Dear (future) climate activists,
it is just one month left: Near Leipzig we are going to set an example against lignite altogether. Are you already as excited as we are? If that is the case, you find a whole newsletter below that is full of information on how the action is planned and what to pay attention to. Have fun reading!
Content:
1. How we organise in a grass root way
2. How the action is planned
3. How we prepare for action on site
4. How we want to act during the action
5. When to arrive latest
6. What you could do right now
1. How we organise in a grass root way
For us the claim for an energy supply free of coal relates to demanding global justice. To include our aims into our current actions we will make decisions as a consensus to take into account the needs of everyone. Consent does not necessarily mean everyone has the same opinion but what must be given is that everyone is OK with the decision and no ones needs are ignored. Our decision making structure consists of affinity groups delegating spokespersons: Meetings of the spokespersons enable a big group to act together and make decisions. They collect the issues to be decided on, exchange information and might propose a way how to solve it. The meeting of the spokespersons coordinates important matters affecting the whole action and cannot be decided solely in the affinity groups. Every affinity group sends one delegate into the council of spokespersons who then introduces opinions, assessments, decisions etc. of the affinity group (e.g. “We have the confidence to remain seated during an eviction and not to stand up”) into the meeting and brings information, decisions, opinions etc. back to the affinity group. Through this grass root decision making the action is strengthened and supported by all activists.
2. How the action is planned
As described above: The action is shaped by all participants. Though specific elements of the action are already determined, as such as place, time and character of the action. Those things were carefully discussed and decided within the preparation group, also having a sense of responsibility. The outcome is a frame of action that no longer is under consideration. That enables an easy preparation of action giving us more time for discussing the circumstances and shaping the blockade on the camp and during the action altogether. We are happy to see you becoming a part of what we prepared for several months and participating to make it something great.
3. How we prepare for action on site
To enable everyone to take part and feel prepared for the action intensive action preparation is going to take place on the climate camp. There you will also have the opportunity to find other people to form an affinity group (if you ain’t part of an affinity group already) so no one is left alone. In addition there will be legal input for informed decisions. An action training will also fill much of the time, where you can practice blocking and consensual decision making. After all this there is time left for a meeting of the spokespersons. You will find the detailed plan of action preparation on our website soon.
4. How we want to act during the action
One part of the predetermined things is the action consensus which is a basic agreement within the group of people taking part in the action. The action consensus contains for example that we will act non-violently and approach everyone with respect. We view the action consensus as binding, therefore it is important that you read through the action consensus before the action and acting in accordance with it so we can rely on each other. You find the action consensus on our website: http://www.kohle-ersetzen.de/en/replace-coal/frame-of-action/
5. When to arrive latest
If you want to take part to rePlace coal! you should arrive in the camp best until Thursday evening, 2nd August, latest on Friday 3rd August. Action preparation will start on Friday 9:30am but there will be a welcome plenary the evening before. We need that time to intensively prepare for the action together. However it is a good idea to arrive earlier anyway as the climate camp starts on 28th July: https://www.klimacamp-leipzigerland.de/
6. What you could do right now:
- Find people to join you on your way to the action. You could use our email template to invite them: http://www.kohle-ersetzen.de/mobimaterial/mail-zum-weiterleiten/
- Forward this newsletter and invite people to sign up: https://kohleersetzen.noblogs.org/mitmachen/newsletter-abonnieren/
- Share our facebook event and invite more people: https://www.facebook.com/events/188971401740014/
- Organise an info pop up http://www.kohle-ersetzen.de/mobimaterial/infoveranstaltungen-organisieren/
- Order mobilisation material: https://kohleersetzen.noblogs.org/mobimaterial/materialbestellung-flyer-und-sticker/
- Plan your journey for the 2nd August!
Further information on arriving will be provided in the next newsletter. If you have any open questions please contact us: www.kohle-ersetzen.de/en/
Resistant regards
Kohle erSetzen! (rePlace coal!)