[Vanact.internal] An Anti-Capitalist ReConvergence, Feb 19 & 20

[Lena McFarlane]

 Hi Van.Act Folks,

Just wondering if you were interested in tabling for Feb 19 & Feb 20 at the
ReConvergence (organized by VCMN), and if you are interested in joining the
roundtable discussion on Feb 20th (invite only). Please RSVP in regards to
your interest and participation asap. Please see details below. Also we are
looking for groups/individuals to facilitate workshops for folks on Feb
19th. Please let us know if you are interested.

Feel free to call or email me anytime.

Lena McFarlane 604-347-0434

 ***this is not for public posting / please forward to allied groups and
organizers only**
*
 *An Anti-colonial, Anti-capitalist reConvergence – Feb 19 & 20, 2011*

The Vancouver Community Mobilization Network is inviting groups and
individuals from the Lower Mainland to table, propose and facilitate
workshops, and to assist in the organizing of an anti-colonial,
anti-capitalist re-convergence in Vancouver.

This event was conceived out of a vision to strengthen solidarity and ties
between anti-capitalist groups in the Lower Mainland.  Whether groups define
themselves broadly or specifically as anti-capitalist and anti-colonial, we
recognize that we are working from many different fronts for shared
outcomes.  The goal of this conference is look forward, share analysis,
identify and develop infrastructure together for mutual support.  Let's
share, strategize, and build together.

*The re-Convergence is being organized as two separate events over one
weekend.*

*Day 1*, *Saturday February 19th*, will feature:

* information tables by Lower Mainland organizations that self-identify as
anti-capitalist and anti-colonial

*  workshops that seek to analyze and connect the real world outcomes of
oppression and suffering with political, economic and social institutions

* interactive displays that seek to deepen our understanding of the
economics of capitalism and exercise our ability to articulate the outcomes
we experience as individuals and communities.

* the opportunity to connect with individuals that are interested in knowing
more about anti-capitalist anti-colonial grassroots community groups, in the
Lower Mainland

*Day 2, Sunday February 20th*, will be a day of discussion around strategy
and tactics appropriate for anti-capitalist organizing

***Please see below for details on spaces, and how to participate in
tabling, workshops, and the round table discussion.

***Please help us with outreach and mobilization for this event:

Forward the public callout widely! (the public callout is attached). Share
us on facebook, twitter, and other social media. Poster in your friends'
collective houses and other collective spaces. Together we created an
amazing anti-Olympic convergence and resistance, and we must continue to
build upon this momentum!

***Outreach material is available at:  http://vcmn.resist.ca

*DETAILS FOR THE FIRST DAY** *

*Re-Convergence: An Anti-capitalist gathering.*

Saturday February 19th, 11AM - 5PM

SFU Harbour Centre, main floor

This is an accessible and a child-friendly space

FREE lunch and snack vouchers provided.

Free Bus Tickets available.



* ** WORKSHOPS REQUESTED ***

The Vancouver Community Mobilization Network is currently seeking

workshop proposals for Saturday February 19th.

We are requesting that any group or individual interested in running a
workshop send in a brief description of the workshop, who will be
facilitating it, and what activities it will involve to
van.mobilize at gmail.com.

Workshops will be 1 hour long and will occur on the afternoon of February
19th. Please submit outlines by February 7th.

Some guiding topics directly related to capitalism are listed below, though
workshop topics may be more specific in content or address topics outside of
those posted:

1. Migration, and global trade.

2. Colonialism, land theft, and environmental justice.

3. Poverty, and Vancouver's housing crisis.

4. Militarism, war and occupation.

We strongly encourage you to collaborate with another group, especially ones
that have a differing analysis on the above issues. We will try to pair you
if you are unable to do this.

*** TABLERS REQUESTED ***

All groups self-identifying as an alternative to capitalism or as
anti-capitalist/anti-colonial are welcome. Tabling will begin at 11AM and go
until 5PM. Set up will begin at 10AM.  Due to Vancouver's exorbitant rental
costs, we will have limited space and therefore may prioritize groups that
can table all day over groups that cannot.

Please let us know your availability by February 7th at
van.mobilize at gmail.com,

We will be making a massive outreach effort for Saturday February 19th, and
we hope you will join us for outreach.

*DETAILS FOR THE SECOND DAY***

*Re-Convergence: Potluck & Roundtable discussion between* *grassroots
community groups.*

Sunday February 20th, 5:30 - 10pm

Location: The Purple Thistle

260-975 Vernon Drive

Child friendly

This is not an accessible space (1 flight of stairs). Please be in touch if
your participation would be impacted by the accessibility of the space.

**This meeting is by invitation only.  Please see details below on how to
RSVP.**

Join the Vancouver Community Mobilization Network for a roundtable
discussion between grassroots community groups organizing in the Lower
Mainland. Let's share some food and ideas.  This discussion will be
organized into two parts.  Each part will have 1.5 hours devoted to it, with
a 45 minute meal break between them.

*Part 1,* will consider several points based on experience with and analysis
of organizing such as:

-What has worked well for yoursŐ and/or your organizationsŐ anti-capitalist
organizing?

-  How can we create a better sentiment about working together and network
effectively?

-  How can we organize collective actions more effectively?

-  How can we promote diversity within our groups and the movement more
broadly?

-  What is missing right now that would make a difference?

 *Part 2,* will focus on pragmatic approaches to future organizing such as:

-What do people see as necessary for building anti-capitalist movements?

-How can we build solidarity between local groups?

-What types of permanent infrastructure would be useful and possible: phone
tree, flying squads, support networks?

- Should we try to champion our own ideology, agendas and strategy
proactively?

***Please RSVP with the number you expect to attend, and whether you or
folks from your organization will be there for the entire 5 hours.  Our goal
is to have an effective discussion, therefore we'll be prioritizing people
that can firmly commit to the entire event.   Once you RSVP you can expect
to receive a more detailed list of questions that will be covered in the
discussion.  Please send your RSVP to van.mobilize at gmail.com

***In order to facilitate development of infrastructure that will support
our goals of mutual aid, we wish to create a small directory of all the
anti-capitalist groups in the Lower Mainland including their history,
mission and principles. If you have either of these documents available,
we'd like to include them in the zine. Please send them to
van.mobilize at gmail.com

For more information: visit http://vcmn.resist.ca or call: 604-788-3995
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