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Demand Justice from BART April 8th : Framework for The Action

by Oakland for Justice
This action is planned around a "framework". Within those guidelines, people who participate are able to take action according to their own conscience, risk level, and ability. The action will involve sitting-in on the platform. Bring a sign or banner to display, a noisemaker, musical instrument, t-shirt, etc, but keep it in a bag until the action starts. We intend to look indistinguishable from normal commuters as we arrive on the platform. There will be a cue that the action is starting at about 4pm, but not everything needs to happen right away, or all at once. Indeed, some of us may delay our civil disobedience or arrest until later on to prolong the process. Keep this in mind as you plan your participation. People are encouraged to form affinity groups. An affinity group is a small trusted group of friends who will be sticking together and acting according to their own plan on the day of the action. Since you are doing your own planning, you don't need to wait for instructions from anybody to act. The action is intended to conclude at 6pm.
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How can I help? Action Guidelines Form an Affinity Group TAKE ACTION WITH US

Guidelines Define the Framework for The Action

This action is planned as a "framework". Sometimes civil disobedience follows a very specific recipe where an action sticks to a very detailed plan agreed upon by everybody ahead of time. A framework is different — it's kind of like making a call for a potluck. We agree on the style of cooking, but you choose what dish you will bring. Thus, we have agreed upon certain guidelines that will shape the events of April 8th. Within these guidelines, people who participate are able to TAKE ACTION according to their own conscience, risk level, and ability. This allows for spontaneous and creative actions that people plan on their own, and we hope it will increase the effectiveness of the civil disobedience.

Our guidelines:

Safety:

  • Actions should reflect a commitment to strategic non-violence.
  • Do not engage in anything more than passive resistance.
  • Do not antagonize passengers or force them to engage you.
  • Do not deny passengers egress from trains or station.
  • Consider the physical risk of your action and make sure you have support if you are going to do something that impairs your ability to take care of your own health or well being.
  • Involve videographers, medics, and legal observers.

Informed Consent:

  • All action participants should be fully informed of what they are about to do.
  • There should be clear messaging on all green, yellow, and red actions.
  • Passengers should be notified of the action via press release and direct outreach on trains.

Participation:

  • Actions should "read" as traditional sit-in civil disobedience at Embarcadero Station.
  • Diversity of participation.
  • Anyone that wants to participate can find a role that fits the level of risk they are willing to take (red, yellow, and green roles).
  • We use an open planning process, a framework for action and spokescouncils for discussing the general scope of the action.
  • We outreach to wider community, including faith-based and families effected by police violence to achieve the broadest possible participation.
  • We are supporters and users of public transportation and we welcome all riders of public trains and buses to join us in our call for justice and accountability at BART.
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