The 2008 CrimethInc. Convergence

Some weird stuff is happening in the woods of Waldo.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Some 150 anarchists from throughout the United States and Canada descended on a strip of private land this week in this Sheboygan County village for four days of workshops, including some focused on strategizing for demonstrations at the upcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions.

The 2008 CrimethInc. Convergence was the sixth annual communal campout organized by CrimethInc. Ex-Workers' Collective, an international underground network that since the mid-1990s has published widely read anarchist texts such as "Recipes for Disaster: An Anarchist Cookbook."

CrimethInc. texts eschew government, capitalism and conformity. The collective has no members and no leader. But the convergence had plenty of policy and procedure. Decisions are made by consensus, and there are no drugs, drinking, photography or exchange of money allowed. And definitely no police or corporate media.

"The locals are welcome," media liaison and local circus performer Pinkerton Xyloma said. "We have a no-media policy because the media are not considered individuals. It is a concern that people from the media will not respect people's consent or consensus."

Xyloma would not say why the group was gathered in Wisconsin or what participants were discussing. He said they had no interest in violence or terrorism.

...The focus of the 2008 convergence was on strategizing for action at the national conventions and "longer-range anarchist endeavors," according to the Web site. Among the presenters: The RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist group preparing to disrupt the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota.

Participants were also encouraged to come prepared to lead their own workshops. "Projectiles 101" promised to teach anarchists how to build things such as confetti cannons and slings. "Guy-necology" focused on sexual issues for men, such as their role in birth control and acceptable flirtation.

"Projectiles 101" and "Guy-necology."

That would be funny if it wasn't so creepy.

No drugs or drinking. Really? That's really hard to believe.

Media liaison and local circus performer Pinkerton Xyloma speaks of the group having a no-media policy. They don't recognize the media because they aren't individuals. Hmm.

I think it's interesting that they have a no-media policy yet they have a media liaison. Why entertain what they don't recognize?

I also think it's interesting that the media liaison is a circus performer. I wonder what he does. Clown? Sword swallower? Human cannonball?

So far the CrimethInc. Convergence hasn't caused a disturbance. They're just peacefully working on their strategies for disrupting the national conventions and "longer-range anarchist endeavors."

You wouldn't expect anarchists to behave themselves.

There's quite a clash of cultures in Sheboygan County going on this week. Road America in Elkhart Lake is hosting the Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman, a large vintage car gathering with days of activities. Anarchy isn't on the agenda of the car enthusiasts, but just down the road in Waldo, anarchy is the driving force behind the Convergence.

I bet people in Waldo often don't lock their doors.

I think it might be a good idea to do that while the anarchists are having their Convergence.