[Imc-communication] seeking thoughts about a conference [en][es]

[bmedia at riseup.net]

Quoting nick <sarsnic at gmail.com>:

> [en]
>
> I have things to say to those in power, and I don't give up my
> opportunities out of a sense of purity or being overly careful.

I suppose everyone must make their own decisions about these things --  
provided, of course, that people do not cluelessly, if accidentally,  
compromise the security and safety of others. however, i would really  
encourage people to  think carefully about what could possibly be  
gained by talking to the oppressor in a situation like this. this is  
not an opportunity to make positive changes, in my opinion. it is  
simply a risk. even well-intended efforts to "educate" the state about  
how it "should" behave often end up being opportunities for the state  
(to glean more information than was intended, to profile people and  
organizations, to gain PR points, etc) rather than opportunities for  
the people or organizations who talk to them. there is a tremendous  
power imbalance here, and it would be wise to remember that.

i add this to what i said earlier mainly because i get really  
concerned when people use the word "purity" in an apparent effort to  
dismiss very real concerns about ever talking to the police state.  
this isn't about purity. it's about survival.

In Solidarity,
Cat