(These are as adapted from CLAC and CASA's principles of unity, two groups that organized for the FTAA protests in Quebec City.)
*We are opposed to capitalism. We fundamentally reject a social and economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and exchange. We reject a system driven by an exploitative logic that sees human beings as human capital, ecosystems as natural resources, and culture as simply a commodity. We reject the idea that the world is only valuable in terms of profit, competition and efficiency.
*We reject the ideology of neo-liberalism, whereby corporations and investors are exempt from all political and social measures that interfere with their so-called "success".
*We are anti-imperialist, opposed to patriarchy, and denounces all forms of exploitation and oppression. We assert a worldview based on the respect of our differences and the autonomy of groups, individuals and peoples. Our objective is to globalize our networks of resistance to corporate rule.
*Respecting a diversity of tactics, we support the use of a variety of creative initiatives, ranging between popular education to direct action.
*We are autonomous, decentralized and non-hierarchical. We encourage the involvement of anyone who accepts this statement of principles. We also encourage the participation of all individuals in working groups, in accord with their respective political affiliations.
*We organize with a regard for security culture, keeping in mind the constant repression and infiltration of political movements by the state.
We believe in direct democracy and decentralization of society so we encourage individuals who don't live in Nairobi to start up their own chapter of the ACCK.
What is required to start a chapter is for all the individuals involved to agree on the principles of unity and adopt them. Contact the Nairobi chapter for pamphlets, organizing tools, etc and then decide what projects the group would like to work on.
Some examples of projects a chapter could work on:
Popular education on issues such as Globalization, AIDS, Capitalism, etc.
Organize around community issues, tying in the failures of capitalism and the State,
take action on issues of the environment such as land grabbing, deforestation, mining, animal rights,
Organize workers for better wages and working conditions,
etc, etc.
When organizing a chapter, keep equal opportunity in mind at all times. Women, and other underpriviledged people in society must be given a strong voice in order to liberate themselves and the rest of us must stand at their sides at all times to create better solidarity because our liberation is tied to thiers.
All chapters should be organized on a non-heirarchical basis, meaning nobody in the group has power or authority over anyone else.
When holding a meeting, a facilitator can be chosen but the position of facilitator should be filled by a different person each meeting so as not to give too much power to one person.
Facilitators should make a conscious effort to call on women or other disadvantaged people when the group is discussing an issue or making a decision.
The Nairobi chapter is by no means the headquarters of the ACCK, each chapter is autonomous and non-hierarchical, providing a system of decentralization and direct democracy, allowing each group to decide (within the principles of unity) what they want to focus on or do.
Chapters can work together on projects to enable a wider range of success.
-towards a society with neither masters nor slaves-
Contact us at ACCK@another-world.com or anticapkenya@yahoo.com
