APRIL 2000: A16 Revolutionary Anti-Capitalist Bloc Statement on Diversity of Tactics(adopted for World Bank/IMF summit that year)

“We feel that the power of each group to organize autonomously based on their own ideas shows the strength of our movement. We would like to emphasize this. . . . We believe that the most effective protest is each group autonomously taking action and using the tactics that they feel works best for their situation. We do not advocate one particular tactic but believe that the greatest diversity of tactics is the most effective use of tactics. We are critical of ideologically motivated arguments that oppose this. This is why we do not believe that it is organizationally principled for any one group to set the guidelines for the protests.”

FEBRUARY 2008: The St. Paul Principles (adopted for RNC Convention that year)

1. Our solidarity will be based on respect for a diversity of tactics and the plans of other groups.2. The actions and tactics used will be organized to maintain a separation of time or space.3. Any debates or criticisms will stay internal to the movement, avoiding any public or media

denunciations of fellow activists and events.4. We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption and

violence. We agree not to assist law enforcement actions against activists and others.

AUGUST 2009: The Pittsburgh Principles (adopted for G20 summit protest that year)

1. Our solidarity will be based on respect for a political diversity within the struggle for social justice. As individuals and groups, we may choose to engage in a diversity of tacics and plans of action but are committed to treating each other with respect.

2. We realize that debates and honest criticisms are necessary for political clarification and growth in our movements. But we also realize that our detractors will work to divide by inflaming and magnifying our tactical, strategic, personal, and political disagreements. For the purposes of political clarity, and mutual respect we will speak to our own political motivations and tactical choices and allow other groups and individuals to speak on their own behalf. We reject all forms of red-baiting, violence-baiting, and fear-mongering; and efforts to foster unnecessary divisions among our movements.

3. As we plan our actions and tactics, we will take care to maintain appropriate separations of time and space between divergent tactics. We will commit to respecting each other’s organizing space and the tone and tactics they wish to utilize in that space.

4. We oppose any state repression of dissent, including surveillance, infiltration, disruption and violence. We agree not to assist law enforcement actions against activists and others. We oppose proposals designed to cage protests into high-restricted “free speech zones.”

5. We will work to promote a sense of respect for our shared community, our neighbors, and particularly poor and working class people in our community and their personal property.

(NOTE: In all cases, bold-text emphasis added by me. – SD)