When I wrote Research as Organizing Tool in 2001, the report was oriented toward application in netwar against the Far Right, to counter its recurrent use of vigilantism against environmentalists and indigenous peoples over public policy conflicts. Since then, I have corresponded with activist scholars involved with #Occupy and the indigenous peoples movement, encouraging them to institutionalize investigative research within their networks, both for security and strategic purposes.
While the interests of #Occupy and the indigenous peoples movement coincide, in that they both promote democracy and oppose fraud, there are social and cultural differences that make them distinct. This difference, however, needn’t interfere with cooperation and collaboration in bringing corporate criminals to account. Indeed, doing so is in their mutual interest.
If you thought #Occupy was dead, think again. The encampments might have vanished, but the activist scholars have been busy. #Occupy London and friends, going by the moniker The Rules, are hosting a campaign to expose the City of London as tax haven capitol of the world. Visit the Hidden City of London is the theme for the campaign by The Rules, which is sponsoring a March 16 day of action at the Bank of England and Royal Exchange.
Indigenous Peoples are putting their bodies on the line and it's our responsibility to make sure you know why. That takes time, expertise and resources - and we're up against a constant tide of misinformation and distorted coverage. By supporting IC you're empowering the kind of journalism we need, at the moment we need it most.
