What Now For Earth First!?

A Question of Organisation:

The 'how' of Earth First!

The way we organise is not just a practical question of how to get things done more efficiently - but can offer us a way of starting to create the type of society we desire. Earth First! is a network but how well is it working? Is there anything we can do to make it less dependent upon a small number of people, more inclusive, sustainable and a greater threat to that which we seek to destroy?

- A roadshow around UK, between squat centres, sixth forms etc. Three days of intensive events and actions, but leaving effective and empowered activists behind - don't just pack up and go.

- We propose that EF! here and now, adopts as its underlying aims - "to dismantle international capitalism" - because this is what is at the root of environmental destruction. Be blatant about it - put it on any literature, comments, statements.

- We propose that EF! learns from the animal rights movement, and decides on one national target, and every local group commits to an ongoing (months) long campaign to shut it down - turning up to monthly or bi-monthly actions. This doesn't preclude local actions, either on local issues or same target, happening in the meantime.

- Every EF! group should link with a specific other struggle. These could be local or international links. E.g.; South Downs EF! twinned with Zapatistas, Manchester EF! twinned with local allotment holders.

- EF! should organise a big national offensive action.

- Destroy all genetic test sites in the UK, linking with community groups and global issues, but not becoming totally submerged in the issue.

- Planning in local communities and at a national level for a fun and effective 'Stop The City' type demo, on June 18th 1998.

- Regionally-based networking gatherings: Emphasis on linking with grassroots groups who do not identify with our 'movement'... to open up to their agendas rather than aiming to co-opt them into ours. Links should be made for the purpose of material support, common action and skills sharing.

- Strong, local affinity groups (collective responsibility, self-sufficient, national networking, land, community, outreach)

- Revamp the Earth First! network (through sorted affinity groups, networked through focused gatherings and national hits, long term plans for local groups, dropping EF! name from the national network and adopting a more inclusive title)

- Hooking up with local people wanting to take action and skill share/empower.

- Two national gatherings per year, one in summer, similar to as they are now in countryside, but with possibility of indoors venue, more focus on networking etc. The other should be in winter, probably in a city and focused on EF! strategy and planning.

- Someone or a group similar to the Action Update co-ordinating group publishing/co-ordinating a list of EF! groups' resources (set up an EF! resource database to support community groups).

- Local groups can then go out and get in touch with local communities and say "here we are and this is what we can offer you". The resource group would provide support to encourage local direct action.

- Focus on urgency of sustainable communities, both for ourselves and to others.

- Preparing tactically for having to provide for needs within our own communities locally/nationally.

- Work on making our network work.

- Looking for issues with community involvement - challenges us in terms of working with people

- Do more action at local level - getting local groups who need to do action to think of hooking up with EF!, e.g. greenfield housing / greenfield development issues; genetics; crop sites...

- Do more action as Earth First!

How we can make the movement more inclusive

The 'who' of Earth First!

What do we mean when we say 'our movement'? We are people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and we all hold different positions of power in a number of complex hierarchies. How does this affect us and our movement?

- Change media stereotype - we're diverse not alternative - through leaflet about EF! history and aims

- Target groups we may have common ground with

- Communicate with our natural allies (dockers etc.)

- Challenge our own prejudices - racism, sexism, homophobia etc.

- Talk openly about our activities - it is normal to be a revolutionary, you know!

- Friendly camps - child space and better hygiene

- Basic practicalities: access to sites, physical comfort.

- Bring 2 new people each to next year's EF gathering

- Remember that getting involved in the community is as important as actions

- Get more rest: sleep first! self sufficiency and personal sustainability (people don't have to burn out)

- Local friendly approachable actions and groups

- As a general policy, try to keep alcohol and drugs out of sight

- Don't stereotype by appearance - stress issues not lifestyle

- Be positive when presenting your ideas - don't be aggressive

- Listen to/learn from people, don't make them feel guilty - EF! does not have a monopoly on truth

- Socialise after meetings and actions to help newcomers get more involved.

- Use tools from other movements (e.g. peace movement) to improve group dynamics

- Don't let the same people always dominate meetings

- Fun introductory games (although remember that they can put people off as well as welcoming them)

- De-intellectualise - make literature easy to read

- Use more creativity, theatre, etc.

- Offer a broader scope of participation - some people cannot afford to get arrested due to work and family commitments

- Build coalitions of organisations to represent a broader cross section of people

- Actively encourage people to help organise actions. Many activists never get involved in organisation

- Think about how much we want to open up / encourage challenges to our own ideologies?

- Prioritise meeting new people / local people with open days on site, barbecues etc. and make it fun for them

- 'Children Welcome' signs, and real access for people with disabilities

- More emotional support for people just starting to get involved

- Organise training and briefing sessions prior to actions, and debriefings afterwards.

- Lots of people work 9-5 so schedule meetings at other times

- Link with other NGOs/groups e.g. FoE when we have common ground (but beware of compromise!)

- Groups should do more stalls, e.g. at gigs and in town centres and campaigns should produce more leaflets to go on them.

- Make better use of resources, skills, tools e.g. computer hacking, signing, "preaching"

- Question, educate, empower OURSELVES

- Empower people not currently active - enable them to defy authority & hierarchy and take control of their own lives;

Looking for the Root of it all

The 'why' of Earth First!

In our wider analysis of what is wrong with the world who do we see ourselves as being against? Bosses, cops, transnational corporations, politicians, the authoritarian left, the media - all of these and more?

EF!: "Confronting, stopping, reversing the forces destroying the Earth and its inhabitants"

In order to achieve the above, our movement needs to focus on the following:

- Challenge the education system, get the next generation to speak and think for themselves, work together, discover their own radical world view;

- Global capitalism (of course, again)

- Recognise that capitalism works in the interests of the dominant class therefore we need to become conscious of class and the role it plays within our movement and in wider society.

- Use Millennium as focus for educating people about urgency of creating sustainable communities in order to survive into the future

- Co-operative and sustainable alternatives can exist in all spheres of our society, and it is as important to build these up as to dismantle system that oppress us.

- Recognise that patriarchy is another force oppressing people and destroying the Earth.

- Advanced technology is inherently alienatory and difficult to sustain in a non hierarchical society.