Report back from Grassroots Gathering held over June Bank holiday weekend, Dublin.

national | anti-capitalism | news report

Friday June 20, 2008 19:45

by jaded - Grassroots Gathering

The Grassroots Gathering 2008 took place in Casadh - a drug rehabilitation centre in the Liberties, Dublin over the sunny June Bank holiday weekend.

Friday night opened with the Irish leg of a major film and information tour by Activist Trauma Support and the Genova Legal Forum showing 'L'Ordine Publico, Genoa 2001: Public Order during the G8'. Over the weekend upwards of 300 euro was raised to support the Genova Legal Forum's ongoing case against the Italian state for the events of Genoa.
If you would like a copy of the DVD (5 euro - money raised through selling DVDs goes to Genova Legal Forum) or if you would like to make a donation please contact [email protected]

For more information see http://www.indymedia.ie/article/87740

Throughout the weekend numerous workshops facilitated collaborative learning on movement issues. Lots of interesting discussions have developed and are continuing beyond the Gathering such as...

- the question over whether 'we' identify as a movement

- the means through which we may address this question

- the usefulness of resourcing such forum/networking structures as Grassroots Gatherings and AAA (Anti-Authoritarian Assemblies – a dormant Dublin-area activist forum)

- the question of where broader community activism is going in this country, and how we can usefully engage with it

There was a general sense that there was a need for all-island and face to face networking and a desire to look into creating a forum structure.

It was decided that there will be a meeting on the future of the Grassroots Gathering in mid-July – contact [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

A group has formed to explore a relaunch of the Anti-Authoritarian Assemblies. Keep an eye out for further details.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Gathering: who chopped vegetables; mopped floors; attended workshops; answered questions at the 'Re-quiz The Street' table quiz (it happened on the street); who mulled over the future of the anti-capitalist movement over a cup of tea.
Special thanks to those who cooked our dinner, organised the workshops, dreamed up the creative space, mastered our quiz and everyone else who made the Gathering happen.