Affinity group (activism)
A reference group , also known as the Autonomous Group or Affinity Group , is a small group of activists who carry out Direct Actions together . It usually consists of three to twenty people.
Reference groups are not organized hierarchically and work according to the principle of consensus . They mostly consist of trustworthy friends and similarly minded people. You represent a reactive, flexible and decentralized method of organization.
Affinity groups can be based on a common political ideology or political conviction - such as anarchism -, have an interest in a particular cause - such as the anti-nuclear movement - or have an activity, role or ability in common, for example at demonstrations as a medic (" Demo paramedics ”) work. Affinity groups can be open or closed to new members, the latter being more common.
history
The origin of the reference groups dates back to 19th century Spain, where they were called tertulias or grupos de afinidad by Spanish anarchists . Affinity groups reappeared in the US antiwar movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The terminus Affinity Group was used there for the first time by Ben Morea of the group " Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers ". They became popular in Europe in the 1970s, especially in the movement against nuclear power, alongside the United States . The siege of the nuclear power plants on the Ruhr in 1969 by 30,000 people was mainly realized with the help of reference groups. Later, activists in the peace movement organized themselves on college campuses according to their interests or backgrounds, such as religion, gender or ethnic group . Today this structure is used by various activists: u. a. by animal rights activists , environmentalists , the anti-war movement and globalization critics .
The breaking off of the WTO conference in Seattle in 1999 was achieved in part through the coordinated action of several “swarms” of reference groups.
organization
Outward
Reference groups are autonomous by definition . Coordinated efforts and cooperation of several reference groups is often achieved through a loose form of confederation .
- A cluster is the basic organization among reference groups. A cluster is made up of several reference groups and is organized non-hierarchically. It can be permanent, but more often it is an ad hoc grouping merged only for a specific task or action . Here, people can come together for a specific task, such as blocking a street, based on a common ideology, religion, origin or language.
- The speakers' council , in German mostly simply referred to as "Deliplenum" ( delegates - plenum ), is an accumulation of reference groups and clusters. Each reference group and each cluster nominates a representative who takes part in the speakers' council. Deliplenen (English: Spokescouncil) usually only come together temporarily to carry out a task or a measure.
Inside
Affinity groups are generally loosely structured, but some have formal roles, with all, some, or none in a group. They can be temporary or permanent, rotate among members or be tied to one person.
- A speaker , also deli (from delegate, English spoke) is an individual who has the task of representing the reference group at the deliplenum and cluster meeting. He presents the requests and needs of the reference group to the speakers' council and brings the decisions made there back to the group. In some cases, the reference group grants him a kind of ambassador role.
- A media contact is the contact person for the mass media and the person who represents the group for them. Often the same person attending the council of speakers.
- A supporter who does not take part in a mass action, but takes care of the group, maintains contact with other reference groups and is the contact person in the event of arrests.
- A moderator who moderates the consensus- finding process and is partly responsible for resolving internal conflicts.
- A vibe watch (German mood observer) is a person who observes the mood and emotional state of the group. The name is derived from vibration , which in English and contemporary German is a term used for a general basic emotional mood. In some affinity groups, the Vibe Watch also ensures that the moderator does not use his role to promote a suggestion or a particular point of view.
- A snap-decision facilitator , also known as a “quick decision facilitator”, makes quick decisions for the whole group in situations with little time or high external pressure. This position is rare and usually limited in time.
Individuals are advised to connect with a direct partner and to form so-called buddies in order to enable quick reactions to actions such as swarmings , civil disobedience or spontaneous abandonment of the action. Members of a tandem with two or tridems with three people stay together under all circumstances. You can write down contact information in the event of an arrest to inform supporters.
Web links
- Affinity group reader Achieving more together , revised edition 2019
- Directaction.org photos and documents
- Ruckus (Engl.)
- Generic Organizational Structure Outline for affinity groups ( Memento from June 27, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Colorado Communities for Justice and Peace ( Memento October 17, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Rant Collective: History of Affinity Groups ( Memento from May 19, 2006 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Eve Hinderer: Ben Morea, Black Mask and Motherfucker ( Memento from October 29, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Starhawk.org: Affinity Groups ( Memento of September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Uproot: Affinity groups
- ↑ Seattle prepares for battle - Trade before freedom
- ^ Rant Collective: Clusters and Spokes Councils ( Memento from May 19, 2006 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ G8 from the perspective of an Irish anarchist ( Memento from September 7, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Austinspokes.org What is a spokescouncil? ( Memento from July 9, 2006 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Handout Basics for Affinity Groups (PDF) from extinctionrebellion.de , accessed June 5, 2019