Through out the world, on any given day political activists are using new media technologies to connect with one another, share information and organise protests. Individuals use the internet to join protest groups that interest them, to enter chat rooms with other activists to discuss politics and to send information instantaneously to people on the other side of the world. Groups such as The Refugee Action Collective network with other activist organisations such as Greenpeace or Indymedia to promote events and exchange contacts. This form of networking is reason that modern social movements have the opportunity to reach more people than simply their own members. Forums such as the Grassroots Gathering in Dublin encourage participants to mix between movements rather than staying in 'issue based' groups. The uptake of new technologies for activists is not limited to the internet, mobile phone technology is also being used to connect activists. During the recent protests against the National Republican Convention in the United States a specific SMS system was implemented for protesters to message each other with news about police activity, the location of safe spaces and the where abouts of delegates from the convention.
=== The power of Connection ===
The information revolution effectively breaks down traditional hierarchies that usually run movements and organisations. Individuals from groups that concern themselves with human rights, peace, environmental issues, consumer rights, labor, immigration and refugee rights come together under the banner of social justice and equality and are able to freely communicate with one another to strengthen their causes.
=== Related Sites ===
The Presidium Council - [1]
The MST, news from the Brazilian struggle for land - [2]
Food First - [3]
Global Exchange - [4]
=== Sources ===
Nettime-1-request@bbs.nettime.com
The Refugee Action Collective- www.rac.org
Wehling, Jason (1995). 'Netwars and Activists Power on the Internet'. www.spunk.org
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Donna hancox 15:25, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
