An Anarchist Anti-Summit

Since last September, thousands of people across America have built communities that serve to address our collective needs and desires. The “Occupy Movement,” having brought an incredible number of people together, has provided a breeding ground for Anarchist and Communitarian thought and praxis by cultivating spaces in which the free exchange of ideas is not only encouraged, but expected.

Granted, we have our critiques of this “movement”–we’re hesitant to homogenize it’s diversity into one term—but we believe this constitutes a useful first step in developing a sustained anti-capitalist project predicated on mutual aid and cooperation. While there is definitely cause for celebration within Occupy—breaking down patterns of isolation, building a network of solidarity, hundreds of successful direct actions—it has never been more urgent to take the initiative to elaborate ever more effective tactics, to formulate a generalized critique of past efforts and methods of organization, and to discover new ways of pushing the movement forward.

We acknowledge that without an escalation of tactics, without an informed refinement of theory and praxis, without the momentum that Anarchists within Occupy have contributed, we risk relapsing into another period of stagnation wherein activist circles will once again become isolated and right-wing hate groups will flourish in their organizing and recruitment.

We are calling for an Anarchist Assembly and Anti-Summit during the National Gathering to provide a space for this elaboration and refinement to take place. We will collectively flesh out the details of this gathering in the weeks leading up to it. To take part in coordinating this event, please email shibboleth@riseup.net .

For transportation, check out the Occupy Caravan 

(A)GITAT(E)
-Shib Boleth