27 April 2001
RTS in crèche shock!
- MayDay statement
The fact that Reclaim The Streets has not been involved in the logistical
planning for this year's MayDay has been seen by the corporate media as a split
in the movement. But there are many groups and affiliations, each with their
own analysis and focus, who all oppose the globalisation and the oppression of
the capitalist system. MayDay belongs to each and every one of us. Around the
world, social movements do not need to reconcile all their diverse ideas, just
embrace the universal desire for change. Thus our aim is that everyone,
everywhere should feel empowered to take part in building a future where we
all take responsibility for an equitable continuation of life on this planet.
Large actions, small actions, kitchen sink actions - who cares, as long as we
continue to make them happen?
Some of us have volunteered to help with childcare this year, so that parents
and carers can take part in MayDay activities. Many other people will be doing
legal monitoring, prison support, independent media and countless other tasks
involved in a mass protest.
People who come together to work under the banner of Reclaim The Streets
(past, present and future) see social equity inextricably linked to environmental
justice. And on other nameless days RTS will continue to focus attention on
states and corporations that are omnipresent in every layer of the dominant
world order, with direct action as it has always done. An example was our
de-branding of BP's re-branding on April 19 this year.
Our group will not, however, have some journalist's definitions of
organisation , or "fluffy" or "spiky" imposed upon it; neither will it fall
for attempts to drive a wedge between it and other groups, nor will it fail to
support those individuals or other groups subject to vilification and
harassment. The violence of capitalism is 24/7, 365 days a year, and one day
is as good as another for taking action towards real change.