Updated: September 4, 2001
Frequently Asked Questions
Version 2.1
What is the Anti-Capitalist Convergence?
The Washington DC Anti-Capitalist Convergence is a coalition of
anti-capitalist activists organizing direct action and a week long
convergence against the IMF and World Bank meetings being held in DC this
fall. We are calling for people from all over the world to converge on
Washington DC from September 24 - October 1. Please, try to be in town no
later than September 26!
Through a strong, beautiful resistance we will counter the authority of
these institutions to make undemocratic, destructive decisions about
millions of lives, communities and the earth.
The ACC encourages other groups and individuals to organize autonomously. We
can help by laying the ground work for those plans to be carried
through. We welcome anyone who agrees with the principles of unity to join
us in helping build this resistance!
Our Principles of Unity can be found here.
How is the ACC funded?
The Anti-Capitalist Convergence, like most of the global anti-capitalist movement, is funded out of the pockets of participating activists, as well as generous donations from supporters.
If you'd like to contribute to our work, please consider donating via our PayPal account. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence is NOT funded by NGO money or grants from nonprofits. We really don't have much money--we usually raise funds by passing the hat at meetings or having punk benefit shows. The anti-capitalists who travel to our protests usually finance their travel out of pocket.
What is neoliberalism?
"Neoliberalism is a variation on the classical liberalism of the nineteenth century, when Britain and other imperialist powers used the ideology of competition and 'free trade' to justify their own colonialisms. Anticolonial revolt ended the empires, and worker revolt in the 1930s ended classical liberalism but was contained by Keynesianism: government management of the wage, the welfare state. and 'development.' An international cycle of worker, student, peasant, woman, and pro-ecology revolt in the 1960s eroded Keynesian economics, and it was replaced by neoliberalism-designed, pushed, and implemented by some of the biggest, most powerful institutions in the world, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World bank. Think tanks, university departments, and government agencies house an international army of neoliberal architects, planners, and apologists--backed up by the armed might of the state in all its forms. This history suggests that defeating neoliberalism will not be enough; we must go beyond reformism to defeat all forms of capitalism."
"Neoliberalism is both an ideology and a strategy. Like so many evils, it has many aliases: 'Reganomics,' 'Thatcherism,' 'supply-side economics,' 'monetariasm,' 'new classical economics,' and 'structural adjustment.' Neoliberalism subordinates all economic actors, including government and individuals, to the demands of the market. Its strategy includes privatization, reduced social expenditures, union busting, land enclosure, lower rages, higher profits, free trade, free capital mobility, and the accelerated commodification of natural resources."
-- found in Our word is our weapon: selected writings of
Subcomandante Marcos
(Seven Stories)
What does the ACC mean when it says that it will provide a "framework" for the protests?
Participants
in the Anti-Capitalist Convergence
agree to the following language in our Principles of Unity: "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."
This means that the ACC in Washington, DC will organize a framework for the anti-capitalist protests, but many of the specifics of those protests and direct action are up to anti-capitalists who come to Washington, DC. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence is providing logistical support, information, outreach materials, issue agitprop, and many other things. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence understands that it is not empowered by our anti-capitalist constituencies to enter into agreements
with other coalitions or organizations regarding protest guidelines, protest parameters, and joint actions.
What is the relationship between the ACC and the Mobilization for Global Justice?
The Mobilization for Global Justice is the parallel coalition to the Anti-Capitalist Convergence. The "Mobe" (MGJ) and the ACC are the two coalitions organizing the week of protest and resistance to the World Bank, IMF and capitalism. While there is some overlap of activists who participate in each coalition, they have different goals and philosophies. The two coalitions are not in compettion with each other, in fact, there is some cooperation between the two coalitions. Neither coalition is the umbrella group for the other.
Will there be violence at the protests?
 There is a strong potential for violence at the World Bank and IMF protests. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence has gotten word that the local police department has requested $38 million to buy implements of violence which they intend to use on protestors. The police will use these instruments of violence against people who simply seek to attend the meetings of the World Bank and IMF. The Washington Metropolitan Police Department has a long track record of using indiscriminate violence against any type of protestor, activist, or citizen.
 There are also protestors coming to these protests who are willing to use violence against the police in self-defense. Many of these people, who include anarchists, anti-capitalists, and trade unionists, have no reservations about protecting themselves from police batons, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber and real bullets, attack dogs and whatever else the police have bought this year. There are many angry people coming to Washington, DC, especially those who are angered by the police murder of anti-corporate globalization protestors around the globe. There are also many angry working class people who are coming to the protests who are willing to use violence to stop violent institutions such as the World Bank and IMF (thousands of dead children each day) and the capitalist system which is rapidly destroying the planet. Many of the young people who are involved believe that the planet will die in their lifetime.
Is the Anti-Capitalist Convergence the Black Bloc?
No. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence is a network/organization of anti-capitalist groups, individuals, affinity groups, and blocs. Anarchists and anti-authoritarians who participate in the black bloc tactic are members of the Anti-Capitalist Convergence, but the people who participate in the ACC will be involved in a wide range of activities during the week of action and resistance to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Which coalition includes the anarchists?
There are many anarchists in both the Mobilization for Global Justice and the Anti-Capitalist Convergence, although you'll find more anarchists working with the Anti-Capitalist Convergence because of its strong stand against capitalism. Given that a third of the anti-corporate globalization movement is comprised of anarchists, you'll find them working everywhere in both coalitions.
What can I do when I get to Washington?
Once you get to Washington, be prepared to help out. The anti-capitalist movements are about participation, solidarity and the Do-It-Yourself ethic. We don't want any protest "consumers" to come to the protests. There are many things that you can help out with, including childcare, food preparation, puppet and banner-making, media relations, IMC journalism, trainings, comms, medical, community outreach and agitation, scenario prep, and much, much more.
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