I wrote earlier that I thought this election was reminiscent of 1968. Apparently, some other people think the same way: a group of hooligans activists called Recreate ‘68 (H/T). From their about us page [emphases mine}:
The “Re-create 68″ Alliance is a group of local activists who will be acting as a clearing house in order to disseminate information for resistance so the power of the people can be expressed as loudly as possible!
The “R-68″ Alliance is made up of activists locally known as the All Nations Alliance. The All Nations Alliance sponsored the Denver City Council resolution that made Denver the first major city in the country to take a stand in opposition to the Patriot Act and was also instrumental in exposing the Denver Spy Files and the J.T.T.F.’s and F.B.I.’s role in those files, in addition to organizing numerous anti-war, anti-racism, anti-imperialism rallies actions and protest including the G-8 protest in Denver!
We believe that actions can best be coordinated by local grassroots efforts. We encourage national organizations’ efforts during the convention, but we ask that you please respect the proud and rich history of organized resistance that exists in Colorado.
They have a statement of nonviolence with some propositions that strike me as puzzling:
5. To be conscious of and speak out against police targeting and differential treatment of people based on race, gender, sexual orientation, accent, or appearance.
I submit that an unwashed, dreadlocked college kid with a “F*** da Police” shirt is more likely to cause trouble than a grandmother with a walker. Police are supposed to notice problems, and protestors tend to create problems, as their further propositions detail. Since when did anyone want their local police borrowing tactics from the airport screeners who really don’t make distinctions?
6. Not to turn people over to the police, or share information with the police about other groups.
So if some group is planning violence, the Recreate ‘68 crowd won’t help the police. Doesn’t that make them accomplices?
7. Not to publicly criticize the tactics used by other parts of our movement or cooperate with media efforts to be divisive or portray good protester/bad protester.
Wouldn’t this mean that the bad, thuggish protestors won’t be criticized by the good, peaceful ones?
9. To be conscious that if violence or property destruction does occur, we will do what we can to help prevent it from being blown out of proportion and dominating the media coverage.
I’d take this as a rather-less-than-veiled suggestion of violence. I pity the property owners of Denver.
10. To remember that, when all is said and done, our greatest victory will be an activist community with a renewed sense of strength and unity.
A Democratic President? Nah, they want an activist community.
Warning to Democrats: if these yahoos go nuts, say hello to President McCain. I really hope this site is a parody.
Posted by Hubbard in The Past Is Never Dead--It Isn't Even Past, Audacity of Hype