[New-imc] Columbia River Gorge IndyMedia

[Petros Evdokas]

Hello,

I wanted to thank you, Jay and Bht, for contacting Martha 
Blake about the Columbia River Gorge IndyMedia project. I 
would like you to have a copy of a letter I sent to her on 
May 7th, about the same subject (copy below).

It's obvious from my letter that while I'm offering to help 
out I'm also at the same time choosing to be guided by an 
awareness of the problems we face within IndyMedia, instead 
of wanting to push them under the carpet as we often seem to do.

In particular, the severe problems with lack of democratic 
process which were reported and discussed here in our 
new-imc work group, regarding the Portland-imc and 
Eugene-imc groups, *must* guide us to forming this new 
alliance (our Archives contain a lot of materials on this 
subject for those unfamiliar with the issues.)

A strategic assessment of our entire US West Coast situation 
has to be a part of this new relationship:
We're still experiencing the terrible aftermath of the 
ongoing split between the San Fransisco imc groups; the 
Eugene and Portland groups seem to be still in strong need 
of an audit (if not a complete overhaul); it was reported 
that the Seattle imc recently went through a down-sizing.

All of it put together says that we need to keep building 
our new imc groups on the "Left Coast" a lot more carefully, 
and with attention to democratic process, transparency, and 
a stronger committment to the politics of social change.

I would like to be an ally in this process.
Below is my letter to Martha. I'm also sending a copy of 
this to other imc activists in the region who I know are 
very concerned about what's happening within some indymedia 
groups and the direction they are taking.

Looking forward to working with you on this project,
Petros
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Date: Fri, 07 May 2004 11:18:52 -0700
From: Petros Evdokas <petros at cyprus-org.net>
To: "Martha P. Blake" <mb at gorgeweb.com>
Subject: Columbia River Gorge IndyMedia

Hello Martha,

I'm a member of the new-imc work group. A letter from you
from a few days ago, was forwarded  to the group (copy below).

I'd like to offer my help. I can help in a number of small ways:

- help you with suggestions on how to assemble a local imc
group which will be in harmony with our general imc
guidelines and policies,

- help you avoid the pitfalls encountered by the Portland
imc group (right near you) into which it has proudly plunged
real deep,

- help you with the process within the new-imc work group.

If you're into a slow and steady rhythm of work towards
actualizing the project, we can do this sanely and efficiently.

IndyMedia is the unofficial organ of expression of a large
section of the planet-wide resistance to the domination by
corporate and authoritarian state power. We fulfill our
mission by being committed to both radical politics and to
free- journalism. If you feel comfortable with these
politics to be guiding us, I'd be very happy to communicate
further with you about the project.

We are going to need more help to do this, both from other
members of the imc-work group, and also from organizations
and individuals in your area, who might eventually become
supporters or members of your local indymedia.

Things I can not help with:

- most technical issues,
- any lack of accountability or sense of responsibility by
other imc participants (we have plenty of that, unfortunately).

The bioregion you are in, a mighty big river in a land of
volcanoes, with its particular environmental needs and
economic concerns, is a perfect setting for high- quality
imc projects. I am located about 2hrs drive west of you, and
I'd like to be an ally.

Please let me know how any of this sounds.
Thanks,
Petros
http://petros-evdokas.cyprus-org.net/
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