[Imc-finance] Proposal 2004-F: Support for RNC Indymedia coverage -- up to $3, 000 U.S.

[Sascha Meinrath]

Hi everyone,

Here's some answers to various questions that have been asked -- could
someone translate (I don't trust my written Spanish to do an adequate job
;).

> IMC-Uruguay collective discussed the 2004-F request and we think it is
> necessary additional information in order to take position about the
> request.

> 1) Considering that the request was done by IMC Urbana C. for the NY
> IMC, we want to know, why the request wasn't made by the local
> collective? who is there planning the coverage of the demonstrations and
> therefore they are the ones who should say if they need money and for
> what

The proposal is on behalf of the IMCs that are organizing around the RNC.
Currently roughly 20 different IMCs are planning to help with RNC coverage
-- because I'm fairly familiar with IMC-Finance, I sent in the proposal on
behalf of this inter-IMC group.  The "host" collective (for the RNC) is
New York City IMC; but they are extremely busy handling other logistics
and organizing issues.  The proposal _is not_ for the UCIMC -- not a
single dollar would be spent for the UCIMC.  This proposal is to help fund
the basic infrastructure that will be needed to set up an IMC space that
can handle all the IMC-stas that will be coming to the RNC.

Funding will be spent on things like: paying for extra bandwidth and
server space (so that people can upload their images, video, audio, etc.);
Media Center supplies -- everything from critical media supplies; extra
phone lines; etc.

> 2) would you need the money just for emergencies? in previous similar
> experiences ,what kind of expenses were made? why was it necessary to
> use extra money?

Yes, it would only be drawn upon only if no other funding options exist
and would be for emergency usage.  Think of it as a last-resort option to
help prevent critical information services from going down during the RNC.
Previously, the largest problem has been in bandwidth quotas being
exceeded (and thus sites being shut down), extra phone services (because
so many people have been doing interviews or have needed to coordinate
with other IMC-stas, and emergency media supplies (e.g., to get blank
tapes to videographers in return for video showing important actions,
police oppression, etc.).

The RNC will be a protest of unprecedented proportions -- and the Media
Center that is being set up is far larger and a much more complex project
than we've done previously.  Because of this, the RNC convergence
organizers think that it would be a good idea to have an emergency fund
that could be drawn upon during the RNC.  100% of the funding would go to
pay for equipment and services (e.g., telephone, Internet connectivity)
used by the media space to help support the work of IMC activists; and the
funding would only be utilized if other funding options are not available.

--Sascha Meinrath
Urbana-Champaign IMC