Protest

Someone posted on Indymedia yesterday suggesting that activists consider the mainstream media as targets during the DNC and RNC. This is a good idea. According to reports, a group of protesters ran up on Chris Matthews and MSNBC and got their platforms heard before a national audience. That same tactic could work with every news outlet around.

The RNC is nothing but a media spectacle. No decisions are made there, the delegates aren't creating a platform, they aren't getting the evil work of Empire done in a nuts and bolts way. They are simply setting up a stage and creating a media event so that they can reach a huge number of people simultaneously via satellite, cable, and broadcast TV, and to a lesser extent via the right wing blogs, radio stations, and print press. It's a moment for cementing support and building up Republican identity through televised spectacular politics.

What are we doing here? What are YOU doing here? What exactly are we trying to accomplish? Why are we being surveilled, intimidated, harassed, detained? What image have we sent to the world? Have we given the media and the public an image that is accessible, easy to understand, to feel part of? Have we given the police or the state an image that asserts our autonomy by standing FOR Something rather than, or even along-side the idea of being AGAINST Them?