Who's going along to the G20 protests?

[_float_]

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

Here you go:

OUR POLICY PLATFORM

The global financial and economic system is in crisis.

Existing economic policies and institutions have overseen an economic system scarred by high levels of poverty and inequality, which is contributing to an environmental catastrophe.

Blind faith in the virtues of markets, and inadequate public control, regulation and accountability of finance are at the heart of the financial crisis. Before the financial crisis, people across the world and in Britain were already suffering from the effects of rising food prices, inadequate essential services and the threat of climate chaos.

There can be no return to business as usual. Fundamental change is needed.

We call on the UK government to show its commitment to putting people first by signalling an historic break with the failed policies of the past, and the start of a new system that seeks to make the economy work for people and the planet.

We call on the government to prioritise the essential changes listed below, as the first step towards building this new system. These recommendations provide an integrated package to help world leaders chart a path out of recession.

Creating a fair, functioning global economy means rapidly addressing climate change. Building a low carbon economy requires massive public investment in decent green jobs and public services. A new green deal cannot be financed without significant tax reforms.

Democratic, transparent and accountable financial institutions are necessary to deliver the changes required. The first step will be a transparent and accountable process for reforming the international financial system. This will require the consultation of all governments, parliaments, trade unions and civil society, with the United Nations (UN) playing a key role.

We call on the UK government and other countries to seize this opportunity to start building an economy that puts people and the planet first. The policies set out in this paper offer the essential building blocks for undertaking this transformation.

Recommendations for the UK government

Put People First: Ensure democratic governance of the economy

1. Compel tax havens to abide by strict international rules.

2. Insist on fundamental governance reform of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

3. Make all financial institutions, financial products and multinationals transparent and publicly accountable.

Jobs: Decent jobs and public services for all

4. Ensure a massive investment in a green new deal to build a green economy based on decent work and fair pay.

5. Invest in and strengthen public provision of essential services.

6. Work to ensure sufficient emergency funding to all countries that need it, without damaging conditionalities attached.

Justice: End global poverty and inequality

7. Deliver 0.7% of national income as aid by 2013, deliver aid more effectively and push for the cancellation of all illegitimate and unpayable developing country debts.

8. Ensure that poorer states are allowed to take responsibility for managing their economies, including controlling cross-border capital flows.

9. Stop pushing developing countries to liberalise and deregulate their economies, and do not attempt to rush through a completion of the Doha trade round, a deal that developing countries have rejected several times.

Climate: Build a Green Economy

10. In addition to the green new deal (recommendation 4), introduce the robust regulatory requirements and financial incentives needed to deliver a green economy.

11. Push for a deal at Copenhagen to agree substantial, verifiable cuts in greenhouse gases, which will limit temperature increases to well below 2°C.

12. Commit to substantial new resource transfer from North to South, additional to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), to support adaptation and sustainable development in poor countries.

http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/about-us/policy-platform/

 

[portman]

I'm going simply because neo-liberalism is impacting my life from pay freezes and worsening working conditions to the inevitable austerity measures that will be imposed as the UK is saddled with billions of pounds of debt that will take future generations decades to pay off. However, this statement from the organisers - "G20 Meltdown calls for the G20 ministers to own up to their mistakes and admit that their global dominance – the dominance of finance capitalism – is the problem, not the solution to the current economic, ecological and political meltdown." - is a trifle optimistic IMHO!

 

[Kirruth]

Well, I hear there might be cake, and clowns ... so might see if I can pop along.

 

[In Bloom]

Here you go:

http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/about-us/policy-platform/

And an a-b march followed by a few disjointed "direct" actions a few days later is going to force the state to implement all of that, is it?

 

[_float_]

And an a-b march followed by a few disjointed "direct" actions a few days later is going to force the state to implement all of that, is it?

Yes, it will help the process along.

 

[In Bloom]

Yes, it will help the process along.

What process is it a part of and how will it help?

