Anyone interested in learning more about doing direct action and also being effective and safe in protests is invited to the workshop below. It will be informal, interactive, and all are welcome.

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The Activist Toolbox ~ A Direct Action Workshop
An interactive day of discussion, videos, and free lunch!

(More info UW-Infoshop at 262-9036)

Saturday, April 26th

10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Multicultural Student Center --Satelite Room
(below Gordon Commons on Lake St. & Johnson)

Unending War & U.S. Empire--occupations of Iraq and Palestine,

The Exploitation of Human Beings and the Environment--the WTO, IMF, World Bank, and the FTAA

Are you ready to confront these forces?

Powerful protests around the world--the WTO protests in Seattle in 1999, IMF/World Bank protests in Prague in 2000, the FTAA protests in Quebec in 2001, and recently the protests in San Francisco that shut down the city following the U.S. invasion of Iraq--were all organized by many groups of people skilled in Direct Action tactics and knowledgeable about how to stay safe in protests.

Over the past months huge numbers of Americans have joined in protest to demonstrate their outrage at the Bush Administration's war on Iraq. As The Administration continues an occupation of Iraq, threatens neighboring Syria, and gives every indication that it will continue defying the will of the international community, demonstrations by people in this country and all over the world will continue. As the movement against injustice grows in this country so too will the need for people to share their skills, knowledge, and experience so that we may all learn new tools to confront the forces that perpetuate injustice.

We must also teach each other safety. Whether we like it or not, demonstrations, even here in Madison, have become unsafe: peaceful protesters have been arrested, pepper sprayed and targeted by police at several protests. Partly due to the huge amount of first-time protesters at many anti-war events, folks on the street have found themselves surprised and panicked in the face of police aggression. Fortunately, Madison has a wealth of pertinent knowledge, from how to march safely to how to treat victims of pepper spray. We feel strongly that this knowledge is important if we are to organize street demonstrations safe for all folks (from families to immigrants to queers)--everyone should have these basic skills. We also strongly affirm the principles of non-violence: through it, we find ways to collectively and peacefully resist violent aggression. The skills we hope to share are not part of any ideology or dogma; pacifists, anarchists, communists, the clergy and greens can all find ways to incorporate these skills into their struggles for justice.

The following topics will be covered at the workshop:

1) Introduction to Direct Action

--what is direct action?, what can it achieve?, importance of diversity of tactics and solidarity in a movement.

2) Group Process

--forming workable groups for action (affinity groups), small group decision making, inclusiveness, privilege, and power, and using security culture in communication.

3) Action Planning

-- researching targets for action, risk analysis, and evaluation of target

4) Protestor Survival Skills

-- dealing with police in protest situations, what to bring/ wear at protests, medical tips, etc.

5) Post Action

--legal issues, arrests, and jail solidarity, evaluation of an action, building momentum

This informal workshop will involve interactive discussions and role-playing. Community activists, students from the UW-Infoshop, and others will share skills, experience, and knowledge, but the event will require as much participation from all those attending. We also have a few short videos from big protests and free lunch from Food not Bombs. Bring your friends, fellow activists, a desire for peace and justice and a strong spirit of resistance!

If you are interested in reading up on some information about direct action and safety at demonstrations before the workshop there are a number of good links at www.autonomen.net/blackshield.