RNC Convergence Bulletin 8/1

[RNC at Macalester]

Friends, comrades, allies,

As August begins, we begin our final month of preparations for the RNC
protests in St. Paul. We have been working diligently at Macalester
for half a year to make these protests a success for our movement and
to expand our boundaries. In this process, Students for a Democratic
Society has designated Macalester to be a convergence space for
activist students from a variety of groups.

We have heard a variety of myths and miscommunications about the
Macalester RNC Convergence, and would like to use this email to clear
some of those up and update visitors and allies about the situation
here.

--HOUSING--

Our housing situation has stabilized within the last few weeks. In the
last bulletin, we indicated that our space would be a "contested"
space, because of Macalester's administration and its reluctance to
help out with the convergence. Since then, things have begun to improve.
A decision was made by our group that continuing to engage
only with administration for space and not locate our own was
resulting in misplaced energy. Instead, we have begun a process of
massive outreach to our community to find places to house visiting
students.

With that in mind, we are proud to announce the new strategy for
housing at the RNC Convergence:

1. Housing with students. We are working with our fellow students to
find spaces in the dorms and in off-campus housing for as many
activists as possible.
2. Student/faculty/staff/community backyards. We are working with
interested members of the community who own/rent houses to allow
activists to set up tents in their backyards.
3. Churches. While we initially avoided asking churches for space
because we wanted to respect other non-student protesters who needed
to use the space, we have discovered that the vast majority of
churches in our neighborhood have not been contacted by any groups
planning to protest the convention. Mindful of how useful these large
spaces could be, we are working with several churches to find space to
house visitors.
4. Large spaces on campus. We continue to work with our administration
to understand our needs and allow us to use a gym or large space on
campus.

So what does this mean for you, the visitors?

First, if you have a tent, you should bring it. We do not know where
we are putting everyone and being flexible is important. Second, the
space is, at the current time, not considered "contested," but
returning again to "safe." Since we are not, at the current time,
planning any housing situations that violate Macalester's policies, we
do not expect any kind of response from the administration.

--EVENTS--

We are continuing to plan tremendous workshops, skill-shares,
lectures, round-tables, and concerts. The majority of these will be on the
weekend before the protests, August 30 and 31. Details on these events
continue to take shape. If you or your group has skills or knowledges
that you'd like to share, please contact RNCatMa...@gmail.com and
you will be put in touch with our Workshop Committee.

--IMPORTANT--

How can you help us? It's incredibly easy! Take 2 minutes out of your
life and register for housing at our website,
www.minnesotasds.org/housing. We know that it seems a hassle, but we
have no idea how many people are coming if we do not have
registration. At the current time, we have about 150 people
registered, but out of conversations we've had, we know that there are
many more people planning on coming. We are unable to accurately
estimate the number of people coming. Please, out of respect for the
work that we're doing, out of respect for our time and energy, and
because you want this convergence to succeed, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
register today. (We know this seems nagging, but we can't
overemphasize enough how important this is for our work to succeed.)

--MORE TO COME!--

We'll be sending out more bulletins every week or so until the RNC is
upon is. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to contact
RNCatMa...@gmail.com with questions or feedback.

Solidarity and see you in St. Paul,
The RNC Committee of Macalester SDS

P.S. Remember to register if you haven't!
(www.minnesotasds.org/housing) It's easy, fun, and is so helpful for
our organizing! Thanks!