 

[In Bloom]

Actually, fuck it.

 

[_float_]

What process is it a part of and how will it help?

The process of 'implementing all of that'. Politically.

 

[brix]

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

Yes same.

 

[In Bloom]

The process of 'implementing all of that'. Politically.

Right, you said as much the first time round, what I'm asking is what this "process" you are referring to entails and how, specfically the planned protests and actions around the G20 will aid this process.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/mar/27/g20-twitter

 

[Divisive Cotton]

have you got out of the wrong side of bed today bloomie?

you're like a grumpy old bear

 

[_float_]

Right, you said as much the first time round, what I'm asking is what this "process" you are referring to entails and how, specfically the planned protests and actions around the G20 will aid this process.

Yes, you said as much first time round. And what I am saying is that these *specific* protests/marches/rallies are part of a wider political movement and group of campaigns which entail lots of different things, which can be summarised briefly as "generating public support to put pressure on UK politicians to change policies".

What is so hard to understand about this concept?

Which bit do you disagree with?

What are your alternatives?

 

[tangentlama]

The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/mar/27/g20-twitter

We have been reluctant to change our lifestyles and to live more simply

 

[tangentlama]

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.

Armchair activist In Bloom strikes again

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.

My Auntie is going and she's very involved in the local community on many levels - in the synagogue, in housing co-operatives, etc.

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.

My Auntie is vegetarian, not vegan, and she buys her clothes second-hand from the charity shop. Fashion doesn't matter as much to her or her friends/community as it does to you.

You're just showing your naivety and prejudice.

Yes, he is.

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.

No. Community organising is not a sign of weakness. Which 'we' are you a part of? The fashionable sect of armchair complainers? Like a young Victor Meldrew perhaps? All tweed cap and bitter complaints as you move through your day?

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

Not only for disagreeing, but the stereotyped jibes you make show you as both naïve and alienated/out of touch.

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

You represent the 'Fashionista sect - who sit in the comfort zone armchair, passing judgement on the way people dress and organise.

 

[editor]

What the fuck has someone's dress sense got to do with these protests?
Isn't that the kind of shabby ad hominems that the likes of the Mail and the Standard like to lob around rather than deal with the issues behind the day's events?

 

[durruti02]

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.

but mate those people are a tiny tiny group of people .. the question is how do these demos affact the majority?

the poll tax demo afair came after mots of the local groups had been built up .. the anti war demo had no affects at all

it seems to me it all depends on what is the purepose of demos .. these G20 demos seem the same old same old 'appeals' to the state to act ..

and same for april 1st .. but just with a radical veneer ..

yes i am being cynical and it IS important to protest and raise issues, and i appreciate the work people have done on these events, but without an ideology that is clear that real change comes thru the majority not loud minorities we will just go around and around in circles

 

[tangentlama]

What the fuck has someone's dress sense got to do with these protests?
Isn't that the kind of shabby ad hominems that the likes of the Mail and the Standard like to lob around rather than deal with the issues behind the day's events?

I've been trying to figure that out myself.
I'm entirely dressed from second-hand clothes most of the time, and I don't look fashionable at all. What's a girl to do? Recycle old clothes, furniture, books etc, or get sucked into the consumer con of having to look a certain way else be derided and devalued?

 

[tangentlama]

but mate those people are a tiny tiny group of people .. the question is how do these demos affact the majority?

For every person on the demo, there's another 100 people they know who are supportive of their being on that demo.

yes i am being cynical and it IS important to protest and raise issues, and i appreciate the work people have done on these events, but without an ideology that is clear that real change comes thru the majority not loud minorities we will just go around and around in circles

The ideology is loud and clear - PUT PEOPLE FIRST.

They're not a minority - they're representing huge swathes of public opinion and feeling.

