How to make boycott and divestiture simple and measurable?

[yurbud]

These are probably the most effective tools we have given the media's only token coverage of demonstrations.

The problem with both is the same one the left has in general: communication.

How do we get the goals and actions down to something simple enough that people can understand it instantly? Can it be pared down to a handful of corporations? Can the criteria be something easily understood and applied?

Also, how do we measure success and action (before reaching ultimate goal) on an act of omission?

Anybody remember how the anti-Apartheid thing worked?

I like the American and European Buy Blue campaigns, but we need something even harder edged and simpler.



Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[Son of California]

1. How about doing a little research

picking out the say, top ten corporate doners to the GOP and boycotting.
as a start

how about doing a simular thing with any corporation making money off the war

[yurbud]

6. WEBSITE: corpwatch war profiteers

Looks like they are a couple of steps ahead of us.


http://corpwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=176

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[wli]

2. sick out days could get high-profile

Not sure how many people get sick days, though.

[yurbud]

3. it would be nice if not just cops but lefties got "blue flu"

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[wli]

4. the thing is, Bushler's shown he's willing to go over the top vs. protests

So there's a lot to be said for not presenting such an easy target. So I'm thinking:

1. stay-home strikes
2. sick-outs
3. boycotts
4. politicize purchasing (e.g. "buy blue")
5. slow-working
6. monkeywrenching (this needs to be very carefully distinguished from sabotage, and if it can't be, taken out of consideration)
7. whistleblowing/leaking
8. unofficial/unorganized collective bargaining (sidestepping anti-union crap like Taft-Hartley)

Showing up in a mass on the streets presents a very obvious target for police brutality, mass arrests, and (surprise!) bombings.

[yurbud]

5. I mentioned the stay home strike in conjunction with sept. 24 protest

unfortunately, that protest is on a saturday.


But we should plan one in conjunction with that.

Or in retaliation to the next terrorist attack that will be their excuse to attack Iran.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[wli]

7. A stay-home strike is already justified in retaliation for CAFTA

It would be good to arrange one as a run-up and/or follow-up to 24 Sept.