The first part of the meeting was facilitated by Marina and Max
Report Backs
Introduction To The Call: A call for a national anticapitalist, antiauthoritarian network was put out on the internet. The aim was for a continental network in the style of the People's Global Action (PGA). Regional networks got started and endorsed the PGA hallmarks.
Out of that came SEANet (south east anarchist network) and NEMA (north east mutual aid)
WOGAN: There was a gathering at WOGAN (Worcester Global Action Network) to host a reportback from Miami. What do we do next was discussed and there was a call for a regional network. The idea was to revive NEGAN (new england global action network) and make it more direct to the PGA as well as establishing a new identity and purpose and to be continental and hemispherical.
NCOR: This led to a meeting at NCOR (national conference on organized resistance)
The NCOR meeting was basically the same it fleshed out another meeting for Hartford.
HARTFORD: Decided that NEMA was to be a loose federation with no real members and used as a way to network. There would not be any such thing as a NEMA action.
the website: is not up yet. 3 people were working on it they have a server and the domain name is registered. the guy with the wicci is gone.
resource sharing: want to make an index of people's wants and needs ie medic training
name: north east mutual aid is anticapitalist and antiauthoritarian. no one speaks for the network and the network speaks for no one
what was decided was the next date and location of the meeting and all decisions were provisional
there were about 50- 70 people in attendance
in between meetings there was more negative than positive frustrated with things not getting done.
some general feelings after the meetings
frustration at undecisiveness, too much time on semantics, got hung up on a lot of things, the lack of a vibes checker was felt, there were tense moments, there was also a lot positive and a lot of enthusiasm.
PROJECTS
there are already contacts out for this. get in touch with them if you are interested.
detailed descriptions coming soon
PROPOSAL STRUCTURES AND PGA HALLMARKS facilitated by ora and rj
gender imbalances were pointed out at this point women were encouraged to step up and men to fall back
discussion to articulate goals and visions so that it can lead to a discussion about structure
want to prioritize a database of skills and set it up
talk about access issues and disadvantages of an online network
create solidarity for local actions ie housing issues in a city, putting out calls for support and hold regular meetings on a local level
create formal local structures to replicate nema on a smaller, subregional scale
maintaining the importance of structure to prevent defacto hierarchy
create network of goods and services, eliminate the middle man
resource sharing- moderate resources being used so that it does not mimic current inequalities
work outside the system. replace functions of it not just bend them
increase an articulate anarchist presence in larger struggles. clarify the politics of NEMA
create point people with articulate responsibilities
set realistic goals for right now, have a timeline of things that are possible and set up a means of accountability for work
be specific about mutual aid. maybe have a speakers bureau, rely on our own communities
possible barter economy down the line
create an open space to relate to one another
make a space for anti authoritarian actions around Iraq
long term goal -- use the space to share analyses to help in local organizing also share resources with global south
print version of resource list have it available
hold large gatherings every now and then
hold social events and parties
do public relations -- be a definable contactable presence create a legitimate antiauthoritarian movement
write down the structure
STRUCTURE
addressing things in form of WHO WHAT and HOW
Who: need clarity is it explicitly anarchist?
excludes many people form identifying
its not an issue because we have said what we are for
who are we looking to reach
we have always tried to be inclusive at least in language (calling all autonomists, anarchists, Zapatistas, etc,)
should this conversation be about anarchists
how would that reflect who we are and how we are accountable to those we are trying to help
how can we make this less reflective of a particular subculture in the way we represent ourselves
its ok for things to be self serving and take care of our own needs with skill shares also would more political actions lead to greater diversity
is it ok for not everyone to be represented
PGA: do we want to adopt?
broaden our anti authoritarian movement and show our support of pga -- tie ourselves more closely to who we want to represent
by adopting them we integrate into a global network
need to add a catch all with regards to NEMA to go along with the hallmarks
the PGA hallmarks are not enough to create a safe space in the US, it sounds negative and confrontational need to be accountable and state what we are here for
should leave sectarian struggles at the door
we are not supporting diversity if we do not support the differences in organizing in the US
should draft mission statement, meeting rules, points of unity
Proposal: 1. Adopt PGA Hallmarks - NO
clarifications: are we members? no just lend support
can it be conditional on adding more to it
need to create language of a creative process and address issues specific to our location
Proposal: 1. adopt PGA Hallmarks for now
2. have an additional statement of what NEMA is/does
3. include work in progress language- to be decided later
4. establish what will be the next step
FULL CONSENSUS!
Proposal: 1. geography of NEMA- Northeast includes anyone who identifies as part of the Northeast
FULL CONSENSUS!
WHAT WE WANT TO DO
directly democratically get rid of capitalism
written down contact info of participants and what they have to offer
people with projects sign up sheets getting started
sharing amongst activists for project purposes
keep in mind what is possible right now
create a working group for a mission statement
other working groups dnc/rnc direct actions, mutual aid network, website and gathering
groups are open to whoever wants to join must be self motiviated and solicit input for the listserve
have at least two point people
Proposal: 1. difference between infrastructure groups and project groups i.e. structure, gathering and website versus dnc/rnc and mutual aid groups
2. have at least two accountable point people
3. report back regularly every 2 weeks
4. cannot be point person for more than one infrastructure group
FULL CONSENSUS
Proposal: 1. groups participating in NEMA (not working groups) are encouraged to put out contact info or have a spokesperson
FULL CONSENSUS
Proposal: 1. maintain consensus with 3/4 majority of the people present fallback
2. can revisit it if necessary at the next gathering
3. have proposals ready before had and ready to present at gathering
1 STAND ASIDE
Proposal: 1. if there are issues with working groups that need to be resolved over the internet it should be done within a two week time frame. check for consensus within that time frame and if not go to voting
TABLED
WORKING GROUPS BREAK OFF
Web-team
Jon jon.reeve[at]laposte.net
Neils
neils[at]riseup.net
Mutual Aid Working Group
Kiley
Erik beaeab[at]riseup.net
Next Conference in Philly Working Group!
Nicole ninemergut[at]vassar
RNC/DNC Discussion Working Group
Anne anne[at]riseup.net
Cindy cindy[at]wetlands-preserve.net
Structure Working Group
Sharpie sharpie[at]riseup.net
Dwight ddc229[at]nyu.edu