I challenge the BBC (or Guardian or Independent or Times etc) to send a reporter out onto public transport for one or two weeks and travel the length and breadth of the country, initiating conversations with their fellow travellers on key issues such as bailing out the banks, house prices/mortgages & rents/increased homelessness/evictions; jobs/unemployment/sudden-sackings; student-debt/failure of govt. to invest in education; health-care/dentists/hospitals; pensions/food & utility prices; etc.

 

[han]

What the fuck has someone's dress sense got to do with these protests?
Isn't that the kind of shabby ad hominems that the likes of the Mail and the Standard like to lob around rather than deal with the issues behind the day's events?

I thought you were going on the march?! It started an hour ago....

I've missed it. Thought it started at 2pm, but it starts at 11am. Oops!

 

[editor]

I thought you were going on the march?! It started an hour ago....

I've missed it. Thought it started at 2pm, but it starts at 11am. Oops!

It'll take ages to get to Hyde Park so I'm leaving now and should pick it on the way. It left the Embankment 15 mins ago.

 

[danny la rouge]

I thought you were going on the march?! It started an hour ago....

I've missed it. Thought it started at 2pm, but it starts at 11am. Oops!

Just put your clock forward early; you'll be fine.

 

[jmuk]

G20 and the Left - where's the strategy?

In all this talk of a G20 Meltdown, isn't the Left neglecting the basics? What do these protests represent, aside from a gathering of experienced activists? Are we connecting with ordinary people?

If we want to achieve social change we have to build roots where it matters - in working class commmunities and workplaces. As far as I can see, the Left isn't doing that enough at the moment.

I found this article via indymedia by some new Left blog. Sounds like a sensible analysis.

http://theleftluggage.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/g20-why-theres-no-shortcut-to-revolution/

 

[treelover]

I challenge the BBC (or Guardian or Independent or Times etc) to send a reporter out onto public transport for one or two weeks and travel the length and breadth of the country, initiating conversations with their fellow travellers on key issues such as bailing out the banks, house prices/mortgages & rents/increased homelessness/evictions; jobs/unemployment/sudden-sackings; student-debt/failure of govt. to invest in education; health-care/dentists/hospitals; pensions/food & utility prices; etc.

I notice you didn't mention immigration, etc, that would certainly be one of the major moans, very selective there....

 

[treelover]

@JMUK

I saw that, excellent stuff, needs its own thread, very critical of this weeks protests, as I am.

 

[tangentlama]

I notice you didn't mention immigration, etc, that would certainly be one of the major moans, very selective there....

immigration issues are being used as a scapegoat. i notice you don't mention emigration. very selective there ....

 

[treelover]

why would emigration be a source of moaning?

there are real and present issues around migration, new progressive groups are springing up, (see left luggage), above which are cognisant of the great mass of Uk citizens concerns and which reject completely the unrealistic 'No Borders' position.

 

[tangentlama]

It'll take ages to get to Hyde Park so I'm leaving now and should pick it on the way. It left the Embankment 15 mins ago.

Enjoy! I'm giving to you the representation of my family bloc, so you can know you have 100 people supporting your presence there today. Would love to hear the speeches this afternoon, but can't. The Westminster service sounded very moving, very humble, and hit the spot. Change is needed. Wish it had been broadcast by the BBC. What are public service broadcasters for?!

I expect there are alot of family people there today. Can't wait to hear your report and see the pictures. Will you get around to visiting the Baby Bloc?

 

[tangentlama]

why would emigration be a source of moaning?

there are real and present issues around migration, new progressive groups are springing up, (see left luggage), above which are cognisant of the great mass of Uk citizens concerns and which reject completely the unrealistic 'No Borders' position.

You fail to understand why people are leaving their war-torn, unstable, drought-stricken, economically inflationary, jobless countries. Address those issues at the root and you can solve your 'migration problem'.

 

[treelover]

No problem with that, i pay into a number of deveopment charities, NGO's, etc, its the pull factors here i am concerned about and resources, cultures, etc, anyway, off topic, will leave issue for other threads.