By TFC Staff
September 2000

In late 1999, while the national media were obsessing over the "Y2K problem", in Philadelphia, groups of activists were quietly murmuring about another bug: the "R2K problem": the Republican convention, slated for Philly during the first week in August.

TFC trainers in Seattle and D.C.

Hovering over the activists' plans was the glorious victory of Seattle, where 40,000 demonstrators had famously shut down a meeting of the World Trade Organization in November, 1999, and the high-energy protests in Washington, D.C., where 5,000 to 10,000 people attempted to shut down meetings of the World Bank the following April. Philly could be larger than Seattle! said some activists, and some law enforcement agencies worriedly agreed.

At Training for Change, we saw opportunities in R2K, along with interesting dilemmas. We support peaceful direct action, and believe nothing could be more democratic -- our trainers played key roles in Seattle and Washington, D.C. But we knew we wouldn't be in control of all the trainings -- we'd be part of a team with a variety of approaches. We knew we might have to advocate for our core values of nonviolence, diversity, openness and strategic thinking.

KEEPING OUR FOCUS ON TRAINING

Training marshals for biggest actions

<> We spearheaded the training for the Philadelphia Direct Action Group, which did the most civil disobedience during the convention. TFC staffers spent months building the PDAG Training Working Group in collaboration with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and other groups.

<> We ran several trainings-of-trainers before the convention, to teach young activists how to run nonviolence trainings of their own. Friends Center gave crucial support.

<> We organized a week of nonstop trainings in the PDAG "convergence center" right before the convention. We drew on a wide network of trainers to provide over 65 workshops in 7 days. Topics included nonviolence, first aid, legal rights, and racism.

<> We trained all of the marshals for Unity2000 and the health-care march, the two largest permitted events.

DOING DIRECT ACTION WITH INTEGRITY

We made sure to keep our focus on training, not organizing. But we felt that certain actions had special integrity, and we took part.

<> We helped organize a lesbian, gay, bi and trans speak-out in the "gayborhood" during the convention. We met on a busy corner and took turns on a soap box, addressing politics, spirituality and inclusiveness.

<> Director George Lakey spoke at a candlelight vigil August 3rd across the street from police headquarters. The goal: to spotlight the treatment of prisoners inside.

<> We organized a delegation of interfaith clergy that visited the county jail where protesters were being held to check on their health and well being.

MAKING WORK ON RACISM A PRIORITY

"White Protesters, Black Cops"

<> We led a workshop called "White People Working on Racism," which was the most well attended training of the week at the activist convergence center.

<> We ran trainings called "Building a Diverse Movement" to help the young, largely white activists build bridges to communities of color.

<> We rented space for the People of Color Convergence in a nearby church, and planned trainings such as "Legal Basics for People of Color."

<> We included a module on oppression in our basic direct-action training. The message: as activists, we need to work on ourselves as we work on the world.

WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

A trusted voice in the media

<> We granted interviews to dozens of news outlets, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Boston Globe, Fox News, the Nation, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, ABC News, Time magazine, the Associated Press and Tokyo Broadcasting Service.

<> Director George Lakey was featured in a lengthy report on the PBS News Hour, and was a special guest on WHYY's Radio Times and on a cable-TV panel discussion that gleaned lessons from the protests.

<> The Philadelphia Inquirer requested a special editorial from George at the height of the protests, counting on us for insights into a new style of activism. The paper's editorial board, which called him one of the "better angels" of nonviolence, has since requested a special meeting with us to talk about nonviolent struggle.

WORKING TOWARD GOOD GROUP PROCESS

We knew that the protests would be more effective if organizers communicated better in advance.

<> We facilitated the early meetings of the R2K Network, which included leaders of all the major protest groups.

<> We facilitated day one of the historic "R2D2" meeting, a weekend summit between organizers from LA, Philly, Seattle, Washington, D.C., New York and elsewhere.

HELPING THE MOVEMENT LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

Debate over tactics and the future of the movement

<> We've distilled many of the lessons into a provocative thought piece, "Mass Direct Action: Options to Consider in Developing the Movement," by our director. The essay is an insightful look at the kinds of direct action the new movement can take.

<> We've continued meeting with allies -- national groups, local activists, funders and trainers -- to help us plan our next steps. We want to know what others think we should do to help the young protesters grow as activists and leaders. Where are we most useful?

<> We have been invited to speak on the protests by political groups, by a national lesbian-gay-bi-trans conference and by local universities, all groups turning to us as a trusted voice that speaks with experience and integrity.