PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Aug 20th, Call for an Anarchist Convergence in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
by Pittsburgh Anarchists Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 at 12:31 PM

On August 20th, Pittsburgh activists plan to attempt a shutdown of military recruitment in the city. This effort is based on recognition of the urgent need to take direct action against the war.

On August 20th, Pittsburgh activists plan to attempt a shutdown of military recruitment in the city. This effort is based on recognition of the urgent need to take direct action against the war.

This won’t be a mega protest. There won’t be tens of thousands in the streets. There won’t be days of marching. There won’t be dozens of speakers linking together dozens of issues. There won’t be fundraising buckets or peace marshals lining the route. There won’t be debates about diversity of tactics or whether wearing masks is bad. What there will be is a convergence of people who believe the time for this kind of action has come and a determination by all those assembled to see that it succeeds.

We believe this action is strategically important for the anti-war/counter-recruitment movements, and the direct action tendencies within them. The attempt to actualize it, regardless of whether it is ultimately successful, could be a huge boost to the movement and provide a needed impetus for compelling actions during the Sept 24-26 anti-war/IMF/World Bank mobilization in DC. We are sending this call out to let our fellow anarchists know what’s happening, and to encourage them to come to Pittsburgh and participate in these events.

August 20th
Gather- 10:30am at the Dinosaur sculpture in front of Carnegie Library (4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213)

March- 10:45am to the Recruitment Center in Pittsburgh, the main base of operation for military recruiters in the city.

As with all effective actions, a call to shutdown recruitment asks us all to be willing to risk some of our privilege and resources, to put our bodies on the line. To be daring, bold, creative, and to take risks. A heavy police response is inevitable, and there is a definite chance of police violence and repression. A lot of local (and hopefully national) media attention will be focused on these events.

Our goals are these:
- To contribute to the primary announced goal of the day’s events: to expose, confront, and disrupt military recruitment in the city.
- To take part in, and assist the ability of the main march to make it to the recruitment center.

We encourage those attending to come in an affinity group or be prepared to join one. Bring goggles, bandannas, and any other defensive protection as needed.

More info to follow…

- Pittsburgh anarchists