“Confronting the manifestations of global capitalism at their summits and meetings is no doubt a part of the tactical arsenal of anti-capitalists. . . . However, the enduring challenge of the post-Seattle moment remains to link mass mobilizations and direct action against global capitalism to the on-the-ground day-to-day struggles against colonialism, poverty, racism, and police brutality - to root them in long-standing struggles for dignity and survival.”
-Jaggi Singh, “Roundtable on G8 Resistance: Perspectives for the next phase of global anti-capitalist uprisings.” Upping the Anti, Interventions #1
2010 will witness the eruptions of three major manifestations of global capitalism — and the protests against them — on Canadian soil: the Vancouver Olympics, the G8 Summit in Muskoka, and a Security and Prosperity Partnership summit (date and location not yet confirmed). To what extent can the mobilizations against these events, building on the legacies of summit protests past, serve to expand and advance the work of popular movements for social justice and environmental sustainability?
In anticipation of a great deal of media, police and government disinformation about the protesters and their grievances, Briarpatch invites submissions to its January/February 2010 issue, “Resistance 2010: Confrontational politics, social movements & the state of anti-capitalist organizing in Canada.”
This is an opportunity for activists, supporters and sympathizers to share information about the issues, challenges, successes, goals and strategies of anti-capitalist organizing and social movement practice. What is being planned? Why should (and/or how can) allies and sympathizers get involved?
It is hoped that this issue can serve as a critical space for documenting, discussing, evaluating and critiquing the state and trajectory of social movements in Canada. Where are we now? What have we learned from the legacies of APEC, Quebec City, Kananaskis, Montebello and other flashpoints?
We are looking for articles, essays, investigative reportage, news briefs, project profiles, interviews with activists and strategists, reviews, poetry, humour, artwork & photography that addresses the issue at hand.
Article queries could spring from such seed questions as:
- What’s behind the slogan “no Olympics on stolen land”?
- What has the SPP been up to lately and why should we care?
- The G8 vs. the world: Can the Group of Eight be a force for good?
- Summit-hopping 2.0: What have we learned? What’s changed? What next?
- How successful have anti-capitalist activists been at forging meaningful links with indigenous and migrant justice organizing efforts?
- Goals, strategy, tactics: What is “victory,” and how will we get there?
- “Confrontation without compromise” vs. strategically chosen, achievable demands: How much to ask, how much to take?
- Learning from the South: What can Canadian social movements learn from allies elsewhere in the world?
- Anti-capitalism, the labour movement and the non-profit industrial complex: What are the points of convergence? To what extent is broad coalition building on the Left possible?
- (This is NOT intended as an exhaustive list!)
We also welcome pitches for short profiles (300-600 words) of groups, initiatives and organizations that presage the next generation of anti-capitalist/social movement organizing. (Please note that we do not accept profiles of organizations written by staff of those organizations. Such organizations are welcome - indeed, encouraged - to take out an ad <http://briarpatchmagazine.com/files/2009/07/mediakit09sm.pdf> in this issue.)
Queries are due by September 6. If your query is accepted; first drafts are due by October 18. Your query should outline what ground your contribution will cover, give an estimated word count, and indicate your relevant experience or background in writing about the issue. If you haven’t written for Briarpatch before, please provide a brief writing sample.
Please write for a general audience, employing standard journalistic conventions. Please review our submission guidelines before submitting. Send your queries/submissions to editor AT briarpatchmagazine D0T com.
We reserve the right to edit your work (with your active involvement), and cannot guarantee publication.
Note: Potential contributors to this issue may also be interested in contributing to The Dominion’s special issue on the 2010 Olympics.
Other upcoming Briarpatch issues:
March/April 2010: Feminism International: The global fight for women’s autonomy
Query deadline: November 2, 2009
May/June 2010: Canadian foreign policy & its discontents
Query deadline: January 4, 2010
July/August 2010: Fences, walls & borders: Migration, global apartheid & the right to freedom of movement
Query deadline: March 1, 2010
September/October 2010: Health
Query deadline: May 3, 2010
November/December 2010: Work
Query deadline: July 5, 2010
January/February 2011: Indigenous activism & the Fourth World War
Query deadline: September 6, 2010
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