[mobglob-discuss] Kick Nazis Out of Our Movement

[Dave Havard]

I am in agreement with protecting ourselves from racists and fascists.
However I think we need to be a bit more specific in how we do that.  I
was appalled at the way Chris and Jill were treated by VFAN and I hope
we will not indulge in that kind of witch hunt or the movement will
destroy ourselves.  McCarthyism is not the way to go in a movement
dedicated to respect for diversity.  We need to name up front in each of
our groups what kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.  People can
only be expelled if they break the guidelines we have agreed.  Hence
people could be expelled for speaking or writing things which are
clearly racist, sexist or whatever.  They could be expelled for
membership of a recognised fascist group.  They should not be hounded
for association or for distributing a magazine that may have had racist
comments in previous issues.

I think we need to be careful not to panic ourselves over this by
getting too dramatic.  Nobody will want to join a movement which seems
to be paranoid.  It may be exciting to believe ouselves to be under
attack from neo-nazis and secret police.  It's not a practical way of
mobilizing support however.  The fascists in Calgary were obviously even
more disorganised than we were so were hardly a threat to distact us
from the G8 leaders.

In peace,
Deacon Dave