Post by Pirate Phoebe on Jul 22, 2004 20:38:02 GMT -5
** Please Forward Everywhere **
Hello activist friends,
The Boston Social Forum and DNC protests are just about here! Along
with
all the excitement and celebration, there's a lot of stress involved
in organizing and participating in these events. So.... what can we do
for ourselves, and for each other, to make this work more fun, more
supportive,
more sustainable? And what can we do NOW to prepare for the next week,
so we can be as calm, focused and happy as we want to be?
In my case, I think I will have about a gallon of chocolate Silk
(delicious
chocolate soy milk) hidden away, I'll have some friends who I can call
if I am feeling lost, stressed or overwhelmed, and I will have the
support
of the activists with me in Boston.
So, what makes you happy? What helps you feel centered, focused,
grounded,
or whatever you call it for yourself? What can you look forward to at
the end of the day, that would help you get through whatever happens?
What can you do now to make sure you have all this goodness? And don't
forget the medics. We don't just patch up cuts and scrapes -- we can
also provide emotional support, and suggestions for how to deal with
stress. So, come on over to the Wellness Center in the Convergence
Space
to drink some de-stress tea, or head over to the first aid tent we'll
have on the Common, for some fun and games.
And think about what else will help you have a great week.
Take care all,
Eowyn, street medic with the DNC Medical Organizing Committee
Boston Area Liberation Medics (BALM) Squad:
www.bostoncoop.net/balm/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The DNC is almost here - are you packed and ready to go? Here's a list
of what to bring with you (and what to leave at home).
blackteasociety.org
• A sleeping bag, pillow, and towel - many of our hosts don't have
enough
of these things to supply to their guests.
• Your own bowl/plate, cup and untensils. We will not be providing
these
things for you! If you want to eat the meals that will be provided in
the convergence center, please bring something to eat with.
• Notebook and pen/pencil, so you can take notes when the cops start
doing things that are illegal.
• Water bottle (medics will not be running water on the streets! Don't
get dehydrated - carry a water bottle).
• Appropriate clothing (loose fitting, something that covers your skin
is best if there are chemical weapons, but keep in mind it will be hot
here).
• Extra set of clothes in a ziplock bag, in case you get doused with
chemical weapons or water.
• Water-based sunscreen (oil-based lotions trap chemical weapons
against
your skin).
• Bandanas soaked in apple cider vinegar (you may want to dilute the
vinegar up to 50/50 with water as vinegar can burn you skin).
• Goggles/gas masks (please make sure the seals/filters are okay for
chemical weapons exposure, and make sure the goggles don't have glass
lenses!)
• Extra water bottle with squirt cap, if you want to be prepared to be
able to do eye flushes. Don't use the bottle you're drinking out of.
• Snacks for when you're out on the streets (trail mix, granola,
chocolate
chips).
• If you have prescription drugs, bring them in the bottle/container
from the pharmacist and bring a doctor's not explaining why you need
them.
• Your legal ID. Even if you plan to participate in jail solidarity if
arrested, your ID should be somewhere people can access it in case you
decide to be bailed out.
• Your own bail money if you can afford it, as Boston ABC might not be
able to help everyone if there are mass arrests (minimum bail is a non-
returnable $40).
• Printouts of any schedules/info that you want/need prior to your
arrival
in Boston.
• BTS convergence center and after-hours phone numbers, which are all
at www.blackteasociety.org/bostonguide/welcome/numbers.php
• Medical supplies donations are much needed and appreciated. Gloves
and gauze are at the top of the list.
• Food donations and food prep equipment are also needed.
• Bike locks and bike helmets, if you want to use our communal bikes
or are willing to share your helmet and lock with others.
• Your own bike, lock and helmet if you can bring it, as it might be
easier to have your own if everyone wants to borrow bikes.
• Art supplies, office supplies and batteries are always welcome
donations.
• As for what not to bring: Please, do not bring mace or pepper spray.
It is illegal in Massachusetts to carry either without a license. You
will be arrested and charged with possession of a dangerous weapon if
either is found on you. Things such as illegal drugs are also something
you should not bring - just use common sense and know our homes in
Boston
and all of us will be under more intense surveillance with more cops
around than normal. But that shouldn't stop us from having an amazing
convergence, so last but certainly not least,
• Bring yourselves and your friends, so we can make this a kick-ass
week
of events! See you in Boston!
