(reposted from Milwaukee's indymedia)
On March 31st a dozen or so people assembled in front of the Oshkosh Corporation headquarters in Oshkosh, WI. The event was largely a success in terms of raising consciousness and spirits of those involved. People gathered at the front of the headquarters where robot masks were distributed and coffee and bagels were handed out. The robots then made their way to the Oshkosh Corporation Plaza (Corporate offices made to look benign by being placed in a strip mall) just north of the headquarters.
There they slowly made their way around the entire strip mall stopping and dancing in front of each corporate window. As the first window was approached an overly nervous security guard looked incredibly agitated about 100 feet down the side walk. As the robots slowly and very mechanically made their way towards him he slowly slithered back into the building.
The robots then circled up and decided to play a game of bombs and shields. Which chaotically lasted for about five to ten minutes. The police and employees were baffled with looks of confusion viewing the intricate game behind their windows.
At each window different reactions and emotions were garnered from different employees and departments. The first reactions were of laughter and joy, a break in their monotonous days of pushing papers for international terrorist organization. The next set of windows held looks of disgust and hatred within them. The employees looked as they might explode from inner angst at any moment. Next they were met with feelings of secrecy and productivity. As the next five windows were approached each accompanying set of shades was drawn quickly. On the fifth set of shades the employee was unable to close the shades as fast, nervously fumbling for a few minutes as the robots shook themselves silly a few feet from his face.
The robots were tailed by a few police cruisers and video taped by a couple of under cover police driving a mini van (their children must play soccer). Some of the robots decided to enter one of the office buildings. As a terrified and trembling employee told them that she is not afraid to call the police two under cover officers exited their mini van. With there hands on their tasers ready to draw. The situation was quickly defused when the robots explained (in binary code of course) that it was all just a misunderstanding.
The robots then turned and made their way back through the plaza and walked the strip mall one more time, dancing and prancing, before dispersing to their perspective home places to charge their battery cells.
The event in and of itself seems to have accomplished little, but when taken and examined from different lights it seems to offer some importance. Firstly, the police stated that they were expecting violence, which led them to being over prepared wasting their time and resources. Police wasting time and resources can be beneficial in many ways. Secondly, everyone involved seemed to have a fun and joyful time. There was much laughter and smiling. This offers a sort of release, especially for people who stressfully work hard on other, sometimes not so fun projects throughout the year. Also, the event seemed to be a sort of team building (can I say that, yes I can) team building exercise. Like minded people having a like minded fun time can build like minded friendships of trust, autonomy, and solidarity.
After the event some people were followed by police. Although many made careful that they were not followed some have been subject of minor police harassment. Police have been snooping around a participants house, leaving a business card with a note, and calling an individual asking to meet. There were also signs of entry into the home (always lock your fucking doors). The police liaison of the group of robots was approached, a few days later, by a man identifying himself as an Oshkosh Corporation employee. Based upon his actions and diction it is believed that the individual is either a police officer or a security official for the Oshkosh Corporation.
There be more said about actions and activities such as this, there are many drawbacks, but there it seemed a positive experience for people involved. For more to come and for more to see and more to breathe. Don't close your eyes.
Some Wisconsin Anarchists,
in the dead of Niuta, Nestor, and Night.
http://mke.indymedia.org/en/2008/04/209595.shtml 
