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� November 22, 2006 - EFFECTIVE DISSENT: Effective Dissent.
This is a bit of a dry draft that will be developed further, particular with examples of effective dissent. I've been distracted preparing a 'What are we up against?' post which I hope to bring you soon.
These are suggestions only - you are welcome to take them or leave them.
The emphasis in this article is on effective political dissent so the very first thing is to commit to succeeding and to continue until we succeed. I suggest in the as yet unpublished 'What are we up against?' post that we should campaign to reclaim our rights including representative and accountable government - which in turn demands an end to Capitalist wars. We should all unite behind this demand and work to this common goal.
We need to campaign on many different levels including non-violent direct action. We all have specialist knowledge and skills we can contribute inluding support roles. The secret to any successful action is planning and preperation. Affinity groups are recommended - a group of trusted friends you can rely on. If you decide that you are willing to risk arrest agree that if one is arrested, all are arrested. It may be worth arranging to discreetly film actions from a distance.
Web campaigning is relatively effective. Anonymiity is recommended. This is one area that techies can help by providing support and assistance. A good livecd for bloggers would go down well.
If leafletting, leaflet where they are likely to be read - where people are waiting and would welcome a distraction. Leave leaflets on public transport and at waiting rooms.
Straightforward demonstrations have proved to be ineffective. It should be recognised that political protest has been criminalized in the United Kingdom with a miltarized police force and anti-terrorism laws routinely used against political protestors. The police deny protestors many of their human rights. There is little point on going to a demonstration to be assaulted, harassed and imprisoned in cattle pens. Avoid violence.
Suggestions for demonstrations: Hold local demonstrations that are more accessible and inclusive, more visible to local communities and demand less time and energy.
Be aware that mobile phones can serve as mobile bugging and tracking devices. Turn off all phones at meetings. Some people will decide that their perceived convenience is paramout and will lie that their phone is off. Use pen and paper to agree on a code to use when talking.
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