Hello activist friends,
The Boston Social Forum and DNC protests are just about here! Along
with
all the excitement and celebration, there's a lot of stress involved
in organizing and participating in these events. So.... what can we do
for ourselves, and for each other, to make this work more fun, more
supportive,
more sustainable? And what can we do NOW to prepare for the next week,
so we can be as calm, focused and happy as we want to be?
In my case, I think I will have about a gallon of chocolate Silk
(delicious
chocolate soy milk) hidden away, I'll have some friends who I can call
if I am feeling lost, stressed or overwhelmed, and I will have the
support
of the activists with me in Boston.
So, what makes you happy? What helps you feel centered, focused,
grounded,
or whatever you call it for yourself? What can you look forward to at
the end of the day, that would help you get through whatever happens?
What can you do now to make sure you have all this goodness? And don't
forget the medics. We don't just patch up cuts and scrapes -- we can
also provide emotional support, and suggestions for how to deal with
stress. So, come on over to the Wellness Center in the Convergence
Space
to drink some de-stress tea, or head over to the first aid tent we'll
have on the Common, for some fun and games.
And think about what else will help you have a great week.
Take care all,
Eowyn, street medic with the DNC Medical Organizing Committee
Boston Area Liberation Medics (BALM) Squad:
www.bostoncoop.net/balm/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The DNC is almost here - are you packed and ready to go? Here's a list
of what to bring with you (and what to leave at home).
blackteasociety.org
• A sleeping bag, pillow, and towel - many of our hosts don't have
enough
of these things to supply to their guests.
• Your own bowl/plate, cup and untensils. We will not be providing
these
things for you! If you want to eat the meals that will be provided in
the convergence center, please bring something to eat with.
• Notebook and pen/pencil, so you can take notes when the cops start
doing things that are illegal.
• Water bottle (medics will not be running water on the streets! Don't
get dehydrated - carry a water bottle).
• Appropriate clothing (loose fitting, something that covers your skin
is best if there are chemical weapons, but keep in mind it will be hot
here).
• Extra set of clothes in a ziplock bag, in case you get doused with
chemical weapons or water.
• Water-based sunscreen (oil-based lotions trap chemical weapons
against
your skin).
• Bandanas soaked in apple cider vinegar (you may want to dilute the
vinegar up to 50/50 with water as vinegar can burn you skin).
• Goggles/gas masks (please make sure the seals/filters are okay for
chemical weapons exposure, and make sure the goggles don't have glass
lenses!)
• Extra water bottle with squirt cap, if you want to be prepared to be
able to do eye flushes. Don't use the bottle you're drinking out of.
• Snacks for when you're out on the streets (trail mix, granola,
chocolate
chips).
• If you have prescription drugs, bring them in the bottle/container
from the pharmacist and bring a doctor's not explaining why you need
them.
• Your legal ID. Even if you plan to participate in jail solidarity if
arrested, your ID should be somewhere people can access it in case you
decide to be bailed out.
• Your own bail money if you can afford it, as Boston ABC might not be
able to help everyone if there are mass arrests (minimum bail is a non-
returnable $40).
• Printouts of any schedules/info that you want/need prior to your
arrival
in Boston.
• BTS convergence center and after-hours phone numbers, which are all
at www.blackteasociety.org/bostonguide/welcome/numbers.php
• Medical supplies donations are much needed and appreciated. Gloves
and gauze are at the top of the list.
• Food donations and food prep equipment are also needed.
• Bike locks and bike helmets, if you want to use our communal bikes
or are willing to share your helmet and lock with others.
• Your own bike, lock and helmet if you can bring it, as it might be
easier to have your own if everyone wants to borrow bikes.
• Art supplies, office supplies and batteries are always welcome
donations.
• As for what not to bring: Please, do not bring mace or pepper spray.
It is illegal in Massachusetts to carry either without a license. You
will be arrested and charged with possession of a dangerous weapon if
either is found on you. Things such as illegal drugs are also something
you should not bring - just use common sense and know our homes in
Boston
and all of us will be under more intense surveillance with more cops
around than normal. But that shouldn't stop us from having an amazing
convergence, so last but certainly not least,
• Bring yourselves and your friends, so we can make this a kick-ass
week
of events! See you in Boston!