No Borders Camp, November 2007 // Calexico/Mexicali

NO BORDERS CAMP NOVEMBER 2007 CALEXICO/MEXICALI, TURTLE ISLAND

As long as the US/Mexico border has existed, people having been struggling against it. The border itself is a colonial war monument and it continues to be the site of a not-so-low intensity war. It is a boundary marking an internal space of fear, control and domination over people, while simultaneously allowing for the unrestricted movement of capital and wealth. This border regime--like the border regimes in Mexico, Israel, Spain and more--is a system of apartheid.

For years around the world people have been tearing down fences, freeing detainees and fighting for autonomy. A global movement against borders and migration controls is rising. One of many tactics in this movement is the no borders camp - a space for direct action and building community. Join us for a transnational no borders camp on the Mexico/US border. Celebrate global days of action for freedom of movement on the 18th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall...

We are currently an informal network of collectives, working groups, and individuals, in many cities, on both sides of the border. We are planning a no borders action camp for the second week of November 2007, in the region of Calexico and Mexicali.

The PGA hallmarks are the basic points of unity for the mobilization. See below.

The camp is intended to be a spectacular intervention in a discourse that at times ignores, and at other times justifies, the systematic violence, indignity and exploitation experienced by migrants in the United States, Mexico, and across the world. The mobilization will bring many of us together in one place to share, learn and take action. It is of equal importance that it not be just one isolated event that lasts a few days in one location. We view this mobilization as a process and we hope to further link this mobilization with other powerful events and processes such as the G8, the Other Campaign, the US Social forum and the Anti-RNC organizing. It is also intentionally, and somewhat inevitably, a process of creating an anti-capitalist network for freedom of movement.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

For this mobilization to be a success, groups and individuals from a diversity of locales and experiences must make this project their own. Groups and individuals are encouraged to take initiative and start now. For instance you could: organize an encuentro in your city. Go to an upcoming one that is already planned. Distro what we have, or make new propaganda. Organize a fundraiser. Start working on media and art. Start talking strategy and action with your affinity group. Contact us and come visit some collectives and individuals working in the region. Maybe stay for a while.
Check the email contact page to get more info.

HALLMARKS:
A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism and feudalism; all trade agreements, institutions and governments that promote destructive globalisation;
We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not limited to, patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the full dignity of all human beings.
A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organisations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy-maker;
A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements' struggles, advocating forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed peoples' rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism;
An organisational philosophy based on decentralisation and autonomy.