19th June, Assembly at Picadilly Gardens

This is a summary of the points that came out/were brought up at the assembly that took place yesterday in Piccadilly Gardens. We'll try to post some photos and videos as soon as we can too!

1. Reminds our goal is British people to take the streets as one nation solely cannot achieve anything by itself. UK faces the same struggles but they tend to be sectorial organized. How do we join them on and after the 30^th?
2. Expresses solidarity with North African revolutions, explaining how they have spread in Europe and the fact that the success of Spanish and Greek protests relies on the non-party / trade unions nature, just outraged citizens. Suggests spontaneous actions to take place on the 30^th.
3. Says there is a 90% support for 30^th strike and reminds there will be pickets taking place in schools, nurseries... Suggests elaborating banners and posters linking the local issues (Manchester cuts) to the global issues.
4. Makes a brief explanation of the origin of the crisis and the consequences for workers.
5. Reminds this European protests day is against the “Euro Pact” and explains its consequences in the UK as well.
6. States that a general strike, though highly supported, does not imply real changes, especially because they are organized by Trade Unions which are tools of political parties. Regards the importance of acting as citizens, and proposes specific actions which target the responsible of this situation: occupying banks.
7. Says the movement is only in its beginnings and we should connect with other movements already working and with common people outside trade unions. Suggests waking up early on the 30^th to join the pickets taking place and join the march from All Saints Park (Oxford Rd) at 11am.
8. Talks about defeating the cliché of Southern Europe laziness and states we should not pay their debt. Disagrees about the potential of general strikes and relies on the evolution of Greek movements. Suggests carrying banners of Real Democracy Manchester on the 30^th.
9. Reminds the importance of shifting from our current democracy (voting every 4 years and then remain asleep) to politics of direct actions. Recommends to create a network of people and associations and suggests to picket the Tories coming to Manchester (2^nd October??).
10. Proposes to join 30^th march and persuade them to go to the Town Hall and camp.
11. Suggests some specific actions for the 30^th. Occupying and closing banks or other direct actions outside corporations. Bring music, saucepan banging. Sit down outside the Town Hall after the march and don’t move. In some meetings regarding the 30^th the feeling that people don’t want to just march and the go home was present.
12. Speak about the Iceland revolution and reminds not paying the debt is possible.
13. Suggests similar actions as those performed during the Poll Tax Riots.
14. States that we have to convince the sufficient number of British to camp. This has to be a British number and foreigners supporting, not a foreign movement in the UK supported by some British. Our efforts should be directed in working towards the first camp in Manchester. Also says that we should focus on one big thing rather than several small actions.
15. A Syrian representation gives an emotive speech about the Syrian revolts and the government repression.
16. States we are not enough people to camp and it is going to have good acceptance if we are just a few.
17. Suggest marching from All Saints Park to Town Hall and performing a big assembly there. The idea is highly accepted but there is some division about the most appropriate place for the assembly (Town Hall / Picadilly).
18. Thinks we need more diffusion in media and a better image before start camping. Suggests contacting with other organizations, NGOs and charities to create a network with a common goal and ask them at least to inform about our movement among their members.
19. Says we cannot decide who, when and where to camp right now. Instead, we are talking about whether we want to work or not towards a future camp. There is consensus about working towards a possible camp.
20. Believes it is not necessary a big number of people to camp. It is important to have a permanent spot where people can get informed and involved, and the movement will grow with time.
21. Thinks that is not only about the number of people to camp, but the proportion of British willing to take action.
22. A series of interventions giving pros and cons about the best location and date for assemblies (visibility, symbology, etc.). There is consensus about the next and last assembly before the 30^th: Saturday, 25^th, 1pm, Picadilly Gardens. Matters regarding a possible 30^th assembly after the march will be discussed that day. Therefore, assistance is important.
23. Contacts with organizations will be taking place this week to invite them and get more people involved and participating in it.
24. Reminds Syrian protests will be taking place at the same moment /same place, a good opportunity to join forces.
25. UK Uncuts will be creating banners before the assembly. 11pm at Picadilly. Check Facebook event
26. Some specific actions (creation of posters, leaflets, theatre, etc) will be discussed in the general meeting this week. As you know, it normally takes place on Wednesdays at 7pm at KRO2, but several people cannot attend, so it might be moved to Thursday.

All the credit for this summary goes to Paula. Thank you very much! ;o)