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The Anti-Capitalist Convergence

CLAC Working Groups - How to get involved

At its June 7^th meeting, the CLAC (la Convergence des luttes anti-capitalistes/Anti-Capitalist Convergence) formed various WORKING GROUPS which are mandated by the general assembly. The working groups are distinct from AFFINITY GROUPS : while affinity groups are totally autonomous (beyond accepting the basic principles of the CLAC), working groups are directly affiliated to the CLAC, and report back at each general assembly.

Anyone involved with the CLAC, or who would like to get more involved, is strongly encouraged to join one or more of the working groups. Most working groups are now functional, and have had at least two or three meetings. Below is basic info about the CLAC working groups as well as contact info and meeting times and places if known. If you are a member of a working group, please send your meeting updates, as well as info about upcoming meetings, to clactaktic.org.

CLAC WORKING GROUPS :

• INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS : Maintains phone and e-mail lists, responds to messages and generally tries to ensure good communications between working groups, affinity groups and members of the CLAC. Contacts : Fred (514-273-7818, 50essympatico.ca) or Tina (514-866-4004, tinaLXhotmail.com ).
• EXTERNAL LIAISON : Contacts and stays in touch with progressive and radical groups from Montreal, Quebec (except Quebec City, which has a separate working group), Ontario, the Maritimes, the rest of Canada, the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Contacts : Marie (m147200er.uqam.ca, 514-529-7724) or Jaggi (514-526-8946, jaggitaktic.org).
• LIAISON WITH QUEBEC CITY/LOGISTICS : This working group keeps aims to maintain good contacts with anti-FTAA organizing efforts in Quebec City. This working group is also beginning the preliminary efforts concerning transport, food and lodgings. Contacts : Louise (514-278-4533, m205526er.uqam.ca), Manuel (514-721-5769) or Pierre-Antoine (514-278-9525, pierreantoinehyahoo.com).
• WELCOMING COMMITTEE (comité d'accueil) : This working group exists to make the CLAC's work more accessible and transparent, especially for new members. It prepares written materials, as well as organizes workshops on pertinent topics such as facilitation, consensus decision-making, anti-oppression etc. Contact: Contacts : Sandra (514-937-3200, scuffepo-box.mcgill.ca) or Stephane 514-596-7097, steph_estyahoo.com).
• FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE (comité de suivi) : This working group organizes the General Assemblies (date, time, place, childcare, communications, etc.), and prepares a draft agenda. On principle (to avoid centralization), the comité de suivi rotates its members. Contacts : Sandra (514-937-3200, scuffepo-box.mcgill.ca) or Jaggi (514-526-8946, jaggitao.ca)
• FINANCE : The finance working group is called C.A.S.H. (« Comité d'auto-suffisance hérétique »). It works on raising money for CLAC's activities. It has also been mandated to find a permanent office space. Contacts : Mike (514-761-7876), Manuel (514-721-5769) or Matthew (matthewdykstramoncourrier.com).
• AGITPROP : This working group is supposed to prepare written materials about the CLAC, the FTAA and the Summit of the Americas. The work of agitprop also includes photos, posters, flyers, factsheets, a web page, pamphlets, newsletters and other ways of publicizing CLAC's work. Contacts : Pierre-Antoine (514-278-9525, pierreantoinehyahoo.com) or Marie-Eve (zobulehotmail.com , 514-383-6059).
• MEDIA : A newly created working group that has yet to meet. It is mandated to come up with a media strategy to be proposed for discussion at the next CLAC General Assembly. Contact : Jameela (jameelajhotmail.com , 514-288-9290) or Evelyne (rcoteistar.ca, 450-655-4409).

THE ANTI-CAPITALIST CONVERGENCE - LA CONVERGENCE DES LUTTES ANTI-CAPITALISTES (CLAC)
Basis of Unity
(translation from the French)

1. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC in French) is opposed to capitalism. We fundamentally reject a social and economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and exchange. We reject a system driven by an exploitative logic that sees human beings as human capital, ecosystems as natural resources, and culture as simply a commodity. We reject the idea that the world is only valuable in terms of profit, competition and efficiency.
2. The CLAC also rejects the ideology of neo-liberalism, whereby corporations and investors are exempt from all political and social measures that interfere with their so-called “success”.
3. The CLAC is anti-imperialist, opposed to patriarchy, and denounces all forms of exploitation and oppression. We assert a worldview based on the respect of our differences and the autonomy of groups, individuals and peoples. Our objective is to globalize our networks of resistance to corporate rule.
4. Respecting a diversity of tactics, the CLAC supports the use of a variety of creative initiatives, ranging between public education campaigns to direct action.
5. The CLAC is autonomous, decentralized and non-hierarchical. We encourage the involvement of anyone who accepts this statement of principles. We also encourage the participation of all individuals in working groups, in accord with their respective political affiliations.
6. With regards to the Summit of the Americas (April 2001) and the negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the CLAC adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives such as lobbying which cannot have a major impact on anti-democratic processes. We intend to shut down the Summit of the Americas and to turn the FTAA negotiations into a non-event.

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Les périphériques vous parlent, last updated on november 11, 04 by TMTM