Call for a Unifed Direct Action/Direct Democracy Bloc for the noRNC Marches

DontJustVote

The whole world is watching New York City as the
Republican National Convention comes to town to
coronate Bush, and this election will be the most
watched election in history. But whether you vote or
not, voting is the least effective strategy for having
a say in society. You can vote once or twice a year,
but it's what you do every day that counts. Only
through direct action and direct democracy can we
seize back power over our own lives ... and for the
days of Republican National Convention, we are calling
for a contingent in the streets to do exactly that.Let's play no legal games with the lackeys of Bush.
You cannot give a permit for free speech: freedom is
ours at birth and no government can take it away. We
refuse to march into any ridiculous "Free Speech
Zone," a cage of barbed wire and steel reminiscent of
Guantanamo Bay. People should never blindly submit to
the orders of the police or any self-proclaimed elite
of protest organizers that leads us straight into
disaster against our common sense.

Instead, the Don't Just Vote Take Action contingent
will demonstrate that against all odds we can organize
ourselves and take action, even if New York City is
under full paramilitary occupation. It is equally
important we keep a radical message of direct action
at the forefront of the RNC at every major event, even
if we do not agree with the organizers of a particular
event. We must defend ourselves against possible
attack like family and keep our spirits high.

Even though it is a permitted march, in the spirit of
solidarity we will participate in the United for Peace
and Justice march on Sunday August 29th to give a
radical voice to what otherwise might be a reformist
event. Come prepared and meet beneath the "Don't Just
Vote Take Action" banner and giant Dragon: dress
appropriately and bring your own banners, flags,
drums, and music, and together march as cluster of
affinity groups with our allies. As for the events
afterwards on Sunday, if possible many of us will
participate. The next day on Monday we will march
again with the one of the Poor People's marches to
help defend the march from possible arrests of
immigrants, people of color, and others who are
normally targeted by the racist police force. We will
support the call for action on Tuesday. We are open to
merging our contingent with as many others to build
strength and solidarity for the RNC and will keep
lines of communication open at the spokescouncil
meeting.

Direct action isn't just marching without a permit.
Every day of the Republican National Convention will
be a day of autonomous action by affinity groups
employing a diversity of tactics: from crashing the
lavish parties of the Republicans, to committing and
supporting acts of civil disobedience and showing up
where the Republicans least expect us. There's no lack
of opportunities!

The torture in Abu Gharib is nothing new to those who
have been tortured in the prisons of America, and the
bombed rubble of neighborhoods in Iraq resembles all
too well neighborhoods across America destroyed by
"free trade" and trickle-down economics. From the poor
sent to die in Iraq for corporate profits to the
countless victims of the American military across the
world, it is in the best interest of people everywhere
to unite and strike at the heart of greed and war that
is the Republican National Convention. Will future
generations look back on us as the "Good Germans" who
stood idly by when action was called for? Or will we
take a stand?

It's time to take the power back — and no ballot box
can do that for you. To all those who support this
call, we encourage you to get in touch, endorse it,
and take to the streets in New York City!

The exact point of mobilization for Don't Just Vote
Take Action contingent will be announced both over the
Internet and in the spokescouncil meetings in New York
City before Sunday.

For more information, to endorse the call, or to
otherwise get in touch e-mail: info@dontjustvote.com