Upon arriving in Buenos Aires, I was immediately struck by the strength of their movements. That strength was marked primarily through the constant presence of social movements felt in the city. In part that presence came from the large and nearly constant demonstrations in the streets. But more than that, it was seeing the cultural centers, radical libraries, widely distributed revolutionary and rank and file newspapers, musicians singing about current causes, and of course, the presence of the worker expropriated businesses.
Originally I assumed that the presence of these available resources were the natural result of having broad support for the various movements. I’ve since come to understand that these movements don’t simply have these resources because they are larger, but that the resources are why they are larger. By giving people things to do other than simply show up to demonstrations, movements begin to build strong activists, volunteer bases, their own power, and a real reason to need more people actively involved in our movements. As we begin to build our capacity for growth, as well as our need for it, these resources can strengthen our ability to recruit new members. Those new members build our capacity to develop new projects and power within our movements. This seems like a cycle that movements in the US could use.
What kinds of resources?
Some of the different resources that I’ve seen used effectively in Buenos Aires are very basic things that movements of any size should be able to produce and use. Others are hopes that would require considerable investments of time, volunteers, and money. But, they aren’t impossible and should be goals to grow towards.
• Diffusion Tables: It‘s incredibly common to see tables of various organizations set up in public spaces around the city. Using a basic banner and a couple of flags they are able to look like serious organizations and attract more people. To set up they only require a couple of volunteers and the development of some basic materials that any group should have – a description of who the group is and what they do and some flyers for upcoming events. Good books or documentaries about the organization’s issues are great to put out as well.
• Physical and Public Space: Historically in Argentina, the beginnings of movements are recognized with the opening of ‘cultural centers’. A location that belongs to the movement is important in demonstrating the organization’s capacity to have an impact, even if that impact starts at one store-front. There are a number of spaces like this throughout Buenos Aires – the café and revolutionary university of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, various anarchist, socialist or communist libraries, theatres, and spaces within recuperated businesses. These spaces create genuine ties to the neighborhoods in which they reside while allowing a space to hold teach-ins, discussions, movie screenings, concerts, parties, and any other event an organization may want to hold.
• Political Artists: Plenty of artists exist that claim some sort of radical politics, but how many have any real connection with particular movements? This connection is vital for both – as artists can express the passion and inspiration that movements need and organizations can provide the exposure that artists may want. When this connection isn’t built we only invite the growth of an apathetic public.
• Media: I have been absolutely amazed by the production of media by organizers and activists in Buenos Aires. There are dozens of radical newspapers and magazines, groups producing documentaries, left wing radio programs, websites, and so much more. How can anyone be surprised by the strength of their movements when they have such constant media production and distribution? These sorts of means of production should be one of the goals of any serious movement. Shouldn’t we consistently ask ourselves how we are communicating our message with the public at large?
• Technology: Nearly all of the above resources will require access to and skill with some amount of tech. Computers, cameras, printing press, sound equipment, etc. will often be necessary tools in the building of truly popular movements. Developing these skills within ourselves and our communities is a valuable resource.
• Funding: Whether gained by membership dues, grants, fundraising events, or some other more creative ideas money is going to needed at some point. Good luck on this front!
A focus on developing these resources while building campaigns to win specific demands can help to build our groups from flashes in the pan that create some marginal change into sustainable and productive organizations. It’s precisely this sort of production in our work that can begin to present our ability to organize a more just and free world.
Originally I assumed that the presence of these available resources were the natural result of having broad support for the various movements. I’ve since come to understand that these movements don’t simply have these resources because they are larger, but that the resources are why they are larger. By giving people things to do other than simply show up to demonstrations, movements begin to build strong activists, volunteer bases, their own power, and a real reason to need more people actively involved in our movements. As we begin to build our capacity for growth, as well as our need for it, these resources can strengthen our ability to recruit new members. Those new members build our capacity to develop new projects and power within our movements. This seems like a cycle that movements in the US could use.
What kinds of resources?
Some of the different resources that I’ve seen used effectively in Buenos Aires are very basic things that movements of any size should be able to produce and use. Others are hopes that would require considerable investments of time, volunteers, and money. But, they aren’t impossible and should be goals to grow towards.
• Diffusion Tables: It‘s incredibly common to see tables of various organizations set up in public spaces around the city. Using a basic banner and a couple of flags they are able to look like serious organizations and attract more people. To set up they only require a couple of volunteers and the development of some basic materials that any group should have – a description of who the group is and what they do and some flyers for upcoming events. Good books or documentaries about the organization’s issues are great to put out as well.
• Physical and Public Space: Historically in Argentina, the beginnings of movements are recognized with the opening of ‘cultural centers’. A location that belongs to the movement is important in demonstrating the organization’s capacity to have an impact, even if that impact starts at one store-front. There are a number of spaces like this throughout Buenos Aires – the café and revolutionary university of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, various anarchist, socialist or communist libraries, theatres, and spaces within recuperated businesses. These spaces create genuine ties to the neighborhoods in which they reside while allowing a space to hold teach-ins, discussions, movie screenings, concerts, parties, and any other event an organization may want to hold.
• Political Artists: Plenty of artists exist that claim some sort of radical politics, but how many have any real connection with particular movements? This connection is vital for both – as artists can express the passion and inspiration that movements need and organizations can provide the exposure that artists may want. When this connection isn’t built we only invite the growth of an apathetic public.
• Media: I have been absolutely amazed by the production of media by organizers and activists in Buenos Aires. There are dozens of radical newspapers and magazines, groups producing documentaries, left wing radio programs, websites, and so much more. How can anyone be surprised by the strength of their movements when they have such constant media production and distribution? These sorts of means of production should be one of the goals of any serious movement. Shouldn’t we consistently ask ourselves how we are communicating our message with the public at large?
• Technology: Nearly all of the above resources will require access to and skill with some amount of tech. Computers, cameras, printing press, sound equipment, etc. will often be necessary tools in the building of truly popular movements. Developing these skills within ourselves and our communities is a valuable resource.
• Funding: Whether gained by membership dues, grants, fundraising events, or some other more creative ideas money is going to needed at some point. Good luck on this front!
A focus on developing these resources while building campaigns to win specific demands can help to build our groups from flashes in the pan that create some marginal change into sustainable and productive organizations. It’s precisely this sort of production in our work that can begin to present our ability to organize a more just and free world.
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