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[ 26. Jan 2006 ]

Freedom of Movement - Invitation to a North American No Border Network

through the fence

A call to share information, coordinate struggles against borders, provide solidarity with people who are affected by borders, displacement, and migration controls, develop ideas and strategies for the freedom of movement...

 

PROPOSAL: FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT - A North American No Border Network(*)

Through our work we have met some amazing sisters and brothers in struggle in Mexico, Canada, the United States and all across the world. We have begun to learn about each other and as a result, learn more about other groups and struggles emanating from what we believe to be similar and related causes.

As we know, the "War on Terror" has escalated an already ongoing war against immigrants and many other groups deemed "undesirable" or "exploitable." Meanwhile, people around the world are attempting to deal with war, ecological crisis, and both historical and ongoing colonization. Migration is one of the primary ways of dealing with these horrors. Criminalized by the state, exploited by bosses, migrants are denied freedom before they even arrive. We believe, however, that freedom isn't something derived from any government; it is created from below, beyond borders. Hence, freedom of movement must be fundamental to any movement for collective liberation.

Working with the principle that no one is illegal, our intent is to help amplify struggles for immigrant rights and dignity and more effectively counter the rising racism and repression in our communities in a variety of ways. Whether people are working against militarized borders, deportations, detentions, "free trade", racism or for decolonization, we feel that we can aid each other in our common struggle for freedom of movement and the right to stay for all.

We are therefore proposing the creation of a no border activist network between groups in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. We have taken only a few steps toward the realization of this network. This is obviously a huge and complex endeavor, so our goal is to place enough tangible information before you so that many aspects can be developed more collectively and organically. Our proposals include:

  • The use of the People's Global Action Hallmarks (explained below) as guideline for our organizing as a network
  • Use of www.deletetheborder.org as an orbit of communication and information sharing
  • Listserve communication for Network development/communication (email info (at) organiccollective.org for info)
  • Bi-lingual online meetings (may include phone conferencing as technology permits)

The role of the Network is to be more clearly defined, but may be used to:
  • Share information and coordinate actions, campaigns, caravans, media making etc.
  • Create & provide solidarity for each other and those most affected by borders, displacement, and migration controls.
  • Develop ideas, goals, strategies, and emancipatory visions concerning: autonomy and migration, citizenship/post-citizenship, decolonization and migration, non-statist hybrid identities . . . . . . . . . . .

We hope the Network can provide critical links in transnational understandings and struggles, helping to create momentum for radical change. The current wave of scapegoating, repression and violent racism in the North is only going to get worse in the coming years, so we must be organized. To learn more, visit www.deletetheborder.org and contact network (at) deletetheborder.org


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

A number of organizations primarily in the Southwest US/Mexico border region over the course of the last year came together to confront the "minutemen" vigilantes and similar anti-immigrant forces. In August of 2005 a No-Border Encuentro was organized in San Diego where conversations arose about the possibility of creating a larger formalized network. The deletetheborder website and listserve were created, and many of us have networked and found each other in numerous other ways. This proposal is a reflection of these connections.
DISCLAIMER: We have not talked with or consulted with the necessary amount or "right" groups and individuals that would actually be needed to make a No Border Network a practical reality and a strong and beautiful force. Please view this as a humble attempt to begin this process.


PEOPLE'S GLOBAL ACTION HALLMARKS:

1. A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism and feudalism; all trade agreements, institutions and governments that promote destructive globalization.
2. We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not limited to, patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the full dignity of all human beings.
3. A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organizations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy-maker;
4. A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements' struggles, advocating forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed peoples' rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism.
5. An organizational philosophy based upon decentralization and autonomy.

For more information about Peoples Global Action (PGA) visit www.agp.org



* We use "North America" to include all people living in Canada, the United States and Mexico and look forward to a time when revolutionary language is as concise as colonial titles.