Debate Update #1 : AZ IMC

The final debate held before the November presidential elections will be in Tempe, Arizona on Wednesday October 13, 2004. The Monsoon Anarchist Collective is active in organizing against the debates and has issued a call to action inviting anarchists, anti-authoritarians, and radicals to join us in Phoenix to bring the real debate into the streets.

The debate will be held in Gammage Auditorium, located at the southwest corner of the Arizona State University campus. Nearly a quarter mile of the streets in two directions will be closed from October 12th until the 14th. Gammage will be protected by chain link fence topped with barbwire along with an 8-foot high security wall that will also be used at the two previous debates.

Debate Events (not planned by MAC):
Monday October 11th, 2004
Free (For All) Market: What is that? The major parties' presidential candidates agree on the "benefits" of a "free" trade economy. Yet, more and more of us can't get what we need and others of us are bogged down in excess. Join us for a joyful display of what a truly "free" market would look like while expanding our vision of the possibilities for creating a fair economy.
WHEN: NOON - 4:00 PM
WHERE: Birchett Park in Tempe (at the corner of Mill and Apache)
WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Bring your spare phone or tomato seeds. Bring your ability to juggle or knit. Read some poetry, feed a neighbor. Share what you can and take what you need at the Free(for all) Market, where everyone benefits and creativity blossoms!

Wednesday October 13th, 2004
Demonstrations, March, Street & Puppet Theatre 4:00-8:00PM. The debate is focused on domestic issues, so expect the theme of the march to reflect the topic. March route has yet to be released.

So far there is no known "free speech zone" or rather, free speech is not known to be limited to one specific area. The Gammage Auditorium, where the debate is to be held, will of course be fenced in and protected. There is an area on the ASU campus (SRC field) where protesters will be encouraged to hang out (out of sight of public view). No doubt the neighborhoods surrounding the area will have a larger than usual police presence, virtually militarizing the area. Tempe residents can count on their movement being restricted and expect their civil and human rights to be violated.

All Tempe Police officers will be on duty and the city is hiring off duty officers from surrounding departments (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Phoenix PD, Gilbert PD, Scottsdale PD, ASU PD, and the Secret Service) for the week of the debates. Tempe PD's 20 horse mounted unit was to begin conducting practice drills at ASU last week in preparation for the debate protests, but the training was moved to a "secret location" after word of the training leaked out to the press. The Tempe PD has told inquiring parties that officers did not want to be photographed during the training and that is why it was moved.

There will be a convergence space, details are coming soon. Arizona Indymedia folks are working on creating an indymedia space as well. Many more details in the next week.

Let us know you're coming, email us at pac@phoenixanarchist.org

Monsoon Anarchist Collective's Call to Action here:
http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2004/09/21705.php

October 13th Alliance:
http://www.spidel.net/octoberdebate/

Phoenix Anarchist Coalition:
http://www.phoenixanarchist.org

Arizona Indymedia Center:
http://arizona.indymedia.org/

ASU resource page and logistics for the debates:
http://www.asu.edu/debate/