BLOCKADES
Traditionally, a blockade is any effort to prevent supplies, troops, information or aid from reaching an opposing force. In the case of the RNC, a blockade would be used strategically to prevent delegates access to the Excel convention center. As a military operation, blockades have been known to be the deciding factor in winning or losing a war.
Blockades are planned around four general rules:
First, the value of the item being blockaded must warrant the need to blockade.
Second, the strength of the blockading force must be equal to or greater in strength than the opposition. The blockade is only successful if the 'thing' is prevented from reaching its receiver.
Third, in the case of land blockades, choosing suitable terrain—knowing where the force will be traveling through will help the blockader in choosing territory to aid them.
Fourth, willpower to maintain a blockade—the success of a blockade is based almost entirely on the will of the people to maintain it.
BARRICADES
A barricade is any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the desired direction. Creating a barricade, or multiple barricades, could be used tactically to blockade the Excel convention center.
TIMING
• Large march is set to depart at 11am while RNC programming doesn’t begin until the evening.
• RNC delegates will be traveling to the Excel convention center throughout the afternoon.
• Blockade of delegates to the Excel convention center should in full swing by 1pm.
• Blockade will continue 24-7 for the duration of the RNC
• There are a handful of critical locations in which it is essential the barricade is maintained. These locations include: all freeway off-ramps and the two bridges crossing the Mississippi. (IS THIS CORRECT?)
• Video footage of these critical locations may be uploaded to
www.nornc.org soon
OTHER KEY PIECES OF INFO & THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Person-power throughout barricade vs. Create it and leave
• People in the street will create congestion
• Warn that roads could be booby-trapped to sensationalize it
• Put as much stuff in the street as you can
• Highway safety: give a warning so traffic can slow in time
• Congestion can block up for miles on the highway; an accident a ½ mile ahead of an exit ramp may cause traffic to back up for miles, causing people 3 miles back to not be able to access their exit.
• License plates and other identifying markings on vehicles
• Police departments may prohibit police officers from interacting with fire
• Trust that people will represent and we will be successful in blockading
• Artful actions can aid in projecting a positive image through media
Sensationalizing this beforehand is a plus
IDEAS FOR BARRICADES
• Locking down to each other by linking arms, using locks/chains, u-locks, lockboxes, etc.
• Erecting a tripod
• Moving as much stuff into the street as possible—dumpsters, newspaper boxes, salt barrels (located at on/off ramps)
• Vehicles can be abandoned in roadways. Multiple vehicles could “break” at once causing a complete obstruction. Flat tires may make them more difficult to move, as would fire.
• Booby-traps that cause flat tires such as caltrops (objects with 4 sharp points so that one is conveniently always pointing up) or boards with nails driven through them
• Quick-dry cement poured in street
• Use yarn to make a web
• Dump dirt in road and plant flowers
• Hold a march, dragging as much stuff into street as possible
• Use construction site materials to mimic a road closure/exit ramp closure
• Critical mass bike ride takes to the freeway
• Locking down to an object like an immobilized vehicle, 55 gallon barrel filled with cement, dumpster, etc.
• Throw fake money onto roadway/highway
• Line of cars driving slowly in a line
• Bands of roaming people temporarily blocking roadways (possibly on bear and wolfback)
• Marching band takes to the street
• Engage church choirs
• Cut telephone poles down
• Light things on fire—like a billboard or dumpster
• Puppets, especially large ones or multiple in the street
• Street theater in the street
• Dress as clowns
• Pink bloc
• In-street orgy (possibly with safer-sex skill-share beforehand)
• Fake falling, getting hurt to cause a distraction
• Tear gas
• Sea Shepherds representin’ on the Mississippi River
PLANNING FOR A POLICE RESPONSE
• When confronted by police, is there a way to disperse, temporarily leave, returning/calling for backup?
• If you’re arrested do you want your affinity group to provide jail solidarity immediately?
• Know your rights—private security vs. police
• Police may be more likely to use pepper spray and batons than tear gas
• Plan, plan, plan
• Play the “what if game” as part of your action planning. First brainstorm all the what-if scenarios surrounding your action, then go through and answer.
STREET COMMUNICATION
• RNC NY used mass text messages to convey messages
• Use color coded flags to signal a change of action, etc
PLANNING FOR A PLUG-IN ABILITY
• Plan before hand for affinity groups to work together at a specific intersection
• Heads up for individuals to bring extra water, first aid supplies, food, etc.
• Awareness that many roles exist for direct action besides being the one locking down—it’s easier to plug in providing support like bring water, food, etc
• Documenting
• Roaming herds/ blocs with the intention that people can easily join in with
• Artful actions, like puppets or street theater
RESOURCES AVAILABLE & INSPIRATIONS
• Reclaim the Streets:
http://rts.gn.apc.org
--Tripod resource:
http://rts.gn.apc.org/tripod1.htm
• No I-69 resources
• Infernal Noise Brigade
• Ruckus Society
-- Action Planning Manual: www.ruckus.org/downloads/RuckusActionPlanningManual.pdf
Videos:
• We interupt this Empire
• Pigeon Hunt?—video
Books, Zines & Print material:
• Eco Defense
• Monkey Wrench Gang
• Recipes for Disaster
Other materials worth looking at:
• St. Paul and Minnesota laws and ordinances
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