuff became so because they went demonstrations, read leaflets, started going to meetings - surely thats how most people become involved.

 

[xplicit]

I'll be at the march & rally tomorrow (and who knows what transpires after). Can't say that I feel too strongly about the issues - yet. But I find it important to make up the numbers and send a clear message to those in power that we can be mobilised if need be and that we are watching their actions very closely indeed.

 

[ska invita]

Wed - London Bridge 11am - behind the silver horse!

important to make up the midweek numbers peeps! take the day of work, before it takes a day off you!

 

[noriise]

yes, will be there for sat and weds for the easter of rage!

 

[In Bloom]

To have experience of collective action, to politicise people, to show anger.

None of that has any real value unless it's going towards something that actually has a material effect on the world around us. What's more "showing anger" in some generalised way about nothing in particular and then pissing off home, having achieved nothing, is worse than useless.

There is a danger these protests become substutionist, but most of the people I've met who are involved also do other in workplaces and community.

The fact that some (I don't believe "most" for one second) people who are involved in the G20 stuff are also active in their workplaces and their community is not evidence that the G20 protests are worthwhile. I'm sure a lot of them are vegans with poor dress sense, too, it doesn't follow from this that there's anything inherently positive or revolutionary about being a shabbily attired picky eater.

 

[Blagsta]

You're just showing your naivety and prejudice.

 

[In Bloom]

By your argument, there's no point even speaking or ever expressing an opinion either.

Exactly how does "there's no point even speaking or ever expressing an opinion" follow from what I said? Calling one thing pointless does not render all other things pointless by defintion.

Having said that, speaking and expressing opinions alone won't change anything either.

 

[In Bloom]

You're just showing your naivety and prejudice.

And you're showing your inability to actually defend your politics rationally.

 

[Blagsta]

And you're showing your inability to actually defend your politics rationally.

I just did. Plenty of people get politicised by demos/actions. Most of the people I've met who are involved are involved in other stuff too. Unless you want to tell me my experiences are wrong and I'm imagining it?

I wish you'd drop your "I know best attitude". I agree with you a lot of the time, but your sectarianism is bullshit.

 

[In Bloom]

I just did. Plenty of people get politicised by demos/actions. Most of the people I've met who are involved are involved in other stuff too. Unless you want to tell me my experiences are wrong and I'm imagining it?

No, I just think that, if anything, the fact that so many people who get involved in anarchist politics do so through summit hopping shit is a sign of weakness and we should be trying to move past it.

I wish you'd drop your "I know best attitude".

I really love the way that you say this after replying to one of my posts by calling me naive for disagreeing with you.

I agree with you a lot of the time, but your sectarianism is bullshit.

In what sense is anything I've said on here sectarian? What "sect" am I representing in my arguments here?

 

[editor]

Having said that, speaking and expressing opinions alone won't change anything either.

No, of course not. Talking never got anyone anywhere ever, did it?

 

[Frankie Jack]

If I was in that there London I'd be in there waving a banner on the G20 protest... I'm always too late when anything's happening up here...

 

[In Bloom]

No, of course not. Talking never got anyone anywhere ever, did it?

Right. So, how does "there's no point even speaking or ever expressing an opinion" follow from anything I've said on this thread?