Hi there Streets-Painters!
Itās been one week since the kick-off meeting and Iām really impressed with how the project is making ripples throughout the movement and how things are coming together.
Australian rebels!
Weāre in lockdown and the world is changing. With the current public health risks and increased police powers, itās risky to be out in the streets but when the time is right, weāll burst forth and Paint the Streets. Until then, cut yourself a gorgeous set of stencils and roll out some posters for post-lockdown, or bring some colour to your local streets in a small but meaningful (and safe) way.
April 2020 is PHASE ONE: PRE-PRODUCTION.
Paint the Streets Group Vision Reminder
Weāll inspire rebels across the country to put out powerful and loving messages throughout the community, providing resources to make it as easy as possible for anyone to join in on Paint the Streets.
The message is big, bold and colourful .
The message conveys urgency and encourages people to join the rebellion. We want to continue building the rebellion through the pandemic.
We build on XR messages that are already strong, like āWe are all in this togetherā, āTell the truth and act as though that truth I realā.
We disrupt the business-as-usual mindset, āAnother world is possibleā.
We build the āstory of weā ā that we can work together and provide mutual aid ā and undermine the āstory of Iā ā that we are selfish, greedy, competitive and prone to climb over others to get ahead, make more money, buy more stuff.
We find ways to convey that this is what emergency mode looks like ā that we can work together to make big changes fast when we are facing a life and death threat.
We help promote messages from the broader climate movement, like āBuild back betterā, āWe need a Peopleās Recovery Planā, āWe donāt want to go back to normal, normal is the problemā.
Our message is loving and empathic, but edgy. We dare to say what others dare not.
Our visibility helps creates and maintain a strong sense of XR community , providing love and support for rebels
Our visibility also maximises our power to influence , helping increase the chance of good outcomes from the pandemic emergency and reducing the chance of bad outcomes (disaster capitalism etc).
XR is everywhere ā chalking, posters, house signs, subvertising and online.
Our visibility reassures others who are worried about the climate and ecological emergency that XR is not slacking off.
Our messages are family friendly and some may use humour . We donāt want to offend families with children who are using a bike path or visiting a supermarket.
OUR MESSAGE GOES VIRAL!
Group Updates:
Online Libraries / How-to Guides
Kate has been compiling resources in the google drive, containing:
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Paint the Streets Arts Guide - A really awesome document started by Jane, brought almost to completion by Kate.
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Stencils
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How to Guides on:
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Stencil-making
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Paste-ups
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Stencils for āRewildingā walls and footpaths during lockdown bit by bit.
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Photos of Examples of Paint the Streets
This drive is a location where we can accumulate our resources.
Messaging Resources
Tee has started a document containing basic messaging guidelines and some example messages accentuating the question of what kind of world we want to live in.
Outreach to Media and Messaging Groups
Jane has reached out to XR Vic M&M group, and now thereās a messaging group working on some evidence-based messaging, liaising with messaging folks from Breakthrough, VCAN and environmental NGOs.
Stickers
Mai from South Australia has shared her experience of DIY stickers that are easy to make and infinitely customizable with some card, texta and stuck up with some wheat paste.
Brad has been looking at the option of commercially-produced stickers that we can quickly acquire in large quantities and distribute for maximum accessibility. All we need is to pick a design!
Strategic Rollout Plan / Decentralization Framework
Progress has been made on how we might escalate and decentralize Paint the Streets. The Australian Mass Mobilization group has taken an interest in what we are doing and is interested in boosting it across the country. XR Sydney have shared Paint the Streets pre-production material in their newsletter. We now have interested people from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, NSW and ACT.
The group working on the strategic roll-out plan have been brainstorming what working groups we might decentralize the Paint the Streets project into.
Next Meeting: Thursday 30th of April
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5pm - 6pm Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane
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4:30 - 5:30pm Adelaide
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3pm - 4pm Perth
Please invite anyone who you feel is appropriate. Send them this RSVP link: https://actionnetwork.org/events/paint-the-streets-australia-planning-meeting/
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/5256267273
This meeting will include a status update followed by planning in breakout groups.
I am starting to assemble the meeting agenda here.
If anyone would like to help with the coordination please get in touch: manicmax@protonmail.com.