[OccupyComms] URGENT! - Agitating for a Participatory Democracy Debate in the PAAA

[Mark Barrett]

Dear All

I am re-sending this as a gentle or in some cases 1st reminder / point of
info.

If you would like to see a debate within the PAAA about participatory
democracy, both locally but also at the inaugural National Conference (the
sovereign body of the movement) taking place on March 15th, there is a  way
to make it happen. This is because of some hard work done  behind the
scenes in order to give us a fighting chance. For example, following
interventions in the Signatories group meetings, all PAs have been told
(see attachment 3 on electing delegates) and should be reminded they'be
been told of the following :

"..For the process to be democratic we also need to ensure respect and
support for different organising approaches and demonstrate a commitment to
transparency and accountability.

To ensure the different currents in the Peoples' Assemblies movement are
treated fairly and able to play their full part, where practical we welcome
local Peoples Assemblies sending delegates from all elements of the
movement: the variety of anti-cuts campaigns, the trades and student
unions, the Labour Party, Green Party, the horizonalist organising groups,
the revolutionary left and, most important of all, those who simply oppose
austerity and are in no organised group at all other than the People's
Assembly. So, in the delegate entitlement of 10 for a local Peoples
Assembly, please try and reflect the diversity of traditions in the
movement."

So on this basis why not approach your local PAAA group (however you have
found it before). They are duty bound to support delegates from across the
organising spectrum and also to consider what motions they would like to
support. Also, other groups who are affiliated with the PAAA can send quite
a few delegates and also put forward resolutions. As you will see at
attachment 2 (PAAA Conference Pack):

"1.      Who can submit a motion

Motions will only be accepted from recognised delegations and not from
individuals.

2.      Delegation Entitlement

For clarity, delegation entitlement is as follows:

a.      Every local People's Assembly: a maximum of 10 delegates.

b.      Local and regional union trade union organisations, including
trades councils and students' unions: 2 delegates

c.       Local anti-cuts campaigns that are recognised signatories of the
People's Assembly: 2 delegates.

d.      National trade unions: 10 delegates

e.       National campaign organisations: 5 delegates."

Finally see below, and Attachment 1 where a resolution HAS ALREADY BEEN
WRITTEN for us (by an Occupier) to take to local PAs and also other
campaign groups who are affiliated. Why not take it, as is and get the
thing into the movement so its members are forced / given the wonderful
opportunity (depending on your point of view) to properly consider it!

NB
*The deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the PAAA is midnight on
22nd February.  *---------- Forwarded message ----------
Dear All

Attached is a Motion on Participatory Democracy drafted by Occupier
Michelle, and which she hopes to persuade the Manchester PA (who she has
worked with a bit already) to take forward into the National PA Conference
in London on 15th March.

Other local PAs or groups affiliated with the PAAA movement are free to
take the motion forward into the March event, either in its existing form
or amended (however, presumably it will be stronger coming from more than
one place in the exact same form) and we hope local PA and other affiliated
groups are persuaded to do so. If you are up for taking it forward into
your local PA or other group, please let us know.


*The deadline for resolutions to be submitted to the PAAA is midnight on
22nd February.  *
In love and solidarity

Mark
PS a note about the new PAAA web-site. the page
http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/recall_conference
does not presently show the two official documents and I am assuming this
is because of the change to a new site in recent weeks (the page does refer
to the Pack but doesn't appear to contain it) - I will chase this so you
can have reference to these docs as and when you approach your local groups
as it's important to have what you are referring to in writing to support
your case, no? Hence the positive aspects of the ideal of a written
constitution innit ;)
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