Reportback: Northeast Regional Indymedia Gathering

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA- Deep in the Berkshire Mountains, out at the end of a dirt track, a strange call boomed. It was unlike any bird, frog or mammal ever heard. It was the call of the once rare, and now swiftly becoming plentiful, indymedia devotee. Odd the call was, something like a thunderous cross between a red tail and a member of the Mohawk tribe from way back (with just a twinge of the Boston brogue) and a steady beat. It sounded so distinct and so much more advanced than anything like an elephant or a donkey that one could forget that these animals ever existed, if it weren’t for the gathering’s focus on the upcoming Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

Forty-four hard working devoted media hounds from all over New England came to this, the Third Annual New England IMC Gathering, to work, to play, and to network. In attendance were delegations from Rochester, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, New York City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Hudson/Mohawk River Valley, Washington DC, Western Massachusetts, Houston, Budapest, and a lucky group of 3 from right here in the Hub. Our host, Madhava of NYC indymedia fame, must be thanked profusely and then thanked again for the unbelievably luscious digs provided in such a beautifully serene setting, Camp WaWa Segowea, a group of cabins and a meeting/eating hall situated on a small lake in the Berkshire Mountains.



IndyWomyn and IndyMen discussed plans for the DNC in Boston, the RNC in New York, and general topics such as fundraising, outreach and other strategies for success. Boston presented its plan for a media convergence center for incoming indymedia from around the globe and also for a one shot newspaper to be distributed in large quantities before and during the Democratic National Convention to residents throughout Boston. (Volunteers for this project contact us here.) New York City revealed its plan for a very large media center and various print, video, radio, and web projects and coverage including their own bi-weekly newspaper, the Indypendent. Fundraising and outreach meetings gave everyone a chance to share experiments that succeeded and those that failed so that all IMC’s can improve their efforts and reach more people than ever before. In between all this serious business was enough frivolity to distract a fervent Baptist minister from his most fiery sermon.



Activities included Canoeing, Kayaking, Tightrope walking, Trapeze jumping, Hiking, Ping Pong, B-ball, and launching off a huge rope swing into the lake. Some of the food was graciously provided by Food not Bombs (Thanks!).



More Infomation about organizing for demonstrations at the Political Conventions this summer can be found at the Black Tea Society and
RNC not Welcome websites.